Welcome to Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday. Snippets of ten sentences or less are yours for the reading!
Today’s snippet comes from Book Two of The Black Wing Chronicles, quit asking me about a title!
This week’s snippet is the next few sentences that follow last weeks’ snippet in which Blade is still recovering from the hovercycle crash and he’s still on Kah Lahtrec. Tahar, the strange spiritual guru of the Lahtrecki people is still caring for him.
***
Chagrined to find himself so infirm that he’d need the help of a frail old man to get to his feet again, Blade swallowed his pride and carefully eased his aching body down onto the terrace across the fire pit from Tahar.
“Aren’t there supposed to be chairs or benches over here?” Taking a deep breath, Blade adjusted his immobilized leg, looking for a position that didn’t cause stabbing pain through his hips and back.
“I removed them.” Reflected firelight glittered in Tahar’s dark eyes. Shifting shadows danced across his face, playing chase in the deep grooves time had etched into his skin. His smile faded. His expression grew distant as he stared into the flames. Leaning forward, he studied them intently.
***
That’s the snippet for the week. Thank you for stopping by. Please take the time to visit the other wonderful authors taking part in Science Fiction/Fantasy Saturday!
Gotta Name My Blog 
I hope he didn’t remove them so Blade would have to sit on the floor – ouch! Great descriptions of the old man’s face,
Actually, he did. Tahar doesn’t believe one should sit on a chair near a fire. Thanks.
Sounds like someone’s about to get serious…I second the great descriptions, but through the entire scene so far.
Thank you. Tahar is about to have a heart-to-heart with him as only a sage old holy man can.
Now, why did he have the furniture removed? Maybe they just needed to be cleaned. 😉 I like the shadows playing chase phrase.
Mostly Tahar’s screwing with him. LOL!! The old guy has his own reasons for doing things and you really just have to go with it. Blade is never sure if Tahar is having a joke at his expense or trying to impart some great wisdom.
Thanks, I wrote this scene while camping. We spend a LOT of time around the fire.
I third that description!! He sounds like a wise old sage….with some foreboding news about to be dropped. Eeee….can’t wait!! 🙂
Thank you! 🙂 Foreboding… or just setting Blade straight on a few things. This is the start of Blade’s training to be a Lahtrecki priest, whether he wants it or not.
Blade…a priest… Right.
Think more Shaolin than Augustinian.
“Shifting shadows danced across his face, playing chase in the deep grooves time had etched into his skin.”
Beautiful prose, JC! The whole piece really sets the mood. Nice!
🙂 Heidi
Wow! Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!
Ack. It stopped. What is he going to say? You dragged me right in as always.
Spoilers… 😉