~Chapter 19~

Noella

Joel drove the carriage that Eric gave to us with lightning speed in the direction we were told to go. I remembered what the mirror had told me, but it was still vague. However, as we moved outside the boundaries of Eric's kingdom, it was easy to spot that next barrier.

"You seriously can't see that enormous wall?" I questioned as Joel pulled back on the reins to slow the carriage.

"No, all I see is a tall mountain." Joel shrugged.

I still wish I knew why I was the only one who had the ability to take down these barriers. It was a huge nuisance and besides why would the provinces all be split apart and devoid of contact? Trading with all the kingdoms together would be a huge boom in the economy, but what did I know on the subject? I hopped out of the carriage and placed my hand on the barrier and it came down just like the previous ones. As I returned to the carriage, Joel offered me a hand up, which I grabbed gratefully.

"It never ceases to amaze…" He muttered, "How do you do it?"

"I wish I knew…" I shrugged.

Joel snapped the reins getting us moving again and focused myself as we passed beyond where the barrier used to be keeping myself alert to anything or anyone we might come across who might know anything about a magic mirror. Suddenly overhead I heard the loud call or what sounded like an elephant. It startled me making me jump slightly. Joel and I peered overhead, but he quickly snapped his focus back on the road. Flying above us was an elephant with large ears that he was using as wings. The animal called again trumpeting a big sound from his trunk and looked at me directly waving his trunk to me in a friendly manor before flying off ahead of us.

"Please tell me I haven't lost my mind and you saw that too…" I said putting a hand against my forehead.

"The flying elephant?" Joel questioned nonchalantly, "Yeah, I saw." He shrugged casually.

"Forget when pigs fly...I'm using when elephants fly from now on…"I joked with a smirk.

"What are you even talking about?" Joel asked confused.

"Nevermind." I replied holding back a laugh. I would have to tell Riley about this next time we talked, she loved elephants.

Since passing the barrier, we were in yet another wooded area filled with trees, but also large clearings and farmland. Off in the distance as we rounded a bend, I could see a small village nearby. Civilization finally... I was ready to get out of the carriage and stretch for awhile. Outside the village, we saw a small caravan and several wagons parked along the side of the road. There was a small group of people dancing around in the grass happily together. They played lively music and every person I saw was dressed in unique attire compared to what I had seen before in this world. Was this one entire family or several small family groups? Each person had a dark skin tone and many of the people present wore gold hoop earrings and bandanas around their hair. One particular woman with shoulder length black hair wearing a white top with a purple dress was dancing with a small white goat with black horns and a single earring in its right ear. She was playing a tambourine. Joel moved the carriage forward, but suddenly the goat ran out into the road and Joel pulled hard on the reins to avoid hitting the goat. We couldn't slow in time and Joel swerved the carriage missing the goat, but tipped us over with the sharpness of the turn. As we crawled up from the carriage, Joel helped me out offering me his hand.

"You okay?' He asked.

"Fine…" I said examining my body for any bruising or minor cuts. I glanced at Joel's hand which seemed to have a red rash or something.

"Your hand…" I muttered.

"Rope burn. I'm fine." He shrugged.

The woman playing the tambourine quickly ran over to us passing by her goat on the way.

"I'm so sorry!" She said, "Djali never runs into the road like that. I don't know what he was thinking."

"No harm done…" I replied.

"But your carriage is overturned." The woman commented.

"We're okay." I said gesturing to Joel and I, "That's all that matters."

"Well Djali caused you a lot of trouble today...is there something I can do to help you guys out in anyway?"

"Actually, we are looking for someone." I answered.

"Maybe I can help with that, here come gather your things and let's have a reading in my tent." The woman said gesturing over to caravan of people. Joel and I introduced ourselves quickly as the woman smiled.

"It's nice to meet you. I'm Esmerelda."

I snatched my backpack from the carriage and Joel just had his always glowing bow. Even being total strangers, we were welcomed heartily by the other members of Esmerelda's caravan group. The rest of them continued playing their music as we went inside a large burgundy tent that was set up behind the wagons. There was nothing fancy inside the tent, but just a large mat to cushion the ground and several pillows positioned in a circle. Esmerelda quickly sat down and Joel and I each took a seat beside her. Esmerelda immediately reached her hand toward me.

"Take my hand Noella and we'll begin and perhaps I can help you." She smiled encouragingly.

I nodded timidly glancing at Joel who shrugged his shoulders. Neither of us had the faintest idea what she was doing. I grasped her hand and she closed her eyes looking very focused. After a few minutes of silence, Esmerelda finally spoke.

"Noella, you have a strong light inside you and it's guiding you on your pursuit to find your mother, correct?"

I nodded feeling amazed that Esmerelda figured that information out by just taking my hand.

"You' re searching for mirrors who help point to your mother." Esmerelda continued.

"Yes, that's right." I answered, "The last mirror told me to find a woman who is as beautiful as her name. Clearly it's a riddle or something, but I don't know anybody here."

"I also am unsure of whom the mirror was talking about, but I know someone who might know something about a mirror. He lives just in the village down yonder. His name is Maurice and he is a fantastic inventor. He also is a kind, old man. I'm sure he might be able to fix your carriage too if you ask him."

"Thanks for your help." I nodded.

In a quick turn, Esmerelda extended her hand out to Joel.

"What?" He said looking confused.

"Your turn." Esmerelda replied.

"No, I'm good. You helped us enough. Thanks though." Joel said sheepishly.

"Nonsense." Esmerelda said snatching his hand and promptly closing her eyes as she did with me. However, her face didn't look peaceful and at rest like she did with me. In fact, her face looked tense making creases across her forehead.

"Wow, you're a bit cloudy Joel. It's hard to figure you out…" Esmerelda commented, "You have a decision to make in the near future and one will spell disaster and the other ties into your destiny, but you are like a wolf in sheep's clothing and your true intent will be revealed."

Esmerelda's read on Joel was very mysterious and he looked really uncomfortable. Joel immediately yanked his hand away rubbing it nervously and stood.

"Thanks for your help." He told Esmerelda, "I think we'll start in the village. C'mon Noella"

He grabbed my hand as we exited the tent giong back outside. We said our goodbyes and thanked Esmerelda for her help and began walking toward the village.

The closer Joel and I got, the more people began to come into view. There were tons of shops all around the village square with a beautiful stone fountain at the center. I glanced around trying to spot some kind of shop that looked like one an inventor would be in. As we made our way down the street and into the square, I was going to ask for someone's help, but everyone we passed by seemed to go out of their way to avoid us.

"Geez, what's the problem?" I muttered crossing my arms.

"What?" Joel replied.

"It's like people know we're strangers…it's uncomfortable."

"Well, if you haven't noticed this is a small town and I'm sure everyone around here knows everybody else, so in a way it makes sense." Joel reasoned. "Not to mention, your attire…"

"What's wrong with my attire?" I challenged raising a defensive brow.

"Nothing at all, but compared to the majority of people around here. Blue doesn't seem to be a popular color."

"Ugh, whatever. Let's just ask someone about Maurice."

Feeling frustrated, I went inside the nearest shop and it was a bookstore with bookshelves on every wall piled high with books. Each bookcase had a different genre and there were plenty to choose from. It's not like a village this size would have use for the Dewey Decimal system. There was a stout older man with white scruffy hair who was putting away a stack of books on a ladder when we entered the shop. A bell rang as we entered the door and the bookkeeper greeted us with a friendly smile.

"Be right with you, folks." He called out.

At least someone in this town had manners and wasn't a gossip like most of the people here. The bookkeeper finally slid down the ladder and walked back to his counter.

"How can I help?" He said with a warm smile.

"Can you identify a man by the name Maurice?" Joel asked.

"I could…" The bookkeeper shrugged, "But the man is sort of reclusive. He's a talented inventor, but you rarely see him in town."

"Could you share where he lives? I wouldn't press so hard, but this is an emergency." I added.

The bookkeeper glanced at Joel and I obviously trying to determine if we were being honest and he smiled with a nod.

" When you leave my shop, take a right and follow the road just out of town there is a home out there. Follow the sounds of explosions and you'll find it."

Joel and I exchanged both curious and nervous glances.

"Thanks." I nodded turning to leave.

"His daughter just left my shop not ten minutes ago. If you hurry, you might catch her. She's a young woman about your height with dark hair and a blue and white dress."

"Great, Thanks again." I waved and Joel and I quickly left.

We followed the directions making a right as we left the shop. In a town full of earthy colors, I figured blue would be easy to spot. Joel and I continued walking and eventually I overheard a big booming voice coming from nearby. A tall man with black hair pulled back in a ponytail wearing bright red hunting attire was talking to a young woman matching the bookkeepers description.

"Please Gaston, give that back." The woman said.

"Reading isn't important...you should pay less attention to those pages and more attention to people just like me." The man sneered throwing the woman's book in the mud. I saw this happen as Joel and I approached and looked at this man growing angry.

"Noella, don't cause a scene." Joel whispered.

"I won't…" I replied.

I glanced at the man who threw the book away and I picked it out from the mud.

"Hey you!" I called out, "You owe her an apology!"

The man in red immediately began looking around pointing to himself.

"Are you talking to me?" He said stepping toward me.

He was a lot taller than I originally thought. The man towered over me and it was intimidating, but I stood my ground.

"Yeah, I'm talking to you. Leave her stuff alone! You're being rude!" I snapped trying to be nice, but I could read this man like a book. He was a pig.

"As if." A stout little man appeared randomly with a very annoying tone to his voice. He must have been one of his friends.

"Listen, young maid." The man in red said stepping close to me, "Why don't you go back to wherever it is you came from…" He said scanning me from head to toe, "And leave us be."

Before I could reply, Joel stepped between us immediately crossing his arms getting in the other man's face.

"Back off." Joel growled.

The man easily backed down laughing off the whole thing.

"Come on, we're all gentlemen here. Let me get you a drink." He offered to Joel pulling him away, but Joel quickly refused. He walked over to me and I pulled Joel aside coming up with an idea.

"Look this is the woman that the bookkeeper mentioned...keep that jerk busy and come find us after awhile." I suggested.

Joel agreed hesitantly and grabbed me by the shoulders.

"Just be careful."

I nodded as Joel walked over to Gaston accepting his invitation to the tavern. The woman walked over to me as I wiped off the mud handing her book over to her, which she accepted.

"Thanks for the help. For me and my book." She smiled.

"Hey, us girls gotta stick together. He shouldn't be talking to you that way. Anyway…" I paused tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear, "I'm Noella and according to the bookkeeper. You're the inventor Maurice's daughter?"

"Yes...that's right. I'm Belle. What's this about?" She asked curiously.

At hearing her name, the riddle from the magic mirror immediately pieced together in my head. I was thankful that I quickly found the woman whose beauty matched her name.

I shared with Belle the highlights of my story and she wanted to know more, but surely we couldn't continue on like this in the middle of the street so she escorted me to her cottage just outside of town. This would be quick and easy get the information from Belle to find that mirror and then move on through the next barrier. I figured I could meet up with Joel within the hour. As we walked down the dirt road approaching a quaint little cottage, a large explosion was heard from the place. Belle immediately took off running and I followed her as she opened up the cellar doors outside the house. As the doors opened, a large cloud of smoke puffed out and Belle and I were coughing as we went downstairs.

"Papa?" Belle called out.

"Over here." A gruff voice called out.

As the smoke cleared, I saw a short man with an aged face standing in the corner next to some type of contraption waving away the smoke.

"Whew, guess I need to tighten that wingnut better." The man said putting down his goggles from atop his head.

"Papa, are you okay?" Belle asked anxiously examining her father.

"Yes, yes. I'm fine. Back to work, I must work out these final kinks before heading to the fair."

"He's bound to get first place." Belle grinned clapping her hands excitedly.

"Who's your friend?" He asked looking at me. "Maurice." He said extending his hand, which I took and he shook vigorously.

"Noella." I replied.

"Nice to meet you. If you ladies will excuse me, I'm almost done and I gotta head out before dark. Belle, why don't you get our guest some tea."

"Good idea papa, we'll be upstairs."

Maurice waved before sliding back under his invention and Belle led me into their home. The cottage was a quaint little place with the basic necessities one would need with a very open floor plan. Belle put the tea kettle on the stove while I took a seat at the table hanging my pack on the back of the chair.

"So Noella…" Belle said bringing the tea over once it was hot, "Tell me again why you need the magic mirror?"

"They're leading me to my mom. She's probably lost and alone somewhere. I have to find her." I pressed with anxiety in my tone.

Belle smiled sympathetically putting her hand on top of mine.

"If they've led you this far...I'm sure you're getting close." Belle reassured me, "My mother died from an illness when I was five, so I know what's it's like to have a missing parent."

"I'm sorry, Belle...that must be so hard." I said stirring some honey into my teacup.

"It was so long ago Noella, I think it's safe to say I've dealt with the loss. Besides, I'm thankful that I still have papa."

"Absolutely." I smiled taking a sip of my tea. "So do know about a magic mirror that I could use? The last mirror said to find you though I did solve a riddle to figure that one out."

"I do have a mirror in my room, but it's just a small handheld one." Belle shrugged.

"May I see it?" I asked.

"Sure." Belle nodded going upstairs to fetch it.

As I waited, I heard a knock at the door Belle called down asking me to answer it. This wasn't my house, I was still a stranger, but I obliged her. To my surprise, the tall man pestering Belle earlier Gaston was at the door leaning against the frame.

"Oh it's you. Young maid…" He said with a wink.

He leaned into the frame grinning cheesily, but when he realized I wasn't impressed, he stood up straight again.

"I'm here for Belle."

"Well, she is busy, so I guess you should leave." I said quickly.

I went to close the door quickly, but Gaston shoved his arm in the way pushing in, but I stood in front of him blocking his intrusion as best I could stretching my arms out wide blocking him not letting him go past me.

"This is an intrusion, leave now!" I yelled and looked around him and outside. Joel wasn't with him. "Where's Joel?"

"Listen young maid…" Gaston smirked rolling his eyes at me.

"My name is Noella." I interrupted.

"Yeah, okay." Gaston sneered, "Your companion I left him at the tavern. He had a little too much if you know what I mean."

I didn't know if he was joking or serious. Joel didn't seem like the type to be irresponsible like that. Ugh, this is just want I needed right now.

"Anyway, you should mind your own business." Gaston continued pushing me aside like he would a sack of flour. "Not so tough without your bodyguard, huh?"

Gaston made his way over to the stairs tracking in mud that was caked on his leather boots as he did so. He was stronger, but I was faster. I beat him to the stairs blocking his way again.

"Must we do this the hard way?" Gaston said.

Gaston immediately lifted me up over his shoulder and that's when Belle finally showed herself.

"Put Noella down Gaston and leave my house!" Belle yelled.

"Belle, I've only come to talk." Gaston reasoned nonchalantly.

"You lost that privilege when you barged in. Get out." She said.

"Not until we talk." He asked extending his hand out to her.

Belle crossed her arms as Gaston finally set me down.

"Gaston!" Another voice yelled.

In the doorway leading down to the basement, there stood Maurice looking very angry wiping off an oily wrench in his hand with a cloth.

"Let the ladies be and leave my home!" Maurice ordered.

Gaston scoffed and left the cottage stomping his way out like a toddler throwing a tantrum.

"Thanks papa!" Belle said exhaling a heavy sigh.

"You girls okay?" Maurice asked glancing at us both.

"Never better. Thanks Maurice." I smiled.

"Glad he's gone." Belle added.

"I came up here to say farewell and that I'm headed to the fair, but I'm glad I got that beastly man out of here." Maurice said, "Philippe is all saddled and bridled and have attached a cart to his harness to take to the fair."

"Good luck." I smiled.

Belle came down the stairs giving her father a huge hug.

"You'll do great papa. Bring home that first prize ribbon." Belle smiled kissing her father on the cheek.

Maurice grabbed a jacket and a hat from the nearby hooks on the wall.

"Well, I'm off." He said and headed off out the door.

Finishing our conversation about the mirrors, Belle handed me a small handheld mirror. It was ordinary thing nothing flashy or ornate looking. I used the words that I spoke for every other magic mirror I had encountered in this world. No matter my reflection remained and I groaned heavily.

"Not working?" Belle asked.

"Either it's not working or this is not a magic mirror." I muttered.

"How can I help?" Belle replied.

"You have no other mirrors in the house?"

Belle shook her head solemnly.

"Then I really need to speak with your father." I pressed.

"I'm afraid he won't be back for several hours…" Belle shrugged.

I immediately thought of Joel and regrouping with him at the tavern, but in the same amount of time I could easily catch up with Maurice. After all, he just left and couldn't have gotten far.

"How about this…" Belle started to say, "You go into town and bring back your companion who was with you before and you two can hang out here until Papa returns."

Waiting for Maurice seemed like my best option and besides maybe the magic mirror was close. Gaston was certainly acting like a beast and that's what the mirror described with Belle being a person to tame the beast. However, Gaston was far from tamed. He was a proud, obnoxious man who I had the displeasure of coming in contact with. In the end, I accepted Belle's hospitality. Before I headed out from the cottage, Belle tugged my arm pointing to my backpack on the chair.

"Noella, your bag is talking." Belle pointed out.

"Riley!" I exclaimed running toward my pack and pulling out the walkie-talkie.

It was wonderful hearing my sister's voice again. Belle watched in amazement like anyone else did from this world as I held a conversation with a mysterious voice coming from a tiny little device. I caught her up on everything and she informed me that I had been gone for almost a month. I was curious about the lapse of time between here and there. A month there was probably the equivalent to like three here. Moving through each province has taken more time than originally anticipated and of course delays upon meeting new friends and helping people. I was getting nervous that Riley would have to tell our Uncle the truth about mom and where I was. However, what did that matter? I was already here, so even if he was told there was nothing he could do. I simply told Riley to keep the charade going for as long as she could, but if Uncle Mark found out, he found out. With Riley all updated, I slung the backpack on my shoulders and left telling Belle I was heading into town. The farther I moved into these provinces, the farther away I was beginning to feel from my mom. The mirrors all said she was here, but it just ate at me in thinking that I should have crossed her by now. Where was she and how was I going to find her even with the aid of the mirrors?