I originally met Elizabeth Baxter at the Writer’s Café on KindleBoards.com where she goes by the whimsical moniker “SmallBlondHippy.” Her comments on the forum made a positive impression on me, so I was happy to see her book registration come through at the Magic Appreciation Tour.
Elizabeth is doing a blog tour to celebrate the release of The Last Priestess, book 1 of The Songmaker, her new epic fantasy series. I’m excited to be hosting a stop on her tour. Her guest post today features an interview with Maegwin, the lead character of the story. I hope you enjoy it!
About The Last Priestess
There is a name that is uttered only in whispers. The Songmaker. A ruthless rebel mage, he is bringing civil war to the once-peaceful kingdom of Amaury, enveloping all in a tide of violence. For Maegwin, a tormented priestess, the path forward lies in forgiving her temple’s enemies—but she dreams only of revenge. For Rovann, a loyal mage haunted by his failures, salvation might be found in the unthinkable: defying the very king he swore to protect. If they are to succeed they must form an unlikely alliance. For someone must stand against the Songmaker. Someone must save Amaury from his dark designs. But first, they’ll have to learn to trust each other.
And so a magical fantasy of darkness and redemption begins.
Interview with Maegwin
The Last Priestess is the title of the book. Does that refer to you?
You know what, I suppose it does. I never really thought of it like that. But yes, I am the last of my kind, after what happened at my temple that day – but I’d rather not talk about that.
Okay, can you tell us a little about a priestess’s way of life instead?
I served in the temple of Sho-La. Some call Her the World Mother, Bringer of Life. Ah, it was a grand life! Hard work, but beautiful. Each morning I would rise before dawn and gather with my sisters for morning prayers. We’d face the rising sun and sing Sho-La’s glory until the sun rose above the horizon. The rest of the day was spent working out in the fields or helping around the temple, interspersed with a timetable of prayers and meditations. But the best times were when I went on retreat – spending days and nights alone in the forest contemplating the glory of Sho-La’s creation. Can you imagine it? Nothing but stillness and solitude. That’s when I felt truly alive. But there is a darker side to Sho-La, one that revels in anger, despair, destruction. Worship of the Dark Goddess has been banned in my order for centuries but lately I’ve felt pulled to the darker aspect of Sho-La. Perhaps she can help me find what I most desire. Revenge.
How did you become a priestess? What was your early life like?
I grew up on the streets of Mallyn. I don’t remember my parents. I just have hazy memories of running with the other street children and stealing whatever we needed to survive. I suppose it was a hard life but I don’t remember it that way. Things were just the way they were. You got on with it. And I was lucky. When I was about seven I stumbled on a talk being given by one of the priestesses in the town square in Mallyn. I was hungry and tried to steal her purse. She caught me trying to sneak it from her belt. She could have called the Sheriff but she didn’t. Instead, she took me to the temple and I became a novice. That priestess became the Holy Mother a couple of years later and I served under her. That is, until the men came and everything changed.
You have some interesting companions in The Last Priestess. How do you get on with them?
Interesting? I suppose that’s one way of describing them. Arrogant, annoying and condescending is another. Although I’m probably being unfair. Leo is all right. He’s a minstrel and to hear him talk you’d think he’s the most famous singer ever to walk the land! Still, he’s cheeky and boastful but has a kind heart. Then, of course, there’s Rovann. I don’t know what to make of him. He reckons he’s just a messenger from the king but I think there’s more to him than he lets on. We’re travelling to the capital at the moment so maybe I’ll find out more once we get there although I’m a little nervous about meeting the king. You see, I was supposed to be hanged in Mallyn. Will the king pardon me or execute me? I’ll soon find out.
Thanks for hosting me, Daniel. You have a great blog!
Hi Elizabeth! Thanks for dropping by. You inspired me to do interviews with a couple of my own characters. It was illuminating! I may turn them into posts.