by Nancy M Bell
Love always, Bella oxoxox
The note slipped through Laurel’s fingers and she blinked back tears. “How can she just leave me like this? There’s so much I want to say to her and I wanted to get to know her better…” her voice trailed off and she blew her nose on the sleeve of her flannel shirt.
“Laurel! Here use this.” Sarie handed her a tissue.
“Thanks,” she muttered.
“To answer your question, I’ve known Bella since we were kids and much as I love her and it pains me to say this, Bella’s wants and needs have always come first with her. Never doubt that she loves you very much, but she loves herself better than anyone. When Bella set her mind to something she wouldn’t rest til she got it.” Sarie sighed and looked down at the cold tea in front of her.
“But knowing what you want and going after it is good, isn’t it?” Laurel asked.
“I suppose it is. But only if the pursuit of what a person desires doesn’t hurt others in the process.” Sarie held Laurel’s gaze.
“Like now?” Laurel guessed.
“Yes, like now. Bella is so blinded by her need to be with Vear she has forgotten how many years have passed and that she is no longer a young girl. She has given little thought to how this will affect you,” she held up her hand when Laurel would have interrupted her, “and she has not taken into account how her actions will reflect on her friends in the other worlds. Vear Du himself, Gwin Scawen, Belerion, Morgawr…they will all be suspected of aiding and abetting her. Depending on the mood of the Council there might be severe penalty meted out.”
“Do you think we should go and find that standing stone the Lady told me about?” Laurel looked at Sarie hopefully.
“The Men Scryfa? I’ve never met the old man in the stone, but if the Lady thinks he might have a solution for Bella and Vear then perhaps the best thing would be to speak with him as soon as possible.” She reached across the table and squeezed Laurel’s hand. “Maybe together we can talk some sense into your grandmother. If we can find her.”
“I’ll call Coll and get him to bring Gort and Ash with him. Once we’re all together we can figure out a plan.” Laurel jumped up and went to make the call.
* * *
“Your grandmother sure has a one track mind, doesn’t she?” Gort handed Bella’s letter to Coll. Aisling having read it at the same time as Gort.
“So it would seem,” Laurel agreed. “I wish she’d talked to me about it before she took off.”
“Or me,” Sarie said.
“You said you wanted us all here to decide what to do, so do you have a plan?” Coll finished reading the letter and gave it back to Sarie.
“I think we need to go and find that standing stone the Lady told me about,” Laurel replied.
“The one near the Men an Tol?” Gort asked.
Laurel nodded. “Do you guys know how to find it?”
“I can ask Gwin if he’ll take us to it,” Aisling offered.
“That’s brill, so it is.” Gort smiled at her.
“Back in a minute.” Ash left the table and went out to the garden.
Sarie got up and left the kitchen, returning a few minutes later with a folded map. Laurel moved the mugs while Sarie spread the ordinance survey map out on the table. “The Men an Tol is here.” She pointed to the location of the holed stone. “Which way is the Men Scryfa from there, do you three have any idea?”
Laurel looked hopefully at her friends. Disappointment threatened to overwhelm her when they shook their heads. Pushing the emotion away, she leaned forward to see the small print on the map better.
“There! It says ‘standing stone’, just to the northeast of the Men an Tol.” Coll pointed to the map. “It’s right near the Nine Maidens Stone Circle.”
Sarie shook her head. “I don’t think that’s it. It should be identified by name if I remember right.”
“Here it is, look if we follow the track past the style where the path goes off toward the Men an Tol and keep going to where it turns toward the coast we can double back on the path to the southwest. It should take us there.” Gort traced the route with a finger.
The back door opened to admit Aisling. She leaned over Gort’s shoulder to see what he was pointing to. “Oh, good. You’ve found it on the map at least. I can’t get Gwin to talk to me. It’s like he’s just disappeared.” A frown wrinkled her forehead. “He’s never failed to show up when I called before. You don’t think he’s in trouble because of what happened at Nanjizal, do you? Him and the selkie are really close, he might be helping them hide.”
“That’s likely, I’m afraid.” Sarie scrubbed her hands over her face. “Their friendship goes way back to long before Bella and I ever met them.”
“How did you get to know them? Was it a long time ago?” Laurel asked.
“It’s a long story, too complicated to go into right now. We were both pretty young when we came across them for the first time. Bella met Vear first when she was out riding. She didn’t know who or what he was at the time, though. Later, she met Gwin when Vear came to her rescue out in Lamorna Cove. She was hiding out from her father because he wanted her to marry Daniel Treliving—”
“My Uncle Daniel, how could her da think that was a good idea?” Gort interrupted her.
“Heaven only knows, Daniel was a bounder and he wasn’t any nicer as a young man than he was when you knew him. Brian, your father, was so unlike him it was hard to believe they were brothers.” Sarie continued. “That’s all we have time for right now. We should get a move on and see if we can convince the Men Scryfa to communicate with us.”
“I’ll call Gramma and let her know what we’re up to. She says she’s going to her workroom to support us from there,” Coll said.
“That’s good, we can use all the help we can get right now,” Sarie replied.
“I wonder where Gwin is, it’s not like him to just disappear,” Aisling worried.
“Maybe he’ll show up at the stone,” Coll suggested. “Remember how he showed up at the Men an Tol that time in the storm?”
“Maybe, I hope you’re right.” Aisling didn’t sound convinced.
“Okay, you lot. Let’s get a move on. We’ll take Emily’s car as it has a bit more room than mine. I’ll drive.” Sarie held out her hand for the keys which Coll reluctantly handed over.
Laurel was last out the door and secured it behind them. She got into the passenger seat as the others were already in the rear seat. Sarie let out the clutch as soon as the door was shut and they bumped down the lane to the road. Sarie joined the A30 just past Chyandour, skirted Penzance and at the roundabout at Heamoor took the 132 toward Madron. Laurel glanced at the sign indicating the entrance to Madron Holy Well, wishing they had time to go and visit it. A short time later they passed the Lanyon Tea House and she could pick out the Men an Tol amidst the heather and gorse on the rising land just to the northwest.
There were no cars in the layby at the foot of the track to the Men an Tol. The sun was warm for December, but the wind had a knife edge to it. Laurel was glad of the high collar on her coat. Without waiting for the others to join her, she set off up the rutted track. She turned her head and smiled at Coll as he caught up to her and took her hand. Before they reached the style on the right hand side that led to the Men an Tol, Sarie, Gort, and Aisling were right behind them.
“Do you think we should take the time to detour to the Men an Tol and see if I can reach Gwin from there?” Aisling slowed as they passed the entrance.
“You go if you want, Ash. I want to find the Men Scryfa as quick as possible.” Laurel didn’t alter her pace.
“If he was anywhere around he’d just show up,” Gort said.
“I suppose you’re right,” Ash agreed reluctantly.
By the time they reached the spot where the track turned to the west, Laurel’s ears were ringing from the wind whipping over the moor. She stopped and looked for the path that should angle back the way they had come, running roughly parallel to the mo
re travelled track they just walked. There was nothing clearly marking the way and she waited impatiently for Sarie. Using Coll’s tall figure for a windbreak, Sarie consulted the ordinance survey map.
“It should be that way.” She pointed to the right as she faced the way they had just come.
Laurel set off ahead of the others who trailed behind her. She topped the sloping rise of the land and came to a break in the hedge surrounding an open field.
“There it is!” She pointed toward the middle of the rolling field where a single stone thrust up against the sky. Breaking into a jog, she set off across the short wind-tossed grass. She was surprised to find the menhir was taller than her when she reached it. The writing carved into the north face was over grown with lichen but was still quite visible. “What does it say?” Laurel tilted her head to one side as she tried to make sense of the symbols.
“It’s written in Latin”, Sarie said. “Rialobrani Cunovali fili. It means Rialobrani the son of Cunovalus. Rialobran might mean ‘royal raven’ in old Cornish.”
“Is some guy buried here?” Coll took a step back away from the stone.
“No one is sure if that’s true or not. There’s a legend about there being a battle nearby and that the king was killed and buried here. The stone is supposed to be the same height as the warrior.”
“Well, let’s just hope whoever the Lady was talking about is in there and willing to talk to us,” Gort said.
“Do you have any idea how we’re supposed to contact him?” Laurel looked dubiously at the tall stone and then at Sarie.
“I think,” she paused for a moment, “since the White Lady spoke to you about it, you should be the one to attempt it. Try putting your hand on the stone and closing your eyes. See if you can hear or see anything that way,” Sarie suggested.
“Okay, I guess.” Laurel glanced at Coll.
His face was white and drawn, but he nodded his agreement with Sarie’s words. Laurel reached out and grasped his hand before she placed her left hand tentatively on the rough surface of the granite. Taking a deep breath she closed her eyes and reached out to the stone with her thoughts. Her fingers traced the rough lichen covered surface, bumping over the carved letters. The wind sweeping across the moor seemed louder with her eyes shut. Laurel imagined she heard the sea booming on the sea cliffs far to the west. For the longest time nothing felt any different and her thoughts began to wander. Without warning the stone beneath her hand became warm and then hot.
“Bloody hell!” Coll pulled Laurel away from the stone and she rounded on him ready to rip a strip off him.
“Why’d you do that?” she yelled. “Something was finally happening.” She looked past him at Gort and Aisling. Both her friends were looking past her with stunned expressions on their faces. She glanced back at Coll. His face was paper white and his eyes wide and staring.
“Turn around, Laurel,” Sarie said calmly, although her face was pale as well.
Laurel pivoted about and gasped. Standing in front of the tall hoary menhir was a very old man. She took an involuntary step backward and bumped into Coll who put his arms around her waist. His presence helped chase the shock away and loosen her tongue.
“Hello,” she stuttered. “I’m Laurel and these are my friends.” She waved vaguely behind her.
The figure shook itself, dust and moss falling from the folds of his voluminous cloak. The hood fell back to reveal long gray hair falling over his shoulders like threads of shining silk. The craggy face split into a grin, the steel gray eyes sparkling with amusement.
“Well met, young miss.” The voice was gravelly, but not unkind. “It has been many long years since a mortal has called me from my stone.” His gaze travelled over the huddle of Laurel and her friends. “It seems much has changed since I last walked this earth if your raiment is any indication.”
“My what?” Laurel was startled into asking.
“Raiment, what you are wearing,” he explained.
“Oh.” She blushed and glanced down at her jeans and shirt.
“But I digress, that is of little importance. Why, pray chance, did you summon me hence?”
Laurel swallowed and glanced at Gort and Aisling. They were ranged with Sarie a bit behind and to the sides of where she stood. From the astounded expressions on their faces, Laurel figured they weren’t interested in taking part in the conversation. Coll tightened his hold a little and bent to whisper in her ear.
“You called him, so go ahead and ask his assistance.”
“Um, I’m sorry to disturb you…” she began.
“You’re not disturbing me, dear heart. I welcome the chance to feel the sun on my face again. Now go on, what is it you called me for?”
“Um, okay then…my grandmother is friends with a selkie. His name is Vear Du and she met him a long time ago when she was pretty young—”
He held up a hand to stop her. “Ah, yes. The mortal and the selkie. Even I, in my stone, have heard the ripples and disturbances caused in the worlds by their situation. But what has that to do with you, young lady?”
“Well, the mortal,” Laurel stumbled over the word, “is my gramma. She loves Vear Du, she really truly does. I asked the White Lady of the spring in Sarie’s field,” she gestured toward Sarie as she spoke. “I asked her if she knew of a way for them to be together without everyone, including the Council, getting all bent out of shape over it.”
A grin crossed the rugged face and his shoulders shook with laughter. “All bent out of shape, what an amusing thought. Go on, dear, go on.”
“Well, she said there was nothing she could do, but suggested that I seek the Men Scryfa and ask your advice. So, is there a way, is it possible for Gramma Bella and Vear Du to be together, even for a short time?” Laurel leaned back against Coll for support. Her ears were ringing and the world seemed tilted sideways.
“Peace, child. Let me think on this for a moment.” He folded his hands inside the long sleeves of his rusty coloured cloak and closed his eyes.
Laurel hardly dared to breathe for fear of disturbing his concentration. If this lead didn’t pan out she had nowhere else to turn.
Finally, he opened his eyes and studied her. She wanted to squirm under the scrutiny but forced herself to stay still and return his stare. He nodded, as if coming to some conclusion.
“There may be a way. But it is not without risk. Are you prepared to accept whatever consequences may result from your endeavours?”
“I am.” Laurel nodded. “If I can see Gramma Bella again, and if she can be happy with Vear Du, I’m willing.”
“And you?” The old man looked over her head at Coll.
“I go where she goes,” he said. Laurel thought his voice sounded kind of strangled.
“I fear I don’t need to inquire of you, friend of Gwin Scawen and the small folk, or you, anam cara of the crystal stallion. But, good manners insist that I ask anyway.”
“We are willing,” Gort and Aisling spoke together and grinned at each other.
“You,” he tipped his head toward Sarie, “you, I will need to hold space for the travellers so they will be able to find the portal and return to this world when the time comes. Are you willing?”
“Aye, of course, I am,” Sarie replied.
“Fine then.” He rummaged under his cloak in the folds of his robe. He detached a leather pouch from his belt and upended it over his large palm. Laurel leaned forward to see what he held.
“These are tokens that will allow you to enter the other worlds. They will also shield you from notice by the Council and its creatures. You must keep them on your person at all times. Woe betide you if you lose them, for without them there will be no way to return to your world, and I will not be able to search you out and assist in any way. Do you understand?”
Laurel nodded, not trusting her voice not to break. The others must have done the same because the old man smiled at her.
“Come then and collect what is yours,” he beckoned them.
L
aurel approached first and held out her hand.
“This is yours, Laurel Rowan.” He handed her a smooth round stone disc with a strange symbol etched on it.
“What does it mean, and how do you know my name?” she asked.
“All the worlds know your name and that of your companions. It is not every daughter of Eve who can bargain with Gwin ap Nudd and win.” A dry chuckle emerged from behind the tangled beard. “I will explain about the symbols once each has claimed their own.”
Coll stepped forward and accepted his stone. The old man placed a horny hand on his head as he took the talisman. “Blessings on you, the protector.”
Aisling went next. She looked up at the man with shining eyes. “I never thought to meet a stone man in my wildest dreams,” she whispered. He blessed her as well.
Gort stepped forward, took his disc and bowed his head in thanks. The man laid both hands on the boy’s shoulders and offered his blessings.
To Sarie, he smiled and motioned her forward. He pressed something into her hand that Laurel couldn’t see. Sarie glanced down at it and smiled before tucking it in her pocket. “Thank you,” she whispered.
“Now, gather round and I will explain what the symbols represent. The marks on the stones are from the ancient ogham alphabet. It is one of the first forms of writing that existed, but it has been mostly lost through long years of disuse.”
“What is it, and how do you read it?” Laurel turned the smooth stone over and over in her hand.
“It is really quite simple if you know the trick. You start with a straight staff and the alphabet is divided into five divisions. The first group is BLFSN, the second is HDTCQ, the third is M,G,Ng,Ss,R, the fourth is AOUEI, and the fifth is what is known as the dipthongs, CH,TH,PR,PH and XI.”
