You Ask Rathelm: The Answers

 Hey everyone! I'm late again... but I shall try to post Friday instead of yesterday. Of course... tomorrow I'm starting college, so hoping I'll get my blog post up. Here's hoping!

 Anyway, I think we have waited long enough for Rathelm's answers to the questions we asked a while back. I guess there is a reason he didn't get as many as Elric. (I see that glare, Mr.) But here they are. May he have mercy on your heads.

Your majesty is too kind to answer the questions of us mere peasants. I would ask if you two things: the first, how many people have you executed in your illustrious career, and what is your preferred method? (William Cloud)

 I see you have a smooth tongue. Many with smooth tongues have had a sharp blade beneath it. In my time of king, the execution rate could be varied. There are certain crimes which are punishable by death that could be done without my knowledge, and taken care of. For personal execution... perhaps less than fifty... perhaps more.

 For my preferred method, the method with a message is the most suitable to get the word across to others in the kingdom. Therefore, often the most violent way is the most practical. For example, leaving traitorous generals high on towers in the sky to be dehydrated, and eaten by our lovely death birds.

 How long has he reigned as king and did he ever want to do anything else besides be king? (Victoria Grace Howell)

 I have been king for almost twenty-five years. Why do you wish to know this information? I never wanted anything else. It was what I was groomed for. It was what I always wanted to be, whether it was my choice or not.  Me: That totally makes sense...

What is his highness' favorite color, meal, and, if he were to have free time, what would he do? (Anna Three)

Purple for royalty. Roast duck stuffed with green peppers and cheeses. I used to hunt, but no more. The hobby has lost its appeal. A game of fencing gets the blood flowing. But if you think I'll tell you my schedule so that you can attack, you are gravely mistaken.

Is there a particular reason his highness is such a grouch? (Anna Three)

Insolence! If we were in Linaeus you would be executed at once. A maid should not speak to her king in such a familiar and disrespectful manner!

Me: Eesh. Moving on...

What was your childhood like? (Athelas Hale)

 Like any other who is destined to be king. Tutors in all practical things such as swordplay and strategy and some less needed areas. I played alone, but that was how things had to be. When you are special, you are apart. You must stay special.

When you became King, what did you feel? (Athelas Hale)

 Like a king! The moment I had trained for twenty years for had arrived. I was excited, ready to make my kingdom the best.

 What do you consider an offense worth death? (Athelas Hale)

 Betrayal above all other things. This encompasses all things like speaking about the king in a derogatory manner, talking to the king in a disrespectful manner, etc.

What did you feel like when you first killed someone? (Athelas Hale)

I have never killed a person myself, but on my first ordered execution I felt in control. No one could undermine me.

What do you think of your son, Elric? (Athelas Hale)

 My weakling son? He wastes time. If he is to be king he must show more interest in the position. He must be more serious. Dreams are for the lower royalty to attain. Everyone wants to be king so I don't know why he resists it so. He needs a backbone.

Why does his highness not value book learning? (Imogen Elvis)

 There are a certain few books that can be advantageous, but there is only a degree of book learning that can help you rule. The rest must be learned with iron fist and attentive ears.

What does his highness value instead? (Imogen Elvis)

 I value decisiveness. Knowing your own mind. That is the thing about my son. He never shows he has strength of will. I value strength. My son Aren. He is a sight to behold. A talented, likely young lad. Unfortunately he was born last.

In his highness's opinion, are kings are allowed to have friends, and if so, does he have any? (Imogen Elvis)

 Friendship was a commodity I never was allowed. I have never needed it. 

 Who does his highness care about the most? (Imogen Elvis)

 Can I say myself? In this world you have to look out for yourself. But if not, my son Aren. He is no failure.

And finally, cats or dogs? (Imogen Elvis)

Cats. They are brooding and unpredictable. A somewhat intriguing match up.

 Me: Yes... I can see that... I wonder who that reminds me of...

 Well, I guess that wasn't actually a bad amount of questions. Thanks guys! I hope you enjoyed this interview! See ya later!

 ~ a rambling author


  

A Novel Idea: Past Influences

 So I'm terrible. I haven't posted in over a week, and that's bad. But this is the life of a soon-to-be college freshman. GULP. Thankfully, my college is a car ride away from home so for at least the first two years I'll be here, but still, so much stuff is happening! Crazy crazy. So, I'm going to participate in the Novel Idea thing I did last time.

 

 Today it is on past influences of a character. Once again I'm going to use Elric. 

 1. What do they consider the most important thing they’ve done so far in their life? That's the problem. He feels he hasn't done anything truly important. The most important would be spying for his father.

 2. What is their greatest regret? Spying for his father and betraying some people he cares about.

 3. When was the last time they were really, really frightened? When he was attacked by bearwolves and then bandits.

 4. What was the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to them? Being ridiculed for who he is is a constant embarrassment. One thing would be difficult to pin point.

 5. If they could change one thing about their past – and only one thing – what would that be and why? That his brother hadn't died, and he hadn't become the heir to the throne. He would have more freedom and not be more scrutinized. And he would have his brother back. 

 ~ a rambling author

A Novel Idea Linkup: Character Background

 I didn't post yesterday because I was gone for most of the day, so I'm posting today. And since I don't have a book I want to talk about specifically today, I'm going to try this fun little linkup that Ashley set up. It was supposed to be done Saturday last week, but... So you may get another one tomorrow. :P

 

 So the questions she posted this week have to do with character backgrounds. Because he's often my go-to, and his story is still in the works, I'm going to pick Elric Kingson from The Prince's Quest.

 

1. Where were they born? In a hospital, in their home, what city?

   

 Elric was born in his family's palace home in the city of Lorelin. 

 

2. Where do they live now? 

 

 He still lives in the palace at Lorelin. 

 

3. Who are the people they are closest to? Family, friends?

 

 He is closest to his mother, Queen Eloine, and his manservant, Winston. 

 

4. Where do they go when they’re angry and need to get away?

 

 He prefers the gardens and the safety of a good book. 

Okay, that was fun! I love these little linkups. :)

~ a rambling author