Character Interview with Eanrin

Guess what, readers??? All right, you might be able to guess, what with the post title and all. I'm interviewing none other than Sir Eanrin, my favorite literary character, who features in The Tales of Goldstone Wood by Anne Elisabeth Stengl, and mostly recently appeared in Shadow Hand. And as you might suspect, he has a lot to say...

Welcome to The Writer’s Window, Sir Eanrin, valiant Knight of Farthestshore, brilliant Bard of Rudiobus, most charming, clever cat to ever walk the worlds, etc! I know it sounds like I’m just trying to butter you up, but it’s all sincere! You have been my favorite character since the first book of The Tales of Goldstone Wood. And I am so excited to have you here! Might I ask, what Time are you in right now? In other words, what has been your most recent adventure that readers will recognize?

Eanrin: Greetings, fair young mortal. It is indeed an honor to sit with you here at The Writer’s Window, gazing across vistas both vast and vertiginous. (You will take note of my poetic alliteration there, yes? Make certain your readers see it. I am rather nimble at wordplay—everyone says so. Well, mostly everyone. And those who don’t, well . . . who’s to say her opinion matters for anything? I am the Chief Bard of King Iubdan after all.)

As to your question, my life of recent times has been one long series of adventures, and they do all tend to run together, each upon the next. But for the moment, you find me rather breathlessly relieved to have just witnessed the triumph of one King Shadow Hand over a villain most foul. I wrote a ballad about it. It’s quite good.

Despite what some might say, I think you are a brilliant poet. (Eanrin: You are a young lady of fine taste. For a mortal.) I, ah, admit that your poems to Gleamdren make me snicker rather than sigh, but I believe your true genius rests in the epics you compose. I was very impressed with The Ballad of Shadow Hand. Could you share a few verses here?

Eanrin: Ah, you’ve read my new ballad, have you? What a wonder that is, for I’ve only just completed it! Did Dame Imraldera finish recording . . . Well. Well I suppose she must have. Otherwise how would you have seen it? She must have set to work soon after I left. But then, she is never one to put off a task, no matter how . . . unpleasant . . .

Oh, yes. The ballad. It is good, isn’t it? I was pleased with how it came about. Allow me to here declaim the opening for you:

O! Shadow Hand of Here and There,

Follow where you will

Your fickle, fleeing, fiery Fair

O'er woodlands, under hill.

She'll not be found save by the stone,

The stern and shining Bronze

Where Crooked stands the Mound alone

Thorn-clad and sharp with awns.

How pleasant are the Faerie folk

Who dwell beyond your time.

How pleasant are your aged Kinfolk

 Of olden, swelt'ry clime.

But dark the tithe they pay, my son

            To safely dwell beneath that sun!

I’m working on a much longer, much grander ballad, recounting of my adventures with the Dragonwitch, when I boldly went forth and rescued my beloved Lady Gleamdren from that ancient creature’s clutches. There have been, of recent years, some rather roughly-stated versions of that tale that reveal—um, that is—that imply the story went differently than how I prefer to see it in verse. But I will make certain my own version is the better known. For posterity’s sake, you understand.

Ah yes. I've--ahem--heard bits of that new ballad of yours. Moving on. Though I am a most ardent admirer, I am also one your sincerest supporters for you and—pardon my boldness—Lady Imraldera. Ah, ah, don’t give me that offended, shocked expression or spout anything about Lady Gleamdren. I know you too well. Do you have any plans to announce your love to Imraldera?

Eanrin: I don’t know, nor do I pretend to know, of what you speak. History has always revered me as the undying devotee of my beautiful Lady Gleamdren. I intend to see to it that this historical perspective continues even as it has for generations of your mortal years now. Other than that, I have nothing to say.

No! Dear lady, speak no more and make no protests. Upon this subject, my lips are closed. Do continue with your questions.

Sigh...Oh well, it was worth a shot. Moving on. The Wood Between is a very dangerous place, full of dangerous creatures. Whom or which do you consider most dangerous? Who do you think would be most dangerous to me personally?

Eanrin: The most dangerous creature in all the Wood? Need you even ask? Why it is I, dear lady. You’ll not meet anyone or anything in all the Wood Between more dangerous than Eanrin of Rudiobus.

But which being of the Wood would present the most danger to your pretty self? So many answers may prove true. But I will speak with great caution of the devil Guta and his pit. Many a mortal has fallen prey to Guta. A more fiendish brute you never did meet, for he feasts upon pain itself. Guta is a subtle conniver, and many an evil Path through the Wood will wind its way to the lip of his pit. But keep a wary eye out! Should you spy a tree with branches bare, the trunk twisted and blighted, giving all the appearance of death . . . and yet it is not dead, but goes on living an agonized life . . . Ah! Then you know, Guta’s pit is near. If you see such a tree, avoid it at all costs, fair maid. For you will not see Guta himself in time.

I'll be aware of that dreadful Guta! As for other things in the Wood, I’ve heard something of someone named Sun Eagle . . . What do you think of him?

Eanrin: I have no opinions concerning this person. None that I wish to state at this time. Again, dear maiden, do not press me. Continue with your questions.

What can you tell—or dare to tell—us about the Cren Cru?

Eanrin: Ah! Now there is a topic upon which a poet might wax eloquent indeed! But, for the sake of time, I shall keep to prose. I first heard of Cren Cru in rumors long ago . . . but I didn’t much care or contemplate what I heard, for in those days, I cared for little beyond my own pursuits and pleasures. The fate of other demesnes meant nothing to me. I heard some whispers that Tadew fell, leaving Queen Nidawi the Everblooming wandering alone through the Wood. But I did not prick up my ears and take notice until rumor reached Rudiobus that Cren Cru had latched hold of Etalpalli, the great demesne of the Sky People. That was news indeed; news most foul! I recall that my Queen Bebo bowed her head and wept. I thought then that it was for the fate of Etalpalli . . . but I wonder now if that was so. For Queen Bebo is blessed with a prophetic gift, the ability to hear and interpret the very Songs of the Spheres above. Perhaps she heard then of the destinies bound to befall Etalpalli and its people, beyond the dark workings of Cren Cru?

However it was, I didn’t expect to meet this strange parasite myself! But fate, or destiny, or some powerful providence has taken hold of me by the scruff and set me on unusual Paths these days.  I have seen and felt many things I would never have believed possible even a mere hundred years ago.

But that is all I will say on the topic of Cren Cru. After all, if your readers wish to learn more, they may find a copy of my new ballad! 

So fascinating! Thank you so much for gracing this humble blog with your presence! I enjoyed your company very much! Do you care to share anything random or hopes for the future?

Eanrin: I always have hopes for the future, random or otherwise. Just now, I hope to travel far, far, far away. Across the worlds. Or across the Near World, at least. I turn my nose to the east, and I will pursue the rising sun to see what I may find. I have no doubt I will meet with adventure, whether or not I hope for it. Perhaps I will also meet with . . . purpose. Or peace. I could not say for which I would be more eager to strive.

In the meanwhile, I bid you farewell, gentle maid, and thank you for your good conversation. I kiss your hand and pray Lumé and Hymlumé shine bright upon your Path. We will see one another again one day, I trust.

~

Well, that was fun!!! Such a delight to speak with him, that fiendish faerie!

You can buy Shadow Hand at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and CBD. If you've already read it, please consider taking the time to write a review at these places.

Also, there's a really awesome giveaway over at Fictionally where Grace is hosting a giveaway for your choice of one of The Tales of Goldstone Wood.

Find out more about the series and the author Anne Elisabeth Stengl at her blog, The Tales of Goldstone Wood.