You’ve met a few characters from my WIP, The Rose Shield, which I’m delighted to say is back in play after 6 solid months of editing other books. Here are some links to previous excerpts:
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.
This is an intro to Gannon. He’s having a bad day.
Excerpt: The Rose Shield
Gannon woke in a cargo hold, his ankle manacled to an eyebolt in the rocking floor, his body weak as a feathered hatchling. He lay on his back, deep in a ship’s bowels, the vessel a seafaring hulk by the creaking and groaning as it smashed through the waves. Distant voices teased his ears along with a chorus of clanking metal and squabbling seawings.
The hold was dark, but not lightless. Crates and rough sacks crammed timber berths, strapped down with camgras ropes. Oily barrels perched in wooden frames to keep them from rolling. He needed food and water, and he stank to the stars.
He’d been captive in a ship’s hold before. Memories of his torture after the ambush in Mur-Vallis flooded his head. Panic broke out on his skin in a lurid sweat, and his heart leapt into a gallop. “Gah! Help! Ah. Get me out of here! Help! Let me go!” He thrashed the chain, kicked at a convenient crate, and shouted until a hatch cracked open and a spear of sunlight nearly blinded him.
A sturdy woman with chopped hair and a pickaxe nose climbed down the ladder. A scar wrinkled her upper lip, and her eyes shone in the dim light like chips of flint. She wore a black bodice and leggings, snugly fit and bordering on transparent. For ease of movement, a slit parted the front of her calf-length skirt, and her wide belt sported an assortment of bone-handled blades, none of them friendly. Though older than he and far from beautiful, she exuded an alluring confidence.
She was also Cull Tarr; he was shackled in a Cull Tarr ship.
Her hand dropped to her hip and she held up a key. “I won the wager.”
“Unchain me,” he demanded and shook his leg, clanking the chain. “Get this thing off me.”
“You might be dangerous.” Her eyes narrowed, lips turned up in a mocking smile.
“You’re delusional if you think I can slay you all and seize the ship?”
“Probably so. Still, why risk it?”
His heartbeat slowed its pace, and he stopped rattling his irons. “I give you my oath.”
“Ellegeans break oaths. They broke faith with the Founders.” She considered the key. “However, I’ll accept your word. If you break it, I’ll slice you up and feed you to the sea.”
He didn’t doubt she would. She knelt by his ankle and unbolted the lock.
“What wager did you win?” he asked, rubbing his ankle.
“I gambled on your life.” She hung the key on a nail “We found a sack of poisons on your boat. The others figured you for dead. If you didn’t wake up today, we planned to toss you overboard.”
“I’m glad you won.” He sat up and almost fell over. “I need food and a bath.”
“I’ll feed and water you, and give you a bucket.” She stood up and offered him a hand. “Maybe a fresh pair of trousers. You stink like a grounder’s shithole.”
He grabbed her hand, grateful for the help and unsteady on his feet. The ship’s roll did nothing to pacify the queasy swill in his stomach. “My respects.” He held onto the corner of a crate and managed a crooked bow. “I’m Gannon.”
“No fancy little surname?”
He shook his head. “Just Gannon.”
“A pity.” She shrugged and swung toward the ladder. “I’d hoped to ransom you. We’ll talk when you smell better.”
“Who are you?” He staggered after her.
“Emer Tilkon of the Wandering Swan. Shipmaster to the likes of you.”
Myths of the Mirror 
Ack! Love this one, too! Fantastic characters. Well, done!
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Ha ha. Of course, I’m picking some fun scenes. Gannon ends up being a pretty colorful character. So glad you’re enjoying these. ❤
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I really am. I’m a huge fan of character-driven stories. That is not always the popular opinion but…it’s mine. 🙂
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I like character-driven stories too, Sarah. If a book doesn’t have great characters, I have a hard time engaging and usually don’t finish it.
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Diana you are so gifted. With each of these tantalizing bits I feel like I’m there. The sounds, sights and smells are so real through your descriptions.
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Thanks, Steph. I really appreciate you reading all these. It’s such a treat for me to hear that I’ve hooked you 🙂 I’ll try to get another couple snippets out before the book hits. ❤
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That would be wonderful. But I just left another comment on a post saying that I’m going to check out your other books as well. Yours is the second fantasy novels that I’ve found interesting.
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Awesome. Thank you 🙂 ❤
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[…] 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 […]
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[…] Original Article: https://mythsofthemirror.com/2016/07/28/the-rose-shield-gannon/ […]
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Captivating great wonderful read I loved it 🙂
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Thanks, Morgan. I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂 Have a lovely week!
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You too
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The character of Gannon seems like from a different clan. Unless I read them one after another, Diana, I tend to separate them.
**The idea of a woman, Emer, being a shipmaster, is so empowering!
Only, as I read this detailed description did I think about how the persons kept captive in a ship’s hold would stink, and why. I like that you clarified this; without actually describing the process.
The photo and its showing Gannon with trimmed hair and beard didn’t create the swarthy, unruly look your description and my image of him would portray. I really liked your newest piece of the WIP. 🙂
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I couldn’t find the perfect photo, Robin. The guy in the image is way too clean! Ha ha. I love how you pick up little things from the scene. There will be more to come 🙂 Have a wonderful week!
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I hold my breath thinking, “How dare you to make a constructive criticism, Robin!?” This is a master of writing who knows what she is doing. 🙂 You make the writing “fledglings” feel comfortable to comment, dear friend. ❤
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Oh goodness, Robin. Feel free to give constructive criticism! I’m just winging my way through this like everyone else and always eager for feedback. And you’re always so nice about it 🙂 ❤
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These two characters make an interesting duo 🙂 Love the intro, look forward to more!
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Thank you for the sweet comment, Inese. They’ll be more, about every 6 weeks or so (until I run out of characters!). Have a great week. 🙂
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You do know how to captivate a reader with your rich descriptions and intrigue Diana. I’d say Gannon’s day is likely to get worse. We’ll have to just read the book now! 🙂
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He is one of those people who attracts bad luck, and always manages to charm his way out of it 😀 Thanks for reading, Debby. Have a great week!
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You too Diana. 🙂
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I’m hooked! (And a little seasick…) 😳
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Oh good. Gannon’s sick in the next scene too 🙂 Have a great week, Pam.
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Powerful writing, Diana.
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Thanks so much for reading, Judith. Glad you enjoyed it 🙂 Have a lovely weekend!
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I did, Diana. Enjoy the rset of your weekend as well. Jx
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Oh my goodness — he is having a bad day! 😀 I really enjoy these tidbits, Diana. I love the title, the concept, the characters. Mega hugs.
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Thanks for the visit. He has a few bad years, to be honest, the poor guy. He’s going to knock heads with the shipmaster 🙂 Have a great weekend, my friend. Hugs!
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I really like this and want to know what happens! Always a pleasure to read! xx
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Thanks, Lynn. Oh, Gannon and the shipmaster bump heads for about a year before he gets off that ship! Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
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love it!
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Each time you share an extract with us Diana, you endear yourself to your readers, inspire and demonstrate how well you can create characters and dialogues! That also creates a natural pull towards your work. Love the clever play of words. Thank you dear friend for sharing. 🙂
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Your comments always bring a smile, Balroop. I’m so glad you enjoy these peeks into my books 🙂 Have a wondeful weekend, my friend!
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This is an excellent way to introduce your characters.
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Thanks for reading, Andrew. It’s a lot of fun and it gives a little structure to the snippets. Glad you enjoyed it 😀 Have a great weekend.
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Thanks. I tried to do that same months ago, but I didn’t do it nearly as well as you did. Have a great weekend.
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I am an awful blogger, who reads and likes… but doesn’t comment enough. As mentioned above, this is indeed lovely writing accompanied by an obviously very rich imagination – I do really mean that, and I’m sorry I don’t say it enough.
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No worries. I understand the challenge with commenting. Blogging is so time consuming it can get overwhelming and we all have to find our balance. Have a great weekend 😀
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Thank you, I hope you had a wonderful weekend, filled with love and inspiration 🙂
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Great intro to Gannon, Diana! Wonderful scene-setting, and I’m curious how things will go with the Shipmaster. She seems like one tough cookie, but I suspect she has a soft spot somewhere under that rough exterior. Thank you for sharing!
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They are going to have a tense relationship as Gannon is impressed into the crew. He’ll get his payback, though. 😀 😀 Thanks for reading, Julie. Happy Editing!
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Terrific writing, D. Very engaging!
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Thanks, Steven. It’s fun throwing these out there. Have a great weekend and happy writing 😀
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You too, my friend. 🙂
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That’s an intriguing little excerpt. Gannon is not having a good day, but from the sounds of it, it could have been a lot worse. She sounds like a fascinating character!
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Thanks for the visit, Ali. This is near the end of the first book. I get to develop the shipmaster further in the next two and I’m looking forward to it. She’s a bit cutthroat, but I’m not sure I’m going to kill her off. Maybe Gannon will get some payback. Writing is so fun! Have a great weekend my friend 🙂
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Sounds like the start of a great adventure for your character, Diana. He’s another good-looking guy. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Thanks for reading, Suzanne. I picture Gannon a little less rugged looking, but this picture wasn’t bad. It’s impossible to find the images that match those in our heads, but fun to try. Have a great weekend and happy writing. 🙂
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Tough enough to find a still to illustrate a character – imagine the struggles of casting directors trying to please both director and author for a moving version. On top of that, they have to be able to act!
Your writing is so filmic, my thoughts immediately turned to movies. Still behind in my neuroscience reads, I rarely have time for fiction these days — but I must admit you have me hooked. I’ll be back.
xx,
mgh
(Madelyn Griffith-Haynie – ADDandSoMuchMore dot com)
– ADD Coach Training Field founder; ADD Coaching co-founder –
“It takes a village to transform a world!”
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Thanks Madelyn. Funny you should say that since all I’m doing is writing down the film that flickering through my head! 😀 I’m glad you’re hooked. Have a wonderful weekend!
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You too. I spend most of my summer weekends indoors, praying for the relief of autumn and eager for the snow I’ll be yearning to be replaced by crocus blossoms 🙂 (I’ve always been convinced I have been snatched from a planet with a more temperate climate.)
Interesting to hear that you create filmically – it comes through in your writing style, obviously, as you pull us into the Movie in your Mind (a reference to a song title from a B’way show I saw but cannot name).
xx,
mgh
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That picture wasn’t bad at all. Unless a person is a sketch artist like the hostess of Friday Fictioneers,, Rochelle, it’s hard to get exactly what you want. You can come darn close, though. You and yours have a great weekend also. I know your writing is happy. 🙂 — Suzanne
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😀
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You’ve got my interest. 🙂
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Oh, thank you 🙂 This is part of a tetralogy, and if all goes well, I’ll release the whole shebang in March. I’m going to run out of characters by then! Thank for reading and happy writing 🙂
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How many is a tetralogy???
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That would be four books. Wow! 🙂
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Thanks Nick… from the Greek word for 4, I’m guessing. 😁
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It’s all Greek to me 🙂
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Haha!
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Ha ha ha!
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I thought it was called a quadrilogy until I looked it up. 😀
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Four. I know some experts suggest sticking with trilogies, but I can’t seem to do that. This is my second 4-book series. *Sigh* So much for following rules 😀
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I love the extracts you share with us. Wonderful writing ❤
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Thanks, Al. It’s all pure fun writing it and sharing it 🙂
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Beats “working” for a living! 🙂
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Love it. I could feel the ship, the waves and unfortunately smell Gannon…
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Ha ha ha. Yeah, four days chained in a hold is not good! Thanks for the laugh, Lisa. 🙂
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Your descriptive language is wonderful! “Stank to the stars,” “pickaxe nose…” Very well done!
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Thanks, Jane. I love playing with words and sounds. Glad it comes through. Hope you are enjoying mid-summer and getting plenty of play time. 🙂
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Not much play time….but enjoying the summer all the same ☺️
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D’s use of the language is absolutely wonderful, and one of the main reasons why I love her books!
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Awww. Thanks so much for the great comment, Nicholas. I’m having a love affair with words. Great fun. 🙂
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Diana, thank you again for sharing your artistry with us. My life is richer because of it. Your ability to describe so much in such a short space has opened my eyes to a world of sensitivity overlooked. Deep appreciation and admiration are yours.
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Thank you, Frank, for the lovely comment. The imagination is a pretty fun place to hang out 🙂 As George RR Martin says, “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one.” Happy Reading, my friend.
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Captivating! I love the colorful descriptions, too. 🙂
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Thanks for reading, Kathryn. I like all my characters, but Gannon is a favorite – always getting himself into trouble while trying to do the right thing 🙂 Have a wonderful day.
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Lovely piece Diana! One of my favorites: “bone-handled blades, none of them friendly.”
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Thanks so much for reading. The Shipmaster is one tough cookie 🙂 Have a lovely day and enjoy some sunshine!
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Thank you, you too 😀
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This is truly wonderful writing D!
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Thanks, Holly. You are sweet to say so:-) Happy poeting, my friend. ❤
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Just speaking the truth D, amazing and entertaining, beautifully eloquent, bravo!!<3
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Shipmaster…from a Wordmaster. ☺
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Ha ha. Thanks, Van. So glad you liked it. Have a wonderful day, my dear. 🙂
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Diana, love the strong dialogue, and the vivid description. It’s as if I’m there! 💛 Elizabeth
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Thank you for the lovely comment, Elizabeth. 🙂 You have me smiling this morning. ❤
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Love the strength in that last line, Diana. Makes the whole lot work great.
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Thanks, Richard. Poor Gannon is going to have a tough year with the Shipmaster 🙂 He’s pretty resilient no matter what I do to him, though. Happy Writing, my friend.
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And you 🙂
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