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 (Kurt) from the Imperial Palace Guard, who’s escorting her to the Palace. Outside in the square Kurt spotted a row of punishment stalls, and Shayla realizes the crowd will expect her to inflict some pain on the prisoners there. She’s stopped in front of a young woman prisoner with two young children.
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"You have courage, my son. Be strong," Shayla said. The boy glared back, hatred in his eyes, tears streaking his grimy cheeks.
The woman looked up from the girl, no more than three or four years old, still clinging to her. "I have sinned, My Lady. I am ashamed. But my children need to eat."
Shayla nodded. She studied the woman, noting the sunken cheeks, grey complexion, and ribs showing through her skin. And so do you.
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22 comments:
This is a wonderful addition. Thank you for sharing!
www.ficklemillennial.blogspot.com
It's been quite a while since I read your book, but THIS scene, I remember quite well. You did a super job with it.
Be so hard to not do something for them.
Gina, thanks for dropping by!
Susan, glad it stuck in your memory. This is one of the scenes that makes me tear up whenever I read it.
Alex, she will ... in a few paragraphs time.
Is her disguise slipping? I wonder how she'll help them while continuing with her mission. Very intriguing!
Great tease. You've left us hanging about what she'll do about the prisoner's predicament.
Hi Ian - I hope she can help them and not be made to make matters worse - to keep her identity a secret. Well written and you are teasing us with the snippets - cheers Hilary
You do such a great job describing this scene. I'm on the edge of my seat wondering and worrying about what she'll do next!
Jessica, her disguise is about to slip big time!
Ed, you'll see next week.
Hilary, her secret is getting very hard to keep right now.
Julie, tune in next week :)
A very difficult moment...the excerpt was riveting.
So touching. You didn't miss the background and all the worry this snippet covers all the bases.
Veronica, it's going to get more difficult yet :(
Charmaine, she has a soft spot for kids in trouble.
I absolutely LOVE this snippet. It really shows the good side of her conflicting with what she must do to keep the charade going. Nice writing, Ian!
What a heart wrenching dilemma! So well done, Ian!
Great scene. I can feel her distress. Yet, she has to stay in character.
Someone's going to get their cover blown, I just know it. Ugh, such a terrible predicament to be in...
She's in an awful position. I know she can't stand to see these people suffer.
Teresa, that was actually one of the purposes of this scene. Well spotted :)
Nancy, indeed.
Diane, glad it's coming across for you.
Aldrea, it'll be a close call :)
Elaine, worse is yet to come before she resolves it.
This is so awful. I'm afraid to know what she'll have to do. Especially, knowing she doesn't want to do anything but she must stay in character. Great imagery of the family too
Karen, this is an awful position to put her in. I feel bad as an author for being so mean ... :)
Shayla is a clever protagonist. I trust her to find a way to somehow help this unhappy family while maintaining her brilliant disguise.
Cara, she will, eventually :)
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