7) Narrative Voice I'll share a snip from my short story collection (that one that comes with my newsletter). It's one of the few times I write in first person. And if you're thinking "Silver, this sounds like Ace Attorney with Dragons," I say "Yes, and?" From "Turncoat": #LitHodgePodge
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“What do you want?” A young cave dragon stood before me. Very young, barely more than a child, with pure white scales. And she needed my help. “I’m here to defend you.”
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The child looked up at me. Her eyes were pink. A true albino, then. She was unusual, in more ways than one. “That can’t be true. They told me no one would defend me. That defending me would be career suicide.” “Well, regardless, here I am. My name is Alistair.” She looked back down and mumbled. “Crystal,” I caught. Of course I already knew her name. What I didn’t tell her was that I was a rookie defense attorney and this was my first case. I didn’t have any career to ruin by taking her on. Was I crazy? Probably. But I could not stand by and let her face her accusers alone. That’s what defense attorneys were for! I opened my case notebook. “We don’t have much time. The trial is tomorrow. Can you tell me what happened?” The young dragon looked down at her claws. “Well, I couldn’t sleep last night…”
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The next morning, I entered the lobby right on time. It wouldn’t do to be late to my first trial! I looked around for my client and found her in the corner.
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Her wings were tucked tightly against her back and she had wrapped her forearms and tail around herself. She looked so small and scared. I slowly slid up next to her and cleared my throat to announce my presence. She flinched and didn’t look up. “You ready?” I asked her. Just then, the bailiff came into the room to fetch us for the trial. I walked beside my client into the courtroom. My eyes swept around as we took our places at the defense bench. My heart sank. Presiding over the trial was Rockayus: the High Dragon himself. This case was indeed as bad as I’d heard. The High Dragon did not involve himself in everyday, ordinary cases. This one had become an overnight sensation, and the High Dragon was treating it with due gravity. What had I gotten myself into? Rockayus banged his gavel on the podium. “Court is now in session for the trial of Apprentice Mage Crystal. Is the prosecution ready?” From the other side of the well, the prosecuting dragon nodded. “The prosecution is ready, High Dragon.” Before I could contemplate my opposition, the High Dragon continued. “Is the defense ready?” “The defense is ready, Your Honor, I mean High Dragon.” I felt my face flush as I cursed myself for my blunder. Rockayus peered down at me. “Defense, approach the bench, if you would.” Wincing, I bent down to whisper to my client. “Don’t worry, I’ll be right back,” and did as I was bid. I stood in front of the High Dragon, trying not to betray how badly I was shaking. Be strong for your client. Never let them see your fear, I repeated my lessons to myself.
