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The Rose Shield – Whitt

Whitt

The Rose Shield is my current WIP.  I’ve introduced a couple characters with a bit of a snippet: Raker (Here) and my main character Catling (Here). Whitt is Catling’s adopted brother. When his search for her fails, this is where he ends up…

A Snippet of Whitt

Whitt crouched at the water’s edge where tangled roots rose in smooth arches, tall and wide as doorways. He’d wrapped his feet and shins in camgras cloth to discourage leeches and protect his skin from curious razorgills. There were fiercer predators in the swamp, though less stealthy and readily avoided.

Sheer veils of fog drifted above the water. He shifted his weight, spear comfortable in his grip and poised to thrust. Though the Kull Sea lay hundreds of leagues south, its tides altered the waterways in Ava-Grea’s swamps no less than the Fangwold snowmelt. Nearly two years after entering the world of the Fenfolk, Whitt navigated the changing landscape with minimal need to drag his raft through the mud.

A pair of reptilian nostrils peeked from the luminescence, two black holes in a sheet of liquid light. Fire-winged blackbirds shrilled warnings through the vaulted branches. Whitt needed to cross the waterway, and the crajek epitomized patience, content to wait a week for a human meal.

With his free hand, he unhooked the snared river rats from his belt. He’d caught the scaled rodents for supper, but at this point, his need to cross the channel outweighed his hunger. Holding the end of the lead, he dipped them in the water not far from his perch and dragged them from side to side. Razorgills surfaced from below and nibbled at the dead flesh. The lethargic crajek sank from sight, a good sign.

He braced himself in the roots, eyes peeled for movement in the channel around the rats. Waterspiders skimmed the surface. The razorgills flashed and fled as the dark shape neared. Whitt licked his lips, steadied, and when the crajek snapped, he rammed the spear’s sharpened point into the rear of the spiked head. The animal whipped around, dislodging the weapon. Jaws still clamped on the rats, it dove, yanking the lead in Whitt’s hand and ripping him from his roost. He splashed into the water up to his knees and froze. The line floated, slack. His spear cocked at his shoulder, he searched for ripples or bubbles, anything to indicate the creature’s location.

At the center of the channel, two wide-set nostrils surfaced, a second larger monster. Whitt retreated a step. The water erupted at his side as a set of jagged teeth gaped and the first crajek leapt at his leg. Whitt slammed the spear into its head. The point scraped over the thick skull and sank through its eye. Splashing backward, he yanked the spear from the body, without any idea where the second creature had gone.

“Foul!” He tripped blindly on the tree’s roots and fell on his ass through an arched gap. His feet flipped out of the water as the second crajek burst from the swamp and clamped its steel jaws on a flailing razorgill. Whitt crabbed backward as the crajek chewed on the spiny fish no more than a foot from his right toes.

The creature ogled him as if contemplating his next course.

(Spring 2017 – I hope)

102 thoughts on “The Rose Shield – Whitt”

  1. Steph McCoy says:
    November 3, 2016 at 9:23 am

    Spring 2017? I hope so too, the build up is more than I can stand. Great stuff.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. The Rose Shield – Vianne | Myths of the Mirror says:
    November 1, 2016 at 5:05 am

    […] 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 Gannon, captive in the belly of the Wandering […]

    Like

  3. AUTHORS: The Rose Shield – Gannon | Ace Sales & Authors News says:
    August 3, 2016 at 12:38 pm

    […] 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 […]

    Liked by 1 person

  4. The Rose Shield – Gannon | Myths of the Mirror says:
    July 28, 2016 at 4:59 am

    […] 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 […]

    Like

  5. Kristen says:
    June 10, 2016 at 8:02 am

    I could not refrain from commenting. Exceptionally well written!

    Liked by 1 person

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      June 17, 2016 at 8:06 am

      Thank you, Kristen. So sorry for the delay in replying. Somehow your comment ended up in my spam folder and I found you there this morning (you weren’t alone either). Glad you enjoyed the snippet! Have a great weekend.

      Like

  6. penneyvanderbilt says:
    June 7, 2016 at 9:06 am

    Reblogged this on Crazy Pasta Child.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Antonia says:
    June 7, 2016 at 8:37 am

    You are such a good writer Diana! Thank you for sharing!

    Liked by 2 people

  8. thelittlelai says:
    June 7, 2016 at 6:30 am

    Another well written piece from you Diana. Your words and how you convey your imagination always amazed me.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Bette A. Stevens says:
    June 7, 2016 at 5:16 am

    Wonderful snippet! 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  10. tedgiffin says:
    June 6, 2016 at 1:44 pm

    When I was a little kid, I used to spend a lot of my time, hiding away, reading Fantasy and Science Fiction. I want to let you know that your writings make me feel like that kid again. Thank!

    Liked by 2 people

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      June 6, 2016 at 2:39 pm

      What a great compliment, Ted. I’m so happy to hear that. I read a lot of this stuff as a kid too. It’s still an escape and an adventure, even for me as an adult. 🙂 Thanks for the visit, my friend.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Nicholas C. Rossis says:
    June 6, 2016 at 3:39 am

    Another Peach classic, by the looks of it 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  12. reocochran says:
    June 5, 2016 at 8:16 pm

    Oh dear, the crajek and razorgills, really scared me. Wearing a special kind of leather like cloth to make sure leeches don’t suck on Whitt’s ankles is another brilliant detail.
    Your alternative fantasy world is dangerous and you have to be on your toes to get through it alive, Diana! I like how he doesn’t just trip and fall prey, but he crabbed backwards. Even my grandies would enjoy this frightening adventure! 🙂
    Whitt joins his sister (through adoption), Catling and fellow warrior, Raker who all have fierce spirits.

    Liked by 2 people

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      June 6, 2016 at 7:33 am

      Thanks for reading, Robin. I’m glad I don’t have to go through the trials I put my characters through. I don’t know if I’d survive it! Have a lovely week, my friend 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      • reocochran says:
        June 8, 2016 at 5:11 pm

        I finally mid-week, have a chance to actually check all my friends’ blogs, D. I truly enjoy your newest story. Hope your week has been both fun and productive. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

        • D. Wallace Peach says:
          June 9, 2016 at 5:07 am

          Thanks, Robin. It’s hard to keep up with the blogs, isn’t it? Especially when grandchildren want some time. Thursdays are grammy days with the Overlord, so I wil be signing off soon. A fun priority. Have a wonderful day ❤

          Like

  13. noelleg44 says:
    June 5, 2016 at 7:35 pm

    Some snippet! Bring on the book!

    Liked by 2 people

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      June 6, 2016 at 7:31 am

      I’m trying! Ha ha. I can’t wait to get back to it after getting all my other books rereleased. Thanks for the visit, Noelle. Hope you have a wonderful week 🙂

      Like

  14. Mary J. McCoy-Dressel says:
    June 5, 2016 at 6:06 pm

    I enjoyed meeting Whitt in this exciting snippet, Diana. Happy writing!

    Liked by 2 people

  15. inesephoto says:
    June 5, 2016 at 10:14 am

    Love these snippets, love your Rose Shield!

    Liked by 2 people

  16. Nitin says:
    June 5, 2016 at 10:03 am

    really nice Diana. And thank you for sharing these snippets. these give an insight into a writer’s mind. really helps. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  17. Annika Perry says:
    June 5, 2016 at 3:39 am

    Diana, as always you bring the reader straight into the story. I hope
    Whitt is okay and not the next dinner course! Love your writing, so physical and immediately and great inventive names too.

    Liked by 2 people

  18. Marje @ Kyrosmagica says:
    June 5, 2016 at 3:05 am

    Excellent piece of writing certainly makes you want to read more..

    Liked by 2 people

  19. dgkaye says:
    June 4, 2016 at 6:58 pm

    Your writing is so eloquent Diana. I may have mentioned something to that effect in my review of the Sorcerer’s Garden. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  20. Robert Matthew Goldstein says:
    June 4, 2016 at 11:46 am

    I love the detail. as with all good writing it left me wanting more.

    Liked by 2 people

  21. Heena Rathore P. says:
    June 4, 2016 at 11:36 am

    Love it! Great imagery, characterization and superb detailing! Hugs 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  22. Teagan Geneviene says:
    June 4, 2016 at 9:45 am

    Well done, Diana! I had to put my feet up on my sofa, to get them out of the “water.” 😀 Thanks for sharing this with us. Mega hugs!

    Liked by 2 people

  23. Ali Isaac says:
    June 4, 2016 at 9:10 am

    Sigh! Such stunning writing… as ever! It’s a treat for the senses and amazing imagery. I cant wait to read it! I’ll beta for you if you dont already have a team lined up. 😁

    Liked by 3 people

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      June 4, 2016 at 9:13 am

      I would love that Ali 🙂 And the reciprocal is true too. I’d love to have a couple fantasy writers to trade with and your writing is top quality. Yay!!!! ❤

      Like

  24. lynne hoareau says:
    June 4, 2016 at 7:50 am

    I love the way you write Diana, so descriptive, so real 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  25. maryannniemczura says:
    June 4, 2016 at 7:19 am

    The flower close-up is stunning. Love the colors. The arms are reaching up and out awaiting the next visit from a bee or some such insect.

    Liked by 2 people

  26. Julie Holmes, author says:
    June 4, 2016 at 3:27 am

    Great excerpt, Diana! Another addition to my TBR list when it’s ready. Have a great weekend!

    Liked by 2 people

  27. heylookawriterfellow says:
    June 3, 2016 at 4:52 pm

    From now on, whenever I read a superb bit of writing, I shall call it a Whitt Snippett.

    Liked by 2 people

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      June 3, 2016 at 6:18 pm

      Thanks, Mike 😀 😀 Thought I’d throw out a bit of an action scene and this one is pretty fun – well, maybe not for Whitt, but for the rest of us! Hope you have a fun weekend without any leeches and crajeks 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  28. C.E.Robinson says:
    June 3, 2016 at 1:11 pm

    Wow, Diana! Love the vivid description and new words! Look forward to more! Happy Writing! 💛 Elizabeth

    Liked by 2 people

  29. anotherfoodieblogger says:
    June 3, 2016 at 12:47 pm

    I loved the suspenseful segment you shared with us! You left us hanging from a cliff, lol!

    Liked by 2 people

  30. balroop2013 says:
    June 3, 2016 at 11:29 am

    Interesting! I would like to know why Whitt is trapped in this swamp and how long would his scary adventure last… hope he comes out alive.

    Liked by 2 people

  31. sonshinegreene says:
    June 3, 2016 at 9:56 am

    I like that “I hope” on the release date. Helps remind people that even with deadlines, writing can be a fickle thing.

    Liked by 2 people

  32. Kev says:
    June 3, 2016 at 9:10 am

    Excellent! I love the way you pull me in with clear imagery. ☺

    Liked by 2 people

  33. babbitman says:
    June 3, 2016 at 8:29 am

    Can’t wait! I’m just approaching the finale of The Melding of Aeris, so the sooner you can get these out to me the better!
    😉

    Liked by 2 people

  34. Bernadette says:
    June 3, 2016 at 8:08 am

    You have an amazingly creative mind and if vivid imagination. Can’t wait to read more.

    Liked by 2 people

  35. roughwighting says:
    June 3, 2016 at 7:24 am

    As always, your writing is sharp yet descriptive, detailed yet emotional. Excellent.

    Liked by 2 people

  36. Heartafire says:
    June 3, 2016 at 7:16 am

    marvelous “Fire-winged blackbirds ” brilliant.

    Liked by 1 person

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      June 17, 2016 at 8:12 am

      Hi, Holly, I found you in my spam folder…along with a bunch of other comments! Thanks so much for reading and commenting and I apologize for the late reply. Ugh. Have a lovely weekend 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      • Heartafire says:
        June 17, 2016 at 8:18 am

        thank you for retrieving me D. I was landing in spam for a couple of weeks, WP finally got it straightened out for me. It was frustrating, I had so much to say 🙂 xx

        Liked by 1 person

  37. Richard Ankers says:
    June 3, 2016 at 7:08 am

    That’s an attention grabber 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  38. thelonelyauthorblog says:
    June 3, 2016 at 6:39 am

    Excellent. A promising start. Definitely an attention grabber.

    Liked by 2 people

  39. Lynz Real Cooking says:
    June 3, 2016 at 5:55 am

    This is so gripping! I was holding my breath!

    Liked by 2 people

  40. Steven Baird says:
    June 3, 2016 at 5:49 am

    Oh my!

    Liked by 2 people

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