Tuesday Tales: 2021-2-23 Scout

Welcome to Tuesday Tales, where you’ll find entertaining excerpts from a group of hard-working writers. Writing is our passion. You can enjoy stories and see works in progress unfold. This week’s word prompt is scout. I continue here with an adventurous medieval romance featuring a knight. Make sure to visit all the talented authors of Tuesday Tales.

From the corner of his eye, Nicholas noted that his squire had edged around to join the group of males protecting the ladies and now faced off against the armed men threatening them. Gratified for Randall to scout out the position where he could best serve, Nicholas focused on the three men directly in front of him. He directed words toward the one he had overheard giving commands, a richly outfitted and undoubtedly well-trained man-at-arms. “Cease your bother of these innocents or meet my steel.”

The outlaw smirked. “Bold words, but we well outnumber you. This is not your fight, stranger. What gain you by this interference? What are these roving players to you?”

At that moment a pain pierced Nicholas’s left shoulder. Cursing, he yanked out the protruding arrow. Without surveying the trees, he realized the outlaws had at least one archer concealed among the branches.  He shouted toward Randall, “Bowman!” Yanking out the dart, he hefted his sword.

One of the outlaws had separated himself from his cohorts and now held a sword to the juncture of Everard’s throat. “Halt yer interference or this man dies.”

Nicholas whirled and bore down like lightning on the attacker. The surprised man wobbled in confusion. He and his horse were no longer of one mind. Nicholas’s weapon found its mark in the man’s gut and a forceful shove unseated him so that he dropped down against the heavy wagon wheel. His body thudded and lay still.

Everard steadied the panicking cart horses, while the outlaw’s mount bolted away.

A wiry young man dashed from behind Everard and jumped to the ground, securing the outlaw’s sword and thrusting it up into his master’s keeping.  Everard hoisted the weapon as if he knew how, although Nicholas wondered it was an actor’s ruse.

I hope you enjoyed the snippet based on the picture prompt scout. Thanks for stopping by. Read the other remarkable excerpts at Tuesday Tales.

Happy Reading!

Flossie Benton Rogers, Conjuring the Magic with Spirited Stories

All rights reserved, copyright @ 2021 Flossie Benton Rogers