Q & A with Armatrod

Welcome, Armatrod. We're so glad to have you on Shades of Art for this interview. Thank you for coming!

You're welcome, Autumn. Thank you for having me. I am excited to share a bit about my life with your readers. I have read the questions they sent in; answering them will be an acute pleasure.

Yes, there were some good ones, weren't there? Before the interview, would you mind sharing a picture with my readers? I'm sure they would be interested in knowing what you look like.

Yes, of course. Here is my 18th birthday portrait that my mother and father had painted for the occasion.

1. Do you wish your childhood had been different?

I do not wish that my childhood had been different. It was a rather difficult one, though. I felt called to go out into the world and take back the destroyed cities my people, the Kinarians, lost two hundred years ago, but my father couldn't have disagreed with me more. We had a lot of arguments, but my mother was always very understanding and supportive. Even though my father and I argued, I always knew I was loved and safe. I had the best parents any child could wish for, and I would not go back and change that for anything.

2. I hear you are a Kinarian. What makes them different than Men?

   
   

   A Kinarian looks a great deal like a human (as I'm sure you can tell from the above portrait). Inside, we have a deep love for the sea, even if we have never seen it. That love is always there, whispering in our veins. On a more physical, identifiable level, we have a silver streak in our hair, and either bright blue or bright green eyes. Both the silver in our hair and the color of our eyes identifies us more with the colors of the sea. Other than that, we are much the same.

3. What do you like best about being on an eagle's wings?

   
   

   This might be my favorite question. By Factorem's grace, I believe I have been carried on eagle's wings in two senses. Firstly, one of my very dearest friends is a giant eagle, and it is on his wings that I actually am borne 'on eagle's wings.' However, through difficult times, death and loss, I have always been carried by Factorem's steadfast love and faithfulness. I will never deserve it, but I know I will always be carried figuratively on the unyielding wings of His love.

   
   

   

   
   
   
   

4. Which of your friends did you least expect to have?

   
   

   The answer to this question will probably have to go to the eagle, Goldern. He was a giant, talking golden eagle that found my people's city, hidden high in the mountains. If asked when I first met him whether or not I thought he would become the dear friend that he is today, my answer would be a decided no. Aren't I glad that things don't always turn out the way they are expected to!

   
   

5. What are your criteria for the perfect woman? 

   
   

   This is certainly not any type of question that I would have thought long about answering just a couple of years ago. From the time that I was eight until I set out on my travels, seeking to destroy the one who holds my peoples' usurped cities in his hand, all I thought about was how to get those cities back. Since then, I have matured---I hope---and thoughts of matrimony are not so far away as they used to be. As far as criteria go, I know there is no such thing as a perfect woman, but if anyone came close to being perfect, I believe it would be my mother. She is capable and gentle and very understanding. It will be hard to find someone like her, but I think I might have...

   
   

6. If you knew you had to die tomorrow, what would you spend your last day doing?

   
   

   A rather depressing, but very thought-provoking question. Upon first reading this, I would have said, "Finish my very best and last effort to restore the cities to my people." However, now I think that I would spend as much time as possible with my father and mother and friends. Factorem has placed wonderful people in my life, and I know it would be wrong not to spend my last moments with them. In the end, I believe that relationships with people should fall just under the importance of a relationship with Factorem.

   
   

7. How do you react when someone insults you, or someone you love?

   
   

   I have a hot head sometimes, and especially in instances like this. One specific example comes to mind: a man with whom I had become indirectly acquainted played wickedly with a girl's heart, and when I happened upon the man, revenge was all that I could think of. It only got me into more trouble, for the man ended up overpowering me in our fight, and I made things worse in the end. I don't believe in letting someone take an insult undefended, and as a result, I seem to work up quite a bit of anger very quickly.

8. What is your biggest fear?

   
   

   My biggest fear is that I will let the world know that my people weren't all destroyed 200 years ago---and that our enemies will come after us to finish the job. However, fears often clash with beliefs, and Factorem has helped me continue with my quest, making smart decisions for the safety of my people, but not allowing the fear to rule my life.

   
   

9. What do you care about more than anything?

   
   

   I want to care about honoring and glorifying Factorem more than anything---by pursuing the cities---but sometimes, I find myself weakening to the pull of making my parents proud---by staying at home and helping to keep our city hidden. For quite some time, these two ideas conflicted, but recently, my parents made it clear to me how proud they were that I was honoring Factorem. Since then, it has been easier.

   
   

10. What do you like to do in your spare time?

    I love to draw, which I find myself doing a great deal when things are difficult to figure out, or to

    cope with.

    
    

    

    
    
    
    

11. What does your name mean?

    In ancient Kinarian, my name means 'Adventurer,' My mother knew this when she chose it, but my father did not approve. He always hoped to raise a son who would keep his people safe. An adventurer was the last thing he wanted him to be. However, we have both gotten over our differences, and my father has made it clear that he is proud of me.

    
    

12. Where do you see yourself in ten years?

    
    

    To be honest, I see myself as the son of the king of Brandilon---that is, the city by the sea that I have worked so hard to try to take back for my people. I would hope to be married, with a son, perhaps. And of course, I want to explore the vast seas that stretch forever beyond our lands. What other adventures really wait in those years for me, I cannot yet tell, but these desires lie closest to my heart.

    
    

    

    
    

13. Who is the most sincere and thoughtful person that you know?

    
    

    That would be my friend Gorter. Though I haven't seen him for some time, I will never forget the way he saved me from my captors and death not long after I had met him.

    
    

14. What's your favorite weapon, and are you good at using it?

    
    

    As a prince, trained to defend his people and his family, I wholly appreciate this question. The weapon I'm most comfortable with using is a sword, but I do enjoy throwing knives when occasion calls.

    
    

    

    
    

15. Do you have any siblings?

That is an excellent question, and the unfortunate answer is 'no.' I do not have any siblings, and I have often wished that I did. Several of my dear friends have a brother or a sister, and it is clear from being around them, that I have missed out. But Factorem, as I said earlier, has given me wonderful parents, and several close comrades.

And that wraps up the questions. Again, thank you for being with us and sharing a little bit about yourself.

You're welcome. Factorem bless!

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Well, what did you think? Let me know!