Continuing snippets from my fantasy novel 'The Matchmaker's Mare which takes place in Wales. The story is told from three p.o.vs. and two time-lines. Today's excerpt is again from Rhiannon's p.o.v. and takes place in the distant past, a few chapters along from the last one.Some very creative punctuation to comply with the ten sentence rule.Don't forget to visit the other authors at the link below, there's something for all tastes.
Snippet:
At last, with only a few hours left before daylight, Rhiannon reached the clearing where Sion had made his camp. A glowing fire still burned outside the caravan, she heard the chomping of a horse, and just made out Sion’s black and white cob grazing nearby. Then she spotted Sion, lying on a blanket near the fire, he never did like sleeping indoors, not even in his wagon. He preferred to sleep under the stars whenever the weather permitted, even now in early winter. She leapt from the pony and knelt beside the young man, shaking his shoulder, “Sion, Sion wake up—for goodness sake, I need you to wake up, I don’t know what to do.”
Sion raised himself on one elbow, blinking, before sitting bolt upright, “Rhiannon. Rhiannon, cariad, what are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be tucked up in your own bed fast asleep, what’s wrong?”
"Sion, listen to me, my father has arranged for me to marry Gwynfor Pryce in a week’s time, what am I to do, Sion, I can’t marry him, I won’t.” She lowered her voice to a whisper, “you know it’s you I want, and only you.”
Sion threw off his blanket and jumped to his feet,“Rhiannon, my love, I will never let another man have you, not if you love me. We must get away—ride, as swiftly as our horses can carry us, we’ll find a preacher to marry us, in a town where no-one knows us and we’ll settle down somewhere far away and no-one will ever find us.”
At last, with only a few hours left before daylight, Rhiannon reached the clearing where Sion had made his camp. A glowing fire still burned outside the caravan, she heard the chomping of a horse, and just made out Sion’s black and white cob grazing nearby. Then she spotted Sion, lying on a blanket near the fire, he never did like sleeping indoors, not even in his wagon. He preferred to sleep under the stars whenever the weather permitted, even now in early winter. She leapt from the pony and knelt beside the young man, shaking his shoulder, “Sion, Sion wake up—for goodness sake, I need you to wake up, I don’t know what to do.”Sion raised himself on one elbow, blinking, before sitting bolt upright, “Rhiannon. Rhiannon, cariad, what are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be tucked up in your own bed fast asleep, what’s wrong?”
"Sion, listen to me, my father has arranged for me to marry Gwynfor Pryce in a week’s time, what am I to do, Sion, I can’t marry him, I won’t.” She lowered her voice to a whisper, “you know it’s you I want, and only you.”
Sion threw off his blanket and jumped to his feet,“Rhiannon, my love, I will never let another man have you, not if you love me. We must get away—ride, as swiftly as our horses can carry us, we’ll find a preacher to marry us, in a town where no-one knows us and we’ll settle down somewhere far away and no-one will ever find us.”
I
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Elopement in its earliest form. Interesting snippet.
ReplyDeleteThanks Iris, yes, elopement is her only chance to escape an unwanted marriage -ironic since she is a matchmaker herself!
DeleteUgh! I just saw that "work in progress" in your labels. I was heading to Amazon to buy it! I love this scene, and wondering what the heck happens now. Does her dad send someone after her, or does the guy her dad promised her to come chasing after her? All I can say is these two had batter mount up and ride those horses hard.
ReplyDeleteThe pic you've included--the black and white horse in it? A neighbor up the road a piece has three of them. Gypsy Vanners --if they are the same breed. :-) Beautiful animals.
Aw thanks so much Teresa! When I've finished revising it and had it back from Beta readers I'll submit it to my publisher and cross my fingers they like it. Rhiannon's story is actually interlaced with the romance between the two modern characters, so I hope it works for readers. You're absolutely right about the gypsy Vanner in the picture, although Gypsy Cobs or Vanners are actually Irish, so Sion's horse would probably have been a Welsh Cob cross, since pure bred Welsh Cobs are always solid colours - it would look very similar to the Vanner in the picture though. I agree, they're very striking. I love 'coloured horses'. My own mare is a Quarter horse/Welsh Cross and has golden chestnut and white patches.
DeleteMan, he didn't hesitate even a tiny bit. I'll bet he'd been wanting to carry her off to get married, and now he's seizing his opportunity.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I watched all your trailers for the Destiny trilogy. Did you make them yourself? If so, I'm very impressed.
As usual you hit the nail on the head there, Ed! :)
DeleteThanks so much for the compliments on the trailers. Yes, I did them myself using Windows Moviemaker. Time consuming, but fun to do.
What a gorgeous scene. He is an eager beaver rushing to their marriage.
ReplyDeleteThanks Charmaine - yes, he's been wanting to make her his wife for a long time! (Also he knows it's the only way to prevent her being forced into an arranged marriage she doesn't want.)
DeleteYou have painted a beautiful scene here. Nicely done!
ReplyDeleteOh thank you, Cie, I'm so glad you enjoyed it and I appreciate you stopping by.
DeleteExcellent response. They have a plan, although I suspect it won't be so simple.
ReplyDeleteYou're right about that, Aurora!
DeleteWell good, I'm glad he's a man of action! Enjoyed the snippet...
ReplyDeleteOh yes, Sion doesn't hang around! Thanks Veronica, glad you enjoyed it.
DeleteI bet they'll have hurdles, but I hope they overcome them! :)
ReplyDeleteIndeed they do have hurdles, Amy, it's not going to be easy for them.
DeleteI enjoyed the snippet. Love the picture you included. I like that he doesn't hesitate. I'm sure their plan will have a few glitches. Can't wait to read more.
ReplyDeleteBTW, congrats on your awards. My RWA chapter hosts the Best Banter contest. So glad you won.
DeleteThanks Diane - yes, it's certainly not going to be plain sailing for them!
DeleteThanks so much for the congrats - I was thrilled to win the Best Banter contest in the SFR category, and I had some great feedback. I didn't realise it was your RWA chapter!
Elopement seems like a great plan. What could go wrong? :)
ReplyDeleteWhat indeed? :) Thanks for stopping by, Karen
ReplyDelete