Early finish
Nov. 3rd, 2011 10:07 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
elingregoryI've deliberately knocked off early tonight because a] I want a cuppa and b] I've reached one of those points where it needs a break a chapter end, sort of.
It's been a heck of a day. I normally manage 1000 words before I leave for work in the morning [between 6 and 8 is my favourite time for writing] but today I had only done 600 when I got a call to say that Mum's alarm was going. I shot down there to see how she was, only to find that she had left the key in the lock so i couldn't get in. I had to do some burglary next door [the house is empty] and clamber over the fence before I could find her - still in bed with the tv on and unaware that the alarm had been triggered, probably by a cat. She was fine but by the time I had done that and calmed her down and apologised to the neighbours, writing was the last thing on my mind.
Yes I know. Professionals soldier on, don't they?
Anyhow:
And here's a snippet:
Cynfal could see the royal party if he turned his head. “So, who should I watch out for?”
Aeddan snorted. “Hyfaidd’ll get us all killed. Since his brother was crippled he’s been the apple of the old man’s eye. Can do no wrong, can Hyfaidd. He has his own companions, every one a prince, and he thinks he’s another Arthur. That bastard Moried is one of them. He’s a troublemaker from over by Caerluel. If they were in charge we’d be gutted but lucky for us there’s Ceredig. See – bushy brown beard – he’s got a head on those big shoulders. He won’t waste lives needlessly. Tudfwlch – where is he? Not here tonight. I’ll point him out another time. He leads the second troop. They are all high born too. Oh, every family in the land has sent us a spare but a few heirs have turned up as well.”
“And Cynon?” Cadfal asked. “he seems decent enough but ...?”
“A cool head on young shoulders despite being a king.” Aeddan pronounced judgement. “Well, when I say king, I mean he has a patch of good land to call his own, men to work it and more than one pony. That’s all it takes in some places up here. Not like with you soft southerners. Anyhow, when they were arguing over who would lead what, he got in quick and asked specifically for us. The old ones, the mad ones, the scruffy ones who’ve hiked right across the country, the ones with that look in their eye that means they can’t be relied on in anything other than a fight. He’s brave enough but knows we’re the boys who’ll get home safe if anyone will. What’s the use of loot if there’s no chance of spending it? Also, with the brightest and best in the other two troops he knows that someone has to be there to stiffen their spines when the fire’s in the thatch and the blades are reeking. And a hairy old bastard with scars on his front is a better bet than a pretty lordling with silk on his back.”
Apologies for the funny names, but they are canonical. I'm trying to avoid the really tongue twisty ones.
Oh.My.God! Am I writing welsh elegaic poetry fan fic? That's a really distressing thought.
It's been a heck of a day. I normally manage 1000 words before I leave for work in the morning [between 6 and 8 is my favourite time for writing] but today I had only done 600 when I got a call to say that Mum's alarm was going. I shot down there to see how she was, only to find that she had left the key in the lock so i couldn't get in. I had to do some burglary next door [the house is empty] and clamber over the fence before I could find her - still in bed with the tv on and unaware that the alarm had been triggered, probably by a cat. She was fine but by the time I had done that and calmed her down and apologised to the neighbours, writing was the last thing on my mind.
Yes I know. Professionals soldier on, don't they?
Anyhow:
And here's a snippet:
Cynfal could see the royal party if he turned his head. “So, who should I watch out for?”
Aeddan snorted. “Hyfaidd’ll get us all killed. Since his brother was crippled he’s been the apple of the old man’s eye. Can do no wrong, can Hyfaidd. He has his own companions, every one a prince, and he thinks he’s another Arthur. That bastard Moried is one of them. He’s a troublemaker from over by Caerluel. If they were in charge we’d be gutted but lucky for us there’s Ceredig. See – bushy brown beard – he’s got a head on those big shoulders. He won’t waste lives needlessly. Tudfwlch – where is he? Not here tonight. I’ll point him out another time. He leads the second troop. They are all high born too. Oh, every family in the land has sent us a spare but a few heirs have turned up as well.”
“And Cynon?” Cadfal asked. “he seems decent enough but ...?”
“A cool head on young shoulders despite being a king.” Aeddan pronounced judgement. “Well, when I say king, I mean he has a patch of good land to call his own, men to work it and more than one pony. That’s all it takes in some places up here. Not like with you soft southerners. Anyhow, when they were arguing over who would lead what, he got in quick and asked specifically for us. The old ones, the mad ones, the scruffy ones who’ve hiked right across the country, the ones with that look in their eye that means they can’t be relied on in anything other than a fight. He’s brave enough but knows we’re the boys who’ll get home safe if anyone will. What’s the use of loot if there’s no chance of spending it? Also, with the brightest and best in the other two troops he knows that someone has to be there to stiffen their spines when the fire’s in the thatch and the blades are reeking. And a hairy old bastard with scars on his front is a better bet than a pretty lordling with silk on his back.”
Apologies for the funny names, but they are canonical. I'm trying to avoid the really tongue twisty ones.
Oh.My.God! Am I writing welsh elegaic poetry fan fic? That's a really distressing thought.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2011-11-03 11:00 pm (UTC)What? WHAT? Seems perfectly sensible to me!
Love this bit btw. It seems right. Shades of The Tain here as well as the source btw.
no subject
Date: 2011-11-05 11:34 am (UTC)I'm having fun with Aeddan and am getting worried that he's more interesting than either of the protagonists. :D
no subject
Date: 2011-11-04 08:02 am (UTC)The snippet is brilliant, and I'm all in favour of elegiac poetry fan fic!
no subject
Date: 2011-11-05 11:48 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-11-04 01:45 pm (UTC)It reads very true to the period. I especially like this line:
"Well, when I say king, I mean he has a patch of good land to call his own, men to work it and more than one pony."
no subject
Date: 2011-11-05 11:49 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-11-05 10:05 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-11-05 11:50 am (UTC)