Welcome to the first of one of the new formats for interviews – a zweihander. This features TWO characters who either take turns answering questions or give an answer each, responding to the other’s comments.
Today we welcome Prince Skylon – lord of the Snowy Sky and Prince Dorien – lord of the Dawn, from the Kingdom of the Sky – who feature here: Tales of the Golden Mask on Amazon
Relationship: brothers.
World: Kingdom of the Sky
Book(s): Tales from the Golden Mask: An Initiate’s Tale
1) How and where did you meet?
Skylon: Does birth count as meeting? We are brothers, raised in the Zenana together. We have always known one another.
Dorien: As my brother says, although of course I was first born, and my mother is the Principal Wife of the King. Skylon’s mother is one of the lesser consorts. We were born on the same day – I at dawn when as the sun rose over the mountains, and Skylon later on – during a snowstorm.
2) What is it you like most about the other person
Skylon: His daring. He has no fear, no hesitation. He just… does what needs doing without pause.
Dorien: I don’t like to admit it but my brother is far cleverer than I. He’s the scholar, destined to serve the Temple and a be far better diplomat than I’ll ever be.
3) What is it you hate most about them?
Skylon: hmm… hate is such a strong word. I do become… annoyed with his… pleasure seeking. Every pretty face and curvy body is an opportunity to him. I feel no such urges to sow my seed. Once I am anointed to the Goddess I will have no need of a harem, so I see no reason to collect ladies for my boudoir.
Dorien: He must think everything through for so long! Even when we were children he was cautious. I like to have fun, amuse myself and such activities are far better with a companion-in-mischief. Skylon is timid, especially with women. I love all women, the more the better! Skylon should be spreading his seed!
4) Do you work well as a partnership?
Skylon: Yes, we consult together on most things. I do my best to keep him from too much mischief, and he pushes me to experience life away from the libraries and scholars.
Dorien: I think so. Although we disagree on things overall our skills complement one another.
5) Do you think your partnership will last?
Skylon: That, I believe, is a question for the Goddess. Only she can determine my future as her anointed. But, most likely, I shall spend the rest of my days in her temple serving her while he rules from the palace across the gardens.
Dorien: We know it cannot. When father dies, or abdicates, I shall rule. Skylon is already destined to serve the Goddess. Of course, we’ll always be brothers but our paths will diverge.
6) Describe the other person (max 100 words)
Dorien: Skylon is pale of skin and hair, trustworthy and kind. He’s clever and thoughtful.
Skylon: Dorien is smaller than me, but bolder. He has the sunny complexion of warmer climes and boundless energy. He always wants to be doing something, usually something fun.
7) Describe how you think the other person sees you.
Dorien: Arrogant, reckless and pleasure-obsessed. None of these are bad, in my view. I am sure my brother would disagree.
Skylon: probably as mousy, hesitant. I stop to think through all things before acting. I like to study a situation before entering into action.
8) Tell us a little about your adventures.
Dorien: Life within the palace was rather dull. I mean we are men now, not children. Beyond the gates is a whole world to be seen, to be pleasured and to be experienced. I suppose one could describe it as an adventure of discovery – a visit to the carnival, and then to the ‘playhouse’. I never knew sure delights could await a man as to be found in the rooms of Tatia and of Felicity, in the Golden Mask. You should visit that house of fun – women can be served too.
Skylon: I’d have to say – unplanned, and unexpected. A “short jaunt about the provinces,” he said. “Sample the local colour,” he said. I thought we were going to view one of the little local customs that still prevail outside of the city. I had no idea that we would end up… *cough* participating… *ahem* in… colourful customs.
9) Tell us about your world – and your part of it.
Dorien: As we’ve said, we are the highest of the high-born. One day our duty will mean we must serve, but until then WE are served. Our world is one of luxury and pleasure. We have fine things, beautiful women, tasty food and elegant garments.
Beyond that our people live their lives. I know little of the lives of the common folk – they are born, they work, they make new peasants, they die. Sometimes the most comely are sent to the Zenana as potential consorts. If they are chosen then they become wealthy and elegant, if they bear fruit then their families are rewarded. Even those not chosen are rewarded by some means. It can make a great difference to those of poor status.
Skylon: I think my brother has offered a good introduction to the world as we experience it. As to my place in it, I am destined to serve the Goddess at her temple. Once I have completed the bonding ritual, I will never leave the grounds of the great temple except to renew the Goddess’s strength at provincial temples or as a diplomat in the other provinces. Any women I have in my harem will become servants of the temple, and any heirs I have fathered will be raised in my brother’s harem to one day act as consorts or ambassadors for the court. Until then, I enjoy my studies and time with my lovely consort.
10) Where do you see yourselves in five years?
Dorien: If our father is like his own father, he will still be hearty in health, so I guess I’ll be doing my duty making heirs to my line, and amusing the ladies of the court. There has been talk of travel to the outer regions of the Kingdom, but that is for when I tire of the home-grown girls.
Skylon: Five years time… hopefully still enjoying my time in the Zenana. I am in no rush to reach my bonding. An heir or two would be welcome, but I feel no need to fill the Zenana with “comely lasses” as my brother puts it. The temple has well enough ladies in service already.
Dorien: (winks) if you wish to know more about our adventures then you might like to seek us out. In more opinion the more the merrier!
Skylon: (Eyes roll).
Book Synopsis
Sultry and sensual adventures to warm your cold winter nights or steam up your long summer days. Set in a fantasy world where nothing is quite what it appears, an old book and a strange golden mask bring power and pleasure.
The first instalment in the Tales of the Golden Mask
Adult rated – sexy mischief.
Alexa Lynsey walks the paths of fantasy regularly; she enjoys writing sultry fiction and ‘sex and sorcery’ stories and reading a wide variety of fiction and fact. A passionate historian and nature lover she sees beauty and knowledge everywhere. When not writing saucy tales her other self is a poet, fantasy writer and blogger.
Belle De Ver is a lover of the beautiful things in life and enjoys sharing poetry and stories about beautiful things. Her writings combine fantasy settings with erotic situations for sexy, fantastical good times. Writing with her favourite partner, Alexa Lynsey, they invite you to share their journey into the sensual realms.
The book is available on Amazon, Amazon print, Kobo Adult, Barnes and Noble, I-books and Smashwords.
Library of Erana 