Saturday, May 5, 2018

Weekend Writing Warriors May 6

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/

Concluding 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. Shayla rescued one of them from humiliation but in turn is expected to provide entertainment. She performed a knife dance, and finished by flinging the knives into the table in front of Mabb. As she catches her breath, a slow handclap starts behind her.

=====

"Bravo!" She recognized Kurt's voice behind her. Other pairs of hands joined in, growing, filling the air with a thunderous cadence. In this culture, a slow handclap is a sign of respect. Shayla's mission preparation reasserted itself. All the cultural differences she'd absorbed settled once more into the forefront of her awareness. She breathed again and lifted her head.

As Shayla leaned forward to retrieve the blades, Mabbwendig murmured, "You full of surprises, Master of Circuses."

"The Knife Dance is a holy and private meditation," Shayla whispered. "You know traditions, you must know that to commission it for public spectacle commands a blood price."


=====

That’s it! This is my last WeWriWa post for now but I’m sure I’ll be back at some point.

It’s been a busy and very tiring couple of weeks. The week before last, I was in Ottawa for a project workshop. Traveling to and from there from Victoria is pretty much an all-day affair. Luckily I missed the ice storms before and the wind storm since. Last week my work calendar was full, just catching up.

On top of regular stuff I organized a Smoothie Day at work, and gave a talk at the Victoria library, which I think went well. I just have one more talk to give next Thursday which I still have to prepare for this weekend.

But the sun is out and I might find time to sit on the deck as well. We’ll see.

Reminder: Ghosts of Innocence is still on special offer, down from $3.99 to just $0.99 in all major e-book formats. And if you enjoy that story, the sequel, The Ashes of Home, was also published last month.

17 comments:

Jessica E. Subject said...

A blood price? How intriguing! I'll miss your snippets, but I wish you all the luck on your tasks ahead!

Anonymous said...

That's a delicious twist at the end, guaranteed to keep us reading!

Botanist said...

Jessica, I'm sure I'll be back later on in the year.

Ed, she has at least a little something to hold over Mabb now.

Charmaine Gordon said...

Exciting snippet with the air of a different era.

Diane Burton said...

I'll bet the blood price made Mabb sit up and take notice. I'll miss your snippets but understand when you're overwhelmed something has to go. Hope you come back soon.

Unknown said...

Wow, that last line is so intriguing. And you leave us hanging there. :-) Sounds like you have a very full plate!

Veronica Scott said...

Uh oh, blood price sounds very ominous but I love that she issues this threat. Great snippet!

Botanist said...

Charmaine, a very different era for sure :)

Diane, the idea was to make Mabb hold back, at least for a while.

Christina, sorry to leave you hanging but this is the natural end of the scene. I'll likely pick an unrelated scene when I next rejoin WWW.

Veronica, she has to show Mabb she is not to be crossed lightly.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Wow, you are busy. Hope the weather continues to play in your favor.

Karen Michelle Nutt said...

A blood price? That doesn't sound good.

I'm going to miss your snippets, but I understand how busy life can be. Take care. :)

Hywela Lyn said...

What a place to end! I am really going to miss your snippets, but will just have to read the book! Have a good summer and looking forward to your return.

Nancy Gideon said...

Don't be gone long . . . especially after leaving us with a cliff hanger like this! Happy summer!

Botanist said...

Alex, the weather is playing nicely. I've been sat on the deck preparing my talk :)

Karen, busyness is hopefully easing off a bit now.

Hywela, I'll be back :)

Nancy, hope you enjoy summer too!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Ian - well you've left us in the balance ... but Spring and Summer are here - so life changes. You have had a hectic couple of weeks.

I enjoyed your talk "The Critique Survival Guide" - it was very thorough ... and it looked like the participants appreciated your ideas and suggestions - well done ...enjoy Thursday's talk - then relax a little.

Cheers for now - Hilary

Botanist said...

Hilary, it was great to see you at the talk last week, and to finally meet you in person. Hope you are able to stick around for a longer visit.

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

Oh, it is oh so cool that you and Hilary met! Good luck with your busy schedule. You've got a lot on your plate. Cheers!

Botanist said...

Hi Susan, it was indeed cool. Wow, was that only a couple of weeks ago? It feels like months1

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