Friday Snippet – Gabrielle

Another Snippet from my novella – Gabrielle. I’m currently planning another novella for Faith’s back story. Be warned this is a first draft so it’s rough!

~*~

A shadow fell across the alley entrance and Gabrielle glanced up. The Hypatian guard had removed his helm and red cloak, revealing the bronze and leather armour underneath. Gabrielle stood up and turned to face him as he took several steps into the alley. The guard’s hair, like all guards, was tightly cropped and his chin shaven. His face was pot marked and rough, as if he’d seen too many fights. The silver tail of an old scar lined his jaw.

“The usual?” Gabrielle asked. The guard nodded.  Gabrielle rummaged in her satchel for the cloth pouch and slipped into it, the guard’s usual amount. She held her hand out and the guard reached out, as if he could not come within two stepped of her, lest he catch her disease of being poor. He dropped ten coins into her palm and Gabrielle checked the amount.

The boss had taught her how to count money. A skill she needed, and was grateful for having, even though it reminded her of what she would never have. She slipped the coins into her satchel and gave the guard his parcel.

The man nodded his thanks and returned to his post.

~*~

Thanks for reading!