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.
Continuing a chapter from Ghosts of Innocence, Shayla has stolen the identity of a new high-ranking Imperial appointee, Brynwyn bin Covin. She’s been met by a soldier from the Imperial Palace Guard, who’s escorting her to the Palace. They have just stepped outside while Shayla’s baggage is loaded into the car and Shayla spots air cruisers taking pilgrims up to the mountaintop temple despite air travel restrictions. The previous snippet ended with the soldier (Kurt) saying, "I hear the temple has dispensation from the local security commander."
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"The temple has much influence in these parts." Which is why I chose this path into the Palace. Shayla fought to keep her expression neutral to hide a surge of contempt. Bad idea to let religion compromise security.
They walked on in silence for a few moments. Kurt looked across the plaza at the punishment stalls. The hungry glint in his eyes turned her stomach. He caught her eye, hesitant, seemingly on the verge of asking something. She anticipated the question and nodded in the direction of the stalls. "Go ahead."
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18 comments:
She seems to be really struggling with this mission. At the same time, she seems determined. I hope it goes well for her.
At every turn, something could go wrong and blow her cover.
Jessica, it was never going to be easy, and she's immersing herself in something that goes strongly against her values.
Alex, that's the danger!
I'm really curious about the punishment stalls and what he wants with them!
Cool passage -- very clearly written. I wonder what he's going to ask her.
The punishment stalls... I'd forgotten. Might be time for a reread. :-)
Christina, I was wondering when someone would pick up that mention :)
Ed, next time you'll see what he was after.
Teresa, this will be a bit of a test of Shayla's character :)
Seems like Kurt likes the punishment stalls with the way he stared at them with a glint in his eyes. She isn't so keen. I'm curious and a bit scared to know what happens there.
Karen, then hang around for a few more snippets ... if you dare :)
This looks to be an interesting conversation! You paint such vivid pictures, Ian.
The punishment stalls sound ominous. Interesting excerpt.
I'm reading this book now. (Thanks for the sale, btw.) I love how bits of her real self keeps surfacing, esp. here.
Nancy, thanks.
Elaine, they are very ominous indeed. More to follow ...
Diane, I hope you're enjoying it. Yes, it's hard to keep the different layers straight in this kind of life.
Well I'm certainly not a Kurt fan, although I think she's handling him well. Fascinating world building you have going on, great snippet!
This is a great snippet. Thanks for sharing!
www.ficklemillennial.blogspot.com
Veronica, Kurt does have his uses, but your instinct is spot on :)
Gina, thanks.
Another great snippet. It's been so long since I read this book, (And I've read so many other books since then...) I may have to follow Teresa's suggestion and read it again.
I hope putting your books on sale has proven to be a huge success for you.
Susan, this whole scene is one of my favorites!
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