Welcome to another Sunday with Weekend Writing Warriors. Meet writers in various genres and read 8-10 sentence snippets of their stories. Find a new author and sample their work. Enjoy!
I am continuing snippets from my new medieval romance set in fourteenth century England in and around my hometown of Reading. I'm happy to announce the book, Dame Audrey, is on pre-order for release on the 27th.
My heroine, Audrey, was attacked by a robber and met the hero, Selwyn Drake.
You can read last week’s snippet here – https://auroraspringer.blogspot.com/2019/08/no-hedge-born-churl-snippet-from.html
Here are the last lines
for context: Glaring at the bailiff, Henry Goldsmith protested,
“Preposterous. I’m no hedge-born churl. Who are you to fling orders at an
eminent town merchant?”
His voice resonant with authority, he said, “The High Sheriff’s
appointed bailiff, Selwyn Drake; I will grant no exceptions to the law.”
Henry’s broad face purpled in rage and he spluttered an oath. Curbing his anger, the brushed back his hood and doffed
his red velvet cap, “Dame Audrey can vouch for my good name.”
Gleeful at his predicament in being forced to plead for my aid, I
smiled and curtsied; “Good day, Henry.” Nodding at the bailiff, I said, “I can
vouch for Henry Goldsmith; he is a jeweler by trade and a senior member of the
town guild.”
“Despite your good name, Master Goldsmith, I must ask you to
accompany me to the reeve’s hall as a witness. After you have testified of the
man’s crime for the records, you can recover your goods.” Selwyn Drake gestured
to the other victims, “All of you must come to press your claim to the stolen
purses.”
One of the men slunk away, as did the dubious slattern.
Blurb:
In
fourteenth century Britain, Dame Audrey cherishes her independence as the widow
of a wealthy cloth merchant. But several of the wealthier traders covet her
profitable business and she fears they will invoke the Abbot’s authority to
compel her to marry a man of their choice. Her worst nightmare is suffering under
a cruel husband like the hateful jeweler, Henry Goldsmith, who has threatened
to curb her lively spirits.
Audrey
joins a pilgrimage to Glastonbury to pray for guidance. The holy relics give
her no inspiration nor do her fellow travelers. On the homeward journey, she
aids the dying victim of a brutal robbery. She wins the stranger’s blessing and
a gold brooch with a green dragon. Back in her hometown, the faerie brooch
attracts trouble from thieves of all ranks and the attentions of a handsome
yeoman, Selwyn Drake. As her nightmare looms nearer, she
grows desperate to preserve her freedom.
Can
the magic brooch help Audrey evade the schemes to force her into wedlock or
must she submit to a husband’s will?
Please return to www.wewriwa.com to sample the works of the other writers.
Oh ho, a way to weed out the liars and cheats. Good snippet, Aurora.
ReplyDeleteYes. He's good at this job.
DeleteDynamite, Aurora. I enjoyed your snippet.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteWell, that sure made the dishonest ones slip away.
ReplyDeleteOr the less brazen ones.
Deletenice move getting rid of the dishonest people.
ReplyDeleteAlso good for impressing Audrey.
DeleteVery crafty, on his part, separating the good from the bad. Nicely done!
ReplyDeleteThank you. My characters speak for themselves.
DeleteI like the way he's handling the situation and I enjoy all the details you've layered in, like the two people slinking away. Terrific snippet!
ReplyDeleteThanks. Audrey appreciates his honesty and command of the situation.
DeleteThat's one way to make the liars back down. :) Great imagery of them slinking away.
ReplyDeleteThank you. The High Sheriff chose the right man for his bailiff.
DeleteDrake handled this situation masterfully. Good for him.
ReplyDeleteHe did indeed.
DeleteVery atmospheric snippet - and a great way to separate the genuine victims of the robber
ReplyDeleteThank you. I aimed to create the correct atmosphere.
DeleteClever. Reminds me of Solomon and offering to cut the child in half.
ReplyDeleteBut in this case, no babies were involved.
DeleteHedge-born churl! LOL! Love his decisive resolution and her support of it as fair.
ReplyDeleteHe is a very honest man. She knows many who are not.
Delete