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 68: “And how long will these stars be in alignment?” Anya asked.
“And how long will these stars be in alignment?” Anya asked.
“Each time they align they remain in alignment for a year,” the woman told her. “They will remain in perfect alignment for another two months.”
“Two months,” Anya said. “So will Lord Mathis continue to search for me for the next two months?”
“More than likely,” she said. Anya nodded.
“It is a lot to think about,” Anya said.
“It is,” the woman studied her for a moment. “Do you have any further questions?”
Anya thought about it and found one niggling little one in the back of her mind. “You mentioned that it was the prophecy Lord Mathis had in his possession. Are there other prophecies?”
“There are. There is an entire book case in our library that has the details of this particular prophecy and all of its many forms. I can make certain that the one Lord Mathis is following is marked out for you so that you can read it in its entirety if you’d like.”
“That would be nice,” Anya replied. “And the version of the prophesy you are following? Would that be marked out as well?”
The woman smiled. “We do not follow any prophecy here. We exist merely to help women who are in need. You are in need and we will do our best to help you.”
“Once I determine the help I need?” Anya replied.
“Yes once you have determined the path you wish to take we will help you along it if we can. Is there more you need to help you determine the path?”
“Not at the moment,” Anya replied.
The woman nodded. “Then I will bid you good night. You may stay out upon this platform as long as you wish or return below. A lamp will be waiting for you whenever you decide to descend the staircase. As for me, I believe it is time to retire. I wish you good evening.”
“Thank you,” Anya said. The woman nodded at Anya’s thanks and made her way towards the staircase. To Anya she moved as though she was exhausted, her steps slow and heavy as though each was an effort. Anya watched her walk away and wondered how much looking into the bowl and bringing other places and times to light took out of her. Finally the woman disappeared down the stairs and Anya even lost the soft sound of her foot falls on the stone.
She was alone on the platform. The air was cool, but the wind died down and the cooler temperatures were bearable. Anya’s thoughts tangled within her mind and she had a hard time focusing on which thread to follow. Thoughts about her family, what she knew of them and what she now knew to be true were painful and messy. The thought that it might be a lie flitted through her mind but something inside her dismissed the idea. It wasn’t that she felt the woman incapable of lying or even of showing her false images. It was more that the images fit with little scraps of a picture that partially formed. It was a clearer view, but it made sense of all the small things in her world that Anya had never managed to make sense of. It hurt, but it still rang true.
Ten til Midnight 