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 125: “I’d sent the chair as well, but I thinks someone might notice,” Marta told her.
“I’d sent the chair as well, but I think someone might notice,” Marta told her.
“I understand,” Anya said. “You’ve already done so much.”
Marta shook her head. “Magic is returning,” she said. “We don’t know why or even how wide spread the return will be but the ancient magics are returning. Someone needs to shepherd them. It can be someone like the house of the star or it can be those like Lord Mathis who only wants it for his own gain.”
“And why does the house of the star want it,” Anya asked. “Why would you help me?”
“So it can be used as it was intended to be used and not as a tool for those who want to see themselves on a throne at all costs.” Marta said.
“But how do you know how it was intended to be used?”
“I don’t,” Marta said. “But those who built this place used magic on their own. It was a part of them and they did everything they could to see that their knowledge was preserved and hidden away. I don’t know what it’s effect on the world will be, but I do know what the effect of Lord Mathis on the throne would be. I will not be a party to that.”
Anya nodded but was unsure what else to say. Marta carefully handed her the hot kettle. “Go and get yourself settled. If possible move away from this room in case the Matron figures out how to check the hidden space. She knows it is here but not that it connects to anything. Keep yourself hidden.”
Anya nodded and stepped back into the hidden study taking the kettle with her. She watched as Marta searched the room making sure the last traces of Anya were removed. As Anya spent only a few hours in the space it wasn’t a difficult task. Anya watched her leave, locking the door behind herself. She then closed the secret panel door and moved deeper into the study to think. Anya poured herself a glass of the tea and took a sip, enjoying the warmth more than the flavor.
There was the possibility that this would be a temporary hiding. However it could be longer. Marta was right and staying in the small study next to the room was probably not a good idea. She was certain that any sounds she made or light she used would filter in the room and anyone watching would get suspicious. Anya closed her eyes as she sipped the tea. In her mind she followed the hidden pathways of the House. There was a room. It was small but clean. It was one of the strangely dust free rooms in the citadel. It had a bedframe and a fireplace. She didn’t know if the chimney was in working order but she helped clear out their chimney each autumn in preparation for winter and didn’t think it would be too hard to check if there was a blockage.
‘I don’t know what I’d use for fuel though,’ she thought. “But the room isn’t too far from the landing with the stone bowl.’ Deciding it was a good option, especially if she had to stay longer than a night or two, Anya finished her mug of tea and stuffed her pack with as much as she could carry. She took the mattress in her arms, throwing part of it over her shoulder. It seemed sensible to carry the heaviest item first. Anya navigated her way out of the study and down the hidden corridors.
A few sounds drifted through but for the most part, the space was silent around her. ‘It is like my own world,’ Anya thought. She reached the room, finding it as she saw it in her mind’s eye. It was a relief to see it as expected.
Ten til Midnight 