Kate Warren

fiction with humor and heart

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Excerpt

WeWriWa 11

5/18/2013

82 Comments

 
Picture
Greetings friends, and welcome to another smashing edition of Weekend Writing Warriors, where daring and brilliant writers around the world showcase exactly eight sentences of their work. 

I'd like to take this moment--not that moment, this one--to thank everyone who comes to visit me and leaves their comments each weekend.  You have become dear friends and I look forward to your feedback each week.

It's the monthly SCA meeting this Sunday so my own visits may take into Monday but rest assured I will be making them.  I think I even got the computer issues that were so bothersome last Sunday fixed!

And now...on with the show.  Last week some of you expressed an interest in meeting the kitchen boy who is so central to the controversy of Chapter 30.  I shall oblige you by backing up and giving eight sentences from Chapter 28 involving our young messenger.  Our kitchen boy was found in Lord DeFord's room by Lord DeFord's good friend Sir James Quinly, who of course asked for an explanation of what the young scamp was doing there.  This excerpt features editing and creative punctuation.



          “I was sent by a lady, sir...to leave something for my Lord DeFord--it is to be a surprise, she said.”  The boy looked at him innocently.
          “What lady?”
          “I know not, sir--I did not see her face; she was hidden in the shadows--but she had on a dark cape.”  
          The boy led him over to a table near the window where Chauncy kept his correspondence. Upon the surface lay an unfinished message and black sealing wax.  James gripped the boy’s shoulder. 
           “Have I done wrong sir?”



I should probably mention that this kitchen boy is quite young, illiterate, and hungry.  An easy mark for a mysterious person who might offer him food or coin for a task he did not understand.  Oh, and all the threats against the royal family have had black sealing wax on them.  Red was the common color for sealing wax, so the black is particularly important here.

That's all for me this weekend.  See you around the net.

Kate

P.S. Please consider checking out my last post


82 Comments
Teresa Cypher link
5/18/2013 03:59:22 pm

I like it! A good mystery building. I'm grateful that you added the note about the color of the sealing wax. I had no idea about red being the color used. And black?? Great choice! Lends to the atmosphere. :-)

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Kate Warren
5/19/2013 02:11:31 am

Thank you, Teresa. It's a shame sealing wax is no longer in fashion. Mine would be blue.

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Elaine Smith link
5/18/2013 09:00:08 pm

I enjoyed your 8. I could see the boy and his confusion, as well as the control in the gentle interrogation.

You can find my 8 on http://notexactlyblogging.blogspot.co.uk/

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Kate Warren
5/19/2013 02:12:05 am

Thanks, Elaine.

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Cara Bristol link
5/18/2013 11:16:55 pm

Nice scene. Flows & moves well.

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Kate Warren
5/19/2013 02:12:26 am

Thank you, Cara.

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Violet Bedford link
5/19/2013 12:31:41 am

Interesting about the different sealing wax colors. What attention to detail!

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Kate Warren
5/19/2013 02:13:40 am

Thanks, Violet. Though I confess I have not yet looked into why red was the commonly used color for sealing wax. I really should look that up some time.

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Elaine Cantrell link
5/19/2013 01:22:25 am

what a lovely mystery! I could feel the boy's anxiety.

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Kate Warren
5/19/2013 02:14:04 am

Thank you, Elaine.

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Susan Stuckey link
5/19/2013 01:22:50 am

Very nice #8Sentence - and glad you explained the wax - did not know that red was the common color. The youngster comes through as very authentic along with the fear that he did something wrong. Nicely done.

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Kate Warren
5/19/2013 02:14:53 am

Thanks, Susan. Last week I was getting the feeling that some people were wondering if the boy was telling the truth, and I hoped his sincerity would come through in this eight.

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A.S. Fenichel link
5/19/2013 01:26:33 am

The tension is simmering. Great job!

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Kate Warren
5/19/2013 02:15:23 am

Thank you, A.S.

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Virginia Kelly link
5/19/2013 02:14:36 am

I've missed a few snippets, but even without the explanation, this is a fantastic touch of mystery.

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Kate Warren
5/19/2013 02:16:13 am

Lovely to see you, Virginia! Actually you've only missed one snippet (last week's). I didn't post for the whole month of April while I was trying to finish the WIP...which is still unfinished.

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ute carbone link
5/19/2013 03:19:36 am

Poor boy. I feel for him--and think he's gotten caught up in something beyond his control.

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Kate Warren
5/19/2013 04:25:15 am

Thank you, Ute. Don't worry, he'll be protected.

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Summer Ross link
5/19/2013 03:19:47 am

Great 8. I like how the boy has his own personality. I could see how fragile he was.
~Summer

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Kate Warren
5/19/2013 04:25:55 am

Thanks, Summer. Yes, fragile is a good word. He's quite young.

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sue link
5/19/2013 03:25:53 am

Thank you for the explanation of the black sealing wax, I noticed it immediately. Not only are your main characters well drawn and interesting, but your side characters as well. Do you do a complete profile for them as well?

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Kate Warren
5/19/2013 04:27:06 am

I've never really done official profiles for my characters. At least not written down. It's all in my head. For this story I did have to start writing down a lot more details than usual. It's gotten too big to stay entirely in my mind.

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Lauren Smith
5/19/2013 03:38:48 am

Great post. I love how you made me really drawn into the moment and the mystery and feeling worried for the kitchen boy.

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Kate Warren
5/19/2013 04:27:35 am

Thanks, Lauren!

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Veronica Scott link
5/19/2013 03:43:47 am

And the mystery thickens! Really enjoyed this snippet, can't wait to learn more!

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Kate Warren
5/19/2013 04:28:04 am

Thank you, Veronica. :o)

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Joanne Stewart link
5/19/2013 04:05:30 am

Ohhh, very mysterious. You've definitely hooked me!

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Kate Warren
5/19/2013 04:28:29 am

Thanks, Joanne! That's what I like to hear...er...read.

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Karen Michelle Nutt link
5/19/2013 04:26:06 am

Don't kill the messenger! lol Mysterious woman in the shadows... I'm intrigued. :)

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Kate Warren
5/19/2013 04:29:26 am

LOL. They won't kill him. This does add an interesting point to the mix. It appears the assassin is not working lone, as previously thought.

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S. J. Maylee link
5/19/2013 04:41:04 am

Uh-oh, that can't be good. I'm looking for the next 8 already :)

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Kate Warren
5/19/2013 11:56:38 am

Thanks, S.J. :o)

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Fel Wetzig link
5/19/2013 04:45:59 am

Intriguing. I haven't caught up on your other excerpts, but I could already hear the characters with distinct voices in my head.

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Kate Warren
5/19/2013 11:56:12 am

Thank you, Fel. I'm glad they are coming through.

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charmaine gordon link
5/19/2013 04:52:17 am

Now this is terrific. Totally clear and yet mysterious. Good eight.

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Kate Warren
5/19/2013 11:57:02 am

Thanks so much, Charmaine.

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Gemma Parkes link
5/19/2013 05:16:28 am

Love the mystery in this snippet!

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Kate Warren
5/19/2013 11:57:23 am

Thanks, Gemma.

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Frank Fisher link
5/19/2013 06:12:36 am

I enjoyed this scene, especially when the boy thinks he's done something wrong.

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Kate Warren
5/19/2013 11:58:09 am

Thank you, Frank. Techincally the boy has done something wrong, but it's not his fault. He's an innocent pawn.

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Siobhan Muir link
5/19/2013 06:25:40 am

Oooh, the plot thickens. Great snippet, Kate. :)

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Kate Warren
5/19/2013 11:59:18 am

Thanks, Siobhan.

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Sarah W link
5/19/2013 06:46:27 am

Wow! I hope the boy doesn't remain a pawn for long, poor guy. It's a dangerous profession!

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Kate Warren
5/19/2013 12:00:07 pm

You're absolutely right, Sarah. Pawn is a dangerous profession.

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Penny Alley link
5/19/2013 07:36:25 am

You've got some beautiful tension going on in here. Poor boy!

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Kate Warren
5/19/2013 12:00:28 pm

Thank you, Penny!

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India Masters link
5/19/2013 07:53:13 am

You've already reeled me in. I am such a sucker for a middle ages storyline, as you can probably tell since mine is set in that period as well. British history is so interesting to me. I love the way they spoke in the middle ages, how they coped. Can u let me know when it's a) done or b) available for purchase?

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Kate Warren
5/19/2013 12:01:27 pm

Sure thing, India. In fact, if you like you can beta for me.

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Ann Swann link
5/19/2013 07:57:32 am

Oh, I could just feel his confusion and self-doubt. Great 8!

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Kate Warren
5/19/2013 12:01:50 pm

Thanks, Ann. :o)

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Cindy Amrhein link
5/19/2013 08:19:52 am

Intriguing snippet. Love the added mystery of the black sealing wax.



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

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Kate Warren
5/19/2013 12:02:11 pm

Thank you, Cindy.

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Karen de Lange link
5/19/2013 08:41:25 am

Lovely detail, both with the setting and the characterisation. You made it really believable.

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Kate Warren
5/19/2013 12:02:37 pm

Thank you, Karen.

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Isabella Leigh link
5/19/2013 09:24:14 am

Oh dear. Sounds like the poor kitchen boy was being used for nefarious purposes. I hope they realize that he had no idea what was going on with it.

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Kate Warren
5/19/2013 12:04:15 pm

You've hit the nail on the head, Isabella. And he is in luck because he was found by an honorable man who realizes a boy of his age and social class couldn't have understood what it was he was reallly doing--planting evidence for a framing.

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Debbie link
5/19/2013 11:08:00 am

The black sealing wax certainly seems ominous now! Thanks for the explanation. Great excerpt.

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Kate Warren
5/19/2013 12:04:35 pm

Thank you, Debbie!

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Jess Schira
5/19/2013 11:11:51 am

So mysterious. I like it! Great snippet, Kate. I always look foreward to reading what you've posted.

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Kate Warren
5/19/2013 12:05:59 pm

Oh, what a sweet thing to say! Thank you, Jess! I'm looking forward to your eight, and the other ones I've missed reading today. The weather is going to be stormy off and on for quite a while so I hope I can squeeze in my visits between storms this week.

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Joyce Scarbrough link
5/19/2013 12:42:24 pm

It's so impressive that you make even minor characters come to life like this and grab the readers' attention. Great job and great snippet!

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Kate Warren
5/20/2013 03:39:15 am

Thank you, Joyce!

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Jenna Jaxon link
5/19/2013 12:54:53 pm

I loved using sealing wax! I had a bunch of colors and seals. Of course, no one sends letters now days. Great snippet here. I do want to read more.

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Kate Warren
5/20/2013 03:40:10 am

Really? If you have any blue send it my way. We can be pen pals and bring back that lost art. :o) Glad you enjoyed it, Jenna.

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karen Y. bynum link
5/19/2013 02:45:18 pm

Intriguing! Definitely want to know more! Enjoyed your 8! :D

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Kate Warren
5/20/2013 03:40:30 am

Thanks, Karen.

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Carrie-Anne link
5/19/2013 02:59:50 pm

I love the little, telling detail about the color of the sealing wax.

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Kate Warren
5/20/2013 03:40:54 am

Thank you, Carrie-Anne.

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Linda Morris link
5/19/2013 03:03:09 pm

Hmm, I am intrigued. Why the black sealing wax? (Nice detail, by the way.)

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Kate Warren
5/20/2013 03:43:09 am

Thank you, Linda. I went with black partly because it's different, and partly for reasons of psychology--people equate black or darkness with evil so it works nicely for someone who's bumping people off. Though I must say the villains' ability to kill the right targets is not very high.

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Evelyn Jules link
5/20/2013 12:57:44 am

I always love reading your work, Kate! You manage to put so much detail in eight short sentences. Exciting and full of intrigue. Can't wait for more! :)

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Kate Warren
5/20/2013 03:43:44 am

Thanks, Evelyn. Everyone is being so kind this weekend. I'm just about blushing here. :o)

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Donna Cummings link
5/20/2013 02:17:39 am

All kinds of intrigue here! I like the ominous nature of the black sealing wax too. :)

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Kate Warren
5/20/2013 03:44:19 am

Thank you, Donna. Ominous is what I was going for. Seems I made the right choice.

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Linda Hamonou link
5/20/2013 02:34:08 am

I hope he doesn't get in trouble for being the messenger.

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Kate Warren
5/20/2013 03:46:06 am

Never fear, age and ignorance will protect him. He's of the illiterate working class and enough details of the plot against the crown have been kept secret that he had no idea he was delivering anything remotely sinister. Plus the king is a good man, so the kid will be ok.

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Sam link
5/20/2013 03:28:25 pm

Oh, this gets more sinister - I wonder what seal is depicted in the ominous black wax?

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Kate Warren
5/20/2013 04:25:01 pm

Very perceptive, Sam. One thing that wasn't planted in Lord DeFord's chambers was the seal itself.

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J.M. Blackman link
5/22/2013 01:08:21 pm

There's a great mystery to this whole snippet. The details make it rich--the black seal, the squeeze of the shoulder.

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Kate Warren
5/22/2013 02:03:35 pm

Thanks, J.M.!

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Teresa Cypher link
5/23/2013 01:34:20 pm

Kate, I just wanted to say, "WOOT!" on getting the official photos taken! :-)

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Kate Warren
5/25/2013 03:00:30 pm

Thanks Teresa. It actually didn't happen. Had to be rescheduled. :o(

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