Shadows at Stonewylde (36 page)

‘Why are you here? Did Jay send you?’

She knew Hazel had forbidden Jay to come anywhere near the hospital wing. But she also knew Swift was in league with Jay and her brothers, although she didn’t realise the true extent of it for Swift was very careful to be seen with the right people at the right time. He smiled sweetly at her and flicked his fringe aside.

‘I don’t get sent anywhere by anybody, Leveret. I only wanted to see how Magpie was doing. We are related, you know – our grannies are sisters and we’re old mates, aren’t we, Magpie?’

He put a hand on the boy’s shoulder but his body blocked her view so she didn’t see how Magpie flinched at his touch and curled into himself. Swift turned and gave her another charming smile.

‘Don’t make an enemy of me as well, will you, Leveret? You’ve got enough to contend with surely, with your brothers and Jay. I know what they’re planning and it’s not pleasant. You know, I could be a good friend to you if you’re nice to me.’

‘What are they planning?’ she asked, her mouth dry. This was exactly what she’d been trying to escape from when she swallowed the mushrooms. Leveret couldn’t face more bullying – she’d have to get her mother to put a stop to this and hoped she’d be more prepared to listen now.

‘I don’t know if I want to share that information with you, Leveret. You’ve only ever been hostile towards me so let’s see how it goes, shall we? Anyway, good to see Magpie’s on the mend. He’ll be living next door to my father, I hear, so I expect I’ll be seeing a lot more of him.’

‘I thought you were a boarder.’

‘Of course I am. But with my family’s cottage so close I’m always popping in. Father likes to hear all the news.’

‘I’d have thought Martin already knew all the news.’

‘Oh he does. Let’s say, we pool our knowledge. Well, I must be off. Bye, Magpie – keep up the drawing.’

When he’d gone, Leveret gazed at the door thoughtfully.

‘I don’t know if he’s alright or not,’ she said. ‘He isn’t as bad as Jay, is he? But they’re friends and I’m just not sure about him.’

Magpie shook his head and she ruffled his clean, golden hair.

‘You’re not sure about anyone, are you? But you’ll learn to trust people, I promise you, and I’ll still be looking after you. That’s what I’m off to do now.’

When she left the Hall, Leveret turned up the narrow path that led towards the cliff but branched off before she got that far and made her way to Mother Heggy’s cottage. She hadn’t been here since the day before the Solstice when she’d rushed in to collect the Death Cap mushrooms. She looked around the tiny place wishing that she could do it up properly. The dried mushrooms and herbs hung rather forlornly from the low rafters, and everywhere was layered with dust and cobwebs. Leveret decided she’d come up one day soon and really tidy it up.

But now she had something else to do. Making sure the door was securely shut, she went over to the hearth which took up most of one wall and climbed into the empty grate. Ducking down, she positioned herself under the chimney and reached up. Her groping hands found the alcove, up high inside, and she carefully retrieved the heavy Book of Shadows. She blew the dust and cobwebs off the piece of thick, waxed linen wrapped around it, and took it over to the ancient table where she opened it up and started to leaf through the pages.

As always when she touched the Book, Leveret felt a dark excitement race through her body. She also felt Mother Heggy’s ghostly breath on the back of her neck and she began to horripilate, rubbing her arms to stop the goose-flesh.

‘Blessings, Mother Heggy. Thank you for giving me the wrong mushrooms and for sending Clip to find us.’

There was no answer of course but some dried leaves by the door drifted slightly across the stone flagged floor, making a soft, whispery sound.

‘Now I need your help, dear Mother Heggy. I’m going to cast my first circle at the Dark Moon. Bring the magic to me please, Mother Heggy. Bring the dark magic to make my spell work.’

She bent her head and started reading the spell she’d found. This was the one she needed now, not the silly love spell she’d considered trying before. She found much of the writing hard to read for the ink had faded and it was spidery and badly spelt. She was just grateful that Mother Heggy had grown up in the time when Villagers were still taught to read and write, albeit at a basic level, otherwise there’d be no legacy of the crone’s wisdom. Taking a school notebook and pencil from her pocket she began to carefully copy out the words and list of things she needed. She smiled as she worked, feeling truly content. This was what she was born to do.

Leveret’s happiness was short-lived however, for when she returned home to her cottage in the Village, Maizie was waiting for her and dropped a bombshell.

‘Sit down, Leveret. I’ve something to give you.’

Her mother was very excited and Leveret felt intrigued. She guessed it was a Yule present as her mother hadn’t yet given her one but always made something special each year. Last year it had been a beautiful pair of soft mittens knitted with lamb’s wool. She sat back and smiled at her mother, who clumped up the stairs and then came down again slowly.

‘Close your eyes, Leveret!’ she called. ‘Close your eyes and put out your hands … there!’

Leveret opened her eyes and saw a garment of very soft, fine linen dyed a deep ivy evergreen.

‘Can you see what it is? ‘Tis a dress, a very special dress.’

‘It’s lovely, Mother,’ said Leveret in a puzzled voice, trying to sound enthusiastic. Her mother knew she hated dresses. ‘Thank you very much.’

‘No, you don’t realise, Leveret. ‘Tis a party dress to wear to the Oustiders’ Dance tomorrow night!’

Leveret looked up at her mother in horror.

‘But Mother, I’m not going to
that!
’

‘O’ course you are! Everybody over the age of fourteen is going. Yul told me he’d specially invited you when he dropped by to see you. I started making this way back in November when Yul first told me he were thinking of holding the dance, long before he announced it to everyone. I knew you’d nothing pretty to wear and you’d feel awkward, so I wove this special piece o’ linen from the finest flax and dyed it this lovely colour to bring out your green eyes. And I been sewing it ever since, trying to keep it hidden from you. Do you really like it?’

Her voice faltered and Leveret had to make a quick decision. Argue and insist she wouldn’t go, which was what she wanted but would hurt her mother dreadfully, or agree to go and make her mother happy, but practically die of embarrassment in the process. Given the recent events, there was little choice. She stood up and unfolded the dress to get a proper look.

‘Mother it’s beautiful – I love it! Thank you for all the love and time you’ve put into it for me. Especially when I know you’ve been upset with me.’

She kissed her mother soundly and then looked again at the dress. It was beautiful indeed; tight long sleeves with points that would fall over her hands like a Tudor gown, a sweetheart neckline that wasn’t too exposed but would show her slim neck, and tailored so it would cling to her body, making the most of her slenderness. The skirt was slightly flared and when she held it against herself, came to just below the knee. It was lovely and would flatter her well. But she hated dresses and she knew just how she’d feel in it – like a sparrow in kingfisher’s plumage, out of place and ridiculous.

‘That’s not all!’ said Maizie excitedly, delighted that Leveret was pleased with it. She’d been worried that she was wasting her time for nothing, that the girl would flatly refuse to wear it or go to the party. ‘Look, these are to go with it.’

From the bottom of the dresser she produced a box from the Outside World. Inside were a pair of delicate ballet pumps made of dark green suede, a perfect match for the dress.

‘Wow! How on earth did you get these, Mother?’

‘I didn’t – they’re from Yul and Sylvie.’

‘
Really?
’

‘When I told them I were making you the dress, Sylvie said she’d get shoes to match. She found them on the Internet for you – I hope they fit.’

Leveret couldn’t believe it.

‘I’m amazed Yul still wanted me to have them,’ she said. ‘He’s so angry with me.’

‘Yes … he’d wanted to burn the lot after the mistletoe misadventure. Thank the goddess I said no – I couldn’t bear to destroy such lovely things, though I never thought I’d give ’em to you, especially when you were to be kept in your room at the Hall over Yule. But let’s not dwell on that. You’ll look beautiful tomorrow night and I’ll be the proudest mother in Stonewylde!’

Leveret regarded her steadily and swallowed.

‘Mother, it’s the Dark Moon tomorrow night and I’d planned on celebrating it. This is something I really must do – it’s very important to me.’

Maizie frowned, remembering their new compromise and not wanting to break it so soon.

‘Right enough – where did you want to go?’

Leveret thought about this. She wanted to do it in Mother Heggy’s cottage but that was impossible. She couldn’t tell her mother how she used the place and she couldn’t sneak up there either – that would break their new trust.

‘I don’t mind. Tucked away in a corner on the Village Green maybe?’

‘Alright … does it matter when you do it?’

‘Not really. After nightfall, but not so early that there are too many people about to see me – and before midnight, of course.’

‘That’s fine. Go to the party first and then later on you can slip out to the Green and dance or whatever ‘tis you have to do. You’ll be safe on the Green with the Barn so close by. Is that fair enough?’

‘Yes, Mother, thank you. It’s so good not lying to you.’ She gave Maizie a hug. ‘But there’s one more thing.’

‘What?’ asked Maizie warily, thinking she’d now push it too far and make an unreasonable demand. ‘What do you want now?’

‘I’m really, really scared of going into the dance with all the Outsiders there and that strange music. Would you come in with me for a while at least? Please?’

On the morning of the Dark Moon Leveret rose early and went down to the river as the sun was rising. It was a beautiful sunrise that would’ve been perfect for the Solstice. The cold water glinted as the sun rose higher, glittering over all it touched with a pink-gold light. A water rat swam towards the river bank and then disappeared into its hole, and a crowd of mallards quacked loudly at Leveret’s intrusion as they bobbed about searching for an early breakfast. She stood on the river bank and drank in the beauty and peace, making the sign of the pentangle. Earth, fire, water, air – and the spirit in me, she thought. The shimmering water eddied past her, heading out to sea. She breathed deeply, her breath clouding out around her as she exhaled. Then she turned to the great willow that overhung the river, the same one that had sheltered the girls on the day of their preparations for the Rite of Adulthood.

Leveret stroked the lined and deeply fissured bark of the tree, calling on the spirit that lived there. The willow was a feminine tree and the spirit was ancient and powerful. She stood with her hand on the trunk, looking up into the tangle of branches that canopied overhead. She felt the energy all around her, alive and vibrant even though it was the heart of winter and trees were dormant. This one only slept and even in sleep its magic was strong.

‘Sister Willow, I greet you. I honour your spirit and ask forgiveness for the cuts I’m about to make. They’re done with goodness of intention and love in my heart for another. I only take what I need and no more. Blessings, Sister Willow.’

The whispered words hung around her as her breath had done. Taking a small kitchen knife from her pocket she began to cut pieces from the fine branches, wishing it were spring when the tree would be covered in whippy little shoots, so much easier to work with. Leveret felt an overwhelming sadness at the loss of the white-handled gathering knife, for even though she’d spent as much time as she could searching the Green she’d had no luck in finding it. Maybe somebody else had spotted it and picked it up. She grieved for its loss deeply but tried not to think of it now. This willow must be gathered with the right feelings in her heart and so she concentrated on that and shut out her sad thoughts.

At sunset she was out again, this time with a bag containing everything she needed for the spell and the circle tonight. She’d kept it very simple in the end, nothing like she’d planned to do when gathering at the Frost Moon. That bag had been confiscated but maybe that was for the best, the way things had now turned out. The spell she intended to cast tonight would be very basic but hopefully all the more powerful for it. Leveret planned to leave her bag containing all the necessities hidden somewhere on the Green, so she could just slip out of the party later and pick it up. She did a circuit of the clearing, looking for a likely spot. The trees were bare and although darkness would soon fall, she didn’t want to risk somebody finding her bag. She ended up under the only evergreen tree there – the great yew, the tree special to Yul and Sylvie. She felt its intense, powerful magic as she approached and knew it was a fitting choice, for the yew was the tree of the crone and Dark Magic.

But strangely she felt something else as she stepped under the low boughs and stood in the gloomy shelter. She felt love so strong it took her breath away. She felt passion and desire, adoration and ecstasy, an intermingling of souls that time couldn’t destroy. Leveret felt it winding around the branches, mixed up with the eternity that the yew represented, the phoenix-like ability to regenerate and grow again from the ashes and withering. She’d never felt anything like it and realised that it was Yul and Sylvie’s love she was picking up – their union of darkness and brightness into one.