Here’s the link to the Weekend Writing Warriors central page, so you can visit all the participants sharing excerpts today…a fun way to sample new books and find new authors!
While we’re waiting for my next two new books (one ancient Egypt – at the formatter – and one science fiction romance – at the editor), here’s another snippet from Magic of the Nile. Tyema has persuaded Captain Sahure to tell her a bit about past battles. He’s talking about the enemy. (Snippet is edited from the published version to provide a complete thought in just 10 sentences):
“They no doubt thought themselves to be gods of warfare, having placed three men in a chariot. The enemy that day had a driver, a shield bearer and a spearman in each vehicle.” Sahure laughed, as if the memory was a pleasing one. “Fools.”
Seeing his amusement, Tyema was puzzled. “Extra manpower and weapons must give an advantage, surely?”
“But consider the weight of three men such as myself in a chariot,” he said, “Requires the vehicle to be heavier and therefore slower. Ours turn in the wink of an eye, you’ve experienced that yourself when we’ve practiced driving.”
Tyema nodded agreement, remembering the excitement of the horses galloping full out and then wheeling in a great arc, dust flying, as she redirected them in a maneuver Sahure had assured her was typical on the battlefield. She tried to imagine hundreds of chariots coming together in combat, shivering at the mental picture.
I thought since we had a baby shower last week, it might be good balance to share a different kind of scene today.
When I have to describe warfare or battles in my Egyptian novels, I go directly to the 3000 year old descriptions the Pharaohs themselves recorded, and draw inspiration…drawing below was done in the 1800’s, based on tomb paintings.
The story:
After a childhood spent scorned and ignored by her family because of her crippled foot, Tyema was magically healed then installed as the High Priestess of his temple by Sobek the Crocodile God. But Tyema is still haunted by her memories, scarred by the abuse she endured. Despite Sobek’s protection, as an adult she’s become a near recluse inside the temple grounds…
Until Captain Sahure arrives in her remote town, sent from Thebes on an urgent mission for Pharaoh, requiring High Priestess Tyema’s help. From that moment on, her quiet, safe life is upended in ways she never could have expected.
But after a whirlwind romance with Sahure, the two part as Pharaoh orders him to undertake another assignment on Egypt’s dangerous frontier, far from Tyema’s remote town.
Heart-broken, Tyema is ready to return to her life of loneliness, official duties and, now, regret. But the Crocodile God has other plans for his priestess: she must uncover the sorcerer who threatens Pharaoh’s life with black magic. Soon enough, Tyema finds herself thrown into the chaos of Pharoah’s court, neck deep in intrigue and danger. Just when she thinks she can’t take the pressures of a very public court life and her secret investigation for the Crocodile God any longer, Sahure re-enters the scene.
But is her former love there to help or to hinder? Can they resolve their differences and work together to find the dark sorcerer who threatens Pharaoh and Egypt?
Oooh, i think you’ve captured the thrill of chariots in combat very well. Now I want to go for a ride myself!
Excellent eight Veronica, thank you for sharing.
My knowledge of chariot warfare begins and ends with Ben Hur. The illustration you provide is great!
Interesting snippet and intriguing blurb.
Once again, I learn from your snippet, Veronica. I like that he shares strategy with her. Good 8!
No post for me this week. Just making my rounds to read what’s new. Have a good week. 🙂
Interesting snippet … and love the cover !
Very nice imagery, Veronica, vivid and detailed!
Love your primary sources. Nice eight.
I love all the researched details in your work, Veronica–you always know how to work them in without being infodumpy. 🙂
Great snippet and visual. Have fun at the baby shower. 🙂
At the same time heavier means that it’s more difficult to turn the chariot over. So I wonder if speed was really their main point.
Very nice imagery and characterization in this. Well done. 🙂
Let’s ride away and howl at the moon, Veronica. Wonderful descritive snippet and I too love your research.
That paints an amazing picture, all those chariots and men. Great snippet, Veronica, and so nice to see you in Snippet Sunday! 🙂
I thought that felt Egyptian! I am going to show this to my daughter who loves all things Egypt 🙂 Great snippet Veronica, as always!! <3
“Fools!” Haha, I love it, great work!
That would be quite a picture! Great detail and vivid snippet!
Nifty piece! And the blurb sounds enticing, Veronica. I like the background you’ve given Tyema, creating a magical world in history.
A very logical description for success in a chariot rcae.
Always learning something new from your snippets. Love this.
I love the image of Tyema driving the chariot- I can imagine how thrilling it must have been. Great visuals.
There’s research to indicate at least one Egyptian queen of the general era where my novels are set drove a chariot, so I felt confident having Tyema learn to handle one. The chariot is kind of a subtheme in the novel…glad you enjoyed the excerpt!
two new books from you *fist pump* great visual on this weeks snippet too
Awww, thanks, Michelle! Writing as fast as I can 🙂
You always do such a marvelous job with your descriptions, Veronica! Very excited about this story and all the other work that’s happening in the background. You’re a busy lady, which is good for all of us! 🙂
I like the horses’ movement with the dust flying – so realistic. Love how this excerpt flows.
Well written.
Thanks for all the comments! I’m going to be a bit late today making the rounds of snippets and excerpts but I’m getting ready to dive in now…
I really like your description, and the drawing is a great resource.
Wonderful imagery! I could well imagine the dust flying with hundreds of chariots in battle.
A man loves a woman who listens and is intrigued by his “war” stories! Great snippet and I’m sure the books is just as awesome!
Sometimes more firepower is good, but not at the expense of maneuverability! I can see why this brilliant plan went sideways.
Exactly. Sahure talks a little more about this, and also how the enemy was relying primarily on spears, so the Egyptian archers represented superior weaponry as well.
I’m with her – shivering at the thought of hundreds of chariots – but I’m concerned for the horses.
I really like the language you use here. It has that classic tale kind of feel to it. Nice work!
Talking about his military exploits is how Othello won Desdemona. Hmmm, hope this story has a happier ending! Great story, though! 🙂
Love the research you do, it is all so vividly “drawn” for us. Great snippet.
Fantastic snippet as always. So vividly described. 🙂
Those are some excellent things to consider regarding chariots and horses. So many modern folks have forgotten what it’s like to rely on horsepower, and wouldn’t even know how to set up a good chariot.