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 172: “Of course,” Marta said.
“Of course,” Marta said.
“If you could gather supplies, enough to fortify her for the next month so that she does not need to risk being seen then we should be able to convince Lord Mathis’ man that she is not here. Even if any of her activities were noticed prior, it would have been believed to have stopped before he arrived.”
“As if even though she did stay a little while she has since left?” Marta asked.
The matron nodded. “Exactly.”
Marta chewed her lip. “There are those who gossip,” Marta said slowly. “And who do not mind speaking with outsiders about the House. I could let one of them see me gather a pack and fill it with supplies. There is a break in the weather and it is conceivable that she could think it safe to return home. Especially if someone could rearrange the schedule to insure there was a small window where the southern gate remained unguarded. There would be plenty who might remark upon such an unusual occurrence or request, even if they aren’t prone to gossip.”
“I believe I could arrange for a break in the routine,” the Matron said. If it is early enough then it would be a long head start that the Lord’s man would need to use to catch up.”
“We will still have to watch for his return,” Marta cautioned.
“Yes,” the matron said. “But if she has a month’s worth of supplies it will look as though she left, even if there is suspicion now.”
“She may still not trust you,” Marta cautioned.
“I know, but that is a hurdle we can deal with once Lord Mathis concentrates his search elsewhere.”
As the two of them began to plan their misdirection, Anya pulled her thoughts away from Marta and the Matron and towards the Man Lord Mathis was sending. Her vision swept away and she could make him out as he traveled along the road. It was the same man who sniffed the air looking for her scent. He was riding a dappled gray mare and looked like any number of travelers. He could have been a merchant or a minstrel or even a farmer. Nothing about him stood out, other than the fact that he was traveling the road in a time where there was little traffic. His clothes were of decent quality but worn a bit so they didn’t look new. They were worn in but not worn out which spoke of general prosperousness but not wealth. Anya had seen dozens of men who looked like him in Tyrin and knew he would have little trouble blending in most towns. Anya assumed the road he was on led her, but she was unfamiliar with the territory of Rulash.
Anya returned her vision to the room where the orb was located. She pulled her hands from its surface and opened her eyes.
Ten til Midnight 