Continuing a scene from my first book, Ghosts of Innocence.
Shayla has stolen the identity of a newly-appointed senior public servant, and infiltrated the Palace in disguise. She has previously fallen foul of her new boss, Mabbwendig ap Terlion, Master of the Emperor’s Domestic Household, and is confronting her again in the cavernous staff dining hall. Mabb has been tormenting a series of unfortunate individuals among the hundreds of people crowding the hall, and has just called on a member of Shayla’s staff to sing to the crowd.
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A young woman at the next table stood. Shayla's eyes narrowed. She recognized her, a clerk from Colin's staff. Her red skin and rounded features suggested a Traplinki provincial, like Brynwyn.
Even from where she sat, Shayla could see her tremble. Tanya faced the head table, tears welling in her eyes.
"What? New Master of Circuses not taught you to sing yet?" Mabb shook her head. "Sad times, how she make spectacle fit for Emperor when own staff not sing?"
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13 comments:
Uh oh! I fear for Tanya.
This doesn’t look good. Poor Tanya!
Mabb certainly isn't a nice person.
Hi Ian - cruel Mabb ... taunting better people, yet bullying all herself. Cheers Hilary
And the uncomfortable evening continues! Can't wait to see what happens next...
Jessica, Christina, this is certainly not a good situation for Tanya. I skipped over a piece of conversation that confirmed she can't sing, but I think that's clear :)
Alex, Hilary, yes Mabb is not nice at all.
Veronica, we'll see. Shayla isn't going to stay quiet ;)
Great world building. In a few sentences I was right there...
Poor Tanya. I fear for her. Mabb is a nasty piece of work. Good snippet.
That Mabb is about as nasty as they come!
I like that Mabb less and less! :0 Great visualisation in this scene, I can practically feel poor Tanya's discomfort and distress myself.
Libby, thanks.
Diane, Teresa, Mabb is probably one of the nastiest characters I've written!
Hywela, glad that's coming across :)
I wonder what the clerk did to earn such unwelcome attention?
Ed, does one actually have to do anything to come to the attention of a bully?
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