Solstice at Stonewylde
Page 42
Yul thought of Mother Heggy and his intended visit to her today with Sylvie. She’d be so happy to see the pair of them together, the grandchildren of her Raven. The man she’d hated since his brutal conception on the Snake Stone was gone and her prophecy had come true. As he thought of Mother Heggy and the part she’d played in this, there was a flapping and a flurry. The great black crow appeared, flying slowly into the sacred Circle cawing loudly. Yul noticed many people make the sign of the pentangle, remembering old Mother Heggy and her natural magic. The crow circled overhead, his wings splayed, and then alighted in a tumble of feathers onto Sylvie’s shoulder. People around the Stone Circle nodded. The Wise Woman’s crow had spoken – Sylvie truly belonged by Yul’s side.
When it was time for the customary sharing of cakes and mead, the people came forward as usual in lines towards the altar. But there was also an exodus, by silent consent, of many Hallfolk. They left quietly, streaming back up the Long Walk towards the Hall and their suitcases, understanding that Stonewylde was now a different place. Visiting adults took their children, and soon there were few blond heads to be seen amongst the vast crowd of Villagers.
The folk who stayed were surprised to find the cakes delicious but not spiced with strange herbs. The mead was heady but not laced with anything stronger. Instead they received something infinitely more enthralling. One by one they stood on the step before Yul, reaching up to him on the Altar Stone. Glorious in golden Solstice robes and evergreen winter headdress, he bent and clasped their hands in his. Grey eyes blazing with energy and light, he looked deep into each person’s eyes and gave them a taste of green magic. For this was the true but long forgotten role of the magus, the magician, the wise one. The energy at Stonewylde was everyone’s – not a privilege to be hoarded by one, but a gift to be shared by all.
Maizie and Miranda came up together, both glowing with pride at their children’s bravery and triumph. Clip too received the energy from Yul, full of respect for the young man. When he looked up at the handsome dark face before him he knew Yul would succeed as magus. He was too much his father’s son to do otherwise.
Finally, when every person had been blessed one by one, Sylvie came from her place beside the stone. She stood before Yul, the black crow on her shoulder. He guided her up from the step to stand next to him on the Altar Stone. Holding hands they faced each other, and the energy flowed in both directions. Green magic and quicksilver. Their eyes locked together as they gazed into each other’s souls. The fear, pain and suffering of the past months melted away to nothing, like frost in the sun. Their passion and adoration glimmered around them in an aura for all to see. The crow took off and flew to the stone behind them, where the image of the Green Man smiled amidst the traditional symbols of the Winter Solstice.
The sun blessed them both, gilding them like bright angels. They looked deep into each other’s eyes and time seemed to stand still for a moment. Then, moving as one, they fell into a fierce embrace. The folk cheered as they held each other tightly, two hearts beating wildly in unison.
Sylvie and Yul felt the cogs of time falling into place. They felt the wheels of fate revolving and knew this was their rightful destiny. The ancient story was told again. The pattern was repeated as it had been throughout the ages in this enchanted place. The Green Man and the moongazy girl, the darkness and the brightness, together as one.
The true guardians of the magic of Stonewylde.
Acknowledgements
My acknowledgements written for the original, self-published edition of this book still stand. So continued and deepest thanks to:
Clare Pearson, my first agent – you were right all along!
My three sons George, Oliver and William for putting up with my obsession.
My family and friends, many in Dorset, for your love and support.
Rob Walster of Big Blu Design for the original cover.
Mr B – for giving me the freedom to pursue my dream.
Now that Stonewylde has been taken on by Gollancz and this new edition published, I must add further heartfelt thanks to:
My readers – the thousands of you who’ve stuck with me, encouraged me and loved Stonewylde, and especially the lovely people in the Stonewylde Community.
My wonderful family and friends again – for your enthusiasm and kindness.
Piers Russell-Cobb, my literary agent, for being so clever.
Gillian Redfearn, my editor, for your excellence and patience.
My sister Claire of Helixtree and Rob Walster of Big Blu Design for the beautiful Stonewylde logo.
Mr B, my own personal magus.
A Gollancz eBook
Copyright © Kit Berry 2007, 2011
All rights reserved.
The right of Kit Berry to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
First published in Great Britain in 2011 by
Gollancz
The Orion Publishing Group Ltd
Orion House
5 Upper Saint Martin’s Lane
London, WC2H 9EA
An Hachette UK Company
This eBook first published in 2011 by Gollancz.
A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
ISBN 978 0 575 09888 6
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