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Weekend Writing Warrior 9/13/15 #8Sunday

This month I’m pulling from the first book in my new historical-fantasy-that’s-not-actually-fantasy series, each story of which is based on a classic fairy tale.

When Brandulfr and his army show up outside her village on their quest to find a cure for his curse, Nyah must decide where her loyalties lie: with her sister who’s been taken hostage, with her village, or with the disfigured warrior who’s more than he appears to be.

In this scene from the prologue, Nyah’s father, Storm, has spent the evening celebrating in taverns after stealing the contents of the Karjalander royal treasury. Unfortunately, he’s not as smart as he thinks; the king had him arrested and brought before him.

* * * * * * * * * *

King Gudrodr stood, moving into the light, and Storm gasped. Angry weeping rashes bulged across the king’s face and hands, interspersed with deep scars, his left eye was swollen shut, and his lips so disfigured they could barely move. He gripped the chair’s arm tightly, swaying slightly, and a young man rushed to his side, but the king waved him away and asked, “Illfuss, what say you about this man’s fate?”

The man who’d helped capture Storm stepped forward and said, “The god of the Llogerians demands an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, and I think he would also find it fair to demand a life for a life. He has taken from you any hope of a cure for your curse; let him share your fate as well.”

“So be it,” the king said.

The second huskarl raised his axe, and Storm braced for the blow.

“Father,” the voice of the young man to the right of the king echoed through the hall, and the huskarl paused, axe in midair, as he continued, “might I suggest otherwise?”

* * * * * * * * * *

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2 Comments

  1. Ooh, tense scene, thank goodness for the young man speaking up! Can’t wait to see what happens next, terrific snippet.

  2. Oh, I really like this. I love revisioning fairy tales. I agree with Veronica – tense scene.

    But now I want more. :(

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