The Rose Shield is my current WIP. A month ago, I introduced Raker (Here). He’s half mad, but has sparks of unexpected wisdom if you can get over the fact that he converses with the river fog. My main character is Catling, and here’s the start of her story:
Chapter One Excerpt
Hanging Day.
Catling clutched the back of her mother’s wool skirt as Keela picked a path through the market crowd. Head down, she kept her eyes on the bare heels slapping the pavers ahead of her, afraid of a swat if she let go.
“Stop tugging on my dress and tramping on my heels,” Keela said without a glance back. She wrenched her skirt free. “And keep up.”
Catling flinched and scurried to catch up. At six, she was a scrawny thing and easily buffeted by the larger bodies that failed to see her. The market was all shoving and yelling heads off on hanging day, and she wouldn’t have minded if Keela weren’t in such a hurry.
She spotted a split-copper and darted from safety to pinch it from the crack between two pavers. A pair of scampering boys dodged around her as she ducked back behind her mother with a crooked grin. She slid the coin into her pocket beside her carved waterdragon and considered where she might hide it. All over the warrens, she kept secret stashes of split and clipped-coppers, stowed into crevasses and holes and buried under stones. She was rich and someday she’d collect them in a sack and ride a ferry to the sea.
“Always big crowds Summertide hanging day,” Keela said over her shoulder. “The weather’s kind enough and food’s plenty. Maybe we’ll share a meat tart and catch a couple neck-stretchers.”
The mere thought of a tart set Catling’s stomach growling. During Summertide, the market circled almost all the way around the warrens. Tables, carts, stalls, crates, and planks balancing on rickety chairs were set up haphazard like river rocks that people flowed around. Servants from the tiers sauntered down with their guards and pockets of clipped silver to spend however they pleased.
Riverfolk sold fish and eels by the pier. Glassy-eyed twitchers lolled against a stone wall, begging for anything they could sell for a taste. Smelters and smiths hawked pieces of metal shaped into knives and tools. She passed other guilds peddling rag-cloth and rope, trinkets and baubles, lye soap and tallow candles, and just about everything else she could imagine. Cull Tarr preachers traded promises for prayers, and tradesmen from far off Lim-Mistral decorated tables with smooth glass bottles for nighttime luminescence. She caught her reflection in a standing mirror and winced at the sight, the ugly red halo on her face like a permanent bruised eye.
Myths of the Mirror 
Oh man! I want more, I need to know what hanging day is all about and poor little Catling, I can hardly wait to hear more of her story. Thank you for this morsel.
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Thank you for reading, Steph. I’ve been chugging away on getting this series finished and out there. 🙂 Catling is a cutie, but she has to grow up fast!
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[…] met Raker, the man who hears voices in the fog Catling, a six-year-old with a rose birthmark around her eye Whitt, the boy battling crajeks in the swamp […]
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[…] Catling, my six-yr-old protagonist on Hanging Day.Whitt, her adopted brother, battling crajeks in the swamp.Raker, the half-mad rafter who kicks off the series. […]
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[…] Catling, my six-yr-old protagonist on Hanging Day. Whitt, her adopted brother, battling crajeks in the swamp. Raker, the half-mad rafter who kicks off the series. […]
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You have a rare talent for creating not only immersive worlds and scenes, but of inciting both curiosity and tension quickly (the two of which take skill to create alone, let alone in tandem).
(Aside: Have you read any of Karen Miller’s books?)
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Thanks, Erik. I haven’t read Miller. I’m guessing this is a recommendation 🙂 I’ll look her up!
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Thank you for the ‘snippet’ 🙂 Hanging Day must be a lot of excitement for a child. Tough times, but childhood only comes once. Great read!
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Thanks for another visit, Inese. Catling doesn’t comprehend yet how brutal her world is, but she will find out soon… bwa ha ha. Have a happy and creative week 🙂
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Cannot wait to learn more 🙂 Have a wonderful week you too!
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Reblogged this on Kate McClelland.
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Thanks for the reblog, Kate. Glad you enjoyed the snippet 🙂 Have a wonderful week!
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Lovely! 😀
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Thank you, Irena. I’m glad you enjoyed 🙂 Hope you have a wonderful day.
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A rich world crated, full of characters and their traits. To be able to create a new world and then to easily transport a reader into that is an achievement.. kudos 🙂
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Thank you, Nitin. I’m glad I pulled you along for a visit. Happy Writing!
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I love how you make Catling and her world come alive with your words. Beautiful – and I want more! 🙂
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Thanks for the comment, Linda. There will be more little peeks through the year as I get back to writing these books. Stay tuned 🙂 Have a wonderful day, my friend.
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I really liked Catling and wonder about her “birthmark” and its story to be told. Hopefully she never got burned. I didn’t have time to read your lovely comments but I like the way this little girl is crafty and smart, also someone who has dreams of gathering all her “goodies” which include coins and carved wooden things, and set off to sea with them. Lovely, Diana! Simply the best story I have read the two parts of in a long time. The other story about the man, Raker, who was in the pub, made me think (about fairness and justice), Catling makes me dream!
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Thanks, Robin. Catling is going to have a tough time of it. That eye will be her bane and her salvation – at the same time. 🙂 Thanks for reading!
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Shame, this poor child, at her young age stashing coins and treasures and already thinking of a ride with a Ferry to the sea!
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Thanks for reading, Lynne. 🙂 Things are going to get a whole lot worse for the dear little thing. BTW – we have your broccoli salad at least once a week and I have to make extra so my husband can take it to work the next day. At the moment, we are addicted!
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I like her secret stashes all over the warrens (and wonder what she has squirreled away along with the water dragon) A child perhaps but she has dreams and plans already of “riding a ferry to the sea.” An interesting choice
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Thanks, yes, she has dreams and is quite resourceful. It will all come to naught! The poor kid. Thanks so much for reading 🙂 Have a great week.
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This really drew me in! Lovely descriptions, and I’m interested to learn more about this world and its characters. 🙂
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Thanks so much for visiting and commenting. I’ll be putting out snippets on and off through the year, and hopefully continue to intrigue! Have a wonderful week and happy writing!
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I really like this and it made me see everything right in front of my eyes! As always took me away!
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Thank you, Lynn. You are always so kind with your comments. Thanks for stopping by and have a lovely week 🙂
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you too! xx
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You captured the thoughts of a six-year-old perfectly. And what six-year-old doesn’t appreciate a meat tart to accompany a family outing to the gallows?
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Ha ha. LOL. Yep, have a snack and catch a couple neck-stretchers. My books are so cheery 😀
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You stole my thoughts.
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Thanks, Erik 🙂 Lovely to see your name pop up!
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Carling is a character after my own heart, Diana, looking forward to her adventures and my joining her in spirit.
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Thank you so much for the comment. She had spirit that will be sorely tested. My poor characters. 🙂
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Very descriptive and intriguing Diana. Is the part about her someday going out to sea a bit of foreshadowing?
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A bit. She does end up there, but it’s more of a world-building comment here. In about two pages all hell breaks loose as she discovers the power of her marked eye 🙂 Thanks so much for reading. Have a lovely week!
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That sounds quite intriguing indeed. I hope you have a lovely week also!
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I talked to a young man (30s) yesterday who I know through a business connection. Found out he loves to read fantasy. Guess which book(s) I recommended to him! I hope he gets one of your books – your writing is outstanding.
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Oh, that’s so sweet of you! ❤ Word of mouth is supposed to be the best way to get read 🙂 Thank you, thank you. You made my day!
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Ohhhhhhh I like this a lot. You have such a power for description it’s amazing
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You are too cute. Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it. Have a great week. Happy Writing!
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I was able to see that red halo, and the bruised eye.
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Thanks so much for reading, Robert. It’s fun to toss these out there and see if I’m on the right track 🙂 Have a wonderful Sunday, my friend
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Very mysterious intrigue here Diana. And now we must know what the ‘red halo’ is from. 🙂
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Thanks for reading, Debby. It’s fun sharing these little pieces. The series is still about a year away! Lots of work to do before then. Hope you are having a serene weekend.
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Thanks Diana. And although it may be a year away, there’s no time like the present to stimulate a reader’s appetite! 🙂
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Diana, You drew me right in. I already am interested in Catling and what the birthmark indicates and why she is not happy with it.
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Thanks so much for the comment, Bernadette. I’m glad I hooked you 😀 Hope your weekend is full of sunshine!
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I love this! I am patiently awaiting for the finished work! D.
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Oh, I’m so sorry to keep you waiting! But I love the comment, of course. Hope your weekend is full of sunshine 😀
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This is a marvelous introduction, Diana. I could see the market and hear the sounds of it so clearly. Keep it going. Great WIP. Huge hugs.
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Thanks, Teagan. Hugs to you too. Happy Writing!
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Beautiful writing. The descriptions took me right there. I love this.
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Thanks so much for reading and commenting 🙂 I’m thrilled that you enjoyed it! Hope your weekend is wonderful.
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Ooooh fascinating! I want to know more about her. Sounds very medieval. You describe the seedier side of it so well! Carys was born with a huge pink birthmark above her left eye that grew so big and hung over her eye she had to have it surgically removed for fear of losing her sight. 4 hours it took and she was only 4 months old. So I can understand the impact it would have on a little girl in those ancient times, when everyone was so filled with superstition and fear of God and the devil. A very interesting premise for a character and a story. Looking forward to more! 😊
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And of course now I understand the title.
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Thanks, Ali. Poor little Carys going through that as a baby. I’m always amazed how resilient children are and how they find joy and smiles despite the challenges in their little lives. That’s one of the reasons I chose to work professionally with the under-5 crowd. Catling’s eye is going to have a significant impact on her life (it’s the source of her unique magic, a magic she does not want). Thanks for reading.Hope your weekend is wonderful!
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Great descriptions and flow. I learn a lot from you.
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Thank you, Pam, for the sweet compliment. I have to be careful about too much description in my writing and may pare this down a bit more than I already have. I too am always trying to learn this craft 🙂 Have a lovely weekend, my friend.
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In an era of bare bones formula writing styles, I find your descriptions refreshing. When I read for fun, I want to be slowed down a bit and enjoy the details. You also, enjoy your weekend.
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I’d be interested to see the further paring down of this, since it felt pretty “ready” to me. The basics haven’t changed: the key is whether every part included serves to further character, setting or plot in a way that would lack without it; and through that lens, I have trouble imagining what you’d cut.
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I cut a bit before posting, Erik. It’s interesting how much closer I look at 500 words when they stand alone, as opposed to being part of a larger section. I love detail, Erik, so I do have to be conscious of over-describing. Instead of more details, I’m training myself to use the right ones 🙂
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Very atmospheric and the chapter sets the scene of a strange land from the POV of a sweet little girl, Catling, with a halo on her face. Good page turner and great writing. 🙂
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I was hoping the hints of the fantasy world would intrigue a bit. And I don’t usually write from a child’s pov, so I appreciate the compliment! Thanks fo much for reading and have a lovely weekend 🙂
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Have a wonderful weekend, too, Diana. 🙂
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Wonderful, Diana! You have a way of bringing it all to life, the bustle of the crowd, the aromas from the merchants’ displays. “She was rich and someday she’d collect them in a sack and ride a ferry to the sea.” I love that line… it struck me as such an authentic thing for a child to wish for.
And “preachers traded promises for prayers”… simply terrific.
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Thanks so much, Steven. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Of course she’s far from rich, and it’s going to a long time before she sees the sea. Have a wonderful weekend, my friend. Happy Writing.
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And to you as well. 🙂
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Your writing style is just exquisite, Diana!
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Thanks Kathryn 🙂 You’re making me smile! Have a great weekend!
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You too! xo
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Great opening, Diana. Good artwork, too: Is it something you had commissioned for the book?
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Thanks Sean. I did the composite image on MS Word using Pixabay free images. It’s not perfect, but it works. 🙂 Word actually has good image editing for the unskilled, like me. Pixabay is a great resource for images without strings. It’s the only image source I use for blogging now. Thanks for the visit and have a great weekend!
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Good to know about Pixabay! Have a great weekend yourself, Diana!
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First – I love her name, Catling 🙂 I’m glad she’s supposed to be a sweetie because it would be a shame to make her a baddie with a name like that 🙂
Looking forward to reading more about her in the future!
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Thanks, Joanne. I love coming up with names and once I’ve settled on one, I can’t change it… no more than I’d change a “real” person’s name. Glad you like it. Have a great weekend!
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You too 🙂
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Thank you for a peek into your new novel! Looking forward for the whole!
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Thank you, Elisabet. It will be a while, but getting there. I’ll post a few more snippets through the year 🙂 Have a great weekend!
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May you do also!
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Sounds so intriguing, Diana. Love the rose birthmark. Wish you lots of progress and continued joy in writing it! 🙂
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I like having characters that aren’t all drop dead gorgeous. It makes their stories more interesting sometimes. And the birthmark plays a role in the story. Thanks for reading, Kelly. Have a peaceful poetic weekend 🙂
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Great point – I know I get sick of flowing tresses and chiseled jaws! lol!
Thanks, Diana!
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And long eyelashes. LOL
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A good introduction with a likeable character.
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Thank you. She’s a sweetheart and is forced to grow up quick! Have a lovely weekend and happy writing!
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Thanks. You too.
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A well written opening and introduction to what seems (so far) to be a sweet girl. You draw the reader in.
xxx Hugs Galore xxx
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Thanks, David. She is sweet, but life is definitely not going to be easy. 🙂 Thanks for reading and commenting, my friend!
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A great opening, Diana. It’s so obvious that you’re having fun with this one. 💖 Your descriptive ability…amazing.
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Thanks, Van. I am enjoying this one. But I enjoy them all – I could sit in my chair 12 hours a day! Well… with a few breaks 🙂
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What a fascinating start. And I agree with everyone else, the descriptions are stellar and the story draws one in. Stay strong and keep writing!!!!!
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Thanks so much for cheering me on. I couldn’t stop writing if I wanted to 🙂 Have a great weekend!
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You too!!!!
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What a great opening scene, Diana! Great atmosphere, and a great introduction to Catling. I can imagine she’s going to embark on an interesting journey. Keep writing! Next year will be here before you know it (I’ve first-hand experience OMG it’s almost May, and I wanted to have another revision of my WIP done) 🙂
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I keep telling myself, “I just need to get this finished or get through that, or polish off what’s on my plate, and THEN I’ll take a break and slow my pace. But I never seem to get to that point! I figure you can relate, Julie. It feels like a constant mad dash. Good thing it’s so much fun!
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Compellingly atmospheric! Great detail.
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Thank you, Philippa. I haven’t paid any attention to this book for a few months and I miss working on it. It was fun to post today. Hope you are well and have a great day, my friend.
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I think I have fixed the settings to take you with all click-speed to my new site. Grateful if you get a moment to confirm?
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Ta da! Success. It worked. Hopefully, your visits will go up 🙂
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Thanks a million. They might go up from 5 to ? 8 I am redesigning everything having been through a programme to show me how to align me with my shop front, with a bucket of ‘integrity’. Is integrity so amenable to containment, and prolific exposition? Not sure meself!
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Now it will be easier to see what you’re up to 😀
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Great descriptions, Diana, as I always expect from you. These are fascinating characters. It sounds like your WIP is well along. 🙂 — Suzanne
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I wish it was well along, Suzanne. It’s a 4-book series and I’m only about 1/3 into it. I’m thinking early 2017, if I’m lucky. Sigh. Mired in editing right now as I republish my books. (But loving every minute of it). Have a wonderful day, my friend. 🙂
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* sigh *? It’s all relative, for sure! I think most people would be shouting from the rooftops if they thought they’d be completing a four-book series less than a year from now.
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Oh, the pressure! Ha ha. I will try. Otherwise I’m going to run out of characters for snippets!
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You have a nice eye for detail. Certainly makes me curious to read more…
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Thanks for reading, Frank. I have to be careful about that detail – to not load up and bog down my prose. I’m getting better with a hachet, but it’s still something I need to be careful of. This will probably slim down a little before I’m done. 🙂 Happy Writing.
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I can’t wait, Diana. Another world to explore in your writing!
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Thanks, Noelle. my goal is early 2017 as it’s part of a 4 book series and I’ll put them all out at the same time. That seems far away and right around the corner! Yikes. Happy Writing, my friend.
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The “ugly red halo” on her face says there is so much to come. The image shows what looks like a rose around her eye, and above we read she was afraid of a swat. We want to know why, of course. 🙂 Nice!
I’m glad you have your blog back. I like the background.
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Thanks, Mary. My artwork isn’t ideal, but yes, in the book, the birthmark is supposed to look a little like a splotchy rose. I’ve just been editing for a few months and can’t wait to get back to writing this story 🙂
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Sumptuous writing ❤
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Thanks, Al. It was a pleasure to post without all the internet issues popping up. 🙂 I’ll be over soon for a dose of zombie poetry.
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Diana, once again within a few words you’ve transported me into another mysterious world. This is a wonderful introduction to Catling (oh, how I love the names of your characters!). Your writing is detailed, beautifully nuanced and confident. I have a feeling this start will turn to the darker matters soon…there is the title after all to consider – ‘Hanging Day’.
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Thank you, Annika. Hanging Day is rather festive in this city at this point and of course it turns darker. 🙂 Thanks for reading and have a wonder day (without any hangings!).
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Enchanting! You had me with the water dragon!
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Oh good. It’s still in progress and I was tweaking it until I posted it, but it’s getting close. Thanks for reading 🙂
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