by Kit Berry
‘Exactly, and a rural community needs its strong men. So you’re right, the cult of the Green Man has fallen from popularity but it’s a shame really. I don’t mean the sacrifice of course, merely the veneration of such an ancient god, because I personally feel at my most spiritual in woodland. There’s a definite feeling of a deity present, don’t you think?’
‘Oh yes,’ she agreed. She’d felt that tingle in the woods, knowing there was an unexplained presence watching her. ‘I really can’t wait to read your book, Professor!’
He chuckled, and finally opened a door at the end of a corridor. It had been a long trek for him, and once inside Sylvie was surprised at the meanness of his room. Surely Magus could’ve made him more comfortable during his stay?
‘My needs are simple,’ he said, seeing her disapproval as she looked around the small room. ‘And my rooms at Oxford are splendid, so this is only a temporary privation. Sit down, sit down my dear.’
He indicated the lone chair, where she sat whilst he rifled through a stack of papers.
‘I have it here and I know you’ll treasure it. I made you a copy especially. Here!’
He presented Sylvie with one of the photos he’d taken in the woods. It was a close-up of Yul’s face smiling out at her, his slanted grey eyes drowsy in the golden sunlight. His face was smeared green and brown, his almost classical features clearly defined. His hair was a wild riot of dark curls, and surrounding his head was a great halo of green leaves and ferns where he lay in the undergrowth against the beautiful lime tree.
Sylvie stared at the photo in surprise.
‘Why, it’s the Green Man!’ she exclaimed.
‘Indeed it is,’ agreed Siskin. ‘I knew you’d understand. Yul is our very own Lord of the Greenwood.’
After Professor Siskin had left Stonewylde, Sylvie finally cast off the shadow of illness that had hung over her since the last full moon and went walking every day. She found Hare Stone to be a place of healing, as Mother Heggy had said it would be. Lying on the grass by the tall stone amongst the vetch and harebells filled her with a sense of calm and peace. She loved it up here. When he managed to join her, Yul was very careful not to put Sylvie under any pressure. He’d mentioned the Moon Fullness once and she’d become agitated and upset. The next full moon was still a week away and he hoped Mother Heggy would be able to break the spell before then.
Yul wasn’t the only one worrying about the next Moon Fullness. Miranda was concerned and quite sure she didn’t want Sylvie going up to Mooncliffe again. But when she broached the subject with Magus he lost his temper.
‘Sacred Mother, as if I haven’t got enough to worry about at the moment without you interfering! The girl wants to go there, she enjoys going there, and we’re on hand to take care of her, so leave it be. I don’t want to hear any more about it.’
‘But Magus, she comes back so ill. It can’t be good for her if it makes her weak and exhausted. She was almost comatose for a week afterwards and she’s only just about back to normal now.’
‘Have you thought about how ill she might be if she didn’t go up there? I don’t want to hear another word about it.’
‘But I think—’
‘I don’t care what you think! Enough!’
He glared at her, black eyes flashing and mouth severe. She was frightened of him and wanted to give in. But a spark of her former self – the girl who’d stood up to her parents and fought to keep her baby from being adopted, who’d struggled against the odds as a teenage single mother and succeeded through sheer determination – suddenly reignited.
‘I’m sorry, Magus. I’m her mother and I say she can’t go. And that is the end of it.’
She turned and almost ran out of the room, terrified of what he might say or do next. Up in her room she sat on her bed and cried. If she made him really angry would he throw them out of Stonewylde? What about the baby? He had all the power here and his word was final. What had she done?
An hour or so later, by which time she’d worked herself into a terrible state, there was a gentle knock on their sitting room door. Magus was calm, and as handsome and charming as ever. He walked straight over, took her in his arms and kissed her; a long, passionate kiss such as he hadn’t given her for some time. She melted in his embrace like snow in the glare of sunshine.
‘Don’t say another word about it, Miranda. You were absolutely right. You’re Sylvie’s mother and of course you’re concerned for her welfare. Please forgive me for my anger earlier. Come and sit down here with me.’
He held her in his arms as they sat on the sofa together and rested his hand on her belly, already starting to swell slightly. He began to caress her slowly.
‘How could I ever be cross with you? I’m such a fool,’ he murmured, his face nuzzling at her neck. She closed her eyes in contentment, loving him with all her heart, becoming aroused by his knowing touch.
‘You must understand, Miranda,’ he said, continuing his caresses, ‘that I only have Sylvie’s interests at heart.’
‘I know, Magus, but—’
‘No buts. I really do know about this. Moongaziness is something that happens at Stonewylde, and my own mother was moongazy. I have experience of it, and so in this case I know what’s best for Sylvie.’
‘Yes, but—’
‘Come on, Miranda,’ he whispered, his lips brushing her collar bones. ‘Stop fighting me. You know you want to please me and you know how happy I can make you. Humour me in this matter – let me decide what’s best for Sylvie.’
‘Oh Magus, I do want to please you,’ she breathed, her eyes half closed with pleasure. ‘But I really don’t want her going up on that cliff.’
‘You really will anger me if you don’t agree,’ he murmured. ‘And I don’t want to be angry with you, Miranda. I want you to stay at Stonewylde and have our baby here, with me to care for you. I want you living under my roof and close by, so I can make love to you. Why are you fighting me?’
‘I’m not fighting you,’ she said tremulously. ‘You know I love you, Magus. I’d do anything to please you.’
‘Don’t defy me then. Give me the responsibility to decide what’s best for Sylvie. This is your chance to show me how you trust my judgement.’
‘But I don’t want her getting ill again. I love her and I can’t bear to see her so weak. That’s why I can’t let you take her up there.’
He sighed and pulled away from her slightly.
‘You’ve brought this on yourself,’ he said, his voice now cold. ‘You were given the chance to comply with my wishes. You disappoint me, Miranda.’
‘Please, Magus,’ she said desperately, ‘please let—’
‘Clip!’ he called sharply.
The door opened immediately and the thin, long-haired brother walked in. He came straight over to the sofa where they sat and knelt on the floor in front of Miranda.
‘What on earth are you doing?’ she cried in alarm.
She struggled to sit up but Magus held her firmly.
‘Sit still and do as you’re told. It’s really not a good idea to go against my wishes. My brother would agree with that, wouldn’t you, Clip? Everybody here obeys me and you, Miranda, will be no exception.’
Clip ignored him and leant forward, looking into her green eyes.
‘Miranda, look at me. Look at me.’
‘No! What are you doing? Stop it!’
She tried to avert her gaze but Magus held her firmly and then she relaxed suddenly, her eyes locked into Clip’s.
‘Ah that’s it, well done. Listen carefully to me, Miranda. When I tell you to wake up, you will do so immediately. Do you understand me?’
‘Yes.’
‘Good.’ He turned and looked at Magus. ‘Well she went under quickly. What do you want me to say? I’m getting fed up of being used like this, you know. I’m a shaman, not a bloody party trick.’
Magus laughed, releasing Miranda and stretching back on the sofa lazily.
‘It’s easy for you t
o do, Clip, so stop complaining and just make her obey me. I don’t want her interfering with my plans for Sylvie.’
‘Alright, but I’ve had enough of this, I warn you.’ He turned to Miranda again. ‘Miranda, listen to me.’
‘Yes.’
‘You must obey Magus. He has Sylvie’s interests at heart and you mustn’t interfere. Magus knows best. You’ll let him do whatever he wants. Do you understand?’
‘Yes.’
‘Good. Tell me what you’ll do?’
‘I must obey Magus. I won’t interfere. He knows best.’
‘Well done, Miranda. Don’t forget what we’ve agreed. Now I want you to wake up.’
She blinked and stared at Clip in confusion. Magus stood up briskly.
‘Sorry, Miranda, I have to go. Clip just came in to get me.’
‘Oh, right. Yes.’
‘Thanks for your apology. I knew you’d agree with me when you’d thought about it.’
‘I’m sorry? I don’t know …’
‘About taking Sylvie to Mooncliffe next week. You said I must do whatever I wanted because I know best.’
Miranda frowned and rubbed her forehead.
‘Yes, Magus, of course. I’m feeling muddled. But I know you only have her interests at heart. I’m sorry I disagreed with you.’
‘Just don’t do it again, Miranda. I may not be quite so forgiving another time,’ he said silkily. ‘See you later.’
The two men strode down the long gallery leading out of the Tudor wing and Magus chuckled.
‘I wish I could do that. I’d have such fun!’ he said. ‘You don’t realise the power you have.’
‘Yes I do realise the power I have, which is why I’m not going to repeat this, Sol. It’s a gift, a wisdom, and I’m abusing it. Don’t ask me again.’
‘Oh lighten up! It’s no big deal. You know we need Sylvie to go to Mooncliffe every month and work her magic, and I can’t have Miranda constantly interfering. That’s all.’
‘Well I think she’s right. I don’t think you should take Sylvie up there either. It’s obviously damaging the poor girl.’
‘What?’
Magus turned on Clip angrily, grabbing hold of his brother’s shirt in a swift movement.
‘Let go of me, Sol!’ he cried, his face blanching. ‘We’re not boys now. You won’t win with violence anymore.’
Magus released him abruptly.
‘I’m sorry. It just makes me furious when you talk such rubbish. Of course it’s not damaging Sylvie. She’s absolutely fine and you know how I need those eggs charged up. Actually, I was thinking of trying some smaller pieces of stone, to be worn around the neck. I could use—’
‘NO!’ Clip shouted. ‘I draw the line at that!’
‘I don’t understand your problem,’ said Magus tersely. ‘You’re happy enough to share the moon magic, aren’t you?’
‘Yes, up to a point. I agree that Sylvie was brought here for this. We always knew it wasn’t simply coincidence that you found her. But it’s one thing sharing the gift of her moon magic when she channels it into the rock at Mooncliffe – that’s a natural phenomenon – and it’s quite another, exploiting her in this way. You’re so greedy, Sol!’
‘Greedy? What’s wrong with trying to—’
‘Exactly! You can’t even see it, can you? There’s a big difference, and I have a conscience even if you don’t. So if I help you take Sylvie up there this month, it’s just going to be for half an hour or so on the round moon stone. She’s not going to charge up all those eggs, nor anything else you’ve brought along. She’s not strong enough to do it again so soon. You can threaten me all you like, Sol. But if you try to force me to do this, I’ll reverse the hypnosis on both of them and then you’ll find it impossible. Just for once in your life, you have to do what I want.’
13
It was the last week of August and the day of the full moon. The summer had been long and hot and most of the crops were now harvested. The fields were a patchwork of deep brown, ochre and sienna, stubbly and bare, many already ploughed. The flax had been retted and some of it bleached; now the Village women spent every available moment spinning the long fibres ready for weaving. The cobnuts ripened in thick clusters on the hazel trees, green and frilly, whilst the great tufted heads of sweetcorn, zipped in their green jackets, were almost ready for harvest. In the orchards the trees were laden with apples, their boughs heavy, and the early types of apple were already being picked. The swallows were still around but beginning to gather in the skies and there was a sense of sadness, of the summer nearly gone but no sign yet of beautiful autumn to cheer the heart.
Yul left the Stone Circle after his sunrise ritual. He was tanned a deep golden brown, his clear grey eyes striking against his skin. He’d managed to keep himself out of trouble since his big fight with Buzz, who was skulking around the Hall avoiding people. Magus had let it be known that he was deciding his son’s punishment whilst he recovered, but people wondered when it would be announced. The Villagers were still very angry that one of their girls had been attacked by a Hallfolk man; Magus was aware of this anger and knew he must act soon.
Yul ran down the Long Walk as fast as he could. Legs pumping, he enjoyed the animal pleasure of the exercise and the green coolness under the ancient trees that lined the processional walk. He sprang and cavorted like a young stag, laughing out loud and shouting like a wild thing. Then he saw a figure at the other end standing in the shade, silhouetted against the brightness and his heart leapt. He ran full pelt towards her and she smiled as he approached, loving his darkness and wildness.
‘I thought I might find you at your stones,’ she said. ‘Can you come with me to mine now?’
They cut through the woods and made their way up the hill to Hare Stone. As they got closer Sylvie felt the familiar tranquillity enfolding her. She touched the stone with her cheek before lying on the grass next to it. The moon magic of the place soothed and nourished her and she closed her eyes. Yul sat next to her on the grass gazing down at her, his heart melting. She was so very beautiful, so ethereal and perfect. The dark shadows under her eyes were now gone and she’d lost the haunted, suffering look that had veiled her beauty after her ordeal at Mooncliffe. Her fair skin was tanned to a pale gold, her silvery hair exquisite. He loved the arch of her lips, the tiny line each side of her mouth that crinkled when she smiled. He noted the delicate veins at her temples and the way her white-blond hair started to grow there like down, feathering back into proper hair. He saw the pulse in her throat beating like a tiny creature. Her small hands, their fingernails bitten, were spread on the grass, her thumbs idly stroking the ground. He bent over without thinking and kissed her mouth; soft kisses like angel wings.
Her eyes flew open, pale-grey glass within her dark-ringed irises, and then they dreamily fluttered shut again as his kisses became more insistent. She kissed him back, loving the feel of his mouth on hers, the emotion she sensed just under the surface. His lips were soft but demanding, his tongue firm but gentle. She felt herself spiralling away into heaven and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him down closer, her fingers twined in his curls.
Their kiss was shattered by a very loud CAW! Sylvie looked up and saw the crow fidgeting on the stone above them. Yul’s eyes were smoky with passion, his dark lashes drooping.
‘Damn crow!’ he muttered. ‘Perfect timing.’
But then they heard a voice calling from down the hill.
‘Sylvie! Sylvie! Are you up there?’
‘Oh no, it’s my mum!’ cried Sylvie. ‘What on earth’s she doing here? What shall we do?’
‘It’s alright,’ said Yul softly. ‘I’ll just go over the brow of the hill. Don’t worry, she won’t see me if I keep low. Sylvie, I … Sylvie … You were …’
He gazed down at her and bent his head again. She laughed and pushed him off.
‘Go! There’ll be so much trouble if we’re found here together. Go!’
‘And the Moon Fullness to
night? Will I see you here?’
‘I love to dance on the great moon stone at Mooncliffe,’ she told him, the dancing light in her eyes suddenly extinguished. ‘I must do it for Magus.’
‘No, Sylvie!’ he groaned, scrambling away over the hilltop.
Sylvie sat up, hastily smoothing her hair, hoping her face wouldn’t give her away. Now she was upright she could see her mother climbing the hill, red hair gleaming like conkers in the sun.
‘I’m up here, Mum!’ she called, waving. Miranda waved back and continued to make her way around the boulders littering the hillside. Sylvie hoped that Yul was safely out of sight. Her mother finally reached the great stone.
‘Phew! I’m really out of breath!’ she panted. ‘That’s a steep climb.’
Sylvie thought of how she and Yul liked to run up the hill together and smiled. Her mother sat down on the warm grass beside her, exactly where Yul had been stretched out only a few minutes earlier.
‘This is a lovely surprise, Mum,’ said Sylvie brightly, trying not to think of the kiss she’d interrupted.
‘Well, I haven’t been out for a walk for a while. I need to keep fit for the baby’s sake. What a lovely spot!’
‘How did you find me?’
‘You’ve talked so much about Hare Stone, so I thought you might be here. I asked one of the Villagers and they directed me. Didn’t seem to know it was called Hare Stone, though – just the stone on the hill, they said.’
Hare Stone must be Yul’s own special name for the place. Thinking of the moonlight and hares made her feel strange, and she remembered what he’d said. It was the Moon Fullness tonight. She thought of how wonderful it would be, dancing up here in the warm August moonlight with Yul watching over her. But then the black fog rolled in over her mind, blanking it out. She saw an image of moonlight over water, snaking a path towards her. She saw a great disc of rock where she must stand and send her magic deep within, so the snake could coil in contentment. There was a man, two men, laughing with pleasure and delight. And the pain, the weariness, the sadness. No hares or moon angel wings or singing heavenly songs for the Triple Goddess. She hung her head in sorrow.
