Kate Warren

fiction with humor and heart

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Excerpt

WeWriWa 10

5/11/2013

68 Comments

 
Hello fellow Weekend Writing Warriors!  It's good to be back.  I've missed you all and am looking forward to making the rounds again.  Camp NaNoWriMo's April session went well.  I did not accomplish my goal of finishing the draft, but I am some 50,000 words closer to doing just that. 

This week, a sample of what I wrote during my absence.  Using my signature random scrolling method, I give you eight sentences from Chapter 30 of The DeFord Chronicles, Part II.  Our hero, Chauncy DeFord has been framed for murder and treason.  The king has just explained the circumstances under which evidence against Lord DeFord was found in said hero's chambers in the palace.  It is known that the criminal must be a member of the nobility, and the innocence of our hero depends--in the eyes of most of the king's council--on the word of a young kitchen boy.


          Two lords were visibly relieved, most of the others were skeptical.  “Why should anyone take the word of a mere kitchen boy?”
          “He could have been bribed.”
          “Yes, or threatened.”
          The king’s face grew a bit red.  “I examined the boy myself and detected no sign of either.  As to who would take the word of a kitchen boy, why should such a child be considered less honest than a member of the nobility who commits treason? At the moment I am inclined to believe my lower subjects far more pure and honorable than a good share of the nobles.”


Poor King Phillip.  It's a trying situation, but there are some on his council who are in agreement about Lord DeFord's being innocent.  For more from The DeFord Chronicles, Part II check out my last blog post.  It contains a lengthy excerpt.

I'm looking forward to reading all the wonderful excerpts, by the wonderful authors who make up the Weekend Writing Warriors.  See you around the web! :o)

Kate

68 Comments
michael estey link
5/11/2013 09:12:05 pm

Sounds interesting, What happened here? With a kitchen boy, no the less. Somethings amiss. Chapter 30, I'm lost.

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Kate Warren
5/12/2013 03:15:03 am

Hi Michael! Lovely to meet you. I apologize, but there wasn't a good way to impart enough backstory in this one. The kitchen boy in question was tricked into planting incriminating evidence in Lord DeFord's chambers. All the boy knows is that it was supposed to be a "surprise."

As to Chapter 30...I've been working on this novel for a while and took part in NaNoWriMo's Camp session for April with the goal of finally finishing the draft. Didn't finish despite adding another 50K to the word count.

I use a random method for choosing what to post each weekend. I wanted to choose an excerpt from what was written during my absence from WeWriWa. That means later chapters, and unfortunately that gets confusing for readers. Again I apologize, but I am glad you found it intriguing.

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Donna Cummings link
5/12/2013 12:41:17 am

The king makes an excellent point! Welcome back to WeWriWa -- I'm back this week too, and it's great to read all the snippets. :)

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Kate Warren
5/12/2013 03:15:49 am

Thank you, Donna! And welcome back to you as well!

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A.S. Fenichel link
5/12/2013 03:07:39 am

Very interesting and intriguing premise. I ready for more. :)

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Kate Warren
5/12/2013 03:16:05 am

Thank you, A.S.!

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S. J. Maylee link
5/12/2013 03:07:50 am

Yikes. Sometimes the young ones are more trustworthy than the corrupted adults. Sad but true. Intriguing snippet. Glad you're back. :)

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Kate Warren
5/12/2013 03:16:56 am

Exactly the point, S.J.! Thank you for the welcome back. :o)

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Jess Schira
5/12/2013 03:41:40 am

I like that the king is willing to stick to his guns. Good for him, and great snippet!

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Kate Warren
5/12/2013 05:03:52 am

Thank you, Jess.

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Evelyn Jules link
5/12/2013 04:03:59 am

Welcome back! So happy to be reading your excerpts again! I'd be more inclined to believe an innocent child over a member of the nobility any day. Well written and excellent dialogue! :)

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Kate Warren
5/12/2013 05:04:20 am

Thanks, Evelyn! For the compliment and the welcome. :o)

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Joanne Stewart link
5/12/2013 04:40:18 am

The king has an excellent point. And I love that he takes the boy's side and doesn't just naturally assume what the rest have. Great snippet.

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Kate Warren
5/12/2013 05:05:05 am

Thank you, Joanne!

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Veronica Scott link
5/12/2013 04:56:03 am

Interesting excerpt - I like the King, hope he sticks to his principles. Terrific snippet!

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Kate Warren
5/12/2013 05:04:45 am

Thanks, Veronica.

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India link
5/12/2013 04:58:00 am

Nice job. Historicals are not easy to write. You have to get the history right and be consistent in your background narrative. It's a ton of work but so fascinating. Trying to get the right balance between history and the romance...yeah, but I love it and you can always tell the difference between dumping info and blending history. I'm feeling it.

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Kate Warren
5/12/2013 05:05:31 am

Thanks so much, India!

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Sam link
5/12/2013 04:59:36 am

Sounds like King Phillip is wise indeed! Great excerpt:)

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Kate Warren
5/12/2013 05:05:49 am

Thank you, Sam!

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Debbie link
5/12/2013 05:05:28 am

Yes, why not take the word of the boy? Interesting story and I'm looking forward to the next instalment.

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Kate Warren
5/12/2013 05:06:10 am

Thanks, Debbie. :o)

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Sue Ann Bowling link
5/12/2013 05:35:36 am

At least the king is willing to look at both sides.

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Kate Warren
5/12/2013 07:04:23 am

Yes, Phillip is a good ruler. Thanks for stopping by, Sue Ann.

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Ann Swann link
5/12/2013 06:48:39 am

Excellent excerpt -- I tweeted. =)

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Kate Warren
5/12/2013 07:04:48 am

Thank you, Ann!

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Elaine Cantrell link
5/12/2013 06:52:38 am

I bet the king is right. Nobles used to cause a lot of trouble for royalty.

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Kate Warren
5/12/2013 07:05:47 am

Thanks, Elaine. He is right, though his main reason for believing the boy is one he can't share with his council.

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Susan Stuckey link
5/12/2013 06:58:56 am

Nice snippet - there is definitely a lot implied in just this bit. It does generate a lot of interest about what comes next (and before). Looking forward to reading more - thanks great #8Sentence.

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Kate Warren
5/12/2013 07:06:09 am

Thank you, Susan!

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Violet Bedford link
5/12/2013 07:11:15 am

I trust the kitchen boy! I hope I'm right.

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Kate Warren
5/12/2013 08:14:13 am

Thanks, Violet. You are right!

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sue link
5/12/2013 07:22:28 am

How unusual - such a good king.

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Kate Warren
5/12/2013 08:14:52 am

Thank you, Sue!

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Linda Morris link
5/12/2013 08:06:19 am

I love your historicals. You have such a nice voice for them. Nice snippet!

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Kate Warren
5/12/2013 08:15:31 am

Thanks for your kind words, Linda!

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Jennifer Gravely link
5/12/2013 08:42:29 am

The king appears fair and just. That's rare in a politician. haha!

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Kate Warren
5/12/2013 10:58:48 am

Fair point, Jennifer. LOL

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charmaine gordon link
5/12/2013 09:05:09 am

Politics! Ever since the cavemen. Good eight.

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Kate Warren
5/12/2013 10:59:11 am

Thank you, Charmaine.

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Claire Gillian link
5/12/2013 10:32:20 am

While the King makes some noble points, I'd be a little anxious too about the testimony of a child with minimal to lose and much to gain. I'd rather he expressed those views outside of the courts as does DeFord I expect.

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Kate Warren
5/12/2013 11:02:35 am

That's part of what the anti-DeFord faction on the council are thinking. Luckily there is another witness who lends credence to the story. Still, Chauncy is in for a rough time.

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Kylie Scott link
5/12/2013 11:19:41 am

Great premise. And the King sounds like a wiseman indeed.

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Kate Warren
5/12/2013 11:47:46 am

Thank you, Kylie.

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Teresa Cypher link
5/12/2013 12:27:48 pm

Welcome back, Kate!! Happy mom's day to you! :-)

Nice snippet. I like King Phillip! Excellent excerpt. :-)

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Kate Warren
5/12/2013 02:32:36 pm

Thanks, Teresa! And the same to you!

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Monica T. Rodriguez link
5/12/2013 12:56:18 pm

Interesting snippet! I like the bit of reversal from the expected - I had expected the king to not believe the boy. The reader always likes to be surprised. Nice!

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Kate Warren
5/12/2013 02:33:32 pm

Thank you, Monica. The king knows a great deal more than the others in this case.

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Sarah Ballance link
5/12/2013 02:20:35 pm

I absolutely love that the king is not blind to the misdeeds of nobility. He sounds wise, indeed. (History could have used a few more of him, LOL!)

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Kate Warren
5/12/2013 02:34:37 pm

Thanks, Sarah. He is a wise man, but unfortunately things are not going well for him lately.

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Jenna Jaxon link
5/12/2013 02:26:39 pm

Oooh, I'm so wanting to find out what the kitchen boy is going to say! And glad the king believes him. Fascinating story!

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Kate Warren
5/12/2013 02:35:13 pm

Thank you, Jenna. I may have to loop back to that, by popular demand. ;o)

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Cindy Amrhein link
5/12/2013 04:02:06 pm

BHAM! Oh I bet the uppity-ups hated hearing that about themselves. Wise king.

<a href="http://historysleuth.blogspot.com/">History Sleuth's Writings</a>

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Kate Warren
5/13/2013 12:15:22 am

True. Some of them were not pleased to be reminded. ;o)

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Karen Michelle Nutt link
5/12/2013 04:38:06 pm

I like that the king takes the boy's side and doesn't assume what the rest have decided. I'm intrigued to know more.

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Kate Warren
5/13/2013 12:15:47 am

Thanks, Karen.

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Cynthia Hudson link
5/12/2013 11:15:42 pm

Your talent always shines through, Kate! I wish to be shown a man's true character in his words, in his actions...and you do this beautifully, no matter what the storyline is. Great 8!

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Kate Warren
5/13/2013 12:16:19 am

Wow! Thank you so much for that lovely compliment, Cynthia!

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Joyce Scarbrough link
5/13/2013 03:50:27 am

Quite the kingly response! Really enjoyed this snippet. Welcome back!

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Kate Warren
5/13/2013 11:11:14 am

Thank you, Joyce. It's good to be back. :o)

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Linda Hamonou link
5/13/2013 06:07:26 pm

It's very courageous for a king to face the nobility and to tell them that his lower subjects are more honest. He could also be assassinated for it. Very interesting snippet.

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Kate Warren
5/14/2013 04:47:44 am

Thank you, Linda. Someone's already trying to kill off the royal family, so while it's a calculated risk speaking his mind, Phillip has little to lose at this point.

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Marcia link
5/15/2013 01:32:01 pm

Good to see you back, Kate. I like the king's attitude here; not many members of a ruling class would be willing to believe a kitchen boy over any of their own. I'd like to meet that kitchen boy myself, to see what sort of person he is :-)

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Kate Warren
5/16/2013 02:35:51 pm

Thanks, Marcia! It's actually not so much the kitchen boy's word against anyone else's at this point. It's only if his story is true. His tale involves being paid by a lady in the shadows who wore a dark cloak.

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Siobhan Muir link
5/16/2013 01:16:01 pm

I'm with King Philip about the nobility. Those who have power rarely want to give it away and are more likely to lie. Nicely done, Kate. :)

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Kate Warren
5/16/2013 02:36:21 pm

Thank you, Siobhan!

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J.M. Blackman link
5/18/2013 03:17:07 am

I like that King Philip understands that people of a lower status are not less honest. The tension you've created here is delicate and intriguing.

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Kate Warren
5/18/2013 12:08:47 pm

Thanks, J.M!

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