Time for Tuesday Tales! Here you’ll find entertaining excerpts from a group of hard-working writers, as we write each week to a word or picture prompt. This week’s word prompt is question. My work in progress is a medieval romance featuring a knight and lady. After reading the passage, make sure to visit all the talented authors of Tuesday Tales.
Disguised as a lad in the way that Ada and her husband had taught her, Sabina strode toward Strathmore Keep with purpose . She received no more than passing glances from the few laborers working late. Rounding the northern corner of the keep she assured herself that Providence was with her. No one was in sight as she reached the part of the wall with the trick door and slipped through. Then she took a breath and said a silent prayer. ‘Twas danger she dared. Yet how could she not? The weight of the dagger beneath her clothing gave her courage.
Using the details the squire Randall had provided, she crept and squeezed her way through a series of secret doors and pathways that led through the inner courtyard and into a private part of the fortress. Her destination was a cramped room positioned next to Strathmore’s so-called Ledger Chamber. Apparently the Ledger Chamber was the favored spot he used to conduct clandestine conversations and negotiations.
The stool sat near the peephole as Randall had described. Being much shorter than the squire, she could see through the hole without stooping or sitting. After peering in to make sure the chamber was empty, she sat to wait. If Strathmore acted in habitual fashion, he would bring MacTavish in before dark for provision of coin and further instructions. Those instructions were what she had to know. Nicholas’ life, and her own for that matter, depended on it.
She didn’t have long to wait. Strathmore’s clipped stride and the clomp of MacTavish’s heavy boots sounded just before the door swung open. A younger, sinewy man followed.
“Here we are.” Strathmore seated himself and indicated chairs for the other two. He slid a small pouch from his cloak and plunked it before MacTavish. “Half now, and the remainder afterward. You know what the whoreson Bigges failed to do. The job must be done tomorrow night.”
The red haired MacTavish slipped the pouch into his clothing. “Fear not, yer lordship. The deed will be done.”
The younger man spoke to MacTavish in a querulous whine. “Ye said we’d be getting the full amount tonight. How am I to pay the oarsmen?”
Blood rushing to his face, MacTavish whipped out a blade to his companion’s scrawny neck. “Challenge me not, ye beardless whelp. Nor question yer betters if ye value yer life.”
I hope you enjoyed the snippet based on the word prompt question. 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
Great intrigue. It was a valid question, but obviously not the time to ask it. Well done.
Right, I guess he’s not that great at timing. Thanks, Susanne.
Another great snippet from this engaging story. I liked the tension and danger in this go-round!
I’m glad tension came across in this rough draft. Thanks, Mae!
As always great description! Fabulous story!
Thanks so much for commenting, Cathy!