Hello and welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors, the blog hop where writers from a wide variety of genres share from their work in excerpts of ten sentences, with a maybe a few more tagged on for good measure.

I’m continuing to share from my work in progress, a romantic gay fantasy inspired by the tale of Snow White. In this scene, Prince Gabriel is attending the Feast of the Hunter’s Moon after a long absence from his home. His brother, King Tristan, is offering up a politically “spun” version of the day’s events.

***

Everyone seemed happy enough to shout and drink, but they couldn’t sit until Tristan did. He made no indication of intending to do so.

“Lords and Ladies of the kingdom! Loyal subjects of the Rosenthal family. I thank you for leaving the comfort of your homes and traveling the length and breadth of the kingdom to celebrate the Harvest of the Hunter’s Moon with me and my brother.  And what a hunt it was!” As Tristan warmed to his subject, his eyes flashed in the candlelight. “We were blessed with an auspicious omen. In the woods just a stone’s throw from the Black Forest, the great white stag, guardian of my mother’s family—” At this he stopped and gestured at one of the tapestries, which featured the white stag, along with a host of other magical creatures cavorting in a wooded glen. “The stag presented itself to me as I stood alone, bow and arrow at the ready.”

That’s ten. Here’s a few more to round out the scene.

 “I recognized the beast at once, and ordered that it not be killed, although I could have easily done so.  In thanks, the stag bowed its mighty head.  Today, Lords and Ladies, the Black Forest sent an emissary, to accept my rule and to acknowledge that the peace that has lasted for half a century will continue as long as I am king.”

This pronouncement brought a great deal of excitement and calls of “Here, here” along with gasps, applause, and the occasional skeptical frown, although the last were quickly hidden. 

A wizened old minister who apparently felt he had not long left in the world and therefore nothing to lose piped up.

“Do you really expect us to believe that fairy tale, King Tristan?”

***

Here’s the current blurb for Snow:

Following the death of his mother the Queen, Prince Gabriel returns home for the first time in three years, hoping for a reconciliation with his estranged brother, the new king, but all is not well at Castle Rosenthal. King Tristan has fallen under the sway of a mysterious noble woman with a dark past, and all along the border of the Black Forest, magical denizens are on the move. Gabriel begins to fear for his life. Is the handsome huntsman in on a plot to assassinate him, or is there an even darker, more evil power afoot? A forced flight into the Black Forest may expose ancient magic at work, if Gabriel can survive long enough to uncover it.

Hello and welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors. Hope you’re enjoying these more pleasant (at least here in the PNW, anyway) waning days of summer. Can’t believe we’re headed into fall, especially with this year still feeling a lot like 2020

After a too-long break, I’ve started sharing again from my work-in-progress, a romantic gay fantasy inspired by the tale of Snow White. Last week, Gabriel’s conversation with his Uncle Aldous was interrupted when his brother, King Tristan, entered the feast hall.

***

His servants had worked wonders on the bedraggled wildman Gabriel had encountered in the forest. Tristan had the bearing of a king when he entered. His red tunic bore a much larger image of the family crest than the one on Gabriel’s tunic, stitched in black and gold across his chest. His high black boots were polished to a gloss that reflected candlelight and his long red hair had been cleaned, combed and curled. Someone had forced strong tea into him, no doubt, because his eyes were clear and sharp. He scanned the room like a hawk excited by the chitters and squeaks of mice in a field. The mice sensed his presence and the roar of conversation dropped. Chairs scraped against the stone floor as everyone stood and bowed.

A plump trumpeter lifted his horn and let out a grating blast. This was followed by a declaration.

That’s the official Ten. Here’s a bit more, if you like:

“All hail king Tristan!”

“Hail King Tristan!” came the general, jumbled, reply. Hearty enough, but to Gabriel’s ear, tinged with grumblings. Perhaps it was due to the quantity of wine consumed or the lateness of the meal.

Goblets were raised and drained as Tristan made his way to the head table.  He inspected each guest in turn, gaze piercing, until it landed on Gabriel.  An eager expression overtook Tristan’s face and he marched up to Gabriel and seized him in a hug.

“Brother! Do you have any idea how it gladdens my heart to see you here in your rightful spot by my side?” Tristan slapped him on the back and released him. He seized up a goblet and turned to the room.

“To Prince Gabriel, returned from his studies in Craigmoor at long last!”

***

Here’s the current blurb for Snow:

Following the death of his mother the Queen, Prince Gabriel returns home for the first time in three years, hoping for a reconciliation with his estranged brother, the new king, but all is not well at Castle Rosenthal. King Tristan has fallen under the sway of a mysterious noble woman with a dark past, and all along the border of the Black Forest, magical denizens are on the move. Gabriel begins to fear for his life. Is the handsome huntsman in on a plot to assassinate him, or is there an even darker, more evil power afoot? A forced flight into the Black Forest may expose ancient magic at work, if Gabriel can survive long enough to uncover it.

Hello and Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors. So good to “see” you all. I’m very happy to be back after an unplanned two month break, during which little writing was done and much angst was had. Suffice it to say I’m very glad July is over and am looking forward to a calmer, more productive rest of the summer.

I’m sure you’ve forgotten all about me and my unfortunate hero, Prince Gabriel (sniff), so as a reminder, please recall that he’s returned to his family’s castle after a long absence, has met with his possibly unstable brother, King Tristan, and had an encounter with Tristan’s mysterious bride-to-be, Lady Baltan. And he’s only just arrived! Now it’s time for the big feast of the Hunter’s Moon, where he gets to make a speech and try to deflect Tristan’s mistrust.

***

To his relief, Gabriel was able to slip into the raucous feast hall unremarked, moments before the king’s retinue clamored down the main staircase behind him.  He dodged servants laden with trays of food and jugs of wine and found his place at the head table, beneath the great ornamental tapestry featuring the Rosenthal family crest, and facing the rest of the narrow hall.  A long rectangle had been formed out of several heavy wooden tables, creating seating for at least a hundred people, if not more. Despite the overwhelming effect of so many faces, or perhaps because of it, Gabriel’s gaze quickly landed on Gavin Falkner to his right, ten seats down. The familiar face, if not an exactly friendly one, helped settle his nerves as he took in the rest of the room.

All the candles in the overhead chandeliers had been lit, a fire roared at the far end of the hall, and the press of bodies made the usually frigid stone hall steamy and uncomfortably warm.

  It’s going to be a long night, Gabriel thought as he slid into his seat. Tristan’s empty seat was to his immediate left. To his right sat his uncle Aldous, a hundred years old if a day.

Not that the years had dulled his wit.  The ancient man, though decrepit and nearly blind, had an infamously sharp tongue.

“Ah, Gabriel, you’ve returned from your three year holiday at last,” Aldous said by way of greeting.

“Uncle Aldous, how delightful to see you still among the living.” Gabriel nodded at his uncle and reached for the goblet of wine in front of him.

***

***

Blurb in progress for Snow:

Following the death of his mother the Queen, Prince Gabriel returns home for the first time in three years, hoping for a reconciliation with his estranged brother, the new king, but all is not well at Castle Rosenthal. King Tristan has fallen under the sway of a mysterious noble woman with a dark past, and all along the border of the Black Forest, magical denizens are on the move. Gabriel begins to fear for his life. Is the handsome huntsman in on a plot to assassinate him, or is there an even darker, more evil power afoot? A forced flight into the Black Forest may expose ancient magic at work, if Gabriel can survive long enough to uncover it.

Don’t forget to visit all the other great writers at www.wewriwa.blogspot.com!

Hello and welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors, the blog hop where writers from a wide variety of genres share from their work in short excerpts of ten sentences, and maybe a few more.

I’m sharing from my current project, a romantic gay fantasy inspired by the tale of Snow White. In this scene, Prince Gabriel is meeting the mysterious Lady Baltan for the first time. Last week’s snippet ended with the Lady claiming that she’d rather be alone with a book than mingle with the lords and ladies at the great feast. Gabriel speaks first:

***

“I understand all too well. Why do you think I’m hiding in here instead of hurrying down to the feast?”

“You’re just saying that to make me feel better,” Lady Baltan said and reached out with the book.  He thought of telling her to keep it, but something stopped him. Something petty and jealous, no doubt, but he wasn’t ready to let go of any bit of his mother, no matter how small or insignificant.  So he accepted the book, feeling a bit of a cad.  He was surprised to feel a resisting tug.

With both of their hands still on the book, Lady Baltan raised her gaze to look straight in his eyes.

“I am so glad you’ve finally returned. King Tristan needs his brother by his side, now more than ever.”

That’s the official ten. Here’s a bit more:

“I only hope I can be of service to him,” Gabriel said, and waited for her to release her grip.  She was sizing him up, peering into his soul, and he let her.  He had nothing to hide, although why she should care—

I’m engaged.

Tristan’s voice rang loud as a bell in his head. Gabriel was suddenly certain this Lady Baltan must be his brother’s future wife.  She released the book and he nearly dropped it, startled by the weight of it.

If this is your future sister-in-law, you really should let her take the damn book.

Instead he held it at his side and watched in silence as she stepped back, bowed again, and left the room, closing the door behind her.

***

***

Blurb in progress for Snow:

Following the death of his mother the Queen, Prince Gabriel returns home for the first time in three years, hoping for a reconciliation with his estranged brother, the new king, but all is not well at Castle Rosenthal. King Tristan has fallen under the sway of a mysterious noble woman with a dark past, and all along the border of the Black Forest, magical denizens are on the move. Gabriel begins to fear for his life. Is the handsome huntsman in on a plot to assassinate him, or is there an even darker, more evil power afoot? A forced flight into the Black Forest may expose ancient magic at work, if Gabriel can survive long enough to uncover it.

Don’t forget to visit all the other great writers at www.wewriwa.blogspot.com!