The wind and snow from the storm blasted the walls of the Monastery with unrelenting pounding. Winter would not release its grip on the Monastery of Toms until the last great surge of cold and snow was spent. The monks, wrapped in thick coats and heavy boots, hurried between buildings. The Monastery was located in the heart of the Wastelands on the slopes of the Black Mountains. The Cathedral, cloister and workshops overlooked farmland and orchards. The rich farmland was watered by mysterious streams gushing out of the earth. It was assumed the water flowed from an aquifer originating high in the Black Mountains. The Village of Toms sat below the Monastery in a sheltered cove next to the Lake of Prayer. The villagers worked on the farms and offered many different services to the monks.
The founders of the Monastery realized it was necessary to protect the monks from the world by establishing the Monastery in the desolate Wastelands. The Wastelands, a vast area of gullies and canyons, was void of all manner of life. The many canyons of this forbidding land provided a far-reaching labyrinth of channels that resisted any intruder. This unfriendly ground was nearly impossible to cross, as testified by the bones of lost travelers and animals. In order to reach the Monastery, it was necessary to have a guide or map to show the way through the inhospitable maze. Many people believed a force of nature or magic actually resisted the intrusion of any living being into the Wastelands.
The Wastelands had been crossed several months ago by two groups of travelers seeking refuge. The monks of the Monastery received these travelers with open arms and provided them safe haven. Since their arrival, the travelers worked to gather knowledge from the monastic library and to make plans to conquer Wastelow. Starhood, the elf warrior, spent long days in the dingy stacks of the library searching ancient manuscripts for clues to the location of the Land of Westmore. The Land of Westmore was the ancient depository for the Key of Ban. This book of magic could defeat the forces of evil. The possession of the Key of Ban would be needed to crush the expanding influence of Crossmore. It would be necessary to have a benevolent wizard to control the power generated by the magic contained in the book.
Months passed without Starhood finding any information on Westmore. During this time of waiting, Emperor Brad required all of the warriors to spend time each day in physical conditioning and weapons training. Brad, the deposed Emperor, needed strong warriors if he was to regain the throne for his family. Even his wife, Empress Ingrid, joined the men in weapons practice. While the men would thrust and parry with swords, she refined the use of the bow and arrow and short spear.
Weekly conferences were held in a large room in the library. Brad led these meetings with the care of a gentle father. These discussions were attended by Coaldon, Earthkin, Topple, Pacer, Starhood, Ingrid and Brother Patrick. Recently, these meetings had deteriorated into a frustrating dialogue of meaningless bantering. The imposing restraints of winter and the lack of progress caused the group to lose the focus of their real mission. At one such meeting Coaldon’s frustration finally burst into an explosion of angry words and red-hot temper.
Slamming shut a book, he yelled, “I am tired of just talking. We need to do more than just debate and argue. We are wasting our time. We need to have results.”
In remorse, he continued, “I apologize for my anger but I am tired of just listening to words. We need to leave the emptiness of winter and greet the rebirth of spring with our actions.”
The group quietly overlooked Coaldon’s impatience and accepted his challenge as a wake up call.
Brad interceded, “Coaldon, I agree with you. Words must be transformed into actions. We need to decide how to free Noel from her captivity in Neverly. We have pushed this topic aside for too long. It does seem impossible, but there must be some way to complete the rescue. Today we must find it.”
Pacer was first to speak, “Last spring when I made a trip to the capital I visited with Magee, Noel’s nursemaid. I had a difficult time entering the city because of the large number of guards constantly patrolling the gates. I did not have the identification papers needed to pass through the gates, so I had to enter the city by using the old storm drain just south of the East Tower. This drain was closed many years ago because of decay and disuse. Only the royal family and their advisors had knowledge of the hidden channel. Seventeen years ago the drain was used as an escape route for Brad and his court. The main entrance inside the city is located in the old palace wine cellar behind the vats.”
Pacer continued, “It is my impression the capital has become an armed fortress. Spies circulate in the city searching for any seditious activities against the Emperor. Wastelow and Crossmore have created a reign of terror. People are afraid to do or say anything against them. I did not see him, but people said a mindless creature wanders the streets at nights stalking the enemies of the Empire. Last year Wastelow increased taxes in order to support his army. These high taxes have forced many citizens into abject poverty. The streets of Neverly are full of homeless people struggling to find enough food to survive. I told Magee I would return to Neverly this year on the first day of spring. The first day of spring is only five weeks away, so if we are going to do something, now is the time to start.”
Coaldon asked, “Do we have to enter the palace to free Noel, or is there another way?”
Pacer looked at Brad before he responded, “Last spring Noel was allowed to go on horseback rides in the forest north of the city. I observed that twenty guards escorted her on these rides. At first, I thought we could attack this mounted platoon, but now I have my doubts. We do not want to endanger the life of Noel by doing something reckless.”
Coaldon leaned forward, asking, “Will it then be necessary to rescue Noel from within the palace? If so, will we need to enter her room to release her? Do we know the location of Noel’s Chamber? Is the room heavily guarded? Is this room accessible to us?”
Pacer laughed as he looked at Coaldon with amusement.
He responded, “Whoa! You ask good questions. I will tell you what I know. I believe the only access we have to Noel will be within the palace. She is heavily guarded. It would take a large army to invade the palace and rescue her. We will need to develop a plan in which a small number of warriors under the cloak of secrecy rescue her. Last spring I learned Noel’s room is on the top level of the East Tower. Guards are stationed at her door 24 hours a day. It is my understanding this room has no secret passages because of limited space in the tower. Brad, do you remember any secret passages that reach into the East Tower?”
Brad had been unusually quiet for the past few weeks. Some of his friends were starting to worry that the old king was losing his will to fight. In truth, Brad was not retreating from his devotion to the Empire, but striving to gain the proper mental focus. The old Emperor responded to doubting eyes in the room, “The events of the last six months have forced me to change from being a simple farmer to the leader of a rebellion. I have been required to regain skills I had long ago given up. Recently, the thoughts of Noel have been consuming my mind. I am ready to do my part in this great adventure.”
Brad continued, “Yes, I believe I know of a way to enter her room by the way of a hidden passage. I have been thinking about this for the past several days. At first, I had doubts about accessing her room until I remembered an abandoned shaft passing on the inside wall of the tower. If my memory is correct, it passes next to Noel’s chamber. This shaft was originally used to lift supplies to the top of East Tower. It was sealed off after a section of a wall collapsed from a flaw in its construction. The shaft descends into the cellars of the palace. Yes, I know it does. As a youth I constantly searched the palace for secret passages. One day I found the opening of this shaft plugged by rocks and debris in the basement. I believe it would be possible to clear the rocks from the base of the shaft and climb to the top of the tower using ropes. It will take accurate measurements and calculations to know where to break through the wall into Noel’s chambers. I can draw maps to help guide your way into the city, palace and shaft.”
/> As the discussion progressed, Pacer’s mind was alive with different ideas concerning the rescue. When he finally raised his head, he realized that everyone was watching him. He glanced at each person in the room before he spoke, “I believe we can get Noel out of the room without much trouble. It will be the escape from the city and journey to the Monastery that will be the major problem. What will we do with Norbert, the tutor and Magee, the nurse maid? Should we make arrangements for them to be a part of the escape plan?”
When Pacer finished with his statement, the room became quiet. Nobody knew what to say. Everybody knew Norbert and Magee would be killed if left behind. It was easy to talk about a rescue attempt until the real dangers grew into focus. Topple was the only person who did not have a distressed look on his face. Topple’s infective smile and giggle filled the room with a cheery mood. He stood up with a robust explosion of energy, dancing around the room with happy steps. He turned his head to one side, laughed and said, “Can you imagine the effort it will take to lower our beloved friend, Magee, down a narrow shaft. If I remember right, she is a monument to good food. It would be worth the trip to see the wiggling, twitching and moaning that would be required to complete this gigantic task.”
Earthkin could not contain himself from commenting, “Topple, I do not appreciate your light hearted attitude in such a time of serious planning. It’s time you grow up and stop playing silly games!”
Topple looked at Earthkin for several moments before a wide smile enveloped his jolly face. Topple had a deep respect for Earthkin, but took great pleasure in frustrating his dear, grumpy friend. With a twinkle in his eye Topple finally quoted,
“As it is, it will be,
with a laugh and a jolly glee.
We can sing or we can cry,
just by the choice we can fly.
To dance in joy or mask in fear,
the option falls so near.
To walk in peace or sag in pain,
we choose a path to rein.
By thrill of life and eye to quest,
in faith we find our rest.”
Topple gave a loud shout of elation when he had finished. He showed pride and satisfaction at his grandiose presentation.
Brad decided it was time to refocus the discussion before Topple and Earthkin got into one of their historic debates on the meaning of life. He finally said, “I agree with Pacer, the escape will need to be carefully planned. Also, we need to decide who is going on this rescue mission. I recommend Pacer, Coaldon and Brother Patrick form the team. I believe Earthkin, being a dwarf, would draw too much attention to the group. I want Earthkin and Topple to remain at the Monastery to help search the library for the location of Westmore.
At this point Topple stood up, staggered and fell on the floor. Everybody in the room stared in surprise at Topple’s behavior. No one moved to assist him until it was determined he really had a problem. With his head on the floor, Topple opened his eyes and slowly looked around the room. He gradually sat up with a flair of melodramatic suffering. With a pathetic whimper and a look of wounded pride he said, “You just pushed me aside like a worthless old shoe. You put me out to pasture, cast me adrift in a river of pain and treated me as an elderly duffer. Oh, woe is me! Rejected in the prime of life! Where shall I turn to find peace in this moment of great tragedy?”
Topple tragically pushed himself to his feet in a slow, agonizing fashion. Everyone in the room, except Earthkin, watched his performance with a sense of appreciation and humor. From first appearances, Topple looked like a skinny, doddering, frail and feeble old man. Yet, on a second glance his strength was evident.
Pacer was the first to speak after Topple’s grand theatrical presentation, “I agree with Brad’s list of people to go on this mission. I also propose Topple join us on the trip. He could be a valuable resource if we needed magic in the rescue attempt. Is there any more discussion concerning this matter?”
No one commented, so Pacer said, “So be it! Now we must decide how to escape from Neverly and find our way back home, wherever home may be.”
Earthkin stood with an obvious eagerness to add to the general discussion. He was usually passive in expressing his opinion and reserved when dealing with people. In his deep gruff voice he said, “I have been thinking of different escape routes the rescuers could use. At the time of the escape, it will be necessary for the team to leave Neverly in a hurry.’
Brad questioned, “If haste is a requirement, can Norbert and Magee handle a demanding escape?”
The dwarf responded, “I believe they will not be able to travel under excessive stress. A trek to the west across the Great Plains will be physically demanding and dangerous. A small party of travelers crossing the plains would be easily seen and captured.”
Pacer injected, “Taking Norbert and Magee into consideration, what do you propose?”
Earthkin answered, “I suggest an escape route to the east. I believe Crossmore and Wastelow will expect us to flee to the west. We could use horses to travel into the Sadden Mountains and then south to the dwarf City of Rockham. The most dangerous part of the trip will be from Neverly to the mountains. If we choose the east route, I would need to be the guide once we arrive in the mountains. The Sadden Mountains can be a dangerous place. In the past, bands of thieves and murderers have taken up refuge in the north. Their strength and numbers have increased over the last ten years.”
Nodding, Pacer followed, “I believe Earthkin has a good idea. Also, I am concerned about Magee’s and Norbert’s ability to physically handle a demanding journey. By using horses we could reduce the strain on them, plus make a quick retreat. I know of several hiding places east of the city where we could rest. Surprise and swiftness will be the key to our success.”
Brad’s face twisted as he contemplated Pacer’s comments. He finally said, “We will have to take the chance. I may be wrong, but I believe Norbert and Magee will have the strength and determination to make the journey. We must provide them the opportunity to be a part of the escape. They will need to make the choice.”
He then concluded, “The members of the team will be Pacer, Earthkin, Coaldon, Topple and Brother Patrick.”
Brad continued, “You will leave in seven days. Pacer will be in charge of the planning. Coaldon will handle the supplies and equipment. I want a full report in four days. Thank you for your help.”
~ ~
Planning Stages