Whoa! More than a month since my last update! where does the time go? I apologize for my lack of diligence. I took some time off to rest. After six months of steady chapter posting, I felt entitled to a vacation. Time to get back in, if any of you fans are still interested. Only about five more chapters left after this, so as we enter the final stretch, I'd just like to thank you all for your faithful dedication to this incredible story.

And now, The New Life continues...

The New Life

a novel by Mark Robert Whitten

Chapter 26

Jess wandered about as he had for days, feeling useless among the chaos. Everywhere he went it seemed there was something happening that he couldn't help with.

The festival was approaching and everyone in the castle was preparing for the long journey to the capital. Everywhere he went, men lifted and loaded things, hauling everything from trunks filled with clothes, to shields and swords, while others tended their horses or discussed what they would do when they arrived. Countless arrangements were made. Jess had to stand aside and let another group of people pass. As he turned a corner he saw that the Duke was walking swiftly through the castle, surrounded by servants all clamoring for orders about what to take, what to leave and what to tell others to take and leave. As he directed them to their tasks, they peeled away only to be replaced by many others demanding their Lord's attention. Jess marveled at how busy everyone seemed and how deftly capable his lord seemed at handling them. The noise alone was more than distracting. The halls were usually quiet except for a pair of guards telling a joke or a servant rushing so as not to be late. Now the whole place was abuzz with excitement. It seemed everyone had something to do but him. He stuffed his hands in his pockets as he strolled along, feeling once again like a useless nothing. Leslie was picking out her favorite dresses and books to pack for the long journey. Jess had already packed his things in his trunk and was ready to go. There wasn't much for him to bring and he didn't want to be reprimanded for bothering people with useless questions, so he took to walking the length of the castle, savoring the myriad activities buzzing about him. He had no actual destination, but as he climbed and descended several stairs he found himself wandering into a very specific hallway.

He stopped as he rounded the corner. He knew what lay ahead.

This was the hall of the most important people. The Duke's bedchamber was ahead and as well as the private chambers of Miss Julia Edmunds. Jess turned to leave, not wanting to trespass on what seemed sacred ground, but something told him not to be a coward.

After all, what harm could there be in visiting his favorite teacher? He could see if she was ready for tomorrow and possibly needed any help.

Deciding to be responsible, Jess turned back down the hall and headed straight for her room. He halted before her door. There was one chance to turn back but he shook such thoughts away. What was he scared of anyway? Miss Edmunds was nice and she liked him. He was just being silly. Still, he had never been inside his teacher's chambers and as he raised his fist to knock, he wondered if what he was doing wasn't entirely appropriate. Jess sighed and taking one last look around, knocked on the heavy wooden door.

A moment later, the door swung inward and a face appeared.

Tom smiled.

"Hey, Jess. Something wrong?"

Jess stood speechless a moment. He didn't expect he had the wrong room. "Uh, I was just…"

"Tom?" The voice stopped Jess' useless stammering. He felt a flutter in his heart as the voice came closer. "Who is it?"

Tom stepped aside as the opened fully revealing Miss Edmunds.

Her lovely raven hair was tousled and wet. Jess wondered if he had interrupted her bath. As she placed a hand on Tom's shoulder, Jess took in the sight of her bare legs sticking out beneath her lavender robe and swallowed. Her voice brought his eyes back up to hers. "Jess…"

"Miss Edmunds." He bowed low, relieved that he had chosen the right door after all but suddenly mortified to find her in such a condition. "I thought you might require some help packing." As he saw Tom slip his hand around her narrow waist and pull her close, Jess felt his face heat at his own presumption. She clearly had all the help she needed. "I-I'm sorry, Miss Edmunds, I'll come back later if—"

"Don't be silly, Jess, com on in."

Jess fidgeted as she stepped aside, holding a hand out in invitation. He lowered his head and murmuring his thanks, stepped into Miss Edmunds private rooms. He didn't move, afraid to do something foolish, contenting himself to just stand in the center of a lavender carpet, inhaling the sweet scent of the woman he loved. He never imagined he would be standing in her rooms. He took note of how quiet it was, how it seemed a sanctuary. He had almost forgotten he wasn't alone.

"Maybe I should check on Nova," Tom offered. "I better make sure she's ready for the trip." He gave Julia a deep kiss and excused himself. Jess waved to him as he left. As Miss Edmunds watched him leave, she sighed. Jess recognized the look on her face; he thought it must be how he looked when he stared at Miss Edmunds. It was a look of love.

"Um, Miss Edmunds?"

She looked down at him and the wistful smile faded. "Yes, Jess? Can I help you?"

"I was just wondering if you needed me for anything." He looked around the splendor of her outer room, fairly certain that his own room would fit with room to spare. Not wanting to gaze at Miss Edmunds with only a thin silk robe between them, he redirected his gaze toward the open doors of her elegant bedchamber. He could see her bed hadn't been made and that there were a few things that still needed to be packed.

"Actually, there are a few things left to prepare," Julia stammered, seeming suddenly shy. She strode over to a dressing screen and cast him a reproachful look when he tried to follow. Jess realized the screen was meant for privacy and that he was invading it. He backed away, casting his gaze about for something—anything—to help her with.

"I'm glad to see you, Jess," she called from the other side of the screen. "I wanted to let you know that we won't be neglecting you lessons while we travel. You have too much work to catch up on." Jess listened intently to her words, catching the soft rustle of fabric as she slipped on a dress. Jess thought her words sounded rushed, like she didn't find it comfortable to be in the room with him. "You and Leslie are both doing very well, though. I'm proud of you both."

"Thank you," he managed. The notion that she was proud of him filled him with pride in himself. He turned to sneak a look at the shield. The thought of beautiful Julia's naked form not ten feet from him made his mouth go dry. He wanted to say something witty, but she came out then, fully dressed and proper.

"How do I look?"

As her slender hands smoothed the rich lavender satin at her narrow hips, he heard himself assure her that she looked lovely. She beamed. Jess felt his heart lift at the sight of such a wonderful smile. He wanted to say more, but he couldn't think of anything.

As she strode towards the bed chamber, Jess watched her elegant lavender dress sway. He always thought she looked lovely in lavender. It was becoming his favorite color. As she took a seat at the dressing table, she asked him how things were progressing with his own packing.

"Oh, they're fine," he assured her. "I didn't have much to do."

She ran a brush through her raven hair, asking him about Leslie. He wished she wouldn't mention his best friend. He didn't like to think of anyone else when he was with Miss Edmunds. He wanted to say that he knew she was fine, but he hadn't seen much of her that day. He settled for shrugging. She sang softly as she worked and when she finished brushing out her long dark hair and resumed her packing, Jess busied himself with looking about and savoring what seemed an otherworldly experience: standing in his teacher's bed chamber.

As he watched her folding clothes and pulling dresses out of her wardrobe, he ambled over to the dressing table, taking in the lingering scent of perfume she had applied. He found bottles of more perfume, squirrel-hair brushes and all sorts of silver trays and tins with powders. He wondered at what it all was but dared not ask. Julia started singing softly to herself as she went about packing. Jess contented himself with being invisible and as he listened to the sounds of Miss Edmunds singing, he noticed a small polished maple box. His hand strayed towards it. The surface of the box was smooth to the touch. He wanted to ask what was inside it, but instead found himself lifting the lid.

He stared in fascination at the wand inside.

As he plucked it up, surprised by the weight of the thin stick, he felt the soft hand of his music teacher gently take the wand from his fingers. He turned in place to stare up into her beautiful blue eyes. "This isn't a toy, Jess."

He felt his face heat. "I-I'm sorry Miss Edmunds. I-I didn't mean to…"

She gently shushed him. "It's okay." She sat on the little chair and beckoned him to come closer.

He came forward

His eyes never left the thin white stick held daintily in her fingers. She turned it slowly, seeming to consider what to do next. She tapped the end of the wand to the palm of her other hand as her blue eyes searched his. "Do you know what this is, Jess?"

"A wand?"

"Very good. It's a wand of a special nature," she added. "It was gifted to me by my teacher when I became a sorceress." She held it out for him to see. "It was carved from the horn of a unicorn."

A Unicorn! Jess had read about unicorns. In his studies he had learned that they were exceptionally rare and elusive creatures, appearing only to people of great benevolence, that they revealed themselves reluctantly, as unicorns were sought after for the unique properties of their singular horns. It was even widely known that their horns could be used to defeat poisons. That Julia had a wand craved from a unicorn horn was surprising and somewhat intriguing. "What can it do?"

"Well, it can heal and it can curse. I think the best thing about a wand like this is that it can induce dreams." She smiled a little. "Would you like a dream, Jess?"

He wasn't sure what she meant so he nodded.

She waved the tip of the wand over his head in small circles. He felt a strange kind of peace come over him. The rush of warmth felt intoxicating. He thought he might faint. Just as suddenly as it had come, the feeling faded, leaving him feeling somewhat forsaken. Miss Edmunds asked if he enjoyed it. He assured her he did.

Jess knew magic when he felt it and that was the best kind.

At dinner that evening, Jess spoke very little. Everyone else spoke excitedly about the impending festival and the long journey to the crown city. Jess didn't have anything to say about it since it was his first time ever visiting such a grand place. He contended himself with listening to all the gossip and plans everyone was making.

Leslie seemed to notice his lack of enthusiasm and asked what was wrong. He assured her that he was fine, that he was looking forward to the next day's journey with great anticipation. Inside, he felt as nervous as his father used to make him feel. Jess wondered what amazing sights he would see and how he would remember to tell his family about the festival. He remembered well the festivals he had seen throughout his life. He always thought they were a grand affair of the utmost opulence. He realized now that little town celebrations couldn't begin to compare with what was coming. It all seemed to be suddenly overwhelming. He sighed. For the first time since coming to work for Leslie's family, Jess wished he could just go back home.

Jess took one last look around. His room was quiet. There was nothing left to pack. He was ready. As he headed for the door, he ran a hand back through his hair.

000

After a full three days of preparation, the time had come to travel to the crown city to attend the mid-summer festival. He was glad to be heading out at last. As he closed the door to his room, he let out a deep sigh. Jess had the feeling that something was changing. It was something important. He guessed he was just nervous.

When he entered the courtyard's cool air, he found the carriage waiting for him. The door was open and the Duke and Duchess were both climbing aboard. He looked about and found Leslie talking to Tom. In the dark of pre-dawn, many servants rushed about gathering things, calling out to others, loading supplies into wagons and trying their best to finish their work before the sunrise. As the first rays of dawns light broke over the castle walls, it seemed the final moment had arrived. Leslie spotted him came over, wishing Tom a safe journey. As she walked towards him, Jess headed towards the carriage. Smiling, Jess reached the carriage and as Leslie met him there, he helped her up, as was his duty. He grabbed the insides of the coach and stepped up into it himself, casting one last look at the courtyard before closing the door. He sat beside Leslie across from her parents. As the whip cracked and the coach leapt forward, Jess clutched the seat, gasping a sharp breath.

He knew beyond doubt that he had just begun the most exciting journey of his entire life.