The War of Blood and Bones From Kenneth Guthrie’s Book Show (CHARACTER INTERVIEW) Kenneth Guthrie (Smashwords Edition) From Kenneth Guthrie’s Book Show Rin: Thank you for coming on the show today, Lerk. It’s wonderful to have you here today. Lerk: It’s an honor to be here today, Rin. I really enjoyed your part in the Symphony of Angels. You played an excellent cursed hero facing off against all odds to save the day. Rin: Well, I wouldn’t exactly say ‘save the day’. Chances are in the second book the humans of my world will have to face off against some terrible adversaries. Lerk: Sounds positively evil. Rin: (Laughs). Yes, indeed. I know a lot of readers will be looking forward to the next installment. Lerk: I’m sure. Rin: So, let’s talk about you for a bit. How does it feel being the hero of the final book in the War of Blood and Bones? Lerk: Good, good. You know, my agent wasn’t sure if I should work with Kenneth Guthrie, the author of this series, after that fiasco from the first book with Lark. Rin: I hear he still hasn’t shut up about that, even though the author apologized to him profusely. Lerk: Yes, on his knees I hear. Lark can be rather intimidating when he wants to. Rin: Yes, I’ve noticed. So why did you decide to appear in this book and what was your role? Lerk: Well, I’m sort of an evil merchant slash messed up evil doer that is a bit less evil than he thinks. Rin: Fasinating. Tell us more. Lerk: Well, there’s a lot too it, but let’s just say that Kenneth has written an amazing piece of work with me in it. In the War of Blood and Bones: Merchants, which is soon to be released on most major e-book sites, the goblins part in this book is revealed and my character of the same name’s (Lerk) motivation is brought into the spot light. Rin: How did it feel playing your character? How did you get motivated for each scene? Lerk: Well my son and wife were always on hand to keep me motivated before each scene. My youngest son really idolizes my character in the book and loved to entertain the crew by standing up on one of the many tables at the set and do lines from my script. It was really cute to watch. Rin: Fascinating! How did it feel to be Lerk in this book? Lerk: Fantastic. I was originally picked to play the part of a latrine worker at the army’s camp, but the author thought it wouldn’t make sense to have a goblin doing that when the race is primarily considered to be merchants or mercenaries. Rin: Thankfully, he didn’t change his mind. Lerk: Oh, yes. I’d hate to be remembered by the readers as ‘the goblin who dug holes for humans too, well... do their business in’. Rin: I understand how you feel. Kenneth originally had me die after the first scene and Thomas from my series take the lead role. Lerk: That would have been a pity! Rin: Certainly. Speaking of names, have you noticed that our esteemed writer tends to use the same names allot. What’s up with that? Lerk: I was talking to him yesterday and he said that the whole Lerk/Lark thing was just a running joke he wanted to add to the series. As for Thomas – isn’t that the name of his dog? Rin: Yes, I believe so. Poor Thomas and Thomas and, oh, Thomas Cain too. Lerk: Yeah, he should stop using that name so much. I’m getting confused. Rin: So am I, my friend, so am I. Lerk: Back to the Lerk/Lark thing. Lark does actually feature in the book, but we never called him Lark. Rin: Really? What did you call him? Lerk: ####. Rin: OH MY! That must be why he’s been running around chopping up the furniture lately. Lerk: Wouldn’t you? I would be surprised if Kenneth actually survives that name change. Rin: I’m sure Steel would have thought it was hilarious. Lerk: That one always finds that sort of thing funny. Rin: Indeed. Rin: Well, is there anything else you would like to add about the book? Lerk: Hmmm... It’s the best book in the series? That’s definitely the truth... Ummm... oh yes, it’s going to be out soon and you can look forward to reading it shortly. I’m sure everyone will love the humor and pure gory violence that features in this book. It’s certainly a great read if you are looking for something to keep you up all night! Rin: Thank you so much for coming today. I’ll be looking forward to reading... Lerk:... (Loud banging and crashing can be heard off camera) Rin: What’s that? Unknown Character: ####! ####! Are you kidding me? Kenneth Guthrie: I’m so sorry, Mr. Lark. I ran out of ideas and it just came out. Lark: How dare you ruin my name like that? What’s wrong with you? Kenneth Guthrie: I’m a writer? (The banging continues for some time) Rin: Well now. I guess we know what Lark’s response is to be called ####. Lerk: We sure do. Rin: Thanks for watching today folks and see you next time. Lerk: See you! FREE STUFF Below you can find the first few pages as a bonus sample for reading this short interview between Rin and Lerk. Thanks for your continued support and I hope you will enjoy the next book as much as I enjoyed writing it. PROLOGUE: A GOBLIN AND AN ELF Lerk watched as the human walked back towards his men on his way back to the southern army's camp. That one had been one of the more useful humans he had met in his long life, but he had outlived his usefulness to Lerk. The big blond human turned for a moment and waved his gauntleted hand as he walked away. Lerk had explained that he had no longer need for him, but with what he would do next he wouldn't have minded having a good commander on his side to help. Lerk turned towards the plains. He was tall for his race and stood nearly to the midsection of the average human. He had always been singled out as one to obtain glory because of being different from other goblins in so many ways, but the truth was that was just their impression of him, not the reality. Lerk rubbed his hand through his scrubby brown hair. He had grown much too old for this kind of thing. His body ached from all the walking he had done recently and he had been drinking much too much, so his body was starting to weaken from the effects of the strong human beer that he preferred. He pulled the small red flask that he always kept at his side. Somehow thinking of drinking was enough to make him want to do it. He had run a very long way chasing those damn orcs and his body was near its breaking point. Still there would be no resting for him. His job here was not finished and he hadn't achieved what the merchant king had commanded him to do. He started walking towards the place where the orcs had died. That human truly was an amazing fighter. The orc he had taken down was an incredibly skilled warrior and the human had proven himself to be much more than Lerk had expected when he had seen him at the orc camp for the first time. Lerk walked in to the clearing. There were fewer trees here and Lerk could see the plains in the distance. So close... he mused. The orcs had attacked a small human fort and rampaged across the land for quite some time before the humans, with Lerk and his companions help, had managed to find and stop them. The orcs had been close enough to their chosen battleground to have nearly brought the war that Lerk was in charge of starting to fruition. Not yet, he reminded himself. There was much more that would need to be done for his mission to be a success. Lerk started to walk around the small cleared area. Just behind a tree a little ways away he heard some moaning. There he is. Making his way to the tree line, he nearly stopped himself. His friend, if he could be truly called that, was sadistic beyond belief. Lerk had met many others of his kind in his career as a weapons dealer, but this one was quite the evil specimen. He stepped around the tree to find his friend enjoying his hobby again. A human was nailed to the big tree which the elf was standing next to and an orc was lying on the ground below him, stakes holding him firmly to the earth. The human was whimpering quietly as the dark elf inserted another large splinter of wood into the chest of the ugly white skinned creature. It spasmed slightly as the splinter cut into its skin, joining the forty or so that had already been inserted. The human's face didn't even really change expression at all. Underneath the brown patch of hair that hid this one's face, Lerk could see that his eyes were completely glazed over. The orc was in no worse state. The skin on its lower body had been peeled away and larger splinters had been forced into its limbs. Lerk could see that the forest floor was covered in blood leaked from the many wounds that covered the orc's body. "When will you be finished here? We have other things that need to be done, you know," Lerk said to the elf irritably. "This filthy human will be dead soon and the orc is nearly no fun at all, so I will only partake of its meat before we leave. You will not wait long, Lerk," the elf replied. Lerk had known Steel for a very long time now. Usually, Lerk would avoid using him for missions such as this one, but he needed a skilled warrior and there was no one as skilled as Steel when it came to fighting. Lerk left the lanky black clad elf to his hobby. They could afford to rest a little and Lerk had long ago realized that Steel was much easier to deal with after he had eaten and engaged in some torture. Lerk sat down next to the dead orc leader on a broken stump that was far enough away not to hear the elf or his playthings at their business. He could enjoy a little rest before they started on the final part of their plan. Find other books in this series: Book One of The War of Blood and Bones: Orcs The war begins with Lark, a particularly greedy and power hungry orc, leading a daring attack on a small fort near the orc-human boundary that kicks of the beginning of a series of gruesome battles. Book Two of The War of Blood and Bones: Humans Thomas was a lazy but competent commander until the orcs killed his brother. Now join him on his campaign of revenge as war begins to break out and forces move to incite a vicious war between the races. The War of Blood and Bones: Death of a Brother (Short Story) Take a step back in time to when Lark was a much weaker, yet still cunning and full of greed, version of himself. Learn more about his personal history and find out exactly how his brother met his death. The War of Blood and Bones: Blackbird (Short Story) On this night a farmer’s life will change forever. Learn more about one of the human heroes and find out what terrible secrets he holds in a mind filled with chaos and hate. The War of Blood and Bones: Mother (Short Story) A father finds his son holding the bloodied head of his mother. How will the one considered nearly unbeatable handle this terrible loss? Blood will spill and a certain orc will make an appearance. NOTE TO THE READER: Kenneth Guthrie is the author of more great books, such as: Book One of The Symphony of Angels: Curses The world was nearly torn apart until the evil of the remnant and the dark angel were defeated by the angel of light. Now, a young man with a curse that may be his undoing must face off with the madness inside of him or destroy everything he holds dear. Join Rin on his voyage through the seas of his own hurt and anguish and see how he will change the world he lives in forever! That is if he survives himself first. Author Biography: Kenneth Guthrie Born on a quiet and very sunny little island in the pacific, I'm perhaps not the sort of author you'd expect to write the type of work I produce. Nevertheless, I love 'action' and enjoy writing it. I live in the Far East and enjoy reading, writing (or course!) and running around the hills with my dog Thomas. If you enjoy anti-heroes, twisted characters or just plain evil good guys, then my writing is for you! Enjoy! Contacts www.kennethguthrieauthor.blogspot.com KGAUTHOR at www.twitter.com Smashwords Edition License Notes This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author's work. ***** Copyright 2011 Kenneth Guthrie Cover image courtesy of SimonDeanMedia at www.flickr.com