Welcome to another weekend of wild, wondrous words and worlds. I’m feeling alliterate today, apparently. Also tired, in a good way. Attended Faerie Worlds this weekend, which is way more fun than we serious adult types usually get to have. If you’re ever in Oregon in July, check it out.
Okay, back to the snippet and more fae-like shenanigans. Constable Axel Blackwood is intent on catching his stalker, sure that someone at the court in Lacknor revealed the secret that Axel and Drummond are carrying a valuable gem to the lord of Thorburn.
To Catch a Threeve
They didn’t bother with a fire. The fall air was crisp but bearable. They had bread and cheese to eat and wine to drink, so no call to announce their presence with a fire. Drummond grumbled about the loose mindedness of lords and ladies and the soreness of his backside from all the galloping, unnecessary in his opinion. Axel kept mostly quiet, arranging his trap while Drummond provided the perfect distraction.
The large man trampled the grass to be rid of snakes and anyone else who might be inclined to approach on their belly, threw brittle twigs around to act as a warning, and generally kicked up a ruckus while Axel unobtrusively cast warning lines into the trees and placed a ring of flash pebbles along the creek. He was sure the sneak was watching them and so he made sure that all his motions looked natural, as if he were merely scouting the perimeter and helping Drummond place his standard traveler’s tricks.
He drew water from the creek into his skein and scanned the dense wall of trees. Only one sneak- he must be truly desperate to risk robbing a constable.
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This post is part of an ongoing blog hop hosted by Weekend Writing Warriors. Every Sunday, participating authors post eight sentences from their current work in progress. Then we hop to our fellow warriors’ blogs and check out all the fabulous fiction that’s happening! I heartily invite you to participate as a reader, writer, or both. It’s a great way to discover your next favorite book. Click here or copy & paste this address: http://www.wewriwa.com
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Unofficial Blurb for To Catch a Threeve
To Catch a Threeve is an m/m erotic fantasy that takes place in the medieval land of Lacknor. Constable Axel Blackwood catches a thief and is astounded to see that he closely resembles the love he lost seven years ago in an attack by the evil woodland folk known as threeves. He quickly realizes he’s fallen prey to dark magic, but can’t help becoming infatuated with his prisoner and is overwhelmed with the hope that he can at last bring his lost lover home. Bryn Darrow, the half-threeve, half human orphan sent to trick Axel and rob him of much more than a simple gem finds himself equally as fascinated with his handsome human captor and the lure of some place to call home, but believes that the constable is in love with a dangerous illusion.
Alexis Duran 
You paint a perfect scene. I’ll remember to use the same tactics to ward off thieves next camping trip. Suspense builds with every word, Alexiss.
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Wonderful description. I am right there with Alex and cannot wait for him to catch the sneak;). Great 8.
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Really good writing, Alexis. And I read it with fascination. I learned something today–the trick of placing brittle twigs about. But, what about the flash pebbles in the stream? I’m curious what purpose they served as a warning of intruders. 🙂 Good 8!
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Thanks! Flash pebbles are part of the trap he’s building. Or maybe I shouldn’t reveal that? Oh well, there it is.
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I’m wondering if the stranger is working for someone. . . It definitely feels like he’s significant. I loved the description about the air 😀 It set the mood for the following lines. I like the contrasting personalities of Axel and Drummond as well. Makes the story more interesting. Looking forward to finding out who this stranger is!
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I want to know more about the sneak!! This snippet sounds so intriguing and very David Edding’s epic style fantasy world already!
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LOVED this, he’s so clever and I really enjoyed the idea of the other man serving as a decoy for what’s really going on. This is a great story and a wonderful 8!
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Flash pebbles sound like they could be really cool! Do they let off little fireworks or something like that? Oh, I hope you show us the trap being triggered : )
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Love the more effective precautions hidden under the other ones. Misdirection!
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Wow, this is so great! I like the continued character development here, subtle but nice. And I like how you are slowly building the tension even in this small act. Great snippet, can’t wait to see what happens to the unsuspecting sneak! 🙂
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Fabulous description.
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This is just so well-described! You make it incredibly easy to visualize the scene, Alexis. Wonderful work!
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I like the details of their precautions…some overt, and some hopefully unobserved.
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Trotting’s just as hard on the backside.
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I love the description, it really paints a picture in your head! Great eight 🙂
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