I am the author of Malevir: Dragons Return and Where Dragons Follow, the first two books of the Malevir trilogy. Today, I am presenting my character, Draako, featured in both novels. This interview is on Mary Woldering’s Dec.3, 2018 blog*

1. Go ahead and introduce yourself.

   My clan, the Orferans, calls me Draako Geb Lugent, and I am a dragon.

2.Tell us where and when were you born.

   As chronicled in Malevir: Dragons Return, a malevolent spirit, the Malevir attacked my clan and only five of us survived horrific battles with it. I spent my earliest years on the far side of the Veiled Valley hiding in a secret refuge cave protected by my uncle Aurykk’s charms.

3. How would you describe yourself?

   Like my father Lugent, I am a Silver dragon. A prophecy says I am destined to lead my flokk, that is, all the clans of my world, Dragonwolder. When I first learned about my future, I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t think I was that special.

I am a bit bigger than a common Veiled Valley cottage. My scales were blue and dotted with silver when I was a wyrmling, but now I am a true Silver adult. I have two powerful hind legs, a pair of strong, wide wings I fold at my sides when I rest. My two arms are shorter than my hind legs; they each have three fingers tipped by thick, sharp claws and a quite useful opposable thumb.

   I have fangs and sharp teeth. My large eyes glow amber when I am happy but turn red if anger floods through me. Otherwise, they are moss green. A webby frill fans out at the base of my neck just above my rider’s hump. I might look scary, but my rider calls me awe-inspiring.

4. Tell us about where you grew up.

   The Cave of Refuge sits near the summit of a mountain in the Sunsetside Range. For thirty of your Earth years, we lived in seclusion until we were forced to rebuild our friendship with humans and other dwellers of Dragonwolder. Why? Because the Malevir resumed his attacks so forcefully we were sure the creature wanted to destroy us all. We had to forget our past mistakes and unite to save ourselves.

5. How old are you?

   I am a young dragon. My kind can live for hundreds of your years barring disease or deadly magic.

6. Did you have a happy childhood?

   Yes, as much as I could be living in exile. To fight the Malevir I spent my seasons strengthening my powers, like my paralyzing cone of flame or belching lightning instead of flames, and fine-tuning my flight maneuvers.

7. Past/ present relationships? How did they affect you?

   After the Malevir’s ghostly forces nearly wiped out all of the Orferans, I lost my mother, that is, my remaining family thought she had died to save me; but one day she returned to us and our quest to weaken and banish the Malevir began. In the second chronicle, Where Dragons Follow, you’ll learn how the Malevir sent his thrall to murder my uncle, the Golden named Aurykk. After joining with my cousin dragon and our riders, we tried to save him. That experience only fueled my determination to destroy the beast, whatever it was.

8. What do you value above all else in life?

   Peace in Dragonwolder, safety and rest for its creatures.

9. What are you obsessed with?

   As the final chronicle will reveal, I am obsessed with confronting the Malevir.

10.How do your beliefs make life better for yourself and the people you care about?

   One of my greatest traits has been loyalty, sorely tested as written in the third chronicle. My belief in my rider’s noble cause and my faith in my clan have encouraged me to defend Dragonwolder and help its creatures seek peace.

11. Biggest fear?

   Weakness in the face of evil.

12. What line will you never cross?

   I hope never to betray my own kind nor my rider.

13. What is the best thing that ever happened to you?

   The reunion with my mother, or was it the day I claimed Nnylf as my rider? The worst? It’s yet to come.

14. Most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you?

   When I was just past my wyrmling stage and learning to fly, I fell—often.

15. Biggest secret?

   You’ll learn more about that at the end of the second chronicle, Where Dragons Follow.

16. What is the one word you would use to define yourself?

   Daring. Some would say, “foolhardy.”

17. What is your current goal?

   I imagine a better world where Dragonwolder’s creatures live together in peace and harmony.

Youtube video link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFgUIzinjZGv6DCB8Z2SlEw

And here is the blurb from the back of Where Dragons Follow:

   The world of Dragonwolder is in turmoil. Its nemesis, the Malevir, has survived past defeats. He now works his dark magic to destroy the world’s dragons and their allies by inhabiting an amulet, which a young man named Kurnan has stolen. The amulet controls Kurnan’s spirit and puts him in great danger. Will a team of dragons, their brave riders, and other magical creatures catch the thief and stop the Malevir from destroying them and all of Dragonwolder?

Where Dragons Follow was first published 4/30/2018 and has reviews on Amazon.com for the Kindle and paperback version of both books, and Malevir:Dragons Return has several Amazon reviews, too:

   “I hope the author plans to write a sequel to Malevir: Dragons Return because I love so many of the characters in this fantasy novel, especially the dragons. It takes place in an imaginary world,where a terrible creature threatens the lives of everyone who lives there. A group of teen friends become dragon riders and discover the thrills and danger of their new-found roles. I recommend this book to anyone who likes fantasy fiction.”

And from J.B. Richards:

   “Author Susan Bass Marcus hits the mark for ultimate Fantasy reads in “Where Dragons Follow: Return of the Malevir” with a wondrous world of magic and folklore populated by elvish-folk, sprites, giants, and…Oh, yes—dragons!

   This second chapter in her Dragonwolder Series takes us on an amazing trek across various lands with a group of comrades searching for a former dragon-rider whose mind has been taken over by a charmed amulet controlled by the evil Malevir. Even as the magical folk and creatures who reside in Dragonwolder suffer horrible curses brought upon their lot, they come together in a heroic struggle to save their friends and families as they go above and beyond the call of duty and bring together their beloved dragons in an ongoing battle to cleanse the land of evil and restore their lives once and for all.

   Marcus’ writing is engaging and her plot line flows well. Like a roller-coaster ride, there are dips and curves that keep readers on the edge of their seats as they hold on tight waiting to see what will happen around the next bend. Dragonwolder’s fantasy characters are fully-fleshed, with lots of history behind them. They are also highly-relatable to readers with personalities that are reminiscent of everyday people one would meet in real life.”     

   Where Dragons Follow” comes across quite well as a stand-alone read for ages 12 and up. I highly recommend this book whether you have read the other chapters in this series or not. Once you’ve engaged in this delightful, compelling, and action-packed story, you’ll yearn to delve in and read much, much more.”

and

   “A complex world of human creatures and fantasy creatures, all vividly drawn from deep wells of imagination and rendered in crisp and lucid prose. A fabulous tale spun from ordinary longings and desires,both benevolent and malevolent. I particularly like the pair of weasels who dart in and out of the story, adding touches of humor that reminded me of the characters in Hamlet, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. I’m already imagining the animated feature the Disney people should make from this lovely book”.

*
on Mary Woldering’s blog https://shoutout.wix.com/so/95MTq3Wg5?cid=fe766ab5-9e59-4cbf-94e7-58e280a74337&region=48a9895d-3815-44e7-a242-39fea732c2fe#/main