Writing Experiment #12 - Ryann Manuscript Part 9

This is number twelve in a series of posts where I document the complete process of writing a novella - Day By Day!

INTRODUCTION

I am documenting (via my blog) the complete start to finish experience of writing a novella that I will be releasing for FREE once it is written.

Ryann is the story of a thirteen year-old girl who works as a servant for a tyrant of a master, and longs for the day when she can buy her freedom. The novella will serve as the introduction to a new fantasy series that I will start writing in 2013.

I will be writing approximately 900 words per day and I will post each day's writing the following morning, unedited, on my blog. This means you get to see my draft with all its original spelling mistakes, bad grammar, and clumsy sentences

The timeline for the experiment is as follows:

• Plotting, Characters and Scene Outlines - April 1to April 20 - COMPLETE
• First Draft Manuscript - April 21 to May 18 - IN PROGRESS
• First Manuscript Edits - July 1to July 5
• Reader Proofs - July 6 to July 25
• Final Manuscript Edits - July 26to July 31

STATUS

Today's Date: April 30th
Progress: Day 9 complete. Following is the day's writing...

---

CHAPTER FIVE

Bramwel watched Kieran scurry off back toward the sclavas’ quarters. He kicked the wall near to the door where Kieran had been standing and cursed. “These damn sclavas. I’ll see to it that they never leave this place.” He smiled and turned to walk back toward his bedroom. “But what was he doing here?” he said out loud, stopping in mid-stride. He turned back toward the half-hidden door and smiled. Now he knew. Yes, Kieran had come from inside that door.

Bramwel pushed open the door and stepped inside the corridor. It was dark and smelled of stale air and times gone past. He pushed the door shut behind him and let his eyes get accustomed to the dim light. He had never been here before. He was certain of that and yet he had passed by the door a hundred times. He set off down the corridor and soon came to a large room that was lit by light from a large window. There was a heap of what looked like rugs stacked on one side of the room and several piles of books nearby. What was this place?

Bramwel knelt down in front of one of the rugs and took a closer look. “It’s a tapestry,” he said to himself. He ran his fingers over the delicate thread work and traced the outline of the man on the white horse. “Father?” He pulled another tapestry from the pile and examined it. Yes there was no mistaking it; it was definitely supposed to be his father riding into battle on his white horse. But why were these tapestries all hidden away and not on display? He didn’t understand that at all. Bramwel got back to his feet and picked up the first tapestry he had looked at and rolled it up into a cylinder. He threw it over his shoulder and made his way back toward his bedroom. “I’ll take a closer look at this later,” he said to himself.

It was already quite dark by the time Bramwel reappeared in the main corridor again. He shifted the weight of the tapestry slightly on his shoulder and strode down the wide corridor. A few minutes later he reached his bedroom and he went inside.

“You still here?” Bramwel asked, dropping the tapestry to the floor just inside the doorway.

“Yes master,” said Ryann, curtsying.

Bramwel crossed over to his clothes chest and looked inside. “And you still haven’t finishing organizing my things yet. What is wrong with you?”

“I’m going as fast as I can, master.”

Bramwel reached inside his chest and pulled out a few of the clothes. He threw them on the floor. “Well, it’s just not good enough. Now you’ll have to refold these. Come on, get to it.” He stepped back and watched as the girl with the messy black hair bent down to pick up the things he had thrown down. “Come on. Hurry up. I don’t have all evening.”

Ryann sat down on the floor and started to refold the clothes.

“And why are you so late anyway? What have you been doing today that has delayed you?”

“Nothing, master,” Ryann said, looking up at Bramwel.

“I ought to whip you but after the fuss with that young sclava girl I’m just going to take three copper coins as a punishment. Do I make myself clear?” Ryann nodded. “And I don’t want to see you late again. Next time I will whip you as well.” Bramwel turned and walked back toward the door and picked up the tapestry. “And hurry up for goodness sake. I don’t need you hanging around in my room all evening. I have important things to do.” He took the tapestry over to the window side of his room and rolled it open on the floor. A cloud of dust filled the air and he coughed.

“You will have to clean extra thoroughly tomorrow,” he said, catching Ryann half-smiling out of the corner of his eye. “Now get out, back to your room. I’ll see you in the morning.”

Ryann picked up the clothes she was folding and placed them carefully in the trunk before closing it once more. She curtsied to Bramwel and quickly left the room.

What was Bramwel doing with that tapestry, Ryann wondered to herself as she hurriedly made her way back her room. Had he found Kieran with it, or was it something else? It had definitely been the same tapestry that she had seen in that room. But why did Bramwel have it? She smiled to herself at the memory of Bramwel coughing through a mouthful of dust, and then skipped the last few yards to her room.

“Oh, hello cook. What can I do for you?” she asked, stopping dead in her tracks in the doorway.

“You’re late back from Master Bramwel’s room.”

“Sorry cook, but the master often makes my work harder than it need be.”

Cook smiled. “Indeed. But don’t let him know I said so.” She indicated for Ryann to sit down on the bed. “I have a tally for you.”

“A tally?”

“Megan’s savings. You’ll be pleased to know that after all her debts, she had twenty-two copper coins saved up. I have added them to your account.”

Twenty-two copper coins. That was all. Ryann had hoped there would be more. “Thank you cook. That’s very kind. Thank you.”

Cook bent down over Ryann and lowered her voice. “Now little one, I need you to start behaving a little more. I know you’re young and impetuous but I wouldn’t want you to end up like Megan. No, you’re a smart girl. You need to work out how to make Master Bramwel happy and then save up your money.” She rubbed Ryann’s hair with her hand and stepped back toward the door. “And try and tidy yourself up a little bit. You look like some waif we just brought in from outside.”

“Yes cook.” Ryann smiled and watched cook as she left.

Twenty-two more copper coins. It was going to take her forever to save enough to buy her freedom.

PRESS RELEASE: Teen Epic Fantasy Series Re-Imagined: Xannu - The Prophecy

Author Paul Dorset has published the 2nd edition of his debut novel, Xannu – The Prophecy, a 400 page book that is the 1st in a thrilling teens' epic fantasy series. The book is available for $0.99 at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple and Smashwords.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRLog (Press Release) - Apr 29, 2012 -
Anacortes, WA author and resident, Paul Dorset has published the second edition of his debut novel, “Xannu – The Prophecy,” a 400 page book that is the first in a thrilling epic fantasy series written especially for teens. The book, published at an introductory low price of $0.99, is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple and Smashwords.

Written for all for fans of Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter and The Narnia Chronicles, the first installment in a thrilling epic fantasy series…

Would you wake up in a hot sweat if you lived your night’s dreams as a soldier battling un-earthly creatures, witnessing powerful magic and fighting to save your own life on a daily basis?

English schoolboy Terry West does. Frequently. After digging up some rune coins near a roman road, he has been living in another world inhabited by warlocks, seductresses, priests and prophecy. There Terry is a soldier, Teern Truthbringer, who has been tasked with finding the Xannu - 'he who will lead the people into deliverance.'

If only it wasn’t real; but it is. Very real. When it all began it was even enjoyable, but now Terry’s life is getting very complicated. Somehow he involved his best friend Joe and although it had seemed a good idea at the time, the consequences had been dire. Then there is Susan, the leggy sister of klutzy school-friend Brian. Why does she keep sending him messages?

Terry is struggling to balance the two lives he leads and every day he is losing his grip on reality just a little bit more. He’s been forced to kill enemies; his companion, the magical woman Maria, is scaring him half to death with her abilities; and his parents are on his back about his school work.

How will he balance the two lives he leads, solve two sets of problems, and understand the lessons he receives from both? Only time will tell. But time is something Terry doesn't have too much of, as everything is unfolding in ways he could never have imagined!

Book 1 of 'The Southern Lands' saga: “Listen to the teachings of a wise man. You may not understand all he says but you will surely have nourishment for the future. Be positive and plan for success. Failure to plan is to plan for failure. Worry not at what came before but only prepare yourselves for that which is ahead.” (Pika’Al 10:1-5, The Scriptures of Al’Zaneed)

Writing Experiment #11 - Ryann Manuscript Part 8

This is number eleven in a series of posts where I document the complete process of writing a novella - Day By Day!

INTRODUCTION

I am documenting (via my blog) the complete start to finish experience of writing a novella that I will be releasing for FREE once it is written.

Ryann is the story of a thirteen year-old girl who works as a servant for a tyrant of a master, and longs for the day when she can buy her freedom. The novella will serve as the introduction to a new fantasy series that I will start writing in 2013.

I will be writing approximately 900 words per day and I will post each day's writing the following morning, unedited, on my blog. This means you get to see my draft with all its original spelling mistakes, bad grammar, and clumsy sentences

The timeline for the experiment is as follows:

• Plotting, Characters and Scene Outlines - April 1to April 20 - COMPLETE
• First Draft Manuscript - April 21 to May 18 - IN PROGRESS
• First Manuscript Edits - July 1to July 5
• Reader Proofs - July 6 to July 25
• Final Manuscript Edits - July 26to July 31

STATUS

Today's Date: April 29th
Progress: Day 8 complete. Following is the day's writing (Chapter Four continued)...

---

“So how long have you been here?” asked Ryann.

“Nearly two years,” replied Kieran.

“And you still don’t have enough money to buy your freedom?”

Kieran shook his head and stared at his plate. “No. Every time I get close, something happens. A couple of weeks ago I had to give the steward nearly forty copper coins for a whole new set of clothes. He said I had grown too much.”

“Wow. I hope I don’t have to pay that much. I already need some new clothes.”

“You’ll be fine. I think it was just to stop me saving more money. The Lord doesn’t like any of his sclavas leaving.”

“But we’re all allowed to buy our freedom.”

Kieran looked around the room before whispering to Ryann. “That’s what they tell you. In secret I don’t really believe that. I don’t know of a single person myself that has bought their freedom. All there is, is stories.”

Ryann put a piece of potato in her mouth and chewed on it. “I don’t want to stay here forever. I want to get back to town.”

“Do you have any brothers or sisters there?” asked Kieran.

“No, I’m an orphan,” replied Ryann. “Both my parents are dead. What about you?”

“Me too. I never knew my father and my mom died after getting kicked by a horse. I don’t know what I would do if I ever got out of here. I guess I’d have to find a real job and look after myself. I think that’s why most people end up staying here. It’s just easier.”

“Well I’m going to get out of here,” said Ryann. “As soon as I can.” She lifted the plate to her mouth and licked up the remainder of the gravy. “And at least Megan left me her money so I ought to be a little closer already.” She put the clean plate back down on the table.

Kieran looked into Ryann’s face. “How much money did she have?”

“I don’t know,” said Ryann, shrugging her shoulders. “But I hope it is enough for at least a silver coin or two.”

Kieran finished his dinner and took his and Ryann’s plates over to the far side of the kitchen and stacked them on top of a table. “Come on, we’ve got a little while before we have to do our chores, let’s go and explore a little.”

“I can’t,” replied Ryann. “That’s how I got Megan into trouble before. Bramwel caught her and whipped her. I wouldn’t want us to get caught.”

Kieran smiled. “It’s okay, Ree. I know a few secret places. No one will find us where we’re going. After all I’ve been in the castle nearly two years. You’ve got to believe I know a few things.”

“If you’re sure.”

“Of course I am. Come on.”

Ryann followed Kieran as he led her along several corridors and then down some steps, through a small half-hidden door. After a while they came out into a large room, laden with stacks of tapestries and books. “Where are we?” she asked.

“In an unused part of the castle. Like I said, no one ever comes here.” He wandered over to the pile of tapestries and pulled one from the pile, laying it on the ground. “Here, take a look at this.”

Ryann walked over to the tapestry and knelt down beside it. “What is it?”

“I think it must be a famous battle. You see that man there? On the horse. Well I think he looks a lot like Lord Cala, doesn’t he?”

Ryann stared at the man on the white horse and tried to remember exactly what Lord Cala looked like. She had only seen him a few times and she couldn’t be sure it looked like him at all. “I guess so,” she said, trying not to upset Kieran.

“And these other people must be his army.” Kieran pointed at some men lying on the ground.

“They look like they’re dead to me.”

Kieran nodded. “That’s what I think too. I think this may be a battle that the Lord, or maybe his father, lost. I think that’s why it’s hidden away in here.”

Ryann got back up to her feet and wandered over to the piles of books. She picked a book up. “Can you read, Kieran?”

“Only a few words. I’m trying to learn but none of the people I know can read either. Cook says the steward can read, but he’s not going to teach me.” Kieran took the book from Ryann and put it back down. “Come on. We’d better get back before they miss us. Next time I’ll show you one of the books that I’ve been learning from. It has some really good drawings in it too.”

A few minutes later and Ryann and Kieran were back on the other side of the half-hidden door. “I’d better hurry to Bramwel’s room,” said Ryann. “I’ll see you later, okay?”

“Bye, Ree. Thanks for coming with me.” Kieran watched as Ryann ran off down the corridor.

“And what are you doing here? This isn’t a part of the castle you are allowed to be in.”

Kieran’s heart jumped in his chest and he turned to face Bramwel. “Hello, master. I was just taking a walk. That was all.”

Bramwel reached out and grabbed Kieran’s arm. “A walk? As I said, this is not somewhere you are allowed to be.”

Kieran swallowed hard and tried to pull his arm free. “I didn’t know. I’m sorry.”

“And was there anybody with you? I thought I heard the voice of that girl, Ryann.” Bramwel squeezed Kieran’s arm, making him cry out a little in pain.

“No master, I was all alone. I’m sorry. I won’t come here again.”

Bramwel pushed Kieran roughly against the wall and slapped him hard across his face. “No. I had better not find you in this part of the castle again. Next time I won’t be so lenient with you.”

Writing Experiment #10 - Ryann Manuscript Part 7

This is number ten in a series of posts where I document the complete process of writing a novella - Day By Day!

INTRODUCTION

I am documenting (via my blog) the complete start to finish experience of writing a novella that I will be releasing for FREE once it is written.

Ryann is the story of a thirteen year-old girl who works as a servant for a tyrant of a master, and longs for the day when she can buy her freedom. The novella will serve as the introduction to a new fantasy series that I will start writing in 2013.

I will be writing approximately 900 words per day and I will post each day's writing the following morning, unedited, on my blog. This means you get to see my draft with all its original spelling mistakes, bad grammar, and clumsy sentences

The timeline for the experiment is as follows:

• Plotting, Characters and Scene Outlines - April 1to April 20 - COMPLETE
• First Draft Manuscript - April 21 to May 18 - IN PROGRESS
• First Manuscript Edits - July 1to July 5
• Reader Proofs - July 6 to July 25
• Final Manuscript Edits - July 26to July 31

STATUS

Today's Date: April 28th
Progress: Day 7 complete. Following is the day's writing...

---

CHAPTER FOUR

Ryann trudged along the corridor toward Bramwel’s room. She was already late but she didn’t really care. They had taken Megan’s body away before she could even say a proper goodbye. It was the custom, cook had said. Well it certainly wasn’t how they did things in the town. Her parents would never have treated her in that way.

“You’re late,” said Bramwel as Ryann entered his room. “I ought to give you a beating straight away.

Ryann looked up at Bramwel and ignored him. She made her way toward his bed and pulled off the bedding. “Megan is dead. You killed her.”

Bramwel laughed. “Dead? I hardly whipped her.”

Ryann straightened out the covers to Bramwel’s bed and pulled the bottom sheet back onto the bed and tried to square it off. “Well she’s dead now.”

Bramwel got up from the chair he was sitting on and crossed toward Ryann. “Not like that. How many times do I have to tell you, girl? Don’t they teach you anything downstairs?” He gestured at the sheet Ryann was tucking into the corners of his bed. “Take more care. I surely am going to have to beat you again today.”

Ryann stopped what she was doing and stood up. “And will you kill me like you killed Megan?”

Bramwel laughed again. “I told you I didn’t kill Megan, I just gave her a few licks of my whip. Maybe that is what you need today. Besides, you know you are not supposed to talk with me unless I ask you a question.”

“She’s dead!,” Ryann shouted at the top of her voice. “I’m telling you she’s dead.” She guiltily lowered her head and reached out to the sheet once more. “You beat her too hard. She was only little.”

Bramwel made a huffing sound with his mouth and walked over to stand next to the window. “Well then Ryann, you’d better do exactly what you are asked if you don’t want to end up the same way. And curb your tongue when you’re in my presence. I will not tell you again.”

Ryann bit her tongue and tried her hardest not to look in Bramwel’s direction. She finished tucking in the sheet and then dragged the heavy bed-cover onto the bed. When she was done she turned and curtsied to Bramwel and quickly left the room.

“And don’t forget to bring me some fresh water,” Bramwel shouted after her.

Bramwel crossed back to his bed and sat on the edge of it, dangling his feet over the edge. He hadn’t expected the young girl to die. After all he had given worse beatings to them all at some time or another. Except Ryann. He still hadn’t caught her doing something bad enough to warrant a beating. Still, maybe he should give her one anyway, just to put her in her place. She did insist on talking back to him and that was something strictly forbidden.

Bramwel flopped down onto his side and pulled at the threads on his bed-cover. And why hadn’t the steward or the housekeeper said something about Megan? They usually did when one of the sclavas was sick. Maybe if he had known then he could have arranged a healing potion for her.

He sat back up again and laughed. What was he thinking? A potion for a sclava? No one would ever give a sclava a healing potion. No, their lives were far too cheap for that. His father could easily go to the market and get another one for him. The cost of a potion was more than a sclava could expect to earn in a month. No, it was the right thing. Sclavas die. It was as simple as that.

* * *

“Do you mind if I sit next to you?”

Ryann looked up from her dinner. “What?”

“Can I sit here?” the boy repeated.

“Yep,” Ryann replied, staring down at her plate once more. “Do whatever you want to do.”

“I’m sorry about Megan. I know she was your best friend.”

“I don’t have a best friend. I still don’t have a best friend.”

“What about me?” asked the boy.

“Ryann looked up from her plate once more. “You? You never even speak to me usually. You just feel sorry for me today.”

“No I don’t, Ree. I can call you Ree, can’t I?”

“I guess.”

“And you can call me Kieran.”

“But that’s your name.”

“Oh,” said Kieran. “So you know that then?”

“Of course I do. I’m not stupid or anything. I’ve seen you in the kitchens and helping out about the place. I know who you are.”

Kieran smiled. “Well that’s good to know then.” He sat down next to Ryann and pushed his plate along the table. “Do you want any of my dinner?”

Ryann scrunched up her nose and looked into his face. “Why would I want some of your dinner?”

“Well, just. You know?”

“What?”

“Well, since you arrived in the castle you’ve been getting thinner.”

“I’m what?” Ryann shouted, getting to her feet. “You’re sorry for me because my friend died and I’m getting thinner? Did I look better when I was fatter then? Is that what you’re saying?”

“No. No. I… I just meant that…”

“Here, why don’t you have one of my potatoes? I wouldn’t want you to get thin too.” Ryann picked up a potato, dropped it onto Kieran’s plate and sat down again.

Kieran blushed. “I’m sorry, Ree. Can I start again? I didn’t mean to appear rude. I was just saying that if you’re not getting enough food then I am happy to share with you. That’s all.”

“And in return you expect me to share with you?”

“Only if you want to.” Kieran pricked a large piece of carrot with his fork and put it onto Ryann’s plate. “Now we’re even. Come on, let’s eat.”

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Writing Experiment #9 - Ryann Manuscript Part 6

This is number nine in a series of posts where I document the complete process of writing a novella - Day By Day!

INTRODUCTION

I am documenting (via my blog) the complete start to finish experience of writing a novella that I will be releasing for FREE once it is written.

Ryann is the story of a thirteen year-old girl who works as a servant for a tyrant of a master, and longs for the day when she can buy her freedom. The novella will serve as the introduction to a new fantasy series that I will start writing in 2013.

I will be writing approximately 900 words per day and I will post each day's writing the following morning, unedited, on my blog. This means you get to see my draft with all its original spelling mistakes, bad grammar, and clumsy sentences

The timeline for the experiment is as follows:

• Plotting, Characters and Scene Outlines - April 1to April 20 - COMPLETE
• First Draft Manuscript - April 21 to May 18 - IN PROGRESS
• First Manuscript Edits - July 1to July 5
• Reader Proofs - July 6 to July 25
• Final Manuscript Edits - July 26to July 31

STATUS

Today's Date: April 27th
Progress: Day 6 complete. Following is the day's writing (Chapter Three continued)...

---

Ryann took a step back and turned around. It was no good, she was going to have to get cook. Megan wasn’t looking well at all. She ran toward the door and, once outside Megan’s room, she raced along the corridor toward the kitchen.

“Cook, cook,” she shouted as she rounded the corner to the kitchen. “Come quickly. It’s Megan!”

“Whatever is the matter?” cook replied, looking up from rolling out some pastry.

Ryann reached cook’s side and tugged at her arm. “Come quickly. It’s Megan. She has a terrible fever and she’s fallen asleep. I think she’s going to die.”

“Now, now, don’t say that, little one. I sent her back to her room earlier, to rest, after rubbing some fat on her cuts. She’s likely just tired.”

“No, cook. It’s not that. Please come back with me.”

Cook put down her rolling pin and rubbed her flowery hands together. “Just let me wash my hands.”

Ryann pulled harder at cook. “Now, cook. There isn’t time.”

Cook made a tutting sound and, resigned, followed after Ryann as they made their way back toward Megan’s room.

“Look, see. She’s not moving.”

Cook rubbed her still flowery hands on her apron and leaned over the young girl. She put a hand to Megan’s forehead and lowered her head over Megan’s chest. She shook her head. “I don’t understand it. She’s right poorly.” She turned around and shouted at another girl who had followed them into the room. “Get me damp cloths, girl. Immediately.”

“Is she going to die?” Ryann asked, fighting back a tear.

“I don’t know. Let’s see what we can do.”

Ryann took a hold of Megan’s hand and squeezed it. “Wake up, Megan. Open your eyes.”

“Here, let me through,” cook said, pulling Ryann away and applying a damp cloth to Megan’s forehead. “Now child, let’s see if this helps.”

Megan’s eyes flickered and briefly opened, before closing again. “Tell me some more, Ree,” she whispered. “More story.”

Ryann took a step forward and knelt down by Megan’s side. “Well after Lord Cala bought me from the market, they made me walk all the way here behind their horse and cart. I was tied to the back of the cart and the nice dress I had worn to the market had been changed out for a sackcloth. All the journey here neither Lord Cala nor the steward paid any attention to me. It was just like I didn’t exist. Then when we finally got to the keep, they just left me outside in the yard, still tied to the cart. I sat down on the ground and cried. I even rubbed my feet and tried to put some spit on my blistered feet.” Ryann paused while cook changed the cloth on Megan’s forehead for another.

“After a while the housekeeper came for me and took me inside. Then I was stripped down and cleaned up and given a talking to. The housekeeper told me I was now in the debt of the Lord and until I could earn twenty silver pieces I would have to serve him. She told me I was lucky though, luckier than most, and I was to have a special job. Do you hear me, Megan?” She laughed. “They said I was to get a special job.” Ryann looked down at Megan and thought she saw the faintest of a flicker on her lips.

“Yes, I got a special job alright. They gave me to Master Bramwel as a sclava.”

Cook glared down at Ryann. “Manners, little one.”

“What does it matter, cook? Manners ain’t going to save Megan, are they?”

“None of us are here to judge, Ryann.”

Ryann dropped her head. “I’m sorry.” She turned to Megan once more and whispered. “But you know what I mean, don’t you?”

Megan’s eyes flickered open and she smiled a little. She opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out.

“Water!” cook shouted. She took a cup from a girl and poured a little into Megan’s mouth. Most of it flowed down the side of Megan’s face and onto the bed, but she did manage to swallow a little.

Megan reached out a hand toward Ryann and waited for her to take it. “You,” she whispered. “You can have my earnings.” She managed another half-smile toward Ryann and closed her eyes again.

“What does she mean?” Ryann asked cook.

“She’s telling you her sclava savings are yours when she dies.”

Ryann pulled Megan’s hand toward her face and kissed it. “No, don’t die, Megan. You don’t have to die. You can keep your money. You and I can both earn enough to be free. You’ll see.”

Cook leaned over Megan once more. “Do you want me to be oath witness, Megan?”

Megan opened her eyes and half-nodded. “Yes,” she mumbled. “Oath witness.”

“What does that mean?” asked Ryann.

“If any sclava gives their money to another and it is oath witnessed then it is done. The Lord cannot take their money from them if they die.”

“Die? Don’t say it’s so.”

Cook shook her head.

Ryann leaned forward and lay on Megan. “Don’t die on me, Megan. Hang on. You can get better. Please wake up.”

“Come on, little one,” cook said, pulling Ryann off of Megan. “Let her go in peace now.”

“No!” screamed Ryann, struggling to escape from cook’s hold. “Megan!”

Cook clutched Ryann tightly to her and rocked her to and fro. “It’s too late.”

Ryann pushed her face hard into cook’s shoulder as the first of the tears flowed from her. Soon she was sobbing so uncontrollably she didn’t even hear cook order one of the girls to send for the steward and to make sure that Megan’s body was burned outside.

“Now, now, Ryann. That’s alright. Just let it all out,” cook whispered in Ryann’s ear.

Writing Experiment #8 - Ryann Manuscript Part 5

This is number eight in a series of posts where I document the complete process of writing a novella - Day By Day!

INTRODUCTION

I am documenting (via my blog) the complete start to finish experience of writing a novella that I will be releasing for FREE once it is written.

Ryann is the story of a thirteen year-old girl who works as a servant for a tyrant of a master, and longs for the day when she can buy her freedom. The novella will serve as the introduction to a new fantasy series that I will start writing in 2013.

I will be writing approximately 900 words per day and I will post each day's writing the following morning, unedited, on my blog. This means you get to see my draft with all its original spelling mistakes, bad grammar, and clumsy sentences

The timeline for the experiment is as follows:

• Plotting, Characters and Scene Outlines - April 1to April 20 - COMPLETE
• First Draft Manuscript - April 21 to May 18 - IN PROGRESS
• First Manuscript Edits - July 1to July 5
• Reader Proofs - July 6 to July 25
• Final Manuscript Edits - July 26to July 31

STATUS

Today's Date: April 26th
Progress: Day 5 complete. Following is the day's writing...

---

CHAPTER THREE

Ryann ran down the corridor, away from Bramwel’s bedroom. Her vision was blurred as tears started to stream down her face. She pushed past two other sclavas that were walking near to her room, ignoring their questions. She pushed open the door to her room and flung herself down on her bed and wept.

Her face stung and already she knew she would have the bruises to show for it within a couple of hours. Everyone would know she had displeased her master. It would probably mean she would be punished too. Not even cook would believe it hadn’t been her fault. Sclavas were never in the right when there had been a dispute.

Ryann rolled over onto her back and wiped away the tears from her eyes and stared at the ceiling. She gently touched her right cheek. It was burning and the bone felt bruised underneath. Yes, it was definitely going to show. All she could do was hope that Bramwel said nothing special to cook or to the steward of the keep. Otherwise it would be worse for her.

She forced herself to get up and she brushed off a few pieces of loose straw from her dress. No, she was just going to have to carry on with things as though nothing had happened. That was the only way. And Bramwel had told her not to come back until a little later. That meant she had a little free time before she had to tidy his room.

Looking into Megan’s room as she walked down the corridor, Ryann noticed Megan lying in her bed. “What’s wrong?” she asked, crossing over to Megan’s side.

Megan stared up at Ryann and mouthed something indistinguishable. Ryann leaned down toward Megan. “What’s wrong?” she repeated, brushing some hair away from the young girl’s eyes. “You’re burning up. Does cook know?”

Megan nodded and took Ryann’s hand. “Sit down,” she mouthed.

Ryann sat down next to Megan and put a hand to her brow again. “I need to get a wet cloth to cool you down.” She tried to pull her hand away from Megan but Megan held her tight.

“Tell me about your family,” Megan pleaded, almost silently. “Please.”

Ryann squeezed Megan’s hand and smoothed her hair once more. “I have no family,” she said. “That’s why I’m a sclava. I grew up on the far side of the town. My father was a thatcher and my mother worked for the local farmer, milking the cows and working the fields when there was a need. In the evenings she would teach me a few things and sometimes she would even take me with her to the farm.” She smiled. “One day I even got to milk my own cow. That was fun. We even got to drink a little of the milk.” Ryann sighed and looked toward the far side of the room, lost in thought for a few moments, before returning her gaze to Megan.

“Then one day my father fell from the church roof and hurt his back really badly. He got a fever and they said there was nothing they could do for him. We buried him two days later.” Ryann smiled down at Megan as the little girl squeezed her hand. “So my mother went to talk to the farmer and asked if she could do more work for him. But there was only so much and so she asked around at other places too. I even tried to help out but everyone said I was too small and dumpy to be of any use.” She laughed. “But look at me now. They should have known it only takes a few weeks of being a sclava to lose all that fat. Anyway, my mother got another job at a different farm and worked from before sun-up to after sun-down every day. She fed me well enough but I didn’t know she was going without everything just to look after me. In the end she got too weak and a simple dose of poison-berry got her.” Ryann let a tear fall from her eye onto the bed.

“I tried to stay in our house and look after myself but I didn’t know what to do. Then some people came from the town and said my parents owed for the cost of burying them and other things. They took our house and threw me out into the woods. What was I supposed to do? I didn’t know anything. I found the farmer that had the cow and I asked him if I could milk the cows. But he just laughed at me and sent me on my way. For a couple of days I found berries in the woods and I even stole a loaf of bread from an open window. But then they caught me when I went to the market and tried to take some cheese.” Ryann gazed down into Megan’s eyes and smiled. “Let me go and get you that cloth now.”

“No. I want to hear the end of the story,” Megan said. “It is making me feel better.” She squeezed Ryann’s hand again.

“Well after they caught me, they asked about in town for me but no one wanted to claim me. So they said I would have to be sold to repay my debts. I told them I didn’t have any but they didn’t listen to me. The next day I was tied to a cart and led to the big market, the one that is near to here. They washed me up and put a new brown dress on me. Then they tied my hair back and displayed me. The rest you know. Lord Cala and his steward looked me over and made a payment.” Ryann freed her hand and wiped some sweat from Megan’s face. “And what about you? How did you get here?”

Megan opened her mouth to say something but nothing came out. She looked up at Ryann and smiled.

“Megan? Megan? Are you okay? Say something. Don’t die on me. Don’t die on me now.”

Writing Experiment #7 - Ryann Manuscript Part 4

This is the seventh in a series of posts where I document the complete process of writing a novella - Day By Day!

INTRODUCTION

I am documenting (via my blog) the complete start to finish experience of writing a novella that I will be releasing for FREE once it is written.

Ryann is the story of a thirteen year-old girl who works as a servant for a tyrant of a master, and longs for the day when she can buy her freedom. The novella will serve as the introduction to a new fantasy series that I will start writing in 2013.

I will be writing approximately 900 words per day and I will post each day's writing the following morning, unedited, on my blog. This means you get to see my draft with all its original spelling mistakes, bad grammar, and clumsy sentences

The timeline for the experiment is as follows:

• Plotting, Characters and Scene Outlines - April 1to April 20 - COMPLETE
• First Draft Manuscript - April 21 to May 18 - IN PROGRESS
• First Manuscript Edits - July 1to July 5
• Reader Proofs - July 6 to July 25
• Final Manuscript Edits - July 26to July 31

STATUS

Today's Date: April 25th
Progress: Day 4 complete. Following is the day's writing (Chapter Two continued)...

---

Bramwel pushed back the bed covers early the next morning and got up from his bed. It was still dark outside and his bedside candle flickered in the gentle breeze that ran through the room. “Boy!” he shouted out. “Where are you, boy?” The door to his room opened a crack and a head appeared in the doorway. “Prepare my wardrobe for the day, will you? And organize a hot bath for me.”

The boy nodded. “Is that all, master?”

“For now.” Bramwel watched as the boy disappeared from view again. He picked up the candle-holder and walked over to his study table. Damn his father. Today he really was going to have to do some studying. His father was growing angry with him. It just wasn’t fair. Why did he have to do all this? It would be so much more fun to be able to ride into battle as a part of his father’s army. Well maybe if he studied harder. Then maybe he would be allowed.

Where was that boy? Bramwel turned back toward the door. “Boy? Where are you now?” He waited impatiently for a response and after a few moments crossed over to the door, pulled it open and peered down the corridor. “Boy?”

A pale face appeared from an adjacent room. “Can I get you something, master?”

Bramwel looked across at the waif of a girl who was looking at him and a smile crossed his face. “It appears my sclava is busy. Will you run an errand for me?”

The girl curtsied. “Of course, master.”

“Will you run down to the kitchen and ask cook to send that little urchin Ryann to me with my breakfast? And make sure you repeat exactly what I say. No mistakes.”

The girl curtsied again and ran off toward the kitchen.

Bramwel smiled as he watched her go and then returned to his room to wait. Yes, he still had some unfinished business to attend to with that girl Ryann.

“You called me, master?” Ryann said, pushing open the door to Bramwel’s bedroom and entering, carrying a large breakfast tray.

Bramwel looked up from his bed. “Over there. On the table.” He watched the girl as she crossed his room and placed the tray on the table, next to his books.

“Will that be all?” She asked, curtsying.

“Bramwel jumped down from his bed and took a few steps toward Ryann. “And where were you last night?”

“Master?”

“Last night? Aren’t you supposed to tidy my room and my wardrobe in the evenings?”

Ryann dropped her head. “Yes master.”

“And?” He took another couple of steps until he was standing in front of Ryann and he lifted up her head with his hand. She tried to avoid looking into his eyes.

“I fell asleep, master. I was attending to Megan. She got hurt bad.”

“And it was more important to attend to a sclava than to attend to your master?”

“No sir.” Ryann tried to look downward once more.

Bramwel slapped Ryann hard across the face, watching her reaction. She bit her lip but said nothing. “And where were you when Megan was poking around in that bedroom?” Ryann remained silent and Bramwel slapped her again. “Well?”

“Nowhere sir. I was nowhere.”

Bramwel took a hold of Ryann’s arm and yanked it toward him. “Look at me when I’m speaking to you.” He watched as Ryann slowly raised her eyes to his. He could see she was fighting back a tear as her face reddened from the slapping. “You need to do a better job, girl. Don’t you know my father saved you from the gutters? Without his help you would probably be dead by now. You should be thankful for everything we give you.”

“Yes sir.”

Bramwel let go of Ryann’s arm and pulled her long black hair backward until her head was forced to move with it. “Look around you, Ryann. This is your life now. This is your forever. Get used to it because it’s not going to change.” He pushed her away from him. “Now get out of here and return a little later. I want to see this room shining from your cleaning efforts. And tidied too.” He leaned forward, picked up a leg of chicken from his plate and took a big bite from it. “Get out!” he screamed.

Bramwel finished the chicken leg and swallowed down a large glass of water before walking over to the window. The sun was just rising to his left and he could see the faint shadows of dawn rushing across the paths on the horizon. The forest looked quiet.

He returned to his table, reached down to a shelf underneath, and pulled out a small wooden horse that had originally been painted white but was now half-dappled where several pieces of paint had flaked off. He clutched the horse to him and crossed back back to the window.

“One day, Stampede, we will ride through the forest and out across the plains. One day we will fight a glorious battle and win a castle of our own to live in.” He lifted the horse toward the window so that it was looking outside with him. “See how it is out there. You see how you would love it?” Bramwel moved the horse so that it appeared to nod toward him and he smiled. “I knew you would be happy. One day we will have that castle and we will own a hundred sclavas. Then we will be the happiest people in the world.

Writing Experiment #6 - Ryann Manuscript Part 3

This is the sixth in a series of posts where I document the complete process of writing a novella - Day By Day!

INTRODUCTION

I am documenting (via my blog) the complete start to finish experience of writing a novella that I will be releasing for FREE once it is written.

Ryann is the story of a thirteen year-old girl who works as a servant for a tyrant of a master, and longs for the day when she can buy her freedom. The novella will serve as the introduction to a new fantasy series that I will start writing in 2013.

I will be writing approximately 900 words per day and I will post each day's writing the following morning, unedited, on my blog. This means you get to see my draft with all its original spelling mistakes, bad grammar, and clumsy sentences

The timeline for the experiment is as follows:

• Plotting, Characters and Scene Outlines - April 1to April 20 - COMPLETE
• First Draft Manuscript - April 21 to May 18 - IN PROGRESS
• First Manuscript Edits - July 1to July 5
• Reader Proofs - July 6 to July 25
• Final Manuscript Edits - July 26to July 31

STATUS

Today's Date: April 24th
Progress: Day 3 complete. Following is the day's writing...

---

CHAPTER TWO

Bramwel dropped the whip onto his bed and walked across the room to look out of the window. In the distance he could see the edge of the forest that eventually led to the great plains. He sighed. One day he would be allowed to travel through the forest, just like his father did. In the meantime he would just have to be content with teaching the sclavas good manners.

He turned his head back toward the whip and smiled. Five lashes should be enough to teach that young girl a lesson. He had hoped it would be Ryann he had found. If it had been her he would have given her ten. Well maybe eight. He didn’t want to make her too sick to attend to him.

Bramwel looked down at the ground below his window. There were a couple of men walking across the courtyard, leading a horse and cart. No doubt his father was having some select provisions delivered. Perhaps it was even something special for their dinner. He licked his lips. “What have you got there?” he shouted down. The two men gazed up at him but said nothing and carried on walking. Typical. The ignorance of these people was beyond belief. How did his father put up with it? When he was old enough to be the master he would teach them all some respect. He smiled again. Just like he had with the girl. Yes, his whip taught respect.

He crossed back over to his bed and picked up his whip. Turning on the balls of his feet he released it, aiming at the far side of the room. A wooden figure fell from a table and hit the floor. “Excellent,” he said to himself. “Soon I will be able to hit splinters at five paces.”

Bramwel walked over to the wooden figure, retrieved it from the floor and placed it back on the table. He picked up one of the books that was sitting next to it and carried it back toward his bed. Study. He could almost hear his father’s voice as he opened the book. But studying was boring. Who needed to know about the history of Walthern and the treaties of the different countries? There would be time for that when he was older. But he was young now and he needed this time to do other, more interesting, things. Like explore. Surely every fourteen year-old boy got the chance to explore?. And if they didn’t then they were busy fighting battles, working for an army. Even his father had boys in his army, but so far Bramwel had been forbidden the chance to travel with him.

He threw the book across the room and flopped back on his bed. Why wasn’t he allowed to fight as well? He could handle a sword. He could even handle a spear. And a whip; well everyone knew just how well he could handle a whip. It just wasn’t fair. He could be a great leader if only his father would give him a chance. There’s plenty of time for all that later, his father always chided. No son of mine goes into battle unprepared. That’s all his father ever said to him when he asked about fighting alongside him. And in the meantime he was supposed to study all these books and learn about a thousand different things.

Bramwel hurriedly got to his feet as he heard a knock at his door. “Enter,” he called out.

A young boy peered into the room, too afraid to fully enter. “Your father, the Lord, would like you to go to him, sir.”

“Now?” Bramwel shouted, taking a few steps toward the boy.

“Now, sir,” the boy replied, before disappearing from sight again and pulling the door shut behind him.

“What is so important that my father wishes to see me at this time of the evening?” Bramwel muttered to himself as he checked to make sure he was looking his best. “Probably just some report about a battle far away.” He picked up the book and replaced it on the table, before opening his bedroom door and walking down the corridor toward the great room where no doubt his father was waiting.

“You wanted to see me, father?” he asked as he crossed over toward the fireplace where his father was standing.

“Sit down, Bram,” Lord Cala said, pointing at a battered hide-covered chair. He waited until his son was seated before he spoke again. “And how went your studying today?”

Bramwel fidgeted a little in his chair. “It went well, sir.”

“Indeed? I heard you had time to whip a sclava girl earlier?”

“She was poking around in one of our guest rooms. She had no right to be there.”

“Indeed,” Lord Cala said again. “And so you took it upon yourself to mete out the punishment?”

Bramwel stared at the floor.

“Well? Have you nothing to say for yourself?”

“I…”

“Silence. I do not need an answer. It will only be another of your excuses.” Lord Cala walked over toward Bramwel and stopped within slapping distance and raised his arm. “Do I need to remind you who make the decisions in this household?”

“No, sir,” Bramwel said, cowering a little lower in his chair.

“And tell me of your studies. What did you learn today?” Lord Cala waited patiently as Bramwel tried to think of something to say. “As I thought.” He reached his arm back a little more before swinging it through the air and connecting with the side of Bramwel’s face. Then he hit him again, and paused as his son covered his face and started to whimper. “You are no man, Bram. You are still a boy. Get out of my sight and go back to your room.” He stepped back from his son and turned toward the door of the great room. “And I suggest you spend some time actually studying tonight or else there will be more punishments for you in the morning.”

Bramwel wiped a tear from his eye as he listened to his father’s footsteps disappearing into the distance.

Writing Experiment #5 - Ryann Manuscript Part 2

This is the fifth in a series of posts where I document the complete process of writing a novella - Day By Day!

INTRODUCTION

I am documenting (via my blog) the complete start to finish experience of writing a novella that I will be releasing for FREE once it is written.

Ryann is the story of a thirteen year-old girl who works as a servant for a tyrant of a master, and longs for the day when she can buy her freedom. The novella will serve as the introduction to a new fantasy series that I will start writing in 2013.

I will be writing approximately 900 words per day and I will post each day's writing the following morning, unedited, on my blog. This means you get to see my draft with all its original spelling mistakes, bad grammar, and clumsy sentences

The timeline for the experiment is as follows:

• Plotting, Characters and Scene Outlines - April 1to April 20 - COMPLETE
• First Draft Manuscript - April 21 to May 18 - IN PROGRESS
• First Manuscript Edits - July 1to July 5
• Reader Proofs - July 6 to July 25
• Final Manuscript Edits - July 26to July 31

STATUS

Today's Date: April 23rd
Progress: Day 2 complete. Following is the day's writing (continuation of Chapter One)...

---

Ryann opened her eyes and looked around her. She had fallen asleep in Megan’s room. She got up carefully and made her way back to her own room, leaving Megan asleep on the bed. Someone had lit the candle that was sitting on a box by the side of her bed, and Ryann went over to it and picked it up. Using the dim light for guidance, she crossed to the small trunk that was by the end of her bed.

She put the candle down on the floor and opened up the trunk. Inside was a tattered yellow nightdress, two dark brown dresses, and a small assortment of odds and ends she had managed to keep for herself. She pulled off her dress and slipped the yellow nightdress over her head. Then she closed the trunk and laid out the dress across the top. It would have to do for another day’s use tomorrow.

As Ryann bent down to pick up the candle again, the seam of her nightdress strained and split open, causing her to curse out loud. “Damn, that’s another piece of clothing I’m going to have to buy.” She hadn’t wanted to admit it, but she was growing out of everything. All of a sudden over the past few months she had needed new everything. She was sure she was already a full six inches taller than when she had arrived at the castle. “If only I could lose a little of my tummy too,” she said, patting it as she walked back toward her bed. “Still, I think it’s smaller than it was when I arrived. It must be the food.” She laughed. Or lack of it, certainly. “A growing girl needs more than I am getting. Maybe I should use a little of my money to buy some more food from cook.” Cook always wanted to earn a little extra money.

Ryann put the candle back on the small box and climbed into her hard bed. It was no more than a straw-filled sack that lay on the floor, covered with another sack for a sheet, but it was hers. Everything in the room was hers. She blew out the candle and ran her fingers through her long tangled black hair. Perhaps she would get a chance to wash it tomorrow. Perhaps. She lived in hope of a lot of things happening tomorrow.

As Ryann struggled against the sleep that was trying to take her, she said her prayers and thanked God for the few things she had. When Lord Cala had brought her to his castle she had only the dress she was wearing and a small pack that contained the memories of her childhood. It seemed like forever ago now, but only a couple of months had passed. Everything she had known before coming here had gone. Now she was a sclava, and she would remain a sclava for as long as it took her to pay the twenty silver coins needed for her freedom.

She wiped a tear from her eye and turned over on her bed. And that was just how much money she needed to leave. She also needed money to survive outside of the castle. No one could live in Walthern without any money. Cook had whispered to Ryann that she had forty silver coins saved up, but even that wasn’t enough to buy her freedom and survive outside for very long. And Ryann didn’t want to live as a beggar. At least in the castle she had enough to survive; a small room to call her own, a few clothes, and food every day. She thanked God once more and resigned herself to sleep.

“Wake up, Ree,” Megan said, shaking Ryann’s shoulders. “Wake up. It’s already nearly light.”

Ryann opened her eyes and stared up at the small frame of Megan leaning over her bed. “How are you feeling?”

Megan smiled. “I slept well enough. I just hurt some. That’s all. Cook already smeared a little fat on it though.”

Ryann wrinkled her nose. “I can smell it from here.”

Megan laughed. “Come on. We got things we need to do.”

Ryann brushed some hair away from her face, wiped her mouth, and sat up. She could see the faintest glow of daybreak through a small crack in the wall on the far side of her room. “Okay. I’ll be in the kitchens in a couple of minutes. I just need to get myself sorted.”

“Well don’t be long, Ree. You know cook don’t like it when you’re late.”

Ryann watched as Megan turned around and left her room. Then she pulled back the sack that covered her, and got to her feet. She took her dress from the top of the trunk and made her way to the washing room.

“What’s for breakfast, cook?” Ryann asked, a few minutes later as she walked into the kitchen.

“There’s no time for that, little one,” cook replied, mopping her brow with her apron and blowing away hair that was hanging down over her face. “Master Bramwel has already called for his breakfast.”

Ryann swallowed hard and looked around the kitchen. “Isn’t there someone else who can attend to him?” she asked.

“He called for you, especially,” cook replied. “Asked for the little urchin Ryann. Those were his exact words.” She pointed to a tray on a table-top a few feet away. “So hurry along and take that up to the Master. And don’t drop nothing. He’ll have you whipped.”

Ryann crossed to the table and picked up the tray. It was going to be a bad day today. She knew it already. When Master Bramwel, the eldest son of Lord Cala, asked you to bring him breakfast you knew it was going to be a bad day. She just hoped he spared her the whip.

Writing Experiment #4 - Ryann Manuscript Part 1

This is the fourth in a series of posts where I document the complete process of writing a novella - Day By Day!

INTRODUCTION

I am documenting (via my blog) the complete start to finish experience of writing a novella that I will be releasing for FREE once it is written.

Ryann is the story of a thirteen year-old girl who works as a servant for a tyrant of a master, and longs for the day when she can buy her freedom. The novella will serve as the introduction to a new fantasy series that I will start writing in 2013.

I will be writing approximately 900 words per day and I will post each day's writing the following morning, unedited, on my blog. This means you get to see my draft with all its original spelling mistakes, bad grammar, and clumsy sentences

The timeline for the experiment is as follows:

• Plotting, Characters and Scene Outlines - April 1to April 20 - COMPLETE
• First Draft Manuscript - April 21 to May 18 - IN PROGRESS
• First Manuscript Edits - July 1to July 5
• Reader Proofs - July 6 to July 25
• Final Manuscript Edits - July 26to July 31

STATUS

Today's Date: April 22nd
Progress: Day 1 complete. Following is the day's writing...

---

CHAPTER ONE

Ryann flattened herself against the cold stone wall and closed her eyes. “Please don’t say anything. Please,” she whispered to herself as the crack of the whip could be heard once more from the other side of the curtain.

A young girl screamed out in pain and a man’s voice could be heard laughing. “Now that’ll teach you. Just stay still will you and it’ll all be over soon enough.”

Ryann wanted to cover her ears but dare not move in case she gave her position away. Again she heard the crack of the whip and the crying, screaming, noise the girl made as it found its mark. “Please don’t say anything.”

She knew she shouldn’t have wandered into the bedroom, but she had been curious. That was all. And it had been typical of Megan to follow after her. At least she supposed it was Megan. As soon as Ryann heard the movement outside the room, she had quickly run to hide behind the curtain. And then, not twenty seconds later, Megan had been discovered. Ryann heard the pleading as the man muttered something under his breath. And then she heard the familiar sound of a whip cracking and a girl screaming out loud. It could only be the master, Lord Cala. He was the only one that had a whip. Or his son. Of course it could be his son. And that would be even worse. No, she definitely had to remain as still as possible and hope she was not discovered.

Another two screams and it was all over. The room fell quiet except for the silent sobbing of the girl. Ryann dared to lift her hand to her face and she bit into it, stopping herself from shouting out. She waited another couple of minutes and carefully peered around the edge of the long velvet curtain. Megan was lying face down on the bed with her simple dress half-torn, exposing her bare back. Ryann counted five deep cuts where the whip had found its target. She wiped away a tear from her eye and crossed over to Megan. “Come on, let’s get you back to your room. Come on.” She carefully helped the young girl to her feet and let Megan lean into her as they walked together through the corridors, back toward their quarters.

“Twenty,” Ryann repeated to herself as she counted the marks she had scratched out on the wall. She had made Megan as comfortable as possible in her bed and then returned to her own room. “Twenty.” She slumped to the floor and turned her head so that her face touched the cold stone wall. Then she closed her eyes and savored the feeling of refreshing coolness.

Twenty copper coins was not a lot of money, but it was enough to exchange for her first silver coin. She smiled. Her first silver coin. Another nineteen and she could buy her freedom and leave the castle. How long would it take? She didn’t know. She tried to do some calculations in her head but there were so many variables. She earned fifteen copper coins a week as a sclava for Lord Cala. But it cost her five copper coins for her room and the food she ate. Then there was the cost of new clothes from time to time. And also the cost of any punishments.

Ryann balled up her fists and tried to let the memory of Megan’s beating wash over her. It was probably going to cost Megan three coins for her disobedience. And it would have cost Ryann too, if she had been found. She sighed. She ought to give Megan one of her copper coins toward her punishment. That would make it nineteen left. Then she wouldn’t have enough for her first silver coin.

“Maybe a year,” she said out loud. Maybe she would have enough money saved up after another year. If she was lucky and if she was careful. She prayed she would be lucky. She didn’t want to end up like some of the other sclavas who were stuck in the castle for life, never able to pay off their debts.

Ryann got to her feet and wandered back to Megan’s room and looked inside. “You alright?” she asked.

Megan looked up from the bed, still lying on her stomach, and nodded. “I’ll be okay.”

Ryann crossed over to Megan and sat next to her on the bed. “I’m sorry I haven’t got anything I can put on your back. But maybe cook will have something a little later.” She wiped her hand across Megan’s face and brushed back some hair from her eyes. “Thank you. Thank you for not giving me away.”

Megan gave a half-smile. “You would’ve done the same for me.”

“That doesn’t make it any easier. You know that. And next time don’t follow me. You’re too young to get into trouble like this.”

“I just want to be free and to get out of the castle,” Megan whispered. “I hate it here.”

“I know you do. I hate it too. We all hate it. But getting into trouble just means it will take you longer to buy your freedom.”

“We ain’t never going to buy our freedom, Ree. Not ever.”

Ryann ran a hand through Megan’s hair. “Hush. Don’t say that, Megan. It’s the only way I get through every day here. I live in the belief that one day, one day, I’ll earn enough money to buy my freedom.”