1. Use the following words: every, first, floor, common, haircut.
Dena was the first to step onto the ground. The floor was smoothed dirt; swept every day by the common folk. The others hesitated behind her, and she stepped forward.
The cleaners lined up around the edges of the room, wearing clean aprons and with fresh haircuts all around. Dena smiled, hiding it as soon as she noticed herself.
2. Write about something that's only half done.
Dena's companions minced off the stair and took their places along the wall opposite the cleaners and common folk. A quick glance revealed that all of them were in the room, with varying degrees of discomfort. Some plucked at their clothing, trying to keep them out of the dust; others drew a long-suffering face and avoided looking down at the bare dirt floor they were standing on.
She turned to face her counterparts, standing a step away from the wall, and took a step forward herself.
"Her Majesty greets the Arak delegation," the tallest of the hosts said.
Dena bowed to the queen, easy to identify by her calm, for all she was dressed in the same basic clothing as the cleaners. "The prince of Arak greets Her Majesty." Dena held her breath, waiting for the explosion. The Queen had demanded the presence of the Arak leader, but they had only sent one of the lesser princes. One who fidgeted. She kicked his ankle, the long-practiced move hidden beneath their robes.
3. Use the phrase, "It's OK to be angry" (or a paraphrase).
"We have prepared our terms," the queen said, and on cue, one of her retinue stepped forward and presented a tightly rolled scroll. Unlike the Arak, he did not bow.
Dena could see the prince tense out of the corner of her eye, and kicked his ankle again before stepping forward to accept the scroll. She broke the seal and unwound it, reading quickly.
She paused halfway through and looked up at the queen with a start. She schooled her expression and finished reading, then handed it to the prince with a whisper. "You can be angry - but later, for everyone's sake!"
