Novel Title: Astounding Discovery
Series Title: Saga of O'Enne*
Time Setting: 1715 Age of Peace†
Genre: Medieval Fantasy
Minimum Word Goal: 90,000 words
Timespan: March-October
Locations: Heijmegourde, Beldonersteine; Castleorghlynne, O'Aennea, O'Enne; Laoismellyk, O'Aennea, O'Enne
Main Characters: Adaire Sithneigh (Eidere Sÿthei), Saoirse Lagoahaíre
Background Information: Born and raised in Beldonersteine, Adaire has lived a life of privilege from birth, especially being as his father is one of the premier shippers in all of Beldonersteine and possesses a fleet second in size only to the King's Fleet.
However, shipping is a dangerous business, even for the rich, and over the ears all five of Adaire's brothers have been killed, leaving Adaire — the second youngest child — as the heir to his father's fortune.
This spring Adaire is going on his first voyage as the Heijmegourde Shipping Company's representative on a trip that is also looking to make history as the first trip to circumnavigate the continent of Ureonaiea, which has many people excited, but many people also nervous; if this voyage fails there's the potentiality that the last Sithneigh could be lost.
Saoirse is the daughter of a well-respected shepherd and his seamstress wife; and she is learning well from her mother the art of sewing, which has caught the eye of several young men in the village — which is something that excites Saoirse, as she dreams of marriage and running her own household.
The problem is, though, Saoirse has found a flaw in each of the men; flaws that she cannot ignore, and flaws that many of the men seem to be proud of, or unwilling to do anything about. Saoirse wants to marry the man of her dreams, and he doesn't have any of these flaws, which makes Saoirse wonder where in the world she's ever going to find him, and when — which looks like it won't be soon.
Pronunciations:
O'Enne: oh ehneh
Heijmegourde: hymeh-gourd
Beldonersteine: belldonnerstein
Castleorghlynne: cass'l'org-lyn
O'Aennea: oh aynhyah
Laoismellyk: l'oysemehlick
Adaire Sithneigh: ahdare sithnee
Eidere Sÿthei: aydeer seethy
Saoirse Lagoahaíre: sayer'se lahgwahhire
Ureonaiea: yurhahneighah
*O'Enne is located in the same world as Zeig (March Novel: Hopeless Night) and Le Gané (September Novel No. 2: Corruption Rent).
†Does not correspond to 1715 A.D.
The next post will be on June 1.
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
Opening: Day 15
Word Total: 90,001
Year to Date: 540,014
Summary of Events:
Chapter 29:
Keiller arrived at home and discovered Sophia, and then went and got Dr. Carrigan. Sophia ended up miscarrying her child — but not dying as she'd feared. Keiller and Dr. Carrigan buried the child in Keiller's backyard and discussed various things.
Chapter 30:
Dr. Carrigan wanted to take Sophia to be monitored at his house, but Sophia didn't want to leave Keiller. Keiller took her into the house until she fell asleep, then he put her on Dr. Carrigan's wagon and Dr. Carrigan headed home.
Excerpt of the Day:
"As he stood still, Keiller heard the horse start walking, along with the wagon wheels turning on the ground as it headed away. Keiller felt a twinge of sadness; but he stepped forward and opened the door.
The sadness came over Keiller stronger; Miss Hagerson had left. She was just over a mile away as the crow flew — which wasn't too far off how the roads actually went — but still, Keiller was going to have to make his own breakfast in the morning, and he'd have to make his own supper when he got home.
His stomach growled. Come to think of it; he hadn't even had supper tonight. Keiller walked over to the hoosier and felt around. He came across a jar and took it up. Shaking it, he heard the sound of liquid contained within; it was pickles of some kind.
Walking over to the fire, Keiller moved the stools away and laid out his blanket; pausing when he released he could sleep in his own bed again. He didn't want to sleep in his own bed again.
Keiller finished setting out the blanket and sat down. Opening up the pickle jar, Keiller reached inside and found that it was pickled carrots. Pulling one out, Keiller ate it and thought about Miss Hagerson.
He was surprised at how sad he was that she'd left — of course it wasn't like he'd really wanted her to leave in the first place — it unsettled him too. The more he thought about it, the more he had a distinct feeling that when he'd opened his back door and ushered Miss Hagerson inside he'd been opening more than his home to her.
No. No, he couldn't; he'd sworn that he never would. He didn't want to. It was too raw, it was too sore. He wouldn't. But was it already too late? No; it couldn't be. He didn't want to.
Keiller looked at the glowing coals; Miss Hagerson was still a puzzle he wanted to solve; he wanted to know as much about her as he possibly could — but he also didn't want to visit her now that Dr. Carrigan was suggesting such ridiculousness as he was.
But was it really ridiculous? Was it false? No. No; Keiller didn't want to think about it anymore. Rose had burned him with fire, and he wasn't going to risk being burned twice, or more. He'd played with fire, and he knew the consequences — literally and figuratively.
Fire was so attractive, though; it was somewhat of an enigma itself, how and why it danced, the smoke it sent up, it seemed always to tempt one to play with it. It didn't want to be left alone. It wanted to be poked, prodded, and fed.
Figurative fire was much the same, and Keiller was starting to have a dreadful feeling within himself that maybe he'd been lured by the figurative fire again in opening his back door and opening his heart simultaneously."
Essential Information for the June novel will be posted on May 26.
Year to Date: 540,014
Summary of Events:
Chapter 29:
Keiller arrived at home and discovered Sophia, and then went and got Dr. Carrigan. Sophia ended up miscarrying her child — but not dying as she'd feared. Keiller and Dr. Carrigan buried the child in Keiller's backyard and discussed various things.
Chapter 30:
Dr. Carrigan wanted to take Sophia to be monitored at his house, but Sophia didn't want to leave Keiller. Keiller took her into the house until she fell asleep, then he put her on Dr. Carrigan's wagon and Dr. Carrigan headed home.
Excerpt of the Day:
"As he stood still, Keiller heard the horse start walking, along with the wagon wheels turning on the ground as it headed away. Keiller felt a twinge of sadness; but he stepped forward and opened the door.
The sadness came over Keiller stronger; Miss Hagerson had left. She was just over a mile away as the crow flew — which wasn't too far off how the roads actually went — but still, Keiller was going to have to make his own breakfast in the morning, and he'd have to make his own supper when he got home.
His stomach growled. Come to think of it; he hadn't even had supper tonight. Keiller walked over to the hoosier and felt around. He came across a jar and took it up. Shaking it, he heard the sound of liquid contained within; it was pickles of some kind.
Walking over to the fire, Keiller moved the stools away and laid out his blanket; pausing when he released he could sleep in his own bed again. He didn't want to sleep in his own bed again.
Keiller finished setting out the blanket and sat down. Opening up the pickle jar, Keiller reached inside and found that it was pickled carrots. Pulling one out, Keiller ate it and thought about Miss Hagerson.
He was surprised at how sad he was that she'd left — of course it wasn't like he'd really wanted her to leave in the first place — it unsettled him too. The more he thought about it, the more he had a distinct feeling that when he'd opened his back door and ushered Miss Hagerson inside he'd been opening more than his home to her.
No. No, he couldn't; he'd sworn that he never would. He didn't want to. It was too raw, it was too sore. He wouldn't. But was it already too late? No; it couldn't be. He didn't want to.
Keiller looked at the glowing coals; Miss Hagerson was still a puzzle he wanted to solve; he wanted to know as much about her as he possibly could — but he also didn't want to visit her now that Dr. Carrigan was suggesting such ridiculousness as he was.
But was it really ridiculous? Was it false? No. No; Keiller didn't want to think about it anymore. Rose had burned him with fire, and he wasn't going to risk being burned twice, or more. He'd played with fire, and he knew the consequences — literally and figuratively.
Fire was so attractive, though; it was somewhat of an enigma itself, how and why it danced, the smoke it sent up, it seemed always to tempt one to play with it. It didn't want to be left alone. It wanted to be poked, prodded, and fed.
Figurative fire was much the same, and Keiller was starting to have a dreadful feeling within himself that maybe he'd been lured by the figurative fire again in opening his back door and opening his heart simultaneously."
Essential Information for the June novel will be posted on May 26.
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Opening: Day 14
Word Count: 84,004
Summary of Events:
Chapter 27:
Keiller waited for Geoffrey to arrive at the stage depot to try catching him again, and — thanks to Cyril — ended up having to chase Geoffrey around Coyoteville for a long time and have a shootout before finally capturing him.
Chapter 28:
Sophia noticed Keiller's horse was out of water and so watered him, although feeling a funny pain. Keiller got a confession out of Geoffrey and was offered a place in the Emerald Hills Logging Company by Egbert and Mrs. Wylie.
Excerpt of the Day:
"Getting to her feet, Sophia tried pacing, but that didn't help the pain either; it was jus as useless as the squirming. Sophia brushed tears out of her eyes; then Sophia noticed a warmth between her legs.
Looking down, Sophia's eyes went wide. What was wrong with her? Was she losing control? Sophia ran to the back door and threw on a coat as she hurried outside, but she halted midway between the cabin and the outhouse.
It wasn't right. This wasn't right at all. Something bad; something horribly bad was happening. Sophia stood still, a feeling of terrified horror washing over her. She wanted to burst into tears, she wanted to run away, she wanted to get away from all of this, she wanted to wake up from this nightmare, she wanted to die.
Sophia didn't bother stopping the tears as they came and poured down her cheeks; this was terrifying. She didn't know what to do, but she knew she wasn't going to get Mr. Bartlett. She had no idea where to find him and she didn't want anyone to know she was here.
Turning back to the house, Sophia ran inside and threw off her coat. She didn't know what to do. Finally Sophia went into the bedroom, laid down on the bed, and sobbed. It was all wrong; horribly, egregiously wrong.
The worst part was that Sophia was alone. She had no idea when Mr. Bartlett would be coming back — it probably depended on whether he decided to go out drinking or not — not like he would be able to provide much help either.
This was it. This was the end surely. There would be no help or hope for her sisters; she wouldn't be able to even tell Mr. Bartlett about them. She was positive that she was going to die. She was alone; what else would happen?
Sophia wanted her parents, she wanted her brothers, her sisters; she wanted life to never have changed that summer that she was nine. She wished that none of this had ever happened. If it would never have happened then this wouldn't be happening.
Either that, or if they hadn't all been spared, it would've been better if they all would've been taken instead. The fact that a fragment remained while a portion died was unfair, it wasn't right, and it'd caused all of this.
A shot of pain tore through Sophia and she shrieked into the pillow. She was alone, and she was dying, she was sure. There was no way her sisters would ever know what had happened to her, and they would be left alone forever, without anyone to help them, without anyone to save them.
Sophia couldn't imagine a worse end. She should've spoken sooner; she should've told Mr. Bartlett every time she'd had a chance. But she'd remained silent, and now her secrets would die with her."
Summary of Events:
Chapter 27:
Keiller waited for Geoffrey to arrive at the stage depot to try catching him again, and — thanks to Cyril — ended up having to chase Geoffrey around Coyoteville for a long time and have a shootout before finally capturing him.
Chapter 28:
Sophia noticed Keiller's horse was out of water and so watered him, although feeling a funny pain. Keiller got a confession out of Geoffrey and was offered a place in the Emerald Hills Logging Company by Egbert and Mrs. Wylie.
Excerpt of the Day:
"Getting to her feet, Sophia tried pacing, but that didn't help the pain either; it was jus as useless as the squirming. Sophia brushed tears out of her eyes; then Sophia noticed a warmth between her legs.
Looking down, Sophia's eyes went wide. What was wrong with her? Was she losing control? Sophia ran to the back door and threw on a coat as she hurried outside, but she halted midway between the cabin and the outhouse.
It wasn't right. This wasn't right at all. Something bad; something horribly bad was happening. Sophia stood still, a feeling of terrified horror washing over her. She wanted to burst into tears, she wanted to run away, she wanted to get away from all of this, she wanted to wake up from this nightmare, she wanted to die.
Sophia didn't bother stopping the tears as they came and poured down her cheeks; this was terrifying. She didn't know what to do, but she knew she wasn't going to get Mr. Bartlett. She had no idea where to find him and she didn't want anyone to know she was here.
Turning back to the house, Sophia ran inside and threw off her coat. She didn't know what to do. Finally Sophia went into the bedroom, laid down on the bed, and sobbed. It was all wrong; horribly, egregiously wrong.
The worst part was that Sophia was alone. She had no idea when Mr. Bartlett would be coming back — it probably depended on whether he decided to go out drinking or not — not like he would be able to provide much help either.
This was it. This was the end surely. There would be no help or hope for her sisters; she wouldn't be able to even tell Mr. Bartlett about them. She was positive that she was going to die. She was alone; what else would happen?
Sophia wanted her parents, she wanted her brothers, her sisters; she wanted life to never have changed that summer that she was nine. She wished that none of this had ever happened. If it would never have happened then this wouldn't be happening.
Either that, or if they hadn't all been spared, it would've been better if they all would've been taken instead. The fact that a fragment remained while a portion died was unfair, it wasn't right, and it'd caused all of this.
A shot of pain tore through Sophia and she shrieked into the pillow. She was alone, and she was dying, she was sure. There was no way her sisters would ever know what had happened to her, and they would be left alone forever, without anyone to help them, without anyone to save them.
Sophia couldn't imagine a worse end. She should've spoken sooner; she should've told Mr. Bartlett every time she'd had a chance. But she'd remained silent, and now her secrets would die with her."
Monday, May 18, 2015
Opening: Day 13
Word Count: 78,008
Summary of Events:
Chapter 25:
Keiller woke up just before noon and ended up having to bathe before he left to get the people in the prison fed. Sophia set about washing Keiller's coat, which couldn't be washed normally due to its material. Keiller then, to get away from Mr. Glanfield's complaints, went to the saloon.
Chapter 26:
Sophia worried about how and where she was going to care for her child once it was born. Keiller sat in front of the fire and did some carving before hearing a strange sound outside and going to investigate it; discovering its source was Geoffrey looking for the money.
Excerpt of the Day:
"Sophia furrowed her brow, why would Mr. Bartlett put out the lantern before coming to the cabin? How was he going to see his way? She waited for the sound of the door opening, but heard nothing.
Finally Sophia dared creep out of the bedroom. Mr. Bartlett wasn't in front of the fire; he wasn't standing by the door. He was nowhere to be seen. Sophia hurried to the door on silent tiptoes and listened.
After a few moments of silence she heard someone call out like they were goading horses to go, and then the sound of more than one horse and a wagon leaving. Opening the door, Sophia looked, but couldn't see anything.
Where was Mr. Bartlett? Closing the door, Sophia hurried and took up the lantern; she managed to light it with a coal and then peeked out the door again with the light. She could see hoof prints and wheel marks on the ground outside the door. Someone had been here with a wagon.
Sophia went over to the east side of the house and held the lantern toward the barn. She couldn't see anything at all. There was nothing. Sophia felt terrified, so terrified she wanted to cry.
Tears came to her eyes; Sophia didn't know what to do, but she didn't want to rest until Mr. Bartlett's location was known. She couldn't rest without Mr. Bartlett. Sophia wanted to scream out his name, but she didn't want to — lest she attract someone else.
Finally Sophia stepped off of the verandah and onto the snowy ground. Quietly and slowly she walked toward the barn, completely terrified, wanting to run away in a million directions the entire time.
Arriving at the barn door, Sophia found she was following a set of footprints that looked a lot like Mr. Bartlett's pointed toed boots, and they continued around the side of the barn, while another pair of footprints in different shoes headed straighter to and from the barn.
Sophia followed the prints around the barn and found Mr. Bartlett sound asleep, his pistol loosely held in his lap by his left hand. He'd been waiting for someone who'd been in the barn and fallen asleep.
Grabbing Mr. Bartlett's shoulder, Sophia shook him roughly. Mr. Bartlett startled, then his eyes shot open, his grip tightened on his pistol, and he turned it toward Sophia for a moment before realizing it was her.
"Is he gone?" Mr. Bartlett asked, looking panicked.
Sophia nodded.
Mr. Bartlett's tension left him, his gun dropping, his face falling into a scowl, his shoulders lowering. He thrust a single, succinct curse word out of his mouth before getting to his feet and looking at Sophia.
"You came out looking for me?" he asked, looking still dejected.
Sophia nodded, and almost confessed that she couldn't sleep without him in the cabin, but held her tongue and said nothing.
"Well, at least I know what I'll be doing tomorrow morning," Mr. Bartlett muttered."
Summary of Events:
Chapter 25:
Keiller woke up just before noon and ended up having to bathe before he left to get the people in the prison fed. Sophia set about washing Keiller's coat, which couldn't be washed normally due to its material. Keiller then, to get away from Mr. Glanfield's complaints, went to the saloon.
Chapter 26:
Sophia worried about how and where she was going to care for her child once it was born. Keiller sat in front of the fire and did some carving before hearing a strange sound outside and going to investigate it; discovering its source was Geoffrey looking for the money.
Excerpt of the Day:
"Sophia furrowed her brow, why would Mr. Bartlett put out the lantern before coming to the cabin? How was he going to see his way? She waited for the sound of the door opening, but heard nothing.
Finally Sophia dared creep out of the bedroom. Mr. Bartlett wasn't in front of the fire; he wasn't standing by the door. He was nowhere to be seen. Sophia hurried to the door on silent tiptoes and listened.
After a few moments of silence she heard someone call out like they were goading horses to go, and then the sound of more than one horse and a wagon leaving. Opening the door, Sophia looked, but couldn't see anything.
Where was Mr. Bartlett? Closing the door, Sophia hurried and took up the lantern; she managed to light it with a coal and then peeked out the door again with the light. She could see hoof prints and wheel marks on the ground outside the door. Someone had been here with a wagon.
Sophia went over to the east side of the house and held the lantern toward the barn. She couldn't see anything at all. There was nothing. Sophia felt terrified, so terrified she wanted to cry.
Tears came to her eyes; Sophia didn't know what to do, but she didn't want to rest until Mr. Bartlett's location was known. She couldn't rest without Mr. Bartlett. Sophia wanted to scream out his name, but she didn't want to — lest she attract someone else.
Finally Sophia stepped off of the verandah and onto the snowy ground. Quietly and slowly she walked toward the barn, completely terrified, wanting to run away in a million directions the entire time.
Arriving at the barn door, Sophia found she was following a set of footprints that looked a lot like Mr. Bartlett's pointed toed boots, and they continued around the side of the barn, while another pair of footprints in different shoes headed straighter to and from the barn.
Sophia followed the prints around the barn and found Mr. Bartlett sound asleep, his pistol loosely held in his lap by his left hand. He'd been waiting for someone who'd been in the barn and fallen asleep.
Grabbing Mr. Bartlett's shoulder, Sophia shook him roughly. Mr. Bartlett startled, then his eyes shot open, his grip tightened on his pistol, and he turned it toward Sophia for a moment before realizing it was her.
"Is he gone?" Mr. Bartlett asked, looking panicked.
Sophia nodded.
Mr. Bartlett's tension left him, his gun dropping, his face falling into a scowl, his shoulders lowering. He thrust a single, succinct curse word out of his mouth before getting to his feet and looking at Sophia.
"You came out looking for me?" he asked, looking still dejected.
Sophia nodded, and almost confessed that she couldn't sleep without him in the cabin, but held her tongue and said nothing.
"Well, at least I know what I'll be doing tomorrow morning," Mr. Bartlett muttered."
Saturday, May 16, 2015
Opening: Day 12
Word Count: 72,006
Summary of Events:
Chapter 23:
Mr. and Mrs. Wylie arrived in Coyoteville and Keiller learned more that pointed at Geoffrey's guilt; most notably that he'd actually been embezzling the logging company and had taken over a thousand dollars.
Chapter 24:
Sophia found out why Mr. Bartlett was constantly carrying things for her. Keiller talked to Geoffrey's cousin, the schoolteacher Mr. Archibald, and then ended up being detained to play a billiards game at the saloon.
Excerpt of the Day:
""Now what were you wanting?" Mr. Archibald asked.
"Well," Keiller replied. "I'd like to talk to you about your cousin."
Mr. Archibald nodded, looking rather uncomfortable. "Come in, sit down," he said.
Keiller stepped inside and took a seat at the small dining table.
"Would you like some coffee?" Mr. Archibald asked.
"No thank you, I'll be fine without anything," Keiller replied.
Mr. Archibald nodded and sat down.
"I've noticed mention of your cousin makes you uncomfortable," Keiller said. "May I ask why?"
Mr. Archibald looked at the centre of the table, where a sugar bowl sat, discomfort in his expression and position. Then he relaxed and sighed, looking up at Keiller.
"I guess there's no harm in you knowing, you don't seem to feed the gossip fires by saying anything," Mr. Archibald said. "You only feed it by doing things."
"Inessential talk like that is a bore," Keiller said.
"Geoffrey isn't my cousin," Mr. Archibald said.
Keiller's eyebrows jumped, but he wasn't entirely surprised, with the way Mr. Archibald had been acting.
"Geoffrey is my half brother," Mr. Archibald said. "We both had the same mother, but our fathers were cousins who both loved her. My father succeeded in marrying her, but not before my mother was carrying Geoffrey. Geoffrey's father then married another woman and had more children with her. Geoffrey doesn't even know he's my half brother, but my mother told me."
Keiller nodded. "I can see why you wouldn't want to talk about it."
Mr. Archibald shuddered. "I'm glad my parents moved far away from Geoffrey's family — not that we didn't end up visiting them," he said. "Was that what you came to ask?"
"No," Keiller replied. "But it is useful knowledge. I think I'll start by asking you to describe Geoffrey to me and go from there."
"Alright," Mr. Archibald said. "Geoffrey is very much like his father, rather selfish, and honestly in an inordinate hurry. He wants to be a millionaire someday — like his father hasn't succeeded in being — but he wants it to be as fast as possible; which causes me to be surprised that he's remained at this job in this rather dead town for more than five years."
"I think I might have an idea why," Keiller said. "But I'll let you continue."
"I don't know that there really is anything else," Mr. Archibald said.
"How far do you think Geoffrey would go to get rich quickly?" Keiller asked.
Mr. Archibald put his fingers on is chin and began to stroke it; his eyes eventually turned their gaze toward the ceil as he thought. His fingers stopped stroking after awhile and he just stared upward. Finally he brought his gaze down to look Keiller in the eye, his face stony with seriousness.
"I think he would kill," Mr. Archibald replied."
Summary of Events:
Chapter 23:
Mr. and Mrs. Wylie arrived in Coyoteville and Keiller learned more that pointed at Geoffrey's guilt; most notably that he'd actually been embezzling the logging company and had taken over a thousand dollars.
Chapter 24:
Sophia found out why Mr. Bartlett was constantly carrying things for her. Keiller talked to Geoffrey's cousin, the schoolteacher Mr. Archibald, and then ended up being detained to play a billiards game at the saloon.
Excerpt of the Day:
""Now what were you wanting?" Mr. Archibald asked.
"Well," Keiller replied. "I'd like to talk to you about your cousin."
Mr. Archibald nodded, looking rather uncomfortable. "Come in, sit down," he said.
Keiller stepped inside and took a seat at the small dining table.
"Would you like some coffee?" Mr. Archibald asked.
"No thank you, I'll be fine without anything," Keiller replied.
Mr. Archibald nodded and sat down.
"I've noticed mention of your cousin makes you uncomfortable," Keiller said. "May I ask why?"
Mr. Archibald looked at the centre of the table, where a sugar bowl sat, discomfort in his expression and position. Then he relaxed and sighed, looking up at Keiller.
"I guess there's no harm in you knowing, you don't seem to feed the gossip fires by saying anything," Mr. Archibald said. "You only feed it by doing things."
"Inessential talk like that is a bore," Keiller said.
"Geoffrey isn't my cousin," Mr. Archibald said.
Keiller's eyebrows jumped, but he wasn't entirely surprised, with the way Mr. Archibald had been acting.
"Geoffrey is my half brother," Mr. Archibald said. "We both had the same mother, but our fathers were cousins who both loved her. My father succeeded in marrying her, but not before my mother was carrying Geoffrey. Geoffrey's father then married another woman and had more children with her. Geoffrey doesn't even know he's my half brother, but my mother told me."
Keiller nodded. "I can see why you wouldn't want to talk about it."
Mr. Archibald shuddered. "I'm glad my parents moved far away from Geoffrey's family — not that we didn't end up visiting them," he said. "Was that what you came to ask?"
"No," Keiller replied. "But it is useful knowledge. I think I'll start by asking you to describe Geoffrey to me and go from there."
"Alright," Mr. Archibald said. "Geoffrey is very much like his father, rather selfish, and honestly in an inordinate hurry. He wants to be a millionaire someday — like his father hasn't succeeded in being — but he wants it to be as fast as possible; which causes me to be surprised that he's remained at this job in this rather dead town for more than five years."
"I think I might have an idea why," Keiller said. "But I'll let you continue."
"I don't know that there really is anything else," Mr. Archibald said.
"How far do you think Geoffrey would go to get rich quickly?" Keiller asked.
Mr. Archibald put his fingers on is chin and began to stroke it; his eyes eventually turned their gaze toward the ceil as he thought. His fingers stopped stroking after awhile and he just stared upward. Finally he brought his gaze down to look Keiller in the eye, his face stony with seriousness.
"I think he would kill," Mr. Archibald replied."
Friday, May 15, 2015
Opening: Day 11
Word Count: 66,009
Summary of Events:
Chapter 21:
Keiller received a reply from Mrs. Wylie and talked at length with the stage driver who'd delivered it. Sophia decided to bake some sugar cookies being as it was snowing outside. Keiller went to talk to Mr. Wharton's cousin but was detained and got into a fight with Cyril.
Chapter 22:
Sophia ended up tending to Keiller's wounds and found his black eye reminded her of her attacker. Keiller was woken up by Sophia in the throes of a nightmare and comforted her back to sleep. Sophia got up the next morning not remembering the nightmare at all.
Excerpt of the Day:
"Turning toward Miss Hagerson, Keiller saw her eyes were closed and she was in a fierce fight with something invisible, it seemed. Keiller reached out and restrained her wrists, which caused her to fight all the harder against his hold.
"Miss Hagerson," Keiller said loudly. "Are you alright? What's wrong?"
Her struggling instantly decreased, but didn't stop.
"Miss Hagerson, wake up," Keiller said. "What's wrong? Do I need to get Dr. Carrigan?"
Miss Hagerson opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling. Keiller looked up to see if anything was there, but there was nothing aside from the usual ceiling; he looked down at Miss Hagerson's face again and saw tears in her eyes.
She closed her eyes and the tears ran out. Keiller wasn't sure what to do; he let go of her wrists and knelt down beside the bed.
"What's going on?" Keiller asked. "Are you alright?"
Miss Hagerson gasped, but then lunged at Keiller and wrapped her arms around his neck, trembling viciously.
"He's after me," she whispered. "He's going to get me, and he's going to–" she dissolved into sobs.
Keiller gently wrapped his arms around Miss Hagerson, trying to still her trembling, then got up so he was sitting on the bed, as to better hold her and still her.
"Who's after you?" Keiller asked.
"He is," Miss Hagerson replied. "He was going to hurt Karita, but I stopped him and now he's going to get me."
"Who was he going to hurt?" Keiller asked.
"Karita," Miss Hagerson replied. "We were forced out, and he saw her, and now he's going to get me; he's here."
"Miss Hagerson," Keiller said. "You had a nightmare, there's no one here aside from me, and trust me, I would've heard someone trying to get into my home; it's alright."
"But he's coming!" Miss Hagerson said, with panic in her voice.
"I'll stop him," Keiller said. "I promise I'll never ever, ever let him come against you; no scum like that will ever touch you. I've got the firepower to keep you away from his harming you."
Miss Hageron embraced Keiller's neck tighter, whimpering softly. Keiller slowly began to rock her back and forth, in hopes of getting her to fall back to sleep. Her grip remained tight around his neck for a long time, but eventually started to loosen.
Keiller carefully got up and laid Miss Hagerson down on the bed; she startled, her eyes open, and looked terrified. Keiller wrapped both of his hands around her hand.
"It's alright," Keiller said. "I'm still here."
Miss Hagerson's facial expression relaxed, her eyes slowly closed again, but her hand clutched Keiller's tightly. Keiller sat down on the bed and held Miss Hagerson's hand gently as she returned to sleep.
Keiller was curious about the name Miss Hagerson had mentioned, wondering who she was, but it would wait until morning. Miss Hagerson was afraid of someone, and Keiller knew exactly who: the father of her child."
Summary of Events:
Chapter 21:
Keiller received a reply from Mrs. Wylie and talked at length with the stage driver who'd delivered it. Sophia decided to bake some sugar cookies being as it was snowing outside. Keiller went to talk to Mr. Wharton's cousin but was detained and got into a fight with Cyril.
Chapter 22:
Sophia ended up tending to Keiller's wounds and found his black eye reminded her of her attacker. Keiller was woken up by Sophia in the throes of a nightmare and comforted her back to sleep. Sophia got up the next morning not remembering the nightmare at all.
Excerpt of the Day:
"Turning toward Miss Hagerson, Keiller saw her eyes were closed and she was in a fierce fight with something invisible, it seemed. Keiller reached out and restrained her wrists, which caused her to fight all the harder against his hold.
"Miss Hagerson," Keiller said loudly. "Are you alright? What's wrong?"
Her struggling instantly decreased, but didn't stop.
"Miss Hagerson, wake up," Keiller said. "What's wrong? Do I need to get Dr. Carrigan?"
Miss Hagerson opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling. Keiller looked up to see if anything was there, but there was nothing aside from the usual ceiling; he looked down at Miss Hagerson's face again and saw tears in her eyes.
She closed her eyes and the tears ran out. Keiller wasn't sure what to do; he let go of her wrists and knelt down beside the bed.
"What's going on?" Keiller asked. "Are you alright?"
Miss Hagerson gasped, but then lunged at Keiller and wrapped her arms around his neck, trembling viciously.
"He's after me," she whispered. "He's going to get me, and he's going to–" she dissolved into sobs.
Keiller gently wrapped his arms around Miss Hagerson, trying to still her trembling, then got up so he was sitting on the bed, as to better hold her and still her.
"Who's after you?" Keiller asked.
"He is," Miss Hagerson replied. "He was going to hurt Karita, but I stopped him and now he's going to get me."
"Who was he going to hurt?" Keiller asked.
"Karita," Miss Hagerson replied. "We were forced out, and he saw her, and now he's going to get me; he's here."
"Miss Hagerson," Keiller said. "You had a nightmare, there's no one here aside from me, and trust me, I would've heard someone trying to get into my home; it's alright."
"But he's coming!" Miss Hagerson said, with panic in her voice.
"I'll stop him," Keiller said. "I promise I'll never ever, ever let him come against you; no scum like that will ever touch you. I've got the firepower to keep you away from his harming you."
Miss Hageron embraced Keiller's neck tighter, whimpering softly. Keiller slowly began to rock her back and forth, in hopes of getting her to fall back to sleep. Her grip remained tight around his neck for a long time, but eventually started to loosen.
Keiller carefully got up and laid Miss Hagerson down on the bed; she startled, her eyes open, and looked terrified. Keiller wrapped both of his hands around her hand.
"It's alright," Keiller said. "I'm still here."
Miss Hagerson's facial expression relaxed, her eyes slowly closed again, but her hand clutched Keiller's tightly. Keiller sat down on the bed and held Miss Hagerson's hand gently as she returned to sleep.
Keiller was curious about the name Miss Hagerson had mentioned, wondering who she was, but it would wait until morning. Miss Hagerson was afraid of someone, and Keiller knew exactly who: the father of her child."
Thursday, May 14, 2015
Opening: Day 10
Word Count: 60,009
Summary of Events:
Chapter 19:
Keiller brought Egbert breakfast and managed to find out Mrs. Wylie's address and went to send a letter to her, having to chase the stagecoach down to get it on; he learned from the driver that Mr. Wharton had a cousin in town and then injured himself jumping off of the stagecoach.
Chapter 20:
Sophia had to help Keiller up off of the floor in the morning because he was so sore. Dr. and Mrs. Carrigan came and Mrs. Carrigan measured Sophia for dresses before Dr. Carrigan talked with Sophia. After they and Keiller left Sophia thought about the possibility of telling Keiller about her sisters.
Excerpt of the Day:
"Mrs. Carrigan looked to be rather enthusiastic, and Miss Hagerson looked like she felt somewhat relieved. Dr. Carrigan walked over to them to ask Miss Hagerson a few questions; Keiller caught Mrs. Carrigan's eye and she came over to him.
"Did she tell you anything of interest?" Keiller asked.
"No, she remained quite quiet," Mrs. Carrigan replied. "I don't believe I've ever met a quieter woman who hasn't actually been a mute."
"You didn't learn anything of interest at all?" Keiller asked.
"She is very interesting overall," Mrs. Carrigan replied. "The fact that she's so silent and there's, really, so much mystery surrounding her intrigues me, and I wish I could find out everything about her."
"That makes two of us," Keiller said.
"But to bombard her with questions until she finally answers us would be a horrible thing to do," Mrs. Carrigan said. "She's so timid, it's like approaching a deer."
"Have you been reading my mind?" Keiller asked.
"I don't do such things," Mrs. Carrigan replied.
"You'd almost think we were related," Keiller said.
Mrs. Carrigan smiled. "Either that or you could say that great minds think alike."
Keiller smiled too. "You could say that," he agreed.
"I'll be making four dresses for Miss Hagerson," Mrs. Carrigan said. "However, I'm not sure if I should make them all the standard style, or make an empire waisted one, as that would accommodate a growing womb better; of course she is actually rather similar in size to me, so I could give her some of my old empires until she has the child, being as she isn't we and wouldn't likely be having another child soon."
Keiller nodded, even though he wasn't really that interested in the matter.
"And Mr. Bartlett, I must commend you," Mrs. Carrigan said. "You have done a very good and Godly thing taking Miss Hagerson in, in spite of the fact that many upstanding people would've rejected her abandoned her in the cold."
Keiller nodded again. "I would like her to go and stay with you, for the sake of being close to Dr. Carrigan when things start to happen, but she got quite upset at me when I suggested the idea. She thought I was just trying to get her out of here now because she is with child and therefore I no longer had the opportunity to defile her."
"The poor child," Mrs. Carrigan said. "She's all alone, and she's hurting and confused; I hope that maybe she will be convinced to come and stay with us as well. I would love to help her in any way she would let me."
"You already are," Keiller said. "You're making her clothes."
"But I would love to do more than that," Mrs. Carrigan said.
Keiller nodded. "So would I.""
Summary of Events:
Chapter 19:
Keiller brought Egbert breakfast and managed to find out Mrs. Wylie's address and went to send a letter to her, having to chase the stagecoach down to get it on; he learned from the driver that Mr. Wharton had a cousin in town and then injured himself jumping off of the stagecoach.
Chapter 20:
Sophia had to help Keiller up off of the floor in the morning because he was so sore. Dr. and Mrs. Carrigan came and Mrs. Carrigan measured Sophia for dresses before Dr. Carrigan talked with Sophia. After they and Keiller left Sophia thought about the possibility of telling Keiller about her sisters.
Excerpt of the Day:
"Mrs. Carrigan looked to be rather enthusiastic, and Miss Hagerson looked like she felt somewhat relieved. Dr. Carrigan walked over to them to ask Miss Hagerson a few questions; Keiller caught Mrs. Carrigan's eye and she came over to him.
"Did she tell you anything of interest?" Keiller asked.
"No, she remained quite quiet," Mrs. Carrigan replied. "I don't believe I've ever met a quieter woman who hasn't actually been a mute."
"You didn't learn anything of interest at all?" Keiller asked.
"She is very interesting overall," Mrs. Carrigan replied. "The fact that she's so silent and there's, really, so much mystery surrounding her intrigues me, and I wish I could find out everything about her."
"That makes two of us," Keiller said.
"But to bombard her with questions until she finally answers us would be a horrible thing to do," Mrs. Carrigan said. "She's so timid, it's like approaching a deer."
"Have you been reading my mind?" Keiller asked.
"I don't do such things," Mrs. Carrigan replied.
"You'd almost think we were related," Keiller said.
Mrs. Carrigan smiled. "Either that or you could say that great minds think alike."
Keiller smiled too. "You could say that," he agreed.
"I'll be making four dresses for Miss Hagerson," Mrs. Carrigan said. "However, I'm not sure if I should make them all the standard style, or make an empire waisted one, as that would accommodate a growing womb better; of course she is actually rather similar in size to me, so I could give her some of my old empires until she has the child, being as she isn't we and wouldn't likely be having another child soon."
Keiller nodded, even though he wasn't really that interested in the matter.
"And Mr. Bartlett, I must commend you," Mrs. Carrigan said. "You have done a very good and Godly thing taking Miss Hagerson in, in spite of the fact that many upstanding people would've rejected her abandoned her in the cold."
Keiller nodded again. "I would like her to go and stay with you, for the sake of being close to Dr. Carrigan when things start to happen, but she got quite upset at me when I suggested the idea. She thought I was just trying to get her out of here now because she is with child and therefore I no longer had the opportunity to defile her."
"The poor child," Mrs. Carrigan said. "She's all alone, and she's hurting and confused; I hope that maybe she will be convinced to come and stay with us as well. I would love to help her in any way she would let me."
"You already are," Keiller said. "You're making her clothes."
"But I would love to do more than that," Mrs. Carrigan said.
Keiller nodded. "So would I.""
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