Weekend Writing Warriors: Snippet 22- Kendryk
It’s time for Weekend Writing Warriors! Every Sunday, a bunch of writers post 8-sentence snippets from their WIPs on their blogs. There’s a lot of reading, commenting and great writing. Click on the link to see the full list.
Kendryk has been enjoying his theological discussions with Father Landrus, but that time is coming to an end since he’s finally received a message from the empress, Much to his surprise, she has agreed to a public trial in neutral Isenwald and plans to make a personal appearance. Flavia is the temple official who will preside at the trial. Kendryk is discussing all of this with Gwynneth and his chief adviser, Count Faris. Some creative punctuation has occurred.
“If Flavia Maxima can’t be swayed, I don’t see how this will work to our benefit,” Kendryk said, dread welling up inside him, knowing that a guilty verdict always carried a death sentence.
“I think it will, no matter the outcome of the trial,” Gwynneth said. “In the unlikely event she finds him innocent, it will be a slap in the face to Teodora. If he’s found guilty, everyone in Kronland will be outraged and see it as a personal slight to you, so Teodora loses either way.”
“I have to confess, I’m surprised she’s coming,” Count Faris said. “Her presence will make this event far more significant than a mere theological debate.”
“She’s no doubt hoping to put me in my place in front of everyone,” Kendryk said. “And she may very well succeed.”
Previous snippets are here.
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So excited to dive in. It just always reads perfectly for me…
Yay! Lots more where that came from, as you know. 🙂
Interesting! Are they telling each other new information? Or discussing each one’s opinion on the matter?
This is something they just found out. The Empress reacted in a way they didn’t expect.
Interesting discussion going on…looking forward to seeing how this turns out.
Thank you!
Great exchange and dialogue, can’t wait to see how this plays out!
Thank you!
I don’t know, that doesn’t sound so win-win to me. Loss of face isn’t quite equal to an execution, I think. Gwynneth is looking for that silver lining pretty hard, definitely and old and practical soul.
Yes, she is bound and determined to turn this into a good thing!
I love how you let us in on the complicated political maneuvering through dialogue. Very well done.
Thank you! It’s hard to keep it simple, because I love complicated! Preferably with a lot of words. 🙂
Nice political dialogue, as always. And may I say, I always love your names, the character names and the names of the towns and cities. They’re very imaginative. Great 8.
Thank you! Coming up with names has caused me great suffering. 🙂 Sometimes I have a flash of inspiration, while other times I “audition” what feels like hundreds before finding the right one.
Intrigue, danger and politics-oh, my! Great snippet. I have no idea how this will be solved;).
Thank you! It will be sort-of solved, but with great difficulty. Naturally. 🙂
Well I think Teodora is bring her A+ game.
She’d better! 🙂
Very political snippet and powerful considering the possible negative outcome. YIKES! Well written, Christina.
Thank you!
Intriguing as always, I can’t wait to see what happens with Kendryk! Great eight!
Thank you!
Ooh! Sounds like the stakes just went up! Interested to see how things proceed from here.
I don’t know him very well, but I do hope Kendryk won’t have to take one for the team . . . 🙂
I’m enjoying these snippets very much, Christina! No pressure, but I’m looking forward to reading the whole book.
Yeah, Kendryk isn’t too happy about being the designated troublemaker. Poor guy.
Thanks so much- that’s the kind of pressure I like!
Interesting…court intrigue and strategy. Games played by all of the royals of old. Nicely done, Christina!
Thank you!
Fascinating development re the Empress! the dialog is always so natural-sounding. I feel as if I’m there…great snippet.
Thanks so much!
Interesting political situation. I think you did a great job of keeping it simple, accessible and active in the dialogue.
Thank you! I was a bit worried about it all being too confusing. 🙂
Ooh, interesting! Loving the insights into the political intrigue here. 🙂
One tiny suggestion. The first paragraph is essentially one sentence, and it’s a big lengthy to get through. You might get more emotional involvement from breaking it up a bit/reordering.
As a possible example:
“If Flavia Maxima can’t be swayed, I don’t see how this will work to our benefit.” Dread welled up inside Kendryk: a guilty verdict always carried a death sentence.
Of course, you’re limited to 8 sentences in this rigmarole, so this could just be creative editing. Otherwise, loving the complexities here! Good stuff! 🙂
Thank you! Yes, that was where creative editing was committed. 🙂