Bronwyn Darrow is one of the main characters in Shadows in the Stone. Recently, I had the pleasure of speaking to him. This interview takes place in the same time frame as the opening scene of the fantasy novel. It provides a peek into Bronwyn’s world before the action gets underway.
Diane: Welcome to my farm, Bronwyn. I hope you don’t mind sitting here in the barn to talk; I don’t want to miss this beautiful day.
Bronwyn: No, I don’t mind. I love being outside. (pulls up a hay bale, sits and leans against a stall gate)
Diane (grabs her own hay bale, plops it against the opposite side of the six-foot aisle running through the barn and sits): Great because I also love the smell of this place.
Bronwyn (grins): Me, too. I love being around horses. It makes me feel free. (tosses his chin toward the pasture where our pony grazes beside the miniature donkey). What breed is that? I don’t think we have that type in Ath-o’Lea.
Diane: It’s a Haflinger.
Bronwyn: He’s a stalky creature. Gelding?
Diane: Yup, about five years old. The breeds supposed to be sure-footed, great for mountain trails.
Bronwyn (flashes his dark brown eyes at me): Can I ride ‘em when we’re done?
Diane: Sure, as long as you don’t take him on the road. He’s not wearing shoes.
Bronwyn (his face lights up): Promise, I won’t. He looks like he loves to run.
Diane: Do you ride a lot in your position at Aruam Castle?
Bronwyn: I do. Learning to ride well is part of a soldier’s training. We spend at least two hours a day working with horses.
Diane: How long have you been serving the castle?
Bronwyn: I’ve been a soldier in the reserve for about two years.
Diane: So you’re not a castle guard? (He shakes his head). What’s the difference?
Bronwyn: The soldiers are a reserve for the castle guard. When a guard retires, dies or is injured to the point he can’t fulfil his duties, his position is filled by a soldier. This means the castle guard is always working at full capacity with well-trained men.
Diane: What duties do you perform as a soldier?