CHARACTER READING: Lord Arik

Today, I’m delighted to read for Lord Arik. He’s the hero of Ruth Casie’s time-travel romance, Knight of Runes from Carina Press. It releases 11/14/11. I’m a sucker for time-travel! Are you? Lord Arik shared some of his more private thoughts. I think I fell a little in love with him.

For twenty-five years Ruth A. Casie has been writing for corporate America. Encouraged by her family and friends this ballroom dancing, Sudoku playing, aspiring gourmet cook has given way to her inner muse. She’s let her creative juices flow and started writing a series of historical time travel romance stories. She is active in several RWA chapters and Liberty State Fiction Writers.

Arwen: 1. How do you see the people around you?

Earth-bound as in they are owned by the earth they work. You see them not as lower than you but as other than you. One of them intrigues you because of the way she relates to the world around her. She has a lot to teach you, I think.

Lord Arik’s Response: We all have our responsibilities. Each is important in their own way and woven together they make a strong fabric.
The ‘other.’ You speak of the woman. I’ve not thought of her as worldly but Arwen in your wisdom you’ve come to the heart of the matter. In her own way the woman makes me see beauty where I focus on responsibility, sees a village of people where for too long I’ve concentrated on duty and the obligation to keep them safe. I’ll admit this to no one but you, Arwen, she stirs something primal in me that has been hidden for a long time – perhaps for too long.

Arwen: 2. How are you seen by the people around you?

The Builder is the man who takes care of his surroundings, his family, his people. It is traditionally the Emperor in the Tarot. You are seen as someone who takes care of the details. You aren’t likely to leave things to chance if you can take charge and make things happen.

Just be cautious that too much doesn’t depend upon you. Sometimes the Emperor forgets that you need to let people grow and that means letting them make mistakes.
Lord Arik’s Response: It is my duty to protect and defend my people, it is what they expect of me especially now when our homes are threatened. I must know every detail and plan each move least we be compromised. I will not fail them or myself.
But I’m not blind. I see the potential in Logan my brother, Marcus my captain, even Luke the miller’s son. They have all grown and taken on greater responsibilities. Even the woman shows great promise. They will have their time but not now, not until we are once again safe. Fayne Manor and its people must survive.

Arwen: 3. What is your most important goal?

Strength. That’s a pretty simple answer but it is so complicated. This card is not about physical strength but about mental power. You need to control your inner beast. I think that may be your own temper.

Lord Arik’s Response: I believe in the strength of mind, body, and spirit. I work to keep them in balance. But I have been known to let my “inner Beast,” as you call it, get the better of me. When that happens, it is not a pretty sight.
Lately it seems my patience is tested. The woman seems to know how to ‘set off the beast.’ Ach, I don’t know whether to berate her or kiss her.

Arwen: 4. Where do you get your strength from?

By exploring your world, Lord Arik. You are a natural born investigator. I’ll bet your inquisitive nature got you into a few tight spots—especially when you were younger. Were you the kid that took chances and took things apart too? You want to know what makes things work. And that is a very good thing. You’ve grown strong from exploring areas of the world that others shy away from.

Lord Arik’s Response: There was a time when I traveled widely. The new places excited my senses. I studied their courts and their people. I thrived on learning their ways. It’s important if you want to work with them or for them. It’s even more important if you need to do battle with them. When I returned to my Fayne Manor I used much of what I learned and built the details into my manse.
In order to lead you must know how each part works, each solder thinks. You must connect with each person and make them part of the team. They are your strength – your biggest asset.

Arwen: 5. Why do you want to be remembered?

As a man who did what he said he was going to do. You’ve modeled much of yourself and your actions on someone else whom you admired. Maybe a grandfather or uncle…it doesn’t feel like a direct link to your father. This seems to be an older gentleman.

You want others to look at your life and realize that you built a community where others could be safe.

Lord Arik’s Response: My father, god rest his soul, was a great influence on my life. He taught me respect and devotion to my family and people. But it was my mentor Emrys who showed me the way of the druid and my potential. He instructed me in command and control but more importantly he taught me about trust. I found that trust was not easily won and that those you can trust are as precious as any rare gem. He taught me leadership, not from the leader’s point of view but from those you lead. That is how you build trust and respect.

How do I want to be remembered? Well Arwen, you get to the core of the thing. What better legacy than being remembered as a champion of the people.

Thank you to Ruth and her Lord Arik. You can win an e-copy of Knight of Runes by leaving a comment with your email address on Ruth’s blog. One person will be randomly selected on November 20, 2011.
Buy your copy at Carina or Amazon or Barnes & Noble.