Character Spotlight: Gairynzvl - The Fierce One

For today's Character Spotlight, please join me in welcoming Author Cynthia A. Morgan, here to grant us a peek at the enchanting, hauntingly beautiful world she's created within "The Dark Fey Trilogy," which begins with The Reviled and continues with Standing in Shadows. 

Cynthia sends us Jaeryn, a TruthSayer, as her emissary. He's traveled long and far to shine the Spotlight on Gairynzvl, The Fierce One - one who is rumored to have suffered through and escaped from unspeakable horror, only to return, that he might spare others the same fate. (This is a first look at new Dark Fey material, Dear Reader!) Would you care to pour a pint of honeyed-ale, as Jaeryn prepares to take the stage and share his tale? Oh, but we must hurry, the show is about to start....

   Please allow me to introduce myself.  My name is Jaeryn; I am a TruthSayer - one who journeys from village to village, gathering information to prove or dispel the rumors and hearsay, which travel on the wind. I went to the village Hwyndarin in order to learn about one of The Reviled; about whom, supposedly, the Ancient prophecies foretell, and upon my arrival in that picturesque little village, I was immediately sent towards a tavern in search of a beautiful, young shefey named Ayla Yna. When I found her, I told her the same and this is the conversation that followed.

   May I presume that you are she? (The shefey to whom I spoke blinked unassumingly and hesitantly nodded.)

   “Perhaps.” (It was raining, so I motioned toward the bright little tavern set just outside the Temple walls.)

   May we go within so I might ask you a few questions?  I understand you know the One for whom I seek, whose name is Gairynzvl? (She agreed that she might and follows me into the tavern bustling with chattering Fey of the Light.  We sat at a side table and I ordered a round of honeyed-ale.)  What can you tell me about him?  How did you meet? (She faltered, uncertainly, so I prompted further.)  Is it true he lingered in the shadows near you for nearly six months before revealing himself?  (She nodded then, but said nothing, so I tried once again.) Were you aware of him the entire time? Did he not frighten you? (Finally, she offered more.)

   “Because of my gifts of telepathy and empathy I was aware of him some of the time, when he was close to me, but I was more curious about him than afraid.”  Did he speak to you at all during that time? (She shook her head.)

   “Not verbally, but he did communicate through his thoughts.  We share that gift.” (I nodded with growing curiosity.)  How did he finally appear to you?

   “He chose a night during which a powerful storm shook the village.  I was alone in my cote, guarding a youngling.  When he appeared, surrounded by shadows and darkness, I confess, I was terrified.”  Did he take the childling? 

           

   “No.  He was not interested in the babe at all.  He even allowed me to cast a spell of protection and light around him.”  Unusual, for a Dark One.  (She agreed, but provided nothing further.)  What was it about him that made you believe you could trust him? 

   “His honesty.  I have the ability to read others emotions and can tell truth from lies.  In spite of everything that happened that night, he never once lied to me.”  (While we were speaking a small group of malefey entered the tavern. Two wore the cloaks of the Fey Guard and when they saw us, or, rather, Ayla; they immediately came to our table.  She introduced us and I realized my luck.)  You are Mardan, the Celebrant-turned-Spell Caster who stood with Gairynzvl at the Great Gate in the Uunglarda? 

   “Why do you ask?”  (His reputation for being irascible was not unwarranted and the tall, handsome malefey assessed me from head to toe to wingtip with an intense, cerulean stare.)  I am trying to learn his story to share with those who may not know it.  Can you tell me about him?  How would you describe him? (Mardan did not hesitate for an instant.)

   “Infuriating.”  (The others laughed at this derisive portrayal, but, astonishingly, nodded in agreement.)  “But I would also say remarkable.”  A strange combination. Why so?

   “He has a strength of will I find admirable.  He is unrelenting, daunting, even antagonistic; but his perseverance is motivating.  At least it was for us.”   But, is it not true that you tried to kill him when you first met? (Mardan’s brilliant gaze fixed on me and his expansive wings arched aggressively. I saw, out of the corner of my eye, that his Fey Guard friend shook his head, as if to indicate that I just over-stepped my boundaries; so I quickly reiterated.)  I have no intention of offending; I am just trying to paint an overall picture.  If you wanted to kill him, you certainly had to have a reason? 

   “I discovered him inside the home of my love.  His actions were threatening and I considered him a danger.” (He paused, then, and shook his head.) “Nevertheless, I regret the actions I took, not only because the Spell of Inflicted Pain is a ruthless curse, but because it nearly took Ayla’s life.”  You chose to use a forbidden spell? You? A Celebrant?  (He glared at me with open hostility and I realized my mistake, but before he could tear any limbs from my body, one of his friends who had been standing quietly in the background stepped forward.  I noticed immediately he wore the robes of a Healer of the Temple.)

   “Mardan is a Celebrant no longer.  He has always had the heart of a warrior and now, fortunately, he has discovered his purpose as a Spell Caster.”  (Hoping to entice more information from them, I changed my tack to delve a bit deeper.) A Spell Caster must have been of great value to Gairynzvl in the Uunglarda? 

   “I played a part; we all did, but none of us would have gone if it were not for his unshakable determination to rescue the childfey trapped there.”  This was his ultimate design, then; to come to Jyndari and be Prevailed through an ancient rite so he would be transformed and could safely return to the Uunglarda to rescue others? (Those gathered round me looked at each other as if to affirm the truth of this statement amongst themselves before any would answer and with good cause.  This was the prophecy foretold by the Ancients, that One would come out of the Darkness to Lead others out as well.) 

   “His Purpose was set from the moment the Dark Ones abducted him as a child.”  (The Healer explained, continuing to illustrate his character with unmistakable respect.) “We spent a single day in the shadow realm, but we all felt the effects of the darkness; myself especially.  I have lived my entire life in the Temple, being schooled as a Healer; yet during that single day in The Uunglarda, I felt all the negativity within me rush to the surface like a flood.”  (Those round the Healer concurred, but did not interrupt him when he continued more emphatically.)  “I understand the physical and psychological aspects of the psyche.  I comprehend the lasting effects of neglect, abuse and cruelty.  How Gairynzvl survived 15 years under the lash of Demonfey with any hope or compassion remaining within him defies logic.”  He was a captive of The Reviled for 15 years and, yet, is honest, compassionate and courageous; indeed that is remarkable. (The other Fey Guard then stepped forward, shaking his head.)

   “As Mardan pointed out, he can also be exasperating, argumentative, and, sometimes, downright petulant; this is why we call him The Fierce One, but it makes him an unrivaled Vladokhyssum player.”  (Smiles attested to the truth of his statement and I raised my glass, sure I now had the whole story.) I have heard rumors that you still play the ancient sport here and would love to witness a game. (The Healer shook his head.) 

   “I am afraid you just missed it.  We played this afternoon.”  And Gairynzvl played?  (The Healer grinned.)

   “It is impossible to keep him from playing.  He loves the intense competition.” (Mardan agreed, then added another reason under his breath.)

   “He loves the freedom to be as aggressive and intimidating as a Dark One without killing anyone.”  (His friends all laughed at this observation and I realized just how fortunate I was to meet them.)  I am beginning to understand that he must be an extraordinary, yet complicated, Fey.  (They were all of the same opinion, but Ayla quickly silenced us as a tall, white-haired malefey stepped into the pub, shaking the rain from his magnificent, nebulous-hued wings before folding them and entering further.  Those fey gathered round turned and cheered at his arrival, but, although he smiled at them, he quickly located us at a side table and moved to join his friends.  His icy-lavender gaze evaluated me openly as he approached and I felt both uneasy and excited to meet him. The others undertook my introduction and, as he extended his hand to offer his friendship, I saw the many unmistakable scars bore. At my hesitation, he turned his hand to look at it as well, recognizing my hesitancy, as well as my admiration, without my need to speak a word.  A keen silence fell as the others, too, paused to gaze at his hands and for a brief moment, a sense of reverence settled among us.

   There, before me, stood a Fey about whom the Ancients had spoken; a Fey who had suffered the unthinkable cruelties of The Integration of The Reviled and, yet, remained in the essence of his being a True Fey of the Light.  Not only did he escape the captivity he endured for so many years, but he led others back into the realm of Demonfey to rescue as many as he could find.  He was powerful of physique and undeniably fearless; yet equally kind of heart and, as I gazed round at his friends and the villagers who had come to know him, I became certain of one thing.  Mardan was correct; he was indeed remarkable.

   Then he smiled in a welcoming manner that set me at ease, clapped me across the shoulder genially, and invited me to share a round of honeyed-ale with him.   

~By Cynthia A. Morgan~

Oh, but there's so much more to Gairynzvl's story! Luckily, for us, The Reviled and Standing in Shadows are both available now!

Dark Fey The Reviled

Amazon/Kindle 
Barnes and Noble   

KOBO   

From Amazon: "Dark Fey, The Reviled is a fantasy set in the primordial forests of mystical time in a land peopled by both Light Loving and Darkness Revering Faeriekind, or Fey. It is a tale of Light and Darkness, of Joy and Sorrow, the Loved and the Unloved. It shares the Trials and Triumph of Courage and Perseverance while wrapping the reader in lush, lyrical descriptions and exquisitely developed characters. 

In the mystical realm of Jyndari, a relationship between two unsuspecting, yet kindred souls who are separated by far more than social stigma, blossoms in secrecy that could shatter both their worlds. Ayla, a Light loving, Guardian of Childfey hides more than a few secrets; secrets that isolate her and set her apart. Secrets that bring her to the attention of one who comes in shadow and silence; one who watches, waiting for the ideal moment to step from the darkness, reveal the truth about himself and alter the course of her life forever. 

Escape into a world of Magic and Mystery; into a Realm of Beauty and Enchantment, into an intense adventure for your Mind and Spirit that will leave you yearning for more."

Dark Fey Standing In Shadows

Amazon US & UK 

From Amazon: "Gairynzvl escaped captivity among the DemonFey who had abducted him as a child through a daring act of treason and was rescued by Light Loving Fey. Now, he wants to return into the dark realm of The Reviled to attempt a rescue of the innocent childfey trapped there. 

It will take more than one Fey to breach the borders of The Uunglarda and to slip past the legions of Dark Fey who abide there. It will take magic and strength, courage and military strategy and it will shake the foundations of everything The Fey of The Light have accepted as truth for thousands of years, but Gairynzvl knows the secret ways in and out of the dark realm; he is able to open portals and through his gifts of telepathic empathy and he can find the childfey standing, waiting, in the shadows. 

Slipping into the darkness through darkness is easy. Escaping out again with terrified childfey is another matter. If they are captured his band of liberators will pray for death long before it comes and their success could spark full scale war, unleashing the barbaric hatred and viciousness of The Reviled upon the peace-loving Fey of The Light. 

Can Gairynzvl convince the Fey of the Light to allow him to return to the Uunglarda, the realm of The Reviled? Who will join him to aid the Innocent childfey trapped in the realm of shadows and fear? And Will the Fey of the Light risk a savage war in order to rescue them?"

About the Author: Cynthia A. Morgan is the creator of the mythical realm of Jyndari and author of the recently published epic fantasy, "Dark Fey: The Reviled", which draws the reader into a mystical realm of primordial forests, magic and the lives of Light-loving and Darkness-revering Feykind. Not to be confused with pixies or "Tinkerbell" type fairies, the feyfolk of Jyndari are winged beings the size of any human who live in a realm where tradition, magic, and spirituality are fundamentals of everyday life.

Cynthia is also the author of the trending blog Booknvolume.com, which in less than two years has amassed over 5500 followers and has hosted in excess of 90,000 visitors from more than 170 countries worldwide. Her social media reach continues to grow via Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter where she has gained an additional 3000+ followers. She is a current member of the Independent Author Network, has had poetry published on the websites MuseZine.com, Poetry.com, D'Verse.com, NaPoWriMo.com and is also a prominent guest writer on Poet'sCorner.com. In March 2015 Cynthia was interviewed by The Lebanon Daily News about the publication of DARK FEY and upcoming book signing events. 

Some of her other interests include a deep love of animals and the environment, which led her to become a Guardian with the ASPCA since 2008. She loves music; frequently is heard laughing; finds the mysteries of ancient times, the paranormal and the possibilities of life elsewhere in the cosmos intriguing, and believes in the power of Love, Hope, Peace and Joy, all of which is reflected in her lyrically elegant writing style.

You can find more of Cynthia's beautiful writing, and keep up to date with the latest news about her work on her blog - BooknVolume.com.

Many, many thanks to Cynthia for being my first guest Author! I'm incredibly honored she allowed me to share this glimpse of Gairynzvl, and the rest of her beloved Fey, with you. And, Thank you, Dear Reader, for joining us in celebrating the Characters brought to life by Indie Authors! I look forward to shining the Spotlight on more soon!

As always, I hope you're having a beautiful day, night, or sometime in the between....

Roari