Saturday, April 7, 2018

Weekend Writing Warriors April 8

Weekend Writing Warriors is a weekly blog hop where participants post eight to ten sentences of their writing. You can find out more about it by clicking on the image below.
http://www.wewriwa.com/

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. She called on a very reluctant member of Shayla’s staff to sing to the crowd. Shayla rescued Tanya from humiliation but in turn is expected to provide entertainment. She instructs one her colleagues to find an operatic piece to play on the public address system.

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A lieutenant sitting nearby in full ceremonial regalia leered at her. With a murmured "Thanks," Shayla leaned over and relieved the startled soldier of his short sword. She held it in her right hand, appraising the balance. The gleaming weapon was anything but ceremonial. With her left hand, she drew her own knife.

Shayla strode to the center of the hall, and nodded to Bo. She stood, barefoot and head bowed, with the blades crossed over her heart.

The first chords of the aria filled the room like a distant lament carried on the wind across a wilderness of ice.

Shayla slowly slid her left foot up to her thigh, while spreading her arms wide, blades outstretched.


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The Ashes of Home, sequel to Ghosts of Innocence, is now available!

14 comments:

Jessica E. Subject said...

Very curious as to what happens next. Great snippet!

Veronica Scott said...

I have the feeling they're in for quite a show in the next few minutes. She's so very self possessed! Enjoyed the excerpt...

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Ian - sounds like an opera coming up - that will perhaps entrance the baddies ... interesting to see what's going to happen - cheers Hilary

Botanist said...

Jessica, we'll see over the next few snippets.

Veronica, at least she has the training, being self-possessed is rather a survival skill in her line of work!

Hilary, there's only one baddie she needs to entrance here :)

Julie said...

Love the description of the action here, Ian! Looking forward to the next installment!

Karen Michelle Nutt said...

I'm curious to know what will happen next. Great imagery!

Unknown said...

Ooh, I’m looking forward to this show. I’ll bet everyone else is too!

Teresa Cypher said...

I like how you write her fight moves as a graceful dance. It does seem so natural to her. This scene shows that underneath, she is a good person. :-)

Nancy Gideon said...

The play's the thing . . . Can't wait to see what she's got planned. Great job building suspense, Ian.

Hywela Lyn said...

Great scene, full of tension and expectation. Can't wait for the next snippet!

Stella Telleria said...

I like how with so little description, I can see the scene. Great job.

Botanist said...

Julie, Karen, Christina, stick around for the next 4 weeks or so. I'm planning to post through to the end of this scene.

Teresa, I don't know where my thoughts came from, probably seeing Tai Chi, which is very graceful.

Nancy, Hywela, glad the tension is coming through.

Stella, thanks.

Anonymous said...

A sword dance? She's ambitious!

Botanist said...

Ed, ambitious, maybe, but she does have the training at least ...

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