The Elf Brief - Book One of The Magi Charter

By Jordan David and Rob Bockholdt

About the series:
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 into the distant future where Santa and the elves conduct 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.

The Elf Brief:
Santas come and go, but elves are forever.... The North Pole is preparing for the retirement of a great Santa and anxiously awaits the arrival of the new Santa. Noel, a tenacious elf from the tiny reference department has been tapped for the special task of assistant to the new Santa. The lad will have to quickly get over his astonishment and take on the challenges that come with unprecedented access to the inner workings of the North Pole. Intrigue and mystery must be unraveled if he is to prevent an old friend from leaving and ensure the continuity of the Christmas tradition...

• Language: English
• Publisher: eBookIt.com
• Release date: Mar 2, 2012
• ISBN: 9781456607654

Book preview

The Elf Brief

Jordan David

The Magi Charter

by Jordan David

The Elf Brief

The Elf Archive

The Elf Coup

The Elf Accord

The Elf Legacy

The Elf Resistance

The Elf Directive

The Elf Sojourn

Copyright 2017 Jordan David,

All rights reserved.

Published in eBook format by eBookIt.com

http://www.eBookIt.com

ISBN-13: 978-1-4566-0765-4

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.

Contents

Chapter 1

A New Assignment

Chapter 2

Australia and Back Again

Chapter 3

Briefings, Encounters, Meetings

Chapter 4

The Old Sleigh Barn

Chapter 5

Have Dog & Surfboard, Will Travel

Chapter 6

Assisted Liberation

Chapter 7

Tinsel and Cookie

Chapter 8

From One Santa to Another

Chapter 9

Training Begins

Chapter 10

Reindeer Wrangling

Chapter 11

First Flight, Last Flight

Chapter 12

The Christmas Eve Journey

Glossary

The Departments of the North Pole



‘Santas come and go, but elves are forever…’

-Ancient elf saying.

Chapter 1

*

A New Assignment

The soft constant buzzing from the determined alarm clock filled the room with sound, intending to go on forever until the one sleeping put an end to its voice. A small elfin lad, sprawled atop the bed blankets, surrounded by bits of papers and miscellaneous books; slowly opened his eyes, squinting at the annoying clock across the room. Several precious minutes slipped by as he took his time deciding if he really wanted to get up and moving. For the moment, his mind had completely forgotten how important this day was.

Sitting up, yawning, and running a hand through his curly brown hair, Noel Night glared at the clock. Swinging his legs off the bed, a book was knocked to the floor where it joined quite a few others. He made a circular motion with his hand, and the glowbulb on the desk, as well as the one in the ceiling, illuminated, casting a yellow-orange light around the room. He wanted to turn off the alarm, but there was something he needed to remember, and the alarm had something to do with it. Stretching, the lad noticed he was still wearing his work clothes from the previous day, now all wrinkled and rumpled from being slept in. Nothing odd about that for Noel. He yawned again, not having had enough sleep, but that was not unusual either. Still, the alarm kept up its blare.

Noel stood looking around his room for a clue to jog his memory. Not that he had a bad memory, but something about today was so unusual, it defied being grasped. The small room was crammed full of bookcases and shelves, every square inch holding paper stacks and books. Many books. Mostly old dusty leather wrapped tomes. There was a second bed here too. You would have to look twice to spot it as it had become the largest book depository, the weight of which made the mattress sag nearly to the floor. Behind that mountain of books was a small round window, lightly frosted from the cold. It was dark outside and would be for the next five months as was the season here in the North Pole this late in the year. A small armoire and a desk rounded out the furnishings, both of which were loaded down with books and papers and additional glowbulbs. Somewhere on that armoire, the insistent clock made its presence known from within an alcove of volumes.

Noel was just about to pick up the fallen book, when the chimes hit home. The alarm! It was the same time of the morning it always went off, except that he needed to have been up hours ago! He dashed to the armoire and threw open the drawers looking for a clean shirt. No time, he needed to be gone now, the meeting was starting in just ten minutes! Throwing off his wrinkled shirt and donning a fresh one, the lad sprang about the room grabbing his satchel, tossing some precious books and notepads into it, while sparing a second to punch the blasted clock, silencing it.

Taking a deep breath, Noel paused before the door to survey the room, doing up the buttons on his uniform coat. Hoping he had everything he needed, the elf adjusted the satchel on his shoulder. He had no idea what he might need for this meeting. Pulling his orange hat down snug, Here we go then, he muttered as the circular door rolled into the wall revealing a hallway in the elf residential building.

Noel walked as fast as he could down the long sprawling hallway enroute to the nearest portal chimney. As it was a typical morning, many elves were about coming and going from their daily shifts. The Factory operated twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Even those who did not work in the Factory itself had departments that were always running.

The elfin lads and lasses appeared to range in age from as young as five to around fifteen years. All wore sensible uniforms, designs as unique to their department as was the hat. The color of an elf’s hat signified the department they worked in. The most common being the red hats who worked in the Factory or the green hats of the Warehouse. Noel tried to move as fast as he could while navigating the groups of other elves walking together. Generally, elves kept to their own departments, but each group in the halls always had at least one odd colored hat amongst them.

Noel, being a young elf of only twenty years, was quartered in the very back of the elves’ residence. A barracks was a more fitting name for the building which was part of a sprawling complex that was home to around one thousand elves. The floors of the residence consisted of ever-changing panels of wood, marbles, and tiles each with intricate snowflakes, evergreen trees, and other such wintry designs. Along the walls, glowbulbs arranged in clusters kept everything bright and clear.

Noel often thought a more centrally located quarters would be so much more efficient. The main stairs that connected all the levels were only at the front of the building. The quickest inner transit between floors and to anywhere else in the North Pole complex was done via the portal fireplaces or portal chimneys. Even then the nearest one of those was a good distance from his room.

Noel wait! came a call from a red hat elfin lad that looked just shy of ten. Noel did not slow down, instead he turned in stride walking backward. Can’t, Spices. I’m going to be late!

Spices ran to catch up with Noel, and the two continued down the hall. What you mean? It’s the same time we always leave.

Noel shook his head. Spices came to the North Pole decades before, and it was he who helped Noel get accustomed to life here. They had been best friends ever since and each morning Spices would show up at his door, and they would go off for breakfast before heading to their different departments. But today was different. Elves rarely had changes in their daily venues.

You’re not going to believe this! Noel said, seeing the portal chimney come into view down the hallway. As quickly as he could, he explained how last night when he got back to his room a gold hat messenger was there waiting outside. The lad told him he was to report to Santa’s office for the morning meeting with the other department heads. That was it. No explanation why.

Spices’ eyes grew wider with every word. What did you do? he said making it sound as if Noel had committed some outrageous crime.

Noel glanced around as they came to a stop before the chimney. Other elves were still passing and stepping into and out of the chimney. He didn’t want anyone to hear about this, especially if it was bad. Nothing! A group of three blue hats, none looking older than eight, passed by and stepped into the chimney together. They looked closely at Noel and Spices, but a second later vanished in a burst of white flash.

Nothing, Noel whispered. If it was bad, why would I be summoned to Santa? He shook his head as if the whole thing made no sense. Maybe Santa wants to make me a department head.

Spices gave him a dubious frown. After only twenty years? No way. Maybe if you had been here a hundred. He looked concerned, still thinking Noel was headed for trouble.

I gotta go, said Noel not wanting to risk being late. I’ll tell you about it later.

Nice knowing you! Spices called after Noel as he entered the chimney. With a flash of light, Noel vanished, instantly finding himself inside an identical chimney but a completely different room opened before him.

The room was immense, and unlike anything he had seen around the North Pole. Noel staggered out of the chimney. He could not help staring at the splendor of the place, which was awesome. He’d only been in this building a time or two and for an elf of his station to be summoned here was a great honor or horror. The lobby was dominated by a massive crystalline entrance way, rising several stories upward it was made to look like a glacier of ice, multiple doorways were carved directly into it leading out onto the promenade. The glow from outside caused the crystalline entrance to reflect thousands of sparkling points upon the polished floors. Directly before and across the way from the portal chimneys, a great curving staircase rose up several flights with dark woods and deep red carpet that contrasted with the white marble of the ground floor and shining entrance.

This was the domain of the gold hats, the Administration elves. It was they who oversaw the collaboration of the other departments, making sure that everything in the complex ran smoothly. Elves of every department were coming and going here. Gold hats circulated through the lobby assisting those with any problems they had. They moved with sagacious calm, perhaps knowing that whatever task they were about was of the utmost importance. Noel was not sure where to go. He felt the beginnings of panic and a cold sweat as he imagined getting lost in the admin building and never finding the meeting. Deciding to head for the hallway beneath the staircase, he took one step and stopped short as a small lass of about five appeared in front of him.

What are you trying to find dear? she asked pleasantly with a big smile. Her stance suggested he would not go another step without disclosing his business.

For a moment, Noel stared back at her. Where had she come from? She was half his size, and for a second he doubted she could help herself tie her own shoes. Then he noticed her shoes, white leather boots with intricate gold embroidery. He had never seen such prestigious boots. This was an accomplished elfin lass indeed. If there was any doubt of her age, her ears confirmed it. Long ears were the hallmark of an elder elf.

I just need to get to Santa’s office for the morning meeting, Noel whispered hoping the lass would not question his task and delay him further.

Except for the quickest of blinks, she didn’t seem the least bit skeptical. Right up the stairs, second level, and straight down the portrait hall to the end. She said in a motherly way, as if she had known this whole time what he was about.

Noel muttered his thanks and quickly dashed up the stairs. Not too fast though, this was hardly the place to be running like some new elf seeing snow for the first time. No elves here seemed to be in the slightest hurry after all. A few looked at him curiously as he made his way down the hall, some even rolled their eyes. Was it that obvious he didn’t belong here? Noel couldn’t shake the feeling he was headed for a disaster.

Noel had gone more than halfway down the hall when he slowed, seeing for the first time the portraits hanging from either side along the walls. He turned looking back the way he had come, more portraits. Slowly he went, observing the impressive paintings. Each showed dignified men in various costumes that depicted the type of clothing style of the man’s time. Some portraits featured the man in a sleigh, or at a desk, or in the factory, even one with reindeer. Only one included a woman with the man, no doubt his wife. Affixed at the bottom of each painting was a name and date plaque.

Noel tried to read as he walked, but the paintings kept his eyes fixed upward. Then he paused at one picture. The man was standing in front of a fireplace, his arm propped up on the mantle, a roaring fire casting an orange light on the stone floor. The man had no expression on his face. The plaque read ‘Babbo Natale 1600-1700’. A sort of shadow from some unseen figure was cast on the floor angling towards the fire. Noel thought this might be a mistake of the painter and moved to the next portrait. He was getting close to the end of the hall, where an empty desk guarded the entrance to Santa’s office. As he came to the last portrait, he gasped, recognizing the man on the wall: ‘Papa Christo 1901-’. This was Santa. Noel had seen him many times over the years, even if he only got to speak directly to him once, Christo was the only Santa he’d ever known. He looked back down the hallway wishing he could study all the portraits more carefully. These men were all former Santas.

A little far from the List department, yes Noel? came from behind the desk. Noel whipped his head toward the voice seeing the elfin lass for the first time. She had a nice smile and golden hat and was wearing a gold-hued dress. He stepped up to the desk, but his eyes were drawn towards the room just beside it. Santa’s office. Are you here for the morning briefing? the lass asked.

Subconsciously he reached up to adjust his orange hat. He had not seen another elf from his own List department in this building. Noel looked back at her and down at the nameplate on the desk: Golden Ball. Yes? He finally answered not sounding very sure. Maybe this was a mistake, he didn’t really need to go into Santa’s office. Golden would see that and send him elsewhere.

You are expected Noel. Go on in and make yourself comfortable, Golden replied with a nod at the open door. They have not started yet; he does enjoy being fashionably late. She rolled her eyes, both amused and annoyed.

Noel managed a faint smile and tried to pretend he understood. He peered into the room, there were other elves in there. He glanced back at Golden still hoping something would stop this madness. She just smiled and motioned for him to go in. Adjusting his satchel, Noel took a deep breath and boldly entered the dreaded office.

Santa’s office was a large oval-shaped room. At one end a window stretched from floor to ceiling, partially covered by thick dark green curtains. If it weren’t for the perpetual night outside, the room would have been very bright. Before the window was a large wooden desk, the corners of which were carved reindeer appearing to be holding up the tabletop. Before the desk were two leather chairs placed over a huge circular rug that depicted the north star prominently against a dark blue background, the points of the star reached out to the border where they met with symbols of Christmas; Noel recognized a few as doubling as icons for the departments.

On the opposite side of the room, a large fireplace several paces long took up most of the rear wall. Before it was a cluster of three sofas and pair of high back chairs surrounding the hearth. The sofas were a deep green color that matched the leather chairs. The rest of the office had dark wood paneling that ran halfway up the walls. Despite it being such an imposing room, the fire burning gave the place a very cozy feel. Noel carefully made his way around the nearest sofa in the center and settled into a seat.

The other two elves already present and chatting were a lad and lass each looking about ten. They paused to watch Noel sit down, then went back to talking. Noel put his satchel on his lap, then seeing the others were more collected, decided to place it on the floor in front of him. He took in the rest of the office’s furnishings while trying to get a better look at the two on the other sofa.

The lass was wearing a pink hat, so that meant she was with the Elf Services department. The lad had the red hat of the Factory department. Noel didn’t recognize either of them. He was just about to turn away when movement on the lass’s lap caught his attention. She was absently petting a mound of white fur. The mound was moving, breathing, he realized. And it had long ears. The lass saw him staring and laughed, taking hold of the fuzzball and holding it up.

This is Arctic, she said, and the rabbit yawned and stretched himself as she set him back down in her lap. He’s an arctic hare.

Noel smiled and nodded. He had never heard of an elf with a pet before. He’d have to ask Spices about that. Looking away, he saw on the far wall the biggest chairs he’d ever seen. Two of them, massive wooden things covered in black leather and adorned with spikes and even claws at the ends of the armrests. Each was three times the size of a regular chair like the ones before Santa’s desk. Noel guessed several elves could easily sit on one of those.

The lass with the rabbit smiled knowingly, seeing Noel’s impression of the giant chairs. Those are for the Polar Bear embassy. They like to keep things formal when they come. Noel had no idea what that meant, so he nodded thoughtfully as though the lass had cleared up the mystery.

On the wall between the chairs was a painting. Noel studied it for some time. It showed a cold gray Christmas morning. A lone soldier wearing a muddy dark olive uniform was huddled down in a trench. His face was hidden by his coat and the flat plate-like metal helmet. Before him, a small twig of a tree had been nailed to a wood plank, and bits of colored paper and other debris were attached to the thin branches like ornaments. Noel frowned not recognizing the soldier and wondered why Santa would keep such a bleak image here.

Two more elves entered the room. A lad looking to be ten and a lass of twelve. Both had purple hats. They quickly said hello to the others and Noel, only giving him the slightest of looks as they took seats upon another sofa. The lass had a notebook with her and began going through it, with the lad pointing at things on the pages.

Noel sighed, wishing there was someone here he knew and could talk with. Just as the thought passed, two more elves came in. One was a tall lad of fifteen with a blue hat. The other was a short lass with an orange hat just like Noel’s, who he immediately recognized. It was Glass Ornament, head of the List department and his boss. She had said good morning to the others and was just about to sit when she spotted Noel. She gave a start, surprised to see him here. That made Noel even more nervous, and he picked up his satchel from the floor and held it against his chest, sure that any minute he would be asked to leave.

Glass was about to ask him what was going on when a door on the far side of the room opened. Noel jumped; he had not seen any other entrance except the one from the hallway. This other was paneled and painted to blend in with the wall. There was not even a doorknob on it! Glass didn’t get a chance to speak as a man, radiating importance, came bustling into the office, and all elf conversation stopped.

Good morning everyone! He greeted the gathering, strolling over to the desk by the window. He took off a brown overcoat and hung it on a nearby stand. Noel’s eyes widened following Santa Christo’s every move. He had rarely been this close to the man. Santa looked just as he had when Noel first arrived at the North Pole two decades prior. The white trimmed beard was unchanged, as were those dark piercing eyes and that face that had never met a stranger. Santa picked up some papers on his desk, skimmed over and set them aside. He then hurried over to the area by the fireplace, at first making as if to sit down in one of the armchairs facing the sofas, but then he stopped and remained standing. He was wearing a business suit of fine red cloth and took out a pocket watch on a chain. The other elves piped up with good mornings as he opened the watch and made some adjustments to it. Noel kept silent and held as still as he could, hoping he’d be overlooked and forgotten. Imagine being this close to Santa Christo! Spices would eat his own hat!

Right then, Santa spoke slipping the watch away. Before we get started, we have someone new here who I have asked to join us today. Noel paled and willed himself to shrink behind his satchel. Santa gave him a warm smile and winked. This is Noel Night, he’s from the Reference sub-department connected to the List department of Miss Ornament’s.

Noel managed a sheepish smile for the other elves. Glass grinned at him no doubt pleased to see another representative of her department at the briefing. The other elves nodded to him politely, but Noel could see on their faces they still wondered why he was here.

Garland Joy, head of the Mail department sent word that he was unable to be here, Santa Christo continued. The other elves knew well who Garland was, Santa though was gracious enough to speak, so Noel did not feel disadvantaged. Then he chuckled. It is peak season for them! The other elves laughed, even Noel. With only eight weeks until Christmas, the mailroom would be flooded with work. Now if you all would please introduce yourselves to our Noel,

The lass with the purple hat spoke first. I’m Cinnamon Bun, and this is Yule Tide. The lad beside her nodded. We’re from the First Contact Department. Noel knew the FCD purple hats were responsible for recruiting new elves, but it was commonly whispered they did far more than that. Somewhere in the back of his mind the question was raised why these two were here and not their department head.

Next the lass with the rabbit. Hi Noel, I’m White Christmas. Head of Elf Services. She propped up the rabbit. And you know, Arctic!

Santa laughed checking his watch again. The lad with the blue hat next to White was about to speak when she quickly added. "Oh, I mean the fifth! I’m White Christmas the V"

The blue hat sighed, rolling his eyes. We know White, we’re all legacies of some sort. Every elf is! He turned his attention back to Noel. I’m Holly Ivy, head of Flight Control. You can call me Holland though, everyone does. Then glancing at White, he held up three fingers. "The third."

White pretended not to notice while playing with the rabbit’s ears. I’m just proud is all. It’s an honor for an elf to carry on their name and pass it on when the time comes. Noel looked at her blankly for a moment. It did seem silly to point out one’s lineage. Rare was the elf who had an original name. He had even met more than one who shared his own.

Noel and the other elves turned their attention back to Santa. Good, good. He said tucking the watch away and clasping his hands behind his back. Now Cinnamon, I know Mistletoe is unavailable, but you have the day’s report ready…

The purple hat lass nodded, flipping through her notebook. Her voice took on a lecturing tone as she addressed all present. The feeling of the room seemed to take a more serious vibe. Even Arctic looked like he was listening. "Thank you. Santa Christo, this