“From the line of Druids known as Merlins, the Jewel passed into the hands of the Priestesses on the Isle of Avalon. From there it has passed from one Priestess to another. Over the centuries, Priestesses have found the power of the stone is most potent and benevolent when the one who holds it, hears the signals and passes it quickly to the next chosen guardian. This way the power, focus and violet flame energy of the stone is maintained.”
Lilly leaned forward to stare at the crystal, “What will it do to me, exactly?”
“I can’t say exactly what it will do. We are all different. My experience, over time, has been an increase in psychic powers, knowledge of the subtle planes and those spirits who dwell there. Through the past fifty years, abilities and strengths I never dreamed I would develop have awakened within me. I am grateful for the gift of good health and long life.”
Lilly gave Jolene a puzzled look. “Was it gifted to you as a child?”
Jolene shook her head slightly, “No, ma chere, I received it when I was twenty-six years old. Close to the age you are now.”
Lilly took in a sharp breath, “How old are you now?”
Jolene looked into Lilly’s eyes, “I was seventy-five last Samhain. James, my close companion for the past fifty years, is eighty-two. His close connection to my energetic field has benefited him with good health and long life.”
“The Jewel is now passing to you. Your awareness and power will increase. You will notice your aging ….”
Lilly chest felt it would explode as she interrupted, “I don’t know. How can I possibly be ready to guard something so powerful?”
Jolene put her arm around Lilly’s shoulders, “Since you first came to Panthea’s I have sensed a strong power within you, combined with a delicate sensitivity. While in the trance state of deep meditation, I received a clear message: “It is time to initiate a new priestess as keeper of the crystal.” My guides insist it be given to you. I can’t deny the strength of these messages. After your initiation, the messages became more insistent. The Jewel is gently pulling away from me. I know it is time for you to assume its guardianship.”
Taking Lilly’s hand Jolene spoke in an authoritative voice, “The Jewel of Inanna is now in your keeping. Over time, you will recognize the matrix of energy it carries as it amplifies your own developing power. You will attune to the energy and become aware of the properties which will be unique in its’ relationship with you. Wear it always during ritual, meditation and your daily life. Sleep with it next to your bed.”
Lilly opened her hand and received the crystal. It lay on her open palm, one terminal resting near her wrist, the other end touching the top of her hand beneath her middle finger. She spent long moments looking into the violet depths of its six facets before she slipped the gold chain over her head and exhaled sharply. The crystal landed over her heart and pulsed a gentle energy through her body. Jolene smiled and gently, but decisively whispered, “Your life has begun anew.”
“Lilly,” Jolene began in a firm voice, “I don’t want to harp on this, but I must stress discretion. This powerful magic must not fall into the hands of anyone who would use it unwisely. Legend says it will not respond to any but its chosen guardian. However, I would not like to deal with the person who would dare take it from you.”
“Jolene, who has the jewel incrusted scepter? Does it hold properties similar to the crystal?”
“Some say the scepter is among the treasures stored beneath the Vatican. Others say it is lost. If someone is in possession of it, they are keeping silent. I don’t know if the scepter is more powerful than the stone. I can only imagine the power the two would create together.”
Lilly nodded in understanding as her body thrummed with new energy. “What did you mean, it can be used as a teleportation device?”
Jolene shrugged slightly, “I have never had the need or desire for teleportation. I haven’t a clue how one would use it to teleport. You can explore the abilities it offers you and focus on teleportation if you feel drawn to it. Over time, as you become attuned to the power of the stone it will respond to your wishes.”
“Do the members of Panthea’s coven know about the stone?”
Jolene shook her head slightly, “All have seen it, however, none know of its true power. Only a few have asked questions. I find it better to be discreet and evasive.”
The crystal pulsed between Lilly’s breasts. Within days she noticed her awareness gently expanding as her studies became more clear and easily integrated. Wearing the crystal during meditation brought visions of multiple dimensions, communication with spirits, guardians and ancestors from her Faery lineage. Lilly had to set a timer to bring herself back to third dimension reality.
PART III
The Green Man Band
“I want to be magic. I want to touch the heart of the world and make it smile. I want to be a friend of elves and live in a tree, or under a hill. I want to marry a moonbeam and hear the stars sing. I don’t want to pretend at magic anymore. I want to be magic.”
~ Charles de Lint
Chapter 12
Knight of Cups
Roland jumped to the sidewalk from the door of the bus, and stood for a moment drinking in the sights and smells of Frenchman Street. He had been on the road with The Green Man Band for six weeks. The Band had traveled from San Francisco through Arizona, New Mexico and Texas playing music at clubs and busking on city streets. This was their first trip to New Orleans and Roland was glad their stay was going to be longer than a couple of nights. Traveling with the band was great, but he was ready for softer company.
Trey hailed him from the door of Valentine’s Restaurant. “Come in, have some breakfast and meet Jason.”
Roland had been playing lead guitar in Trey’s band for a couple of years in San Francisco. This year they were fulfilling their dream of traveling across America, playing music and having fun. Trey had made arrangements to park their bus in a number of great spots around the country. This one in New Orleans was spectacular. The band agreed to play music for the lunch crowd and happy hour twice a week at Jason’s restaurant, Valentines. They played in exchange for parking their bus in Valentine’s parking lot across from the restaurant.
Roland sauntered into the restaurant as Trey was introducing the band to a tall man, with a long blond braid. Each band member reached out to shake hands with Jason and thank him for his generosity.
Jason nodded welcome and invited them to have some coffee and croissants while he told them a bit about the neighborhood of the Fabourg Marigny where their bus would be parked for the duration of their visit. “The Marigny is almost as old as the French Quarter,” Jason began. “It is the first area developed outside of the original city of New Orleans. Most tourists don’t venture into the Marigny. They don’t cross Esplanade Avenue which is the wide avenue at the end of the French Quarter. Hell, most tourist don’t see more than the first few blocks of Bourbon Street and maybe Jackson Square.
“Music clubs and restaurants have been popping up in the Marigny in recent years and the word is getting out. The mule drawn buggies have expanded their tours of the French Quarter to include parts of the Marigny. Fortunately, their route includes Frenchman Street. It is fine with me, good for business, but hell on traffic. Tourists are starting to return to the area to try some of the authentic creole food at Valentine’s. For the most part, you are among the locals in the Marigny and I hope you enjoy your stay.”
The members of the band smiled and nodded, eager to cross Esplanade Avenue and explore the French Quarter. By midmorning, the members of The Green Man Band had grabbed their instruments and headed towards Jackson Square, the heart of the French Quarter. As they crossed Esplanade Avenue, leaving Frenchman Street and the Fabourg Marigny behind, the scenery changed. They stepped into a city two hundred years older than the American cities they had visited on their musical tour.
The uneven brick sidewalks, called banquettes, led them past shops and restaura
nts with tall French doors and wrought iron gates leading to unseen lush courtyards. The band walked slowly, missing the sight of balconies overhead and historical buildings, as their eyes followed one beautiful Southern lady after another.
“I know I am going to love this city!” Trey exclaimed.
The rest of the band agreed with a resounding, “Yes!”
The ladies head’s turned too, as the musicians, brightly garbed in medieval attire, long hair flowing and instruments strapped to their backs, walked slowly towards Jackson Square.
The scent of frying beignets, chicory coffee, briny river water, mule dung, stale alcohol and old oyster shells mingled and filled the air. Roland labeled the unsavory blend, French Quarter “Par-fume.”
Turning the corner into Jackson Square, the miasma faded. A visual feast of green space filled with trees, and a splashing fountain, filled their senses. Three of the largest and most historic buildings in the French Quarter; Saint Louis Cathedral, the Cabildo and the Presbyter lined one end of the Square providing great acoustics.
The four musicians claimed a spot near the steps of the Cabildo. A crowd gathered as the music from The Green Man Band filled the square with ancient Celtic tunes tinted with mystical shades of magick.
~
Monday was Lilly’s day off from her duties at Panthea’s. She cleaned her apartment, did her laundry and walked to the A&P for groceries. After putting away her purchases, she paced around the apartment. She missed her flute. Before she married Alex, music had filled the empty spaces in her life. ‘I will find the perfect flute for me very soon,’ she vowed to herself.
Sun poured through her bedroom window with a tantalizing invitation to bask in the warmth of the day. Often, she needed to pinch herself to believe she was free to go wherever she wanted. Donning a wide brimmed hat, sunglasses and her mirrored-egg of protection, Lilly walked out onto Rue Saint Ann. The general flow of foot traffic moved towards Jackson Square. Lilly moved along with the locals and tourists. As she sauntered around the Square, she nodded to several of the artists she had befriended on her afternoon walks. Lilly smiled, glad they were getting busy as tourists arrived for the Carnival season.
As she approached the Cabildo, she saw a crowd gathered around some sort of act. Unique, fun and often mind-blowing acts were beginning to arrive in the Quarter. So far, she had seen a bear ride a bicycle and a man fold himself into a small plexiglass box.
She stood on her tip toes to see what the new attraction might be. The music began and Lilly stopped struggling for a view of the musicians. She stood very still listening to the music. It differed from anything she had heard before. Cajun music had filled her life on the bayou. Learning to play the flute, she became familiar with classical music, and of course, she loved the Beatles.
The music floating through the Square had elements of classical music blended with medieval tones. She stood tapping her foot in time with the music as a surprising lilt lifted her heart. Wiggling through the crowd until she had a clear view, Lilly stared at the four men creating the music. ‘They have arrived from another realm,’ Lilly thought. ‘A place where faeries and unicorns live.
The guitarist, violinist, mandolin player and drummer, were all wearing white shirts with long billowing sleeves, silk vests, velvet britches and soft leather knee high boots. Each musician wore a jewel color; crimson, emerald green, royal purple, and sapphire blue.
Backing slowly out of the crowd, Lilly sat on the steps of the Cabildo, closed her eyes and allowed the music to transport her through a portal where music filled the air and magic was afoot. She felt the music swirl around her and she drank it in like life’s own sweet air.
The band took a break and most of the onlookers dropped coins or dollars in the instrument cases open to receive donations. Lily sat studying the musicians. The mandolin player was truly beautiful. He was taller than Lilly by about six inches. His long dark hair fell in waves around his face and down his back. A short beard covered his cheeks and chin while a soft mustache framed his full lips.
Lilly, pulled a five dollar bill out of her pocket and dropped it in the mandolin case. “Thanks,” the mandolin player said. As she was turning away she heard, “Wait, don’t run off.”
Lilly stopped and turned slowly, removing her shades to meet the gentle brown eyes of the mandolin player. A grin pasted itself on her flushed face as she blurted out, “Wow, ya’ll are great! I love your music, I’ve never heard anything like it. Where are you from?”
The mandolin player smiled, “Uh, thanks. We’re from San Francisco. Our band tour has brought us to New Orleans for the Mardi Gras. There is a couple of clubs we’re going to be playing over the next few weeks. Let me introduce you to the rest of the band. This is our violin player, Bart, Trey on guitar and our percussionist, Leon. My name’s Roland.”
Lilly was tongue tied and her face glowed red for a moment before she found her voice, “Hello, I love your music.”
The musicians smiled, nodded, glanced briefly at Roland and mumbled, “Thanks.”
Turning back to the mandolin player, Lilly asked, “What kind of music are you playing?”
Roland turned the pegs on his mandolin, plucked a string and looked at Lilly, “It’s Celtic music, from long ago in medieval Ireland.”
Lilly chewed on her bottom lip and spoke shyly, “It is magickal. I’d love to learn a few Celtic tunes.”
“Are you a musician?”
“Yes. No, I mean I was.”
Roland smiled and shook his head, “No, once a musician always a musician. There’s no getting over the love of making music.”
Lilly nodded in agreement, “I know, you’re right, I haven’t played for several years.”
“What instrument do you prefer?”
“I played the flute.”
“The flute works beautifully in Celtic music, I’d love to share some of it with you.”
Lilly shook her head sadly, “I haven’t got an instrument right now. I’m looking for the right flute. I’ll know it when I pick it up and play it. So far, I haven’t found one that called to me.”
“Ah, you’re a true musician.”
Conversation stopped and they both stood gazing at one another. Lilly stared at his full lips and caught herself running her tongue over her bottom lip. She felt her cheeks flush with warmth and hoped he didn’t notice.
Roland spoke first, “I arrived last night in your fair city, would you do me the honor of a tour around the French Quarter this evening? I will repay your kindness with a meal, however you will have to choose the restaurant as you would be the most qualified.”
Lilly was at a loss for words. She stood very still for a moment, her green eyes wide drinking in the handsome musician. Gathering her wits, she responded, “Of course, I’d be happy to serve as your tour guide and have dinner with you. I have to warn you, I’ve only been living in the French Quarter for a short time. I am not exactly the perfect tour guide. My friends have been pointing out the best restaurants, bars and shops to me. Her fingers tingled and she put her hands behind her back. She shrugged off her nervousness and smiled, “I’ll be happy to show you the places I know.”
“Cool, we can explore together,” Roland said as he beamed at her. She gave him instructions to meet her at Panthea’s around the corner on Rue St. Anne.
Roland watched her as she walked away. Closing his eyes when she turned the corner, he took a deep breath inhaling the scent of magic filling the air. Bart gave him a friendly punch on the upper arm, “Hey man, in love already?”
Roland smiled for a moment then his face grew serious, “Bart, the scene in San Francisco is fun, but you and I both know the magic has dissipated. It is all fantasy now. The Big Easy is the real deal. Magic is still alive in this community. I want to know it, see it, feel it and be a part of it.”
“Far out,” Bart said with a slap on Roland’s back, “I’m with you!”
~
Lilly laughed as
Roland tried his first raw oyster with Louisiana hot sauce. She showed him how to put it on a cracker and put it all in his mouth at once. His eyes bulged and she thought she saw a gag reflex, but Roland quickly recovered, swallowed reached for another one.
“You like them!” Lilly exclaimed, amazed after his facial contortions.
“I love them!” Roland said, stuffing another oyster topped cracker into his mouth.
She sipped her beer and leaned back enjoying the beautiful man across from her. They had only been together a few hours, but there was an easiness between them, the kind of relaxed banter shared by old friends. The scary ideas about the danger of falling in love again and fear of getting into another abusive relationship, began to fade from Lilly’s immediate attention. The sight of Roland’s deep brown eyes crinkling when he smiled his impish grin, sent a shot of warmth right through her heart.
Roland took her hand as they walked down Rue Royal peaking into shops, bakeries and famous restaurants. Lilly lead him down Rue Dumaine to the last few blocks of Bourbon Street far away from the mayhem of the strip joints and night clubs. He squeezed her hand as they entered Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop.”This place is the real deal,” Roland said as they stood at the bar, threw caution to the wind and ordered Vodou cocktails.
They walked out to the patio soaking up the energy of the oldest bar on Bourbon Street and marveled at the sculpture of the man and woman lying entwined in the fountain.
“These are super potent,” Lilly said as she drew a large gulp through a straw.
“In that case,” Roland said as he gently removed the straw from her drink, “maybe we should drink them slowly.” Lilly laughed and agreed.
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