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 158: “And the fact that there was dust on the covers?” Anya asked
“And the fact that there was dust on the covers?” Anya asked.
“The fact that there was dust on the covers means that the magic pulled in enough so that it was only maintaining the knowledge within and little else. For that to have happened, without someone deliberately draining the magic away, then a larger span of time than expected would have had to pass.”
Anya thought of the ruins and nodded.
“But the sight of the Sphere is now yours and you can see within the mountain so you can keep track of what is going on outside of the hidden passages and learn if any of it affects you.”
“I can see beyond as well,” Anya told him. “I looked in on Lord Mathis. He is in the palace. He expected to find me in the laundry but things someone else may have taken me before I reached her. He thinks others are searching for people like me.”
“They probably are,” Deran said. Anya sucked in a lungful of air. “I didn’t mean to frighten you,” he added hastily. “It is just that there are always those who quest for power and who will see you as a source of power until you are strong enough to defend yourself from their predations. That’s where your study comes in.”
“Won’t making me stronger make them want me more?” Anya asked.
“Probably, but it will also make you strong enough that they have to ask for your help and hope you grant it rather than locking you in a tower. Which I believe is a better option.”
Anya nodded. “That does sound better than locked in a tower and starved to death.”
“Well the first lessons we will teach you is how to be able to escape from anywhere someone tries to lock you. If they can’t keep you caged they will have to think about dealing with you rather than using force.”
“That would be nice.”
“Of course there is always trickery and political manipulation. So we will have to work on those lessons as well.”
“I see.”
Deran paused and frowned. “You said the Sphere let you see outside of the mountain?”
“Yes, to the palace. At least I think it was the palace.”
“Extraordinary.”
“I though you said it was supposed to let the Emperor see to the extent of his kingdom? Anya said. I think the palace and Tyrin are both in what was once the Empire.”
“Well yes, in theory, but very few could actually extend the sight that far. That was another of the problems that Emperors didn’t care for. The sight of the Sphere depended on the strength of the one using it. In my day there was no one who could stretch it’s sight beyond the Mountain. If we had there would have been a clearer vision of the enemies approaching the gate. It would have changed the war. Or perhaps not. The empire was already failing.”
“Because magic was leaving?”
“Hmm,” Deran said. He seemed to have drifted off into his own thoughts.
“Oh no, magic wasn’t failing. Not exactly. The emperors were growing increasingly tired of magic not being in their control. They tried reforms and dictates and commands but there was always a limited amount of control the crown could exercise over us.”
“So he couldn’t govern you?” Anya asked.
Ten til Midnight 