Moondance of Stonewylde (23 page)

‘If you won’t tell me the truth, then you must’ve done something horrible,’ he said. ‘I won’t stand for it. Smacking is wrong, but you’ll be punished. I’m taking you down to the nursery and you’ll spend the day there with all the babies. You’ll miss both the cricket match and the tea. Daisy can keep you shut in the naughty room at the nursery for the whole day and that’ll serve you both right. Don’t ever do anything nasty to your little sister again. You should be taking care of her, not hurting her.’

He kissed Leveret and handed her back to his mother, then collected the bag of remedies from his room. Grabbing each of the boys by an arm, Yul marched them down into the heart of the Village to the nursery. Their legs could barely keep up with his long strides and both snivelled all the way. He saw Clip and Magus in the Barn and breathed a sigh of relief. With a final stern word to his youngest brothers, he bundled them into the care of Daisy and ran quickly towards the track leading to the Hall.

On the way he heard voices around the corner and dived into the bushes. He recognised Buzz’s voice and didn’t want to risk a confrontation now, not with the bag full of precious medicine for Sylvie. Soon Buzz came swaggering into sight surrounded by his old gang of friends, as loud and ebullient as ever. He seemed bigger than before and more adult. His face was freckled and his blond hair now cropped very short. Yul’s skin prickled with dislike at the sight of him and the memory of the beatings Buzz had given him over the years. He had a score to settle with this large blond youth, and the sooner the better.

As luck would have it, he saw Miranda sitting outside on the long terrace as he skirted the Hall and made his way round to
the Tudor wing. Quietly he climbed the stairs, knocking gently on the arched door at the top. Sylvie was sitting in a chair by the window and rose to fling her arms around him. He grinned at her, delighted to see her up and looking a little brighter today.

‘Mother Heggy has sent you some of her potions to help get your strength back,’ he said, showing her the bottles inside the bag. ‘You must drink one – see, they’re quite small – every morning, noon and night she said, until they’ve all gone. And keep the bottles and corks because she wants them back.’

Sylvie looked dubiously at the assorted glass bottles and their murky brown contents.

‘Do you think it’s safe?’ she asked. ‘It won’t poison me, will it?’

‘Sylvie, Mother Heggy is renowned for her remedies. She’s a wonderful healer and I promise this’ll make you feel better. Have one now.’

She did so, and felt the effect of the strange medicine as it slid down her throat. They hid the bag in the fireplace behind the decorative summer fire-screen. She smiled at him and sat down again in the chair.

‘You’re right – I feel different already.’

‘Good! And Mother Heggy said you should get up to Hare Stone as soon as you’re able. The magic there will help you get stronger. We’ll go together if we can manage it.’

That sounds lovely. You look wonderful today, Yul,’ she said softly. ‘You’re shimmering.’

‘It’s the Earth Magic,’ he said. ‘It comes to me now so strongly. Last night at the Lammas ceremony – I didn’t even have to stand on the Altar Stone. It sought me out.’

‘What about Magus? Did he notice? Isn’t he angry that he doesn’t get it?’

Yul’s face darkened at the memory of what he’d seen on the cliff top earlier.

‘No, he doesn’t need it any more. And Sylvie, I know what’s wrong with you now. It’s all Magus’ fault. It’s that stone up at Mooncliffe. It …’

‘No!’ she cried. ‘I don’t want to talk about it! When I think of it all my head hurts. Please … just leave it, Yul.’

‘Alright,’ he said gently. ‘We’ll sort it out when you’re stronger. At least you’re safe from him until the next Moon Fullness. I’m sorry.’

He knelt before her and took her hands in his, gazing up into her thin face. She flinched, her eyes widening with shock, and pulled her hands away.

‘What?’

‘I can feel the Earth Magic in you, Yul! It’s so strong. It feels the way it did when Magus healed me back in the spring.’

‘Really? Then take it, Sylvie, take it now! Maybe I can heal you too!’

She looked uncertain.

‘Are you sure? Magus said he had to be careful or it’d be too powerful. Can you control it?’

He shook his head. She looked down at him kneeling at her feet, his deep grey eyes full of concern for her. It seemed every time she saw him he’d changed. He looked so grown up nowadays, more a man than a boy. She thought back to the Yul who’d dug her back garden and looked at him now more closely. He was different; the thin defiant face now filled out into strong planes and hollows. He was so good looking. She reached forward hesitantly and stroked his angular cheek bone, tracing the thin scar.

‘Just hold me,’ she whispered. ‘That’ll be enough.’

He stood up and helped her to her feet, wrapping his arms around her and holding her tight. She felt thin and frail and he was careful not to crush her. Tentatively he tried to free just a little of the energy burning inside him and let it pass gently through his fingertips where they touched her. He felt her tremble but he held on and slowly felt the release. It was a strange sensation but not unpleasant, and he was pleased to be able to do something to help her.

Eventually she pulled away and held him at arm’s length, looking deep into his eyes.

‘Thank you, Yul. I feel stronger already.’

He saw a faint tinge to her cheeks that hadn’t been there before, though whether that was due to his Earth Magic or Mother Heggy’s potion he couldn’t be sure. Her eyes sparkled slightly, no longer so dull and clouded, and she smiled. His heart filled with compassion for her. She was so brave, not complaining about what had happened to her, not making a fuss at all.

‘I have to go, Sylvie,’ he said reluctantly. ‘It’s the cricket match and I’m on the Villagers’ team. Edward picked me after all. I’m so excited! That bastard Buzz is back and I’d love to bowl him out. I wish you could be there to watch and cheer me on.’

‘Me too. Good luck, Yul. I’ll be thinking of you.’

‘I’ll come and see you again soon, I promise, and you can take some more of the Earth Magic next time. I’ll learn to control it properly and then I’ll share it with you until we can get your moon magic back.’

She smiled and, reaching up, kissed him softly on the lips.

‘The moon magic isn’t mine to keep. I must give it all to Magus. It’s what I was brought here for.’

The Village Green had been transformed for this one special day. The cricket pitch was marked out, with bunting strung around the trees in the colours of Lammas – green, gold and red. A platform had been erected for the scoreboard, the whole thing decorated with corn dollies and knots, and the great silver cricket cup stood up high on a plinth. Tonight the winning team would be drinking specially brewed Lammas mead from it to celebrate their victory. Chairs and benches were positioned all around and many families were staking claim to their places with rugs and cushions. Long trestle tables were set up for lunch and, later on, tea. Children ran around excitedly; when they started to get bored during the day, games would be organised for them on the Playing Fields with their own junior cricket match.

The two teams were changing into their whites ready for the match, Hallfolk in the School House and Villagers in the Jack in the Green. Yul was excited but nervous, and his hands shook as
he tied his laces. Both Magus and Buzz were in the Hallfolk team and he’d love to beat them personally, but realised that was only a dream. His fear was that one of them would get him out at the very beginning and make him look a fool. He felt the energy rushing through his veins and prayed silently to the Goddess to help him play well today.

As the two teams were led out onto the Green, the community cheered and whooped. All the players wore proper whites and used best quality equipment, for this match mattered a great deal to Magus. He was very skilled at cricket and although his team didn’t always win, he played well every year without fail. Yul stood out from everyone else with his dark curls, now almost shoulder-length again. Most of the Hallfolk team were very pale blond and the Villagers tended to be darker blond or brown-haired, so there were very few black-haired people in the community. Maizie and the children cheered especially loudly as Yul walked past, grinning at them. Maizie was so proud of her eldest son. He was turning into a fine young man, strong and handsome, and she knew he wouldn’t have been striding out confidently as part of the Villager cricket team if Alwyn had still been around. Rather than have the boy doing well and feeling good about himself, her husband would’ve taken pleasure in ensuring that Yul wasn’t fit to play. Maizie shuddered at the thought and thanked the Goddess that Alwyn was no longer around to blight their lives.

The two teams stood beneath the platform and the captains climbed up the steps for the toss. Magus captained the Hallfolk team, and Edward the Village team. The Hallfolk won the toss and chose to bat second. Under the blazing August sun, the Lammas cricket match commenced. The Villagers batted well, scoring many runs. Yul himself scored a respectable forty or so before being bowled out. He felt he’d acquitted himself fairly well and his family cheered enthusiastically as he came off. Magus was in fine form, bowling superbly, and Yul was very pleased he hadn’t had to contend with any of those balls. Buzz was so busy showing off to his Hallfolk gang that he missed
several catches and often bowled wide. He was letting down the Hallfolk team and Magus was clearly annoyed. When play was stopped for lunch with two Villagers still in, Yul noticed Magus hauling Buzz off for a private word and smiled to himself. He liked the idea of Buzz being on the receiving end of Magus’ wrath.

Everyone enjoyed a good lunch, and then a minor stir was caused when a Land Rover appeared. Clip, who was not playing cricket, got out and waved to everyone, then went round to open the passenger door. Yul stared in joy as Clip helped Sylvie out of the car and ushered her solicitously over to a comfortable seat near the platform. Magus seemed taken aback and strode over to talk to them.

‘Hello, Sylvie! What a pleasant surprise! I hope you’re well enough to be out?’

‘She was desperate to come and watch and I thought it would do her good,’ explained Clip. ‘You’re feeling a great deal better today, aren’t you, Sylvie?’

She nodded. ‘Yes, thanks. I think I’m getting over whatever was wrong with me. I feel much stronger.’

‘Good, that’s marvellous news,’ said Magus. ‘You’re just in time to watch the Hallfolk bat. We’re going to thrash the Villagers this year, I’m sure.’

‘Now, now,’ said Clip. ‘It’s the playing, not the winning, that matters.’

‘That, dear brother, is why you’re not on the Hallfolk team. Of course it’s the winning that matters. Isn’t that right, Sylvie?’

But Magus was in for a nasty surprise. There was some excellent bowling and fielding from the Village team and several Hallfolk were bowled or caught out in quick succession. When Buzz came to bat he swaggered onto the pitch, saluting the bevy of Hallfolk girls led by Holly who screamed and waved at him. He stood, bent in the batting position by the wicket, an expression of smug confidence on his face. He whacked the first bowl with a lazy swing and started to run. But he faltered halfway along as a great roar rose from the crowd. Yul had hared across the grass and,
with an impossible leap, had somehow caught Buzz out. He sprang up from the ground and threw the ball into the air, whooping with triumph. Buzz’s face flooded crimson as he stomped off the pitch, cursing loudly enough for many to hear. Yul looked across at Sylvie and saw her clapping wildly. He gave her a discreet wave and she beamed at him.

Magus liked to bat near the end and was becoming increasingly exasperated at the Hallfolk’s performance. Their score was way behind the Villagers’, which meant there was now considerable pressure on him. Magus knew how every person in the community looked up to him and felt he had a duty to play spectacularly, to show people that their admiration was justified. The game was stopped for afternoon tea just before Magus’ turn to bat. Everyone enjoyed sandwiches and cakes and some late raspberries and cream. Magus ate heartily as his appetite had increased lately. As he ate he held a stone egg in his lap and could feel its effect pulsing through his body. He looked across at Sylvie nibbling on a sandwich. She seemed slightly stronger, not quite so pale and exhausted, which proved she was perfectly capable of recovering almost fully within a week or so. One week each month wasn’t too much to ask of someone, not when it meant serving him in such a special way. Self-sacrifice was, after all, part of living in a community.

He looked around at the crowds of people, his people, and felt a swelling of pride. They were all here looking so healthy and happy because of his expert leadership. He glanced over at the Villagers, sitting on the grass on their rugs. He noticed Rowan, the delightful young May Queen who now carried his child, the fruit of their Beltane union. He caught her eye and she gave him a beautiful smile that lit her lovely face. He smiled back and saw her flush with pleasure.

Scanning across the crowd he saw Maizie with her family and she nodded at him, her pink cheeks dimpling. Magus couldn’t see Yul’s face for the boy had his back to him. He was holding the youngest child, little Leveret, and whispering into her dark curls. Magus frowned; Buzz should never have let the boy catch
him out first ball. He’d been far too complacent about the whole match.