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 53: ‘I’ll have to ask if people stay tomorrow.’
‘I’ll have to ask if people stay tomorrow.’ Sleep was a long time coming and Anya felt bleary when she joined the others for breakfast. In her dreams she was hunted and on the run. She guessed the shadowy forms were Lord Mathis’ men but they never came fully into the light so they couldn’t be identified. While she knew what concerns formed the nightmares it didn’t leave her any better rested when she arrived downstairs.
Anya took her place in line as usual but instead of receiving her usual wooden platter, she was handed a cup of thin liquid. It was brownish with a golden hue. Puzzled, Anya took it to her normal seat, finding her companions already seated. They each had their cups placed on the tables in front of them, but no one was drinking. Anya sat down in her accustomed spot and placed her cup as they had theirs.
The younger woman leaned over. ”It’s for the three days of purification,” she whispered. Anya nodded as though she understood what that meant. It was only with the other woman’s whisper that Anya realized how quiet the dining hall was.
‘And how full,’ she added. Normally there were people coming and going. As she finished her morning mal, others took her seat. Now, no one was moving. Anya stayed in her seat and others filtered in. All seats were filled and rows of silent women stood towards the back of the room each holding their cups almost reverently.
Anya wondered if it was a ritual or if it was just relief that the weeks of waiting were coming to an end. ‘I arrived after most of the others,’ Anya reminded herself. ‘They could just be happy that what they came for is about to begin.’
There were a few whispers darting about the room. There was the slight sound of movement as people shifted in their seats. All of this stopped as the Matron arrived, She walked solemnly to the front of the room and turned to face the assembled women.
‘For three days we purify our minds, bodies and spirits,” The matron began. “For three days we set aside our daily tasks, meditate upon our purpose and personal reasons for being here and open ourselves up to the wisdom of the star. I know I don’t need to remind most of you that talking is forbidden until the bell sounds to end the star’s gathering.”
There were nods from the others and Anya felt her plan of asking the others if anyone stayed after the gathering slipped away. ‘I should have thought to ask sooner,’ she chided herself.
In the front of the room the Matron lifted her cup to the heavens and then brought it down to her lips. She tilted her head back and drained it dry. She lowered it and Anya saw all those around her reach for their glasses. She lifted her own along with them and drank down the cup she had been offered. It tasted of sunlight and honey. Anya frowned as she drank. This sort of honeyed beverage usually came with an alcoholic tang, but here there was none. Anya finished her cup and lowered it along with the other women.
Ten til Midnight 