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 111: Most of the other tools had rather innocuous uses as well.
Most of the other tools had rather innocuous uses as well. There was relief in that. While she had been required to kill and clean animals for the larder and table, using them for spells seemed more like the pagan sacrifices the priest’s warned about. Food was one thing, sacrifice left her feeling a little off balance.
By the time she assured herself that at least nothing stored in her room would require any form of animal sacrifice, Anya realized it was nearly time for the evening meal. She made certain she was as tidy as could be without washing and went down to the meal. To her surprise the gathering was not as peaceful as the afternoon had been. The entire hall seemed abuzz with chatter. Anya looked around as she took her portion offered. She didn’t know anyone other than Marta or the Matron really. She met a few others in passing but couldn’t really have claimed to have much conversation with them.
Anya doubted her exchanges would have been enough to claim any sort of friendship anyway. Still when she looked around, she didn’t see any of those familiar faces anyway. As she still wondered where to try sitting in order to begin making acquaintances, Marta came in. Anya saw her stop in the doorway, scan the crowd and let her eyes come to rest on Anya.
‘That’s not good,’ Anya thought as Marta strode across the hall directly towards her.
“I need you to come with me,” Marta said.
Anya nodded and she turned, the woman who handed her the plate now taking it from her. Anya turned and hurried after Marta. She caught up with the woman as they exited the dining hall.
“What…” Anya began.
Marta waved her to silence. They took the nearest set of stairs and worked their way up to the floor above. Marta moved to a discrete door set into the wall and opened it. The door creaked loudly and Marta frowned at it. They walked in and Marta left the door open behind her.
“I can’t stay but you must remain hidden here for the time being.” Marta said hurriedly. “This was once a musician’s gallery. The musicians were shielded from view and as long as you don’t move you won’t be spotted, but any noise here will echo down in the dining hall.” As she spoke, Marta pointed out the details of the room. The front of the small space was shielded from view by a perforated screen. It was decorative and had seemed no more than a decorative panel when she was standing in the dining hall. It concealed the musician’s gallery. There were benches placed along the space some large enough for several people others designed for a solitary occupant.
“What is going on,” Anya whispered. Her voice seemed mush lounder, the shape of the room amplifying the sound.
“Lord Mathis,” Marta replied. “He is here and we dare not turn him away.”
Anya felt her mouth go dry and her hands grow cold.
“Stay here, stay hidden. You should be able to hear well from here. I’ll come for you when it is safe,” Marta told her.
Anya nodded, not trusting her voice in the space. Marta offered her a weak smile and then turned hurrying out of the door. She closed and locked it behind her leaving Anya alone in the former musician’s gallery.
Ten til Midnight 