The Elf Legacy - Book Five of The Magi Charter

By Jordan David and Rob Bockholdt

Time marches on... Santas and Elves come and go at the North Pole complex. For some the reasons they choose to leave are personal, for others it's a dismissal. Santa's annual Mission must never fail despite how each passing year adds complexity amidst a world plagued by endless wars and upheavals. The denizens of the North are not secluded from the human world's problems. The complex is not the utopia it was intended to be. Those who call this place home must come to terms with the turbulence of history and not allow personal issues to disrupt their commitments. Long before Mistletoe Green came along there was another, far sinister elf who used the marvels of the North Pole for her own agenda at the peril of both Santa and elf. Anna, Tetsu, and Hilda will each face challenges that threaten their legacies and centuries old friendships.

About the series: The Magi Charter

For over two thousand years the legend of Santa Claus has endured. His is a Mission of peace as outlined in the Magi Charter, given to the first Santa by the Child. From humble beginnings, following that First Christmas, the Santa lineage has been passed down through the ages. This epic adventure tells the story of those Santas from the founding of the North Pole and the origin of the ancient elves, to our modern times where the world's problems affect even those in the secluded complex of the North, and concluding in the distant future which finds Santa and the elves committed to their mission on a galactic scale where Christmas traditions are barely recognizable. In every era, those committed to the Mission must find a way to deliver that which is needed most to those most deserving.

• Language: English
• Publisher: eBookIt.com
• Release date: Aug 17, 2014
• ISBN: 9781456622930

Book preview

Chapter 1

*

A New Promotion

Granules of sand fell into the lower bulb of the hourglass. Anna happened to choose just that moment to glance up from her book to see the last bit of sand fall atop the mound at the bottom. In the glass, her reflection showed a lass of ten with brown eyes and hair pulled back to reveal pointed elfin ears. She might be mistaken for a student herself, but one only had to spend a minute in her presence to know this was entirely her domain. With a sigh, she sat back and stretched, looking over her apprentices, all six of whom were frantically trying to finish their assignment or as much as they could.

Time is up.

Getting down from her desk, Anna came over to inspect their work. The five lads were quick to lay down their quills, but Dorotea defiantly paid no heed to Anna’s approach and continued to scribble out the last few calculations on her paper. Of an age with Anna, Dorotea was a strong-willed lass from Bologna and did not like someone telling her when her work was finished. Anna knew the personality type all too well. Her own roommate, Fede was from Milan and just as headstrong. Not wanting to give the lass any lee-way, Anna plucked the paper from Dorotea, the lass’s quill making an ugly smear down a column of figures.

Very good. I see you remembered to include the road tax for the lumber shipments… and yes, you’ve compensated for the exchange rate of the rubles. Hmm… unfortunately, you did not quite finish… though I’ve no doubt you would have been able to determine the total cost of wax.

Dorotea made a sound like a snort as if that last column was the most insignificant of items. I would. I don’t see why this should be a timed test. Who cares how long it takes to add expenses, so long as it gets done right?

Jordanus, a lad of eight, and Petrus, a small lad of six, both nodded their heads in agreement.

Anna took up Jordanus’ paper and went over his figures. A time limit adds pressure to the assignment. We all must be able to work under pressure, yes? Besides, there are plenty of times when you will not have the luxury of taking your time. Goods come and go here and out in the human world nonstop. Every day brings changes to prices and the availability of materials. You know what Colin says, ‘Time costs money.’

An Asian lad in the middle of the group, Qin gave her a smug grin and held up his paper for her to check. He quite agreed with Colin’s financial philosophies. Qin was one apprentice who would make an excellent financier. Why he’d ever been assigned as a cobbler’s apprentice was a mystery, but luckily Colin found the lad, pulled him out of the Factory and immediately put him into Anna’s scribe class. The lad had only been studying with the group less than a year, but he’d already caught up to John Tynemouth, her best student.

"Alright for you, Qin Jiushao! Dorotea fumed at the grinning lad. You’d be happy adding reindeer dung if someone told you to do it. Wax is useless. I was double checking the sums of more important things, like… flour, and… um… wool."

Qin, now a bit crestfallen, took back his paper and upon seeing Anna’s mark of approval on it puffed himself up, and shared the passing grade with his seatmate Witelo, a skinny lad of fourteen.

The six scribe apprentices were seated on benches at wooden tables designed for two. Each had their own glowbulbs set out upon the desks shining a bright white color. Anna picked up Witelo’s paper and saw the lad had missed more than one table of sums. She was not surprised. Witelo did not seem to have what was required to be a master financier; at best he might serve as a clerk. Clerks were still needed after all; even the other departments had records to keep.

Wax is important, Dorotea. Any supply we import to our home here at the top of the world must be carefully considered. There is a cost and a risk with every item. If a thing were not necessary, it would not be here, Anna reminded the class, lest they start thinking they could pass judgment over which things they were to keep track of. That sort of thinking would lead to one giant mess of the accounts. There was a limit on space after all, the warehouse, as big as it was could not store the world.

"But we have these! Dorotea argued holding up her glowbulb. She was not one to back out of a debate no matter how wrong she was. Candles are not needed. We should take stock of such unnecessary things and stop buying them. Glowbulbs are a thousand times better than any candle."

Did you become a department head when I wasn’t looking, Dorotea? Or Santa Claus even? Wax has a hundred uses besides candles. The craft elves use it for many things, the kitchens use it to seal casks of foodstuffs and beverages. Otherwise, provisions would spoil sooner and cost us even more in supplying the North Pole with food. We also use wax ourselves for sealing documents and correspondence with the human world. And lest you forget there are still plenty of elves who prefer to work or read by candlelight.

Finished with Witelo’s test paper, Anna proceeded back to her own desk, identical to the others, though arranged to face her pupils. She made a few notes in a ledger marking off the grades that each apprentice had earned on the exam. Dorotea had wisely gone silent on the subject. Anna was every bit as strong-willed, and the lads knew they’d be here a lot longer if the two got into a full-blown argument. The six began capping their ink bottles and straightening up the other papers on their desks, charts of mathematical formulas and rules of accounting.

Orangish light was starting to fill the finance archive as the sun neared the horizon. It was close to autumn, though in this frozen land the only change in seasons was the amount of sunlight. In another couple of months, the sun would dip behind the horizon and not be seen again until spring. An endless night filled with the moon and stars and illuminations of the aurora borealis lights. Anna wished not for the first time to have better lighting in the archive. These ever-shorter days of sunlight made for shorter time with the apprentices. One could only do so much with glowbulbs.

Around the makeshift classroom were shelves full of scrolls, stacks of papers, and no few books. Stand lamps, each with a dozen or so glowbulbs, stood ready to be lit. Those never did work right. True, they were better than having candles, but still… the archive hall was just too big with its cavernous vaulted ceiling, it seemed to swallow up any artificial light.

That will be all for today. I want you to study your Latin and elfin tables, there will be a test on that sooner than you think. Witelo.

The skinny lad gave her a weak smile, he’d been playing with his glowbulb. His skill in translating Latin phrases was worse than his arithmetic. The six mumbled a good night to her and quickly headed out of the archive. Their voices and steps bouncing off the bare stone walls and marble floors.

Anna watched them go. She put out her own glowbulb and straightened up the benches and desks. After putting away a few of her own reference scrolls on a shelf, she looked around the hall. Now bathed fully in the orange glow of sunset, the colors of the stone and fine marble were all washed out. When it was midday, and the good light streamed in through the windows on the roof the true splendor of the archive could be fully experienced. Originally the hall had been designed after a grand cathedral, intended for Santa to meet with distinguished guests. That never happened though. Not one Santa in all these years had received a single visitor here.

Instead, the hall had been taken over by Colin and Michael, the financiers of the North Pole. It made sense. Theirs was a department that needed space. The financiers had a large collection of books and no shortage of papers and documents from all over the world. Anna and Joan were their first apprentices, learning the arts of a scribe and later accounting. Over the years, the financial records of the North Pole grew and grew. Now the grand hall had truly become an archive. Shelves of all different sizes and heights were filled with rolled up papers, stacks of parchment, ledgers, books, charts, and other such things. And not just the financial variety. The other departments had made use of the space and Anna’s organization skills, requesting of her to store everything from Factory production records to the Elf Guild’s recruiting and training documents.

For a time, Anna and Joan were able to keep up with the work. Theirs was to take inventory, compile reports from the departments, and in general do the bookkeeping. Colin and Michael kept up a never-ending correspondence with their numerous contacts out in the human world. Merchants, farmers, nobles, even a few kings and queens. Though these they made arrangements to buy or barter for food, fabric, leather, iron, wood, animal feed, so many things, and yes, wax too.

Much of the material supplies were used by the elves to make toys and useful goods that were needed by people all over the world, to be delivered by Santa on Christmas Eve. Most of it. Elves had to eat too of course. Farming was not possible here in the Arctic. Food ingredients had to be brought in. Everything the elves made was for humans, especially the children, regardless if it was something the elves used themselves or not. Dorotea did not seem to grasp that. Wax candles may not be in high demand by elves, but they certainly were by humans. As it was with so many goods. Only Santa could decide when a thing was no longer necessary. Santa’s word was law here, and no elf was to question that.

As she came to the front of the archive, Anna spotted a sliver of light cast from a door left ajar. Going over to the little office she nudged the door open. There inside were the two financial lads. Colin, a lad of ten, was dressed in a fancy red tunic; a wide desk before him was covered in mounds of papers and disarrayed scrolls. In contrast, Michael’s desk was just as filled with paper, though in very neat stacks with a clear open space before him where he was writing out a letter. Michael was a lad of thirteen or fourteen who wore an old green coat the sleeves of which sported many an ink stain.

We have finished for the day. Don’t work too late or you’ll miss supper. Anna told them from the doorway.

I am almost through. This stubborn caliph wants far too much for dyes. I am going to have to take up an offer from his rival if he doesn’t give me a better price. Michael said cheerfully with a flourished signature upon the letter and holding it up for a better look. Behind him was a large and finely detailed map of Europe. Little colored wax dots and lines connected them, crisscrossing the continent showing trade routes or indicating a resource.

Anna, do you think one or two of the apprentices can be trusted to do inventory? Something easy say, like the reindeer feed? Colin asked from behind two long scrolls he was reading at the same time.

Anna was not sure what Colin meant. Of course, anyone could count reindeer feed and haystacks. But it was her job… well, part of her job. Inventory was not fun, but it was critical that the right numbers be recorded. She was planning to get to it in the next few days. Things would have been easier if Joan were still here. But the lass had left the North Pole only a year ago. Joan did not enjoy doing inventories any more than Anna did but at least with two of them it was tolerable. Immediately after Joan left, the financiers decided to double the number of apprentices they would need. That’s when Witelo, Dorotea, and eventually Qin were selected. Granted, Anna had a full plate having to teach six elves in addition to her other accounting duties, but she had managed so far. Was Colin suggesting she was getting behind?

John is nearly ready to be given full responsibility. There is not much more I can teach him. The inventory is weeks away from being due, or do you need to know now?

Colin shrugged as if it did not really matter. Michael though shot him an exasperated look. It's fine, Anna. There is no hurry. We’d just like to know how soon the apprentices can be trusted without someone checking over their work all the time. The sooner you get some help, the better. The North Pole is only growing after all.

Yes… well. As I say, John is nearly ready. The others…

Fine and good. You have done an excellent job, Anna. Perhaps teaching is your true calling. We can get the others up to scratch, you’ve taught them the basics. Colin declared still frowning at his papers and sounding as if he were having an entirely different conversation then the other two.

Anna blinked looking from one lad to the other. You make it sound like I’m being dismissed. Is something going on?

Michael threw a wadded-up ball of parchment at Colin, scattering a pile of scrolls across the other’s desk. Colin ignored it, engrossed in his pondering.

Nothing of the sort, Anna. Please have a good evening. Enjoy your supper. Michael told her with a grin that was a tad too cheerful for her liking.

She closed the door behind her and made her way out of the archive to the corridor that would lead through the Administration building and to the entrance hall. First passing through one of the two exits from the antechamber of the archive each with two great iron doors that always remained open. A relief of an owl upon a stack of books cast a watchful appraisal of the lass as she passed beneath. Anna did not slow; she’d been seeing those two guardians of the archive for ages now. Funny how the iron doors nearly ended up being bare metal, adorned by nothing at all. It was said the Knights of old settled on a design in the days prior to their departure.

As she went through the halls of the Administration building, Anna gave a friendly nod to those elves she passed. The building was massive, though not the largest in the complex. There were quite a few empty rooms here that no one knew what to do with. Santa said the complex was intentionally designed to be bigger than their needs. Better to be prepared than need space later. One did not just venture out into the arctic wilderness and start building castles and towns after all.

The elves who were assigned as Santa’s assistants had expanded their duties to include anyone that came into the Administration building or just about anything outside of it that might have an impact on the North Pole operation. Always eager to show a lost elf the way to a department, or carry messages and reports around the complex, the elves here were sometimes at odds with those of the Guild. Administration elves had adopted a dark yellow cloth cap to distinguish themselves from Guild elves who wore maroon hats. For some reason, they called it a ‘gold’ hat, but Anna thought that was being generous, the thing looked more like a dirty rag on some of them. Wishful thinking that was, who’d ever heard of gold cloth?

In the expansive lobby of the building, she slowed as the towering ice sculpture entrance shimmered in a million points of light as the crystal captured the last of the sun’s rays. The lobby’s marble floor was similar to the design of the archive, though here it was almost all white with veins of swirling gold and silver. The great staircase swept upward, over a century of elves and Santas treading up and down had worn a distinctive path upon those steps. But the staircase was in excellent shape and would last forever being made of solid mahogany and oak.

Fireplaces lined the walls of the lobby, though none had fires built within. They were a leftover architectural feature from the original plans that called for wood heating, as was the standard outside in the human world. Elves though had something better. Though Anna did not quite understand the thing, she knew there was giant crystal buried deep in the earth that was the source of heat for the complex, heat that was channeled through a series of pipes and holes in the walls and floors. How something that could not be seen and required no wood to burn kept a building warm was one of the many mysteries of this place. The fireplaces here like the dozens of others around the complex stood dark and forgotten.

These Anna paid no mind to as she passed through the crystal entrance and out onto the promenade walk outside. The cold arctic air gave her a strong punch as she wrapped her coat tightly around herself. Having spent all day indoors she’d forgotten how cold it really was. In a way, the cold was a reminder of her original home. Russian winters were not unlike the Arctic’s milder days.

She was not headed for supper just yet. First, she wanted to stop by her room and see if Fede would like to accompany her to dinner. That lass would likely forget to eat if Anna didn’t remind her. Moving off the promenade and out onto the Green, Anna studied the Tree as she walked. A mighty pine, it stood almost two hundred feet and was said to still be growing. A growth of grass had sprung up throughout the courtyard in the years following the Tree’s planting. And it stayed green all year. Snow never touched it, blow as the frigid winds and blizzards might try. It was the only grass anywhere in the North. Anna knew there were similar trees in the forest to the south, but she always wondered why this one prompted the grassy expanse.

Santa Leopold used to keep his reindeer here in the courtyard. Though once the grass started to show and the reindeer refused to eat it or even walk on it, the plans for the stables were accelerated. After the reindeer had their own home away from the complex the grass was left free to cover the courtyard, which it did in a matter of months. It never grew more than a few inches tall. Soft and inviting it was a reminder of warmer homelands for all who had chosen to give up such familiarities. No wonder the elves had begun referring to the courtyard as the Green.

Anna crossed the Green courtyard to the promenade on the other side. The elf’s rooms, or barracks as some of the elves preferred to call it, was a multi-story building on the south side of the complex. Elves were always coming and going here. Anna had to walk smartly to avoid those who were in a hurry to report for work or just get to dinner before all the good tables or food were all taken. Climbing the stairs, Anna traded friendly greetings with those she knew. Many of the elves, especially the lasses preferred to keep their doors open whenever they were home, an invitation for anyone passing by to stop in and chat.

On the second floor, she went down a hallway that’s main source of light was a window set in the outer wall at the far end. During the winter months, one was forced to carry a glowbulb in this part. Permanent glowbulb fixtures were supposed to be installed, but for decades no one had managed to get that done. Grimly, Anna wondered if it had something to do with the fact that none of the Guild elves lived in this section.

The door to her room was closed, as usual. Fede did not like being disturbed while creating. The entrance to their room was the standard elfin door variety that was common throughout the residence. An opaque white leather-like membrane with a pattern of frosted ice, no two alike. Unlike an ordinary swinging door, these rolled away into the wall. It took some getting used to, especially for newcomers as somehow the doors only opened for those who were assigned to the room. Anyone else would have to ring the chimes outside. How precisely the things made the distinction was another mystery Anna had long since regulated to the back reaches of her mind.

Barely two steps into her room she nearly fell over the stand lamp. Half tumbling and tripping, Anna managed to stop the lamp from falling while she went sprawling on the nearest bed.

Fede! What are you doing? Anna cried at the other lass while keeping a sharp eye on the tall wrought iron stand making sure it was not going to crash down upon her.

I can’t work like this! Fede shouted throwing a paintbrush across the room. The light is never right! It’s too cold to work outdoors! There’s not a single window in here! How am I to create with this? How?

Fede was a lass of ten. She and Anna were of similar size and build, both having the same dark hair and brown eyes. In fact, they had been mistaken for sisters more than once. Aside from physical appearances, the resemblances ended. For starters, Fede was an artist. Trained in the classic styles by her father who himself was a well-known painter back in Milan. Fede’s need to continue her calling had taken over their room. All over the walls hung sketches of people’s faces, man and elf alike. Not just faces; hands, torsos, full portraits, every pose imaginable. Most were charcoal outlines of motion studies. A few, the best ones, had stages of color started as Fede experimented with shadow and light.

Today Fede had her large easel set up in the middle of the room. A bank of candles burning away nearby on the only table. Just before the entrance was the stand lamp Anna tripped over, decked out with at least a dozen glowbulbs blazing away on their brightest setting. On the easel was Fede’s latest work: A portrait of Santa Juvenescent. The primary rendition showed a strong man leaning over a desk, glaring out at any that would look upon him. Smaller sketches of the Santa were pinned up around the edges of the frame, all showing Juvenescent in different poses. Anna could see Fede was on the verge of tearing the thing down and starting anew. If the lass did not get to a point where she was satisfied it might mean a sleepless night.

You need a break. It's supper time you know. Why don’t we go see what’s being served up tonight? Anna suggested hoping to derail the lass’s temper.

Fede bit her lower lip considering. The sketch work of Juvenescent seemed to want to be anywhere but here as well. A break will do me good. Fede finally pronounced as though she’d just ran a marathon.

Anna let out a sigh of relief and got up to go through the little cabinet that contained their clothes in hopes of finding a fresh sweater to wear instead of her everyday dress. Fede whose entire collection of clothes was already on her bed, rifled through the pile looking for a change of scarves. The lass always kept her hair done up in a colorful scarf.

Have you been back long? Anna asked, picking out a nice woolen sweater, off-white with blue squares.

No… I was delayed. Amaury has increased production. Again. My team couldn’t continue until the fabric cutters caught up with their work. I mean really, what’s the point of an increase for us if those who make the supply can’t keep up?

Anna made a sound that she fully agreed as she pulled off her brown dress and pulled on the fuzzy sweater. She hesitated, trying to decide if she should go with a skirt instead of the leggings she had on now. She did want to look nice for dinner. It was the most important part of the day after all. Not for the food exactly… Perhaps if she borrowed a scarf, there were several at the bottom of the wardrobe where Fede’s art supplies had encroached the free space available. They had requested some shelving for their room ages ago, but alas that had not happened either. Fede found a colorful silk scarf she liked amongst the pile on her bed and quickly tied up her hair.

Fede, artist that she was, was also an apprentice seamstress specializing in making quilts. Down on the factory floor the lasses who spun wool and those who cut the bolts of fabric worked with the seamstresses to make all manner of clothes and dresses and blankets and even quilts. Fede was not fond of the work. Her true talent was painting and drawing, but even she had to admit that that type of skill was not in high demand at the North Pole. Nonetheless it was no small honor to be allowed to make the official portraits of the Santas. Four such portraits already adorned the hallway outside Santa Juvenescent’s office. Now if only she could finish the one of Juvenescent himself, Anna might get some peace in her own room. Until the next Santa came along. Or one of the other elves commissioned a piece. Fede’s time was heavily taxed by the Factory and trying to get Juvenescent to stand still long enough in just the right pose with the right light to capture his true… personality. From what Anna heard, Juvenescent was not the kind of man that stood still for anyone and had little patience for the elfin artist. Not that that was going to detour Fede. Not hardly.

Leave it, it’s kinda dark in the dining hall anyway, Fede told Anna as she fussed with holding up a gray dress, trying to see how it might look instead of the sweater. If only they had a looking glass… another luxury that was on back order. Besides, he’ll like whatever you wear,

Fede flashed her a wicked smile while bustling about blowing out the candles. Anna felt her face going red and threw the gray dress back into the wardrobe. She switched off the glowbulbs on the stand lamp, leaving just one on, so they’d not have to come back to a pitch-dark room. In a rush, Fede was first out the door before Anna could ask what she meant by the comment, but it was forgotten as they practically stepped on the small lass who was just about to ring the chimes. She wore one of those dingy yellow caps marking her as one of the administrative elves.

Oh! I just caught you, Anna! Your presence is requested by, Katherine. She’d like to see you at your next earliest convenience. The little gold hat lass gave them both a grin and dashed away down the hallway.

Have you done something? Fede asked as the rolling membrane slid shut behind the two.

Anna shook her head not knowing. She was becoming just a little annoyed with yet another unexpected problem. Not that it was a problem necessarily. Katherine was the department head of the Elf Guild. Anna frequently met with her to assist with the placing of elves or just to give her opinion on various topics.

I’ll go and see what she wants. You go on to supper. Anna told Fede. The other lass gave her a skeptical look. She knew Anna had been summoned to Katherine more than once for reasons Anna had never been entirely forthcoming about. Anna was no angel after all. That was another similarity the two lasses shared. In those first years when Anna bounced from one skill trade to another before landing an official scribe’s apprenticeship, it was doubtful she’d ever find a suitable occupation. Anna had little patience for repetitive work or taking orders.

The two parted ways at the entrance of the residence. Fede spotted a few of their mutual friends on their way to the dining hall and ran across the Green to join them. Anna continued down the promenade to the Elf Guild’s building. At the entrance of the Guild, an elfin lad of fifteen who stood as a sort of sentry quickly opened the door for her with a cheerful good evening and inquired as to whom Anna was looking for. Anna assured him she knew where to go and went inside.

The Guild was responsible for looking after the welfare of the elves. New elves were recruited here as well as given their basic training and testing to see which department or craft they were best suited for. Daily cleaning and laundry and all sorts of other housekeeping tasks were coordinated here. As well as any disputes between elves or issues the department heads had with their workers. Reassigning an elf to different apprenticeships was common. Craft master elves were very particular about who they trained and those not showing a talent for a craft were quick to get sent back to the Guild for re-evaluation. Anna was one such elf. In those first decades when it was not clear how much work she’d be doing with the financiers, she was being sent to different craft masters every couple of months. Thankfully she’d never been sent to the kitchens. As much as she detested seamstress work, or even wood carving, working in the kitchens would have been… awkward.

The interior of the Guild was generally well lit. Glowbulbs were set into the ceiling and sconces along the walls. Floors of highly polished wood reflected her own image back as she made her way through the halls. Friendly elves smiled and greeted her as they would an old friend. Anna knew most of them. There was always a hum of activity in this department, no matter what time of day or year you happened to stop in.

Pausing at the central desk, two clerks looked up expectantly to assist her. The lad wearing a maroon hat, the lass a pink one. Anna merely indicated she was to see their boss and proceeded down a short hallway to the office she sought. She found the door for the Guild’s head to be wide open and went in with a smile for her old friend. Katherine, a stout lass of fifteen with hard steel blue eyes regarded Anna over a cup of steaming tea. Like Anna, Katherine preferred not to wear a department hat. For an instant, Anna hesitated, thinking perhaps she really was in some trouble. But it was only for an instant. Katherine broke out with a broad smile and welcomed Anna to come in and sit awhile.

Anna dear, you got the message. I didn’t mean that you should rush right down here, tomorrow would have been perfectly fine. Can I get you some tea? It’s an Indian blend…

Yes, I would like some. Haven’t had supper yet, Anna admitted feeling relieved and closing the door at Katherine’s indication that she did not want them to be disturbed.

Katherine had cleared off a space on her desk which was normally covered with paperwork. Around her office were plenty of shelves holding books, scrolls, and various boxes. The lass also kept an extensive collection of candles, all different sizes and colors which she often liked to have lit. But at the moment the only light came from a couple of glowbulbs set on a nearby shelf. The office was about as large as Anna’s own room and had a warm homely feel to it. Katherine herself always seemed much older than the fifteen she appeared to be. Anna always felt these conversations were a bit like having a discussion with her grandmother.

What do you think? Katherine asked as Anna sipped her tea, she pushed a plate of bread slices towards her as well.

Too bitter, Anna breathed grateful for the bread to combat the taste and put something in her growling empty stomach.

Katherine grimaced after taking a gulp from her own cup. I like a drink with a bite to it,

Anna made herself swallow another sip; she did not want to seem impolite after all.

After a minute’s pause as the two sipped their tea and munched on the bread, Katherine brushed off her hands and regarded Anna with a new light. How are you getting on with your apprentices?

Anna swallowed another bite of bread wishing she had some milk or water instead of the bitter tea. The way Katherine asked sounded as if there was more to it than just polite conversation. Fine. Two of them are ready to take on their own duties. The others not much longer now. Though perhaps one might be suited better as a clerk for some other department.

Witelo, Katherine stated. She knew exactly which of the apprentices Anna was referring to. He’ll be alright. Colin and Michael will sort him out. The others too.

Anna frowned. What did that mean? I can still teach them. The inventory reports have not fallen behind.

I know dear, Katherine said soothingly. She popped up and took a box from a nearby shelf. It was finely gilded, this she set before them on the desk. Santa Juvenescent has been convinced of a certain necessity that you will be able to help with. Colin and Michael and I have been working for ages on this.

Katherine proceeded to open the box. Curious, Anna leaned forward to peer inside. A thickly rolled scroll tied with a neat red ribbon sat atop a stack of papers. Katherine bid her to inspect the scroll, to which Anna did, sliding the ribbon off and unfurling the parchment. She gasped! Although she knew the document well, this was only the second time she’d ever held it.

The Accord!

Yes. And it has a problem, Katherine said as calmly as though Anna held a new style of dress pattern and they were discussing a color choice.

The Accord was the contract that all elves signed when they came to the North Pole. For Anna and the other first elves, they signed it before coming, on that fateful night in the field just outside Krakow. That was one hundred and sixty-five years ago. She never thought she’d get to study the document again. Only vaguely did she remember the particulars… things about being dismissed for refusing an assigned job, being able to leave but not return if an elf chose… Quickly she started at the top trying to read…

There… down at the bottom… you see the problem, Katherine pointed, meaning for Anna to ignore the legal treatise and examine the signatures at the very end. Anna saw the scribbles of dozens of people, but her own was the one that jumped out at her first: Anastasia Akhrosimova. Other names stood out too; Katherine, Lawrence, Colin, Michael, Tobias. All wrote in the elf’s native language, a few signatures appearing as an elegant picture symbol; Tetsu and Emiko, though she had no clue which was which. Most though were just scratches and marks on the parchment that might as well have been doodles or mistakes.

And the additional pages, the same problem.

Anna set the Accord aside and picked up one of the pages from the box. It was a continuation of the formal Accord when the primary document had been filled with signatures, these pages provided proof that a nonstop flow of elves continued to come to the North Pole from all over the world. Like the Accord, these pages bore the signatures that were the marks of those who were unable to read or write.

As you no doubt agree a literate elf is far more prepared to take instruction and handle a variety of tasks as needed. Although the Accord was explained to all who signed, it’s not good form to sign something you cannot read for yourself. What we want to do is have all the elves given a proper education. Reading, writing, arithmetic… you agree, yes?

Anna put the pages back in the box and rolled up the scroll thinking. Did Katherine expect her to take on the instruction of the other elves? To start from scratch with the basics of reading and writing? That would take ages. Some of those elves would not make for good students, Witelo and Dorotea were by no means unique.

Why? I mean, of course I agree. But surely, all the elves? Perhaps if we start with those that have some knowledge of reading first. And what is to become of them? They can’t all become clerks and financiers, Anna said, hoping to point out some angle that Katherine might be overlooking. The project sounded a bit too ambitious. Especially if it hinged on her.

It is essential. Elves must be able to read and write. Their jobs will become more complex, they cannot all learn from one master craft elf by word of mouth. Eventually, those craft masters will need to write things down. Elves will need to learn a task quickly, in weeks, not years as they do now. In turn, they can teach each other and come up with new ideas to improve not just the Factory but every department. The world is changing Anna, everyday people learn such things, and we cannot let ourselves be stuck in the dark ages, so to speak. We have a duty to shine a light on every elf.

A noble cause, Anna murmured forgetting how bitter the tea was and taking much too big a drink. Coughing, she lost her composure. You mean for me to do all of this? How long have you been planning this? Why was I not part of… of talking with Santa?

Katherine put aside her own cup, her face had gone hard, her mouth set determinedly. Anna knew that look. Katherine was going to have her way. However, what followed surprised Anna more than seeing the Accord.

"It started with Lawrence. It was his idea from the beginning. His compassion for the elves was contagious. He dreamed of turning the North Pole into a sanctuary of enlightenment. Think of it, all of us elves from all over the world from every walk of life united by our Mission and given a common language. Think of what they can do with the tools to expand their minds and exchange ideas. And not just those that are here now, but future elves too.

Lawrence tried in vain to convince the Santas. Leopold never did see the need; he was of the opinion that those who did not learn as children before coming here would not be able to pick up reading. Nonsense of course, but well… Leopold was from a different time. The other Santas, they listened to Lawrence, even agreed in part, but none felt it necessary to implement. Lawrence was very disappointed. He had done so much for the North Pole; he created the departments you know. Well, not being able to realize his dream, he left.

Anna saw Katherine dab at her eyes with a cloth napkin. She had never seen the older lass become emotional before. Then she remembered, it was said Katherine had been sweet on Lawrence. Katherine gave a slight sniff and continued.

After… yes, Santa Juvenescent… well by the time Juvenescent came along it was apparent a handful of clerks and two apprentices in finance were not going to be enough. Record keeping has gotten out of hand. I need more literate elves; all the departments do. Colin and Michael and I discussed it at length. We decided to take the problem to Santa Juvenescent and not take no for an answer. It took some convincing, but finally, we succeeded. Santa Juvenescent has ordered that all elves will learn the basics. And that my dear, is that.

Anna managed a weak smile. She placed the Accord back in the box and closed the lid. So, she was to be a teacher was she? No more accounting work… that meant her six apprentices really would have to fend for themselves under Colin. She remembered all too well her own training was not ideal. Colin though a shrewd business lad, was not the most patient of instructors. Still, the prospect of being responsible for teaching the basics to so many elves was a daunting one for Anna. How to go about it? Her stomach was starting to turn into knots that had nothing to do with being hungry.

How am I to teach so many? she asked, hoping Katherine might already have an educational plan for her to follow.

I will leave that up to you, Anna. However you wish to arrange it, I am sure we can accommodate you. I suppose this makes you a kind of department head. Hmm, perhaps…

That hardly helped to settle her nerves. A department head! Think, fool elf! Her mind raced with all the responsibilities that came with being a department head, but that was overshadowed as she tried to organize what her needs were going to be. There was the question of desks… additional copies of certain primers… quills, ink… trying to figure out which elf was at what stage of learning… putting a curriculum together. When was all of this supposed to be done?

I will need more desks, She said into her teacup and taking yet another sip of the bitter liquid.

Of course, Katherine answered readily. The carpentry elves received instructions about it today. It is their top priority.

Anna nodded feeling just a little bitter herself. She did not like being left out of arrangements where she featured at the center. Likely Katherine even had a timetable worked out too. She’d go to the Archive tomorrow, and a dozen eager elves would be waiting on her.

How many elves are there now? When am I expected to have them literate?

Katherine produced a paper from off to the side without even looking and gave it a second’s glance. At the moment, two hundred and nine. There is no time limit, though the sooner, the better. More elves will be coming you know.

Anna took another sip of tea lost in thought. Upon hearing that last bit, she promptly went into a coughing fit. Wh- What? You… mean… I’m to teach them all? The new ones too?

Katherine gave her a consoling smile and handed her a cloth to wipe the spilled tea. Yes dear. We mean to have all elves educated from this day forth. Don’t look so surprised. What good would it do to teach only the ones with us now? Eventually, they will leave us, and many more are to come in the years ahead.

All the elves! Anna stared back at the older lass with her mouth agape. She knew perfectly well that there were always elves coming and going. Teaching was about to become her permanent career. Teaching the accounting apprentices was a welcomed diversion, one where the apprentices would graduate to help her with the financial and clerical duties of the complex. But this… this was far more than she’d bargained for. Just when she was getting comfortable working with Colin and Michael and looking forward to having juniors to supervise in the future.

Katherine seemed to be reading her thoughts. You’ve done a fine job with the apprentices. You’re the perfect choice for this assignment, Anna. I will assist you in designing a curriculum if you need. Otherwise, it will be up to you. I suggest you start with the elves who already have some knowledge of the arts. Perhaps classes that meet on alternating days. I’m sure you’ll think of something.

Anna nodded not really agreeing. With their little meeting adjourned, she thanked Katherine for the tea and the opportunity for the new assignment. Though she did not feel thankful. Absently she wandered out of the Guild building and back to the promenade. Her head was starting to pound, probably from a lack of food as much as all the things she was trying to sort out. She was halfway back to the Elf Residence when her hunger managed to remind her of supper. Turning, Anna set off across the Green in the direction of the dining hall. If she missed dinner, she’d be forced to invoke her new privileges and have a meal sent to her room. If she was going to be a department head, this was as good a time as any to use it. But that’s not what kept her moving across the Green towards the dining hall. There was someone she was sure to see at supper who would take her mind off her troubles. And if she failed to show he’d only come looking for her.



Chapter 2

**

Cold & Hot

Tetsu jogged along the icy snow packed trail trying to close the distance with his companion who was now so far ahead he’d never catch up. Slipping again, his soft boots were not intended for long-term exposure to the arctic conditions. His feet were freezing, the light leather caked in slush that had long since soaked through. Having to haul these heavy chunks of crystal was not easy either. His hands were frozen, and his arms ached. Taking a moment to collect his thoughts, the lad paused to take in the sunset and resolve himself to no longer try to catch up with Emiko. This was not a race after all.

Although to look upon either of the two elves, one might assume they were brother and sister or at least related in some way. That could not be further from the truth. Tetsu was a tall lad of fourteen with handsome yet common features and kind eyes. Emiko was several years his junior and about a head shorter. She might be considered one of the more stunning lasses of the North Pole with a face befitting a princess, if only she had the personality to match. Appearances were deceiving and though both hailed from Japan that was the only thing they had in common. Indeed, under the surface, they were as different as winter and summer.

A beautiful arctic sunset was a fleeting thing. Sunsets and sunrises did not last long in this strange frozen land. The deep orange rays vanished into a sky of dark blue, cloudless with only a star or two peeking out. In the distance, the tile roofs of the complex seemed to glow a deep brown, the white walls of the structure glowing in shades of yellow and gold. Rising above the roofs was a single tree. The Tree, its detail simplified by the last of the sunlight to that of a dark silhouette, flat and angular. If you stayed still and watched closely you might just be able to see the sway of the branches. Tetsu did not care to see the Tree in this light. It was a nice tree, and it deserved a better appearance than what the failing natural light allowed.

It would be dark very soon. And would be by the time he made it back to the complex which was about a half mile off. All around him the wide open barren land of the arctic stretched out in all directions. To the south lay a mountain range as evidenced by the dark, shapely forms in the distance. In those mountains was a great forest, the only plant life in the entire region. He’d been there on occasion; he’d seen the mighty trees that were said to be sacred to certain… native inhabitants of the frozen lands. It was from that forest that the Tree came from. Tetsu often wondered how large the Tree would grow. He also wondered why those trees in the south were the only plants that grew here. The forest itself was not like any he’d ever seen. There were no other trees, no other plants, not even a single bush nor moss. Nor were there any animals. Only the sentinel pines.

An entire region locked in winter and unable to produce any sort of greenery anywhere else, yet there in that one little spot was an entire forest. How was it possible? Tetsu suspected the crystals had something to do with it. He examined the large white crystalline lump he held in his arms as if the thing might at that very moment divulge all its secrets to him. Fool elf, he told himself. With a sigh, he set out again down the icy trail, this time not running. Let her get there first. They’d been at this chore all day; it was not a competition. Or… he was pretty sure it was not.

Getting Master Merlin to explain a concept or confirm a theory that was not specifically related to the task of the moment was never easy. Merlin was as likely to give you extra work or a new assignment to keep you busy rather than give a straight answer. Such was Tetsu’s musings about the forest, only a theory. Though Master Merlin never said it was so, Tetsu remembered a certain distinct little grin on the master’s face that one time he cited his idea.

Today’s task had Tetsu and Emiko doing the same thing they did yesterday. Hauling armloads of crystals from a place a mile west of the complex. The crystals were to be taken to a special chamber in the heart of the Guild’s building. For a purpose Master Merlin had not divulged. In fact, they had not seen their master in over a week. His instructions were sent via a message to their omnipads. That was not unusual. Often Merlin was away for long periods of time, leaving Tetsu and Emiko to their tasks and sending them plenty of orders to keep them busy. As much as Tetsu loved his omnipad and appreciated all he’d learned thanks to the wondrous device, he sometimes regretted how much work the thing caused him. Rare were the days he was able to meditate and reflect on things.

Moving the crystals was not easy work. It could have been. Both he and Emiko had earned their very own Runes over the decades. The elfin Runes, crystals of red, blue, yellow, green, or white were capable of many astonishing things. For example, a blue Rune gave one the power over snow and water. A red the ability to control fire. Greens offered some influence on living things, especially plants. They had discovered many clever uses for manipulating the natural world through the Runes. Today’s time-consuming task of manual labor could have been done in hours; minutes even had they been allowed to use their Runes. But alas, Master Merlin specified they were to carry the things one by one in their own hands. Not even a reindeer-powered sleigh was allowed.

Yesterday, after receiving Merlin’s instructions the two elves went to the specified coordinates outside the complex expecting to find nothing. They should have known better. Merlin never set them a fool’s errand. There in the middle of nowhere was a pile of crystals. Arranged in groups by color, all were in a rough form. Jagged clusters large and small, some still stuck in rock chunks. The largest weighing a dozen or so pounds, the smallest easily held in one hand. Though their instructions had said to carry each crystal one at a time, Emiko did not have the patience for that. Instead, she gathered up as many crystals as she was able to carry on each trip. Tetsu eventually did the same himself. They were both experienced with the Runes. Carrying so many the way Merlin wanted would take them days, weeks even, to get all this back to the complex. Neither of them wanted to spend all that time walking back and forth with frozen feet. And so, by the end of the first day when they returned for the last haul of crystals, they were dumbfounded to find the entire pile had returned! Emiko was furious. Tetsu was not happy either, but he managed to keep his cool. They were afraid the crystals from the chamber they’d been delivering to had been returned to this spot. A sign that they were to follow Merlin’s instructions exactly. It would certainly not be the first-time Master Merlin’s teaching methods had manifested as such.

Not speaking a word, Emiko loaded herself up with crystals and set off into the cold morning with an armload of red Runes. Tetsu followed suit. However, to their surprise when they got back to the Guild building, all the crystals they’d brought in so far were still in the chamber room. Nothing had been moved. For the rest of the day, they returned to the remote spot, picked up as many crystals as they could carry and returned to the chamber. Back and forth until the very last crystal was relocated. Not sure if there would be more the next day the two waited until morning to see if they should continue their task. Sure enough, the next day saw a third crystal pile was waiting for them. They continued on.

Now the third day was ending. Tetsu knew they’d have to wait until the next morning to finish. Well, that’s what he planned to do. Emiko might keep at it if she wanted, but he doubted she would. She was a prickly one. They were not in any kind of race or competition, yet she dashed off with her crystals as fast as she could until they were no longer walking together. As it turned out the last two days were lonely ones for Tetsu, traversing along on the trail with only a cold lump of crystal to keep him company. Emiko’s form an elusive shade in the distance.

Emiko. This was how she liked things. They had been training and working together under Master Merlin for almost two centuries. Yet in all that time the lass was as much a stranger to him as when they first met on that beach on the island of Hokkaido in northern Japan. Emiko was not a friendly lass even then. No, not by any stretch of the word. She did not speak to Tetsu unless it was absolutely required. He’d made every effort to get to know her, to engage her in conversation. After all, they were often stuck working together and spending long hours studying together. Their work with the Runes and glowbulbs and the heating system and the construction of the buildings had led to a divide between them and the other elves. Their skills and duties were unlike any the other elves had nor could understand. Master Merlin was the only human man left at the North Pole beside Santa Juvenescent. Other Santas came and went and yet Merlin remained, though he was quick to say he would be leaving one day. But as the decades slipped by, Master Merlin continued to find reasons to stay on at the North Pole, much to his great consternation.

Between Master Merlin being either absent or altogether unpleasant, Emiko’s anti-social behavior often left Tetsu feeling as though he was a lone elf. The only relief on that front was the lass, Hilda. She was always friendly, but Tetsu sensed a distance between them too. Where he was a well-rounded, educated lad from Japan, she was a German lass with a thirst for knowledge in the medical arts that precluded all other interests. Master Merlin gave all three a sound education in the sciences but once that was accomplished their duties with the Runes eventually separated the little trio. Emiko and Tetsu were taught one set of specialties and Hilda another. As the years went by, Hilda matured into a no-nonsense lass who took the running of her own sanitarium department very seriously. It was her responsibility to look after the health of the elves, including treating all incoming elves for their ailments. And so, Tetsu was left mainly with his meditation for solace and the omnipad for company.

The other elves were a bit of a different story. At first, Tetsu did mingle with the other lads and lasses when opportunity allowed. But it was a strain. Their experiences in the human world, as well as their new lives in the North Pole, were drastically different from his. Education amongst the elves was somewhat scarce. Rare was the elf who could read. So there was that. Then even with those that considered themselves learned elves, Tetsu found that his advanced education in science and technology left the elves with blank stares whenever he brought such things up. For Emiko, it did not matter. She had absolutely no interest in getting to know any of their fellow elves.

Besides Hilda, the other bright spot for Tetsu was a lass named Anna. He came to know her while she worked as an apprentice for the finance elves. As it happened, Anna’s early years in the North Pole were filled with a variety of jobs as the Guild tried to find something to suit Anna’s temperament and take advantage of her unique skill set. Eventually, she found herself teaching a group of young accountants and clerks, though to hear the lass tell it she was only doing it temporarily as she did not yet know what her permanent job would be. She reminded Tetsu of himself. A chance to teach and explore new intellectual concepts, yet still never being quite satisfied. But like Hilda, Anna was a busy lass with responsibilities. It was not often that their schedules allowed for socializing.

At last Tetsu came to the complex. Passing through an alleyway between buildings, he walked down the promenade on the way to the Guild. Most of the elves would be gathering in the dining hall for the night’s meal. Hopefully, there’d still be a decent amount of food by the time he and Emiko got there. The kitchens didn’t run all night after all, what little culinary staff was on duty at night did not have much to choose from once the evening meal was finished off. Proper leftovers were not a concept the elves had discovered yet. If you didn’t get it the first time around you would find yourself munching on an apple or nuts and a loaf of stale bread. Tetsu hoped Master Merlin would be able to introduce the refrigeration technology to the North Pole soon. That would completely change the way the kitchen operated. He grimaced thinking on the irony. Here they were surrounded by all this ice and cold and