Here’s a wee bit of my newest release, available today at Loose ID. Can you tell I’m a Pratchett/Zelazney fan?
“Please turn around, slowly.” Sir Andrew circled a gnarled finger in the air. Rita’s cheeks flamed, and she bit back a curse as she turned.
“Who do you think you are, old man?” Rita mumbled to herself. But she knew of the legendary knight, as did everyone in the kingdom; he was the last of a valiant, dying breed.
Rita bit back a retort and glanced up to concentrate on the colorful pennants flapping in the breeze against a brilliant blue sky. She wouldn’t dare look into the crowd of mostly men. One occasionally called out a crude comment.
“Tell her to bend over a bit,” one yelled out, and chuckling erupted. Pulling up the bodice of her dress to cover more of her bosom, Rita clenched her teeth and fixed her gaze on the castle.
“Now turn back around.”
The three men behind the oak table chatted quietly and sat back, evidently satisfied with their decision.
“Well? The rear view… Is it quite satisfactory?” Rita heard the sharp challenge in her voice, despairing that she hadn’t yet acquired the ability to keep her mouth shut for more than a minute at a time.
The youngest of the three knights smiled briefly and whispered something into his companion’s ear. Rita thought the older of the two look-alikes must be Sir Thomas. But she couldn’t pull her gaze away from the youngest knight, Sir Geoffrey.
Although Rita knew the contestants should show some decorum, she had lost already, and she certainly was not going to let the legendary Sir Andrew or the handsome brothers intimidate her. (more…)
