As promised, this week I’m continuing on with excerpts from my soon-to-be-released WARRIOR OF THE NILE. (I saw a preliminary cover yesterday – gorgeous, can’t wait to share!). Khenet has told Pharaoh he’ll volunteer to take this deadly mission to the Viper Nome (nome=province) under three conditions. Khenet is Pharaoh’s adopted brother and during the novel we discover the circumstances of his adoption but a key plot point is that his small tribe of people had their own, non-Egyptian religion, which is part of why Pharaoh hopes Khenet might survive this assignment. (NOTE: To fit our eight sentence constraint, I’ve had to do some creative editing and punctuation). Khenet is speaking:
“The first condition we’ve already discussed, that I may seek some other solution to Nephthys’s problem, resolving the black magic without my own death. Secondly, I’ll swear my oath to you, not to her – I can’t give my allegiance to Nephthys.”
“No problem, you serve me and therefore you serve my patron Horus and your own gods,” Nat-re-Akhte said. “Have you forgotten I helped you build that small shrine hidden away from my grandfather’s priests when we were boys; kept watch for you when you went to worship? I understand your qualms about Nephthys, say no more on that issue. What’s the third condition?”
“I want time in the royal library before setting out on this mission.”
Pharoah nodded, “Wise, not much is known about the Viper Nome but I’m sure the oldest scrolls contain some maps, maybe some other useful scraps of information.”
These figurines reside on my writing desk, sort of a fun photo for today. Next week I promise the excerpt will be about Lady Tiya, who definitely deserves equal time.
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And the blurb for WARRIOR OF THE NILE (which is available for pre-order at Amazon ):
Egypt, 1500 BCE
Lady Tiya is bound to the service of the goddess Nephthys, who plans to sacrifice Tiya’s body to protect Egypt from an ancient terror. She embarks to meet her grim fate alone but for the hardened warrior Khenet, who is fated to die at her side. Tiya’s dreams of love and family now seem impossible, and Khenet, who is the last of his line, knows his culture will die with him. Struggling with the high cost of Nephthys’s demands, both resolve to remain loyal.
Neither expects the passion that flowers when Tiya’s quiet courage and ethereal beauty meet Khenet’s firm strength and resolve. On a boat down the Nile, their two lonely souls find in each other a reason to live. But time is short and trust elusive.
Without the willing sacrifice of Tiya and Khenet, a great evil will return to Egypt. How could the gods demand their deaths when they’ve only just begun to live?
Ah, for every problem there is always a library! Great exchange between characters.
Ooooh, I can’t wait to see the library, I imagine it’s grand. This has been a fascinating story so far. =D
Great excerpt! Can’t wait to see the cover art!
I’d love to spend some time in that library too. I’m glad Pharaoh agrees with the conditions.
I was inspired by the lost Library of Alexandria, which of course wasn’t created until about 1200 years after the time period of my Pharaoh…but my impression is that no Pharaoh’s palace would have been complete without an extensive library and oh, the treasures that would have been kept there! I’m using the library again in the Ancient Egyptian paranormal book I’m revising for a January release.
Books, books, books in the library. No ebooks. You paint a magnificent picture, Veronica.
Intriguing excerpt. We find out what Khenet wants though I’m curious why he needs to request time in the library. I’m also interested in a character with a non-Egyptian religion who serves Pharaoh; he must have a fascinating life!
One suggestion? Maybe consider tweaking that “no problem” comment. It just sounds so modern to me because I hear it all the time, and it seems a bit out of place. (to me anyway)
Good point re “no problem”:. Not sure if that phrase survived all the edits or not (haven’t received the final locked down copy of the manuscript from Carina Press yet). Thanks!
I really enjoy the dialogue here, it feels so authentic! I’m loving this!
Lovely snippet – and near and dear to a writer’s heart – a library is to be had. Will be interesting to learn more of his religion and what he specifically wants to research. Good job.
I enjoyed this eight very much. Like others, glad he’s not heading off without a little research behind his belt. Oh for the love of libraries : )
So glad Pharaoh agreed to his conditions and I too am intrigued by the library. Looking foward to the next excerpt!
oops – should say “foRward”
Researching the unknown is always the first step. Bet he finds something but doesn’t know what it is until later.
BTW, have you been following the Egyptian chariot reconstructions on PBS?
Yes, really fascinating how the knowledge disappears over centuries and has to be painfully recreated. I learned SO much, which I’ve worked into a later novel, was too late to apply to this one, as far their time in a chariot.
He’s smart. I love that. It’s getting me excited for their trip which seems so very strange, lol. Looking forward to reading about Lady Tiya next week.
What a detailed world you’ve created. Are you a plotter or a pantser?
Oh definitely a seat of the pants writer! I start each book knowing the main characters, the beginning, the end and a few key scenes – then I’m off for the adventure LOL.
I can’t wait to see the cover and read this book. I love the hero already! I mean, who doesn’t love a man in a library? 😉
I love reading about ancient Egypt and am intrigued by your characters. Did you maybe base your library on the lost library at Alexandria? Oh, and I’m a seat of the pants writer too.
Yes, although the Library at Alexandria was founded 1200 years or so after the period of time where this book occurs, I’m assuming Pharaohs always kept libraries!
Ooooh intriguing choice. I am looking forward to seeing the cover!
Nice 8, Veronica! Excellent way to move the plot forward, lay out those conditions! I love the premise of this story!
I’m glad he has the audacity to place conditions on his obedience to Pharaoh. I know they were childhood friends (?) but still, Pharaoh’s can be tricky to deal with, with such boldness. I do like your main character for his boldness and courage! The library…. wow, this is curious. I am wondering what it looks like, definitely!
The story sounds fabulous!
I was going to make a comment about the Alexandria library – interesting it wasn”t in existence at time of your tale.But I’m sure some sort of library did exist.
I’m off sick today and reworking my WIP as well
Thanks for visiting and I hope you feel better soon! (Best wishes with the WIP.)
Well, he’ll be as well armed as he can be–whatever knowledge he can glean might help. Here’s hoping! (Fingers crossed.)
Agreed–fascinating story!
Nice loopholes he’s working there. 🙂
Please tell me we’re going to get a glimpse of the Royal Library!
Not in this book, sorry to say. I do have scenes set in the Library in my January release, tentatively entitled MAGIC OF THE NILE.
Loving the story. I can’t wait to see your book cover, too!
Seems like perfectly reasonable conditions which probably means he’s up to something. Can’t wait to read the next excerpt.
Love the snippet and the blurb – fascinating story. I really like the accompanying picture, too. =)
I wonder if Pharaoh is right or is there something else her wants to look up in the library? Interesting story here.
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Very smooth way for him to lay out the demands. Felt real and urgent. Great 8!
Fascinating conditions he’s come up with there.
He made reasonable requests, and his pharaoh responds accordingly. Great interaction.
Pharaoh really hopes he’s identified the one man who might survive this assignment. He feels it’s one thing to send warriors into battle properly armed and trained, but another to send a soldier on a mission under the conditions Nephthys set forth.
Intriguing 8!