Where Is the Light

By Pamela Kay Strong

The story is told by an Earth woman to a young Earth audience of how she met the Light and was told the future happenings on the planet Krieggott.
The Imperial Empress Theresa, the absolute ruler of over three billion people, and almost the entire planet Krieggott, is about to give birth to the Heir Apparent, Her Imperial Highness, the Grand Archduchess Princess Royal Adele Florentia Erny Theresa Zara in 4379, n.A. (nach Ankunft or after arrival). This futuristic biographical historical novel is the story of the young child as she grows up, getting into every possible form of mischief. Initially she is befriended by a Light entity. Her mischievous ways allows her to discover a forbidden room, and experience an unsanctioned bonfire, a hunting accident, visiting her mothers prison system, finding three Arks, along with other escapades endangering her life and health. All these adventures cause her to receive numerous Last Rites by the Kirche, the planet-wide Kirche or Church, at almost every turn. She also saves a treasonous professor and earns six Ph.D.s by almost sixteen years of age. She fights a forbidden duel, puts out a forest fire, solves a possible assassination attempt, founds the Air Force and Space Military Academy, and disobeys an Empress Imperial Order. She finally gets married to have a child, which may cause her death in childbirth.
Enjoy the Holy Light, who is a young Light and an energy entity, with ideas and attributes in a timeline of its own.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Nov 26, 2014
• ISBN: 9781503520004

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Copyright © 2014 by Pamela Kay Strong.

Cover Illustrated by Jamie Vincek.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted

in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system,

without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the

product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance

to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 11/26/2014

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Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgements

Map of Krieggött – Large Continent

Map of Krieggött – Small Continent

News Bulletin

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

List of Characters

List of Locations and Terms

DEDICATION

To my muse and the love of my life!

Ralph

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This is my first attempt in writing for the science fiction genre of futuristic biographical historical novels. I truly am a rocket scientist, and my most sincere hope is that we – humans – return to space to colonize the Moon and Mars. To put all your delicate, perishable, proverbial eggs (mankind) in one basket, Earth, may leave us the legacy of the dinosaurs, with nowhere to go. We are at the mercy of asteroids and global warming. We have missed several epic killer asteroid impact events similar to that of dinosaurs three times within the last two years by as little as one–half the diameter of the Earth. In fact in 2013, over one thousand people were killed in an asteroid collision in Russia. Terraforming Mars is only two hundred fifty years away with our present technology, if wanted or needed. The Moon is but two to three years away from terraforming enough for mining Tritium (the major ingredient needed for fusion energy). The Apollo program found a six–inch thick layer of this deposit on the Moon, a teaspoon full has been made on Earth for millions of dollars. Mining the Moon would pay for the expense of its colonization in less than a year. We, on Earth, could then afford non–polluting fusion energy, thus be oil free, eliminating our dependence of rapidly depleting oil. The remaining oil would be left to make necessary plastics and life saving medicines.

Several people have been highly instrumental in some of the content, typing, proof reading, and editing. All of the mistakes are mine, but I would like to acknowledge their assistance.

First and foremost is my husband, Ralph, who had to hear the whole manuscript, while we were courting, then helped to type it, while I launched rockets. Suzanne and Stuart Berens, both kept ideas flowing and also helped type this book. Jenny Thompson, who made numerous suggestions and kept me on the straight and narrow. Reverend Helen Retana, listened and who helped with some of the religious rites and plots. Richard Thomas, who heard it at dog shows in its entirety – just before he died. Jennika Greer, who typed up a storm: correcting English, editing, and making numerous suggestions to clarify the plot. Barbie Alderfer, heard it several times as she worked and assisted with the typing. She never seemed to be tired of it. Jeffery Jones, who obtained a map of the planet, which I then drew. Karen Andreason, heard the entire book, chapter by chapter on the phone. Marilynn Weaver, helped edit and gave invaluable insights to writing. Patricia Padelford, who helped edit it for English and content. Phyllis Gaylard, made the final edit and helped with the English and technical aspects. Jamie Vincek, a recent Art School graduate as her senior project, illustrated the cover. To the many others that encouraged me, thank you all.

MAP OF KRIEGGÖTT – LARGE CONTINENT

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MAP OF KRIEGGÖTT – SMALL CONTINENT

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NEWS BULLETIN

ASTEROID CRASHES INTO MOON

August 20, 2313 NASA and European Space Agency announced a very large asteroid has crashed into the backside of the Moon causing it to leave its stationary orbit and move closer to Earth. Scientists hope that the Moon’s orbit will soon stabilize, but tides, tsunamis, volcano eruptions, earthquakes and other magma disturbances will be experienced. NASA and European Space Agency suggests all population move to higher ground as soon as possible.

NEWS BULLETIN

THREE MARS ARKS LAUNCHED TODAY

October 17, 2318 NASA and European Space Agency announced the successful launches of the three Arks from the Alps, carrying humans and embryos of Earth’s animal and human life to the almost – finished terraformed planet Mars. Each Ark carried 150 humans in stasis along with as many human embryos of the best of humanity. In addition, they brought animals and embryos enough to restart human civilization on Mars. Also aboard is the sum total of all the libraries and knowledge of Man. They should land on Mars in four years as Mars is currently orbiting as far away from Earth as possible.

NEWS BULLETIN

ATTEMPT TO MOVE MOON BACK INTO OLD ORBIT

May 23, 2319 NASA and European Space Agency announced a joint attempt to move the Moon back into its old orbit in a bid to stop the present magma unrest, which has killed over 5 billion people so far. The attempt will take five years to complete.

Prologue

2014, A.D.

Timeline: 1953–––––––––––––––––—2014

The library reading room for very young children was full. The children were talking loudly to each other, awaiting a story to be read. A mature, stout, white haired lady, holding a book and dressed in black pants with a tee shirt depicting a rocket launching, walked into the room. This caused an air of excitement and anticipation. Last week she had announced to the group she would read to them from her new book. It would be on the life of a Princess from another planet! Now all were awaiting the story and quiet was quickly achieved within the room.

She sat down to total silence and looked around the room to see bright interested faces. She stated with a sincere deep voice, This is my story and it really happened to me. Perhaps you won’t believe it, as the story occurs in the future, but know now I am relying on all of you to help make this future possible.

I was a very young girl about three years old and my mother was very ill, so I had to play inside quietly by myself. I wasn’t allowed to go out and play as my mother could not watch me outside. I taught myself how to read books at a very young age and to be my own playmate. One day when I was pretending to have a playmate, a large bright light appeared in front of me. It wanted to play also, so I included It in the game. Pretty soon It started to tell me stories. Some of the stories were history that had already happened, but I wanted to know future things. It said It would tell me about a family that lived on a near–by planet in the future. It said the story started four thousand seven hundred thirty–eight years in the future. The funny thing about the Light was that It could go backward and forward in time with ease, so when It told the story, it sounded as if the story was happening right now. The Light was warning mankind that man needed to prepare an alternate planet, so when the Earth’s Moon got knocked out of orbit, man would have a place to go. Then she started her story:

* * *

4379, n.A.

Timeline: 4326––––––––—4379–––––––4409

The bouts of screaming continued. They had been unceasing for nigh on five days now. Theresa, the twenty–two–year old Imperial Empress of the Imperial Empire, spanning the only two continents on Krieggött, with over three and a half–billion subjects, was hoarse from screaming, pleading, begging, and then screaming some more. (Only the six Islands with their six Princes and a half–million citizens were not subject to the Imperial whims.) Worried, weary and haggard from the shared ordeal of the impending royal birth, a collection of witnesses comprised of the most powerful men in the Imperial Court. Present were Prince Rudolf, the Imperial Consort and an Imperial Elder, Father Pater, the Imperial Empress’ personal Confessor (representing the Kirche, the country–wide religion), and the two other Imperial Elders, Prince Otto and Prince Karl (supreme interpreters and arbitrators of the law), crowded in the anteroom. They all winced each time she started screaming again. Each of them, especially the Imperial Consort, looked helplessly at the physicians who came in and out of the small stark birthing room containing a single birthing bed. The birthing room’s plain – hardly ornate – gold chandelier of candles was lit, lighting the closed, multi–paned stained–glass windows. The unadorned walls, painted a soothing light–blue, were interrupted by the large fireplace. It was lit to keep the approaching fall winds at bay and to heat the branding iron with a miniature Imperial Insignia that hopefully would soon be put to use.

Finally the Court Physician, Doctor Christoff Kranken, came out to the anteroom. Gray haired with fluffy white temples and bushy white eyebrows, he was of average height and dressed in a formal red ascot tie and matching waistcoat under a crisp, white, lab coat. The anteroom was quite a contrast to the plain light–blue birthing room. The anteroom adorned its drab–gray painted walls with numerous paintings in their large gilded frames. The ceiling was frescoed with cherubs and celestial hunting scenes around an ornate gold chandelier. The deep, thick Steppe carpet was woven with a matching gray and blue color scheme. Numerous over–stuffed plush chairs were sandwiched by ornate end tables or even more ornate bureaus to help decorate the room. In front of the Imperial Consort, Imperial Elders, and Father Pater, Doctor Kranken bowed and gave his pronouncement.

Her Imperial Majesty will be dead within hours unless we can remove the babe. It has been too long – the baby could already be dead. Give me permission to remove the child piecemeal. The mother’s spinal column and tailbone are fused and won’t move out the way for a natural birth. Her heart is not strong enough to survive or tolerate surgery.

A handsome twenty–three–year old, tall, blonde–haired, blue–eyed man of over six–foot–three–inches with broad swimmer’s shoulders, the Imperial Consort, pleaded with the Doctor to save his wife. The Imperial Elders, were both older first cousins remarkably similar in features, with stern, stiff grandfatherly demeanors, startling stocks of white hair, straight noses and commanding blue–eyes. They glanced silently at each other, and nodded gravely and unanimously in agreement. Even the short mousy brown–haired, brown–eyed Father Pater, whose Kirche’s black cassock made him seem taller, nodded in agreement. He had been standing watch these five horrendous days of torture. Doctor Kranken sighed with relief and returned to his patient’s room, allowing the continuous scream to be heard louder when the door was opened. It was slightly more muffled, yet audible, when the door reclosed after Doctor Kranken.

A flurry of nurses and physicians flew out of the birthing room and quickly returned with equipment. They bowed briefly to the Imperial Consort and Imperial Elders as they ran past. They stopped at the door so the two guards could search everyone prior to entry for any concealed babies that could be switched for the true heir.

The Imperial Empress Theresa had been lying there anxiously for days, hoping for the safe delivery of her first child and heir. The pain had started in full force five days ago and had not abated, not even for a minute. At first she tried her best to keep from making a sound, muffling her cries by using the pillow, using her gown, biting her lips, then her tongue. Now, days later, she didn’t care who heard her screams. She just wanted to die, to end the pain – ‘make it STOP!’ During the last hour, or few minutes or has it been forever? Who could know when you have been living in the purgatory of pain. She had also been seeing a light!

She had heard of people about to die seeing a light, which later surrounded them to take them to heaven or into death. She hoped this was that light. The only other light she had heard of was the Holy Light or Heilig Licht, which had been gone since her great–great–grandfather angered It. She didn’t know much about It as there was no one alive who knew It, just stories. All that was known was the Holy Light was an all powerful Light–energy entity, rumored to be able to travel both ways in time and transport people and things. It had been angered, so killed her great–great–grandfather plus one–quarter of his Court, destroyed several cities, and left a hole in a mountain. Stories of the Holy Light had been used for years to frighten the children to be good or give them nightmares in their sleep. Everyone despaired that the Holy Light would never return, but Its previous presence and obvious predisposition towards assisting the Imperial Family had helped to cement an ‘Divine Right’ status to their rule.

Take me to heaven soon, dear light, she pleaded, I can’t take much more. Please, I have tried to be a good Sovereign and I am willing to sacrifice my life for the good of my country to produce an heir. Please, I am ready to go into your light. Please, relieve me of my suffering, but the light only glowed a little brighter, failing to engulf her as she desired.

After all this time and suffering, the physicians were finally beginning to do something to her, down below. Has it only been days, like one of the nurses said? It felt like centuries! What were they doing – it hurt even more. No, it couldn’t be possible to hurt even more!

The Imperial Consort, Imperial Elders, and Father Pater clustered in the anteroom, where they had paced grooves into the thick Steppe carpet while waiting. They didn’t think it could be possible to hear an even louder scream from the throat of the tortured woman in the room. When they heard one that curdled their blood, they rushed into the birthing room. To everyone’s surprise, they witnessed the delivery of a whole baby, not pieces, and heard a live baby’s faint and feeble cry. It was a girl! The mother’s screams had stopped and in their place was silence. Was the Imperial Empress still alive?

Father Pater blessed the baby quickly, sprinkling her with Holy Water and then rushed to the front of the bed to give the Imperial Empress Last Rites, if necessary. He would send word to La Papa Louis, the head of the Kirche, as soon as possible.

The branding iron with the miniature Imperial Insignia had been heating in the fireplace for several hours and was red–hot. The nurse gave the baby to the Imperial Consort Prince Rudolf. His daughter was still a wet black and blue baby with her umbilical cord still attached.

Now to do his lawful duty. He had practiced this grim duty on baby pigs and hoped he wouldn’t embarrass himself, now that the time had come. He wiped off the fluid on the baby’s left arm and grimly placed the glowing brand with its tiny Imperial Crest on the baby’s left arm, as both the Imperial Elders held the squirming slippery baby’s limbs. The baby squawked a tiny yell and passed out – for a moment they feared they had killed her – no, she was still breathing shallowly. The smell of burning flesh was nauseatingly sweet. Now, the Imperial Heir could never be mistaken for another, as she would wear the brand for life.

The Imperial Consort then cut in between the middle of the baby’s doubly tied umbilical cord. The nurses cleaned, bandaged, diapered, and wrapped the baby in blankets and placed her in an incubator and trundled her out of the room, followed by the guards.

Hope began to rekindle.

Doctor Kranken soon appeared in front of the Imperial Consort and the Imperial Elders, but only gave a brief nod instead of the formal bow they were used to experiencing. However their curiosity allowed them to ignore this breach of etiquette. The doctor explained what had happened: I don’t know how the Imperial Empress lived through this, and it will be touch and go for a while, but she is tough and might pull through. We placed high forceps on the child’s head and attached two, five–pound ether cans to each side of the forceps. The child should have come out in pieces, but instead, she finally broke her mother’s spinal tailbone. The apparently–deformed child presented itself as whole. As you saw, there is not one square inch of the babe that isn’t bruised and battered. I can’t even tell if she has a face, she is so swollen. The head has been hammering her mother’s tailbone for days, so I doubt that she will have any useful brain function. We put her into an incubator to isolate her but we will not do anything to assist her. She should be dead sometime tonight. I will fill out the death certificate tomorrow when I return to check on the Imperial Empress. If I were you, I would prepare for a burial tomorrow. It will make it easier on the mother to deal with the death of her child if the burial is already accomplished. It has been a long five days and she will, in all probability, have another healthy baby in a few years – Erdgestalt willing. I am off to bed, as you should be as well, he turned abruptly and walked off.

By this time, the unconscious new mother had been cleaned up and she was being wheeled out of the birthing room on a gurney headed to her bedroom, passing her Imperial Consort, both the bowing Imperial Elders, and a reverent Father Pater all of whom soon dispersed, following Doctor Kranken’s advice to rest. The Imperial Consort, following his wife, collapsed in Theresa’s bedroom, holding her hand, and fell sound asleep in the chair next to her bed.

The new mother awoke sweating from her fitful nightmare of the past week’s pain and her reoccurring actual nightmare about Count Jurgen, the same nightmare she had been having for the past four years. She had been dreaming of her long–dead first love of her life, Count Jurgen von Vandenberg. They had met just before she was to be formally engaged to Prince Rudolf, while she was still the Grand Archduchess Princess Royal.

* * *

4375, n.A.

Timeline: 4326––––––––—4375––––––—4409

She dreamed of how they met. She just had to get away from the Hochburg Castle. It was one of those rare times that she fled her responsibilities, and was dreading her pending arranged marriage. Theresa ran away to the Burgensberg Hunting Lodge, but hadn’t telegraphed ahead. To her surprise, Count Jurgen von Vandenberg was using it also. Like the gentleman he was, he immediately offered to leave. The lodge was so large and she was so embarrassed and angry with herself, she insisted and almost had to order him to stay. They had dinner together. Although he was almost her father’s age, she really enjoyed his company. He had been a widower for at least ten years. He was still a dashing figure, five–foot–nine in height, with an impressive build as he and his son, Hendrick von Vandenberg, enjoyed wrestling – which had helped to give him a well–developed upper body. His face was pleasing and clean shaven except for a hint of a small beard covering only his chin, just starting to be touched by gray. He had light brown hair, almost blonde, but his blue–eyes were so deep, she was almost afraid she would fall in them and drown. He was a jovial man, and so polite and attentive. The local town was having a festival and he suggested they go incognito. He arranged for an outfit for them, hers from one of the maids, and his from a groom, then off they went. She had never had so much fun in her entire life, and no one guessed who she was! The next morning Jurgen accompanied her on a hunt. They lost the pack of hunters in a storm, but found temporary refuge in a deserted cottage. They talked and laughed, and yes, kissed. It was her first real kiss. She was smitten. They had three lovely days together in the lodge, riding, dining, visiting the local villages and farms, they even read books together. They agreed they were in love and wanted to marry. During her last day there he did everything but propose. He couldn’t due to her status. Her father, the Emperor, had to give permission for Jurgen to even inquire. All the way home on the train she rehearsed how she would break the news to her father. She knew the marriage arrangements for her to marry Prince Rudolf were almost done, but she loved Jurgen, and his family was almost as well connected as Prince Rudolf’s, with almost as much land.

As soon as she got home she requested an audience with her father, but he was in conference, mediating a solution to prevent war between two disputing sides on water rights. It wasn’t until late that day she could get an appointment, and even then it was postponed twice, each time for several hours. Just before she was to see her father, a mud–splashed and disheveled messenger, dressed in the livery of Count Jurgen, but wearing a black mourning armband, burst into the Hochburg Castle, demanding an immediate audience with Princess Royal Theresa. The man had been at the Burgensberg Hunting Lodge and recognized the Grand Archduchess. He started giving her condolences as Count Jurgen had gone hunting earlier that day. He had been fatally wounded when his horse threw him in a thicket of sharp branches, one of which pierced him through the heart. The Count had been chasing a buck and not watching the terrain. It was one of the few times the Grand Archduchess fainted. Neither her father nor anyone at Court ever knew how close she had come to not marrying Prince Rudolf. She married the Prince three months later, just after her eighteenth birthday, but it was a least two years before she truly grew to love Rudolf as much as Jurgen. She had been privately mourning Count Jurgen all that time.

* * *

4379, n.A.

Timeline: 4326––––––––—4379–––––––-4409

Now she couldn’t imagine being without Rudolf, the love of her life and father of their new baby, although the nightmare of her lost first love Jurgen’s death still haunted her occasionally.

Still a bit uncomfortable Theresa slowly opened her eyes after her dream to a beautiful sunny morning and took in her familiar bedroom. There were three very ornate gold chandeliers, and the sun shone through the stained glass windows to the crystals. The crystals painted rainbows on the ceiling frescoes of hunting scenes with the unicorn prize slipping away from the hunters and hounds. The room was quiet and the dressing room tidy. Her favorite paintings with their wide gilded frames were displayed on the white walls above the ornately carved mahogany chair–rail with light–blue painted below it. Her anteroom and office had three neat stacks of paper awaiting her approval; nothing seemed out of place.

Theresa felt her abdomen and realized she had delivered her child. She remembered the last thing she heard was a baby’s feeble wail. When she tried to speak, she found she had no voice, not even a croak or whisper. She rang the bedside bell and immediately a nurse appeared. She wanted her baby but the nurse pretended she could not hear or understand her request. The Imperial Empress, an absolute Monarch, was not used to being ignored or disobeyed. After repeated requests, and even writing ‘Baby’ on a scrap of paper, she dismissed the nurse.

Her spacious bedroom felt cozy from the warm fireplace and was devoid of people, though the chair next to the bed looked like it had recently been used. It still contained a disheveled blanket.

Now to the nursery, she thought. Mentally, she was alert and whole, but physically, after five days of hard labor – that was something quite different. She crawled out of bed, only to fall on the floor, cushioned by the thick Steppe carpet, and had no strength except the mental determination to get up. She crawled to the chair, donned a light–blue robe then pulled herself up to her full five–foot–four–inches and clung to the wall like a mountain climber. She had dark blond hair shot through with reddish highlights, which was loosely captured into a waist long braid. Theresa had piercing blue–eyes, a somewhat large and straight nose, moderate lips and a receding chin. She looked outside the room into the long hallway which was unusually deserted. She was heading just two rooms away. It didn’t seem too far but in her condition it seemed like two planets away. She continued leaning against the wall, passed the first doorway, and then approached the second before pandemonium struck. There were nurses, a physician or two, and of course, the three guards just back from their break. Fortunately, someone had the presence of mind to bring a wheelchair. Oh, the comfort and security of a wheelchair! They were going to return her to her bedroom without letting her into the nursery. No way! She grabbed one of the guard’s guns and turned it on them. She shouted, but it came out as a whisper, Take me to my child. I command you. She tried to steadily point the gun at the nurses and physicians, but it trembled in her weakened state.

The large nursery had bright colors and gay animal figures on the walls, with these colors and scenes copied in the gold chandelier. The single crib, reflected in the pink marble floor, was not occupied. It was devoid of a baby, the reason for a nursery. The only person present was the nursery nurse, reading a book at her desk in the far corner of the room. Theresa was shocked. No baby? How is this possible? I heard it cry before I passed out. I know it is alive. I can feel its life’s presence. then she heard a faint whimper coming from the small adjoining turret playroom. Her wheelchair seemed to move on its own over the marble floor leaving the crowd behind. There in the turret playroom, which was small and plain compared to the spacious and elaborate Imperial nursery, was a small incubator pushed against the outside wall. Inside the incubator she saw a filthy blanket, bloody arm bandage, and her blonde haired baby in a dirty diaper. The baby was black and blue, swollen almost beyond recognition as a human, and wheezed with every breath. The blood–encrusted and swollen brand on her arm proclaimed the baby as the Imperial Heir. The Light that Theresa had been seeing throughout her entire ordeal was there enveloping the child and glowing so brightly It hurt her eyes to gaze upon It.

A crowd of people clustered about the Imperial Empress just outside the room, and again they were going to try to pull her away. The Light faded so that it seemed that only she could see It – almost as if hiding Its presence from the crowd, before anyone else entered the room.

She gave a tired shout; more like a croak but it was enough to gain the attention of the crowd. She would be heard and obeyed!

STOP! she croaked. You! she commanded, pointing to the nurse, Gently clean and change my child!

Then she addressed the rest.

All of you should be ashamed to have treated a poor innocent child – a living being – this way! Why? This child is my heir!

Doctor Kranken left strict orders not to touch her and allow her to die, the unabashed nurse replied. He was to fill out the death certificate this morning after checking on you.

Well, my baby is not dead, nor will she be! Clean her, change her, feed her, and give her extra oxygen as she is having trouble breathing. the Imperial Empress ordered. Also, I want every pediatrician in the city here to try and save her life. Now!

Again they tried to take her away, ‘to rest’ but she just glared at them witheringly, and they hastily withdrew. She returned the guard’s gun. She would stay to make sure they carried out her orders. This child would live!

Having been informed as to the commotion and the new mother’s mood, Doctor Kranken soon arrived dressed in a crisp white lab coat over his usual elegant attire.

I see you saw your child. I am surprised she isn’t dead yet. If she dies, it would be for the best since if she lives, well, as your first born it may be used against you. She will never be normal, she will never walk or talk or even know to love you back. She is an imbecile. At best she may develop the intelligence of a six month old. You would have to institutionalize her. What if she was found by opponents to your rule and regency was formed in her name? What of the future children you might have? I was trying to do Your Imperial Majesty a favor by ridding you of this unwanted, unneeded deformed child, he spat out.

She sat up straight and regally as if she had suddenly swallowed a metal rod. You are removed from this case and any future cases of Our House, and, as it is in Our power, you will never practice medicine again anywhere in Our country. You are dismissed.

He left her presence a shaken man, as if his balloon of personality had burst. He was bent as if at least twenty years had been added to his age after that single Imperial pronouncement.

Soon the nursery was filled with other physicians, all in white starched lab coats. All repeated the same verdict as Dr Kranken in one form or another. None were as blunt. However, there was one young intern who remained in the back of the room until his elders departed.

She looked up and saw this last doctor, six–foot in height, with mousy brown hair and intelligent green–eyes and asked that he come up to examine the baby. Unlike the others who had dismissed the child with barely a glance, he, Doctor Edword Ewart, made a long, careful examination of the baby.

I would like to try an experimental procedure of my own design on the baby. It could help. At this point, what do you have to lose? he added. I would not do it, unless you gave me immunity, as it may kill the child, but then again, it might work.

Theresa looked up at the young physician and saw a bright light surrounding his head yet he wasn’t near a window or other source of light. This must be the same bright Light I have seen only twice since my pregnancy, she thought. Perhaps the Holy Light has returned to assist my House once again!

They discussed his procedure at length until they both felt drained and had nothing to do but to try it.

After performing the procedure of removing excess cranial fluid several times, each time with greater success, removing excess spinal fluid several times, and transfusing the child’s blood even more times to remove the toxins, the baby’s bruises began to fade. Her face became more human looking, and, yes, she did have eyes, very intelligent and piercing blue ones that were now looking at the world as if she were an old woman and not a mere infant. The doctor gave orders that the child not be allowed to cry for any length of time, as that may cause seizures due to all the bruising and trauma her brain had suffered during her birth. She was to be a very spoiled and catered–to baby.

After months of her baby being in the care of the new Court Physician, the young mother finally had her baby all to herself in the Hochburg Castle. An Imperial baby who appeared to be an object of secret intense interest to the returned Holy Light.

CHAPTER 1

4382, n.A.

Timeline: 4326––––––––––—4382–––––4409

Her Imperial Highness, the Grand Archduchess Princess Royal Adelé Florentia Erny Theresa Zara had just finished yet another hour of rehabilitation and reprogramming of her nerve and brain centers. Since she was two days old, she underwent excruciating manipulation of her hands, arms, legs and every moving part of her body, for sixteen hours a day. Then there were the constant discussions of history, politics, math, physics and more. Every waking hour of the day, she had audio, visual and physical stimulation to promote the reprogramming of her birth–injured brain. No ‘baby talk’ was allowed in her presence. It had been initially prophesied by the majority of the attending physicians, that she would not ever walk, talk, or even respond, yet something was working. She was a bright, responsive little toddler, developing a little ahead of schedule by walking at nine months and talking at just under a year in almost complete sentences.

Even Adelé’s previously swollen face was beginning to look normal. The swelling and bruising had faded and it was only if you looked closely that you could see that one side of her face still slightly sagged and the corner of her mouth drooped. She walked but still dragged her left foot a bit if she wasn’t concentrating on her gait.

Her daughter’s incredible response was attributed to the present Court Physician, but the Imperial Empress, Theresa, also suspected the Holy Light’s almost continuous presence as a valid contributing factor. The Holy Light, so far, had only shown Its presence to the Imperial Empress and not the Imperial Consort, attending physicians, technicians, or servants. Theresa did not know why the Light was hiding from everyone else but she was not about to anger It, nor reject Its assistance. Perhaps It had plans for her daughter and the Imperial Family would once again be graced with the Holy Light’s help.

Tomorrow was Adelé’s third birthday and she still hadn’t been presented to the people. They knew of her birth and they knew of her existence, but they were beginning to despair of ever getting a true glimpse of the Imperial Heir and future ruler. The Imperial Empress and her husband, the Imperial Consort, kept her isolated and refused to allow access to their daughter until she was ‘normal’ and no longer showed the ill effects of her horrendous birth. The Imperial Empress and Imperial Consort prayed for a miracle and it had been granted. By how much, it was too soon to tell.

The toddler was very spoiled as she had not been allowed to cry since her birth for any reason, to prevent any possibility of her seizing due to all the birth trauma and bruising of her brain. This coddling was to cease, along with all of the rehabilitation and physiotherapy. Education and discipline would prevail to toughen and prepare the child to one day rule the vast Imperial Empire. She would graduate from coddled toddler to Grand Archduchess tomorrow!

Well, her mother thought, there was still one more day she could be spoiled. She picked up the child, who had been wrapped in a huge terry cloth towel just after her bath and rocked her. The mother and father sang a lullaby duet to their child for the last time. The Light looked down from the ornate ceiling, glowing gently, but only visible to the rocking mother. It was a bittersweet time but hopefully would be a memory they could all share fondly. Tomorrow, things would change!

* * *

The next morning was a bright autumn day. Winter would soon be here, but not yet.

The toddler awoke in her crib expecting the usual routine from her nurse, Freda, a short five–foot–two–inch, robust and cuddly, bright red haired, green–eyed woman. But someone different entered the room. A stranger, her new Lady–in–Waiting Baroness von Hoffmann. She was slight – tall, with an unhealthy, yellowish tinge to her skin, dark hair and muddy almond shaped brown–eyes. She was imposing, stiff, and angular. She curtsied and began to dress her in unfamiliar, scratchy, and stiffly–starched clothes, without explanation. This stranger even combed Adelé’s hair and pulled through the tangles, from sleeping. Adelé was NOT pleased and so she yelled for her to stop but for the first time in her life was not immediately given her way!

All the while her new Lady–in–Waiting and attendants ignored the wailing that was increasing in volume and soon crested to a banshee pitch as her screams begat screams that echoed through the Hochburg Castle corridors.

A short but regal figure walked into the room, which was still decorated with nursery rhyme scenes. The hysterical toddler had thrown clothes and toys all over the floor while several maids in residence stood around the room against the walls wringing their hands.

There would never be a doubt as to who was in charge of a room.

Silence, her mother commanded quietly but firmly. Everyone looked up at the Imperial Empress and quiet prevailed, except for an occasional residual hiccup from the toddler.

This is a disgrace, she said turning to the trio of maids. Clean up this mess immediately.

Then raising her eyebrows up to her hairline she addressed a question to the new Lady–in–Waiting, Didn’t you already have children this age and did you not state that you cared for them? If you are so experienced in child rearing, why have you allowed my daughter’s screaming?

The Baroness von Hoffmann, would have given the Imperial Empress a deep curtsy, but she was holding the toddler and couldn’t move. She responded in most humble tones. Yes, Your Imperial Majesty, I raised two little ones – a boy and a girl – but I never had them respond this way.

Up until this point, the toddler’s hiccups had stopped her from contributing anything and Adelé had taken the time to watch, listen, and evaluate the situation. Now she wanted attention and she wanted Freda, her favorite nurse and nanny. Freda made her laugh and made dressing a game. Freda let her choose what to wear and combed her hair without pulling, even though it was always tangled after waking in the morning. Freda didn’t come this morning and instead, this old stranger, who just pulled her hair and insisted she wear a strange stiffly–starched dress, came instead. Where is Freda? I want Freda! Adelé said in a heart–wrenching plea. Please, mama. Please!

Theresa thought for a moment and remembered her third birthday, how she had pleaded for her nurse and nanny, Brünhilda, and how had she missed her. Her former nurse still served as her dresser and a trusted confident. It took the then–Princess Royal Theresa until she had control of her own household at sixteen to find Brünhilda again. Theresa had sent the Secret Service out with a mission and they did not fail. The reunion of the Princess Royal and her former nurse had been a joyous one!

My short, dumpy, red–haired Brünhilda! Theresa thought. I still feel comfort in her arms and when I am worried, or sick, or angry, she is always there to comfort me. I never knew my mother, she died when I was born. Perhaps this is another thirteen–year mistake in the making. Maybe I should relent and bring back Nurse Freda to serve Adelé beside the Lady–in–Waiting, Baroness von Hoffmann. Why did I pick her, except for politics? There is nothing soft or cuddly about her. I, too, would be afraid of her. I do not want to let this three–year old win, but I remember the needless pain, and the sleepless nights, crying in my pillow.

Send for Freda! the Imperial Empress ordered one of the attendants before turning back to her daughter. You are three years old and no longer a baby. You are an Imperial Grand Archduchess. You will be presented at Court today and must behave or I will banish Freda from you, forever – do you understand? Behave as your station demands!

Adelé reacted neither with alarm nor gratitude but instead thought a minute and responded ticking off rules she had learned previously in a very adult manner.

Yes, mama, and I am supposed to no longer address you as ‘mama’ but as ‘Imperial Empress’ or ‘Your Imperial Majesty’. I am no longer to sleep in a crib but a ‘grown–up’ bed. I am no longer to wear diapers but be a ‘big girl’ and wear proper clothes. Freda told me all this. But I am afraid I will make a mistake and not make you proud of me without Freda.

That lady, continued Adelé pointing to the new Lady–in–Waiting, pulls my hair when she combs and does not explain what is happening or why, and dresses me in clothes I have never worn before. I don’t like her!

Freda rushed into the room for a tearful reunion of child and nurse. The Light glowed brightly around Freda, but did not include the Lady–in–Waiting, Baroness von Hoffmann. The Light appeared to still be hiding Its presence from all but Theresa.

After a brief greeting with Freda, Adelé took a deep breath and looked her mother in the eyes. I am a Grand Archduchess Princess Royal and I will pick my own Lady–in–Waiting from the Court as I am presented today.

This was the longest the child had ever spoken and the first time she had openly defied her mother. It took Theresa aback and the thought that ran through her head was, Shall I subject her to heartbreak this young? Is the Light really showing Its approval of Freda and not von Hoffmann?

The room was so silent a dropped pin could have been heard, but eventually the Imperial Empress replied, I shall see who you choose and then I will make my decision. she dismissed von Hoffmann with a wave of her hand.

The Baroness von Hoffmann was aghast but did obeisance to both as she meekly left the room.

Quiet reigned supreme in the Hochburg Castle and Theresa left the nursery.

Later that morning the Imperial Empress Theresa, Imperial Consort Prince Rudolf, and Grand Archduchess Adelé, all dressed in Court finery, walked down the pink marble center aisle, lined with gaily dressed courtiers. The aisle in the cavernous Throne Room had been opened for them by reverently–bowing courtiers, looking like a technicolor field of blooming flowers. The room was decorated with numerous paintings in their gilded wide frames two and three rows high on a light–blue background. Frescos on the ceiling were pierced with twelve huge, ornate gold and crystal chandeliers. The Imperial Empress and Imperial Consort, as usual, looked straight ahead to the end of the procession towards where an Imperial purple drape backdrop highlighted the ornate, claw footed, double–headed eagle–backed thrones. The child, in her light–blue stiffly–starched dress with its diagonal sash of Imperial purple bordered with white, looked around carefully as she walked to the thrones, searching for her new Lady–in–Waiting. They reached the thrones and a smaller duplicate ornate chair was on the Imperial Empress’ right. As if she had practiced, the child peeled off from her parents to stand before it.

The Imperial Empress approached her throne and seated herself, then the Imperial Consort sat, and then, as if on cue, the child sat, too. The Court broke out in spontaneous applause for the new Grand Archduchess Princess Royal’s first Court appearance. The hours dragged on as each official was introduced to the Grand Archduchess, as well as all the members of the Court. Freda had snuck into the back of the room and positioned herself against that back wall, so that ‘her Adelé’ could still see her. When the child started to fidget, Freda would shake her head slightly and the child would quiet. Four hours later the presentation was finished. The Imperial Empress, Imperial Consort and Grand Archduchess made their regal exit and repaired to Theresa’s drawing room. It was a much smaller room with only one ornate chandelier and two windows decorated with a colorful and detailed stained glass hunting scene. The room had thick Steppe rugs and a heavy hardwood table surrounded by comfortable upholstered chairs.

Well, you met the entire Court. Whom did you pick to be your Lady–in–Waiting? Theresa inquired.

The child looked as if she was pondering the question so intently that her mother laughed, Couldn’t quite make up your mind, ‘Little One’?

No, mama, I made up my mind, but I met so many people that I forgot her name! I know what she was wearing, though. She is young and tall with the most beautiful striking green eyes full of laughter, blonde hair up in a bun and had a green stone necklace with lots of gold. I think her name began in a ‘J’. She was wearing a pale green dress with long sleeves and she had the most beautiful smile. The man with her was very old. He was white–haired, blue–eyed, a bit pompous, with a big royal–blue sash. The man was very stiff and formal and he didn’t smile. Adelé flounced unhappily, mad at herself for forgetting the name.

Theresa thought for a moment and replied, I think you are describing Prince Otto, an Imperial Elder, and his granddaughter and ward, the Countess Josphiné von Holstein. Josphiné is Prince Otto’s only heir. I will invite her to tea this afternoon after your nap.

Tea that afternoon was very animated, as it was, indeed, Countess Josphiné von Holstein the child had seen and picked. They got along famously and because the Light had appeared behind Josphiné’s head, the Imperial Empress relented and appointed Countess Josphiné as her daughter’s Lady–in–Waiting. Never again would the Imperial Empress make a heavy decision concerning her daughter without first investigating what the Light may want, and discussing it with her daughter.

CHAPTER 2

4384, n.A.

Timeline: 4326––––––––––—4384–––––4409

Adelé’s birthday was today, but the stables, with over one hundred stalls, were still off limits to her. She wanted to go down to see if there was a new pony for her.

The Grand Archduchess was five years old today and had been campaigning for at least the last four months for a pony of her very own. She wanted to be royally mounted to help review the troops just like mama and daddy. Adelé didn’t want to be left behind on the balcony with Freda to watch over her. She wanted to join in on the fun. At least, it looked like fun. You dress up in uniform and salute the troops and, best of all, they salute you back!

The stables had been very busy the last week or so. The Master–of–the–Horse, Boris, was rugged, of medium height, and dark–brown hair. He was a true man from the Steppes, but with unusual violet–eyes. At the present time he didn’t have any time to talk to her or even Freda! When he played with Adelé, he would sometimes throw her up and catch her then bury his full, drooping mustache in her neck – that was fun! Now he seemed out of sorts and wouldn’t take the time to talk to them. Adelé wasn’t sure but when she and Freda went to see him, he usually perked up. She was beginning to think he was happier to see Freda than her.

She had caught Freda silently crying in the closet yesterday. She had asked Freda who had hurt her, as she was going to avenge the slight. After all, she was the Grand Archduchess and, unless it was mama, she would put the fear of the Imperial House into whoever had hurt her Freda!

Freda stated, No, ‘Little One’, no one has hurt me, and it was my fault for misunderstanding.

I don’t understand, Adelé questioned. Someone made you cry and they must pay for it. Please tell me what is wrong and I will order them to right it. She then added in a whisper, I love you almost more than mama.

Freda dried her eyes and smiled. She was so proud of her little Adelé.

All is well, and your love has made it all better! She purported and dropped the subject but Adelé continued on her mission to find the offending party.

Maybe Freda had cried because Boris was busy and preoccupied, she thought. Well, he did have to make sure all the horses were washed and pretty for today’s parade! Maybe Boris will be in a better mood after the parade and he will smile again at Freda and me.

Meanwhile Freda picked out a beautiful light–blue dress, trimmed in delicate pink lace for Adelé to wear to watch the parade that was to be held in her honor. She said that Adelé had to hurry as the Imperial Empress and Consort wanted her downstairs early. Adelé hoped she would get a birthday present early and not have to wait until dinner. Maybe Josphiné would know! Her Lady–in–Waiting hadn’t been upstairs yet today. That was unusual for her. Josphiné was getting ready to be married soon, so maybe didn’t have time for Adelé anymore? Josphiné was the Imperial Elder Prince Otto’s only heir. She would be married, per the wishes of both Imperial Elders Prince Otto and Prince Karl plus the Crown, to Count Hendrick. The groom, Count Hendrick was the late Count Jurgen’s first born and heir. The late Count Jurgen, the Imperial Empress Theresa’s lost love, was the Imperial Elder Prince Karl’s eldest child, hence Count Hendrick was the grandson of Prince Karl and his heir. Hopefully this union would produce a child, so when these two Imperial Elders die, it would inherit both titles and both sets of lands making it one of the wealthiest members of the Court. This child would own almost more land than the Crown. Josphiné said Adelé would be in the wedding party as the only flower girl. Adelé hadn’t confided in her that she was afraid that, when Josphiné got married, she wouldn’t have time for Adelé, and might move away with her new husband.

Daddy figured out why Adelé was so worried. Yesterday he came up and let Adelé sit on his lap, a very rare thing now that she was grown up five–year old. He explained that Josphiné’s new husband, Hendrick, would live in the Hochburg Castle as one of his Men–of–the–Bedchamber and an Imperial Groom. Adelé didn’t have to worry about Josphiné moving away! She was very relieved.

Adelé was finally ready and dressed in her new finery. She almost ran down the stairs, but then remembered she was a Grand Archduchess – they didn’t run.

The Imperial Empress and Consort were at the bottom of the stairs, observing their daughter. Both almost laughed out loud, but instead smiled fondly, as they watched her remember her station and not rush down the stairs. The Grand Archduchess was such a mature five–year old.

Come, Adelé, prompted her proud mother. We have something to show you.

Adelé was quivering with anticipation as the three of them walked closer and closer to the stables. They were actually going into the stables! Adelé had never seen the Imperial Empress go into the stables, as her horse had always been ready for her in the castle’s courtyard! Could it be? Will I get a pony after all? she wondered to herself, if her fondest wish were to come true. Adelé had been to the stables quite often with Freda to feed the horses carrots, apples, and sugar cubes. She especially fed one horse, Tribute. He had been the Imperial Empress’ horse growing up. The Steppe people had presented it to Princess Royal Theresa as thanks for her help in resolving a long–standing dispute with a neighboring Clan. Until Adelé, no one but the Imperial Empress and the Master–of–the–Horse had ever been able to get close to him. But for some unknown reason, perhaps all the treats the child had given him, he liked Adelé. If she ever forgot to bring a treat, he imploringly nudged her. He also ‘talked’ to her and they would stand for hours conversing