Shaman of Stonewylde

by Kit Berry

  ‘Leveret, my dear . . . you were always so special to me and now you know why – you were the living proof that Magus still loved me. May I tell you how it came about? You must never think you were conceived from lust or duty or by mistake. ’Twere out of love.’

  ‘Would you rather I left you both?’ asked Clip. ‘This is very personal.’

  ‘There’s not a great deal to tell,’ said Maizie, ‘so unless Leveret minds you listening in, I don’t.’

  ‘Clip is the father I’ve never had,’ said Leveret, ‘and I love him dearly. So I don’t mind him hearing anything.’

  ‘Well, ’twere the Hare Moon,’ said Maizie. ‘Sweyn were a weanling, and Gefrin a toddler. I’d had them two as well as Rosie, Geoffrey and Gregory with Alwyn, and was well and truly fastened to the man. He knew o’ course that Yul weren’t his, but that were part of the arrangement – he’d treat the boy as his, and tell the world so. Magus wouldn’t – couldn’t – take Yul as his son on account o’ that stupid prophecy of Old Heggy’s.’

  ‘It must have been difficult,’ said Clip.

  ‘Aye. I never loved Alwyn – never even liked him. He were a bully and a cruel man, and try as I may, I never could please him. But I loved my five little ‘uns from him, especially my Rosie who were always such a sweet maid. What I couldn’t take was Yul’s suffering and the way Magus turned a blind eye, but there were nought I could do other than try and keep Alwyn sweet. He were a greedy man, so I fed ‘un well and were as good a wife as I could be, always hoping that if he were content, he’d leave my Yul alone.’

  ‘Poor Mother,’ said Leveret, stroking her hand.

  ‘Well, everyone in the Village thought I’d got above myself that time when Magus were so enchanted with me. There were so many jealous girls and they all thought I’d got my comeuppance, being saddled with a brute such as Alwyn. Anyway, that May we’d had Beltane and o’ course Magus were the Green Man and he had a young and pretty May Queen by his side. As ever I watched ’em with a smile on my face and a stone in my heart. Try as I might, I could never forget when he’d loved me so much that he’d ride down to the Village every night for me. I never forgot the promises he’d made, to be handfasted to me even though I were just a simple Village maid. I’d never healed from the wound that he’d cut deep inside when he abandoned me the night o’ Yul’s birth in the Stone Circle, as that old crone made her prophecy. My life were hard on account o’ him, yet I still loved him.’

  Maizie paused and Leveret edged closer to her on the sofa and laid her head on her mother’s soft shoulder. Shadow looked up mournfully and laid his head on her knee, and Maizie sighed.

  ‘Beltane had passed and then ’twas the night o’ the Hare Moon. Magus came down to the Village to pick his girl. Alwyn were in the Jack, where he always were of an evening, and would be there for a long time yet. The woman in the cottage next door, Clarysage she were called, Goddess rest her soul, had offered to come in and sit with the little ‘uns for me. I wanted to go to the woods and dig some ramson bulbs to make a new batch o’ gripe water for Sweyn. He had terrible colic and were always grizzling. Any goodwife knows ’tis best picked at the Moon Fullness, so off I went with my basket and trowel. Well, ’twere a beautiful evening, still light, with the birds in full song, balmy and warm, all the buds bursting out. I were walking up the track leading into the woods and my heart were heavy. Alwyn were a swine at times and handy with his fists if I weren’t careful. I seem to recall I were actually weeping as I walked along, looking at the bluebells and feeling the magic and wishing that my life weren’t so hard. And suddenly, there were Magus riding towards me on Nightwing. The moon had yet to rise and ’twere twilight, and we were all alone on the path.’

  She paused again, lost in her memories.

  ‘And he got off that great beast, and scooped me up like I were a maid again and put me up on the saddle, and got on hisself behind me and off we went just like in the old days when I were a young girl without a care in the whole world. There was me, a handfasted woman with six – six – babes, and yet at that moment I felt like I were a maid again, all a-quiver. We rode up through the woods and up the hill to the top, to the great stone there. And we got off Nightwing and Magus laid me down on the grass, gentle and tender like it were my first time, and he kissed me. He kissed me as if all those years hadn’t happened, and all those babies hadn’t happened. And he made my heart whole again with that loving and yes, ’twere daft and foolish, but that didn’t matter. I knew then that he’d never forgotten me and that somehow, I were still special to him.’

  ‘Oh Mother – that’s beautiful!’

  ‘Aye, it were beautiful, right enough. Nothing like the conception of any of Alwyn’s five, nor even Yul that Spring Equinox all them years ago. Your conception, Leveret, on the top o’ that hill with the big pink Hare Moon a-rising and the magic o’ Stonewylde all around us – that were the most beautiful conception a woman could wish for. And I knew I’d conceived that night. I felt it, a spiral o’ new life inside me. There were hares all over the hill I recall, and I decided it ’twere a boy or girl, I’d call the babe Leveret. My little hare.’

  Leveret felt the tears hot on her cheeks and buried her face in her mother’s arm. Maizie stroked her hand and smiled.

  ‘O’ course, nought were to come of it. Life continued, and I had to make sure Alwyn bedded me soon after in case he decided to use his head and count the moons. He never suspected – nobody ever suspected. Except Sweyn – I think somehow that child knew. He always resented you, Leveret.’

  She nodded at this, everything now making sense.

  ‘But what about Magus, Mother? Did he know? Clearly he must have, to acknowledge me in his Will. Did you tell him?’

  Maizie smiled again and chuckled.

  ‘Just as I knew I’d conceived, so did he. “Make a wish and make a child” they do say, and I said the rhyme that night, whilst we still lay together as one. He kissed me and tried to stop my words, but they were out and he came a-riding down to the Village next Dark Moon to see if I were in the Great Barn along with all the others. And I were standing there by the Village Pump drawing water, and he said to me, “Oh, not in the Barn then, Maizie?” and I says “No, Magus, I’m not. Reckon that wish came true and my seventh is on its way!” and he smiled and wished me well and rode on. And all the old women at the pump told me how lucky I were to have a seventh and I said aye, I knew that right enough.’

  After Maizie had left, Leveret and Clip sat in the softly lit room and pondered the strange events of that day. Leveret slipped down to the kitchen and collected their tray of supper, but she noticed Clip ate little.

  ‘What did the consultant say?’ she asked. ‘With all these goings on, I’d completely forgotten about your appointment.’

  ‘Oh, he reckons there’s nothing to worry about,’ said Clip airily, waving his fork. ‘He’s taken samples and done scans and so forth. He’s going to let me know, but it’s probably just some sort of irritable bowel, as I suspected, and I just need to watch my diet carefully.’

  ‘Oh Clip, that’s good news!’ said Leveret. ‘I’ve been so worried.’

  ‘It’s probably my own fault for all that fasting over the years,’ he said. ‘So make sure you always eat regularly and properly, Leveret. Fasting on the day of a journey is fine, but don’t prolong it and neglect your body’s needs, will you?’

  ‘No, I’ll be sensible. Clip, I want to ask your advice about this inheritance. I don’t want money, you know that, though I’m happy for my mother’s sake that Magus did acknowledge me. What I’d like to do, if you think it’s alright, is give my share to Stonewylde. I’d like to put it towards all the things Buzz was talking about – the repairs and renovations. I don’t want any of it personally and I’d like you to say that for me at the meeting tomorrow please.’

  ‘That’s really admirable, Leveret.’

  ‘No it’s not. I don’t intend to ever leave Stonewylde, so what use is money to me? This way everyone will
benefit.’

  ‘That’s a wonderful idea, and in the morning when I’m facing everyone in the Galleried Hall and Buzz is looking more and more like the predator he was named after, I shall surprise them all with your lovely, generous offer.’

  Clip reached across and hugged her tight.

  ‘You’re my niece, my brother’s child,’ he said happily. ‘But what you said earlier about me being a father to you – that touched my heart. Thank you, Leveret.’

  24

  Magpie and Leveret sat together at the table in Marigold and Cherry’s cottage examining the newly-arrived book and pens lying on the scrubbed pine. Marigold was sitting in her armchair knitting, breakfasts long over and done with and lunch not yet on the horizon, but Cherry was at that moment on her way to the Galleried Hall to meet with the other Elders.

  ‘See the different types of nibs on the pens, Maggie, and the different lines on the page here? And now look at this special lettering in the book. It—’

  But he’d grabbed the book and was poring over it, his finger tracking the calligraphy on the page. He flicked through the pages of different script excitedly and looking up at Leveret, beamed his thanks to her.

  ‘Can you do lettering like this, do you think? It takes some practice of course, but I know you’ve got the skills.’

  Magpie filled the pens with ink, for he was accustomed to drawing-pens, and immediately set to. Very quickly he picked up the technique and was soon writing in beautiful and almost perfect script.

  ‘You are so clever!’ she exclaimed. ‘Most people would take weeks to become as accomplished as that! Well done, Magpie!’

  ‘Aye, he’s a very clever boy, right enough,’ said Marigold proudly. ‘Last night when Cherry and I came in from the kitchens, he were sitting here reading a book – look, that book there with lots o’ words in it. And he got up and he made us a nice cup o’ tea, and while we drank it he drew us a picture. It were beautiful – Magpie where’ve you put it, lad? I’m off now back to the Hall but do show Leveret what you drew. We wondered if ’twere of you, Leveret. She looks a bit like you.’

  A little shyly, Magpie went upstairs and returned with his sketchbook. He’d used watercolour pencils, which he liked for speedy sketches, and as Leveret looked at the picture she felt the hair on her arms rise. It was a beautiful picture of a standing stone, and on the clover-dappled grass lay a pretty young woman with dark curls. Only her head and shoulders were visible in the picture, with one arm flung out in abandonment; her eyes were closed and a smile played on her lips. All around her sat hares in moongazy position, their ears laid back and their big eyes gazing up at the huge, pink moon. Underneath, Magpie had written “the wish”.

  Leveret looked at him in wonder. She took his hands and gazed into his clear turquoise eyes, long-lashed and bright.

  ‘How do you do it, Magpie? I understand what this is. But how did you know?’

  He simply smiled at her, his eyes now a little sad knowing he could not explain. Leveret persisted.

  ‘It was last night, wasn’t it, while my mother was telling me about how it happened and I was imagining how she must’ve looked, all those years ago up at Hare Stone?’

  He nodded eagerly.

  ‘So how does it come to you? Do you get a picture in your head of whatever I’m seeing or imagining?’

  Again he nodded and squeezed her hands.

  ‘Do you remember how you used to send me your thoughts, as pictures? We haven’t done that for a while – shall we try now?’

  She closed her eyes and kept hold of his hands.

  ‘Right, send me something then,’ she said. ‘Something a bit magical.’

  And there was an explosion of colour in her head, a kaleido-scope of images so strong and vivid that she jolted backwards and her eyes flew open wide.

  ‘Is that what you see?’ she gasped, looking at him in awe. ‘I can’t imagine what it’s like being you, Magpie. Your world is pure magic.’

  In the Galleried Hall, the meeting was in full swing. Clip sat in the carved wooden throne with the boars’ heads for arm-rests, the circle of chairs around him. As he’d predicted, only Martin and Rowan wanted to accept Buzz’s offer and the rest were adamant that they’d rather starve than take his money. Today Buzz was dressed more casually but still looked out of place amongst the simply dressed folk. He glared around the circle, his face tight with anger and disappointment.

  ‘Dawn, surely you of all people can see the logic of what I’m proposing?’

  ‘Why me of all people?’ she asked. ‘Because I used to be Hallfolk? All the more reason to reject a proposal to return to the bad old days. I’m infinitely happier as a Stonewylder with no social distinctions.’

  ‘But those are just ideals! Equality may sound idyllic but we all know that people are different, and some of us are more capable of leading than others. How about you, Hazel? You’ve done so well, and with some investment you could have a first class medical centre here.’

  Hazel had noticed Buzz’s full mouthful of carefully maintained teeth, and guessed he’d had an implant to replace the tooth Yul had knocked out all those years ago. His nose was perfect and that too must have been surgically remodelled, for Yul had made a complete mess of it. But she guessed the real scars from Buzz’s humiliating defeat went a great deal deeper, and this attempt to return as the great benefactor was all tied up with that.

  ‘We already have a first class medical centre here.’

  ‘But why not accept my generosity?’

  ‘Precisely because it’s that – your generosity!’ said Miranda, and Hazel nodded.

  ‘Why so much hostility?’ he asked sadly, spreading his hands in bewildered supplication. ‘All I’m trying to do is help.’

  ‘The thing is, Buzz, we’re not daft and we’re all aware that you’re just playing games. We don’t want your help – we know it would come at too high a price,’ said Miranda firmly. ‘Why wait all these years to inform us that Leveret, Faun and Rufus are beneficiaries of Magus’ Will?’

  ‘There was no obligation to inform anyone,’ he replied, ‘and the original Trustee thought it better to wait.’

  ‘You were just holding on until you had enough money personally to come back here and dazzle everyone with your wealth,’ said Hazel. ‘We want none of your business tactics and power struggles. Nor do we want a return to the ‘us and them’ regime, Hallfolk and Villagers. We’re a simple but autonomous community and we intend to stay that way.’

  Whilst the debate was going on in the Galleried Hall, Magpie had wandered into the kitchens for a drink before starting work in the Kitchen Garden. Leveret was visiting the elderly folk in their wing at the back of the Hall; she’d gleaned so much of the old knowledge and wisdom from them over the past months and enjoyed spending time there.

  Marigold and Cherry had discussed cleaning the grand apartments where Buzz had slept, but decided to leave them be. Hopefully he wouldn’t be staying beyond today and neither was prepared to do anything to make him comfortable. But they’d agreed it might be useful for Marigold to pop in there whilst everyone was in the Council of Elders meeting, just for a little look around. So when Magpie had finished his drink, Marigold took his arm and asked him to come with her as she was a little nervous of snooping about up there alone.

  She felt very strange tip-toeing into the sitting room like a thief, with Magpie close behind. He’d never been in these chambers before and stood there awkwardly in the middle of the great room staring around in wonder. Marigold was tutting at every sign of Buzz’s occupation, and then jumped out of her skin when the connecting door opened and Mallow crept through.

  ‘Oh!’ cried Mallow, dropping the tray she carried. It crashed to the ground and she immediately squatted down to pick up the crockery. Her hands shook and she raised a tearful face to Marigold, who bustled over to help collect up the mess of breakfast things.

  ‘No need to cry!’ clucked Marigold. ‘Look, nothing’s broke. ’Tis just a few crumbs a
nd drops o’ coffee, and we can clear it up in no time.’

  Few people had much contact with Mallow, for she kept to herself in the cottage and didn’t join the others for meals as Martin did. Cherry and Marigold’s cottage was in the same row and they’d heard muffled sounds in the past but didn’t like to pry. Now, looking closely at the small and terrified woman, Marigold felt a flood of sympathy.

  ‘Thank you,’ whispered Mallow, frantically picking up the remains of the breakfast. ‘I were so shocked to see someone in here . . .’

  She tailed off, looking fearfully around her.

  ‘Aye well, I just popped up to see if all were in order,’ said Marigold. ‘I didn’t know you’d be seeing to Buzz.’

  Mallow nodded, the heavy tray now re-laden, and stood up with it carefully.

  ‘Martin told me to look after the Hallfolk,’ she said. ‘I’m just going to put this tray in the lift and then I must make his bed.’

  Marigold gave the carpet a final wipe with the soiled napkin and heaved herself to her feet.

  ‘Thank you, Marigold,’ said Mallow. ‘I were so spooked. I hate it in here, don’t you? ’Tis frightening in these old rooms.’

  ‘Frightening?’

  Magpie had come over and nodded vigorously at this.

  ‘Are you frightened, lad?’

  He nodded and looked about fearfully.

  ‘Get on with you!’ said Marigold, clapping him on the back. ‘There’s nothing bad here, so don’t be daft.’

  She watched Mallow tread gingerly across the room under the weight of the tray and put it into the hatch.

  ‘So I hear you’re taking care of Old Violet, now Vetchling’s passed on and Starling’s taken off?’

  Mallow nodded timidly, staring at the floor.

  ‘That can’t be easy – she’s a nasty old piece o’ work. Pardon my rudeness for I realise she’s your mother by Martin, but she’s not known for her soft tongue nor kind ways.’