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 114: “How kind of you Lord Mathis,” the matron said.
“How kind of you Lord Mathis,” the matron said.
“It was on my way and it didn’t seem like too much trouble,” he said. “Did she by any chance stay?”
“We have had no one make the decision to stay with us this year,” the Matron replied. “If you have a name I could send word to the palace and see if she is among their number.”
“Don’t trouble yourself, Matron,” Lord Mathis replied. “My business will take me there soon enough and I can check for myself.”
After this exchange the group exchanged pleasantries about the weather and the upcoming winter. Anya could hear the softer sounds of the other women eating in relative silence as the group talked. It made it easy for their words to reach her ears but she learned nothing more of value.
Eventually the meal wound to a close. Anya stayed still as she heard people begin to move about. She began to relax when she heard Lord Mathis’ voice again.
“My companion is quite taken with the architecture of the ancient empire. This room for example. It seems to have several decorative grates. Are they for ventilation or do they lead to rooms? I know in many such places there were private dining spaces where visiting royalty could refresh themselves in peace as well as musician’s quarters for music to entertain the diners.”
Anya felt her heart rate speed up. She knew he meant to have a look in the rooms and she knew if he did, she would be found. Anya slowly turned away from the decorative grating, easing back so her movements couldn’t be seen. When she was far enough back to be shielded, Anya looked around. The main door to the room was locked, but it could always be unlocked.
Anya looked around and spotted an exit. It seemed to lead to a stair well. She thought about taking it and slipped as silently as she could towards it. In the stairwell, she spotted the outline of one of the hidden panels.
‘If the matron can’t see it, maybe Lord Mathis and his friend can’t either.’
Anya reached for the panel. It twisted open emitting a soft squeal of protest for the movement. Anya bit her lip. She opened the door only as much as was necessary to let her in and then she slipped into the hidden space. She closed the panel door, hearing it click back into place.
Anya took a deep breath and backed away from the door. Even closed and potentially hidden it seemed like too little to stand between her and Lord Mathis. Anya backed away and then turned. This room was a little different than the studies she had seen before. It had book shelves lining it, but there were boxes stacked along the floor instead of a work table and the chair and fireplace she was accustomed to seeing were missing. Instead there was another door at the back of the space. Deciding a second door between her and Lord Mathis was a good thing, Anya scurried across the space and entered the other door. It didn’t protest but moved smoothly and silently. Anya stepped through and closed it behind her. On the other side, she noticed a bar that could be laced across the back to keep it locked. Anya moved the bar into place with a thunk.
Ten til Midnight 