It is time for Tuesday Tales, where you’ll find entertaining excerpts from a group of hard-working writers. I continue here with an adventurous medieval romance featuring a knight. This week’s word prompt is bones. After reading the passage, make sure to visit all the talented authors of Tuesday Tales.
Sabina wrinkled her nose. The smell of the town resembled nothing she had experienced. The aroma of baking bread reached her nostrils as they rode past an inn. It quickly blended unpleasantly with grime, human waste, the sweat of so many people, and streams of black smoke pouring from chimney after chimney. She dabbed at her eyes and tightened the hood of her cloak around her ears.
Behind her on Champion, Nicholas grunted out a wry chuckle. “There are disagreeable surprises here. Do you regret accompanying me into town?”
She said reasonably, “Not at all. Besides, I could scarcely blame you, as I’m the one who insisted on coming.”
“Ah, yes, you could be in the wagon, enjoying some peace and quiet.”
“Ada said her old bones are aching something fierce today, which means she needs the wagon for a few hours extra rest.”
He laughed outright. “Methinks it means she needs some uninterrupted time with her husband.”
Sabina was glad he couldn’t see the warming of her cheeks brought on by his words. As it was, spending time with Nicholas was worth the odors and noisome clamor. She was glad he had left his squire Roland behind as guard.
A group of boys rushed into the street and were shooed off by an old man sweeping dirt from a tavern. “Begone, ye rag tags!”
Just past that, Sabina’s attention settled on a group of men huddled furtively in an alley. Squatting excitedly on their haunches in a circle, they appeared to be taking turns at some type of game. The one at play threw a small object into the air and scooped up a number of other objects from the ground before catching the first.
“What are they doing?” she asked Nicholas.
“Gambling–with chicken bones.”
Although the strangeness of the place rattled her nerves, she was fascinated by everything. She swiveled her head toward a woman clad in a dark yellow tunic, sporting a hood with wide garish stripes. Sabina whispered to the knight, “Lovely gown, but why would she pair it with that gaudy cowl? That isn’t some new fashion, is it?”
When he didn’t answer right away, she peered at him over her shoulder.
He cleared his throat. “The striped hood is the mark of a light skirt, that is, one who…”
Her eyes widened as she took his meaning.
I hope you enjoyed the snippet based on the word prompt bones. 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
Interesting a hood instead of a scarlet letter. Well done.
Thanks, Susanne. I couldn’t think of an appropriate term to differentiate. Later I changed it to “light skirt.”
That was a surprise (the striped hood) I didn’t see coming!
Great descriptions of the town and activities around them, Flossie. 🙂
Thank you, Mae. So interesting– can you imagine?
Another excellent and intriguing snippet. Can’t wait to read more.
I’m glad you can’t wait to read more, Loretta. Thank you!
Great snippet!!
Thanks!
Lovely descriptions as always. Interesting tidbit on the striped cowl. Well done. Jillian
Thank you, Jillian. I was surprised by the cowl as well.
Your descriptions of the town and her reactions to it are amazing. I can see the whole scene clearly. Great job!
I’m glad the town came across well. Thank you, Tricia!