For those just tuning in, this challenge is about taking a story idea from bare bones idea into a fully fledged story by writing consistently every week day for fifteen minutes. The sentence I end with on one day, is the sentence I start with on the following. Part one was Bob’s story and has nothing whatsoever to do with the story below. Part Two follows a character named Penelope. I have a few basic sentences to act as road marks on her journey. I am loosely calling that an outline. We will see where she ends up by the time the story is done. For now, we start Part two of the 2025 Fifteen Minute Writing Challenge.
Day 77: She had never met an agent of the emperor before.
She had never met an agent of the emperor before. ‘At least not that I know of.’ She suspected Emperor Galas had agent running through out the empire doing all sorts of things without her notice. ‘But I never thought dealing with me would be one of the things they did.’
Penelope was told that now that she was identified as having magic things would change, but somehow she still thought of it as ticking a different box. Magic, non magic, tick the box that applies. Government, was involved and she was certain there would be paperwork, but she had never lived a life where officials really got involved. She had never been arrested or investigated for anything. The government existed as an invisible entity out there but other than paperwork like taxes and her driver’s license, it wasn’t something to be interacted with.
‘And it certainly didn’t take individual notice of me,’ she thought. It wasn’t a comfortable thought. It made her feel as though she was suddenly under a microscope. She knew she hadn’t done anything wrong, but the attention did make her second guess herself.
AS she waited for the agent of the emperor to arrive, Fairchild provided her with a cup of coffee. He let her sit in his guest chair while he went to dry off from the rain. Penelope sipped the hot coffee slowly and realized that while she was glad someone official was going to look at her vehicle, she would have much preferred a mechanic. ‘Or even the police.’
When Fairchild returned, he wasn’t alone. With him was a gentleman. He wore an emblem of his rank as a pin attached to his lapel. Penelope wasn’t familiar enough with all of the titles to know which family this particular man belonged to. She hadn’t memorized all of the symbols, but she knew enough of the design of his pin that he was a Lord of some sort.
He smiled kindly at her and the lines around his eyes and mouth deepened. The had streaks of silver brushed through his dark hair and they caught the light, sparkling.
“Ms. Douglas, I am Agent Michaelson, I will be handling your case. Mr. Fairchild has kindly allowed us the use of his office for our discussion.”
“A pleasure,” Fairchild replied. “I will be in the front should you need me.” He then left the office closing the door behind him.
“The bank is nearing closing time and he no doubt has duties to perform and is more than likely looking ready to ending his day,” Michaelson said as he moved to Fairchild’s desk and took a seat. He glanced at the plant as he did so.
“Mr. Fairchild mentioned your assistance?” he said gesturing to the plant.
“Unintentionally,” Penelope said.
He smiled and nodded. “The unintentional will crop up frequently for the next stretch of time, I expect,” you are living in the house left to you?” he asked.
“I am.”
“Excellent,” he said. “The old homes have the better shielding which might help you out as you learn.”
“So I have been told,” Penelope replied. The older man nodded.
Ten til Midnight 