Chapter 27: Ring Out the Bells

[Surprised_by_Witches]

Once there was a town that stepped backwards in time.

Among the many things that were changing in Veronaville was the system of communication. Although Stratford still had electricity thanks to the hydroelectric plant, the Internet and cell phones were proving to be only sporadically reliable due to the aura of fairy magic on both sides of the river. And so the prince decided to reinstate a nearly forgotten tradition of ringing the bells for significant events in the town, whether good or bad. The old music was dug out and new trainees were busy decoding the complicated systems of alarms, with some new twists. Earlier citizens of the twin cities had not had to deal with such things as vampire attack, or fairies, or--if the rumors were true--trolls.

Despite his earlier intention to use it merely as a meeting hall for the town, the prince moved his extended family, which now included his in-laws and their three sons who were still at home, into the newly built palace. The building was beautiful and functional at the same time, with a huge auditorium for cultural events and town meetings, a dining hall big enough to host a party for the entire town, and a walled courtyard where the town's children were able to play safely, watched over by the palace guard. In a crisis, the building could house the entire population of Stratford, though quarters would be tight.

Some hardy citizens, Richard Capp among them, had refused to leave the forest of Veronaville, but now most resided on the Stratford side of the river. Rumors had it the mountains belonged to vampires, and witches, and other creatures as well. Some hysterical citizens had claimed to see a dragon, huge as a 747, flying over town late at night.

Things were changing, and people were fearful, but there was a difference. Perhaps the citizens of Veronaville had seen so much change that it was becoming the norm. Logan wasn't sure. But there was a new attitude in the air, a can-do spirit. People were working together. With the lack of television and reliable remote communications, people were getting to know their neighbors better, hosting parties, organizing community gardens, opening their minds to new ways of being. Witches, for one, were suddenly seen as an asset, and there had been very little backlash about Logan's decision to make Declan Patrick a knight. He might be a vampire, but he was on their side.

And so Veronaville took a step backward in time but a step forward as a community. Logan thought it was a good trade.

And his sense of optimism was only increased by the fact that the first occasion on which the bells were rung was not one of danger, or warning, but of joy at the birth of a child.

His child. His third daughter, Princess Larkin of Veronaville.

[Lynet]

Congratulations!

[Surprised_by_Witches]

I cannot wait to introduce you to her! She's become a favorite of mine.