I just finished reading "City of a Thousand Dolls" by Miriam Forster. Ms. Forster is going to be speaking at the writing conference I'm attending on Saturday. Last year I just went to the conference, and I wish I'd known more about the people speaking.
(Don't get me wrong, it was fantastic - I just wish I'd realized how awed I ought to have been in the presence of those amazing authors. It wasn't until I came home and actually read their work that I started thinking to myself, "Oh, my goodness, I sat in the same room as them! I shook his hand! I talked to her! She told me I reminded her of her daughter and gave me a hug!!! And I didn't appreciate it!!!)
So, this year I wanted to be prepared. "City of a Thousand Dolls" is Miriam Forster's debut novel, and can I just say, "Wow!" I was a little apprehensive because I'd read some reviews of the book that were just awful. I went to the bookstore and read the first chapter, to see if I got the same vibe as the critics were talking about, but I didn't. So, I bought it and pretty much devoured it over the next two days. It was that good.
Sorry, I'm getting sidetracked ... the prompt this week is inspired by an idea I got while reading the book.
The Prompt: What if the king's new bride has been trained as an assasin? A string of murders makes the king fear for the life of his new wife, but little does he know, she's the murderer.
Write me a first chapter, something in the middle, the exciting, climatic scene where the king realizes his precious new bride is the ruthless killer, or maybe even one of the murder scenes. Be creative. Have fun!
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"What happened?" Reginald the Third asked, his voice low. "Emilia was so upset, I could barely get a word out of her."
"Yes, Sir. Her majesty heard a scuffling in the passageway and rang for help. The kitchen servant came upon the body as she went to answer the bell," the gaunt steward answered. It was hours before dawn, yet he wore his uniform, starched and pressed as if ready to oversee a royal function. The king himself wore only a robe over his nightclothes and a pair of velvet slippers.
"They found the body, but not the murderer?" Reginal asked, stepping closer. He had to stoop in the small passageway meant for servants. Only twenty feet away, where the passage met the chambers of his new young bride, a thick tapestry covered the arched doorway. On this side, the thin, broken body of his wife's servant, the only friend she'd brought with her from her own nation, lay bloody and battered. Dead.
"How was she killed?" Reginal whispered.
"She's been stabbed in the back. The doctor has been called to examine the body, but for now, that's all we know," the steward offered.
"Poor Isla. She certainly saved Emilia's life tonight."
The steward nodded solemly. "Yes, sir, she did."
The king straightened, then flinched as his hair brushed the low ceiling. He ducked again. "I'm going back to Emilia. Double the guard around my chambers tonight and make sure this is all cleaned up as soon as possible after the doctor has a chance to see it. Have Commander Robbins meet me first thing this morning. Palace security needs to be increased. Someone is threatening the life of my bride."
"How could you do it?" This king's voice echoed through out in their vast stone throne room, and the sting on his tongue advertised his broken heart. His bride, once radiant in his sight now seemed as evil as a devil could. But he could hardly believe it.
ReplyDeleteWith her hands secured behind her back by the Lieutenant's strong grip, the queen held her head erect and stared at the stain glassed window, an image of a saint holding a scepter in one hand and a book in the other. Her eye lids twitched and tear began to pool there.
"Answer, you witch!" The Captain slapped her face so hard that the Lieutenant had the brace himself as the queen's body reacted. The King winced and held his breath for a moment.
"Enough," he whispered. "I have no choice. This must be done."
He raised his hand and reluctantly signaled in the guards. They came marching in.
"Not an hour ago you were my love, " said the King sadly to the woman standing before him. "Now, you are my enemy. I can't help feeling this is not the right course, but as King, it is my duty to uphold the law."
He cleared his throat quietly and sat, waiting, hoping she would speak and contradict her accusers, but the room was silent.
"As an assassin of the King's servants, of your own servant, and an attempted assassin to the King's life, you are sentenced to immediate death."
"Guards." Without hesitation, twelve men obeyed the one word command from their superior officer, lined up facing the queen, drew their arrows, and cocked them in their bows.
The Lieutenant tied the queen's hands tightly and stepped aside. She made no attempt to escape. Her eyes closed.
The King turn his head and leaned it on his hand, then almost imperceptibly nodded. All the King heard was the twang of a dozen arrows being loosed, and all he saw was a drop of blood falling next to a single tear.
....
A hooded figure fell the last ten feet from the wall and crept through the castle garden. The Captain's voice had been loud enough to hear, as well as the twang of many arrows being loosed.
"No!" whispered the figure. She was only supposed to have been a diversion, and now...There was no time. It was far too late to turn back. This had to be seen through or death would be the outcome.
The figure moved quickly and silently until garden, castle wall, and city were well behind. At the top of the city wall, the figure stopped for a moment and looked at the glowing windows of the castle. Beyond the wall was a long, hard journey ahead through the desert. The castle had been comfortable and welcoming, almost like a friend, and the King...she hadn't expected him to be so kind, so loving. A tear mimicked that of her sister's.
"Good-bye, my dearest, "she said to her twin. "If I succeed, you will not have died in vain."
Twins!!! I love it!
Delete"City of a Thousand Dolls" is an exciting debut novel with a magical, exciting setting that drops you right in the middle of the Bhinian Empire. While the characters weren't as unique and engaging as they could've been, the compelling plot doesn't let you down. I'd definitely give this novel a go--you might find yourself falling under its spell!
ReplyDeleteMarlene
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