After the action and slight barbecuing of chapter 1, we rejoin Shayla in a more contemplative scene at the start of chapter 3.
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The clearing in front of Shayla was unnaturally level, its true purpose revealed by occasional mounds of crumbling masonry around its perimeter. Massive dressed blocks, some carved with bas-relief glyphs, jostled with less brutish remains of more recent construction. A temple in some form or other had stood on this site for over ten thousand years. A nearby half-buried dragon's head, cloaked in lichen and the height of a man, bared foot-long fangs at Shayla. She gazed past it at the emptiness of the clearing beyond.
The sun blazed high in the sky, blanketing the forest in suffocating heat. Even in deep shadows under the trees the air was stifling. Sitting on her pack, sweat tickling her spine, she squirmed and eased her shoulder into a more comfortable position.
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Ghosts update: In addition to the Smashwords outlets, the e-book is now also available on Amazon.
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21 comments:
That sounds like a really neat place to sweat it out...ancient ruins. I bet you won't let her sit and contemplate for very long : )
Ooh, loved the description of the ruins and now I want to go exploring but of course she doesn't have the leisure for that! Excellent excerpt!
Gorgeous description and Shayla is one brave woman. Super snippet.
Wonderful visuals as always, I could see it all...and feel the stifling heat.
You really do a great job with the setting here. I have a very strong mental image as if I am really there with Shayla in that heat.
You really set the scene--including that oppressive heat. Reminds me of summers in Texas!
Doesn't sound as if the temple is standing (or active) now.
I love this setting. I want to go exploring too! I appreciate getting this other view of Shayla as well. Great eight.
Great descriptive writing, Ian. I'm so glad you put it on Amazon. No hassle buying. :-) I just bought it. AND--the Amazon link at the end of your post gave me an error 404.
Millie, she's not just admiring the scenery, as should become apparent next time.
Veronica, exploring is far from her mind right now :)
Charmaine, thanks, I like this description too.
Sarah, the heat is on!
Shell, there hasn't been much of this so far but I think descriptions are usually my strong point.
Caitlin, I can't handle heat so remind me to steer clear of Texas :)
Sue Ann, there are just ruins there now.
Alexis, we will see lots of different sides to Shayla in time.
Teresa, thanks - and thanks for the heads-up. The link was a last minute edit and I clearly didn't pay enough attention to what I was doing. Now fixed!
What wonderful description. I could actually feel the heat of the day.
Great description here, and the dragon's head was an intriguing touch. Makes you wonder what has occurred here over 10,000 years.
Love the description in this. :-)
Elaine, glad to have hit the mark.
Nick, makes you wonder, doesn't it? :)
Misha, thanks. I was kinda picturing a Mayan jungle ruin or something similar...
I sense an undercurrent of tension, like the calm before the storm. I could definitely see a Mayan ruin doubling for this place. Anxious to find out what comes next!
Ooh! I love ruins. They set my imagination on fire. I get a sense of oppression from this scene--the layers of history crushing down on her, followed by her one weight and the pressure of the atmosphere.
Marcia, glad you can feel the tension. She is not on vacation, that's for sure :)
Crystal, I love ruins too. There's a lot of architecture in Ghosts. And food.
Hi Ian,
The writing so lucid. I could sense the sweat tickling her spine. Thank you for this distraction, Ian.
Gary
I love your word use and how vivid you made the ruins. I could picture them clearly. :)
You're welcome, Gary. Good to see you visiting again.
Thanks you Chrys.
Your writing really captures my imagination. Thank you for sharing
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