
Interview with a Harpy – Temida (from The Path of the Stone & The Rise of the Stone)
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.
Lemuel Sacop
Hello Christine,
Good day! So from what I gathered, you are interviewing Temida, one of the characters in your upcoming story/book? That is very interesting, and the first time I read about this. It is nice that you are fleshing out your character so your readers can learn more about them. How they think, how they speak, and some backstories.
I anticipated that she would break the 3rd wall. Now I need to check your interview with the other characters. So looks like this is a fantasy story just by reading the interview. I love some fantasy more like Game of Thrones or Lord of the Rings.
Thank you!
Christine
Hi Lemuel,
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed the interview.
Femi
It’s always interesting to get to know the people and creatures that populate our fantasy worlds, and Temida is certainly an intriguing character, from what I have read here. I’m glad you’re giving your readers and potential readers as well a chance to get to know her better.
I got that Temida is a harpy, one of the mythological creatures that live in The Path of the Stone. She’s fiercely independent and very powerful, but she’s also kind and wise. I like that she’s hustling to be more prominent in the story. You should indulge her, lol. I think she’ll be a great role model for your readers.
It’s insightful to hear her perspective on life and her view of the world around her. I believe that your readers will appreciate learning about her journey and how she overcome obstacles.
Thanks for sharing!
Cheers,
Femi.
Christine
Hi Femi,
I think I will indulge Temida 🙂 She will have a more prominent role to play in The Fall of the Stone.
Thanks for your comment!
Ceci
The word “harpy” initially threw me for a loop Christine until I realized that this refers to a mythological character. Your interview with Temida sounded like a sneak peak into the book. This is such a unique way of getting readers to learn a bit more about characters in the book.
I like Temida. She is loyal, yet assertive, and very forthcoming with her answers in the interview – giving her responses in a matter of fact manner. She knows who and what she likes and is not afraid to ask for greater exposure in the story!
I am most certainly intrigued about learning of harpies and how they lived their mortal lives before they became harpies. It will be interesting!
Ceci
Christine
Hi Ceci,
Yes, these harpies are mythological characters that play a big role in my books The Path of the Stone and The Rise of the Stone. Each one has her own personality and characteristics, backstory, etc.
Thank you for your comment!
MnD
Temida sounds like a great character in the plot of the story. The book is coming along great with all new action to the book.
The harpies were a littler hard to understand and I know they are a major role in all the books it will all come together.
Thanks for this enjoyable read and understanding on all characters.
Cheers,
MnD
Ana Maria
Hi “the harpy writer” 🙂
You definitely have a rich and creative imagination. Temida is a very interesting character with a strong personality who is not content with minor roles, believing that she deserves major roles and a lot more attention and may be she is right mainly because of her ability to pick up different scents all day, but also because she is so good looking with her fluffy wings. All in all, she is confident and convincing enough to make her interlocutor believe that she really deserves more attention.
I enjoyed reading this interview and getting to know Temida as a really captivating harpy.
Thank you for sharing, Christine.
Cheers,
Ana maria.
Christine
Thank you, Ana Maria!
I am glad you enjoyed this interview! 🙂
Chastity
Hi Christi,
I am glad to have found the 3rd interview. The characters are very interesting and I have enjoyed reading about them in the interviews to date. I love the description of Temida with the black eyes and forset green tresses. You have certainly created a very descriptive and fanciful word for your harpies. I look forward to the interview pf Rue.
Thank you,
Chastity
Christine
Hi Chastity,
Thank you for following all three interviews 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed them! Rue’s interview is also published if you’d like to read it 🙂
Thanks for stopping by!