16. On an Eight Reindeer Open Sleigh

Chapter 16

On an Eight Reindeer Open Sleigh

A lice floated up to the roof of her purple and black house on top of Guinevere. The snow crunched beneath her black, thick-soled boots as she marched toward Santa's awaiting sleigh. Red with curly stripes of gold and silver decorated the sleigh. Brass fixtures adorned the ends of rounded points. Exquisite and expertly crafted; one would not expect anything less from the master craftsman.

The eight reindeer huffed and snorted as Alice walked past with her broomstick clutched in one hand and her black satchel in the other. She smiled and winked as she passed. Their bridles and reins with their names engraved on brass plates were secured to the supple brown leather straps. Silver bells hung off their sides.

"So the hourglass is how you do it?" Oliver asked, leaning over the front bench seat from the back seat.

"I can slow down time to a standstill. It's what allows me to move all throughout the world in a single night," Santa answered. "Of all of my Christmas magick, time is what I master the best."

Oliver let out a low whistle as he sat back in his seat. The benches were spared no lack of detail. Brown, supple leather with indents like a Chesterfield sofa. They were so soft it was like sitting on a cushion of air.

Alice approached the sleigh and handed the broomstick to Ez before joining the rest of Santa's crew. She took her seat next to the jolly man himself, flinging her bag on her lap. Alice gave a quick glance and a subtle nod toward Santa.

"What did you get?" Ez asked.

"A few potions I had left. A couple bottles of Drink Me Juice in case I need it. It helped against the Savinos," Alice answered.

"You can never be too cautious," Carol said.

"Alright. Everyone, hold on tight," Santa said. With a flick of his wrist, the reindeer bucked, and the sleigh took off into the night with the bells of the reindeer jingling for all to hear.

Alice had used her magick to darken the area around her roof from prying eyes. The cloud covered sky and moonless night also provided the best cover for their clandestine deeds. While their trip from the North Pole flew by in a streak of flashes, Santa took his time flying through the town of Newbury Grove—a view Alice very much enjoyed, especially with Hugo tagging along on their broomstick adventures. Her heart fluttered with anticipation and excitement.

"The town definitely looks different from up here," Carol said.

"We could sell tickets," Oliver added.

Carol shot him a discerning glance. Max sat between the two. Her tongue wagged into the air as they flew through the sky.

"What?" Oliver asked. "I said could not should ."

"Ho, ho, ho," Santa belted out in a joyful tone. "Maybe we should."

"See?" Oliver said. "He agrees with me."

"You sit back and enjoy the ride," Carol said. "And Santa, don't encourage him."

The sleigh flew over the town center and out toward Wildgrove Park. The roads were dark and empty, but Santa reached for the hourglass. He twisted the ring higher to slow time. The surroundings flew by in a flash to hide from prying eyes. The sleigh descended and banked into the opening pathway of Wildgrove Park.

He expertly navigated the winding path, no small feat for a large sleigh pulled by eight reindeer. The pathway was dark, but the reindeer knew where to go. They navigated easily, dodging the occasional errant branch. The sleigh came within inches of touching the ground, but in the hands of an expert, it was no cause for concern.

"It's right up there," Alice said, pointing to the curve in the pathway. "Right past the curve."

"Whoa!" Santa yelled as he pulled back on the reins. "Whoa."

The sleigh glided to a stop in mid-air before gently touching down onto the ground. Off to their side was the opening to an alcove. The same alcove where Hugo had proposed to Elizabeth many years ago. The same alcove where Alice and Hugo had their playful banter a few months before.

‘You're telling me that . . . that tree back there is a fairy tree? ' Hugo's words remained fresh in her mind.

She fixated her eyes into the darkened space. Her heart skipped a beat. She held her breath. They were close. They were closer than ever to bringing Hugo home.

"Is that it?" Santa pointed to the alcove opening.

Alice sprung to her feet, swinging the black satchel behind her. "It is. Thank you, Nick. You don't know how much this means to me."

"Anytime, my dear. It's Christmas. It's what I do," he replied.

One by one, they filed out of the sleigh. A sharp breeze passed through the pathway. Carol pulled tightly on her winter coat.

"Santa, it's been a pleasure," Oliver said. He pulled out a business card and handed it to him. "If you're ever in town, feel free to stop by Raskin's Neighborhood Market. We have the finest?—"

"The finest selection of wine in the state. How do you know I haven't already been?" Santa asked with a wink as he took the card.

"Nick, as always, it's a pleasure," Ez said as she released Guinevere. "I look forward to seeing you two soon."

"We'll be there. Hopefully celebrating your success," he said. "Oh, Alice . . ."

"Yeah, Nick?"

"Tell the Oaken King he's welcome to visit any time. It's time to mend fences. After all, it's Christmas." Santa grabbed the reins, and with a snap of his wrists, he flew away in a flash.

"No one is going to believe this," Oliver said.

Max pulled on her leash, recognizing the pathway and wanting to continue a journey she and Hugo had taken many times.

Alice took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. A crisp wind picked up. The darkness of the alcove held its secrets. The trees thrashed back and forth in the December wind, their branches clacking against each other. A shiver ran up Alice's back. She tugged at the lapel of her black modern Victorian tailcoat.

"Did it get colder?" Carol asked as she buried her hands in the pockets of her winter coat.

"It did. Something is trying to keep us away," Ez said.

"Gwennie," Alice said. "Come here."

The ash tree broomstick floated closer. With a snap of her finger, a light illuminated from the end of the broomstick.

"This should help," Alice added. "Follow me and watch your step. We don't need any twisted ankles."

She proceeded into the alcove with her broomstick lighting the way. One by one, they followed the same safe path. The fallen leaves mixed with snow crunched under their feet. Off in the distance, an owl hooted. With each step, the hairs on Alice's arms stood. Her heart beat against her chest, its thump growing more intense with every step toward the tree.

A solitary ash tree, the founder's tree, stood in the center of the alcove as if all other trees around it shied away from the ancient tree. It was cracked and gnarled, weathered with age, but it still gave a strong appearance. The tree was much older than those around it. It stood strong against the dark of night. Stones gathered at its base, forming a ring around the tree. A solitary green leaf still held onto a branch. It had all the markings of a fairy tree. Hopefully, it was still active.

"So, what do we do?" Oliver asked.

Alice approached the tree. Max barked, wanting to join Alice, but Oliver held her back. Alice placed a hand on the trunk. Her fingertips nestled into the cracked grooves.

"I call on the Oaken King to allow us to pass into his fairy kingdom," Alice proclaimed.

There was only the sound of the breeze and crackling tree branches.

Alice gulped. Her eyes fixated on the ash tree. She repositioned her hand and placed the other on the tree. She widened her stance.

"I, Alice Primrose, the Neighborhood Witch of Newbury Grove, daughter of Rowena, granddaughter of Beatrice, great-granddaughter of Hazel, and great-great granddaughter of Layla request an audience with the illustrious Oaken King, so I may seek passage within his realm," she spoke to the tree in a soft yet commanding voice.

The wind picked up. Alice's eyes darted around the alcove, searching for signs of movement. Her finger tips tightened into the fissures of the tree bark. The wind swept the thin layer of snow on the ground. The leaves bustled and swirled in the air. Oliver and Carol hugged each other. Esmerelda held firm, her eyes on Alice and the tree.

Small and large mushrooms popped up from the ground one by one. They sprung from the frozen dirt to create a ring surrounding the alcove. They nearly completed the circle when the mushrooms stopped. The mushrooms reversed course, and one by one, they retreated into the ground.

"No. No. NO!" Alice shouted. She pounded her palms against the tree. "We've come so far. Please. Please let us pass through."

As quickly as the mushrooms had appeared, they were gone.

"Please," Alice pleaded. Tears formed in her eyes. She leaned forward, touching her head to the ash tree trunk. "Please. You're our only hope."

"We tried, kiddo," Ez said as she approached, wrapping her arm around Alice. "It wasn't meant to be. We'll have to find another way."

Alice turned toward Ez. Her eyes welled with tears. Two streaks formed a dripping river as they fell down her cheeks. "I can't give up now. Not now. Not when we're this close."

She pulled out the sprig of holly from her coat pocket. With it in her palm, she slammed it against the ash tree. "I have a peace offering from Nicholas Claus, the Winter King. Will you grant us an audience?"

The wind picked up, but the mushrooms didn't appear.

"I also come bearing gifts, offerings to the Oaken King," Alice added.

Still nothing.

Alice leaned her head against the tree. In a low whisper, she said, "Please. All I ask is for an audience. You don't have to agree to anything. I only need you to listen. Please. I'm desperate."

Guinevere floated toward the tree. The broomstick touched the end of her broom handle to the old tree. Alice lifted her head, startled by the actions of her companion. The ash handled broomstick held there for a moment and then reared back. The echo of wood against wood rang off the trees in the alcove as it knocked against the ash tree. It did it twice more, each knock echoing through Wildgrove Park.

The wind picked up again. The leaves bustled into the air. The mushrooms sprung up from the ground, completing their circle around the tree and Alice's mini coven. Max whined and moved as close as possible to the Raskins. They held each other tightly.

"I think you got their attention now," Ez said, holding tight to her overcoat. "I hope for our sake you're right on this one."

A light formed at the base of the tree. It cascaded outward in a ball and engulfed everyone in a blinding white light, transporting them away from the cold, dark December night.