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 127: By the time she made it, Anya was fully awake and the edge had been taken off her hunger.
By the time she made it, Anya was fully awake and the edge had been taken off her hunger. She made certain to bar any doors behind her. As far as she knew she was the only one who could access the hidden passageways and rooms, but on the off chance someone else learned to use them Anya didn’t want to have them sneaking up on her unaware. The orb was as she left it and when she touched it, the sphere not only sent a warmth through her but it hummed a little as though pleased to see her. Anya found it oddly comforting.
This time she was expecting the odd shift in vision and closed her eyes letting her gaze turn to Marta and the Matron. At the moment both were entering the dining hall. From the safety of her protected space, Anya watched the Matron take her portion of the morning meal and walk to her accustomed seat. As she sat she looked around the room, gaze sweeping over the assembled diners.
Marta took her place beside the matron.
“Anya has not yet made it down,” the Matron said.
“No I suppose she hasn’t,” Marta replied after a quick search of the room. “Perhaps she overslept. With all of the excitement and the late supper she might not have felt the need to join us.”
“You saw her to her room last night?” the Matron asked.
“I did,” Marta replied.
“And she seemed well?” The matron asked.
“She seemed tired.”
“I see,” the matron replied. “Then perhaps she is lying in a bit this morning. I know she has her first books for study, but would you mind looking in on her to see all is well?”
“Of course,” Marta replied. “But can’t you tell?”
“At this time of year? No. The greater part of my skills have faded and I have only those needed for the regular running and maintenance of the House.”
“Oh,” Marta replied. “I thought you retained more of your internal observation skills.”
Beneath her hands the orb pulsed. Anya wondered if her use of the orb had anything to do with the fading of the Matron’s skills.
“Some years I do, others I don’t,” the Matron replied. “The abilities wax and wane with need it seems. In years where it is vital I see and hear everything within the mountain, I do. In the quiet years I am given a rest from it all.”
“And this year is to be a quiet year?” Marta asked.
“So it would seem,” the matron replied.
“That must be a pleasant release for you,” Marta said.
“Indeed,” the Matron replied.
To Anya she didn’t look pleased. The meal resumed and conversation ceased. The Matron seemed disinclined to talk. Deciding watching them eat their meal was only making her hungry, Anya left them in the dining hall. She went in search of Lord Mathis and his men, wondering if any of them were still lurking.
Ten til Midnight 