NaNoWriMo is in full swing now, and I’ve been getting lots done on my current works-in-progress. This year’s NaNo has been different than the last time I did one a few years back. This time, I’m focusing more on reaching the word count goal of 50,000 and less on achieving it with one work. Since I have so much going on right now, starting a new novel entirely didn’t make sense, so I’ve been working on Pathway of the Moon, Trader Prince of Aleshtain, and the collection of short stories I want to have out in 2021. So it’s a bit of a nontraditional approach, but hey, nothing wrong with that!
This week’s work-in-progress comes from Pathway of the Moon. I’m currently on chapter 49 of 60. I’ve written roughly three and a half chapters in the last seven days thanks to NaNoWriMo and not being able to work my second job thanks to injuring my foot. So that’s where life is at right now. I’m about forty percent of the way done with my NaNo challenge though!
Now, on to the piece for this week. It’s from the last chapter I wrote.
~~~
LEO opened the door to their room and stopped. King Faolrian turned away from the window and greeted him with a warm smile. Leo hooked his thumbs into his pockets and shuffled inside, nudging the door shut with his toe. “Sire? To what do I owe the pleasure?”
Faolrian smiled. “I’m not here on any official business. Not exactly, anyway. How are you settling in?”
Leo let out a soft sigh. So he wasn’t in trouble. Good. “I’m settling in fine. The accommodations are much nicer than I’m used to. I appreciate your generosity.”
“Any headway with that journal you were given?”
Leo glanced at the book where it lay on his bed. “Depends on what you mean by headway. The prophecies aren’t the easiest to understand at times. But I’m working on it.”
“You can understand it without a translator?”
“My father made sure I was versed in the original dialect of Wyrdhan, specifically the prophecy case. It was expected that every leader in the… Well, anyway, you know.”
The king smiled. “You shouldn’t be ashamed of your past. You didn’t choose it, Leo.”
Leo grimaced and walked into the room. He picked up the diary from its spot on the bed. “Why wouldn’t I be ashamed? I was affiliated with a cult that wanted to destroy the country I love.”
“That’s exactly why you shouldn’t be ashamed. You love this country. And your love for this country, your loyalty to it, led you to leave the people who wanted to destroy it no matter the cost. I think that’s admirable.”
“You’re the only one who will think that.”
“Actually, I’m not. The nobility, on the whole, quite like you. They’ve been asking when you’ll start making appearances.”
Leo cracked a smile. “They should remember my reluctance to socialize back when I was just a Duke with a title I had to buy.”
Faolrian laughed. “Some do. They were surprised to discover you were so instrumental in defeating Kiarhsu’s cult. In fact, rumors are now going around that you were in the war between the Aleshtainians and our men on the borders, and that’s where you gained the money to buy your title.”
Leo blinked. “Where did that idea come from?”
The king shrugged. “I didn’t make it up. But off the record, I think the spymaster may have let it slip that you were a highly decorated captain out there.”
“A highly decorated… What?” Leo groaned. “Sire, do you have any idea the social nightmare you’ve managed to start for me?”
Faolrian clapped him on the back. “Nonsense! You’re a highly decorated war hero. Brings a great deal of respect. They’re even saying you single-handedly negotiated for the release of some of our soldiers.”
“Anything else I should know about that they’re saying?”
“I think that’s all for now, but you know these stories. They grow. You’d better figure out your official story to avoid any problems. I think you learned that lesson well enough previously though.”
Leo laughed in spite of himself. Not figuring out a story ahead of time was the very reason he had gotten into so much trouble in the first place. He’d certainly learned his lesson. “That I did.”
Faolrian headed for the door then paused and turned back. “Just two more things, Leo. First, don’t keep that woman of yours waiting too long. I’ve seen how you look at each other, and you don’t want to miss your chance.”
The tips of his ears heated.
“And secondly, I need you to see if that book of yours says anything at all about the Pathway.”
“The Pathway? What am I looking for?”
“The Pathway doesn’t work.”
Leo stared at him, baffled. “But something came through it.”
“Something did. But we aren’t able to pass through to their side of the Path. Anything you can find out would be helpful.”
Leo nodded, a frown furrowing his brow. Why would the Path only work one way? “I’ll be working on it, then, Sire.”
The king nodded and left the room, shutting the door quietly behind him. Leo stared at the wooden door. Had the book ever said anything about the Path? He couldn’t be sure since he hadn’t finished the entire thing. But it just didn’t make sense. If one side could be used, theirs should be working too. He’d opened it just as the prophecy had claimed he would. So what was going on?
~~~
That’s it from my end, everyone! What have you guys been working on? Anyone else doing NaNoWriMo? If so, let me know how it’s going in the comments! I’d love to hear about what you all have started.
