Interview with the Bookworm: Meet Silira Mór

Setting: Iathium’s Dome - The Archive

Haley: Lira, thanks for taking the time to sit down with me to chat tonight. I know you’ve been busy lately. 

Lira: That’s an understatement. I have a few minutes to speak, but I really must get back to work soon. Manuscripts won’t write themselves, and I have a lot of studying to do besides.

H: Studying? What are you working on? 

L: *averts gaze* Oh, preserving a few specific histories at the Rí’s request. You know how it is when a supreme ruler wants a job done.

H: …Well, kind of, but not really. I mean, I know what it’s like to have Eremon making demands of me on a regular basis, but mostly I just ignore him and do what I want. 

Eremon: *bursting through the chamber door* Who does what they want? 

H & L: *eyeroll in unison* You do.

E: That’s right. 

L: This is my interview time, Eremon. If you don’t mind, get out and wait your turn. 

E: *narrows eyes* I could have you exiled for that attitude, you know. 

L: Exile yourself. 

E: *bows with a grin* Exile, stage left. You’ll pay for that later, Defender. 

H: *shifty eyes* Okayyy, that was strange. Back to our conversation. How did you come to work in the archive? 

L: My father wanted me here, and I wanted to be here. We moved into Iathium when I was a small child, and he loved the city. He taught my brother and me to love it, too. My grandmother has always been a storyteller, and he wanted the same for me—but he wanted me to tell the right stories, so to speak. 

H: Tell me more about that. What are the “right” stories? 

L: Well, normally the right stories are the officially sanctioned histories. As of late, I’m not sure I—well, never mind. Perhaps I shouldn’t say. 

H: No, please go on. I’d like to know. 

L: It’s not a good time for that. Ask me about my family instead. 

H: *eyeing Lira suspiciously* All right… tell me about your family, then. 

L: Well, my brother Talfryn is a sentry. And my mother lives in Clan Beran’s fortress now. My father died seven years ago, so Tal and I have been working to uphold his legacy. 

H: But wait… how old are you? And how long has your mother been gone? 

L: *looking offended* I’m nineteen. Mam has been gone for three years. We get on well by ourselves; it’s not like we’re children. 

H: Of course not. Well, what about your friends? Who do you spend the most time with? 

L: Well, I’m mostly working, so… perhaps Eremon and Aidryn Tarlach? But Aidryn’s sister, Caitir, is a close friend of mine as well. And my brother and I are close. 

H: Tell me more about—

Aidryn: *sauntering through the chamber door* About me? I’d be glad to oblige you. 

L: Insufferable—

A: At your service. *plops onto the desk beside Lira, scattering loose papers* Tell me what I’ve missed. 

L: Almost nothing; you two can’t leave well enough alone long enough for me to speak with her. How will I ever complete my work like this? 

A: Your work is never done; knowing you, you’d transcribe this entire archive and then find some more work for yourself. 

L: *long-suffering sigh* Aren’t you supposed to be helping your father with his trading or some nonsense? 

A: Done with his nonsense for today; now I’m here to sow nonsense in the archive. *grins conspiratorially* 

L: For Nami’s sake. 

H: *glancing from Aidryn to Lira and back* What…. is happening. 

L: Every time Aidryn gets an inkling Eremon is here, he has to come steal the limelight. Who knows why. He gave up his job in the archive, yet he still thinks he can come in and order me around like a superior. 

E: *from outside the door* Did someone call my name? 

A: *scowling* No one called you. 

E: You… what? 

A: *closes eyes* No one called you, O wise supreme ruler. 

E: That’s better. 

H: *exasperated* All right, this is just chaotic. I’m here to speak with Lira about her life, her work, and what she knows about the hidden histories and the stolen magic.

L: What?! *stands up abruptly, toppling stool* How do you kn— 

A: *cutting her off* How dare you imply such treason! 

E: *drawing a sword and crossing the room in a bound* Who sent you, spy? 

H: *hands up* No one sent me; I’m the author! 

A: *looking amused* The author? Ha! Joke’s on you; if you’re not an archivist, you can’t write anything around here! 

E: *looking suspicious, pointing his sword at my nose* The author of what, exactly?

H: All of you. Technically speaking, I’m kind of your supreme ruler. 

E: *scowls* Treason. 

A: I think we’ve heard enough. 

L: Get out of my archive, spy. 

H: But—

*Two sentries enter the chamber, swords drawn as if they’ve been waiting outside. As if they’ve been waiting to seize me all along.* 

H: *raises hands* You guys are seriously making a huge mistake. I’m writing your story. I’m— 

E: Take her to the dungeon. 

—

What happens next? Read Aidryn’s interview here.