Q & A with multi-genre fiction author Patricia M. Muhammad discussing science fiction and fantasy novel and her upcoming novel, The Consecrated Throne, Book One in The Consecrated Throne series.

Q. Is The Consecrated Throne the first science fiction/fantasy novel that you have ever written?
A. No. I wrote most of the Silhouette Lost series, which is a paranormal, science fiction/fantasy series before I penned The Consecrated Throne.

Q. The Consecrated Throne is a complicated novel. Did you have to outline or take notes while writing this book?
A. The Consecrated Throne series is also an epic fantasy and this is the first time I have written a novel with three different kingdom-worlds. Because I wrote about numerous characters and settings and the focus on the masters and light I did draft a chart so I could remember which characters were from which world and what role, whether significant or continuous throughout the novel. When I wrote of the mystic chariot that would become Prince Thauses' and Princess Nuraī's permanent transport, I had to create a special vehicle. I actually drew the chariot in an inked sketch on blank paper, including the stars within the wheels and how I wanted for them to be situated or clustered.

Q. In The Consecrated Throne's storyline, you write about the importance of succession, both to the thrones of the two prominent kingdom-worlds and of the Luminaries, how did you decide to incorporate this into The Consecrated Throne?
A. Each of the three kingdom-worlds are part of an interplay. One to two of the worlds are at the height of the hierarchy depending on the millennia or display of power, while the third had always been the lesser of the three. More prominently, the succession of the heir apparent for the thrones of the Crown of Udharīa and the Crown of (X)ūpraeth are significant in the continuum of their kingdom-worlds. Ironically, it is Princess Eleyanra who threatens the hierarchy for both based on her plan to create a dual-throne. She leaves Udharīa with rogue inhabitants and without proper escort or the permission of Queen Raī and King Vhileum. The latter simply refers to Princess Eleyanra's attempt to merge the two kingdom-worlds of Udharia and (X)ūpraeth into one dual-throne. In her attempt to do so, she was to break the connection of the world of Ubraeĭ to that of Prince Thauses' kingdom. Yet it would be the bridge of life where Eleyanra would meet her ultimate punishment. Her plan was not royally sanctioned by either Crown. Her demise disrupted the line of the Udharīan royal succession. Had Eleyanra been successful in taking the hand of Prince Thauses, the same would have been imminent for the (X)ūpraethī one as well.

As far as the masters of both kingdom-worlds, especially for the (X)ūpraethī one, succession in the practice of the esoteric of light is a prominent and important role. The Luminary succession can be attained primarily by two methods. One, by being an heir with the innate gift to access, harness, and wield the light of the sun. The other is by apprenticeship under an approved master. The Crown usually provides input based on their observations, but rely on the recommendations of the master Luminaries and elders as to whether a potential candidate may proceed on the path to be initiated.

Q. Princess Eleyanra appears to be a complicated character, however her nature inclines towards initiating chaos for the greater good. When you described her character did you think she would have any redeeming qualities?
A. Because the Udharīan princess was of the People of the Stars, and heir apparent of this esteemed Crown, she had the potential to elevate her standing beyond her access to the throne. At the beginning of The Consecrated Throne, she orders members of the Star Guard to seize a prominent advisor. This is not only a display of power while her mother and father still sit upon the thrones, it is her testing the Udharīan subjects as to whether they would accept her authority with sincerity and what she believe is due reverence. In her estimation, her goal to merge her kingdom-world with Prince Thauses' is a noble endeavour. She thought her endeavour could make her kingdom the most powerful of the three. Superficially, to secure Udharīa's future was a worthy ideal she sought to obtain. The princess' venture to (X)ūpraeth is where the real chaos begins. It causes Queen Rai and King Vhileum to divert resources to locate their daughter and verify what plans she intend to implement without proper royal authority. She has tenacity and perseverance but her intentions are purely selfish and this becomes most obvious to the Crowns of both worlds.

Q. Princess Eleyanra uses what is described as 'false fires' to feed the rebellious masters of light in the Kingdom of (X)ūpraeth, yet you do not describe the origin of the fires. Is this an intentional secret since she hails from the Kingdom of Udharīa and is of the People of the Stars?
A. The scene where Eleyanra provides fires to the Curators of Iridesence was to demonstrate a dual misnomer. First, this princess is from another world. Her people interpret the light of the stars. The Curators and Luminaries of the world she enters interpret the light of the sun. Princess Eleyanra does not have much knowledge of the use of fire and she misuses what she conjures and conceals beneath her garb as the basis of the Curators access to light. The Curators of Iridescence are not in a proper state to practice or wield light. Their rebellion against the proper and good rule of the (X)ūpraethī Crown causes them to forget what they have learned of their light, where they are to access it from and how they are to interpret it and use it as a weapon of defense. They do not even question Princess Eleyanra as to the origin of the fires. The Curators merely accept her foreign leadership as it aligns with their misguided intentions to overthrow the rightful rule of the (X)ūpraethī Crown. Yet there may be a hint as to the origin of the fires as the MorningStar guides Princess Nuraī and Prince Thauses to capture a new sun for their world, where fire and waters encircle it in counter directions.

Q. You write about the bridge of light. Can you explain the purpose of this cosmic pathway and how it was created?
A. A bridge of light is an ethereal pathway that connect two universes or worlds that are usually not part of the same galaxy or cosmic network. It is conjured by the use of light. In this iteration, those masters are able to harness the light of the sun. However, it is their contemporaries or master complements who must do the same. Since the Kingdom of (X)ūpraeth had to be connected to the World of Ubraei, the bridge was to be created from north east to a southern direction. It neared the abode of Aeteshara and Euphranaĭ, the mother and father of Princess Nuraī. This is not the only bridge I refer to in the novel. There is the bridge of life and a social bridge
Q. The Seekers of Light of the Kingdom of Udharīa appear to serve the same purpose as the Luminaries and the Curators of Iridescence of the Kingdom of (X)ūpraeth, were these parallel roles intentional?
A. The primary purpose of the masters, regardless of which kingdom-world was to harness and wield light in the service of their respective Crowns. As I imagined the position of each kingdom-world within the cosmos and wrote Udharīa being set upon the firmament, I knew the stars would be the easiest form of access to light. The firmament was among the heavens and the stars are the appointed observers in the distant celestial skies. It would be this kingdom-world's heir-apparent to the Udharīan throne had an arguably viable intention when she attempted to take the hand of Prince Thauses and merge their two worlds. However, whom she was at the core, which I iterated as a memory, was most intimately revealed when a Seeker of Light was able to interpret the light of a summoned star.

Q. What is an excerpt from The Consecrated Throne that you can share with us that you have not before?
A. “This justification cannot be good or well-intended. This I am even will to admit
about our daughter,” the king said.
“Yet, we know that she will not require rescuing,” Ganev said.
“This at least in the matter that we assume. We all know what she is capable of, what turmoil she may conjure wherever they may be,” the queen added. Muraeth immediately replaced her sword back to its sheath made from captured raindrops seized by the tips of falling stars. The sound captured Ganev’s attention and unintentionally brought him great pleasure.
“Would you have us investigate, Your Majesty?” Ganev asked. He wondered what was to be the next step and why exactly was he summoned there. If it had been a test as to his loyalty, this advisory easily passed. Were it to determine his duty, even to defend or even perhaps save the princess. Ganev remained successful from the Crown’s vantage because of his ability to see beyond the obvious and his insight which was always to the (X)ūpraethī kingdom’s gain.
“There must be one who at minimum remains behind—they had to have knowledge of our daughter’s plot,” Queen Raī said.
“So this is what you ask of me, to scour the crevices of the firmament and to have the Seekers of Light to disembowel the very plane of our existence to find her?” Ganev said.
“Ganev, your enthusiasm is laudable, but your excessive suggestion may be
unnecessary,” King Vhileum said. Muraeth became bored with the plan to retrieve Eleyanra. She considered it a nuisance, especially since she assumed that it would not involve combat. She was a stately young woman and aptly exceed the intelligence of many other (X)ūpraethīs, male or female; but oft-times she lacked the patience to adequately utilize it. Queen Raī knew of her potential when she heard of a young girl many years ago, who desired to use her hands in defense of the kingdom, rather than to caress the handsome face of a potential suitor. Thus, the queen chose her to learn from an older generation and lead a group of her own once she mastered the varying levels. Muraeth would have to perform a great harm to disappoint the queen. As much faith as Raī had in her warrior-servant, she endeavoured to prove herself worthy of such praise.
“Find her. Seek out any confidant Princess Eleyanra may have abandoned here. Maybe they still harbour displeasure of her choice to omit them from her company,” Queen Raī said. Several of those who were present looked upon one another for clarification. They stood confused as to whom the command befell. Disputes were witnessed and an anxious lapse in grace in all except Muraeth and Ganev. He was not swift to avoid his skill in this regal pursuit, but devotion bound him not to refuse if the king and queen asked this of him. Muraeth knew of his character and while the verbal chaos had yet to quiet, she also volunteered to be of the Crown’s service. Soon the others settled in relief that the king and queen did not hold them primarily responsible. Still, several others were pleased that the Crown completely relieved them of this particular duty.
“We must have only the best and this translates to those who may rise above the tumultuous nature of our daughter and understand that her return very well means tranquility for our kingdom and many others that she may have released her words upon,” King Vhileum said. The others not chosen suddenly felt embarrassed for the words His Majesty spoke. Yet, even greater, was the disappointment they possessed towards one another. They now knew that they would have to work even greater to raise their esteem in the eyes of the Crown again.
“Those not selected for this delicate situation are sworn by oath to secrecy,” she said. She looked into their eyes, reading their veracity for compliance. King Vhileum did the same, but with an intensified visual query. Neither was to be disappointed. With rousing energy and a tone which relayed regret for their shirk of duty, the room heard the echoes of several voices stating, “We comply, Queen Raī! We comply King Vhileum!” The hearty nature of their proclamation caused a rare smile to appear on Ganev’s face.
“If I may?” Ganev said to the Crown.
“Please, have your say,” Queen Raī said.
“There may be hope for the rest of you,” Ganev said. “You may be called upon despite the generosity of the king and queen on this day.” Raī and Vhileum nodded once in agreement.
“Will you comply then as well?”
“We will comply, Queen Raī! We will comply King Vhileum!” This time the announcers had their arms straight down in a stern position on either side. They stepped their right foot forward in complete unison. Their heads started straight ahead and their movements were hauntingly precise. Once Ganev had approval, he raised his right arm midway with his hand tilted up and palm facing them. They stepped their right leg backwards. The king dismissed them but warned them not to stray far from the Crown’s reach.
“Your Grace, where shall we commence our search?” Muraeth said.
“I have a suggestion,” the queen began.
It truly took the passing of one night for Muraeth and Ganev to locate one of Eleyanra’s accomplices. She was a beautiful Udharīan, one whose naiveté became the vine from which the princess plucked the ripened fruit of Talyra. She sat in the garden of the palace grounds in the easternmost area. Her eyes scanned the levels of the silent, deepened heavens above, hoping that one greater would slip from this great and marvelous architecture and allow her a chance to see. She would never be a Seeker of Light, but even Talyra was aware that this gift had its limitations. Yet, this was not the promise Princess Eleyanra made to her if she maintained confidence of her whereabouts. No, the princess granted Talyra a wish that could never be—that of the hand of Ganev. She stood on the tips of her toes and waved her arms upward and in a semi-circular pattern before the star-scattered sky. For less than a second, she believed that her eyes had deceived her. A nova appeared to lower to her. Talyra raised herself, now at the top of a ledge. The new star ventured towards her and paused. It was mercy which prevented the glowing heavenly body from scorching her. It was not that she was unworthy. Some Udharīans had the ability to draw one close to them though they knew they could never hold it in their hands like the Seers. If they had this gift, a teller of truths was usually consulted by the subject.
As soon as Talyra heard footsteps from behind her, the nova whisked itself away. “I almost had you,” she said softly. “But now, will I ever become aware?”
“You are aware there are two present behind you then,” Ganev said. Talyra slowly turned and saw him standing there with an indiscernible look.
“Princess Eleyanra’s promise was kept!” Talyra said. Her flowing gown caused her to stumble from the ledge, only to be caught in the strong arms of Ganev.
“Wonderful indeed this day which will soon come to a close!” He turned with a
Weakened Talyra in his arms and a stern Muraeth watching in sheer disapproval. Though they both arrived together, Talyra did not see her standing behind Ganev. But now, as she lay in the regal advisor’s capable arms; she let go of care and focused on what she believed was the manifestation of the oath given to her. Ganev maneuvered her further away from the ledge. Even Muraeth had concern for the young woman who appeared to be unstable beyond her topple. Still she had difficulty in keeping and objective stance witnessing the sight of Ganev and Talyra’s position.

Q. Muraeth is an interesting and somewhat complex character. What inspire you to create her and within this context?
A. I wanted for Queen Rai, ruler of Udharīa and King Vhileum's wife, to have a female defender. Muraeth is stubborn. She is skilled and tall. This warrior is also quite intelligent. Just as members of the Star Guard may be informed by the masters of truths of the light to heighten their defense of the kingdom and the Crown, Muraeth was also knowledgable. She has a tough exterior that appears inpenetrable, until the king and queen assign them the quest to recover Princess Eleyanra. It is here wherein the reader witnesses the warrior's knowledge of the crystals of the sacred cave that she, Ganev and their prisoner Taylra must seek refuge in until an unexpected storm passes.

Q. How many books are in The Consecrated Throne series?
A. I am still writing them.

Q. Should we expect any another novel from Patricia M. Muhammad?
A. I am sure a mystery/detective romance novel is on the horizon.

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About the Author: Patricia M. Muhammad is a multi-genre fiction author who often incorporates interracial relationships and multi-racial characters as a part of her storylines. She has written 23 novels.
Connect with Patricia:
Social Media: @pmmuhammadbooks
Press: [email protected]