Snippets of August

Below are some snippets from my current secret project:


     William shook his head, mumbling to himself.  He was not sure what he had expected from his father’s return, but this boisterous man before him was not it. 

***

     “Prince William?” Peter called, lifting his torch to see his master.  “So God has seen fit to bring you both back to us in one piece, eh?”

***

     ...And William awoke in a sweat.  He drew a shaky breath, silently cursing his father for ruining his dreams with his return.  Then he raised his head from the pillow and looked about him, hoping that the sight of reality would drive his dream into oblivion.

***

     The prince raised his hand, pointing an angry finger toward Decellus.  “You think you have beaten me, but I will outsmart you yet!” he threatened.

     Decellus smiled, his eyes crinkling up in amusement.  “Good,” he said.  “You do that.”

***

      “I always thought it was care for the people and support of her husband that were a queen’s first duties,” she argued, hating to think ill of Leramay’s queen that had died ten years before.

***

      She reached the bottom of the stairs and ran across the atrium. Yanking the door open, she cast one last spiteful glance up at the prince. “You are a dead man, William of Leramay,” she hissed.

***

     But superstitious minds fanned the sparks of impossibilities into a roaring flame of certainty.

***

     “You know I don’t believe that for an instant,” Taralia said.  “Others may be fooled but not I.  I know exactly what your cruel father has done, and we both know exactly how to reverse it.”

***
     William held his breath as he walked into the room.  After what he had done, he was sure to get a furious scolding, but Decellus only looked up and smiled.  It was the smile that surprised William.  It looked so contented and encouraging, and William was completely unprepared for it.