Nice way to start a Monday. . .

This morning I was thrilled to learn that I won first place in the Writing North Idaho Brilliant Beginnings Contest (link to pagel).Writing North Idaho is a great is a great writer's resource, which I would have told you even if I had not won.

The line I submitted is my introduction to the Midwife of Riversbend, one of the first major characters to be introduced in The Black King's Hall. That line and a few more follow:

Her long journey through grief was almost over.  The Midwife of Riversbend pushed her way through the crowds on the road to the Black King’s Hall, heedless of those around her except that they were in her way.  She had carried her burden too long to slow down now.  As she strode through a knot of chatting pilgrims she thought about the man she intended to meet.

Arrogant swine!

She wasted no time on apologies as she brushed by.  None was asked, for when others saw her they stood aside.  Anger and determination hardened her plain peasant face.

Fiendish tyrant!

Her fists were clenched and her arms swung stiffly as she shouldered her way past slowly moving travelers. 

Cold hearted murderer!

Although still of childbearing age, the Midwife of Riversbend was no longer a young woman.  Given her swift pace and apparent energy, one would have never guessed she had already been walking for the better part of two days.  But anyone looking closely would see evidence of a hastily planned and unpleasant trip.  She wore the rigors of her journey like the lines on her face, each one a hard-earned reminder of the trial her life had become.  Her coarse brown peasant dress and soft leather boots were covered with dust from the road.  Her blond hair looked as if it was once tied neatly back, but now most of it fell untidily to her shoulders.  The pack slung over her shoulder was more a farmer’s sowing bag than traveler’s satchel.  She had no time to borrow proper traveling gear from her neighbors or pack more than a bedroll and some simple provisions.