Weekend Writing Warriors: Snippet 153- Natalya
Itβs time forΒ Weekend Writing Warriors!Β Every Sunday, a bunch of writers post 8-10-sentence snippets from their WIPs on their blogs. Thereβs a lot of reading, commenting and great writing. Click on the link to see the full list.
Continuing with Blood of the Empire, we’re back to Natalya, squeezing money and concessions out of the treacherous Princess Viviane.
byAfter drawing up documents forcing Viviane to pay reparations to Terragand for Prince Kendrykβs death, Natalya also drafted a new treaty. Princess Viviane wished to declare neutrality, but Natalya wasnβt having it.
βYou must swear to support Terragand in its fight against the empire until the war is completely over. Since we have Teodora in custody Iβm sure sheβll sign terms soon,β Natalya said, pushing the paper across the table toward Viviane.
Princess Viviane scanned the document, her face sour, βI have no troops to contribute.β
Natalya smiled, saying, βMoney is more helpful right now. Since we have plenty of troops, your financial support will be most appreciated. Iβll be sure to remind Princess Maryna that the gods encourage forgiveness, even of the most awful crimes.β
Princess Viviane hesitated, quill in hand, but Natalya stared at her until she signed.
βSee? That wasnβt so hard,β she smiled again as Viviane shoved the paper toward her, hatred in her eyes.
Natalya had been check that there’s no poison in amongst the monetary payment.
Sheβs letting someone else handle it first!
Oh, I can feel the sizzle of tension in this snippet. Well done! π
Thank you!
Good on you, Natalya. Now, just make sure she doesn’t stab you in the back.
Natalya has eyes in the back of her head. π
That ended on a tense note. Tweeted.
Thank you!
Such a tense scene. I’d be careful if I were Natalya. I’d suspect treachery somewhere from Viviane.
She would always be right to suspect treachery!
Hmmm … I wonder just how much a signature is worth when it’s given under duress? She’ll be looking for any way to get out of it.
Oh yes, definitely. Itβs likely to cause some future drama.
Not an ally I’d be thrilled to have, but I suppose her money is good. Enjoying the clash between these two calculating women.
Money is about all they can expect to get out of her
And I’d guess Viviane is counting the days until she can get her revenge for being forced to capitulate here. Great snippet!
Exactly!
Nothing can make up for losing Kendryk!!! *Weeps*
There’s going to be payment… that’s a definite. But I’m not so sure the troops will be getting it.
One tough woman, or is it two?
I can’t get over how much tension you managed to pack into a few sentences. Also, I sense some foreshadowing here. Great snippet, Christina!
Thank you!
A taut, powerful scene that plays out like a chess game. Nicely done, Christina.
Natalya has the upper hand now. I hope she can keep it. She’s made a powerful enemy.
I forgot to sign up in time, but I did post. http://dianeburton.blogspot.com/
She certainly has!
Great scene – you can, as they say, almost cut the tension with a knife! I forgot to signp to, so left my post until next week.
Thank you!
Tense! No lost love between those two.
That woman’s gonna cause a problem, isn’t she!!!
Another, and another! π
Oh my, I need to catch up on this series, Christina. I just bumbled into a serious spoiler. π
But, Teodora is in custody–and that is worth the read even f Kendryk is gone. π
Oh no! I thought by now everyone would be through most of the books, since Iβm taking so long on the last one.
So much hatred there. Very emotional snippet! I’d be worried about this forced compliance coming back to bite them someday, though.