{"id":1691,"date":"2016-12-04T11:00:08","date_gmt":"2016-12-04T16:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/vg-ford.com\/?p=1691"},"modified":"2016-12-04T11:00:08","modified_gmt":"2016-12-04T16:00:08","slug":"advent-day-4-jingle-bells","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/?p=1691","title":{"rendered":"(advent) Day 4 – Jingle bells!"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"snow-full\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Sunday, December 4<\/span><\/p>\n

Schrodinger loved it when the St. Michael\u2019s Church Christmas Choir came to CrossWinds Books. Every year, Father Christopher created a special choir, composed of not only the regular members of the choir, but singers who came in from the surrounding Realms to participate. And every year, they sang a special concert at the bookstore.<\/span><\/p>\n

He and Molly had been up in the upper floor all morning, setting up the area for the concert. The bookcases were pushed out to the ends of the room, opening up even more of the center. The choir would stand on one side of the room, and the chairs for the spectators faced them. In front of the fireplace, Molly had set up three long tables. One held the three large hot carafes, two with hot water and one with hot apple cider, and the smaller tureen that held hot mulled wine. DC would be in charge of that one, making sure that no one \u201caccidentally\u201d got something they shouldn\u2019t have. There was the large wooden tea box, full of various teas that Molly had collected, and a large glass jar with hot chocolate mixture. Cold carafes held cream and milk, standing next to a glass jar of honey from one of the local farms, as well as a cup of sugar cubes and the small box of artificial sweeteners that Molly grudgingly provided.<\/span><\/p>\n

The next two tables were covered with goodies that she had been making for the last few days. While the kids had decorated the musical notes that were piled high on a silver platter, Molly had made loaves of cranberry-orange and banana-nut bread, which she had sliced and laid out with some of the fresh butter from Lisa and Neil\u2019s farm. There were platters of her caramel apple turnovers as well, and vanilla shortbread fingers, speckled with black spots from the vanilla beans that Pavel had brought her. The fragrance as they had baked had been overwhelming. Considering how many times Aunt Margie had come down to snitch some, Schrodinger was surprised that there were any left to be put out.<\/span><\/p>\n

Anything else we need?<\/span><\/i> He looked up at Molly, who was surveying the tables.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think we\u2019re good,\u201d she said. \u201cAnd I just heard Kaylee\u2019s voice downstairs. Let\u2019s go and do the advent calendar before the choir starts.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Sounds good.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Kiaya had picked up Lily, Kaylee, and Jack before bringing Gideon into the Bookstore, and to Schrodinger\u2019s surprise, Zeke had joined them, carrying a large case.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI assume everything\u2019s upstairs?\u201d he said, and Molly nodded. \u201cThanks. I\u2019ll go and set this up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

What is that? <\/span><\/i>Schrodinger asked him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a portable recording studio,\u201d Zeke said, grinning. \u201cAmong other things.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome on,\u201d Molly said, shepherding them all into the kitchen. \u201cThe choir will be here soon!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She had pulled out the castle earlier, and now she brought it down from the side board, holding it so that they could all look for the fourth window.<\/span><\/p>\n

There it is,<\/span><\/i> Jack said, nosing Kaylee. <\/span>On the west tower!<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

She reached out to touch the little number \u201c4\u201d on the shutters of the tower window, and they sprang open. Schrodinger had been half-expecting to see the singers again, but instead, there was another circular tower room. This one was lined with bookcases, and instead of soldiers at the windows, there were oversized armchairs, with small tables and reading lights. It was as if the bookstore had been crammed into a single room.<\/span><\/p>\n

Seated on one of the armchairs was a young woman with long dark hair pulled back in a plait, a large book open on her lap. Her dress was a pale blue, and swirled around her like ocean waves. Her finger moved across the page, following the words, and as they watched, the words themselves rose from the book, dancing around her head. One of them broke away and came out of the window, and Schrodinger saw it said \u201cSongs.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe knew! She knew what was going on today!\u201d Gideon said, clapping his hands excitedly. \u201cDo you think she\u2019ll be here?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe,\u201d Molly said mysteriously, watching as the word hovered for a moment, and then faded away.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut it didn\u2019t give us anything!\u201d Kaylee said, obviously disappointed. \u201cWasn\u2019t it supposed to give us something to do?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

It was a good question. They all turned and looked at Molly, who had leaned down and picked up the castle. \u201cDon\u2019t worry,\u201d she said, as she carried it into the pantry. \u201cIt\u2019s not over yet.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

What do you mean?<\/span><\/i> Schrodinger asked her. <\/span>The word is gone!<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure?\u201d she said, coming back out. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe saw it fade away!\u201d Lily said. \u201cIt\u2019s gone! Look!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

And she turned to point to where the word had been. It was gone, that was true, but there, on the floor under where it had vanished, was a set of golden bells.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat??? How did that happen?\u201d Gideon asked, his hands going to his cheeks. \u201cWhere did they come from?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBells? What are we going to do with bells?\u201d Kaylee asked at the same time.<\/span><\/p>\n

Schrodinger went over and nosed them, looking for something like a note or instructions. Wrapped around each handle was a ribbon with a name: one for each of them. <\/span>Well, I think we\u2019re supposed to use them,<\/span><\/i> he said. <\/span>But I\u2019m not sure to do what.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

It was Lily who found the note, when she picked up the bell with her name on it. It was a small piece of paper, and she read it out loud: \u201cThe sound of bells purifies the air. These bells will help you today, and then you can give them to Father Christopher. He\u2019ll know what to do with them.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

When he came with the choir, Father Christopher beamed at them as he saw the bells. \u201cAh, perfect! I know exactly what you\u2019ll want to do with those!\u201d he said, gesturing them to come with him.<\/span><\/p>\n

The upper room had filled up while they were downstairs, and all the choir members, dressed in their green and gold choir robes, were standing together on one side, clustered around a centaur with dark grey hair and a pair of gold glasses. Pertwee had been part of the choir for as long as anyone could remember, and his baritone was the one of the underpinnings of the singers. He didn\u2019t stay in the Cove for much more than the choir meetings, but Schrodinger had always enjoyed listening to him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now, he caught sight of them and said, \u201cAh, Father Christopher, you were right! The bells have arrived!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOf course they have!\u201d Father Christopher said, and then turned to the five of them. \u201cHere\u2019s what I want you to do.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

<><><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI hope he knows what he\u2019s doing,\u201d Molly murmured to DC, watching the priest speaking earnestly to the children. \u201cThey don\u2019t exactly have the best sense of rhythm.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not sure they\u2019re going to need it,\u201d DC said. \u201cJingle bells aren\u2019t the most exacting of musical instruments, after all.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTrue.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Father Christopher placed the five in the front of the choir, still speaking quietly to them. Molly was half-afraid of how long they were going to have to stay there: Lily, Jack, and Schrodinger could sit quietly for a long time, but that wasn\u2019t Gideon or Kaylee\u2019s strong suit. But as the music started, they seemed to be captivated by the voices rising up around them, and to Molly\u2019s surprise, they sat and listened.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the choir swung into a rousing rendition of \u201cJingle Bells\u201d about halfway through the program, Father Christopher nodded at the five in front of him, who began to ring their bells enthusiastically (and rather off-beat), to the great amusement of everyone in the room. After the song ended, he called for an intermission, and they came running over to the tables.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMolly, Molly, did you see us?\u201d Kaylee said, shaking her bell again. \u201cDidn\u2019t we do good?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou did amazingly, Kayleebug!\u201d Molly assured her, picking her up and hugging her. \u201cI was so impressed!\u201d She turned and pointed. \u201cLook, your mom and dad were here too!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMommy!\u201d Kaylee shrieked, and Molly winced, setting her down. \u201cDaddy!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey, monster, great job!\u201d Her brother Nathan wove his way through the crowd to pick his younger daughter up before she could run to him. \u201cAnd good job to you guys too,\u201d he added, as Gideon and Lily turned to him. \u201cYou really added to the concert!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIndeed,\u201d Father Christopher said, coming up behind them.<\/span><\/p>\n

Father, why do you need the bells?<\/span><\/i> Jack asked him. <\/span>The note said you would take them.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cYes. I\u2019m going to hang them over at the high school,\u201d Father Christopher told them. \u201cThe fact that they were used in the Christmas concert means that they\u2019re now officially Christmas bells, and the high school needs them for their decorating.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

It was a good explanation, and Molly silently congratulated him on it. It didn\u2019t surprise her that the priest was in on the Snow Queen\u2019s plans – he always seemed to be part of what went on in the Cove. <\/span><\/p>\n

They all handed him their bells, and he stopped, looking at Lily. \u201cAre you okay, Lily?\u201d he asked kindly.<\/span><\/p>\n

She flushed. \u201cYes, I\u2019m fine. Just wishing Zoey could be here, that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe all wish that,\u201d Father Christopher said, patting her on the shoulder. \u201cNext year, I know she will be.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Lily nodded, but Molly, watching her, wondered if that was it.<\/span><\/p>\n

<><><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re leaving.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Her voice, cool and composed, didn\u2019t sound upset. Indeed, it sounded slightly bored, and Caliban wondered if she\u2019d try to talk him out of it. \u201cYes,\u201d he said, continuing to fold the shirts he\u2019d pulled out of the cabinet. Normally, he\u2019d have a servant do it, but he wanted to travel light, and that meant making decisions on what he was carrying. \u201cI have things that I need to see to.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWere you planning on telling me, or just sneaking away?\u201d Nadine asked him, coming into the room. She was dressed, as always, in a gown of deep gold that looked faintly like snake scales, a nod to her parentage, and in particular, the salamander that had fathered her. Her pale blue eyes wandered around the room, never actually looking at him. \u201cHas my hospitality been that poor?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou know it hasn\u2019t, cousin.\u201d Caliban set a shirt heavily encrusted with embroidery and jewels aside. He wouldn\u2019t need it. \u201cBut I put you in danger by staying here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHardly. Uncle Mendron wouldn\u2019t dare come for you here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t know how angry he is,\u201d Caliban told her, although his heart wasn\u2019t in the lie. Mendron could probably care less about his younger son\u2019s whereabouts, as long as said younger son didn\u2019t cause more trouble for him. \u201cBesides, it might not be him. I hear the reward for my capture is fairly handsome.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot really,\u201d Nadine said. \u201cIf it was, I would expect more attempts on your life. We\u2019ve only had three.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThree too many.\u201d Caliban finished with the shirts, and eyed his pack. \u201cI\u2019m honored that you sheltered me, Nadine, but it\u2019s time I was gone.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhere are you going?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBest you don\u2019t know,\u201d he said. \u201cThat way, you don\u2019t have to lie to anyone.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She finally looked at him, and the cold indifference stung him a little. \u201cIf you insist.\u201d Nadine waved a long-fingered hand lazily. \u201cTake what you need. Safe travels.\u201d And then she turned and left, her gown shushing sinuously in her wake.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd to you, cousin,\u201d Caliban said to the empty air, his tone caustic. \u201cI\u2019m touched by your concern.\u201d He grabbed the pack and stomped out towards her Gate room. <\/span><\/p>\n

It was time to find out who had sent him that leaf. And why.<\/span><\/p>\n

>Activity: Listen to Christmas carols while you string up some jingle bells to go on your tree (or if you prefer, to go on your door!).<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Sunday, December 4 Schrodinger loved it when the St. Michael\u2019s Church Christmas Choir came to CrossWinds Books. Every year, Father Christopher created a special choir, composed of not only the regular members of the choir, but singers who came in from the surrounding Realms to participate. And every year, they sang a special concert at …<\/p>\n

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