From a window high in the East Tower of the palace, the change in the seasons did not go unnoticed by Noel. She stared in wonderment at the splendor of spring. From the innate character of her half-elf heritage she found an affinity with the exciting pulse of new life. Her glowing eyes, pleasant smile and flowing black hair accentuated her natural beauty. Noel’s dynamic personality, intelligence and enthusiasm radiated a zest for life that was uncharacteristic of most young adults in Neverly. Her tall, slender body was an expression of strength and grace.
She wore a simple, full-length peasant dress made from rough combed cotton. The dress had a light brown skirt and a woodland green top. The quiet shades of brown and green added softness to Noel’s skin tones and luminous personality. She wore this style of dress out of protest to Emperor Wastelow’s constant pressure for her to wear brightly colored silken court attire. This rebellion was a protest against her captivity and proclamation of her individuality.
As she stood, framed in the window, her mind drifted to thoughts of her family. At an early age she discovered her father was human and her mother was an elf. The title of half-elf provided her with a personal image of prestige and pride. Yet, it also offered a lingering uncertainty about her future. She realized only two half-elves lived in the Empire. She often questioned if people would hate or love her because of her ancestry. Would she be a target of prejudice from people who feared the unknown?
Recently, she felt a deep longing to share in the life of her family. She found comfort in knowing her parents shared a special love for each other. She was always delighted to hear stories told by Magee, her guardian, about the wonderful life shared by Rodney and Starglide. Their love for each other had grown into a legend told and retold throughout the Empire.
At age 15 years Noel learned from Magee that she had a twin brother. This knowledge provided her with an understanding of the mysterious void in her life. Noel often dreamed about meeting her brother Coaldon. Today, as she stood before the window, she felt an unusual strong sense of longing for her family. Loneliness was an obvious product of her isolation and captivity. It was a sad day when Magee told her about the death of her parents. They had been killed by Wastelow in the bloody Battle of Two Thrones. She was excited to learn her Grandfather Brad was the true emperor.
For Noel springtime offered renewed hope of escaping from the East Tower. As she gazed across the changing landscape of spring, she was mesmerized by the unfolding beauty of nature. The sights and sounds of spring erupted before her like a volcano in the midst of winter winds. The daily struggle between the tides of cold air flowing down from the north and the warm breezes pushing up from the south formed a battlefield of conflicting weather forces. One day snow would force people into their houses to find comfort in front of a fireplace. Other days the warmth of the spring sunshine would encourage them to throw open their doors and greet life with renewed anticipation. The entrapment of winter created the need for people to escape from the confinement of four walls. Winter chilled the bones of each person like frost frozen deep in the soil. Tempers flared as the pressures of living close together for five long months erupted in conflicts. The regenerating powers of spring pulsated in the very soul of each individual in the community. The hope of earth’s renewal created a subtle excitement in the spirit of each person.
On warm days children would roam the streets of Neverly in tides of happy voices. Men stared at the barren farmlands outside the city walls while women rushed to finish spring cleaning before the next blast of winter would strive to regain dominance. Newly stretched clotheslines flew the spring flags of blankets, clothing and linens being refreshed by the cleansing power of warm sunshine. Farm equipment was repaired; shovel blades were sharpened; and seeds were carefully inspected to help insure productive crops. The slow pace of sales during the last days of winter caused merchants to spend lonely days waiting for a healthy surge of optimism. They watched the amplified pace of spring with the prospects of increased prosperity.
Springtime offered Noel a feeling of resurrection from the hopelessness of her captivity. She was counseled by Magee to accept the limitations of her life with controlled impatience. The fear of being a captive for the rest of her life caused moments of anger and depression. Noel struggled to form a realistic balance between her present situation and maintaining hope for the future. This struggle would cause her moods to fluctuate between joy and despair. Some days the fire of her temper would repress her gentle smile and warm personality.
Noel’s thoughts shifted from springtime to her immediate surroundings. She could see the open plains in the west blend into the great forest of the north. The Slownic River ambled past Neverly like a large snake wandering into the distant horizon. Neverly was the capital city for the Empire. The four high stonewalls gave the appearance of gloom, dread and misery. The gray, dirty walls were smudged with the accumulated pollution of many centuries of smoke and grime. The city was a collection of rundown houses, narrow streets and dilapidated buildings. The litter-strewn streets were usually crowded with people pushing through the mob of shoppers and vagrants to reach their destination.
Noel used her vantage point in the tower to watch the flow of life in the city. She noticed the city was becoming more run-down and polluted by garbage. Even though she did not have the opportunity to talk with the citizens, she detected an increased sense of despair and discontent. A recent tax increase caused a swell in the poverty among farmers and city dwellers. A larger number of beggars roamed the streets and crime was escalating.
She turned to greet Norbert as he entered her chamber to begin her lessons. He tutored her in script, language, literature and numeric. Norbert was an old man with a gentle smile, long gray hair, frail body and sharp intellect. He never allowed Noel to neglect her responsibility to learn academic skills and to discipline her mind.
Norbert lived in the palace, but was not allowed to leave except under guard. Emperor Wastelow had a brooding distrust of Norbert’s sense of independence. Noel was surprised Norbert was allowed to teach her because of his emphasis on teaching creativity and freethinking. Noel realized Norbert kept his views well hidden from everybody except Magee and herself.
Magee greeted Norbert with a warm smile. Their years of working together created an intimate bond of respect and understanding. Magee was a short, stout woman with a round face and quiet smile. Her long gray hair was pulled back to a tight bun. Her quick wit and easy command of words allowed her to dominate most conversations. Norbert usually yielded to Magee’s aggressive nature until one of his values had been violated. At which time he would reestablish his position in their relationship. It was common for their lively debates to provide entertainment on dull afternoons.
Both Magee and Norbert escaped the purge of death that accompanied the conquest by Wastelow. The twin children of Rodney and Starglide were separated at the end of the War of Two Thrones. Emperor Brad and Queen Ingrid escaped with Coaldon in the confusion following the war. Wastelow had held Noel as captive for the past 17 years. Noel, under the protective care of Magee, was raised as a subject of Emperor Wastelow. He determined she might be useful as a pawn. It was common knowledge that Wastelow planned for his son Regee to marry her. This marriage would help gain the loyalty of the people. This royal wedding would take place sometime during the next year.
It had been the secret duty of Norbert and Magee to prepare Noel to assume the role of princess after Emperor Brad regained power. Even though they demonstrated open allegiance to Emperor Wastelow, they were dedicated to Emperor Brad. The former emperor offered the only hope for citizens fleeing from servitude.
Norbert and Magee, under the disguised loyalty to Wastelow, instructed Noel in her history and responsibilities. She learned at an early age the truth about her captivity and her destiny in the new Empire. Thanks to Magee, Noel learned early in her life to play the game of cooperation, submission and courtesy with the Emperor and his staff. It was necessary to maintain an open and friendly relationship with the E
mperor in order to remove any possible suspicion or distrust. Yet, her true commitment was to her family and the Empire.
Noel’s eyes were glazed over in deep concentration as she looked out the window. She was startled when Norbert touched her shoulder. She paused before responding to his presence. She stated, “I love to go for my weekly horseback rides in the forest. I feel such freedom when the air blows through my hair. I wonder if Wastelow will continue to allow me to go on these rides outside the palace?”
Norbert looked out the window at the milling crowd in the city before he responded, “Something has happened to force Emperor Wastelow and Crossmore to increase security. I wish I had a source inside the Emperor’s Chambers to provide us information about the events of the Empire.”
Looking at Noel he continued, “I want to believe your grandfather has started his war against Wastelow?”
Noel glanced at Magee in anticipation of her response to Norbert’s statement. Magee’s eyes drifted away from her knitting to focus on Norbert’s quiet face. She finally said, “This morning the Emperor’s chamber maid told me Wastelow was still suffering from his depression and blue miseries. The servant said Crossmore continues to give Wastelow special herbs to control his illness. Some servants suspect the wizard is poisoning the Emperor in order to gain control of the Empire. During Wastelow’s absence from the throne Crossmore has graciously offered to assist in the day-to-day operation of the Empire. Many people in the palace wonder if Emperor Wastelow will ever return to power.”
Noel was slow to respond, “Crossmore has been showing an increased interest in my welfare. I believe that he would like to control me. The thought of that man touching me makes me feel dirty and ill. Is it possible Crossmore is striving to take over the Empire for his own evil purposes?”
Norbert looked at Noel and Magee with deep, probing eyes. He knew the time for immediate action had arrived. Noel needed to be freed from the palace before something terrible happened to her. But, what could he do? There were too many spies in the palace and in the city to make an escape.
Norbert questioned Magee, “Last spring you met with Pacer in the market. Did he say anything about an escape attempt?
Magee responded, “Yes. If you remember, Brad was waiting for Coaldon to turn 18 before he took action.”
Norbert looked at Magee saying, “Did Pacer say when he would return to Neverly?”
Magee nodded, “Pacer stated he would meet with me in the market place on the first day of spring. He said he was planning to meet with Brad on Coaldon’s birthday to make plans for the future. Rescue plans had not been made at that time. Pacer was afraid to talk to me too long because of fear of being detected by spies.”
With a sly smile on her face, Magee continued, “ Norbert, the spring equinox will occur in several weeks requiring the fulfillment of a most important event. I would be honored if you would accompany me on a trip to the market place to shop for Noel’s new summer wardrobe. I know you will enjoy such a festive occasion?” Norbert’s expression changed from curiosity to a pretense of alarm. Magee learned how to create ripples of frustration in his crusty layers of bachelorhood.
He responded in contempt, “There is no way I will be seen in the market shopping for women’s clothing. I will allow you to venture into the world of domestic pursuits while Noel and I study the verb tenses of the high elfin language.”
Noel laughed loudly at the bantering between her two special friends. She paused as she heard noises outside her door. Several soldiers always guarded the door into her chamber. Under the orders of Wastelow, she could not leave her room without five soldiers guarding her every movement. On her horseback rides she was escorted by 20 guards.
She constantly prayed to escape from her dungeon. Over the past few months she had the strong desire to meet her twin brother and to share the bonding of their early life together. She knew a part of herself remained with Coaldon and vise versa. She also realized they needed each other in order to find fulfillment in life.
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Decisions