Sandra Ulbrich Almazan: Speculative Fiction Author: An interview with Lashlor Leaflin from Vanessa Finaughty’s Wizard of Ends

Today I'm hosting a character interview with Lashlor Leafin from Vanessa Finaughty's Wizard of Ends. This is part of a month-long blog tour; you can find the link to the complete schedule at the end of the interview.

1. Please tell us a little about your adventures in Wizard of Ends, Book 1.

Without spoiling it for everyone, all I can say is that I do my best to protect Queen Narraki Dragonsbane from a powerful sorceress and her friends, and, in the process, we’re chased by creatures of dark magic.

2. What about in Book 2, Dark Creature?

I’m trapped in the Mountains of Eclador, which have been enchanted by an ancient sorcerer. Sadly, Rune Arcana is trapped with me! At times, her presence makes the situation even more stressful than it already is, especially at the end….

3. Do you think you and the sorceress Rune Arcana will ever be a couple again, and why?

[He snorts.] Absolutely not! She doesn’t seem to have grown up much since we last saw each other – I mean, she still uses magic on a whim. I can’t live with someone like that. It’s irritating.

4. What’s your greatest achievement and do you think you will achieve greater in the future? Why?

Most people would say my greatest achievement was King Lanaran Dragonsbane offering me the official title of Wizard of Ends. I doubt I will achieve greater, because I don’t really enjoy all the fuss – it usually means having to use magic unnecessarily, which everyone knows I’m loath to do.

5. What do you do for a living, and do you enjoy it?

[He looks embarrassed.] I’m not working at the moment. I’ve only moved to Ends recently, and am still collecting herbs so I can start selling my herbal cures again. It’s not really necessary in Ends – to earn money, I mean. The king ensures everyone has food, clothes and a place to sleep. Still, one never knows when one might want to move on, and the other kingdoms’ rulers aren’t nearly so generous.

6. What’s your biggest regret?

That nobody listened to me when I told them Undassan should not be trusted. It might have spared us from having to flee from the creatures of dark magic.

7. What quality/trait do you find vital in a friend?

Respect for others.

8. How do you decide if someone is trustworthy?

I don’t. Time reveals all.

9. What do you do for fun?

I enjoy mountain climbing, swimming and walking through the forest, and practising my archery skills is a fun pastime too.

10. Do you have any siblings, and, if so, do you get on with them?

[He scowls.] I have an older sister and no, we don’t get on. She’s rather… [He shakes his head.] No, I’d rather not get into that, sorry. She might read this, you know!

11. Where do you believe people go when we die?

The goddess accepts us into a pleasant afterlife if we please her while in possession of our human bodies. If she’s displeased, she either sends you back as something horrid, or puts you into an unpleasant situation when she sends you back. She might also send you back if you have yet to learn important life lessons. If she’s really displeased, you’ll be sent somewhere unimaginably terrible.

12. Who do you like better: King Lanaran Dragonsbane or Queen Narraki Dragonsbane, and why?

Queen Narraki. She gave me the benefit of the doubt when no one else, including the king, would. That said, I still like the king – most of the time.

13. You only moved to the Land of Ends shortly before your adventures began in Book 1. After everything you were dragged into, do you regret moving there?

There were moments when I did, yes. For the most part, though, I have no regrets. Ends is still the best land to live in.

14. Where can readers learn more about Wizard of Ends?

Readers can follow the virtual book tour here. Special discounts and freebies will be on offer throughout, and plenty of sneak peeks into the books and characters.

Wizard of Ends: A powerful sorceress wants the Queen of Ends dead, hoping her demise will render the king unable to defend his crown. Only the wizard Lashlor Leaflin is in a position to protect Queen Narraki Dragonsbane, but he avoids using magic – at almost any cost. With creatures of darkness hunting the queen, however, he may be left with little choice but to call on the power he holds within.

Wizard of Ends, Book 2: Dark Creature:
The Queen of Ends has been cursed into a rabid creature of darkness. Only Lashlor’s old flame, Rune Arcana, might be able to remove the curse. Lashlor believes he can find Rune in the Mountains of Eclador. The only trouble is – Rune now despises him, and, in all of recorded history, no one has ever returned from these mountains.

Vanessa Finaughty is an author of many genres who now focuses on fantasy and science fiction. She’s published 15 books, of which 6 are fantasy. Vanessa grew up in Cape Town, South Africa, and still lives there with her husband of fifteen years, her baby daughter and plenty of furry, four-legged ‘children’.

Vanessa has always been passionate about books, and knew from a young age that she wanted to write them one day. She loves animals, coffee and the smell of wet grass, and hates liars, sweltering weather and long queues. Her interests include reading, photography, the supernatural, mythology, aliens and outer space, ancient history, life’s mysteries and martial arts, of which she has five years’ experience.

Links

Publication dates

Wizard of Ends, Book 1: 9 October 2014

Wizard of Ends, Book 2: DarkCreature: 23 October 2014