Solstice at Stonewylde

by Kit Berry

  ‘I have to go out for a while,’ he said neutrally, standing over her as she huddled in the window seat. ‘I’ll be gone for less than an hour and while I’m away, you must lie down and rest.’

  He reached across and smoothed down her hair, and despite his earlier cruel words there was gentleness once again in his touch. He took her chin in one hand and looked into her eyes. She was so very beautiful and so very vulnerable, and he felt the desire to protect her and to violate her in equal measures. He smiled tightly and patted her cheek.

  ‘After this Solstice, Sylvie, that boy will be gone and you’ll forget him. You’ll live by my side day and night and you’ll learn to love me. I know the Earth Magic will return to me and together you and I will be so powerful; a partnership such as Stonewylde has never known before.’

  He sighed and taking her hand, guided her over to the sofa and pushed her down gently onto the soft leather.

  ‘Try to get a little sleep, Sylvie – you’ve a long night ahead of you. I’ll be back to collect you before sunset.’

  He perched on the edge of the sofa and took one of her hands in his, examining her bitten nails.

  ‘You’re an unpolished jewel, Sylvie, but under my guidance you’ll glitter and sparkle. I’ll enjoy working on you, polishing and refining you until you reach perfection. I’ll devote myself to you.’

  He raised her hand, heavy with the diamonds locked around her wrist, and held it to his cheek, closing his eyes momentarily. He sighed deeply and looked into her eyes. The black fire blazed as he scoured her soul.

  ‘A moongazy girl is hard to find and I shall never, ever let you go. Remember that, Sylvie. I’ll be with you always – for ever.’

  He bent and kissed her on the lips. His scent filled her nostrils as he lingered, seeming loathe to leave her. Then he rose and his gaze swept her one last time.

  ‘I’ll be back for you, Sylvie.’

  ‘Goodbye, Magus,’ she whispered.

  She heard the key turn in the lock and her heart thumped wildly with anticipation.

  Three cloaked figures left the woods and laboriously climbed the hill. Wheezing and panting, they lugged themselves up the slope, skirting around the litter of boulders that rose out of the rough grass.

  ‘Sacred Mother, I hope we’re not going right to the top!’ gasped the youngest but heaviest of the three.

  ‘Aye, we’ll be casting up there round that stone, but there’s another spot hereabouts that I have a mind to search out first,’ replied Violet. ‘Not sure where ‘tis exactly but I’ll know it when I find it.’

  ‘Aye, sister, you did talk about this place afore, I recall,’ said Vetchling, her breathing harsh with the exertion. ‘That day we was harvesting our Fly.’

  In the soft golden light, the three women paused to catch their breath. Beneath them spread fields, dark and fallow at this time of year, the brown woods lapping at the edges. Above them stood Hare Stone, jutting out against the pale blue sky and catching the long, low rays of the dying sun.

  ‘I don’t see why we’re doing this,’ grumbled Starling. ‘’Tis known that Magus is taking her up to Mooncliffe for the Frost Moon. She won’t be coming here.’

  ‘Aye, right enough. My Martin will be up there a-helping him, the right-hand man as ever he was. But here ‘tis the place she always favours, as did that Raven afore her.’

  ‘So why are we here if they’re at Mooncliffe? ‘Tis a waste of time, if you ask me,’ whined Starling. ‘I could be home snug by the fire with a bag o’ chestnuts.’

  ‘We must do what we can, daughter,’ said Vetchling. ‘Tonight is the time, and that old crow Heggy has been waitin’ a long time for this, Dark Goddess rot her bones. All will be decided tonight.’

  ‘Aye, sister. We must add our own magic and we must spoil this ground, where them moongazy maidens love to dance. ‘Tis not the place that Magus favours for there’s no snake stone here to drink the power. So stop your moaning, Starling – any fool knows we need three for a charm o’ powerful trouble. And we must hasten!’

  As soon as Magus had left, Sylvie jumped up and raced over to the dumb waiter, wrenching open the panelling. The note had gone! Yul would know the danger he was in – so long as the message had reached Clip and been passed to him. She hurried down through the chambers to her bedroom. She must get changed into warm clothes and find the charm pouch Mother Heggy had sent for her to wear tonight. She wished she knew what the plan was. There wasn’t much time till sunset and Magus wouldn’t take long to drive up to the Gate House and back. The sky was still bright but she was getting twitchy with the familiar sensation beginning to prickle under her skin. With shaking fingers she pulled the tiny bag’s dirty thong over her head, wondering what was inside the fastened pouch.

  Sylvie heard the intercom buzzing back down in the sitting room and hesitated, for she wasn’t allowed to answer the phone or intercom. But then she realised it might be for her, something to do with her rescue, so she raced back through all the rooms, hair flying, and reached the phone before it stopped buzzing.

  ‘Magus, sir?’

  ‘No, it’s Sylvie.’

  ‘What? I need to speak to Magus.’

  ‘He’s not here – he’s gone out.’

  ‘He can’t have! No, no he can’t have!’

  The line went dead. She guessed the Villager on the other end didn’t use the phone much. It buzzed again.

  ‘I’m sorry, miss. ‘Tis Tom here, Tom from the stables. I need to speak to Magus to tell him that Yul’s been here.’

  ‘Tom, is this part of the plan? Yul’s plan?’

  ‘Aye, miss, you could say that. But if Magus ain’t there, I don’t know what to do. Where is he?’

  ‘He’s gone up to the Gate House, Tom. There are men coming with guns and he’s gone to collect them. I sent a note about it to Clip this morning and I thought you’d all know by now.’

  ‘No, miss, we ain’t heard nothing. With guns? That’s bad.’ He paused, and Sylvie’s heart sank. ‘Well, I don’t know what to do now, miss. We thought the master’d be with you so I don’t know what to say. You just be ready to leave very soon.’

  Greenbough surveyed his band of trusted woodsmen gathered around the little hut deep in the woods. Many carried their axes, the younger ones their staves, and all stood quiet but restless. Greenbough took a final swig from his mug of tea and threw the dregs to the ground.

  ‘I know ‘tis the custom to gather in the Stone Circle for the sunset,’ he began, his face grim. ‘’Tis strange times and we all know what’s afoot tonight. And us men, the woodsmen of Stonewylde – we have a job to do tonight. So we’ll be missing the sunset ceremony and we’ll be doing our bit to help young Yul.’

  There was a growl of approval at these words.

  ‘Yul needs the folk behind him if he’s to take his rightful place. Are we all behind him, men?’

  There rose a mighty roar of confirmation.

  ‘Right then, gather in and listen close.’

  Sylvie felt sick with fear and her agitation increased as the hour of sunset drew nearer. She collected her cloak from the wardrobe and as she passed through the chambers again, she glanced outside. The sun was low in the sky and the shadows very long. Her heart beat fast and her hands trembled. Where was Yul? Magus would be back soon with these men. She was terribly scared, especially now she knew what else he had planned for her at Mooncliffe tonight.

  When she returned to the sitting room, she didn’t at first notice the tall figure standing in the shadows. Her heart jumped as the blond head turned at the sound of her approach. It was Martin! He stared at her and she felt uncomfortable, as always, under his expressionless scrutiny.

  ‘Hello, Martin. I … what are you doing here?’

  ‘I’ve completed the preparations at Mooncliffe and all is in place for the night ahead.’

  ‘So why are you here? I don’t need babysitting. Go back downstairs, please.’

  He shook his head, pulling a scrap of paper from hi
s pocket. With a plunge of despair Sylvie recognised her note.

  ‘You think to escape! You’re the moongazy maiden and you should be honoured to serve, yet you’ve been scheming and plotting with those who stand against our Magus. You who owe him your life! But I’ll make sure you’re ready and waiting for the master.’

  He smiled and Sylvie shivered. How would Yul rescue her now? She went over to the window and looked out. The sky was tinged with pink and sunset wouldn’t be long.

  ‘Martin, you really don’t need to stay here. You’ve got the wrong idea entirely – I’m happy to go up to Mooncliffe with Magus and I’m ready, as you can see. I’ve changed into my warm clothes.’

  Martin chuckled at her words, and the sinister sound made her flesh creep.

  Downstairs, Cherry and Marigold were hurriedly pulling on their cloaks.

  ‘We’ll be late for the ceremony, sister! Those blessed cakes took so long and everyone’s left already.’

  ‘Aye, well won’t be as normal anyway, will it my dear? Magus won’t be there, nor Clip neither.’

  ‘But we need to go all the same. Oh Goddess, I’m afeared for tonight! What if it doesn’t go to the plan? So much depends on everything falling in place just right. I do hope Tom’s done his bit.’

  ‘Course he has, Marigold. Magus will’ve got Tom’s message about Yul and soon he’ll be on his way.’

  But just as they were hurrying out of the great kitchen door into the courtyard, Harold came running up.

  ‘You’re as late as us, my lad! Come on, fetch your cloak and we’ll get to the Stone Circle together,’ said Cherry.

  ‘Something’s wrong!’ said Harold, his eyes darting about nervously. ‘Ivy just said she saw Magus leave earlier, before Tom called. So Magus can’t have had the message that Tom was meant to give.’

  ‘No! That’s can’t be right? And where’s that old weasel Martin? I saw him skulking about not so long ago. Ain’t he meant to be out o’ the way up at Mooncliffe?’

  Marigold clutched her sister’s arm. Both women looked at each other fearfully, knowing only too well how much was at stake tonight, and the consequences if the finely-tuned plan failed.

  ‘I’ll stay here,’ said Harold quickly. ‘I may be able to help if aught has gone wrong. May I use your keys, Cherry? I could take a peek in all the rooms and see what’s going on.’

  ‘Aye, lad, ‘tis a good idea. You’re a quick-witted boy and no mistake – do what you can. We’d best get off to the Circle afore that sun disappears and join our voices in the ceremony. Never missed a Solstice Eve sunset yet.’

  ‘Where’s Jack Daw then? Are we gonna see him tonight?’ asked the hard-faced man in the front seat of the Land Rover next to Magus. Both thugs reeked of the Outside World, with their shaven heads, harsh speech and stench of tobacco.

  ‘No, he’s not here,’ replied Magus evenly. ‘That’s why I’ve had to call on your services for this job – he’d given me your number and recommended you. Now remember, stay away from the girl – you mustn’t approach her. All you need do is patrol the area around the cliff-top and grab the boy when he makes an appearance. He’ll be trying to get to the girl and he won’t be expecting you there. Capture him, cuff him and keep him out of my way.’

  ‘So you don’t want the target done over at all?’ said the man, frowning. ‘We thought you wanted him taken out. Why bring this kit then?’

  ‘I want him caught and held securely. If you really think he’s about to injure me or get the girl then yes, deal with him. But only if it’s strictly necessary – I’d hoped to have that pleasure myself. When I’ve finished at the cliff-top, we’ll move the boy up to the Stone Circle, which is where I want to take his life. I’ll need you two along in case he has any misguided followers with him. Feel free to eliminate them by all means.’

  ‘Right you are. You got that, mate?’

  He turned around to the other thug in the back seat, who nodded grimly but remained silent. Both were controlled and tense, the strangeness of their mission not their concern.

  Silently a dark figure appeared in the doorway of the connecting room. Sylvie looked away from Martin, her heart jolting again. Not Magus but Clip! He wore his black birds’ feather cloak and held his ash staff, the one that had transformed into the Rainbow Snake all those months ago. Dressed like a shaman he looked out of place here in Magus’ domain, a strange man with his long, wispy hair and pale grey eyes. Eyes just like her own. He smiled at her and held out his hand.

  ‘Come, Sylvie, my lovely daughter. I’ve come to take you moondancing.’

  ‘No!’ cried Martin, stepping out from the shadows. ‘She’s for Magus! All is prepared.’

  Clip jumped at his voice and spun round to stare at the tall blond man so very similar to himself.

  ‘No, Martin, she’s not for Magus.’

  ‘Yes! She must be taken tonight, at the brightness in the darkness! The magic is strong and powerful and Magus must take his fill tonight on the stone of snakes at Mooncliffe. Then she’ll be bound to him and she’ll never break free. Her magic will be his for evermore!’

  Clip frowned.

  ‘Those are your mother’s words, Martin. What evil is Old Violet up to now? Come here.’

  Reluctantly Martin stepped forward until he and Clip were level with each other. Sylvie gasped – she’d never seen them so close together before. Clip stared at Martin.

  ‘Look at me! Martin, you will sit down, and—’

  ‘Oh no! You won’t catch me like that!’ he cried, looking away and holding a hand up to block Clip’s view of him. ‘Keep away and don’t try your tricks on me!’

  He rushed over to Sylvie and grabbed her roughly, all semblance of servility now vanished.

  ‘Stay with me, girl,’ he hissed. ‘Don’t defy the master or it’ll be worse for you.’

  ‘Let her go!’ commanded Clip, striding towards them. ‘How dare you do this, Martin!’

  ‘I don’t take my orders from you!’ he said contemptuously. ‘You’re not the master! You’re a poor thin shadow not even worthy to walk behind him. He’ll be back any minute and then we’ll see how you cower when he raises his voice to you, just as you’ve always done since we were lads. You keep away from this girl! ‘Tis her destiny to be bound by the snakes in the rock. ‘Tis her destiny to feed their hunger and give the master what he craves.’

  Clip looked hard at him and then began to hum, a low, strange sound that gathered force. Slowly he raised his ash staff as the humming grew in intensity and twisted it round and round in his hands like a screw. The staff seemed to waver, the solid wood softening and losing definition. Sylvie was as transfixed as Martin, unable to tear her eyes away although she knew she should.

  Clip took a few steps back and tilted the nebulous wood on its side, gripping the end. He’d changed too, no longer wispy but dark and menacing, a huge black bird with plumage of the night. He began to spin the staff around him. Round and round it whirled, losing all shape and becoming part of the deep whirring noise. The black-feathered cloak flew out in a vast circular wing of darkness, enveloping and overpowering.

  Martin gazed spell-bound, his grip on Sylvie loosening. She stepped back, terrified, but Martin remained rooted, unable to look away and his eyes bulging. The shaman swung his staff in a great blurred arc and, with a mighty crack, caught Martin full on the side of the head. He fell like a tree, straight down and almost in slow motion. Sylvie cried out in horror.

  ‘No time for that!’ barked Clip. ‘Come on! Magus could be back any minute!’

  Together they hurried down through the connecting chambers until they came to her bedroom. The door was already open and they rushed out into the long corridor towards the back stairs.

  ‘Where are we going?’ cried Sylvie, clasping the cloak around her to stop it tangling.

  ‘To Woodland Cottage,’ he replied as they clattered down the narrow wooden stairs. ‘Your mother’s already there and she’s desperate to see you.’

  ‘Wil
l Yul be there?’

  ‘No, he’s away dealing with Magus. He wants you safe whatever the outcome of their conflict and it’s me who’ll be taking care of you tonight, Sylvie. It’s about time I looked out for your welfare.’

  She smiled at this, proud of her magical father, and hurried to keep up with his long strides.

  At the Gate House, the two Villagers on duty were surprised when a taxi pulled up outside the enormous iron gates and Professor Siskin emerged. They recognised him but had no idea he was due to visit.

  ‘All the Hallfolk visiting for the Solstice have already arrived, sir,’ said one of them, carrying his case into the Gate House. ‘We weren’t expecting you. There ain’t no car here to take you down to the Hall, and you’ve just missed Magus. He were here hisself a few minutes ago.’

  ‘No matter!’ said Siskin brightly, breathing the late afternoon air deeply and beaming with happiness. ‘Ah, but it’s good to be home! I’ll come in and have a cup of tea with you two chaps, if you don’t mind.’

  ‘Course, sir. I’ll phone down to the Hall and get someone to drive up and collect you soon as they can, but I reckon you’ll miss the sunset ceremony in the Stone Circle.’

  ‘No hurry – I wasn’t planning to attend that one anyway. The sunrise tomorrow is what I’m here for.’

  ‘Right you are, sir. Well, if there’s no rush to get to the ceremony, I’ll put the kettle on.’

  ‘Splendid! And I’m just as happy to travel in horse and cart if necessary. I want to go to the Village first anyway and have a glass or two of cider in the Jack in the Green.’

  ‘Very wise, sir. Wouldn’t mind one myself.’

  Mother Heggy took a jar from her dresser and poured some of the thick liquid into a heavy goblet. She added another thinner liquid and stirred in a sprinkle of desiccated herbs, then carefully hobbled over to place the goblet inside the pentangle, next to the salt and matches. She took a small cake wrapped in a piece of linen, and her clay pipe and herbal tobacco, and put these inside the magic circle as well. The light was fading fast. She stoked up the fire with extra logs, knowing that the chill would be bad later on, and once the circle was cast she wouldn’t be able to break it until the rituals were finished.