Sweep - Origins Part 4

aGood day!a Kyra called, waving wildly.

Falkner stopped his horse as it reached us, then swept down and landed at Kyraas feet. aWould you like a ride?a he offered Kyra and me. aIave got to return the horse. Da just fixed his shoes, but you may ride along the way.a aIam headed off into the woods,a I said, abut Kyra has been afoot all day, preparing for tonight.a aAre you tired, then?a he asked her, the fondness in his eyes unmistakable.

She nodded at him sweetly, and he boosted her up onto the horseas back. aThere you go.a aThank you.a Gazing down at him, Kyra seemed like a different person. Not the gawky braided girl who used to skip over stones in the brook, but. a woman.

The image stayed in my head as we parted ways. On my way through the woods I stopped by the brook and sat down at the wateras edge. Here the water slowed into a clear, still pool, where tiny minnows darted through the weeds and bugs skittered along the gla.s.sy surface. I reached down to cup a drink of water but stopped, startled. Staring back at me was the face of the G.o.ddess.

No, atwas but a reflection of a woman. Me.

I had grown in the ways of the G.o.ddess, and I was ready to take the next step. For Beltane was not only a feast of love, it was a feast of fertility. It was a time for joining two halves to make a wholea"the third ent.i.ty. And although every young witch knew the spell to cast to close the door to the womb, I would not speak that spell. My lunar bleeding was but a weekas past, and my body was ripe for his seed.

Tonight we would make a child.

Laughter rumbled through the forest as the covenas Beltane celebration wound down. Sitting on a log, Kyraas father strummed a lute and another covener piped, making merry music for revelers to enjoy. In another part of the circle I sat with the young coveners, finis.h.i.+ng up the last of the cakes and wine.

aThere you are,a Falkner said to Kyra, who giggled behind her hand. aI tell you, it looks quite fine that way, unbridled and untethered.a He had removed one of the braids from her hair and was now combing through it intimately with his fingers.

Kyra pressed a fat flower into his face. aYou are such a silly goose,a she teased.

As far as I was concerned, they were both quite silly, but perhaps I was just impatient to be off to my own Beltane celebration. And worried. What if Ma would not let me go? What if Diarmuid could not get away?

a aTis time to leave the circle to the elders,a I told the others around me. Kyra agreed, and plans were made to head off to Falkneras cottage. I crossed my fingers as we went to our parents for approval, but the festive, relaxed mood prevailed. aJust beware that you are not spotted traveling in a group,a my mother advised us. a aTis a night to revel, but we must not let the Christians get wind of our celebration.a I could hear my mother laughing with friends as we left the circle. Within minutes we were a distance away, and I was saying good-bye to Kyra.

aBe careful!a she whispered before Falkner pulled her away with the others.

I just smiled as I walked quickly through the dark night.

Diarmuidas dark figure was unmistakable. Standing naked under the maypole tree, he was silhouetted by the small fire he had lit in the north quarter of the circle. Now my eyes feasted on what my hands had explored, his rounded muscles, long limbs, smooth skin. He was a G.o.d. The red and white ribbons fluttered in the air over his head; the same wind feathered the hair from his n.o.ble forehead. The night was dark, the new moon having just pa.s.sed, but Diarmuidas skin seemed to glow from across the clearing as I paused.

The s.p.a.ce between us seemed alive with warmth. Around us the forest sang, its crickets and toads and swaying trees a symphony so clear and sweet, even a deaf man could hear its answer.

I loosened the girdle at my waist, then dropped my own gown to the ground so that I was wearing only a s.h.i.+ft. The rustle of cloth made him turn my way, and he smiled. I ran across the clearing, and Diarmuid caught me in his arms against his warm body. We were meant to be together, to partic.i.p.ate in this rite tonight. I noticed that he had already lit the candles, so I swept the circle while he called upon the four Watchtowers, drawing pentagrams in the air. Then we went to the maypole and each took a ribbon.

aaTis a time for joy and a time for sharing,a I said as I started to walk around the tree. aThe richness of the soil accepts the seeds. For now is the time that seed should be spilled.a I knew the words to most Greater Sabbats by heart, but today this particular ritual seemed so fitting! aLet us celebrate the planting of abundance,a I went on. aThe turning of the Wheel, the season of the G.o.ddess. Let us say farewell to the darkness and greet the light.a aThe Wheel turns,a Diarmuid said. He walked behind me, wrapping his ribbon over mine.

aWithout ceasing, the Wheel turns.a aAnd turns again,a he said as our ribbons twined as inexorably as our love.

When the tree was wrapped with a lovely weave of red and white, we went to the altar, where the crown of early red roses and daisies lay. Diarmuid lifted off my s.h.i.+ft, then picked up the crown and held it over my head.

aThe G.o.ddess has brought us through the darkness to the light,a he said. He lowered the crown to my head, and I felt the heady fragrance of the roses surround me. aNow our G.o.ddess is among us,a Diarmuid whispered, his eyes sparkling. aSpeak, Lady.a aI am the one who turns the Wheel,a I said evenly. I felt the pulse of the G.o.ddess within me, steady and strong, hungry and ravenous. My body was ready to take on his seed, my spirit prepared to mingle with his. aWhen you thirst,a I said, alet my tears fall upon you as gentle rain. When you tire, pause to rest upon the earth that is my breast. Know that love is the spark of life, the fire within you. Love is the beginning and the end of all things.a I opened my arms to Diarmuid, the light of the fire dancing over my naked body. aAnd I am love,a I whispered.

The next morning I left my bed at dawn to bathe in the spring. Most days I simply wash with a rag, but today I went to the deep part of the brook for a more thorough cleansing.

On the gra.s.sy bank I glanced around to make sure no one else was afoot. A peahen rushed through the bushes, but otherwise the woods were quiet. Quickly I slipped out of my robe and stepped into the brook. The water was cold, barely two lunar cycles away from the last winter snow, but I ventured all the way in, submerging myself to my neck, just below where my hair was knotted.

A cleansing.

And an offering.

I touched my belly, wondering at the tiny babe inside me. I had a new life to offer up to the G.o.ddessa"Diarmuidas baby. Already I knew it to be true, but my secret would grow safe within my belly for a few months. There would be enough time to work on our two clans, time to help them accept Diarmuid and me as man and wife.

Waving my arms through the water, I smiled. My whole body felt aglow with the promise of motherhood. This child would tie us together in a physical way. I knew our baby was another part of the G.o.ddessas plan, which was slowly being revealed to us. I was eager to tell Diarmuid, but for now I would keep my secret as a delightful surprise to be enjoyed after our love was sanctioned by the clans.

Feeling cleansed and refreshed, I arose from the waters and climbed onto the muddy bank. Quickly I pulled on my robe and stepped into my sandals.

But what was that noise?

I peered out of the bushes, searching the path. There was no one in sight, though I felt a strong sense of anotheras presence.

Had someone been watching me?

8. Esbat Rites, Mid-July.

aWhen the moon is full and the sky is dark, We meet within our circle.

Now hear the singing of the lark And dance in the circle, move in the circle.

Do what thou wilt if it harms none, As the G.o.ddess wills it, may it be done.a A covener sang as we stood in the coven circle, surrounding the High Priestess Sle. Falkner played a pipe, and Kyra joined in the music by beating on a small drum. I think she and Falkner had devised the ruse of practicing their music in order to spend time togethera"as if their parents werenat wise to their swelling emotions. Kyra had mentioned something of it, but I had been so wrapped up in attempting to see Diarmuid that Iad lost track of the details.

The music ended, and Sle called two covenersa"Kyraas parentsa"to come forward for the cake and wine ceremony. Side by side, Lyndon and Paige stepped before the altar, where Ma handed Paige a goblet of wine.

Paige lifted the goblet with both hands and held it between her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. Facing her, Lyndon took his athame and held the handle between his two palms, the blade pointing down.

Slowly he dipped his blade into the wine, saying: aIn like fas.h.i.+on may male join female for the happiness of both.a aLet the fruits of union promote life,a Paige responded. aLet all be fruitful and let prosperity spread throughout the land.a Lyndon raised his athame, and his wife held the goblet to his lips so that he could drink. When he finished, he held the goblet for her affectionately.

Watching them, I felt a stirring inside me. Could it be my child waking lazily? My belly had not begun to grow yet, but I had noticed a heaviness in my b.r.e.a.s.t.s. Diarmuid had noticed, too, and had teased me that I was coming into womanhood. I still had not told him, and he did not yet realize that my body was preparing to nurse a child. Glancing around the circle, my eyes fixed upon Kyra, whose face was alight tonight, probably warmed by her love for Falkner. A few times I had almost slipped and told her about my baby. I wanted her to know in the worst way but didnat think it fair for her to find out before Diarmuid.

As the wine was pa.s.sed, I thought of all the couples blessed by the G.o.ddess: Kyra and Falkner, Lyndon and Paige, Diarmuid and me. We had been together for over three months now, seeing each other nearly every day despite the obstacles. Last month we had celebrated the summer solstice by coming together in our circle, surrounded by red feathers for pa.s.sion. I was more in love with him now than ever, still happy to guard our secret love, our secret child, but I had to admit, I wanted more. Watching a ceremony like tonightas, I realized that change must come. If we were to raise our child together, in a strong coven, it was time to reveal our love to our clans.

After the wine and cakes were pa.s.sed around, the talk turned to spells to be cast and tales of witch hangings. One covener reported that a Wyndonkylle woman from a village to the south had been pulled from her home and charged with human sacrifice. She was still in prisona"if the frightened guards had restrained themselves from burning her without trial.

a aTis worse than you say,a said Ian MacGreavy. aFor that womanas coven believes that she was turned in to the authorities by two of our own! Theyare accusing Wodebaynes of naming her as a witch!a aNo!a everyone grumbled. aIt canat be!a aBut there are no Wodebaynes residing in the south,a said Falkneras mother.

aAye, but at the time two of our own happened to be traveling south, right through the Wyndonkyllesa village,a the miller answered.

aWill we never have justice?a one elder railed. It was Howland Bigelow, an old woodcrafter. aOnce again weare being blamed for someone elseas evil! Why donat they just heap more condemnation upon our already burdened reputation?a I felt the ire of the coveners rising as folks broke into smaller groups to tell their own tales of hateful acts against Wodebaynes. A few times in the past we had discussed bigotry in the circle, but never with this level of unrest and anger. The glitter of hatred in Ian MacGreavyas eyes harkened me back to the time I had witnessed him casting a dark spell, and I wondered if any of the other coveners had turned to black magick in private. Perhaps Aislinn, the young rebel, not much older than me, who often railed against the bigots who hated us?

I pressed a hand to my bodice, worried about the child within. I was convinced my bairn was a girla"another future high priestess. But she could not come into a world of hatred and chaos; this rancor had to subside before my child entered this life.

a aTwould be wise to calm your tempers and your fears,a came a firm voice. Coveners looked to my mother, who spoke with the authority of the high priestess. aI daresay this is nothing new.a aBut Sle, itas getting worse!a old man Bigelow claimed. aIave half a mind to cast a dark spell upon the Wyndonkylles to show them what real black magick is. Weare taking the blame for it; we might as well do the deed!a My mother remained quiet while people grumbled, then answered, aHowland, I know you are far too gentle a man to ever wish harm upon another.a aOh, I can wish,a he said. aI can wish the G.o.ddess would send a mist over their fields to dampen the soil. Ruin their planting!a aHeas right!a Aislinn pushed into the center of the group. aHavenat we endured enough hatred? Isnat it time to fight back?a People murmured in approval, nodding.

I couldnat believe how eager the folks in our coven were to engage in a war between clans. I winced, realizing how impossible it would be to see Diarmuid if we took to fighting.

aThat is quite enough!a Sle said sternly.

The coveners fell silent as she demanded their attention. aWeall have no more talk of evil spells. Have you all forgotten your own initiation into the circle? Your vow to do the G.o.ddessas will? Have you forgotten that you committed yourself to foster love and peace under the G.o.ddessas sky?a Aislinn tucked a loose tress of red hair behind her ear and let out a disappointed sigh, but most of the others seemed thoughtful. They seemed to be listening to Maas words.

aRemember the Witchas Rede?a Sle asked in a commanding voice. aWhatever you desire, whatever you ask of the G.o.ddess, let it harm no one. And remember that as you give, so it shall return threefold.a a aTis right thinking, Sle,a Ian MacGreavy said. aThis coven will never engage in dark magick, so atis futile to waste words upon it.a I looked at him in awe, remembering his own dark rite. What a hypocrite he was!

But Ma seemed satisfied as the coveners broke into small groups and talked of other matters. My mother had calmed the uproar, but discontent hung in the warm summer night. I worried that this could brew into a terrible storm and vowed to share my fears with Diarmuid.

The next morning as I went to meet Diarmuid, I felt a strange heaviness inside. The covenas anger was still roiling inside me, along with my breakfast. I realized that the sour feeling might be from carrying my baby. Perhaps there was a spell in Maas Book of Shadows to alleviate it? I would have to take another look. I had been reading up on many of her spells latelya"including one I wanted to try with Diarmuid. Although Ma had encouraged me to study her Book of Shadows, I didnat think she had expected me to find the entry on love magick. It claimed that couples sometimes made love in the center of the circle, offering their love force to the G.o.ddess! Nothing like that had ever taken place in our coven circles, but I felt drawn to the idea of making love magick with Diarmuid.

I was also unsettled by the fact that I had lost my love charm. I had taken to carrying the rose stone in my pocket ever since Diarmuid and I first shed our clothes, but I had not come across it for weeks now. aTwas not the best of days.

Diarmuid was in a far better mood. He chased me through the clearing, swiping at my skirts and wrestling me onto the gra.s.sy moss. The carefree play lifted my spirits, but after we kissed for a while, he sensed that something was wrong.

aRose, thereas no light in your eyes today. What is it, love?a I told him about the trouble brewing between the Wyndonkylles and Wodebaynes.

aIave heard the same tale,a he said. aBut surely the Wodebaynes arenat involved.a aWe are not, but weare being blamed, and I fear a storm brewing among the clans. A war that would destroy our chances of ever seeing each other again.a aI wonat let that happen,a he insisted.

aThen we must take action now.a I paused, reluctant to push. aLet me ask you, Diarmuid, when you think of us, how do you picture us being together?a aI have always wanted to marry you, Rose,a he said, his eyes bright with promise. aCanat you see us two in the circle for a handfasting?a aIall wager Iave imagined it,a I said, studying his beautiful face. aOh, Diarmuid, we should marry. And soon. Let it happen now.a aToday?a he joked. aLet me run and fetch my ma, for she wonat want to miss it.a aWould that it could happen so soon.a aAye, sooner. That it happened yesterday and weare an old married couple, with me poking around the cottage and asking you whatas for dinner.a a aTwould be a blessing. Far better than what I fear might happen.a aStop that!a He pressed his hands over my eyes, then over my ears. aDonat listen to what the coven folk say. We are going to be married.a He stood up and straightened his white s.h.i.+rt. aIall go to my coven today and tell them everything. That I love you, that youare the best thing under the G.o.ddessas blue sky, and that weare to be married.a aAnd if they argue that youare marrying a Wodebaynea"a aThey wonat. I will not give them the chance.a He pulled me to my feet. aI love you, Rose. Iall make things right for us.a In that moment I knew he would. The G.o.ddess had chosen a true hero for me.

I went up on my toes and kissed him. aAnd I have a spell to help us through. Have you ever heard of love magick?a Diarmuid smiled. aNo, but I think I will like it.a The spell in Maas Book of Shadows was simple. I swept the circle and told Diarmuid to shed his clothes, lie back, and think of what we wanted to dedicate ourselves to.

When I had finished the preparations, I lay beside him, staring at the cloudy sky. aPicture us together,a I whispered, aour union accepted by our clans, by all clans.a I reached over and touched his shoulder. He quickly turned on his side and kissed me.

aWould we be together like this?a he asked, running a hand along my thigh.

aAye, always.a aAs close as this?a He lifted his body over mine and pressed against me.

aAye,a I whispered, focusing on our union, offering our act to the G.o.ddess. Within the circle our bodies rose in heat and splendor, and I felt the glow of our love rising to the heavens.

aAye, G.o.ddess, we are here for You,a I whispered as Diarmuid and I tumbled into pa.s.sion.

Our love magick was strong. That night when I left our circle I heard thunder rumbling overhead. I felt sure the G.o.ddess had received our offering. She was shaking up the heavens in preparation for Diarmuidas big announcement.

But the next day, when Diarmuid was to have met me at our secret place, he did not appear. Nor did he make it there the day after that. On the third day I sent him a tua labra: Where are you? Why can you not meet your love? But I received no response. I wondered whether he had received my message. Had something terrible happened? As each day pa.s.sed, I waited for the rumble in the heavens to manifest itself on earth. Surely if I looked carefully, I would see Diarmuid tramping up the path to our cottage, his parents marching dutifully behind him, eager to work out with Sle the details of our union.

With the dawn of yet another morning I pushed open the shutter and peered out, longing for the glimpse of a Leapvaughn tartan or a flash of Diarmuidas lovely blue eyes. The path was still but for a jackrabbit searching for greens. My rescuer had not come for me. at least, I thought, not yet.

That afternoon Kyra and I went to the woods to gather fresh summer herbs. While Kyra was cutting clover, I went in search of clove, which was good for settling the stomach. When our pouches were full, we went to the circle Diarmuid and I had gathered in so many times. There, on the rock altar, we consecrated our herbs. As we finished, I noticed that Kyra had been unusually quiet today. I watched her sorting herb pouches in her basket, her chestnut hair braided into a twist at the top of her head.

aYou know, with your hair up like that, you look like your ma,a I said.

She smiled. aFalkner likes my hair free and loose, but atis too much to endure in this heat.a Leaving her basket, she lifted my hair from my shoulders and waved it over my neck. aYouall roast under the sun with your hair down.a aIall be fine.a aI must say I am worried about you, Rose. How many days has it been?a I knew she was talking about how long since Iad seen Diarmuid. aSeven. no, eight.a aEight days and you still believe heas coming back?a aOf course he is. We rendered some powerful magick together, Kyra. Right here in this circle.a My hair slipped out of her hands as I kicked off my shoes and walked the circle. I had come to know every tree root and dirt clod in this sacred place. I went over to the green moss that had often served as our bed and sat down. aThe last time I saw him, we performed love magick. Did you hear the thunder in the sky that night? aTwas us, devoting our love to the G.o.ddess.a aI thought the rumbling was the sound of coming rain,a Kyra said. aRose, I really am worried about you.a aDonat despair for me,a I said. aMy Diarmuid will be here soon. You must help me plan the handfasting ceremony.a Kyra smiled. aI shall be so happy for you on your wedding day, Rose. That a Leapvaughn could love you so. atis truly the work of the G.o.ddess.a I smiled back, trying not to worry. I didnat want to admit to Kyra that I had begun to wonder what had happened to Diarmuid. Where was my love? Why was he taking so long to come to my clan and my coven and announce his intentions to marry me? I knew the G.o.ddess intended us to be together, but my patience was beginning to wear thin.

We returned to my cottage and found it empty.

aMa said she was going into Kirkloch today,a I said, pouring two mugs of cool tea. We set my share of the herbs out to dry, then went outside to sit in the shady gra.s.s, hoping to catch a breeze. Kyra told me of her first kiss with Falkner and of how they now kissed constantly, as if theyad both had their first taste of honey cakes. As I listened, I stared intently at the edge of the cottage path, willing Diarmuid to appear.

And lo, as my eyes strained in the distance, I saw the brush move, giving way to a pair of feet.

aHeas coming!a I cried, scrambling to stand and adjust my skirts. As I settled myself, I saw that it wasnat Diarmuid, but a young boy. aItas not him.a My voice dropped off in disappointment.

aBut it is a Leapvaughn,a Kyra said excitedly. aLook at the plaid of his tartan.a aIndeed.a My heart swelled as the young boy smiled at us shyly.

aIave a message here for Rose MacEwan.a aThatas me,a I said, coming forward to meet him.

He reached into his satchel and removed a piece of pressed linen, much like the parchment we used in our Books of Shadows. Handing it to me, he bowed. aGood day to you.a My heart swelled with joy as I held the note to my breast. aI can barely breathe!a aRead it! Read it!a Kyra gasped.

I started to read. a aMy dearest Rose, it is with heavy heart that I write to you. I will always love you, but. a a The words began to stick in my throat. I could not speak, but neither could I tear my eyes away.

I have come to see that we can never be together. It was foolish of me to think we could marry, though I will ever think of you longingly in our special place of the forest. Think of me when you go there, for mine eyes will never feast on that place or on you again.

Please, Rose, do not cry for me. There will be others for you. Perhaps a stout, hearty Wodebayne lad? In the meantime, the best thing you can do is forget me.

Truly, Diarmuid Pain cut me like a spear through the middle of my body. I folded myself over the note, collapsing onto the ground. Sobbing in the dirt, I was barely aware of Kyra fluttering about, trying to get me inside, to fetch some water, to stroke my hair.

Diarmuid was not coming.

He would not marry me.

My life was truly coming to an end.

The days were a blur of swallowed tears and pain. When Ma first found me abed in the cottage, she pressed her hand to my forehead in alarm. aAre you ill?a she asked, her eyes stricken with concern.

aQuite ill,a I told her. a aTis my digestion. Nothing tastes quite right anymore.a She quickly set about placing cool rags upon my head and wrists and making me a special potion to drink. I watched as she boiled together meadowsweet, mint, and catnip leaves and flowers. aTwas a lesson in herbs, but a painful one. I didnat know how long I could pretend that all my pain was physical, but I couldnat begin to tell my mother the truth about Diarmuid.

My Diarmuid!

I was devastated. How could he turn away from me? I pressed my face to the pillow as a new round of tears racked my body. Ma kept asking me where it hurt, and I lied and said that the pain was in my belly. I couldnat bear to reveal that I was suffering a broken heart.

Kyra came to see me every day, bringing me flowers and fresh-baked biscuits that did sit well once swallowed. One afternoon Kyra stayed with me while Ma went out on an errand, and she encouraged me to throw on a summer shawl and venture outside the cottage for some fresh air.

The sun was hot, but there was a cooling breeze, making the heat tolerable. My body felt feeble, like a creaking old cart, but Kyra said that was from staying in bed so long. We sat under an ancient tree by the path.

aYou cannot let one boy strike you down so,a Kyra told me. aYouall forget about him in time.a aNever,a I said, reaching to touch my belly. A tiny mound was growing there, though it was still too soon for anyone else to notice. aI cannot let Diarmuid go, for I am to have his child come Imbolc.a Kyra gasped. aA babe! aTis no wonder youare feeling ill.a aAye, but Maas teas of mint and meadowsweet have helped the illness in my body. aTis the pain in my heart that will not relent.a aOh, Rose. poor Rose!a Kyra rubbed my back gently through the shawl. aTo be with child! It must be terrible for you. I wish you had told me earlier. Iall help you be rid of it. There are herbs thata"a aI want the child,a I said.

She shook her head sadly. aNot here, not now? To bear a b.a.s.t.a.r.d child in these parts is dangerous. Youall be ostracized by everyonea"even some in our own coven!a Kyra was right. To give birth to a child out of wedlock was a sin shunned by all in the Highlands. My life would be ruined. I folded my arms across my belly. a aTwill be fine, for the child has a father. Diarmuid will come to me before Imbolc.a aAnd if he doesnat?a I bit my lips tight, refusing to answer.

aNo one has to know you lost the babe! Iave heard you can brew a teaa"a a aTis enough talk of that!a I insisted. aDiarmuid will be a father to my child.a I drew the shawl around me closer. aIam sure he would be here now if he knew...a As my words trailed off, I realized I had stumbled upon the solution.

This baby would bring Diarmuid to me. Once he knew of its life, he would leap over the obstacles between us.

aThatas it,a I said, blinking. aI must tell him.a I stood up, feeling strength rise within me. aI must go to him.a Kyra stared up at me, shaking her head.

aIf I go to him with news of our child, surely he will think of a way for us to be together! He will be so overcome with joy, nothing will deter him.a aBut the note...a Kyra stood up and brushed her skirts. aHe said that...a I waved her off. aHe knew nothing of our child when he wrote that.a I headed toward the cottage, thinking of the new possibilities. aPerhaps when his parents learn of our babe, they will soften, too. We could live with them. Or if they reject us, Diarmuid shall come live among the Wodebaynes. I know our coveners will be suspicious of him, but once they come to know him, they will accept him.a With each breath, the flush of health filled my body. I had been sick over Diarmuid, but the cure was within my grasp now. I could go to my love. And once he learned of the blessed child within my womb, he would welcome me with open arms.

The following day I set off in a horse-drawn cart toward Diarmuidas village of Lillipool. Falkner had managed to secure the cart and horse from his fatheras shop, and Kyra sat between us, warning of the punishment the three of us would face if our parents found out the true reason for our visit to Lillipool. She could be so mettlesome at times, though I did have her to thank for arranging for the cart. In my current condition, I was not sure I could walk all the way to Lillipool without incident.

Lillipool was considered to be a Christian village, though for some time our coven had known that the Vykrothes had a circle nearby and Leapvaughn sheepherders lived in cottages on its outskirts. There was the usual small church, which I a.s.sumed Diarmuidas clan attended to avoid persecution as witches. A mill cranked at the edge of the village. We pa.s.sed by it, then came upon the village center. In Lillipoolas small, dusty square, peddlers displayed their wares amid clouds of blowing dirt. No one knew why gra.s.s refused to grow on the village green here, but my mother had once told me that although Leapvaughns have a gift for sales and carpentry, they were known to be barren farmers.