Time for another Weekend Writing Warriors snippet. Every Sunday, I join a bunch of writers through a blog hop and post an 8-10 sentence snippet of my current project. You can click on the link to see what everyone else is up to.
During this second run-through of the manuscript, I’m trying to get to know Tyk a bit better. Originally thought as Ilsi’s best friend and companion, I wanted him to still be a standalone character with his own goals, personality, and value. Thus came this conversation:
“As much as it helps to follow you around to find people to fight,” Tyk said, “I have my own wars to fight against the Yildirim—Reubens in particular. Even though Althod leads the Yildirim, it’s Reubens that taught me the meaning of hell, a lesson I thought I already learned.
“He was the one that forced me to be a soldier. You know I’m a creator, not a destroyer. A bit of distance will help you find the lady you’re looking for . . . and it’ll help me destroy him from the inside out.”
“You’re going to kill him?” Ilsi whispered. “What was that bit about not being a destroyer?”
“If I help the others escape the influence of the amulet, then maybe I can scrap together a few men and women who want their own piece of revenge, too.”
Ilsi silently looked up at Tyk in defeat and took both his hands into hers.
“I’ll miss you while you’re gone.”
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It sounds as though Ilsi doesn’t expect Tyk to come back, although maybe in context her comment can mean something else.
I think at this point she’s trying to find a middle ground between being realistic and optimistic…
I think you did a good job of making him a standalone character, Wit. And he definitely has some big goals. Good snippet!
Nice exchange between characters and well written. The only point that I would make is that you don’t need to say ‘in defeat’ in this sentence ‘Ilsi silently looked up at Tyk in defeat and took both his hands into hers.’ the powerful last line makes that point very clear.
It’s true. I added it in just before publishing the post, but taking out those two words works much better. Thanks for your insight!
Nice work, giving Tyk some issues of his own. I do enjoy fleshing out characters who end up taking on bigger roles.
Good snippet, I do feel it sheds some more light on the character!