In the past two interviews we got to know Meena and Calista, two very different harpies. Meena was made in ancient times whereas Calista came from 1991. Talk about a clash of cultures. 😉 In each interview with a harpy I would like to get you more acquainted with their world. Eric Lokian (an author) once told me that I could call myself the “harpy writer” and I would love nothing more.

The world and the harpies I created are close to my heart and in all honesty, I love my harpies 😉 They are colorful creatures, each with their skeletons in their pasts. Azure, the harpy queen, has a lot of buried pain, but one thing my harpies have in common is that regardless of how many hurricanes blow their lives to smithereens, they always rise from the ashes and rebuild what needs to be rebuilt.

Temida – who is interviewed today – certainly knows about it.

So, let’s dive right into it.

Ch Duts – Thank you for joining us today, Temida. I know that you don’t venture away from the harpies that often.

Temida – It is my pleasure. No, indeed, I don’t like to leave them, but I make exceptions when it’s important. Remember, I once left my group of harpies to warn Calliope and Daniel and make sure they were safe.

Ch Duts – Yes, in The Path of the Stone. Of course, I remember. You are close to Calliope, and also to Meena and Azure, aren’t you?

Temida – Yes.

Ch Duts – Meena ‘s special talent is mind reading. Do you have one as well?

Temida – I can easily pick up a trail, like a bloodhound. – Her black eyes shine with pride – It’s incredibly useful in times of peril or war. Unfortunately, my skill was damaged in our last battle with Aeron. It still works but not all the time.

Ch Duts – Yes, the same thing happened to Meena.

Temida – Some things can be a blessing in disguise. The ability to pick up different scents all day isn’t always pleasant, you know. There are many nasty smells that I’d rather avoid.

Ch Duts – I can totally understand that. So, tell me about your role in The Path of the Stone. Did you have an important part to play?

Temida – I don’t think so. I hardly appear in the story. I feel that the writer could have given me some more presence, especially because I have my special skill.

Ch Duts – Most harpies do.

Temida – Most but not all.

Ch Duts – You also appear in The Rise of the Stone, though. Not everyone does.

Temida – Where I also play a minor role. – She makes a face, moving a strand of her forest green hair over her shoulder. – I would have liked to be more integral to the story.

Ch Duts – But you are. Don’t you know that even the smallest players – especially them – are what holds the fort together? You were definitely needed in both books.

Temida – rises and unfurls her wings – You see that? Have you ever seen such wings? I am one of the few who has feathers on them. Most harpies’ wings are bald with a few feathers here and there, but mine are fluffy.

It’s true, feathers in various shades of green cover her glorious wings, emerald, shamrock, olive, fern, and juniper green, forming a stunning mosaic of fluff. As a fully transformed harpy she is an impressive vision to behold, and the combination of her black eyes and forest green tresses just blows me away.

Ch Duts – You’re right. It’s rare that a harpy’s wings are fully feathered, although Rue also has amazing colors.

Temida – Yes, she does. The black, white, and gray pattern is gorgeous.

Ch Duts – She didn’t complain about having a minor role.

Temida – That’s just Rue, isn’t it? Loyal to a fault, never complaining, always eager to please the queen.”

Ch Duts – To protect her, not ‘please.’ I have to say, Temida, you surprise me. You’re much more demure in the books, less demanding, just a productive member of the group.

Temida – Of course, I am. The harpies are my sisters and, like Rue, I am loyal to my queen, but now I am not with them. I am here with you, and I thought that this would be the perfect opportunity to discuss giving me a more active role.

Ch Duts – Ah, I see. Well, as you may have noticed, I am doing exactly that in The Fall of the Stone, the third – and probably last book – in the series.

Temida – Yes, but you mentioned in Calista’s interview that you’re working on the manuscript right now. Who knows when that will be out.

Ch Duts – No, at the moment I am working on another project. However, now that we’re here, I’d like to ask you a few more questions. Based on your answers I will have a better idea about the role you will play in The Fall of the Stone.

Temida – That sounds good.

Ch Duts – Here’s my first question. What are your thoughts about Zora?

Temida – Zora, an evil witch who claims to be good. I’ve never trusted her. She has played Azure too often on the false notion of friendship they used to have when they were mortal. I don’t think I will ever accept her so-called claims of contrition. Even if she hasn’t moved against us for years, I will never trust her again.

Ch Duts – Few harpies probably will.

Temida – No harpy will! Well, except for Azure perhaps.

Ch Duts – How does that make you feel?

Temida – shrugs – She’s our queen. We respect her decisions even if we don’t agree with them. We have voiced our opinions but she is free to make her own choices. Azure has history with Zora. We don’t. Well, we do, but not like Azure does.

Ch Duts – And what do you know about the Merfolk? I understand that you’re the first one who discovers them in The Fall of the Stone.

Temida – Yes! Thank you for finally giving me credit where it’s due. – Her face lights up with a bright smile – I am the one who finds their underwater city. They are interesting creatures, fascinating! In a way, they are like us, but instead of transforming to move through the sky, like we do, they transform to move through water.

Ch Duts – Yet, their world is set up differently from yours.

Temida – Very much so. On the one hand, it’s impressive what they have built, but on the other hand, their many rules and regulations are intimidating, and I think that the consequences for a misstep could be scary. I am looking forward to seeing how it plays out.

Ch Duts – So am I. I’m itching to write this book but as I said, right now I am working on another project which is also important to me.

Temida – Do you think you’ll write books about our back stories? Perhaps Meena’s, or Calliope’s, Rue’s? Or even our Eagle General Bellisenda?

Ch Duts – Or about you?

Temida – Grinning – Or me.

Ch Duts – Yes, I will definitely write spin-offs. You are all dear to me and I would love to explore your stories, what your mortal lives were like, and how you ended up becoming harpies.

Temida – That’s good to hear.

Ch Duts – You must be patient, though. I am not there yet.

Temida – I am patient, you know that.

Ch Duts – I do, and I’d like to thank you for your time, Temida. I enjoyed our chat.

Temida – So did I. Who will you interview next?

Ch Duts – Rue. That should be my last one.

Temida – I will tell her. She’ll be excited!

Final Thoughts

I hope that you enjoyed my third interview in this series. Temida is a character I’d like to bring more into the foreground. As I mentioned, she will have a more active role to play in The Fall of the Stone. Just give me some time to get that written. 🙂

Stay tuned for the next and last interview with Rue, Azure’s personal protector.