Over the next couple of months, I will be posting a series of character interviews. These are all important folks from the Deliverers series. I ran them on my original blog years ago, as well as during my recently completed blog tour. Hopefully, you will find them amousing.

Today we interview one of the stars of theDeliverers Series, Stigidae Ghostwing (Stig for short). He’s an owl whorecruits young Eric Scott to come with him on an Assignment–a mission to helpsave another world.

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Greg:  Welcome to the Deliverers Publishing Headquarters, Stig.Thanks for taking the time to, um, perch with us.

Stig: It’smy pleasure entirely, I assure you. I say, your headquarters is really quiteimpressive.

Greg:  Oh, how so?

Stig:  Well,the sheer size of the place for one thing, and the fine art and furnishings, tosay nothing of all the awards and autographed political and celebrityphotographs. I mean, who knew this was such an accomplished organization!

Greg:  Stop, I’m blushing.But this isn’t about us. We want to hear about you. What was your childhoodlike?  Were you an only owl?

Stig:  I was an onlychild. It was rather difficult. You see, my childhood lasted for about 150years. Most of that time was spent in school. Owls are nothing if not educated.When I wasn’t in school I was with my parents hunting for mice, moles, and theoccasional rabbit.

Mother was kindly and very understanding of my youthful foibles. Myfather was a most respectable business owl, and did not go in for any “carryingon” whatsoever. This led to some friction between us when I entered myadolescent years. I must confide that, just between you and I, I was quite thehellion back in those days. Eventually, I settled down and became somewhatrespectable myself, but the entire process was rather painful.

Greg: What is your world like?

Stig: Oh, much like any other, I suppose. Owls are the predominant species.We’ve developed a very learned society, known for our universities. A niceplace altogether, but not really my cup of tea. I don’t spend much time therethese days, what with my Assignments and all.

Greg:  How did you first getsent on an Assignment?

Stig:  I first stumbled uponthe Hallway of Worlds when I chanced upon a doorway while exploring a caveon my world. This was, let me see, over 100 years ago when I was around320 or so. I can’t begin to describe my amazement when I found myself in theHallway.

Then, the Gatekeeper appeared. He seemed to have been expecting me.Naturally, I was skeptical when he told me he needed my help, but I could notdeny that I was not in the cave that I had entered, so I agreed to help him asbest I could.

That was the first of many Assignments in my service to the Gatekeeper.It took a long time until I was chosen to lead an Assignment.

Greg: Let me guess, that was this last mission with Eric, right?

Stig:  Mmmm…Yes. Apparently, the Gatekeeper had his eye on Eric for some time.He asked me to approach him with an Assignment. Mind you, I wasn’t sure Ericwould accept. He was going through an extremely rough patch, and had quite alarge chip on his shoulder. Thankfully, I was able to convince him, whichworked out to everyone’s benefit.

Greg: What do you like to do in your spare time?

Stig:  Well, I don’t have much of it, I can tell you. I teach a class atuniversity on my home world every other semester. I enjoy it—it’s a real hoot.

Greg: Did you know Hedwig, Harry Potter’s owl?

Stig:  Oh, not that well. We flew in different circles. The few times I didmeet her, she didn’t have much to say. Bad show what happened to her, but shedied bravely. For me, it underscored just how unpredictable life can be.

Greg : How has the release ofthe book impacted your life?

Stig: I’ve worked in virtualanonymity for over 100 years, so it was a trifle disconcerting to have thebright light of the media turned upon my work. All in all, though, I must saythat it has been surprisingly satisfying. For one thing, it was an excellent Assignment.For another, it gave me a chance to work as part of a team, which was a mostsingular experience.

Eric, Kate, and Hallo were fun to work with, although a trifleexasperating at times. Each brings their own expertise to an Assignment, and Ithink we play well off each other. I’m looking forward to working with themagain in future.

Greg:  So, do you think you will all take part in futureAssignments?

Stig: From what the Gatekeeper says, I would think it stands to reason. Thereare thousands of worlds out there, and more than a few are encounteringdifficulties, so I would think you could count on it.

Greg: Well, thank you for your time Stig. I look forward toreading about The Deliverers’ future Assignments.

Stig: You’re quite welcome. The pleasure has beenall mine. Now, do you think you could help me find my way out of the building?All the passages are quite confusing, and I can’t make head or tail out of themap you gave me.