Category: Excerpts

  • Man of War – Excerpt No. 83

    While viable, it was not worth the risk of going into Town. The townspeople would recognise him and would very likely report his arrival for fear of reprisal.

    So far, he had time and distance going for him. Whatever solution he found needed to increase his odds for survival. I need to add to the distance, which further reduces their chances of finding me

    “Merde!”

    Peasant whispering something to a guard in a dark alley of a town. Clothes and scene appropriate for 16th Century France.

    Disclaimer: This excerpt from Man of War is currently in development. There may be typos, errors, omissions, inconsistencies and so forth.


  • Man of War – Excerpt No. 82

    He suspected they hoped Marc would either perish of his own accord, swallowed up by a world that was dangerous at the best of times. They have no idea that my mother and Bertrand gave me all the tools I need.

    Marc was not some newborn babe out in the wilds. However, he did lack coins and supplies. His clothes were a problem as well, as they would be noticed. None of the peasants could afford clothes like this. The same goes for Enfers and his saddle.

    He needed an ally, but had little contract with those outside of the keep. I doubt anyone would risk the fury of the Count to help meat least they won’t do it overtly.

    Picture a shallow grave with hand sticking out of dirt. Grave comes without a gravestone, shovel besides grave. Clothes and scene appropriate for 16th Century France.

    Disclaimer: This excerpt from Man of War is currently in development. There may be typos, errors, omissions, inconsistencies and so forth.


  • Man of War – Excerpt No. 81

    This was not guilt, inasmuch as a case of his mind catching up on everything that happened. Beating his father, while deserved, was a crime. One with punishment that was much worse than a slap on the wrist. Even if his father was willing to forget the whole thing, the Comtesse would see that he was punished… She could never stomach the sight of me.

    “Sending an assassin is looking more likely,” Marc said. 

    Knowing how those two operated, Marc concluded the events from last night would be hushed up. Fear of reprisal would keep the bulk of the staff in line. 

    “That leaves them to deal with this situation quietly,” Marc said.

    Staff look at an approach of a noble in fear. Inside the castle halls. Clothes and scene appropriate for 16th Century France.

    Disclaimer: This excerpt from Man of War is currently in development. There may be typos, errors, omissions, inconsistencies and so forth.


  • Man of War – Excerpt No. 80

    While waiting for his meal to cook, Marc leaned back against an enormous tree trunk. The change in pace was enough for all the aches and pains brought on by yesterday’s exertion to creep back into his mind. In that moment he was thankful for youth, remembering how Bertrand would complain about his bad knees on cold and wet days. 

    “What have I done?” Marc asked.

    18 year old man in the woods sitting against a large tree. Man is looking over a campfire with something cooking atop the flame. Clothes and background appropriate for 16th century France.

    Disclaimer: This excerpt from Man of War is currently in development. There may be typos, errors, omissions, inconsistencies and so forth.


  • Man of War – Excerpt No. 79

    A trail of blood red water flowed down from where he stood. Without a blade he had to get creative, but nature often provided in times of need. He found several frangible rocks that left behind sharp edges when broken. It was work to skin, and dress the hare, but now it was cooking over an open flame. 

    Now that his hands were free of blood, Marc ran his fingers over his knuckles. The wound from last night had dried leaving thick scabs. At least there’s no pain.

    When his hands were free of blood, the young man ventured back to his campsite. Enfers appeared entirely content to be here… or is it fear on account of what I did to the hare.

    18 year old man in the woods He is looking down at his bloodied hands. Clothes and background appropriate for 16th century France.

    Disclaimer: This excerpt from Man of War is currently in development. There may be typos, errors, omissions, inconsistencies and so forth.


  • Man of War – Excerpt No. 78

    “…still an inch too high,” Marc said in a hush tone as though the woods were about to laugh

    The shot had severed the spine. While fortunate for him, he was reminded that he needed to work on his aim. At least he would have breakfast while Enfers fed off the tall hay and grass outlying the creek. 

    “At least I don’t have to worry about finding the ball in the meat,” Marc added.

    It was common to find meat tainted with shot or pellets, but the shot, the actual projectile, had gone off into the distance. That meant he could bite into his breakfast without concern.

    18 year old man in the woods, holding a dead rabbit in his hands. Clothes and background appropriate for 16th century France.

    Disclaimer: This excerpt from Man of War is currently in development. There may be typos, errors, omissions, inconsistencies and so forth.


  • Man of War – Excerpt No. 77

    “Your aim was about an inch too high,” Bernard said yesterday. 

    That line had hit home for Marc. When he did some target practice with a pistol, musket, crossbar, or bow, his shots always landed an inch or two high. That meant little when the target was a man, but an inch could mean missing the hare entirely. 

    Marc controlled his breathing as his finger slid onto the trigger. When he was ready, he took a breath and held it as he squeezed the trigger. First there came a spark as the flint struck the pan, followed by a flash to the side and out the barrel. When he released his breath, he was enveloped in a large grey cloud, and the presence of brimstone burned his nostrils.

    As the smoke dissipated, along with the ringing in his ears, Marc spotted the lifeless hare. Brimming with pride, he smiled as he went to claim his prize. As he picked up his meal, Marc remembered a detail. I don’t have a blade with me

    Teenage boy in the woods firing flintlock pistol as though in a duel, including smoke and fire from the gunfire. Clothes and background appropriate for 16th century France.

    Disclaimer: This excerpt from Man of War is currently in development. There may be typos, errors, omissions, inconsistencies and so forth.


  • Man of War – Excerpt No. 76

    This time Marc repeated the steps in reverse. He carefully set one foot ahead of the other to avoid anything that would make noise, like crackling dead leaves, or snapping a twig. He would freeze on the spot if the hare moved unexpectedly. Pistols were notoriously inaccurate, which meant he needed to get close. A lot closer than the fifteen paces taken in a duel

    There were risks of him getting too close, while slow and steady had gotten him this far, his presence alone might spook it. Alas, the longer he took, the more likely it was that the hare would hop away in search of more food. 

    Once he was under twelve paces, he raised his arm and aligned his body perpendicular to the hare. With his head turned right, his dominant eye focused on the single bead at the tip of the pistol.

    Teenage boy in the woods taking aim with a flintlock pistol as though in a duel. Clothes and background appropriate for 16th century France.

    Disclaimer: This excerpt from Man of War is currently in development. There may be typos, errors, omissions, inconsistencies and so forth.


  • Man of War – Excerpt No. 75

    Next he grabbed his pistol, readying both barrels with powder, and a ball while using his horse as cover.

    He knew the steps well, Bernard had seen to that. At the thought of the man, Marc paused, took a deep breath through his nose with closed eyes and let it all out through his mouth. I hope he’s alright.

    After pouring in two seconds worth of powder, Marc returned his focus to the hare. The woodland creature was still there, nibbling at the bark off of a tree. So he capped the horn and placed it back into the saddlebags. 

    Next came a wad of cloth, and a lead ball, which he rammed into place using the one attached to the barrel. After the barrel was loaded, he rammed the ball into place, he added a bit more powder to the flash pan, and brought back the flintlock’s hammer.

    Teenage boy loading a flintlock pistol in the woods. Clothes and background appropriate for 16th century France.

    Disclaimer: This excerpt from Man of War is currently in development. There may be typos, errors, omissions, inconsistencies and so forth.


  • Man of War – Excerpt No. 74

    He grabbed Enfers by the reins and led him further down the creek until the road was no longer visible. Marc left the horse roam to eat some grass, as he collected dry bark, deadfall, and twigs to start a fire. 

    As he knelt down, he caught sight of a hare observing them from under the brush. His first instinct was to give chase, but was bound to end up bloodied with a bruised ego. I need to be smart about this.

    With one foot placed gently behind the other, Marc backed away until he was back with Enfers. He deposited everything he picked up, careful to avoid making any sounds that might scare the animal away.

    A teenage out in the woods searching for firewood. There is a hare in the distance hiding in the bushes. Clothes and background appropriate for 16th century France.

    Disclaimer: This excerpt from Man of War is currently in development. There may be typos, errors, omissions, inconsistencies and so forth.


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