Meet A Slayer by Helen Henderson

 

Fire and Amulet by Helen Henderson
Click the title for purchase information

Although Deneas is not the central character in the sequel to Fire and Amulet, her part in a scene I'm working on has me thinking on her past and her present so this month's post features an interview with the slayer Deneas.

Here are some fun questions to help us know her.

It’s late, she’s bored. What does she do?

She takes her weapons into the garden behind the house. Slow twirls with the staff start her practice routine, which then changes to figure eights. Slowly, then building speed, she’ll go through an intricate series of moves. The physical and mental effort not only tones her muscles and builds strength, it also return body and soul to a calmer state.

Describe the kind of clothes she prefers to wear.

Her style could only be described as fighting ware. A tunic that fell below her hips starts her wardrobe.  Depending on what activity she contemplated, either short or long pants is also part of the ensemble. Adding a headcloth completes the usual desert garb for when she goes outside the village wall. Ankle-high leather boots provides protection against the heat of the sand or sharp stones. She made leather sandals to wear around town.

Does she know how to fix things?

Deneas first and best teacher was her mother, a skilled slayer in her own right. It was from her mother that Deneas learned not only how to travel the road, but to survive when doing so. Although to some, Trelleir's knowledge was more scholarly, he did share what he learned in his books and on the road with Deneas. Her association with the town blackmiths provided her with a different type of skill. Replacing a wagon wheel or repairing horse tack are among the things she can fix. While it is not in the true definition of fixing something, she is a master at creating fire.

How does she act around children she doesn’t know?

Even though she was an only child and had limited interactions with children, Deneas shows kindness and patience with an instinct to what a child needs. When she and Trelleir rescued a small child from kidnappers, Deneas worked to reassure the child with a soft tone and kneeling to be at the child’s level. Rest breaks unneeded by the adults were taken to allow the child to rest. In a show of friendship, Deneas made a staff appropriate to the child’s size to use as a walking stick – and as a weapon.

How does she act around people who don’t know what she is?

Fading into the background and not making herself the center of attention is Deneas’ preferred manner when in a crowd. However, when needed, she will reveal herself as a slayer and take charge of the situation.

How does she handle things when in a “proper” social situation?

Since Darceth was so far off the beaten path and not welcoming for the few traders who did brave Caldar's "bargaining" techniques, Deneas didn't have much opportunity for social events. She falls back onto habit and the rules and responses of obedience drilled into her during her slayer training. Even as she stood before the Council of Elders when they sent her out on an impossible quest that was in essence a death sentence, she latched onto her training. Despite the wall of ice around her soul, she uttered the formal response of parting sufficiently well that the elders didn’t criticize her.

Earrings/piercings/tattoos or unadorned skin?

Traders in the caravans that used to pass through Darceth had piercings and tattoos, but not the village residents. Jewelry is a rarity in Deneas’ village. The closest thing she owns is a pair of jeweled hair sticks Trelleir made for her. Little did she know that the red jewels in them were actually dragon tears.

Carriage or horseback?

Caldar, leader of the Council of Elders of Darceth, was so uncooperative that trader caravans refused to stop by the town. This resulted in there being only a few wagons in the village and no carriages. Only a handful of underfed horses constituted Darceth’s herd and Caldar wouldn’t let a mere slayer have one. Reality made the choice for Deneas. Her preferred transportation is on foot.

To purchase Fire and Amulet: BWL

~Until next month, stay safe and read.   Helen

Helen Henderson lives in western Tennessee with her husband. While she doesn’t have any pets in residence at the moment, she often visits a husky who have adopted her as one the pack. Find out more about her and her novels on her BWL author page.