TITLE: YA
GENRE: SECRET
Bryssa gripped the rope, heavy and slippery from rain, as the bucket caught against the mossy stones ringing the well. Lightning pierced the heart of the night sky with a ragged bolt, and the girl winced and drew the fingers of her left hand in a circle over her heart before tugging again with all her strength. Her arms ached.
From the stables, Mistress Elwynn called. “Child! Hurry!”
“I'm....trying,” came the muttered response, teeth clenched. “And I'm not a child. Almost sixteen,” Bryssa added for good measure when the bucket, brim with shimmering water, came into view. She heaved once more, steadied the wooden vessel upon the well's stone wall, and poured the sacred water into the pewter pitcher.
Dashing toward the yard--the grass sodden and slick beneath her bare feet--Bryssa took care not to falter upon the muddy entryway to the stable, the pitcher in careful balance.
Miss Snark's First Victim
I'm torn between Historical and Fantasy. It sounds Historical but the circle over her heart and the sacred water made me think more of Fantasy.
ReplyDeleteFantasy.
ReplyDeleteI'm going with fantasy because the names look makey-uppy. If they'd been recognizable I would have gone with historical.
Fantasy
ReplyDeleteThe signing of a circle over her heart.
HIstoric - stables, getting water from the well, mistress, bare feet
ReplyDeleteHistorical.
ReplyDeleteThe sacred nature of the water might mean fantasy, but it's hard to tell
Fantasy.
ReplyDeleteBecause of the circle over her heart and the sacred water.
Torn between Fantasy and Historical
ReplyDeleteThe "sacred water" sounds like fantasy, but it could be that one because of the historical culture she lives in.
Fantasy -- from the character names and the well containing 'sacred water'.
ReplyDeleteHistorical.
ReplyDeleteFantasy is a close second, but a superstitious hand sign, a well, sacred water, and a wooden vessel are all elements that could appear in a straight historical.
Period Piece Fiction
ReplyDeleteMade up names, but elements from a historical period. There doesn't seem to be any magic or supernatural elements involved, unless the 'sacred water' actually has some power.
I'm leaning toward fantasy because of the sacred water and what looks like it's going to be a ceremony. Not sure how she could draw a circle over her heart while gripping a rope, though. I guess she let it go then grabbed it? Some serious atmosphere here, though.
ReplyDeleteFANTASY
ReplyDeleteSeems like a slight variation on the classic "girl gathering herbs" scene in fantasy. Also the names.
historical
ReplyDeleteI can't tell if the water is sacred because they're uber-religious or if something paranormal is going on.
Historical
ReplyDeleteThe well makes me feel like there is no running water, and the stables make it feel older.
Fantasy
ReplyDeleteMedieval-type setting, "sacred" water, religious symbol over chest.
Fantasy. First I thought historical, but sacred changed my mind.
ReplyDeleteI'm going with fantasy as well. Too many unknowns in details.
ReplyDeleteFANTASY
ReplyDeleteIt could be historical, but I suspect she's doing something real with the water and pewter pitcher. I'm intrigued.
Fantasy
ReplyDeleteA sacred well. If she's struggling with the heavy bucket and the slippery rope, why does she let go with one hand to make a gesture?
Historical or Fantasy.
ReplyDeleteIt's a past era, that's for sure. There's some sort of religion (sacred water) but it's hard to tell if this is a magic-giving religion or a real-world religion. Drawing a circle over her heart could be summoning magical strength or some sort of religious sign she has to make.
Fantasy.
ReplyDeleteI chose fantasy because of the circling over the heart and sacred water. But I must confess I considered historical too. I think it was Mistress Elwynn calling a sixteen-year-old a 'child' that decided me. Historically, she would have been considered a woman.
Fantasy
ReplyDeleteMade up names Bryssa, Elwynn, purpose prose-ish language (pierced the heart of the night sky), wooden vessel, a well, sacred water
Fantasy
ReplyDeleteSacred Water coming out of a well.
FANTASY (HISTORICAL OR SECONDARY WORLD)
ReplyDeleteThere's no mention of magic or creatures or whatnot. But "sacred water" along with the unusual names tells me it's fantasy.
Historical fiction, but I'm not sure the time period. Good luck, Sarah.
ReplyDeleteFantasy
ReplyDeleteThe names seem fantasy. The well seems more primitive. The circling as well as the sacred water points to a superstitious people. I suppose it could also be historical from a time period I'm not familiar with since there's nothing overtly magical going on.
Fantasy. I agree that it might be historical, but the character's name and the suggestion of ritual involving the sacred water hint at a fantasy world.
ReplyDeleteGenre: FANTASY
ReplyDeleteAn imaginary world with magical elements, the magic is limited (and more in the vein of a fairy tale).
Social, political, and romantic conflicts figure prominently as well.
A sincere 'thank you!' to all who commented.
I appreciate the critiques about holding the rope and making the symbol over her heart, too. I went back and forth over that--so your feedback is helpful!
~Cat