Interview 120518 Chaldan

The Bereny Bugle
‘Blowing our horn for the People of Bereny’

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THE BERENY BUGLE BIG INTERVIEW

RIDER ON THE STORM

Chaldan Ironhoof, leader of the Centaur Council,

speaks to the Bugle.

Dateline: 12-5-518

Chaldan Ironhoof - determined to maintain the Centaurs’ right to roam in Bereny.

(Picture credit: Chronicles of Narnia)

In the twenty years since it was founded to give a voice to centaurs, and latterly also to unicorns, in Bereny, the Centaur Council has never been far from controversy. Its present leader, Chaldan Ironhoof, has held the post for the past six years, and in that time has been robust and outspoken in standing up to any criticism of his members or of centaurs in general. The Bereny Bugle spoke to Chaldan shortly before he ventured into the foreboding ruins of Kreskin’Lal’s Tower.

The Bereny Bugle: Chaldan Ironhoof, Leader of the Centaur Council, thank you for agreeing to be interviewed by the Bereny Bugle.

Chaldan Ironhoof: It is my honour, the Bereny Bugle is a fine publication and does much to keep us all entertain and informed of goings on in Bereny.

Q: Were you born in here Bereny or were you one of those centaurs who came to Bereny from the Great Forest?

CI: I was born in the Centaur city of Lineoth in the Enchanted Forest. When my education was complete, I left my sire and dam to explore the wider Bereny, as most young Centaurs are encouraged to do. My sire and dam still reside in the Enchanted Forest, when I speak about communicating with the Centaur Elders, it is the ones in the city of Lineoth that I communicate with and seek advice from.

Q: Most Berenian sages believe that centaurs are some sort of magically created hybrid creature. There have even been those among your own members who in the past have supported this view, but the official stance of the CC is that you are natural creatures. Have you any evidence for your view?

CI: Yes I know Duchess Glaze's base view of Centaurs [grimace], her unyielding racism and insulting remarks; they are most unbecoming of such a prominent noble of the realm. However from our own research, histories and conversations with our allies the Elves - who neighbour us in the Enchanted Forest - they have advised that although we are a young race, they believe there is nothing unnatural about us or our appearance in the mortal realms. We Centaurs take much comfort from this and therefore continue to believe that we are indeed natural creatures, with natural origins, even though those origins begin beyond our own written records and race memories.

Q: A few years ago, when evil centaurs were spreading their depredations across Homeward, there were many who believed this was proof that centaurs were a savage and evil race, and even accused the CC of being in league with them. How would you answer such accusations?

CI: There are a multitude of evil and dark elves in the world, but people do not accuse the elves generally of being a savage and evil race. Humans themselves align themselves with both good and evil, there is much evidence that humans willingly fall to the greatest depths of evil and strive to ascend to the heights of great good too; so when there is ample evidence of great evil perpetrated by humans, people do not generalise and say humans are all evil and savage.

Q: So do you think that the CC's part in ending this menace has finally silenced your critics?

CI: The actions of a few can seem to slight the many, but I believe it is more a case of a lack of education about the true nature of what Centaurs are. I do hope that in willingly taking the fight to and slaying Noir, encouraging Centaurs to take a wider view of responsibility for not just themselves but for others too, then taking a great Quest to try and resolve the Elven Curse, we can prove to the Berenian people that the majority of Centaurs are both good and noble, even though there are a minority that have fallen to accursed, evil and shameful depths.

Q: Ah yes, the expedition to unlock the secrets of Kreskin Lal's Tower that the CC has organised, which you are leading in person. What is it that you hope it will achieve? Why are the Centaur Council interested in this long-dead half-elf sorceror?

CI: As I have mentioned before, the main thrust of this Quest is to investigate the Tower, then to try and reverse - if possible - the Elven Curse. Previous explorations of the Tower were haphazard, but this time a great many powerful and talented magic-users ride with us. Then with their assistance and with the magic of the Centaur Elders behind me, I hope to penetrate and destroy the evil that Kreskin'Lal imposed upon the Elves and so overturn her curse. Kreskin'Lal spread many evil and accursed rumours about the Centaurs, we hope to get to the bottom of the mystery surrounding her Tower, her dark motivations and in so doing hope to overturn her many evils.

Q: So you believe that you may really be able to find a cure for the 'elven curse'?

CI: I do not know for sure, but it is surely a noble and worthy thing to attempt? The Elves are our very good neighbours, friends and allies, we feel their pain and we would do all we can to return and cure the curse if it is even remotely possible.

Q: There are rumours that the CC would like to expand its membership to incorporate the Centaurs of Kyr. Would you like to see this or are you worried about the reaction of the Kyrians?

CI: I am not sure how the Zantaurs are reacting to the Centaur Elders' attempts at communication. The Zantaurs are brutish and tribal, more akin to Orcs and equally as hostile. Although I would like to see Zantaurs in the Centaur Council, there remain many barriers in the way to be overcome, before there is even a remote chance of this occurring.

Q: But you would like to someday see the CC expand its membership to all centaurs, including those living beyond the borders of Bereny?

CI: It is my dream to extend membership of the Centaur Council to all Centaurs and Unicorns, both within and without Bereny. However it depends on many things, the relationship between the Guilds, current exclusivity rules, etc. Whilst I think that eventually the CC may eventually get Centaur Meadows (the closest thing we have to a Guild House) in areas other than Bereny, I do not put much hope in including all Centaurs in the Guild.

Q: So do you see yourself one day as 'King of the Centaurs' perhaps?

CI: "King of the Centaurs"! [there is an impressive snort and then laughter] You make a fine joke! It just wouldn't work, most Centaurs are just a little bit too independent for their own good, besides I wouldn't be able to cope with the stress. I think I will let His Majesty Dirk do the king thing, he seems to like it!! Meanwhile I'll get on with having fun and being free to adventure and explore, unencumbered by noble titles & the requisite weighty responsibility.

Q: The CC has been closely involved in the launch of the new Poldoon Border Scouts, and one of your members has been appointed to lead it. Do you hope that this will enhance your standing and influence in the Kingdom?

CI: Yes I hope so. I also wish to thank His Grace Duke Raven for this opportunity to raise the profile and standing of all good aligned Centaurs in Bereny. I send General Eurytion of Pelion my very best wishes with his new command and wish all members of the Scouts every success.

Q: And finally, what role do you see for the Centaur Council in Bereny in the future?

CI: Who knows what the future brings? No doubt there will be new challenges to face and mysteries to resolve and I hope to involve the Centaur Council in those, but I hope the CC will go from strength to strength and be welcomed & accepted more & more by the Berenian people, enough so that we can finally silence even our most vocal critics.....