Lord Kaelin (Interviewee)
JM Robison (Interviewer)
JM ROBISON: What is your full name?
KAELIN: Kaelin-drath Morrendrake.
JM ROBISON: Where do you work?
KAELIN: I’m the Lord of Ruidenthall.
JM ROBISON: What are your duties associated with that job?
KAELIN: It’s similar to a king, except without the tyranny. 300 or so years ago, the Ruids dethroned the last king because we were tired of oppression. We changed the title to “Lord” and the position goes through a vote every 4 years. But the responsibility hasn’t changed from the time of our kings, such as dispatching an army against threatening forces, making sure citizen concerns are heard and addressed, and spreading out the state’s funds to care for the infrastructure.
JM ROBISON: What is your idea of perfect happiness?
KAELIN: Marriage, hopefully before I get too old.
JM ROBISON: How old are you?
KAELIN: 35.
JM ROBISON: What is your greatest fear?
KAELIN: Living under tyranny again.
JM ROBISON: What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
KAELIN: I can’t answer that. I’m trying to find a wife before I get too old, remember?
JM ROBISON: What is the trait you most deplore in others?
KAELIN: Incompetency and ignorance for self-gain.
JM ROBISON: Meaning…
KAELIN: Being in a position where you are in charge of lives and unable to protect those lives, and ignoring the way to make a situation better for other people because it would be disadvantageous for you to do so.
JM ROBISON: What is your current state of mind?
KAELIN: Working out how to steal Blindvar without Altarn making much fuss about it.
JM ROBISON: Why do you want Blindvar?
KAELIN: I’m a competent ruler where I put the needs of my people first. I want to spread that to Blindvar and Luthsinia before either of them fall again into a state of tyranny.
JM ROBISON: You don’t believe Lady Altarn would prevent that?
KAELIN: The only thing I can guarantee is my own actions.
JM ROBISON: What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
KAELIN: None of them. They are fine guidelines to guide one’s life by.
JM ROBISON: On what occasion do you lie?
KAELIN: When I’m trying to help someone else. Mostly, I just withhold information or redirect the question when the answer would reveal the truth.
JM ROBISON: What do you most dislike about your appearance?
KAELIN: You might assume I’d say my nose because of the obvious appearance of it having been broken a few times, but I say it adds to my roguish charm. So, really, I’m fine with how I look.
JM ROBISON: What is the quality you most like in a woman?
KAELIN: Head-strong when needed, not afraid to back down when confronted with opposition, but with a touch of softness because I want a WOMAN, not a man.
JM ROBISON: When and where were you happiest?
KAELIN: I’ve had lots of those. But the most recent was when I speared a pirate against the bowsprit of his own ship because he broke my nose.
JM ROBISON: Which talent would you most like to have?
KAELIN: You’re a respectable lady. I won’t answer that for you.
JM ROBISON: What do you consider your greatest achievement?
KAELIN: Becoming Lord of Ruidenthall, but especially being elected for 2 terms.
JM ROBISON: If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?
KAELIN: My horse. During our skirmishes with pirates, I sometimes believe he enjoys trampling them more than I do stabbing them.
JM ROBISON: Where would you most like to live?
KAELIN: Gaynord in Luthsinia. They have a natural hot spring there and it is delightfully relaxing.
JM ROBISON: What do you most value in your friends?
KAELIN: I couldn’t tell you. Torren drives me insane most days with his incessant chatter and awful advice for finding a woman.
JM ROBISON: Who are your favorite writers?
KAELIN: I don’t read.
JM ROBISON: (sad his answer was not her) Which historical figure do you most identify with?
KAELIN: The Ruid who drove his sword through the last king’s belly.
JM ROBISON: How would you like to die?
KAELIN: In my bed with old age.
JM ROBISON: Anything else you’d like to add to this interview?
KAELIN: Don’t tell Altarn I’m planning on taking Blindvar from her.
JM ROBISON: Why would I do that? It would ruin a great story idea.
KAELIN: *grumbles* I don’t trust you.
JM ROBISON: Thank you for your time, Lord Kaelin. This concludes our interview.
