Guest Post – Meet my Characters – Archos by A. L. Butcher @Libraryoferana #Fantasyauthor #darkfantasy #Fantasy #Meetacharacter

Character Interview – Archos

CHARACTER NAME Lord Archos Terrian Stormrager, Lord of Magic, Lord of the Arcane Realms, the Last Skychild. I am the Oncoming Storm.

Do you believe in monsters?

Of course – there are many in the land of Erana, many walk beneath the sun in human form. I have fought with Fae, demons and men, and of these the latter tend to be the cruellest for demons cannot help what they are, and Fae – they are few and tend to be weak – but not all. Many of the magical creatures now hid in the shadows and the forgotten places, or slither in the Arcane Realms. What humans do to other humans, and elves is truly monstrous.

Some would say I am a monster – for I am a mage, thus my existence is illegal. Within my own domain I do not hide what I am, but beyond my lands even I must conceal the truth or risk the Order of Witch-Hunters. By law I am wicked, profane, and should be executed. I have used my magic for good, and for evil – although in this land these are relative terms.

Do you have any regrets?

Many, some I have buried in the ground, steeped in blood. Those I have lost or could not save. I regret this world is as it is, and we must hide in shadow to be who we are. Do I regret the blood on my hands? No, not for a moment. Would I kill again, to save those I love, and even strangers who cannot defend themselves? Without hesitation.

Have you committed a crime? What was it? If not, what circumstances would cause you to commit a crime?

I am a crime. I am a sorcerer and thus, in this land my existence is illegal.

I have killed many people, I had stolen to eat and to feed my family in the times when we hid from the world, I have killed for revenge, I have caused others to kill and steal on my behalf, I have cursed men, I have used my magic to survive and because I can. I have lied, committed adultery, lain with other men’s wives and women’s husbands. I have a… privateer – The Gathering Storm and with her I have plundered the riches of the Order of Witch-Hunters, sent other men to the sea floor and menaced the Silver Sea. Does that answer the question?

Law in this land is no law for mages, elves, women and the poor. When law is a mockery there is only the justice, the rights one takes for oneself and those who can take those rights themselves.

Am I good man? No, I am a traitor to those who rule this land, a murderer, an outlaw, a thief, an anathema to the Order of Witch-Hunters. Yet I will stand for those who cannot stand for themselves and speak for those who are not heard. To my friends, I am generous, loyal and will fight to my last drop of blood. To my enemies, I am the Oncoming Storm and there is no mercy from the storm.

Would you kill for those you love?

Yes, and I have and would again. I have killed for revenge, I have killed to save myself, and those around me, I have killed – well I suppose I have killed because I am not afraid to do so.

Would you die for those you love?

Yes, without a second thought. For what is love without sacrifice?

Tell us about your family?

I have my lady, Dii’Athella, my beloved and faithful Olek and his lady Ozena, an elven scout we rescued. Many of my family are elves and half-elves. I have no living human blood kin. Yet I take to my house and protection those who need it – those who often have no where else save the end of a rope, or a Witch-Hunter dungeon. They are not true kin, but they are my family nonetheless.

I have a newly discovered daughter – the troll Shamania Mirandra, from a brief liaison with the Shaman Kherak. She is a fine young woman, destined to rule her Tribe.

My parents and siblings are long dead. I buried them all. I am long-lived, for I am not entirely human and those around me live a life of danger. One day, probably soon, I’ll join the Goddess of the Sky but until that day I’ll protect those I can.

What is your greatest weakness (we won’t tell)?

I love too deeply, I sometimes do not listen to the wisdom of others, I am arrogant.

How do you think others see you? Arrogant, wicked, a monster, a lover, a loyal friend and master, a saviour – depending on who you ask.

Do you believe in magic? – I am the Lord of Magic – need you ask?

Archos appears in:

The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles – Book I

The Shining Citadel – The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles Book II

The Stolen Tower – The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles Book III (briefly)

*****

Excerpt

Archos followed with only a fraction of his attention on where they were going. He was tired and knew he needed his magic for a while longer. As he walked, he trailed the storm behind him. Out in the darkness, he let it go and suddenly the full fury of the storm was allowed to rage.

“Run,” he breathed. “Run now!” Although by now his muscles ached and were not too obliged to respond without protestation.

They ran as the clouds raged in the sky and released rain in huge drops that froze. Whipping water determined to soak everything it could find, it was a rain that obscured the vision and chilled the bone. Wind roared in from the south, battering the banners and slamming the casements of the upper windows, raining glass in shards. The storm twisted in a tempest in the courtyard, sucking up stones and wood and slamming them into walls, ground and people, without prejudice. Angry clouds spat forked lightning, cleaving the sky like the vengeance of the gods and grounded within the walls of the fort and on the roof, splitting tiles and bringing fire even in the driving rain.

As they reached the coach, the horses skittered in fear and Olek pulled the door open and jumped up, almost dragging Archos and the girl inside. He hastily pulled one of the soft rugs onto the floor, then leapt out and up to the seat as the thunder rolled and lightning sliced the air just behind them. Archos would trust no one else to drive in such a situation, and besides Simon had business elsewhere. The horses began to run in fear and it took all Olek’s skill to bring them under control enough to steer. Looking behind him, he saw mayhem. The roof burned, and he could hear the sounds of panicked men and terrified horses, even at this distance. Three mounted riders rode out of the fort towards them. As the carriage picked up speed, he steered it to the forest trail.

Archos heard the storm rage and the frail breathing of the girl beside him. He flipped up the window and grinned when he saw the chaos of the storm unleashed. He felt a little hollow for having held the storm for so long and he saw the horses panic as thunder rolled close. The hoof beats behind them grew closer and he knew Olek was struggling to control the carriage as it rocked and bucked around him. As they approached the forest path, he looked down at Dii and gently he touched her, feeling her Power even now and it gave him strength.

“I bloody well hope you have a plan, my lord, those riders are gaining on us, our horses are terrified, and your storm seems bent on killing everything!” Olek screamed back to him.

Closing his eyes, Archos tried to calm himself and summon the Power he needed. “Just drive for the gap in the trees, off the road,” he yelled back.

Olek looked around in the darkness and the mayhem of the storm. “Gap? What gap? Oh gods, if it was any man but you I would think you mad. I hope you have Power enough left for this.”

“So do I, my friend,” muttered the Archmage.

As the trees rapidly approached, Archos drew his Power and slammed his staff into the floor. “Wood to my will, let us pass where there is no gateway. Wood to my will, hide us from sight!” he cried into the darkness and the rapidly approaching trees.

As the spell ended, a gap appeared as branches turned and trees bent aside. The carriage plunged into the dark wood as the greenery slammed back behind them.

*****

The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles – Book I

In a dark world where magic is illegal, and elves are enslaved a young elven sorceress runs for her life from the house of her evil Keeper. Pursued by his men and the corrupt Order of Witch-Hunters she must find sanctuary. As the slavers roll across the lands stealing elves from what remains of their ancestral home the Witch-Hunters turn a blind eye to the tragedy and a story of power, love and a terrible revenge unfolds.

18 rated.

Universal link https://www.books2read.com/Lightbeyondstorm1

The Shining Citadel – The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles – Book II

Who rules in this game of intrigue where magic is forbidden, and elves enslaved? Journey where beliefs shatter like glass, truth is unwelcome, and monsters from ancient times abound: share the romance and revenge, magic and passion, and the wages of greed in a world of darkest fantasy.

(18 rated)

Universal Link https://www.books2read.com/ShiningCitadel

The Stolen Tower – The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles – Book III

What stalks the land cannot be, but is.

Where magic is outlawed a troll Shaman calls from her deathbed to her heiress, Mirandra Var, daughter of the storm. Mirandra vows to find her missing kin, sort friend from foe, and claim the dangerous secrets guarded by unthinkable creatures. If she succeeds, she will become the leader of her tribe. If she fails, there will be no tribe to lead.

Universal link https://www.books2read.com/StolenTower

*****

Author Bio:

British-born A. L. Butcher is an avid reader and creator of worlds, a poet, and a dreamer, a lover of science, natural history, history, and monkeys. Her prose has been described as ‘dark and gritty’ and her poetry as ‘evocative’. She writes with a sure and sometimes erotic sensibility of things that might have been, never were, but could be.

Alex is the author of the Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles and the Tales of Erana lyrical fantasy series. She also has several short stories in the fantasy, fantasy romance genres with occasional forays into gothic style horror, including the Legacy of the Mask series. With a background in politics, classical studies, ancient history and myth, her affinities bring an eclectic and unique flavour in her work, mixing reality and dream in alchemical proportions that bring her characters and worlds to life.

She also curates speculative fiction themed book bundles on Pubshare – for the most part – the Here Be Series

Alex is also proud to be a writer for Perseid Press where her work features in Heroika: Dragon Eaters, Heroika Skirmishers – where she was editor and cover designer as well as writer – as well as Lovers in Hell and Mystics in Hell – part of the acclaimed Heroes in Hell series. http://www.theperseidpress.com/

Awards:

Outside the Walls, co-written with Diana L. Wicker received a Chill with a Book Reader’s Award in 2017.

NN Light Book Heaven awards:

The Kitchen Imps and Other Dark Tales won the best fantasy for 2018

Echoes of a Song – one of her Phantom tales – won the best fantasy in 2019

Tears and Crimson Velvet won the best Short Story category in 2020

Dark Tales and Twisted Verses – won the best Short Story Category in 2021

Blog https://libraryoferana.wordpress.com/about-a-l-butcher-fantasy-author-poet-author-promotion/

Blog tour organised by Writer Marketing Services.