Moondance of Stonewylde (22 page)

‘I don’t understand. Sylvie
wants
to dance at Mooncliffe.’

‘’Tis a spell he’s put on her. She speaks as a puppet.’

‘But I didn’t think he had any magic of his own. After the Solstice, the magic has become mine. I visit the Stone Circle every day and it’s getting stronger. Magus has no power from there any more so how can he put a spell on her?’

She nodded at this.

‘You speak true, boy. ‘Must be the brother; he’s the one who casts the spell. Beware of him. He creeps like a snake and you won’t know he’s about till you put a foot on him. Beware of him and his spells. He is powerful, and ‘tis not earth or moon magic like yours and Sylvie’s. His is a different sort, a wisdom he’s learnt. He’s a strange man; he has gifts and can walk with the spirits. And there’s something else, some secret, something not clear.’

Yul nodded, remembering that night of the Story Web when Clip had invited him to touch the Rainbow Snake. The shaman had strange powers and could’ve put a spell on Sylvie, which would explain everything. But his more immediate concern right now was her health. He’d seen just how weak she was.

‘I know, I know,’ muttered Mother Heggy, before he could say anything. ‘I have it all ready here.’

She showed him the little bottles she’d prepared.

‘Morning, noon and night, a draught for each till all is gone. ‘Twill help get her strength back. But the best thing, once she’s up and about, is to take her to Hare Stone for the magic there. Come back next week and tell me how she mends. Here, put the bottles in this bag and mind you bring ’em back, boy. ‘Tis not easy to get good bottles and corks.’

Quite when and how he’d get the remedies to Sylvie or take her up to Hare Stone, Yul had no idea. He ran back to the Village, and after concealing the bag at his cottage, joined the rest of the community in the Great Barn for the music and dancing. It had been a long and strenuous day and he needed to relax. He felt much happier knowing Sylvie was under a spell and not choosing to go with Magus. He could fight a spell, but he couldn’t fight Sylvie not wanting him.

Yul stood chatting to Rosie as they watched their mother dancing around the Barn, free at last of Alwyn and his drunken possessiveness.

‘’Tis good to see her having such fun,’ said Rosie. Her own cheeks were as flushed as their mother’s as she too had been dancing. She looked very pretty and Yul felt proud of his sister.

‘Where’s Robin then? Not dropped you already?’ teased Yul, sipping his cider.

‘He’s getting me some more blackcurrant cordial,’ said Rosie. ‘And anyway, Yul, where’s your sweetheart? You never did tell us who she was.’

‘She’s not here,’ said Yul sadly, eyeing the favour pinned to Rosie’s blouse. ‘I just wish she was. Hey, look at Mother now! She’s dancing with Magus!’

They both watched as Maizie swung past them, her dark curls flying and eyes sparkling. She was linked to Magus, handsome in his festival clothes, who seemed to be enjoying the dance as much as she was. They made a striking pair and many people turned to watch them.

‘Always did have a passion for each other, those two,’ laughed a Village woman. ‘Remember that long summer?’

‘Aye, quite an item they were, as young ‘uns,’ agreed another. ‘Alwyn was so mad and jealous, for he had his eye on her too. Remember how spirited Maizie was when she were just coming into her prime? Alwyn wanted her bad, but he had to play second fiddle, I recall. ‘Twas Magus she’d set her heart on. Moonstruck for him, she was.’

‘Aye, who could forget that? He’d come riding into the Village for her right under Alwyn’s nose, and off she’d go with him, jumping up on his horse without a second glance or by your leave. She was a wild one, that Maizie, with her dark hair and rosy cheeks. Had Magus in her pocket for a while, no mistake.’

‘And now Alwyn’s safely tucked away, the first fiddle can come back and play another tune!’

‘Get away with you! ‘Tis only a dance, nothing else.’

Yul was shocked to overhear such gossip. He’d had no idea that Magus and his mother had once liked each other and the thought was repulsive to him. He turned to discuss it with Rosie but she’d joined Robin on the dance floor and he was left standing alone. Holly, Rainbow and a couple of other girls were now the closest people to him, and their giggling and shrieking was hard to ignore. He stayed in the shadows, not wanting any of Holly’s attention. He disliked her all the more for having once found her attractive.

‘Look at Magus tonight cavorting with another Villager! And an old one at that.’

Yul’s fists clenched at this insult to his mother but he kept silent and out of sight.

‘Well, he has to keep the peasants happy. I heard him say once that it’s the main purposes of all these dances and things. It makes them work harder for the rest of the year. At least that stupid Sylvie’s out of the way tonight.’

‘Yes, else she’d be monopolising him. We all know the little cow’s got her sights set on Magus.’

‘I saw him kiss her on the stairs the other day.’

‘No! And have you heard she was with him at the last Moon Fullness? You know, up at Mooncliffe.’

‘But she’s not an adult yet! That’s not allowed!’

‘Well she was definitely with him. Fennel saw them going up the path just before sunset. I don’t know what they were doing up there but apparently she’s been in bed ever since. So … what happened that night, I wonder?’

They giggled and Yul gritted his teeth feeling sick with suppressed rage. If they only knew the truth.

‘And with any luck she’ll be out of the way tomorrow too, when Buzz gets back.’

‘Do you think she’ll still be after him as well?’

‘Well, you know how he was before he left, following her around like a little puppy dog. She’s got him well and truly hooked, the bitch.’

‘She certainly knows how to pull the men, doesn’t she? And she looks so sweet and innocent too. You’d never think it. I hate her.’

‘She’d better watch out with Buzz, though. You know he’s got that … side to him. I’d laugh if she pushed him too far – that’d serve her right.’

‘And he’s back tomorrow for definite?’

‘Oh yes, sometime in the morning in time for the Lammas cricket match, he said. Remember how mad he is about cricket? He’s over the moon because he’s on the Hallfolk men’s team this year and he wants us all there, cheering him on. Apparently he’s been practising all summer whilst he’s been away. Oh, I can’t wait to see him!’

‘Will you go out with him again when he gets back, Holly?’

‘You bet! With madam safely tucked away up in her tower, I’ll remind him of what he’s been missing all summer.’

The girls laughed at this and Yul slipped away, sickened by their talk, his evening spoilt. Sylvie and Magus, Sylvie and Buzz – he didn’t believe a word of it. Sylvie was beautiful and special and of course she’d attract other men’s attention; he’d just have to accept that. There was something so desirable and tantalizing
about her, and naturally others felt it too. But she belonged to him, and him alone. Yul knew it deep inside, despite the apparent impossibility of such a thing. Mother Heggy had recognised it – the darkness and the brightness. And like any prize worth having, winning her wouldn’t be easy. He’d have to fight for her.

Reaching his cottage, he looked up at the stars. Eternity was patterned in the sky and echoed in his soul. Yul knew without any doubt at all that he and Sylvie were destined to be together one day. An owl called from the woods nearby and he shivered suddenly. Tonight he’d told Sylvie he’d die for her, but that was only a part of it. Yul knew he’d also kill for her.

Y
ul left the Stone Circle once the sun had climbed a little in the sky. It promised to be a scorching day for the annual cricket match. Yul felt energised and strong and knew he’d need this today. He desperately wanted to play well for the Villagers’ team and not let Edward down. At his age, not yet an adult, it was an honour to have been chosen to play with the men. Crackling with Earth Magic, both from this morning’s sunrise and from the Lammas festival yesterday, Yul decided to go to Mooncliffe. Mother Heggy’s words yesterday had been a revelation and he wanted to understand exactly what was going on up there. Clearly Magus had discovered how to drain Sylvie of moon magic, and it must be something to do with the disc of rock.

Luckily Yul moved silently up the path because when he reached the top, he was shocked to find Magus lying spread-eagled on the massive round stone. He’d taken off his shirt, revealing his tanned, well-muscled torso and the silver disc on a chain around his neck. His eyes were shut and his body relaxed as the sunlight glittered on the rock. Yul was reminded of a viper sunning itself on a stone to warm its cold blood. He crept off the path and hid behind the tall bracken that grew so thickly on the hill. His heart beat slow and hard as he watched the man glowing like a great golden god. This was the man responsible for Sylvie lying in bed, white, exhausted and barely able to move.

After a while, Magus sat up and stretched. His muscles flexed under the tanned skin.

‘Sacred Mother, that feels good!’ he said huskily.

He leapt off the rock and stood on the cliff edge looking out to sea. Yul hated everything about him; the way his silvery hair curled slightly as it reached his neck, the length and power of his legs, his smooth broad shoulders and the bronzed satin of his bare skin. The hatred rose unbidden and almost choked Yul with its violence and intensity. He had a sudden urge to run over and shove Magus hard in the back; to watch him fall down, down, until his golden body smashed on the sharp rocks below.

Yul swallowed, his throat painfully dry, and clenched his fists to stop the shaking. He’d never felt such hatred before, not even for Alwyn after his worst excesses. He wanted to destroy Magus and the feeling frightened him in its overwhelming passion. This man was so powerful – Sylvie so delicate. How could he force her to give him all her moon magic? How could he steal something so precious from a defenceless girl?

Magus chuckled to himself and turned from the sea. He strolled over to a large wooden chest that Yul hadn’t seen here before. Taking a key from his pocket he unlocked it and looked inside, his face breaking in a smile of pure delight. He bent over and took out what looked to Yul like a large goose egg, cradling it in both hands against his chest. He groaned and at first Yul thought he was in pain. But then he heard what Magus muttered and realised that the man was actually in ecstasy. Yul frowned in bemusement. Magus locked the chest and picked up his shirt from the rock. As he turned, the egg caught the sun and sparkled.

In that instant, all became clear to Yul. He could barely swallow and had to steel himself against leaping up and attacking Magus there and then. As Yul watched, Magus grasped the egg like a ball and made a mock bowl, his arms rippling in perfect coordination. He chuckled again and tossed the egg in the air, catching it and laughing.

‘Howzat!’ he said softly, heading off down the path.

During the morning everyone was busy putting the final touches to the Village Green in readiness for the cricket match. This was
a major event at Stonewylde and one of the few times that Villagers competed directly against Hallfolk. It was always a fiercely fought affair and evenly matched, as there was strength, stamina and skill on both sides. Yul could see both Magus and Clip on the Green and decided to risk a visit to Sylvie; he needed to deliver the potions from Mother Heggy that would help her recovery. He raced home to collect the bag and walked in to a major row. Leveret was cradled in his mother’s arms, scarlet-faced and screaming, whilst Gefrin and Sweyn stood silently in the middle of the room looking down at the floorboards.

‘Yul! Thank Goddess you’re here!’ cried Maizie. ‘You sort this out. Rosie and the boys aren’t here and I’ve enough to do helping get the cricket match tea ready without this.’

‘What’s happened?’ asked Yul, wanting to face his responsibilities but anxious to get to Sylvie while he knew Magus and Clip were safely on the Green.

‘Those two again!’ said Maizie angrily. ‘I don’t know what’s happened but they’ve done something horrible to Leveret and look at the state of her, poor little mite. She can’t tell me o’ course, and they’re denying everything. Since their father’s gone they’ve been terrible. You deal with them, Yul, and make sure it sticks. This isn’t the first time they’ve hurt her.’

Yul glared down at the two little boys, both looking sheepishly at their feet. He felt a bubbling of anger. Sweyn, with his gingery hair and porcine features particularly annoyed him, and Yul knew why.

‘Well?’ he said. ‘What did you do to your little sister? I want the truth now!’

‘Nothing!’ cried Gefrin. ‘We didn’t do nothing, Yul!’

‘She’s just a cry-baby,’ muttered Sweyn, his jaw stubborn.

Yul took a deep breath. He had to get up to the Hall now; it really was urgent. Maizie had calmed Leveret down a little and watched her oldest son struggle to deal with the situation.

‘Smack them, Yul,’ she said firmly. ‘They’ve obviously done something nasty to her.’

Yul rounded on his mother, his face white.

‘I don’t smack children,’ he said quietly. ‘Nobody in this house is to be smacked, or hit, or beaten. Not ever.’

She stared at him and swallowed. Leveret held out her arms to him and Yul took her, hugging her close. She clung to him, hot and tearful, her little body still shaking with the aftermath of sobbing. He turned back to the two boys who were eyeing each other hopefully. They weren’t to be smacked. Maybe they’d get off altogether.