The fifteen minute novel writing experiment is a attempt to write a complete (and very rough) draft of a novel by writing for fifteen minutes each day. I have taken a timed writing from one of the daily prompts done in 2021, cleaned it up a little and used it as my jumping off point into a story. Each day I will take the last line of the story written the day before and use it as my sentence starter and write for fifteen minutes, growing the story as the year progresses.
Day 34: “And if someone comes looking?” Anya asked before she could stop herself.
“And if someone comes looking?” Anya asked before she could stop herself.
“There are many who seek both shelter and guidance here,” the Matron told her. “No one will mention to any visitors that there is someone from Dovish within our borders. However, it might be best if you remain wearing the local clothing we have provided. It will make you stand out less.”
“Thank you,” Anya said.
The Matron nodded. “I must return to my office as there are others who may being requests. You have about an hour left before the light will grow too dim to be of use. The slips of paper, pen and ink are located on the table by the door should you wish to take a volume with you.” The matron pointed them out. She smiled. “You are safe here, no matter who has followed you.”
Anya nodded, feeling a lump rise in her throat.
“Remember to pull the curtains shut before you leave.” Again Anya nodded and the matron turned walking away and leaving Anya alone in the enormous library. For a moment Anya listened to her retreating footsteps. The matron knew her secret and did not mind her being her. Anya let out her breath and felt a coil of tension unwind inside her.
Despite her relief at not being asked to leave, Anya’s brow creased with concern. “Two months.” She repeated. “That can’t be right,” she thought. Anya looked at the map. She studied the names of carefully inked towns and rivers. None were familiar. The only name that sounded familiar was Grenton.
“And that’s only because that’s where the younger girl said she was from.”
Conscious of the swiftly fading light, Anya moved down the row of maps. The next mao was of the kingdom of Rulash. She saw the star’s House picked out in a small gold star on the map so she could see where it was. Judging by the scale of the map the Star’s House was located about a two day’s walk from the border of Hemeral. Anya blinked.
Hemeral bordered Dovish. She frowned thinking hard as she moved down the row of maps. Some showed towns and cities picked out in great detail others different countries. Finally she found one map that showed Hemeral and part of Dovish. Tyrin was not on the map but she recognized several of the cities and towns and was able to orient herself. She thought about the caravan.
She wasn’t certain how fast the caravan was moving but suspected it hadn’t been moving much faster than she could walk on her own. She traced a line across the map trying to figure out the course the caravan took.
Ten til Midnight 