Outtakes: Mistaken Identity

Here are some outtakes from early drafts of The Spell of the Black Dagger, passages that did not make it into the final version of the novel.

Originally the protagonist, Lady Sarai, was named Lady Kara. Since another character was named Karanissa, there was some possible confusion. These are bits I wrote before I decided that there was too much confusion, and changed her name.

     Alorria hesitated. "I'm afraid I don't know you..." she said.
     "Yes, you do," Kara said. "I'm Kara."
     Alorria stared at her. "No, you aren't," she said.
     "Yes, I am; Mereth disguised me."
     "No, you aren't," Alorria insisted, "Or you wouldn't have to knock."
     "No, no, not Karanissa of the Mountains," Kara said, "I'm Kara of Ethshar." She glanced uneasily at the innkeeper. "Lady Kara."
     "Oh," Alorria said, uncertainly.
     "And you're Alorria of Dwomor. Really, it's me."

     Tobas looked quickly back to the witch. "What about her?" he demanded.
     "No, no," Teneria said. "I mean that's Kara." She pointed. Two or three passersby followed the gesture, and glanced curiously at Kara. Kara hurried up to the wagon, not at all pleased by this attention -- but then, it was her own fault for calling out.
     "Yes, it's me," she said. "What's going on?"
     Tobas looked at her, then said, "Oh, that Kara!"

• Back to Outtakes page

• Two snippets explaining why I changed my heroine's name.

• Tabaea looks for a quiet place to conduct a magical experiment.

• A guardsman looks at some local scenery from atop the city wall.

• The city guard prepares to face Tabaea's mob.

• The original Chapter Thirty-Eight, which was removed completely.

• Various bits I trimmed from various places.