How can it be Hump Day already?!? Silly time slips mean it’s time for a new snippet to share. Today’s #1lineWed THEME is ***SWORD**. I had no sword snippets. I considered a character falling on his sword. Nope. None of my Wolves would be down with beating their swords into ploughshares–if they even knew what that meant. (Okay, so I just finished the latest Eve Dallas/In Death book and Eve is notorious for questioning sayings like that!) Then there’s double-edged swords, and crossing swords. I tossed all of those, closed my eyes, and this is what my fingers typed:
****
Ronan leaned a shoulder against the door jamb and stared, bemused, at the big screen TV. A man, all in black, wore a mask that only covered the top half of his face and a black, flat-brimmed hat. The mask looked to be made from a black silk scarf with eye holes cutout. He appeared to be in a barn. Or a stable. Ronan wasn’t sure. He also pranced around and waved a sword at a very pretty dark-haired woman wearing a blue robe. They both held swords and parried back and forth as some Spanish-sounding music teased the scene.
Ha. The woman drew “first blood” by cutting the bloke’s shirt. They backed apart, challenged each other with a glance. The man took off his hat and then the woman stripped out of the robe. He blinked. What the bloody hell was she wearing? Pantaloons? And a camisole or whatever the fuck that thing was that covered some rather luscious breasts was called.
He glanced at the couch. Maura and Shannon both sat on the edge, leaning forward, expressions avid as the battle raged. Ronan couldn’t decide what was more interesting—the women or the movie.
“Wait for it,” Maura ordered, a hint of anticipation in her voice.
He returned his attention the the TV just in time to see the camera focus on the male actor’s face with some flicks of the sword on the peripheral. The guy looked like curiously confused dog as he tilted his head this way and that. Then the camera turned on the woman. She stood there defiantly, facing down the rogue. Until her clothing fell off.
“How have I never seen this movie?” Shannon gasped. “I mean…Antonio Banderas is to die for!”
“I love this scene,” Maura admitted.
Shannon sighed. “That kiss.”
“No, but he was young and vigorous,” Maura said, mimicking the actress’s accent. “He was very vigorous, father.”
The two women burst out laughing and clinked their beer bottles together in a toast before they drank. Ronan glanced over when he realized his brother was also standing in the doorway. He choked back a laugh as Mick, head tilted with that confused dog look on his face, watched the woman.
“What’d I miss?” Mick whispered.
“Evidently, we should watch this movie.” Ronan lifted his ching toward the TV.
“What’s it about?”
“Some Spanish guy with a sword and a way with beautiful women.”
Mick rolled his eyes. “Is sword some sort of euphemism?”
Before Ronan could reply, Maura and Shannon yelled out together, “The Mask of Zorro,”
“There ya go, Mick. The Mask of Zorro.” Then Ronan added under his breath, “And yeah, I think it might be. A euphemism. “
****
And there ya go. That’s a little spur-of-the-moment writing based on the the prompt. The good news is, it’s a keeper scene, I think. Do you agree? Writers, any sword snippets to share? And readers, do you have a favorite “duel” between the sexes scene?
Plus…bonus! Here’s the clip. (And yes, it IS a favorite of mine!)
Silver James 
ROFL… euphemism… 😀 Your scene is awesome. Not sure about the movie scene since I’ve never seen it. ducks and hides: When you started off with the mask, I was thinking they were watching Princess Bride. ‘Masks are incredibly comfortable. I think everyone will be wearing them this season.’ (Yeah, not an exact quote, but close enough.)
You know, your snippets are the only fiction I’ve read in the past month. THANK YOU! By the time I get home these days I’m so physically whooped I can’t even think about opening a book. And so achy the thought of holding one makes me cringe.
Hey, sword actually works for me today! Here’s a bit from Untitled Fantasy, which will be finished and have a name this year if it kills me.
Aryl watched as the fiery tornado rose almost the height of the gallery. He could feel the skin on his cheeks tighten like when they gathered around the bonfire on Midwinter Eve. The only things missing were the scents of Da’s pipe and Ma’s hot chicory tea. Then the screams reached him and all thoughts of his family disappeared. Down on the field, his potential classmates ran. Save one.
A boy almost as tall as Galin, but twice as wide, stood holding the largest sword Aryl had ever seen. It shimmered, but he could tell it wasn’t a heat shimmer. Magic radiated from the weapon. Aryl couldn’t hear the boy, but he thought he saw lips move in a shouted spell. Blue light arced from the blade toward the elemental.
And disappeared.
The fire made solid reached a tendril out and slapped at the brazen human before it. With an audible fwoosh, the boy disappeared, leaving scorched earth behind. The elemental turned, seeking another foe, but all the others had made it to the edges of the field. With nothing to attack, it turned its horrible face toward the gallery. Its roar made all the watchers step back. He looked to Master Eenan to save them, but the man was gone.
“It’s up to us?” The disbelief made his voice break. “How can it be left to us?”
Yay for a snippet from your WIP! Awesome descriptions and that hook! OMG! I’d absolutely have to turn the page and keep going!!!
THE MASK OF ZORRO is a slightly tongue-in-cheek homage to the swashbucklers of old. ZORRO was a fave TV show when I was growing up but most of the remakes have fallen flat. This particular one tickled me. The story is deeper, Anthony Hopkins is ALWAYS a treat and yeah, I have a soft spot for Banderas and Zeta-Jones. Also, their chemistry is awesome. The sequel did nothing for me, but this one? Yeah. Loved it.
I know you’re approaching the end of your tasks with mixed emotions–relief at being done but sad that farewells are coming with your friend. Hopefully, you’ll find good books and writing mojo when everything is said and done. And cooler weather is coming!