The fifteen minute novel writing experiment is an 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 225: There was no condemnation in the voice, merely curiosity.
There was no condemnation in the voice, merely curiosity. The tone made Anya feel brave. “It is not the assistance I doubt. I believe it is as you say,” Anya began.
“Yet there is something?”
“Yes,” Anya said. “To set up the rooms including the…garden for food,” Anya began slowly hoping she was not about to offend someone as powerful as the moon. “It would take time.”
“Yes,” Bendeasa replied. “It is why you should still receive supplies from the others.”
Anya nodded. “I understand, but it would commit me to staying there for a longer time. While I don’t mind staying in the hidden spaces of the mountain, I am not certain I want to stay there forever. I also am enjoying learning the things I am learning, but I am uncertain how they would be used in the outside world. In the small sections that I have seen the knowledge I learn might be …problematic.”
“But you have not seen a large section of the world,” Bendeasa replied. “Of course the world has changed much since I have walked in it as well. To see my statue placed in such a manner …so unlike the temples of old.”
The statue seemed more thoughtful than angry and Anya was relieved that at least she had caused no offense. She remembered that the statue thought of this as a gift of sorts. ‘And I don’t want to seem ungrateful.’
“I will need to speak with someone who knows more of how the world as it stands now. Perhaps I can find someone who will speak with you and help you decide your course. However the quarters are much more suitable than the ones in which you are living now.”
“And it is closer to Marta and her supplies now that you have explained the passage ways,” Anya agreed, wanting to seem thankful.
“Even if you do not make use of the garden space to procure your own food it will serve you better to move there. You may do so while I seek out an advisor for you,” Bendeasa told her.
The words sounded like an order. Anya opened her mouth but was uncertain what to say. The need for words was taken from her as the statue leaned back and Anya blinked, finding herself once more lying in her own bed.
“Not my bed for much longer,” she muttered to herself. While Anya wasn’t sure if she would stay, the statue who might be a goddess ordered her to move to the new quarters. ”So I suppose I will move quarters,” Anya said. She yawned and scooted down further into the warmth of her blankets. “In the morning,” she decided.
Anya closed her eyes. As much as she wasn’t happy about being ordered around, she had to admit that it was nice to have one decision made. She would move to a new set of quarters with more room and less chance of being over heard as she moved around. Anya knew she could move the rings that let her converse with Deran. After she started moving everything else she would see if she could move the orb. If that was possible, there would be less time spent in trying to move silently around the hidden passageways.
‘I wonder who she would get to serve as an advisor,” Anya thought.
Ten til Midnight 