Today, Christina Weigand joins me to talk about The Sanctuary of Nine Dragons, the newest release in her PALACE OF TWELVE PILLARS series.
Welcome, Chris! How did you find yourself drawn to write your series PALACE OF TWELVE PILLARS?
I was taking a Writing for Children course through the Institute of Children’s Literature. For the second assignment I needed a short story idea. I started to wonder what if a teenage farm boy woke up one morning in the palace of a mad wizard who told him he wasn’t a farm boy but a prince and wizard. [What a great idea!] So I wrote the short story and in the process of writing it I discovered there was more of a story than could be contained in a short story. I also discovered that I wanted to know what brought that boy to the starting point of that story, who his parents were and why he was being raised as a farm boy instead of a prince. Because of that farm boy, Brandan and Joachim came into being. Brandan and Joachim kind of took over at that point, although I didn’t realize until I was writing Sanctuary of Nine Dragons that the story had evolved into their story. Aaron/Airyn the farm boy does appear at the end of Palace of the Three Crosses and plays a big part in Sanctuary, where that first story about the farm boy actually becomes part of Brandan and Joachim’s story. [That is really cool you could take that short story, create a trilogy, then connect the short story into it.]
Did you intend for the series to be allegorical or did it just happen? I think it’s a little bit of both. The title of the first book, Palace of the Twelve Pillars, does represent the twelve apostles of Asha and I suppose you could say the twelve disciples of Jesus or the twelve tribes of Israel, although there is no direct reference to them in the book. The second book, Palace of the Three Crosses, was the one that I struggled with the most, because of the obvious relationship to the three crosses at the crucifixion. In the story there are not three crosses or a crucifixion although Joachim and Brandan do bear several crosses throughout the story. Sanctuary of Nine Dragons was just because I was dealing in multiples of three and liked the number nine. I did toy with changing it to seven dragons, but by the time the idea occurred to me I had two books published that referred to nine dragons. I couldn’t switch canoes midstream. [No, I think your readers would have wondered about that. Besides, nine does seem to work better with your numbering scheme.]
What do you want your readers to learn from your series? I want young people to see that they have choices, that there are many paths to take. I want them to see that there are consequences for every choice they make and give them the tools to make the choice. [I love that you said this. I tell my son all choices have consequences. Good choices had good consequences, bad choices have bad consequences. It's such an important lesson to learn.]
The Sanctuary of Nine Dragons is the current release in this series. Will it be the end of our time with Brandan and Joachim? Or do you have more planned? Well I can’t give away the ending. What I can tell you is that the younger generation, Prince Airyn being one of them, is making noise to continue their story. So someday we may see the return of some of the characters. After all it was Aaron that started the whole ball rolling and I’m pretty sure he and his siblings and friends would like to have their story told. And of course any story with Prince Airyn would have to include his parents. [Just what any good character will do- beg for their story. I'm sure your readers will love to hear more about these stories!]
Title–Sanctuary of the Nine Dragons: Book Three
Series–Palace of the Twelve Pillars
Author–Christina Weigand
Genre–YA Fantasy
Publication Date–February 2014
Publisher–MuseItUp Publishing
Cover Artist–Charlotte Volnek
Book Blurb:Joachim banishes Brandan to prison island of Hyogo. His infant son, Prince Airyn disappears from his cradle. A chain of events is set in motion that will pit brother against brother, friend against friend, parents against children as Brandan and Joachim struggle for control of their sanity and their very lives.
With Brandan declared dead and his son missing Joachim sinks into despair and anger, where those close to him fear he may never return.
Is Brandan really dead and if he is, who is manipulating the Mantion and enemies of Crato?
Can Maeve save her country and her husband from the tentacles of evil pervading the land?
Excerpt:
On swirling winds, Myrria glided gently encircling the hidden fortress high in the Anna Mountains. Her long purple snout relaxed momentarily and she sighed before landing. She was home in the birthplace of dragons, within the soul of Asha. Granted she had been hatched in that distant cave at the Palace of Three Crosses, but her heart and soul had been born here in this holy place.
It felt good, refreshing, to be home, even though she would not be here long. Asha notified the remaining guardian dragons. Only five of the nine would be present, for three, Asha’s originals already resided with Him in the Final Resting Place. They were with Asha at the dawn of creation, and had served their purposes here. Now they worked for Him in other places. One day Myrria and her compatriots would join their predecessors; however—in this time, in this place—they still had a job to do. It fell to Myrria and the remaining guardians to fulfill His purpose.
* * * *
As she landed, she saw Alorn, Cielo, Dryas, and Stefano already in place in the great hall. Until recently, they had been six, but even the guardian dragons of Asha could be tempted and led astray by Sidramah. Tatsu had been such a one. Sidramah’s power bound him as his tentacles ensnared him. Under the thrall of Sidramah With the aid of a few spells from Waldrom, Tatsu soon rejected Asha to chase the evil one’s empty promises.
They now stood five strong before Asha, and received the monumental task to fight evil and bring their world back from the brink of destruction.
Myrria kneeled before the throne of Asha. “I am here Master. What is your will?” She then rose and took her place in the circle. The room they stood in was not so much a room as an amphitheater. It had no roof, thus allowing the dragons to take-off and land easily. It was large enough to accommodate a dozen dragons and hundreds of two-legged creatures comfortably. Upholstered benches lined the perimeter of the circular room, while the center was open to accommodate the Circle of Nine. The walls shone with green and white marble. Interspersed along the wall there were doorways, some small, others large enough for the dragons to navigate. Situated on one wall was a diminutive crystal throne. It was on that throne where a being, Asha now sat. He was neither human, Kningrad, Mantion, or dragon, yet somehow embodied them all. It was as if a mist, constantly changing, constantly adapting inhabited that place. It was all things to all creatures.
“Welcome, Myrria. I’m glad you arrived safely. I fear this meeting does not bear good news.” The white mist on the throne changed color to a dark threatening-blue before it spoke again. “Evil is afoot in the land. My children have been led astray, and the time has come for my hand to sweep the evil away.” The mist turned to a calming pink color. “I have sent one who can save them, but he can also bring about their final destruction.
“You, my Guardians, must seek him out. Protect him and ensure he is guided on the right paths.”
Alorn lifted his great, ruby-red head. “Tell us who is he, Lord, that we may fulfill your wishes.”
“I cannot reveal his identity…yet. Just know there are three who need you now. My power will be seen in all, but only one will be the savior in the end; however, all are needed to bring my Will about and they must all be protected and nurtured.”
“How will we know them?” Stefano leaned forward.
“All will be children of Brandan or Joachim and they will blend the lineage of the three races.”
“We know of Joachim’s children, but Brandan has none.”
“He has one, a half Mantion-half human child. Gorou is the third and he will be the hardest to protect and nurture.”
“Why a child of Brandan?” Cielo asked. “Brandan has already chosen the path of evil time and again. Would not a child of his be exposed to that same evil?”
“Although, he fathered the child, Brandan knows not of his existence. Moreover, all my children are exposed to evil and all must choose which path they will follow. With your protection and guidance, we can lead these three down the right path.”
“What of Sidramah? He will want them for his own.”
“Sidramah has planted seeds to make your job most difficult. In the end, if you and my children remain faithful, we will defeat him. Now, go. There is much to be done.”
The five dragons took to the air as the mist evaporated. A peaceful breeze was all that remained. If anyone had remained they would have heard a gentle keening as if someone was mourning.
* * * *
Darkness settled on the forest outside the city of Wyrzburg as Brandan and Tatsu landed. Brandan intended to return to the Palace of Twelve Pillars, now that Lukan had been found guilty of attempted murder. The way was finally clear for him to get rid of his brother Joachim and his wife Maeve. Well, maybe not Maeve. She seemed a strong woman, one who could make a good partner. If only she was not Kningrad, but maybe Brandan could overlook that flaw.
First, he had to get back into the palace. After dismounting, he tore and rubbed dirt on his clothes and then mumbled magic words. He stumbled hard as gash appeared and his left calf bone broke. Blood oozed out quickly staining his pants.
“Master is all of this necessary?” Tatsu asked.
“I want Joachim to believe that Andrew was working with Lukan to kill us both.” Brandan grimaced in pain. “This way, it will look as if I was injured while trying to escape Andrew, who turned out to be Melvane in disguise. It will look as if the Mantion played a part in this charade. A perfect plan, don’t you think?”
The big, jade-colored dragon nodded. “At least let me take you closer to the palace.”
“No! I want them to be surprised. You landing in the palace courtyard would take that away.”
“If you think it’s best.”
“I do. Return to the Cave of Njori. I will call when I need you.”
Tatsu flew off as Brandan found a sturdy branch and used it as a crutch to limp slowly toward the palace.
Joachim and Maeve sat in Lilia’s aerie sharing tea during a few quiet moments. With infant twins and a kingdom to tend, there were few of those to be had. With the disappearance of Brandan, there was even less rest for the royal couple than usual.
“Highnesses, thank goodness I found you,” Matthias said, as he ran into the room. He panted trying to catch his breath.
The king set his cup down. “Is something wrong with the children?”
“Sire, King Brandan has returned.”
“Why didn’t you bring him?”
Matthias raised his hand to stop the king’s questions and Maeve put a hand on Joa’s arm.
“He couldn’t come to you. He was badly injured and taken directly to his rooms where a healer could tend him. King Brandan asked for you to come, Sire.”
Maeve stood.
“The king requested only his brother,” Matthias said. “No one else. The healer agreed it was for the best.”
“I will walk with you husband and then check on the children. Come to me when you are finished.”
The king nodded and they followed Matthias to Brandan’s rooms. When they arrived, Maeve kissed Joachim on the cheek. “Asha be with you, my love.”
“And with you.” Maeve walked slowly away and down the corridor deep in thought. I hope all is well with Brandan, but I fear there is trouble brewing.
Myrria whispered in her head. “Be cautious, beloved of little one. All is not as it seems.”
Thunder rumbled in the distance on the moonless night. Maeve shivered and ran the rest of the way to the rooms she shared with Joachim and their twins.
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Bio:
Christina Weigand’s a writer, wife, and mother of three grown children and a middle school daughter. She is also Nana to three granddaughters. She lives with her husband and youngest daughter in Pennsylvania, returning there after a short sabbatical in Washington. Currently, she’s working on fantasy novels and inspirational writing. Through her writing, she strives to share the Word of God and help people young and old to realize the love and mercy He has for everyone.
When she’s not writing, she’s active in her local Church as a lector, Bible Study, or with the church theater group, volunteering at her daughter’s school helping the children develop a love for reading and writing. Jesus fills her home with love as she shares Him through her writing.
You can find Christina here:
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