Sneak Peak! Broken Arrow, Page 59

I recently discovered this thing called the ‘Page Challenge’, where I select a random page number from my novel and post the contents of that page to see the impact that a single page can make on a potential reader. I have added my own personal touch to the challenge in the form of an illustration, in which I expanded my horizons and sketched a background… it’s up to you whether I succeeded or not.

And who knows? If y’all like it, I may do more of these challenges in the future!

So, here goes!

Illustration:

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Page 59 of Broken Arrow:

“What’s your name, then?” A note of spite is concealed in her falsely pleasant tone.

I blink, my mind suddenly blank.  I was not prepared for such a question.  In my memory, no one has ever asked me that.  “Uh,” I stammer, and I find myself flinching as I look up into her face.

She lifts a mocking eyebrow.  “You don’t know?”

“Yes.  Yes, of course I do.”  I pause, taking a gulp of air to clear my mind. “Ealdred.  My name is Ealdred.”

“I’m surprised that you have a name at all,” she remarks.  “Half-breeds normally don’t, you see.”

She says this as if I wouldn’t already know.

The flames in the incense burners flare slightly, and Bellator stiffens.  Inclining her head once more towards the dais, she starts back down the carpet toward the doors at the opposite end of the hall, telling me to follow her.

I steal one last glance at Zeldek, who is once again fully masked in shadows, before reluctantly turning to follow Bellator. I quickly fall in step with her gait. Each of her steps is quick and sharp, yet there is an uncanny sense of grace to her movements.

As we near the doors, they begin to open for us on their own. Bellator halts suddenly, and putting a rough hand on my shoulder, she jerks me from the carpet.  She draws aside as well, leaving space for the figures outlined in the doorway to step into the room.

*radio announcer voice* Who are the mysterious figures in the doorway, and will they pose a threat to our young hero? Find out next week in-

Ok, so we’re not going to find out next week. But you will if you buy my book when it comes out in three months or whenever I can get the Amazon pre-order page set up (shameless promotion here, don’t mind me.)

What do y’all think? Did I succeed with my background sketch? If I were to do the Page Challenge again, any page suggestions? (Remember, this is a spoiler free environment, so I’ll only choose suggestions that fit that criteria). Let me know in the comments!