Meet the 'Sons'

The characters behind the title of the latest entry into the Gold and Fire series

When I sat down and started writing, the working title of the second book in Gold and Fire was Brother of Gold and Fire. I knew that Aron’s younger siblings were going to be kidnapped, and that he was going to end up coming to the rescue. But as I worked my way through the story, a different theme emerged.

I realized that the three central characters were all young males (by the standards of their species), each with a different concept of family and duty. They all need each other to make it through their challenges and try to figure out where they belong. Without the other two, Aron’s journey doesn’t work. So, the title became Sons of Gold and Fire in their honor.

So, let’s talk a little about my three sons (and yeah, if you get that joke, you’re probably old as dirt like me).

Aron: Our main protagonist is the obvious starting point. He’s grown a lot in the two years since Dreams of Gold and Fire. He’s no longer the impetuous 12-year-old who ran away to become a knight, but as squire to Sir Gareth Rayne, he still struggles to master his emotions and find the discipline he needs. He retains the fierce independent streak from the first book, and it once again gets him in hot water.

Doubloon: Our dragon friend is also on a journey of growth. His friendship with Aron made him more curious about the world of humans, and he’s been spending his two years away from his friend traveling and observing — from a distance, of course. In defiance of his dam’s warnings and his sire’s fate, he has taken a keen interest in the affairs of mankind, particularly as relates to Aron. As his mother warned him, that will cause problems.

Skrunt: The newest son may be the one that I’m most excited for people to meet. I had a blast writing him, and I want to be careful what I say about him because I’d like people to meet him and get to know him in the same way Aron does through the course of the book. Skrunt feels that he’s embarrassed his family as a coward and an outcast. When I started writing him, I thought he’d be fun comic relief. I had no idea of the impact he would have on the story. He fundamentally changes the way that Aron views the world, and he surprised me in the most wonderful way. One of his scenes literally made me pump my fist and cheer at my desk after I wrote it.