Interview with Kragnor
The ice dragon main character of Dragon's Twilight
This interview is conducted just before the start of Dragon’s Twilight.
Let’s get into this interview before he wants to run off for a meal of mutton. At least, this will be easier since he is in human form rather than his natural ice dragon form. We can sit on the inn’s veranda and talk.
Me: Thanks for sitting down for an interview. Let’s clear up a little history of how you have come to live here in the Center Phoria Mountains. I know it wasn’t always where you lived.
Kragnor: No, it wasn’t. I roamed a lot far to the west in the Nacamor ridges where it is more feasible for dragons to live as long as you don’t annoy the dwarves. But that was definitely some time ago, and the dragons are definitely dying off as prophesied.
He grimaces while smoothing his bushy mustache that droops around his mouth.
Me: What brought you east? There are a lot of plains to fly over to reach this smaller chain of mountains.
Kragnor: No place to shelter on the plains, and the number of humans there is growing all the time.
He doesn’t answer my question. One of those rough spots he’d rather not dredge up to just anyone.
Me: I know about what you ran into and your oath. It’s shared as part of the bardic tales decrying the Last of Dragons.
Kragnor: Yes, I flew over here angry at myself and not understanding how dragons should follow the Lord of Light. It is interesting what the Lord of Light will put in your path to teach you something.
He leans forward and continues.
The Dark creeps up on you when you least expect it, and it grows as if it belongs there. Before you know it, the whole place is a mess.
He settles back and rubs his chest.
Me: Isn’t that the truth. I know it worked out and you gave an oath to Queen Mira. Now you know a descendant can show up with the oath pendant any time. Are you ready for that?
A long silence falls as he stares at the church’s bell tower across the square. I let him think a bit.
Kragnor: Maybe. It’s not how I expected it to be. Crystalla won’t be there.
Me: I understand. She let you stay in the Phoria Mountains, and you became life mates. You both did a lot to help the people of these mountains and even gave them some extraordinary things, like that bell tower.
Kragnor simply nods.
Me: Let’s take a moment to go into some simpler questions. What is your favorite food?
Kragnor: Mutton and this inn makes the best mutton stew. More economical to eat it that way than how a dragon would.
He gives me his signature grin. I’m not sure I would want to see it in his dragon form without knowing him first. However, it seems to be a fleeting expression for this day.
Me: You’ve lived a few centuries. Any human fashions that you’ve particularly liked?
Kragnor: I prefer simple, but don’t mind dressing up as the occasion may require. Loose clothing was always more appealing.
Me: One of your powers is to shift and take your clothes with you as a dragon.
Kragnor: You wouldn’t want me morphing to human naked, would you?
Me: No. That wouldn’t go well in polite society. What is your favorite thing about this village other than it holds the bell tower you made with Crystalla?
Saying her name makes him frown and rub his chest again.
Kragnor: It has industrious and welcoming people who worship the Lord of Light.
Me: And the children. I’ve seen you with them quite often.
Kragnor: I enjoy entertaining and teaching children.
Me: I know you never had your own.
Kragnor: No. We never…
He snaps his mouth shut and stares off into the distance.
Me: I’m sorry about that. It’s probably part of the prophecy.
Kragnor: Okay. I’m faking being happy. I want to do what the Lord of Light wants me to do, but right now I am not sure what that is, let alone how to do anything without Crystalla at my side. I know if someone shows up with the oath crystal, it will change everything and mean my death if I fulfill my oath. It is part of a prophecy that ends with the last dragon dying. I am a dragon of honor, so maybe it would be better they showed up sooner rather than later to give me a distraction from where my thoughts and dreams keep going.
Can we end this discussion?
Me: Certainly.
I get up and walk away.
Kragnor is in a hard place, but things are about to change for him and let his usually good humor show through again as he finds something worthy to focus on, though it won’t be easy. I spin this tale in Dragon’s Twilight. A short story called Dragon’s Oath tells of how he came about giving his oath after a spontaneous flight into a Dark mess. The short story is with my editor for the final round of editing and I start the self edits of the novel next week to prep it for the editor and beta readers.
His interview made me excited to read Dragon's Twilight =D.