My new book, Captive and the Cursed (Heartsbane Saga book 1), just launched last week, so I’m going to continue posting from it.
So far we’ve been introduced to Storm Llanfaell, a “merchant” who managed to rob another country’s treasury before being caught and brought before the king, who ordered him put to death, but someone at the court intervened and his life was spared, although he was cursed and went a bit mad as a result.
This week we’re skipping ahead to his daughter’s POV. She definitely has her father’s spirit. (I think I maybe posted this years ago, in a slightly different form, in case it seems familiar to anyone.)
* * * * * * *
I stomped across the village green, a chicken tucked under my arm and my long blonde braid swinging down my back, not caring who witnessed my ire.
“Nyah, wait!”
Against my better judgment, I stopped with a huff and waited for Wynne Maddox to catch up. Maybe he wanted to apologize.
“You’re being ridiculous,” he said as he reached me.
Or maybe he dinnae.
I glared at him and said, “You stole my chicken; I took my chicken back. What’s so ridiculous about that?”
He glared back. “I dinnae steal anything.”
* * * * * * *
And here’s the rest of that scene:
“Oh, really?”
“Really. First, my chickens went missing, and Father must have eggs for breakfast. It’s only right, for him as toísech. And second, we’re betrothed, which means what’s yours is mine. So if I take something of yours, it’s like taking something of mine. Right?”
“Then give me your cow.”
His jaw dropped. “What? Why?”
“If we’re betrothed and what’s yours is mine, then it’s my cow. And my father must have milk with his breakfast porridge.”
“Your father dinnae even know when it’s time for his breakfast,” Wynne muttered.
* * * * * * *
Captive and the Cursed is available now at Amazon, or you can read more of Storm’s exploits in the prequel short story, “The Maiden in the Tower,” for just $.99. Then post a link to your eight-ten sentence blog entry or join the fun at the Weekend Writing Warriors website.
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About Captive and the Cursed:
She must choose: follow her head or follow her heart?
Nyah’s merchant father raised her and her younger sister Payton on tales of treasure and excitement, but after he returns home from his latest trip addle-minded, Nyah must put aside her dreams of adventure and focus on more practical matters, like her betrothal to the illiterate son of the village chief. But when a roving band of barbarians kidnap Payton and the village leaders do nothing to rescue her, Nyah has no choice but to take matters into her own hands. She offers herself in her sister’s place, doomed to travel with the barbarian army until their price is paid.
The army is led by Brandulfur, a man who suffers from a hideous, painful curse. Although he’s officially in her country to aid his childhood friend in raising an army to support the king, he’s on a personal quest for the book that holds the cure for his curse – a book that Nyah soon realizes her father stole from him.
Determined to return to her family, she’ll need all the allies she can get. But no one is who they seem, including the people closest to her. She’ll have to make hard choices if she wants her life to be the same as before – but is that even what she wants anymore?
Captive and the Cursed is the first book in a series of fairy tales retold in a world of Vikings. If you like sassy heroines, adventures spanning the medieval world, and a touch of romance, you’ll love The Heartsbane Saga, E.D. Martin’s new historical fantasy series.
This – what’s yours is mine” is going to lead to fun complications.
A match made in . . . where exactly? Loving the fireworks!
I love their bickering–and wow–did she outsmart him! lol
I love that she showed him the flaws of his logic! I wonder if they’ll find a compromise eventually.
Oh that was wonderful! Loved it – give me your cow – great comeback. She’s a wonderful character already. Terrific snippet.
I’m guessing Wynne isn’t the man of her dreams. Fun snippet.
Don’t you just hate it when the perfect argument blows up in your face?
This was a fun scene. Loved it.
Loved their exchange. Bet he didn’t see that argument coming! Great snippet!
He seems like an irritating betrothed. Perhaps he has his uses. I enjoyed the exchange between them.
This banter is great! It’s fun and flows. Great Snippet
As said, fun and witty scene. Well written.