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August 23, 1999

The Hatchling—1996

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XV—Face to Face With Death

Life had seemed quiet as Holly and Arnica went about preparing their gardens for Hallows. Most of the herbs and flowers had ceased their life cycles, turning brown with death to indicate that it was time to cut them back so that their underworld life within the roots could be renewed during the winter months. The leaves had drifted slowly off the trees, sometimes coming down in a thick flurry when the wind shook them loose and, all about them, it appeared as if Mother Nature was truly preparing to descend into the Underworld.

The old, cut-crystal jar of herbal elixir designed to part the veils between the world had sat upon the altar since Autumn, kept protected by the hand-stitched 'jar dolly' sent them by Pearl. The aconite blooms and holly berries were steeping in its wine, along with mandrake root and mistletoe berries gathered and dried last Yule. Two Full and one New Moon had come and gone and at each ritual the small bottle was kept central upon the main altar, becoming a focal point for the special magick brought forth as the Circle was worked. Although their friends had been present at Lammas and Autumn, as Hallows neared it appeared that this Sabbat Holly and Arnica would work alone.

Some were travelling, taking the high passes before winter began to make the River Mountains impassible. Amber had planned to stay in Merrydale until Hallows, but it had begun snowing in the mountain passes and it made her anxious to return to Quicksilver the steelsmith, who was becoming an important man in her life. Jewel and Lotus were among the travellers. They were travelling with Amber to the River Mountains. The couple wanted to take their baby Dagon to spend some time playing with the children in the mountain village where Amber now lived as it was untouched by the illness spreading through the lands of Lothloriën. They hoped to join in the drumming and dancing which was being done to shift the political tides in the upcoming election. A growing number of people were alarmed with the destruction of the forests and the attempt by the Politicos to outlaw all religions which did not accept their Book of Doom nor worship their cross of blood.

Even young Gino was gone, off to spend a fortnight with his father in Mill City, taking a large hamper of herbal mixtures which Arnica had prepared, complete with instructions. There were a growing number of men from the Renaissance Tribes who had found it necessary to turn away from their gardens and crafts to take jobs in the mills during these difficult times. Although the illness had not reached Mill City, Arnica knew that his herbal tonics could keep them safe. Despite his youth, Gino had been given his first task as Arnica's apprentice.

Over the past weeks, Amethyst and Crystal had been trying to put a new thatch on their roof, working on it after long days at their regular jobs until Crystal, herself, took ill with the virus. Iris, ever-healthy Iris the postmarm, came over to help and the roof was soon done but all three were very tired and Crystal was not well. All of the close friends had decided to meet with Holly and Arnica in the astral temple, meeting in spirit since few could be united within a Circle for the Hallows Sabbat. October had not been an easy month. As the days grew dark, so was a darkness falling upon the land.

"They said that seventeen people have died in the past weeks. Oh, Arnica, that is so many. When I posted the letter to Pearl and Phoenix, Iris looked tired but well. Mr. Pounds the tithing agent was in the postal shop and he did not look at all well. And Pastor Dolorum came up to me on the street, openly and asked if you might know of any herb for his mother has caught the virus as well. She has been so frail since her stroke and he fears she hasn't the strength to make it through the fevers." Holly was sitting on the floor, deep in thought, his hands going through the motion of combing the hatchling's mane. Dark Star was laying with her head across his lap.

"Oh, it's so hard," answered Arnica. "I've gazed into the Orb so many hours this past month," he said, turning toward the crystal ball sitting upon their altar. "Even if the Conservers do take back a majority of seats in Parliament, the lands are becoming so crowded, so many trees have been hewn to death…I fear that the Mother is trying to bring things into balance and it will be a painful process for so many."

"Will we work in the stone circle tomorrow night?" asked Holly.

"No, I think not. It is just we two and I think our bones would rejoice to part the Gates of Death in here with the fireplace to keep us warm."

"What is it, munchkin?" Holly asked of the hatchling. Holly had developed the ability to communicate with the unicolt. Dark Star turned her head toward the orb and lowered her horn. When she sent her thoughts through the crystal ball toward Holly, her horn paled to its silver color. Holly quickly moved his body into a trance-like state and sent his mind into the Orb to seek her voice…"Dark Star said she'd prefer being out in the brisk air, but she wants to attend the Circle with us. She feels that it will be important for her to be with us." Holly did not hear the hatchling speak in words or sentences, but was learning to put his impressions of her energy into his own words.

"I've felt that as well. It would be easy to wonder whether we're just nervous with this sickness bringing so much death but I feel there is something else. The other morning when I removed the jar dolly, I thought I saw an image moving in Pearl's needlework but when I blinked my eyes, there were only the intricate designs. This morning, when I worked magick with the jar of elixir for the Hallows Ritual, I felt cold…but hot at the same time. It makes me think that this sacred Eve contains both fire and ice."

Holly did not answer. Arnica's words moved something within his own being. His hand picked up the brush again. Dark Star laid her head back down quietly, her horn now its natural hue. The three of them remained quiet for more than an hour as they contemplated Hallows Eve.

Working indoors meant first carrying the Feast of the Dead out to the stone circle. Food was set out for Weaver and Ladstar. Weaver had passed into the Summerland many years before and Ladstar's cremated remains and athame were placed just two years ago. The friends respective ashes had been placed on either side of the circle. The stone circle was not only the place for their more private rituals but also a memorial for those remembered with bells and crystals in this wooded glen.

The temple in the front room was warmed by the fireplace, burning quietly in the south, its mantle providing the South Altar. Other than the fire, there was no light other than the small flame from a single, black candle sitting upon the main altar. Dark Star took her favorite position, sitting in the northeast portal, staying out of the way as the two men walked the Circle.

"One lone candle lights this night…" The words chanted, the Circle was begun. Soon the other candles were lit and the four elemental directions honored. In time the entire room had been transformed into a magickal circle.

The cauldron brought forth and placed in the center of the room, Holly and Arnica sat down and the Hatchling moved forward. The fire was lit and the ritual chanted…

"Near we now the Gates of Death, on this fearsome night..

"We'll call lost loved ones from within to join us in this rite…"

Holly was startled. His eyes closed during the chant, Dark Star had whinnied gently, the way she did to greet their friends.

There they sat, the three of them, seated around a much larger cauldron and joined by all those of their coven: Arnica and Holly, and then the Rhymer in his green cape. Wren was there with her lute, and Robin seated just behind her. Flying Raven was making notes on parchment with her quill. There, why there was Poppy! They hadn't seen him since Beltane when he was called back to the elven land. And there was Iris! Her image looked quite strong. Why, she must be working the rituals of the Renaissance Tribes…They hadn't thought her to be practicing the old ways. Perhaps they should invite her to become part of the working group.

Gino's energy looked bright. Behind him were two shadows. Those must be his parents who encouraged his beliefs but who had not joined the Earthkin. Jewel and Lotus sat cradling their baby, Dagon. Dagon looked quite fey in the astral! Near them was Amber. Behind her was a faint image of a man. Was that Quicksilver? Would he be joining their Circles in the coming year?

Amethyst was sitting next to Holly, but Crystal was lying down, her head in Amethyst's lap. At least Crystal was there: that meant she was healing. But where were Phoenix and Pearl? They should have been present as well…

The notes from their voices cried out into the darkness as they began the litany: "Come dear Goddess, come this night…Join us in this fearsome night…" Line after line of invocation was chanted. Suddenly the flames in the cauldron flashed high, startling everyone.

"She is mine this night." The Goddess had appeared, large and mighty, her arms holding the limp body of Mildora Dolorum, the pastor's elderly mother. "I shall take her through the Gates." And she opened her arms and the woman's dead body fell down into the cauldron.

And Her voice shook them again. "He is mine this night." The Goddess stood tall, holding an emaciated corpse in Her arms. "It is time for him to enter the Summerland."

"It's Phoenix," Holly said, "something's wrong with Phoenix."

"He's dead." Pearl entered the circle from the Northeast, her image cowled in a black robe. "His body could take no more. Thank the Goddess for Her arms. I could take no more."

They turned, again, to look at the image of the Dark Goddess.

"He is mine this night," She repeated, and let her arms drop Phoenix' body which disappeared into the flames. "He is but one of many. Each of you, look at Me." Their heads turned to gaze upon Her. "I am the face of Death and I am walking the land. Weep not, for behind My scythe's reach comes the light."

And She disappeared as the cauldron went black.

Holly and Arnica sat there, stunned. Dark Star edged closer. The room was quickly cooling. The fireplace, itself had gone dark. All the candles, save the black one in the center of the altar, had been extinguished.

Hallows Eve had come and gone.

XVI—Merrydale's Surprise Yule Tree

Iris stood at the table, the thick braid of her hair draped over one shoulder. "Should I light the candle," Merrydale's postmarm asked. "Are we ready to begin?"

"Aye," answered Pastor Dolorum, minister of the Church of the Martyr. It was Dolorum who had asked for this secret meeting. His brow was furrowed as he spoke of how essential it was that the Politicos and Users knew nothing of this meeting. These arch-conservative factions within the Kristos religion had grown in political strength and were attempting to impose their intolerance upon all peoples.

"Pastor, would you bless this flame?" asked Holly. Holly and Arnica sat next to each other across from Dolorum. Arnica knew there was value in keeping this meeting secret even from the Earthkin. Many would not understand an alliance with what they perceived to be the 'enemy' and others would be too quick to talk, letting their love of gossip be the downfall of this friendship.

"Why, thank you, Holly. I would be honored." Dolorum rose to his feet. Holly and Arnica quickly stood and all four held hands around the table. "We ask of the Father that this light…" Dolorum colored a bit and stumbled on his words. "We ask of the Father and the Mother that this light be both inspiration and birth." Three 'Blessed Be's' were a counterpoint to Dolorum's 'Amen.' No one said anything, but Iris and the two men were visibly touched that Pastor Dolorum had given an inclusive blessing. The warmth among the four grew and they sat to get down to business.

"Friends, I asked for this meeting. There are many risks, as you will soon learn." Dolorum looked at Arnica. They had shared a bond since last Candlemas. Dolorum had asked Arnica to bless a candle in the old ways for the Pastor's mother. No Renaissance peoples attended Mildora Dolorum's funeral last month. Although many knew the elderly woman loved the earth and was sympathetic to their religion, it would have created a ruckus among the Users. Dolorum cleared his throat and continued.

"The Politicos have decreed that Merrydale must have a creche scene. They are determined to create an image that everyone within miles of Merrywood follows the Book of Doom. You may know that my own mother's great grandmother, may God bless her, was of Descendant Tribe blood."

Arnica and Holly were visibly startled by this. Iris interrupted the man, "That explains why your mother was sympathetic to the Earthkin?"

"Yes," answered Dolorum. "I tried, tactfully, to mention that there are many peoples of many religions here, but Hatchitt began quoting from the Book, out of context, but in such a way that no argument could avoid getting quickly out of hand. I spent a night in prayer and found my answer. This is why you are here and also why I asked for complete secrecy. There is much to risk. Should I lose my position at the Church of the Martyr, and Hatchitt would like that, their Elders would hire a new minister who would help them with their desire to eradicate all traces of the old religions."

Arnica looked at Dolorum with new respect and admiration. "What, my friend, can we do to help?"

"You know that I am bound to the decree. But I believe that, if handled the right way, we can integrate many of your customs and further strengthen the bond between the Earthkin and the Kristos. Since Iris' march to Fern Hollow, many of the Kristos see a common concern for the ecology to be more important than a focus on religious differences. I believe I have a plan which can work, but only with your help."

With that they began talking quietly, passionately. Holly made notes and Arnica made lists. They knew there would be some way to present the real nature of Merrydale without excluding the Kristos nor angering the Users and they believed that their completed effort would bring the Earthkin and Kristos together to share in the true joy of the season, no matter how the concept of rebirth was observed.

There was much excitement building. Dolorum had been very creative, convincing his church elders to fund a framework with large canvases so that the site was kept hidden from view until the Sunday morning before Christmas. How interesting they found this! With Christmas on a Friday, this year the actual solstice was within an hour of day break on that very Sunday morning.

Rather than placing the creche in the center of the town square, it was decided to place it just north of Merrydale at the edge of the wood. It took some fast talking by Pastor Dolorum on this one, something about the Kristos walking from the Church of the Martyr and arriving just beyond the town and how that would be like the wise men arriving at a stable. "They bought it," Dolorum said, excited just like a boy, when he told Arnica the news.

During the day there were the sounds of construction. Three men from Dolorum's church volunteered to do the carpentry. They were building a facade of a stable. When Hatchitt insisted that it look like a church and have a large cross upon it, Dolorum countered by reminding the politician that Jesus' stable would have looked quite rural. "You mean…pagan?" teased Iris.

"Well, 'rural' allows us to follow through with out plan," said Dolorum. They had never seen him look so radiant and happy with life. This entire project was, without saying a word, in memory of his mother.

At night, when the workers had gone home, Arnica and Holly's Circle emerged from the woods. Unseen by the village, they moved the workers' ladders to the trees and did their work. Lights were to be allowed. Whether or not to allow lights had been a contentious point among the elders of the Church of the Martyr. When they balked at the idea (thinking it too pagan), a deft comment by Dolorum pointed out that the church in Mill City went all out with their decorations. "Why, the Cathedral of Thorns had so many show up for their Christmas services that they paid off their new bell tower," Dolorum mused. Despite Hatchitt's objections, the potential for increased donations won the elders over and yes, there could be colored lights and an aura of festivity.

Dark Star, their hatchling from less than two years ago, had grown strong and she proudly carried the baskets of decorations along the path through the trees of Merrywood. Unable to climb ladders nor wield a hammer, mostly she had to stay out of the way although she was quick of hoof to scamper over and pick up something with her mouth to help out. Dark Star's work was to help tote things to the scene late at night and walk back even later with the tired men. Arnica's old bones did not take well to late nights.

"Get down from there," worried Amethyst. Crystal always did have a streak of tomboy in her and there she was, perched by one leg on the high rungs of the ladder, happily hanging small, ivy wreaths by red ribbons.

"Hey, Amethyst, I'm just fine. Reach over there and throw me up another bunch of circlets. How do they look?" Crystal loved physical work. She had already worked with Lotus to string thousands of lights in the trees. When they got the huge carton of ivy wreaths, she stepped forward to volunteer to hang them in the trees. The wreaths came from Amber, over in the River Mountains. They were made by the Descendant Tribes in a great ceremony. There was one for each day of the year which had been blessed with drumming and smudging.

Iris had worked on the star. It was to be a large pentagram. Five-pointed stars made no one uncomfortable during the holiday season. Just the most subtle colors brought together the four elemental arms and legs of the star to merge through the top point as spirit. When the workers returned the next afternoon, they were surprised to see the star poised up above the false roof of the manger but, surprisingly, they simply accepted all the changes and seemed to assume that Dolorum had a crew of workers there every morning.

The days passed quickly and soon the site had grown into a marvelous creation. On Yule Eve Arnica and Holly did a simple ritual in their Garden. Then, they snuggled up with Dark Star in the front room near the fireplace to sleep the night. Early the next morning, Holly brought the small bottle of elixir, the one made of powdered jade, black hellebore and male fern which made the hatchling's horn invisible to any but the most magickal. The bottle safely in the pocket of his robe, they set out early in the morning to do the Yule blessing at the creche site at the moment of the Solstice.

It was a perfect morning. There was snow in the mountains and the skies showed the promise of sunrise. Dolorum met them near the manger scene.

"I feel good about this," he said. "We've made it to the opening day without arousing any suspicion. You did good work."

"Thanks," answered Arnica. "Your design for the stable is wonderful. It truly captures the humble beginning of that birth. You don't think the multitude of lights and colored ornaments will be too much?"

"In my sermon this morning, I'm going to tell the parishioners that the lights in the trees are a metaphor for the wonders of the Universe—which they are," his eyes twinkled at Iris. "And tonight, at 8:00 sharp, the canvasses will be removed and everyone is to be invited. This may be the largest gathering of Merrywood folks to all come together in Merrydale at once, perhaps ever."

"We've spoken to the Earthkin and they'll be attending, bringing fruits and breads to share. The word is out that this is to be an ecumenical gathering and all the Tribes will go out of their way to avoid creating dissention. We feel good about this. And you are to be thanked."

Pastor Dolorum didn't know what to say. He looked down.

Arnica went on, "You know, it's been wonderful sharing these past days with you. I am grateful to know you better and to have had this time."

Both men felt a bit awkward, for there were no words.

"It's time," said Holly. Dolorum needed to go to his church for the 'final' sermon before the unveiling and Arnica and Holly had the last work to do. Just as Dolorum was about to depart, Dark Star trotted right up to the man and licked his cheek. The laughter was like music among the trees.

The sky was dark, save for the spangling of brilliant stars. The Church of the Martyr had asked everyone to bring candles and the gathering of about two hundred people was a-glow with the radiance of candles.

Dolorum stood on a small platform before the crowd. He spoke about promoting love and joy among all peoples during the Christmas week. Arnica and Holly could not see—they were behind the canvas and would be out of sight just in the trees where the cables from the generator met in a large box before threading their circuits up overhead, into the trees. Dolorum spoke about this being the first day of winter and shifted so easily into the growth of light that Earthkin and Kristos alike felt he was speaking right to them.

As Dolorum asked everyone to blow out their candles, the notes of a harp began to dance through the air like the wings of a bird. Holly had set up a small player with a recording of the Rhymer playing his harp. The Kristos silently sang their words and the Earthkin silently sang their words and everyone was happy as the darkness spread. The old carol ended and the silent signal was given.

The canvases fell away and there was the scene. For just a moment there was but a sole candle lit near the crib and then everyone gasped as the trees were filled with the sparkling of thousands of lights. There, before them, was the entire scene: a family dressed in the ancient Israeli ways with the baby Dagon laying in the crib, playing with his toes. And there were animals from the woods, squirrels and several deer off to the side. And birds flying in and out of the trees, sheep and goats from a local farm, and there, next to the crib, a beautiful 'horse' named Dark Star.

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