Moondance of Stonewylde (29 page)

‘The religion here in mediaeval times when the Galleried Hall was built was not only the cult of the Earth Goddess but also the woodland deity, the Green Man. He’s the spirit of virility who impregnates Mother Earth and makes her bountiful and fruitful. He’s the male counterpart to the female Goddess, for nature always seeks a balance. So it’s natural he’d appear in the early architecture at Stonewylde.’

They’d climbed the main stairs and were now making their way down corridors into a wing at the back where Sylvie had never been before. She’d easily get lost on her own in this vast place. They started to climb another, narrower staircase. Professor Siskin was wheezing and took it very slowly.

‘The Green Man isn’t important here anymore, is he?’ said Sylvie, waiting for the professor to catch up. ‘I know he’s celebrated at Beltane, but apart from that nobody seems to mention him much.’

‘Well observed, my dear!’ gasped Siskin, halting at the top of the stairs as he struggled to breathe. ‘The Green Man was also part of a sacrificial cult, I believe. It’s possible the Jack in the Green – the man encased within boughs of greenery in a type of cage – is reference to this. Generally it was a Beltane custom, but not necessarily at Stonewylde. I’ve uncovered some fascinating references to a very old, dark practice here of an annual sacrifice of the Green Man at the time of the Winter Solstice, to ensure
the vitality and renewal of the sun and the life force for the coming year.’

‘Sacrifice? Do you mean
human
sacrifice?’

‘Indeed. I believe it took place at the quarry, for there’s mention of it in several documents. The Place of Bones and Death, it’s referred to. Rather eerie, I thought. I imagine that’s why the custom of deifying the Green Man fell out of practice, for, after all, who wants to give up their life?’

‘Yes, they’d have to choose someone to be killed every year. That’s horrible.’

‘Exactly, and a rural community needs its strong men. So you’re right, the cult of the Green Man has fallen from popularity but it’s a shame really. I don’t mean the sacrifice of course, merely the veneration of such an ancient god, because I personally feel at my most spiritual in woodland. There’s a definite feeling of a deity present, don’t you think?’

‘Oh yes,’ she agreed. She’d felt that tingle in the woods, knowing there was an unexplained presence watching her. ‘I really can’t wait to read your book, Professor!’

He chuckled, and finally opened a door at the end of a corridor. It had been a long trek for him, and once inside Sylvie was surprised at the meanness of his room. Surely Magus could’ve made him more comfortable during his stay?

‘My needs are simple,’ he said, seeing her disapproval as she looked around the small room. ‘And my rooms at Oxford are splendid, so this is only a temporary privation. Sit down, sit down my dear.’

He indicated the lone chair, where she sat whilst he rifled through a stack of papers.

‘I have it here and I know you’ll treasure it. I made you a copy especially. Here!’

He presented Sylvie with one of the photos he’d taken in the woods. It was a close-up of Yul’s face smiling out at her, his slanted grey eyes drowsy in the golden sunlight. His face was smeared green and brown, his almost classical features clearly defined. His hair was a wild riot of dark curls, and surrounding
his head was a great halo of green leaves and ferns where he lay in the undergrowth against the beautiful lime tree.

Sylvie stared at the photo in surprise.

‘Why, it’s the Green Man!’ she exclaimed.

‘Indeed it is,’ agreed Siskin. ‘I knew you’d understand. Yul is our very own Lord of the Greenwood.’

After Professor Siskin had left Stonewylde, Sylvie finally cast off the shadow of illness that had hung over her since the last full moon and went walking every day. She found Hare Stone to be a place of healing, as Mother Heggy had said it would be. Lying on the grass by the tall stone amongst the vetch and harebells filled her with a sense of calm and peace. She loved it up here. When he managed to join her, Yul was very careful not to put Sylvie under any pressure. He’d mentioned the Moon Fullness once and she’d become agitated and upset. The next full moon was still a week away and he hoped Mother Heggy would be able to break the spell before then.

Yul wasn’t the only one worrying about the next Moon Fullness. Miranda was concerned and quite sure she didn’t want Sylvie going up to Mooncliffe again. But when she broached the subject with Magus he lost his temper.

‘Sacred Mother, as if I haven’t got enough to worry about at the moment without you interfering! The girl wants to go there, she enjoys going there, and we’re on hand to take care of her, so leave it be. I don’t want to hear any more about it.’

‘But Magus, she comes back so ill. It can’t be good for her if it makes her weak and exhausted. She was almost comatose for a week afterwards and she’s only just about back to normal now.’

‘Have you thought about how ill she might be if she
didn’t
go up there? I don’t want to hear another word about it.’

‘But I think—’

‘I don’t care what you think! Enough!’

He glared at her, black eyes flashing and mouth severe. She was frightened of him and wanted to give in. But a spark of her former self – the girl who’d stood up to her parents and fought
to keep her baby from being adopted, who’d struggled against the odds as a teenage single mother and succeeded through sheer determination – suddenly reignited.

‘I’m sorry, Magus. I’m her mother and I say she can’t go. And
that
is the end of it.’

She turned and almost ran out of the room, terrified of what he might say or do next. Up in her room she sat on her bed and cried. If she made him really angry would he throw them out of Stonewylde? What about the baby? He had all the power here and his word was final. What had she done?

An hour or so later, by which time she’d worked herself into a terrible state, there was a gentle knock on their sitting room door. Magus was calm, and as handsome and charming as ever. He walked straight over, took her in his arms and kissed her; a long, passionate kiss such as he hadn’t given her for some time. She melted in his embrace like snow in the glare of sunshine.

‘Don’t say another word about it, Miranda. You were absolutely right. You’re Sylvie’s mother and of course you’re concerned for her welfare. Please forgive me for my anger earlier. Come and sit down here with me.’

He held her in his arms as they sat on the sofa together and rested his hand on her belly, already starting to swell slightly. He began to caress her slowly.

‘How could I ever be cross with you? I’m such a fool,’ he murmured, his face nuzzling at her neck. She closed her eyes in contentment, loving him with all her heart, becoming aroused by his knowing touch.

‘You must understand, Miranda,’ he said, continuing his caresses, ‘that I only have Sylvie’s interests at heart.’

‘I know, Magus, but—’

‘No buts. I really do know about this. Moongaziness is something that happens at Stonewylde, and my own mother was moongazy. I have experience of it, and so in this case I know what’s best for Sylvie.’

‘Yes, but—’

‘Come on, Miranda,’ he whispered, his lips brushing her collar
bones. ‘Stop fighting me. You know you want to please me and you know how happy I can make you. Humour me in this matter – let me decide what’s best for Sylvie.’

‘Oh Magus, I do want to please you,’ she breathed, her eyes half closed with pleasure. ‘But I really don’t want her going up on that cliff.’

‘You really will anger me if you don’t agree,’ he murmured. ‘And I don’t want to be angry with you, Miranda. I want you to stay at Stonewylde and have our baby here, with me to care for you. I want you living under my roof and close by, so I can make love to you. Why are you fighting me?’

‘I’m not fighting you,’ she said tremulously. ‘You know I love you, Magus. I’d do anything to please you.’

‘Don’t defy me then. Give me the responsibility to decide what’s best for Sylvie. This is your chance to show me how you trust my judgement.’

‘But I don’t want her getting ill again. I love her and I can’t bear to see her so weak. That’s why I can’t let you take her up there.’

He sighed and pulled away from her slightly.

‘You’ve brought this on yourself,’ he said, his voice now cold. ‘You were given the chance to comply with my wishes. You disappoint me, Miranda.’

‘Please, Magus,’ she said desperately, ‘please let—’

‘Clip!’ he called sharply.

The door opened immediately and the thin, long-haired brother walked in. He came straight over to the sofa where they sat and knelt on the floor in front of Miranda.

‘What on earth are you doing?’ she cried in alarm.

She struggled to sit up but Magus held her firmly.

‘Sit still and do as you’re told. It’s really not a good idea to go against my wishes. My brother would agree with that, wouldn’t you, Clip? Everybody here obeys me and you, Miranda, will be no exception.’

Clip ignored him and leant forward, looking into her green eyes.

‘Miranda, look at me. Look at me.’

‘No! What are you doing? Stop it!’

She tried to avert her gaze but Magus held her firmly and then she relaxed suddenly, her eyes locked into Clip’s.

‘Ah that’s it, well done. Listen carefully to me, Miranda. When I tell you to wake up, you will do so immediately. Do you understand me?’

‘Yes.’

‘Good.’ He turned and looked at Magus. ‘Well she went under quickly. What do you want me to say? I’m getting fed up of being used like this, you know. I’m a shaman, not a bloody party trick.’

Magus laughed, releasing Miranda and stretching back on the sofa lazily.

‘It’s easy for you to do, Clip, so stop complaining and just make her obey me. I don’t want her interfering with my plans for Sylvie.’

‘Alright, but I’ve had enough of this, I warn you.’ He turned to Miranda again. ‘Miranda, listen to me.’

‘Yes.’

‘You must obey Magus. He has Sylvie’s interests at heart and you mustn’t interfere. Magus knows best. You’ll let him do whatever he wants. Do you understand?’

‘Yes.’

‘Good. Tell me what you’ll do?’

‘I must obey Magus. I won’t interfere. He knows best.’

‘Well done, Miranda. Don’t forget what we’ve agreed. Now I want you to wake up.’

She blinked and stared at Clip in confusion. Magus stood up briskly.

‘Sorry, Miranda, I have to go. Clip just came in to get me.’

‘Oh, right. Yes.’

‘Thanks for your apology. I knew you’d agree with me when you’d thought about it.’

‘I’m sorry? I don’t know …’

‘About taking Sylvie to Mooncliffe next week. You said I must do whatever I wanted because I know best.’

Miranda frowned and rubbed her forehead.

‘Yes, Magus, of course. I’m feeling muddled. But I know you only have her interests at heart. I’m sorry I disagreed with you.’

‘Just don’t do it again, Miranda. I may not be quite so forgiving another time,’ he said silkily. ‘See you later.’

The two men strode down the long gallery leading out of the Tudor wing and Magus chuckled.

‘I wish I could do that. I’d have such fun!’ he said. ‘You don’t realise the power you have.’

‘Yes I do realise the power I have, which is why I’m not going to repeat this, Sol. It’s a gift, a wisdom, and I’m abusing it. Don’t ask me again.’

‘Oh lighten up! It’s no big deal. You know we need Sylvie to go to Mooncliffe every month and work her magic, and I can’t have Miranda constantly interfering. That’s all.’

‘Well I think she’s right. I don’t think you should take Sylvie up there either. It’s obviously damaging the poor girl.’

‘What?’

Magus turned on Clip angrily, grabbing hold of his brother’s shirt in a swift movement.

‘Let go of me, Sol!’ he cried, his face blanching. ‘We’re not boys now. You won’t win with violence anymore.’

Magus released him abruptly.

‘I’m sorry. It just makes me furious when you talk such rubbish. Of course it’s not damaging Sylvie. She’s absolutely fine and you know how I need those eggs charged up. Actually, I was thinking of trying some smaller pieces of stone, to be worn around the neck. I could use—’

‘NO!’ Clip shouted. ‘I draw the line at that!’

‘I don’t understand your problem,’ said Magus tersely. ‘You’re happy enough to share the moon magic, aren’t you?’

‘Yes, up to a point. I agree that Sylvie was brought here for this. We always knew it wasn’t simply coincidence that you found her. But it’s one thing sharing the gift of her moon magic when she channels it into the rock at Mooncliffe – that’s a natural
phenomenon – and it’s quite another, exploiting her in this way. You’re so greedy, Sol!’

‘Greedy? What’s wrong with trying to—’

‘Exactly! You can’t even see it, can you? There’s a big difference, and I have a conscience even if you don’t. So
if
I help you take Sylvie up there this month, it’s just going to be for half an hour or so on the round moon stone. She’s not going to charge up all those eggs, nor anything else you’ve brought along. She’s not strong enough to do it again so soon. You can threaten me all you like, Sol. But if you try to force me to do this, I’ll reverse the hypnosis on both of them and then you’ll find it impossible. Just for once in your life, you have to do what
I
want.’