Character Interview with Regulus

Character Interview with Regulus from my WIP romance fantasy duology Prince of Shadow and Ash.

I’ve sat Regulus down to ask him some personal questions so you all can get to know him better. He’s not thrilled, so be nice. Regulus’ responses are in bold.

Welcome, Regulus. Are you ready to get started?

Not really, no. I only agreed because Drez said I had to, and I wasn’t in the mood to argue.

Well, thanks for coming anyway. What is your full name and its meaning and origins if you know?

Regulus Daveth Hargreaves. My mother named me. Probably picked the names to annoy my father’s wife. He shifts on his chair and tugs on his shirt collar. Regulus means prince or little king. My father wasn’t royal, but he was noble. My mother was…a servant. And Daveth means beloved. Hargreaves is my mother’s family name because… He shrugs. Bastard and all that. Can we move on?

Do you have a nickname? Tell us about it.

Reg. Just diminutive of my name.

How old are you?

29.

Do you have any claims to fame?

He rubs the back of his neck. Infamy, maybe. I avoided Monparth for a most of my mercenary career, but quite a few of the Monparthian nobles, especially in Etchy Barony, know I was a mercenary. I have a reputation as a reliable and deadly mercenary in Bhitra. There’s a town in Hedengal where my men and I are semi-legendary. I once went to introduce myself to a local ruler in Khastalland and he cut me off and said, “ah, yes. The self-righteous mercenary with a blade that eats hearts.” Still not sure how I feel about that. He hired me though, so maybe it was compliment?

How would you introduce yourself?

Lord Regulus Hargreaves of Arrano.

That’s it?

He scowls and huffs. What am I supposed to say? They can ask if they want to know more. I may or may not answer. As a mercenary, it was Captain Regulus Hargreaves. But that’s not who I am anymore.

Okay. Well, do you like to read?

No. I enjoy listening to bards sometimes, though.

What was your most prized possession as a child?

That’s personal.

Well…yes.

I don’t want to answer that.

Because you don’t have something—

A ribbon, okay?

A…ribbon.

From my mother’s apron. The only thing I had from her after my father sent me away. What’s the next question?

What are you family members like—

He laughs bitterly. Dead.

Um… What would you change about yourself, if you could?

He stills and looks away, a pained look in his eyes as his hand drifts to touch the long scar on his right cheek.Many things.

Such as?

He rubs his right forearm through his sleeve. No point in talking about what can’t be changed. Please move on.

Didn’t mean to upset you. Maybe this will be more positive. What is your greatest achievement?

He’s silent for a moment as he thinks. He’s still absently rubbing his right arm. Anytime I was able to save innocent lives. I won’t pick one, because that feels like valuing someone I protected over another.

What do you mean by save?

Well, for example, I took some jobs where we had to kill monsters. That saved lives. We were once hired to rescue a man’s son who had been captured by slavers in Segiledus. His expression hardens and he clenches his fists. Only time I’ve lost my temper and gone beyond the contract. But I said I wasn’t going to talk specifics.

Alright. When or where were or are you happiest?

Probably as a mercenary captain. I took only the contracts I wanted. I employed only honorable men who obeyed me. Took a while to get a good troop, and things were often rough, but I was free and respected. More or less.

What are you afraid of?

He opens his mouth, then clenches his jaw. His hands grip his knees. When he finally speaks, it’s quiet. Hurting people I care about.

After a moment. What’s the best decision you’ve ever made?

He mutters under his breath. Doing this interview is one of the worst. He sighs. I don’t know. Seems most of my decisions have a bad side. I guess…befriending Dresden and treating him as an equal. I don’t believe there’s a better friend in this world. Don’t tell him I said that, he’s cocky enough as it is.

Laughs. Okay. What’s the best invention ever?

Broadsword.

…any particular reason why?

Useful. Two-sided. Sharp point. Feels right in my hands. He shrugs. Best weapon. Don’t care if my men would argue. I respect them for having their own strengths, but…nothing beats a broadsword.

Do you have a life motto?

I suppose. It’s Drez’s, really. “My circumstances don’t define me. I choose who I am.”

What are you going to do when you’ve finished this interview?

Have a glass of the strongest mead I have in my cellar and pet my dog. Or maybe chop up a combat dummy. Maybe both. Are we done yet?

Yes, we’re—

Great. Thank you for your time. He bows and leaves.

…I should have had Dresden come with him. Actually, no. I should have had Adelaide interview him. *smirks*

Come back tomorrow to find out if Adelaide is more cooperative!