Progress Report

Well, I completed Chapter Twelve this morning. I had hoped to get through two chapters, but that just didn't happen. Chapter Twelve was so very long it took more than two hours to get through. By then I was sleepy and returned to bed.

I'm glad to have finished the chapter, but I was disappointed I wasn't able to reduce its size better. It's still over 8,000-words. That's more than the entire Apprentice story. It lifted me up to about 4,200-words over budget. I have four chapters which have contributed to this heft. This chapter wasn't the largest of the four. Neither was it the smallest.

If all continues at the current pace I shall be finished some time this month. I'm not making any promises, even to myself, but it is possible I could be done by the end of next week. Do not hold your breath (or you'll turn blue and pass out).

The next chapter should be interesting. It was always one of the smaller chapters. Then I moved a critical scene forward (creating a new chapter in the process). It is possible that the original Chapter Thirteen will simply merge with Chapter Fourteen and I will be back on track with my chapters. (I've had to rename them up by one since creating the new chapter.)

In any case, the story is moving along. Khirsha is having to deal with the consequences of agreeing to be "visited" by Avalina. It is costing him Sayla. His problem is like every young person's problem: he likes them both and would like to have both visit him. They see it differently. For one thing, the two girls don't even like each other. Meanwhile, the evidence continues to trickle in as to the Traitor's identity. If Khirhsa doesn't put the pieces together soon he is going to find more than his grandfather's position as Head-of-Family is at risk. Khirhsa's life could be on the line.

I like Khirsha. He's got a lot going for him. But sometimes he can be as dense as - well, me. Not that I mind. I just wish I had his physical talent. Or even Sayla's. She's an excellent hunter. Unfortunately, right now she's hunting the wrong game. If you know what I mean.