by Kit Berry
She turned and looked at him but he stared ahead, gazing at the white velvety roses.
‘I don’t understand, Professor. What should I be on my guard against?’
‘I’m afraid I don’t know. I wish I could help you but, sadly, I shall soon be leaving to return to Oxford. Lammas approaches and afterwards I shall have outstayed my welcome for another year.’
He glanced at her pale face for a moment, entirely in keeping in this hidden sanctuary of white petals and fragrance.
‘But … Sylvie my dear, there is something in the air. I can feel it. And I know Sol of old.’
‘Has he ever done anything to you?’
The old man shook his head, refusing to be drawn.
‘That’s all in the past now. But I watched him grow up. I saw him as a boy and then as an adolescent. He was … powerful, even then. He’s always enjoyed exercising control and making others obey him, but when he was younger he was far less subtle about it. His father, my half-brother, was a nasty piece of work. Hardly a good role model for a young boy growing up and in need of guidance. Especially a motherless boy lacking any gentle, maternal influence or affection.’
‘But Clip isn’t like that, is he? He’s always struck me as being far softer and kinder than Magus.’
‘That’s true. They do have different fathers, remember. Clip’s father Basil was hardly a good man but he seemed almost an angel compared to Elm. Both of them, Clip and Sol, take after their fathers. Clip means well and he isn’t a bad chap, but he’s weak-willed and easily led astray. Whereas Sol … he’s single-minded to the point of being obsessive, utterly ruthless – some would even say sadistic – in his determination to dominate. Sol has always had Clip under control. Clip jumps when he’s told to jump and he’s struggled to maintain any independence. I think it’s why he goes away so much; to try to establish some sort of autonomy. But I’ve said more than enough, my dear. I’m very grateful to Sol for allowing me to return each summer. I don’t wish to sound disloyal – I only meant to remind you to be aware of hidden … dangers, shall we say?’
‘But it isn’t disloyal to speak your mind, surely? After all, this was your home, it’s where you grew up,’ said Sylvie. ‘You shouldn’t have to feel grateful for being allowed to visit. Magus had no right to send you away in the first place. He’s not even the owner, is he?’
‘The estate belongs to Clip. Although it will be Sol’s one day, I imagine. Clip has no children and is unlikely ever to.’
‘Why not?’
Siskin raised his eyebrows delicately.
‘I gather it wasn’t originally from disinclination. But Sol discovered a weakness … how can I put this? … an insecurity in Clip and he exploited it, teasing and humiliating his brother until Clip found himself incapable of any act of passion. Completely impotent, it was always rumoured. And now of course Clip is the shaman, who must lead a celibate life if he wants to keep his powers strong. Clip was one of Sol’s earliest victims of control and he’s never managed to break free.’
‘Yet Magus can be so kind too.’
‘Oh yes, and that is part of his strength. He excites loyalty and devotion, even slavish obedience. The vast majority of people here are only too happy to serve him, anxious for his praise and approbation. It’s not until you defy him that you come up against his steel. And then Goddess help you if you don’t submit to him. He’s not one to tolerate being crossed, or to ever accept second place. Ruthless doesn’t even begin to describe him.’
He stood up slowly, leaning on his silver-topped stick.
‘Just be careful, as I said, my dear Sylvie. Moongaziness is not necessarily a blessing.’
She nodded, aware of the heaviness still pressing down on her.
‘I will be careful, Professor Siskin. But I feel I’m in a thick fog. I have no idea what’s out there waiting for me.’
He looked down at her, his pale-blue eyes kind, and patted her shoulder.
‘Maybe that’s just as well, my dear.’
The day of the full moon dawned bright and clear. Yul sat crossed legged on the Altar Stone in the Circle facing the rising sun. As the golden disc cleared the tops of the standing stones and the shimmering warmth fell on him, he breathed deeply. He felt the now familiar surge of force flowing up through the stone into his body and tingled with the power; alchemy of earth magic and sun energy. The ancestors had known where to place their stones, how to mark the points where the dragon lines in the earth surfaced. They knew the places where the fecundity of the Earth Goddess rose up to meet the inseminating power of the sun. But it took a special conduit to make the magic happen; someone with the ability to channel the energy, to transform it within themselves. A magus, a wise one, a magician. Very few had these alchemic, transformative powers. Yul was one of the few.
He stayed there for some time in silent meditation, praying to the Earth Goddess that all would be well for Sylvie tonight. The sky turned from pink to blue and the sun rose higher. Yul opened his eyes and sprang lightly from the stone. Back home for breakfast, then off to work in the woodland. He’d wait for Sylvie tonight in the woods, but in his heart he knew that she wouldn’t come to join him. Something had happened to her. Somehow she’d changed and now felt an allegiance to Magus. Why did she want to go to Mooncliffe with him rather than dance at Hare Stone where she belonged? Yul had felt a deep sadness fill his soul of late. Sylvie was slipping away from him and he didn’t know how to get her back.
After the solstice Yul had thought that the world would be his. But apart from Alwyn’s demise and his own growing strength, nothing else had changed. Magus was still in power. Sylvie was still out of his league. He was still a Villager in a society where that was not a desirable thing to be. Yul swore vehemently and ran as hard as he could back to his cottage.
Later that morning Magus called Miranda into his office. He was pleased with their new living arrangements. He now had Sylvie in the Hall close at hand so he could keep an eye on her. The fact that she was in a room with outside access was no accident, for he wanted to be able to get her in and out of the building every full moon without Miranda prying.
He’d organised the pieces of rock, taken from the great snake-carved stone overlooking the quarry, to be smoothed into egg shapes at the stone-carvers’ workshop in the Village. These stone eggs were now ready up at Mooncliffe in a great sea chest. There were twenty-eight of them, one for each day of the month. Magus had no idea whether his plan would work; whether they’d hold the moon energy in the same way the great moon stone did. He’d had the rock analysed. The round stone at Mooncliffe and the tall stone overlooking the quarry were indeed identical, and were a very unusual form of oolithic limestone. The geologist who’d undertaken the analysis of the samples had been excited and had asked to visit the site to investigate further. Magus had refused, for he didn’t want anyone snooping around. And particularly not near the quarry where the gang of immigrant workers were still tearing stone from the earth, working in conditions that didn’t comply with any Health and Safety Act.
‘Come and have a word in my office,’ he said casually to Miranda, when he’d located her in one of the school rooms. Although the students didn’t have a complete summer holiday there were fewer lessons at this time of year, with emphasis on personal study and coursework. Magus led Miranda into the wing overlooking the sunken white garden. She’d never visited this part of the Hall before and looked around with interest. She was impressed by the sheer size of his office and the old books and paintings that mingled with the very expensive, up-to-date-looking bank of computers.
She sat down on one of the leather sofas and Magus sat back on the other, surveying her. Pregnancy suited her; she was soft and curvy, her eyes bright. He smiled at her, noting her eagerness and thrill at being summoned to his presence. He found the energising effect of the moon stone had gradually worn off during the month, but when he looked at the woman before him he felt a surge of power. Miranda was completely in his thrall and would do wh
atever he asked of her. The baby growing inside her was his and would make her even more dependent on him. And maybe this baby would be as special as Sylvie. Next week, once this Moon Fullness and Lammas were over, he’d get to work on Miranda and find out exactly who Sylvie’s father was.
And Sylvie herself – she’d knuckled down since the Summer Solstice. He remembered her arguing with him when Yul was at Quarrycleave, challenging him and disobeying him by bringing the boy back to the Village. He’d watched Sylvie this morning and couldn’t imagine her ever standing up to him now. She was so quiet, her silver hair falling over her shoulders like a curtain that shielded her from the world. She looked delicate and meek, not strong at all. He knew that with a little help from Clip she’d obey him without question. Thinking of her now, and looking at her mother sitting before him, Magus felt that familiar melting sensation in his abdomen. He was in absolute control. Even that thorn in his flesh, Yul, seemed to have faded into the background. He was sure that Sylvie hadn’t been seeing the boy. He smiled warmly; everything was working out perfectly to plan.
‘Have you settled into your new accommodation?’
‘Oh yes thank you, Magus. It’s lovely. And wonderful to be here in the Hall, close to you.’
‘Good. I knew you’d like that suite of rooms.’
‘I was hoping you’d have visited me by now,’ Miranda said diffidently. ‘The four-poster bed is so—’
‘Sorry, Miranda, you know I would love nothing better, but I’m very busy at present. In fact I have a call due any minute, and I just wanted to have a quick word about tonight. You know, the Moon Fullness.’
‘Oh, that’s tonight? I lose track.’
‘Remember I said I wanted to keep an eye on Sylvie? I need to make sure she’s not attempting to meet that boy.’
‘I’m sure she wouldn’t do that. She’s changed recently. She’s lost some weight, which is worrying, and she isn’t herself. She’s so docile and passive at the moment.’
‘That’s a good thing. She was becoming rude and defiant and I won’t stand for that. As for her weight – well it’s up to you to make sure she eats properly and rests. I won’t be pleased if I find she’s becoming weak again. Not after I’ve made such an effort to restore her health.’
‘No, of course not. I’ll keep a close eye on what she eats, I promise.’
‘Good. Now, I shall take care of her this evening at the moon rise. I want to observe her again. Her apparent lunacy is rather worrying and I need to see exactly how the moon affects her. She’s clearly distressed and psychologically disturbed when the full moon rises. I intend to care for her personally each month so you don’t have to worry about her. All you need to do is make sure she eats, sleeps and generally stays healthy. Is that clear?’
Miranda gazed at him, loving everything about him. Magus really was the perfect man, strong and in control, and she was so lucky. She was sure that as the baby grew, their relationship would strengthen. Maybe one day he’d want to make a commitment to her and the child, if she could just keep him happy in the meantime. She knew he found her attractive and it was good of him to take such an interest in Sylvie and her problems; not many men would be so caring. She smiled at him and moved her head slightly, so her glossy auburn hair rippled over her breasts in a silky swathe. She leaned forward and looked deep into his dark eyes, willing him to love her as she loved him.
‘It’s really kind of you, Magus. I used to worry terribly about her behaviour during the full moon. She was so wild and strange. Thank you for taking this on. When we were in London I thought she was actually going mad, losing her mind. Will you keep her in the hospital wing under sedation or what?’
‘No, no, I’ll take her out in the open and watch her, as I did last month.’
Miranda frowned.
‘What – let her free? Is it safe? I don’t know about this dancing business. Are you sure it won’t harm her? I remember how exhausted she was last time.’
Magus sighed, his mouth tightening.
‘The reason she became so exhausted is because she’s not looking after herself properly and you’re not doing your duty as a mother in caring for her. Why do you think I’m telling you to make sure she eats and rests? Use your brain, Miranda.’
She flushed and became flustered at his sharp tone.
‘Yes, I’m sorry, Magus. I just thought—’
‘Well don’t! I’ll do the thinking. All you have to do is to take her up to bed now and keep her there until tonight. I’ll come and collect her at about eight o’clock. Make sure she’s ready for me. And make sure she eats plenty of food today. I don’t want her weak. Do you understand?’
‘Yes, of course. And I’ll come with you tonight, just to—’
‘Absolutely not!’ he snapped, his black eyes flashing. ‘Clip and I will take care of her. The last thing I need is you fussing about.’
‘But—’
‘That’s all, Miranda. Go and find Sylvie now and take her straight up to bed.’
Miranda stood up, feeling awkward and unsure of herself and ready to burst into tears at his curtness. The phone buzzed suddenly making her jump. Magus reached across and barked into it.
‘What? What? The quarry? Well what sort of accident?’
He glanced across at Miranda. She hovered hesitantly, uncertain if she’d been dismissed or not. His face was hard and closed as he listened to the loud, rapid voice on the other end of the line.
‘No! On no account call anyone. Drive back there and I’ll come up right now … I know, Jack, I do understand, but we can’t have anybody seeing anything. That would be a complete disaster, wouldn’t it? No, I’ll meet you there. Do what you can and just hold tight till I arrive.’
He slammed the phone down and stood up.
‘An accident?’ asked Miranda. ‘What’s happened?’
‘Never you mind! Just some trouble up at Quarrycleave. I have to go up there now, but I’ll be back in time for this evening, whatever happens.’
‘What about my classes today, Magus? Should I still teach or not? Sylvie will be fine resting on her own, I think.’
‘No, cancel your lessons. Sylvie’s far more important. Have meals sent up to your rooms and make her eat.’
‘Okay, I’ll do that. Thank you, Magus. I’m sorry if I annoyed you or …’
He shook his head impatiently, waving her away.
‘Just make sure she’s in a fit state for tonight, that’s all I ask of you.’
7
As the afternoon wore on Miranda noticed a change in Sylvie. She’d been kept in bed all day despite her protests, and plied with food she didn’t want. Miranda was still upset about Magus’ attitude towards her that morning, which she knew was all Sylvie’s fault for worrying him in the first place with her silly moon dancing. Miranda wasn’t going to let this ridiculous business spoil her chances, especially as she had the nagging suspicion that Sylvie was somehow manipulating the situation and making a lot of fuss just to get attention. Miranda sat in their little sitting room reading and trying to prepare her next batch of lessons, but finding herself constantly doodling names in the margin of her notes. She must talk to Magus about names as he’d doubtless want the baby named in the Stonewylde way. She was fine about that as long as it wasn’t something daft like Seagull or Foxglove. Although on reflection, Foxglove had a certain charm …
Sylvie lay in bed all day staring up at the ceiling or out of the window, eating whatever she could force down. Miranda’s flood of chivvying and scolding just washed over her, barely noticed in the turmoil that consumed her. She was filled with dread, her mind chasing round in circles thinking one minute of Yul up at Hare Stone and the next of her duty to dance at Mooncliffe. She felt torn in two, and utterly confused and frightened by the memories of her nightmare which crowded in whenever she dropped her guard. She recalled the sensation of being crushed by heavy rock and Magus’ smiling face. It made her shudder.
As the afternoon passed, Sylvie began to feel th
e old, familiar rising of tension. She sat up in bed and started fidgeting.
‘Lie down, Sylvie,’ said Miranda, looking over from the chair where she sat reading. She’d positioned it so she could look in on Sylvie in her bedroom and keep a close eye on her.
‘I can’t. I want to get up.’
‘Stay there and do as you’re told. You know what Magus said.’
Sylvie lay down but within a few minutes she was up again.
‘Please, Mum, let me get up. I can’t keep still.’
‘Why can’t you just do as I tell you? Magus said you must rest. He’ll be furious with me if you don’t.’
‘I have rested. I’ve been lying here all day. I’d like to have a bath. Please, Mum.’
‘I don’t think Magus would want that.’
‘I don’t give a damn what he wants!’ cried Sylvie indignantly. ‘Who the hell is he to say whether or not I have a bath?’
She flung the bed covers off and marched out of the bedroom, brushing past her mother and locking herself in the bathroom. She twisted the taps on and ignored Miranda’s mingled pleadings and threats coming through the door.
When she emerged later, clean and refreshed, she took out the moongazy dress and put it on, remembering Yul’s idea that she should always wear it for the Moon Fullness. As she thought of him she felt the sadness seeping in, overlaying the jitteriness. She had a sudden image of the Hare Stone and of walking up there holding Yul’s hand. She thought of him sitting with his back against the stone, watching as she transformed into a moon angel. She remembered her sense of relief and fulfilment after the dancing and gazing were done; the joy of pouring her moon magic into the earth where it belonged, to mingle with the Earth Magic of Stonewylde. The Hare Stone marked the spot where this could happen, where the circle could be danced and the spirals of energy and force could interact. All of it flooded into Sylvie’s mind as she put on the gauzy dress and stood brushing out her long, silver hair. She felt a renewed tingle of anticipation.
