Word Total: 90,002
Year to Date: 360,012
Summary of Events:
Chapter 29:
Magnus — by overhearing Herr Reiter talking to Olga — came to the full realization that he didn't have to fear any severe, senseless punishments from Herr Reiter. Emma felt down about Olga's still being upset, and she talked to Mama about it, then she went over to Olga's house and found them packing to move.
Chapter 30:
Magnus watched Olga's family leave and discussed the matter with Jeremiah. Emma worked on making turnovers while feeling down about Olga's family leaving. Magnus was working with a mare when she ended up catching wind of a stallion and . . .
Excerpt of the Day:
"Loosening the line from her halter, Magnus let her inside while the groom did the same with the stallion. Magnus sighed and leaned against the fence to wait. Magnus recognized the stallion as Nachtende.
As he watched the horses, Magnus thought about their names, Freudigmorgen and Nachtende, it almost seemed ironic, really. One referring to a joyous morning, one referring to the night's ending — which was essentially the morning.
Night's end and a morning of joy. Magnus looked down at the grass as he thought about it. Back when he'd been hauled to Flächbenestädt Magnus had thought that his life was at its sunset.
As much as then he'd been thinking that the nighttime in his life would be his death, it'd been slavery instead. He'd been brutally beaten, he'd been deprived of all hope, he'd been viciously derided throughout like a fierce and violent storm coming in the night.
But Herr Reiter was different from any other master Magnus had been under. He treated Magnus like a man. He had yet to whip a man that Magnus knew. He gave each man door and clothing that was not only decent, but was also quality. He made sure that each man was healthy and well cared for.
It seemed like Magnus had arrived in the twilight, the lightening of the sky before the dawn. Herr Reiter was treating him better than he deserved, but he was not out of the nighttime yet, as he was still a slave. The morning would come when Magnus was freed.
The names of the horses, though, almost seemed like a signal to Magnus. Either they were signalling that he was going to be freed soon, or that things would only get brighter and more hopeful from here.
Nachtende: the night was ending, there were signs of the coming sunlight on the horizon; Freudigmorgen: when the morning came, it would be a morning of joy. Of course it would be, Magnus would get to see his family again, he might even be able to see Windläufer and Tiedemann again — if they were still alive.
Magnus felt a lightness within himself. He could well be released soon. What the verdict would be that would get him freed, Magnus didn't know, but he didn't really care either, he could see the approaching light of sunrise.
The approaching light of sunrise was the surest of all signs that Magnus had passed through the greater portion of the hopeless night, and now he could see the morning was coming at long last.
Magnus reached up and took Freudigmorgen's halter. The weeping had endured for a night, a long, hopeless night, but when the morning came, it would be magnificently joyous."
Nachtende: nahchtend'
Freudigmorgen: froydigmoregehn
Check back on April 4 for the essential information for my April novel, which will be a Camp NaNoWriMo project (if you want a sneak peek already you might be able to check it out on the Camp NaNoWriMo website).
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