Welcome to Tuesday Tales, a weekly blog featuring diverse authors posting excerpts from their works in progress based on word and picture prompts. I’m pleased you stopped by today. This week’s word prompt is fired. My snippet is from a medieval romance featuring a knight and his lady. I’m excited to work in my favorite reading genre. Enjoy the other authors at Tuesday Tales.
Alis awoke to sounds of morning stirring. Janet knelt by the hearth and fired batches of thistledown, using last night’s embers. Other than a growing glow from that side of the room, darkness pervaded the bed chamber. No streams of light indicating cockcrow penetrated the tapestry over the narrow window. Alis rose up on one elbow. “Good morning, Janet. Are you earlier than usual?”
“Aye, my lady, I am a bit. His lordship set me a full work load this day, owing to the anticipated arrival of guests from the north. I was afraid the morn would fly by like a fierce wind.”
A shard of irritation pricked her belly, and her fingers kneaded around wads of the coverlet. “Shame on my uncle to be so demanding of you! He has a bevy of servants to do his bidding.”
Janet grunted in disgust. “Tis no more than he demands of you. Your father would stir from his eternal rest if he knew the demeaning tasks his lordship sets upon you. Mend this, tend that. Still, we are still relatively new here, and I am loath to incur any wrath from his direction, if you get my meaning.”
Alis nodded in reluctant agreement, well knowing Lord Harbottle’s anger was to be avoided. “I do not mind the tending, though I do confess my prowess with a needle leaves much to be desired.” She shivered, the chill air having settled goose bumps onto her shoulders. Burrowing beneath the covers until the fire could deliver its promised warmth seemed the only reasonable course of action.
Janet stood, using the edge of the hearth for assistance. “Ah, my old bones. Now, dear one, you were out late three nights in a row caring for the Quincy brood. You’d best stay abed nice and warm until old Janet returns with your morning repast. I won’t be two shakes of a lamb’s tail.”
Despite the unease that had settled over her at Harbottle’s highhandedness, Alis smiled in the comfort of affection for Janet, the only soul still remaining from her former life. “Hurry not. I am quite content to allow the morn a lazy advent.”
I hope you enjoyed the snippet based on the word prompt fired. Thanks for stopping by. Return to Tuesday Tales.
Cheers & Happy Reading!
Flossie Benton Rogers, Conjuring the Magic in Romance
Such a lovely snippet!
Thanks, Vicki!
I love the way you conjure settings, Flossie. I could feel the chill morning in this.
And the dialogue is spot on!!
I appreciate your kind feedback, Mae!
I’m with Alis. I’m not good with needlework – I love the “two shakes of a lamb’s tail” – I have a British friend who says that all the time. Jillian
I appreciate your comments, Jillian!
I love your descriptions. They make the conversation come to life
Thank you for the compliment, Cathy!
I love their banter! And I hope they get away from his lordship or things get better. Great job!
I’m so glad you like their banter, Tricia. Thank you!
Lovely set up and way of explaining her predicament, without going into a ton of backstory or too much detail. Beautifully written.
I much appreciate your feedback, Jean! 🙂
Loved, loved, loved this snippet. I love the characters, the way the interact with each other, but most of all your writing and word choices. I especially loved your opening line – “Alis awoke to sounds of morning stirring.” Great job!
Trisha, you made a gloomy day brighter! Thank you for your comments!