Weekend Writing Warriors: Snippet 71- Arryk

weekend writing warriorsIt’s time for Weekend Writing Warriors!Β Every Sunday, a bunch of writers post 8-10-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.

A lot Β has changed since we last checked in with Arryk. After his father died and he became king heΒ wasted no time getting his armies together, loading them on ships and going to rescue Gwynneth. Unfortunately, it’s the middle of winter and a storm has caught his ship near a rocky shore. The ship is starting to come apart and there’s panic all around: (edited to fit)

Arryk knew he needed to do something, but didn’t know what that should be. Others looked to him to give orders or set some sort of example, but even a king wasn’t able to keep a ship from sinking.

Someone plucked at his sleeve; a young soldierΒ he recognized, but whose name he didn’t remember. β€œYour Highness, we must jump before the ship is destroyed.”

β€œJump? I can’t leave the ship,” ArrykΒ said lamely.

β€œYou must,” the boy saidΒ andΒ Arryk remembered now his name was Magnus something-or-other. β€œIf you are lost, all of us are. It’s no good to sacrifice yourself.”

He saw the sense in that, though it seemed so unheroic.

Previous snippets are here.

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42 Comments on “Weekend Writing Warriors: Snippet 71- Arryk

  1. My first thought was, Arryk, you fool, you can’t just get on a ship to rescue your maiden without a thought out plan. Now, he’s stuck in a sinking ship… Jumping might be unheroic, but at least he might have a better chance of staying alive. Great snippet, Christina.

  2. Oh dear, poor Arryk! Ya gotta feel bad for anybody in this situation. A dead king is of no use to anybody. Hope you pick up from here next week, and hope the new release is taking off.

    • In Arryk’s case, a live one isn’t much use either, but everyone has yet to figure that out!

      Thanks for the good wishes on the release. Sales are a bit sluggish post-launch, but I’ve been getting some good reviews, so I’m happy with that.

  3. This entire scene was so well done- it had me on the edge of my seat (and I have to admit, occasionally cursing the author). Congratulations on getting this reader totally wrapped up in your characters.

  4. Interesting that he considers jumping from a sinking ship the unheroic choice. I have always thought of death as the easy way out. Glad he is willing to listen to that smart young man. Great snippet πŸ™‚

  5. Never understood why the captain had to go down with the ship. I say go with Magnus’ advice. πŸ™‚

  6. Sounds tough to be king there. I’m sure he can be heroic in other ways than going down with the ship. Nice snippet! πŸ™‚

  7. Poor Arryk certainly is not prepared for the job. the lowly soldier Magnus gave him sage advice, I hope he listens.

  8. Well, he’s the king, not the captain, right? A king doesn’t necessarily have to go down with a ship. If he lives he can continue the rescue mission. I vote he jumps ship! πŸ™‚

  9. That’s one reason I always loved Arryk– he’s willing to go on the frontlines and do whatever he has to to help his men, who will do anything for him in return. Gah! I can’t wait for book three!!!

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