Magus of Stonewylde Book One (14 page)

Yul sat up and began to wash vigorously. As always, he was very dirty, and knew he’d see Sylvie tonight. This would be the first time since the evening on the bridge when she’d sought him out and then made him feel so wretched. The memory of her strange silver-grey eyes and their flood of pity still upset him. The last thing he wanted was her pity. The thought of her churned up his insides and he almost dreaded their next encounter, despite longing to see her again. She made him feel confused and unsure of himself.

Glowing from her bath, Sylvie padded along the corridor and climbed a half-flight of stairs into another corridor. The Hall was a labyrinth and she was only just beginning to find her way around, especially upstairs. It didn’t help that the building had grown over the centuries, each era adding extra wings on different levels. She opened a heavy oak door that led into another part and heard the sound of many girls’ voices coming through open doorways. There was giggling and shrieking, and the palpable energy that mushrooms when a group of girls get ready together for a night out. She hesitated, suddenly feeling shy. When Dawn, an older girl who’d recently befriended her, had suggested that Sylvie join them in the girls’ wing to get ready for Beltane Eve, it had seemed like a good idea. But now she wished she’d gone back to Woodland Cottage to get ready with her mother. She couldn’t change her mind though, for her clothes hung in the communal room. She steeled herself and walked in.

Many faces turned at her arrival and she felt her cheeks burn. But there were smiles of welcome and Dawn, sitting on a sofa in her dressing gown, stood up and greeted her. She was given a plate of cold food and a glass of milk, and a space was found for her on a cushion on the floor. The big room was packed full of girls of around her age, most of them blond haired. They were
all eating supper and excitedly discussing the night ahead. Being part of a group like this was strange for Sylvie. She sat quietly, savouring the experience as her hair slowly dried down her back.

‘How long have we got now?’

‘Less than an hour. We need to get a move on soon and start getting dressed.’

‘Can I still borrow your old cloak? I’ll be getting my new one next Solstice at my Rite, and I hate the old one.’

‘Yeah, I said you could. I don’t need it now I’ve got robes.’

‘Will you do my hair?’

‘Only if you’ll do mine. Lots of little plaits.’

‘I still can’t believe he chose that stupid Rowan.’

‘Did you see her yesterday? I saw her walking back down to the Village after she’d finished work. She was smiling so hard I thought she’d split her bloody face open.’

‘It makes me sick. Why didn’t he choose a Hallfolk girl?’

As the conversation progressed Sylvie realised that she wasn’t part of the group at all, for she’d no idea what they were on about. Dawn noticed her puzzled look.

‘We’re talking about the girl Magus chose as May Queen.’

‘Is she a Villager?’

‘Yes she bloody well is!’ said July bitterly. ‘She works in the laundry here.’

‘How could he pick a laundry maid? Maya’s sixteen this festival, and there’s Linden and Tulip. They had their Rite at the Spring Equinox. Not to mention Megan and Saffy at Imbolc. What’s wrong with them? It makes me sick!’

‘He has to be fair,’ said Dawn in a conciliatory tone. ‘It was a Hallfolk girl last year and the Lammas Queen too. The Villagers would get upset if he never chose one of them.’

‘So? Let them get upset. What are they going to do about it?’

‘How’s Eleanor? I bet she’s nervous.’

‘It’s Eleanor’s Rite of Adulthood tonight,’ Dawn explained to Sylvie who nodded, none the wiser.

‘She’s okay. Her parents are here and she’s in their rooms with them. Her new robes are beautiful.’

‘What’s her totem?’

‘A hedgehog, would you believe? I thought she was joking when she told me!’

‘Eleanor’s always loved hedgehogs.’

‘Yeah, but not all over her robes and on her necklet, surely? Let’s hope she’s not as prickly tonight!’

‘So who’s partnering her? Fennel?’

‘Buzz. But I don’t mind,’ said Holly. ‘He spoke to me about it and it’s okay. He’s mine at the Winter Solstice. Unless I get lucky, of course!’

They all laughed at this and Sylvie tried to join in.

After a while they put their plates to one side and started to get dressed for the evening, the under sixteens in tunics and the older ones in their robes.

‘You don’t wear that until tomorrow,’ said Holly, noticing Sylvie taking her white dress off the hanger.

‘Magus said I had to wear it tonight,’ said Sylvie. ‘And my mum’s wearing hers too.’

‘They’re having a special ceremony,’ said Dawn. ‘Magus is welcoming them into the community.’

‘Really? How odd. What’s he going to do?’

The pretty girl stood unselfconsciously in the middle of the room wearing only her underwear. She stared hard at Sylvie, who clutched her white dress and coloured slightly at being singled out like this.

‘I’m not really sure,’ she replied. ‘We’ll be making a vow to uphold the laws and customs of Stonewylde, I think. That’s what Clip said.’

‘My parents couldn’t believe Magus had brought Outsiders here. They arrived yesterday for Beltane and they were stunned when they heard,’ said Holly, pulling the tunic over her head and shaking out her blond bobbed hair. ‘Mother said it’s never been done before.’

Sylvie was silent at this. She hoped people weren’t going to resent them.

‘Don’t worry, Sylvie,’ said Dawn. ‘You know you’re welcome here.’

‘Yeah, but it does seem a little unfair that real Hallfolk aren’t allowed to live here permanently even though they’d love to, and then Magus goes and brings in Outsiders.’

‘Why aren’t they allowed to live here?’ asked Sylvie, worried now about upsetting people.

‘Magus says there isn’t enough room for all the Hallfolk,’ said Holly. ‘Most of them are only allowed back for one or two of the festivals a year. That’s why my parents are here now. But they’ll have to leave after a week. It’s the same for all the visitors who’ve come for Beltane.’

‘Not all of them want to stay here permanently though,’ said Wren. ‘My parents don’t. Dad’s an Outsider anyway and he’d hate Stonewylde. Mother always comes on her own and she says a week’s enough for her.’

‘Well, I just hope the visitors don’t mind,’ said Holly. ‘Two complete strangers taking up valuable Hallfolk spaces.’

Her dark eyes watched Sylvie closely; she was trying to pluck up the courage to take off her bathrobe and change into her dress.

‘Of course they won’t!’ said Dawn, putting an arm round Sylvie’s shoulders. ‘Do you want to get dressed in my room, Sylvie?’

She nodded thankfully and followed the older girl down the corridor to a bedroom. Her breathing felt tight and she wished she’d brought her inhaler. She hadn’t used it for ages but maybe she’d need it tonight after all. But it sat uselessly in a drawer in Woodland Cottage, and Sylvie realised she’d just have to manage without it. Dawn pushed her bedroom door open and ushered Sylvie inside, smiling kindly at the younger girl.

‘There, it’s more private here. Don’t take any notice of Holly. She’s just a bit jealous of you, that’s all.’

‘Jealous? What on earth for?’

‘You’re new and you’re getting a lot of attention. She likes to be queen bee. She overheard the boys talking about you and
she didn’t like it. But don’t worry, she’s always bitching about someone or something. It’s nothing personal. I’ll leave you in peace to get changed. Use any of my stuff. We need to leave in about twenty minutes though, so don’t take too long.’

When Sylvie returned to the communal room the noisy chattering died. The room fell silent as everyone turned to stare. Sylvie stood just inside the doorway unaware of how beautiful she looked. The white dress was of the finest linen and very simple, emphasising her slim body and delicate features. Her hair had dried into a shining silver cloud that brushed her bare arms and fell almost to her waist. She looked shyly at the sea of faces. Everyone was dressed in their tunics and robes which made Sylvie, in white, stand out even more. Abruptly Holly pulled on her cloak and broke the silence, chivvying the others.

‘Come on! We’ll be late if we don’t hurry up!’

They trooped along the corridors and down the stairs, a great gaggle of girls, meeting others also on their way downstairs. The huge entrance hall was full of Hallfolk gathering to leave for the Stone Circle.

‘Have you got a cloak to wear?’ asked Dawn. ‘It can get chilly, especially on the walk back.’

‘Mum’s bringing our cloaks I think,’ replied Sylvie. There was an atmosphere of tense excitement amongst the milling people and Sylvie’s heart beat faster. She saw Miranda talking to a small group and went over to collect her new cloak.

‘Are you alright, darling?’ her mother asked, looking stunning herself in the white dress. Sylvie nodded, her eyes bright.

‘A bit nervous. I do hope it goes alright. I can’t believe this is happening to us!’

Miranda smiled and gave her a hug.

‘Neither can I!’

Sylvie stayed with Dawn and the girls as they walked down the gravel drive and along the track, turning off for the Long Walk which led to the Stone Circle. It was still daylight but not for much longer.

‘Where’s Magus now?’ asked Sylvie.

‘He’ll be up there already,’ said Dawn. ‘And so will Rowan. She must be so scared. It’s a great, great honour to be chosen as May Queen. Don’t listen to any nastiness about her from the girls. It’s only envy. Magus always makes sure the Villagers get their chance at the festivals and their Rites. He’s very fair.’

‘So she’s a good choice then?’

‘She’s lovely. Very pretty and curvy, just as the May Queen should be. She represents the fertility of the Earth Mother and Rowan’s just right for it. There’s a sort of earthiness about her. I can understand why Magus chose her.’

As they walked, Sylvie heard the girls in front discussing Buzz. She recalled Dawn’s words and wondered what Holly had overheard the boys saying about her. She wasn’t used to being an object of interest to boys and found it flattering, if a little alarming. And she certainly didn’t want to upset Holly. Then she heard Yul’s name mentioned and listened more closely to the conversation.

‘Buzz is livid,’ said Holly. ‘He’s out to get Yul.’

‘Oh Goddess, I hope there isn’t going to be any trouble this Beltane.’

‘You know they had a fight at the Equinox? Over me?’

‘Yes, Holly, you told us.’

‘I think they’re still at each other’s throats about it. Buzz said today he’ll kill him.’

‘Even Buzz wouldn’t go that far.’

‘No, but you know how he gets when he’s angry. Still, I’m sure Yul will survive. He’s used to it after all.’

They laughed and Sylvie asked Dawn what they meant.

‘It’s a bit of a joke, Yul’s battle-scars.’

‘Oh, you mean his black eye?’

‘He’s always got some injury or other, that boy. It’s not funny though.’

‘Does he fight a lot then? He seemed quite gentle to me. Not that I’ve had much to do with him, of course.’

‘No, it’s his father. He’s an absolute brute. I remember when I was much younger at the Village School. You know the Hallfolk
children go there until they’re eight? Poor Yul was always battered and bruised even then, as a little boy.’

‘That’s horrible! And that was his father’s doing?’

‘Yes, and it doesn’t seem to have got any better now he’s older. I do feel sorry for him. Although he’s a sulky lad most of the time and maybe he brings it on himself. Buzz has always had it in for him, right from when they were much younger.’

Sylvie was silent, remembering the awful darkness she’d sensed inside Yul. She thought that now she understood why, and her sympathy for him grew. She hoped to see him tonight and wondered if she could warn him about Buzz. She’d noticed the great crowd of Hallfolk boys up ahead and felt even more nervous of them. What had they said about her?

They’d been making a lot of noise, but now in the Long Walk everyone became quiet. The trees overhead formed a tunnel, their leaves half unfurled, and the way was shadowy. Waist-high stones marked the wide path, candlelight from the lanterns twinkling amongst them. As Sylvie followed the crowd making their way to the Stone Circle she felt a sudden rush of spirit and understood why everyone was silent. She sensed that she was approaching a sacred place. She heard the soft throbbing of drums from up ahead and her heart quickened to match their beat.

The entire community, Villager and Hallfolk, poured from the Long Walk into the great arena, completely filling it. The huge standing stones loomed around the body of people, jutting tall against the pale sky. The atmosphere crackled with anticipation. They’d been blessed with perfect weather – a clear, balmy evening of soft pink skies and a sunset edged with pure gold. The Stone Circle thronged with adults and children dressed in their ceremonial robes and tunics. As the sun went down the bonfire was lit, flaring blue-green in great shooting flames. The Beltane Eve ceremony commenced, to the sound of drumming and many voices singing.

Miranda and Sylvie were awestruck. They’d never witnessed anything like this before and were overwhelmed by the power
generated within the Circle. There was movement and dancing, chanting and singing. The drum rhythms entered the bodies of everyone present; there was no escape from the beat. This wasn’t simply an auditory experience but a corporeal one. The Circle itself magnified and enclosed the sound which entered every torso as if each were another drum. Sylvie could feel the beats reverberating in her chest and skull. She was unaware of the real power of drumming, when the body itself becomes a skin that amplifies and vibrates with the sound.