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Since
August 23, 1999

The Hatchling—1997

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XXIII—The Jar Dolly

Iris sat at her kitchen table, her fingers nimble yet showing a life of hard work as they plied the needles. Working the magickal colors of yarn, Iris was knitting the jar dolly for the Hallows ritual. A custom of the Circle, the jar dolly covered Arnica and Holly's jar. Iris paused and looked at the jar, sitting upon her altar flanked by a pair of candles. The facets of the cut crystal sparked in the light. It was very old, having been passed down from Arnica's grandmother. Arnica's mother presented it to Arnica and Holly at their Handfasting.

'The return address says it all,' Iris thought. Her forehead showed the signs of worry. Ever since Wren brought back the message last Midsummer's Eve from the Realm of Faerie of the dangers from the plunder of the forests and rivers, Iris had watched the mail pass through the Merrydale post office with her careful eyes. Something was definitely going on. Her fingers continued to knit the basic form of the dolly. She tried to keep her mind centered within the interior of the crystal jar, but thoughts from the outside world continued to distract her.

'Arnica was definitely agitated after he and Holly came from Mr. Pounds, the tithing agent's office. What happened? Our Circle's energy has shifted since then. What can it be?' Then she took control back of her thoughts. Reaching over to a small shell, she took several beads sent her by Amber. Good friends, they were allies in Merrydale. Amber's Crystal Emporium had been a gathering place for many of the Earthkin, but now she was back in the River Mountains with her Loon Tribe family. Amber and several of the women of her Circle had made these beads during the dark of the last new moon, fashioning them of clay and of blood and drying them in a small kiln set over the open fire. Their energy was so strong that Iris put two of them back, wanting to place only one at a time over the needle to be knit into the jar dolly. 'What powerful magick,' she was thinking. Knit-purl, knit-knit, Pearl…'Pearl?' Iris thought, 'What does Pearl have to do with this?'

And then, out of nowhere, the answers to her worry became clear. Why, the Society for the Forest, an organization which recently began sending out mailings from Mill City had the same, the very same address as the Cathedral of Thorns! And old man Hatchitt, that red-faced angry man who carried his Book of Doom with him, had brought a sheaf of flyers for the Society right into the post office, demanding that she hand them out to all the patrons. Why, Hatchitt was one of the strongest and most vocal figures of the Users, the radical, right wing faction of the Politicos. When Iris declined, saying that the government office could not do that, his face darkened and he threateningly said, "We'll see." 'They're all connected,' Iris realized. 'I must complete this jar dolly and get it to Arnica as quickly as I can.'

Just then a loud knock at her door startled her so that the next bead slipped from her fingers and rolled across the table, coming to rest right against the shell, safely. Iris rose, her back a bit tired from the long hours at work, and went to the door. She was not prepared for the two figures standing there in the night.

"Gino! Dark Star! Why, what are you two doing out so late at night?"

"There's no school tomorrow, Iris," answered Gino. "Holly was working with his orb, practicing listening to Dark Star when suddenly he stood up and called for Arnica. The hatchling was telling Holly something about Iris discovering the answer."

Dark Star whinnied in her unicorn manner and moved closer to Iris, leaning against Iris' arm and looking into the postmarm's eyes as Gino went on with his story. "After hearing what Holly had to say, Arnica asked me to come into Merrydale and tell the Circle that you must all come to the stone Circle in the woods, but you must take the secret path through Merrywood and only Amethyst and Crystal can come together and Jewel and Lotus and…"

"Slow down, young man," Iris began laughing. This was just what she needed to put things in perspective. A late evening surprise from Gino and the hatchling. "Dark Star, I can almost see your horn." Iris looked at Gino.

The freckled lad smiled broadly and reached into an inner pocket of his jacket. "See? Arnica trusted me with some of the elixir made with jade and secret ingredients. The jade is the only one I know. Oh, no, I said it!" Gino was obviously very excited to be trusted with this mission.

Iris sat the boy down and made him a cup of warm tea, setting a plate of ginger biscuits on the table. "Dark Star, I have just the treat for you," and Iris brought out a small bunch of borage blooms. "Guess what? These grew protected by my little greenhouse. They're the last of the season and just for you." Iris knew Dark Star simply loved to munch on borage blossoms. As soon as Gino was warmed up, she sent them on their way. They had several other stops before Gino would head to his mother's home and Dark Star would take a fast trot back to the cabin where Arnica and Holly were waiting. Pearl's house would be next and now Gino had messages from both Arnica and from Iris!

"Holly, we're supposed to be serious for Hallows," Arnica's graying beard trembled as he laughed at Holly's antics. Wearing his new long johns beneath his robe for this brisk night, Holly said something about them being a little tight in personal places and then began dancing about the cabin, trying to stretch them out. It was a pretty amazing sight, to be sure.

"There, I think that's better. It's so important to concentrate on this night and I know I can't be scratching during those parts of the ritual," Holly said. The affection between the two men filled the cabin with warmth. "Did Dark Star head back to the stone Circle?" asked Holly?

"She's restless tonight," Arnica said. "As near as we can figure, there are seventeen species of plants which have been lost. Their devas are out crying for help, their voices mingling with those of the human dead."

Holly's face was instantly somber. "And I spoke to Lotus. Dagon is two, now, and Lotus took him to a barbershop for his first haircut. Actually that part was sort of funny, Lotus joking about it being a male rite of passage. But Lotus said he overheard a local Kristos man in the shop quietly talking to one of the Politicos, saying something about the frogs on his farm hatching with deformities. Arnica, things are getting worse. Sometimes I feel frightened."

Arnica's arms embraced Holly and they stood there, quietly for a few minutes. "Go get your Wicca basket," Arnica said, with a twinkle in his eye knowing well how Holly enjoyed that pun. Holly's 'Wicca basket' was an old picnic hamper he had fixed up for toting ritual tools back into the woods.

Soon they were walking through the gardens to the woodland path. Arnica carried the large cauldron, filled with ritual things which would be used on this sacred night. Holly carried the Wicca basket, in which was carefully packed the best chalice, over a century old. It was made of an unknown crystal, one which seemed remarkably similar to that found in one of the steps leading to Lothloriën's astral gardens. Capable of changing colors, it usually ranged from crystal clear to a golden color for the sun. But tonight it seemed darkened, a color which neither man had previously noticed.

After walking the path through the trees, the stone Circle became apparent by the glow. Extra kerosene lanterns had been set about to keep the chill at bay. It was quite bright within the ring of stones. Some of the others were already waiting, hooded and quiet. No one was talking, now, each having begun their solitary work. Since Arnica and Holly's woods had become a sanctuary to shelter some of the species from extinction, each ritual, each Sabbat seemed more important and more intense.

Hatchitt's rumblings in Merrydale had not gone unnoticed. Almost each day every home's mailbox carried unsolicited flyers and letters which seemed to support saving Merrywood but the Earthkin shared news whenever they met. Someone important in Parliament was suppressing news about the environment. The Committee for Internal Affairs maintained that trees could be harvested without ecological damage, that the odd reports about the ozone layer, about el nino, about things too disturbing to talk about were simply flukes and the wild imagination of radical Conservers. Everyone was growing more tense. Meeting in public in Merrydale meant speaking in quiet, hushed tones. And there were rumors about what might be happening in Parliament in Mill City.

Dark Star was sitting on the ground, looking lovingly at Pearl who was caressing the hatchling's horn. It was just a year ago that Phoenix left his pain-torn body for the last time. Tall, lean and wearing his best black cape, Dolorum, pastor of the Church of the Martyr, was lighting the charcoal so it would be ready for incense. No one outside their Circle knew that Dolorum, appearing to be an upstanding Kristos was now active within the Renaissance Tribes and expected to communicate with his mother this Hallows. Lotus, hand-carved staff in hand, was setting up the south cauldron. His fame as a wood sculptor growing, his partner Jewel had stayed home with Dagon, now two and a half and a bit restless in adult Circles. Gino was playing in the water, watching the candles and lantern light dance in the glass ewer which would be poured forth into the basin as the invocation to the west was read. And Iris, the quiet tinkling of bells hanging from her rust-colored robe, was quietly meditating upon the element of earth in the north. Arnica and Holly were setting the altar tools upon the altar. Just as everyone finished, something shifted and silence permeated the woodland.

Hands clasped, they formed a dancing circle as the movement of their bodies and the power of the ritual caused the flames to spiral upward from the cauldron in the center of the Circle.

"Summer's warmth has come and gone, let us light the fire,

"Call lost loved ones from within, to join us in this rite!"

Just then the flames burst forth. Hands parted as each stepped back, startled. Standing in the midst of the cauldron's flames was.. Phoenix…at least an image of Phoenix! "I'm not lost and I did desire to be called." Phoenix had his wry humor with him even from the Otherworld. "My love," Phoenix' voice reached toward Pearl.

Shaken, Pearl's arms were wrapped around Dark Star's neck for support. "Iris has told me," Pearl answered, "and I am prepared. There is no one I trust more than you, my love."

Turning toward Gino, Phoenix' voice was at once the sound of thunder and the gentle music of a baby bird. Later, when trying to describe it, not one present could find words. "Son, have you what Pearl needs?"

"Dear Sir, I gave Pearl the pocket watch my father gave to me. He'll know to trust her if he sees that." Gino was fascinated. He was too young to realize what it took for an incarnate human to move through the Gates of Death and back. Not wanting to frighten him, Pearl had said nothing. Arnica and Holly wondered if even Pearl knew the risk.

Phoenix reached forth his hand, Pearl took it and just like that the flames disappeared, and so did Pearl. Dark Star pawed at the ground near the cauldron, then turned to Holly. "She's worried," Holly said. "Our hatchling believes she should have accompanied Pearl to Mill City."

"Now our vigil begins," Arnica's voice was quiet. "We must keep the Circle vibrant until Phoenix brings Pearl back to us. Gino, I only hope your father will understand what is happening to him." No one spoke. They sat upon the damp grass and pulled their robes about them to ward off the chill night air. This was a Hallows none would forget.

XXIV—Birthing the Light

It was quite an amazing sight. Dark Star, laying on the floor near the fireplace, was having a wonderful time with some scones Pearl had made just for her (with no sugar) which had been spread with borage jelly! A hard freeze a few weeks before had claimed all the remaining borage plants. Pearl knew that borage blossoms were Dark Star's favorite and she had devised a jelly recipe. Dark Star was in unicorn heaven.

The cabin was filled with nearly all of their circle. This was the first time some of them had even seen Pearl since her Hallows adventure. Not only did they want to hear of her astral journey to Mill City but they wanted to meet Lupine as well. The cabin was filled with the most delicious scents, each household having brought their favorite food for the potlatch. Arnica provided warm mugs of his 'Magick Tea,' a recipe kept secret in his grimoire.

The Yule Eve ritual complete, the sharing of food was a wonderful way to celebrate the birth of the sun and take time to socialize. The ritual working completed the decoration of the Yule tree which looked quite stunning with the hand-made ornaments including Holly's new strings of bright peppers, a striking red against the dark fir.

Jewel and Lotus shared a chair, their plates perched upon their knees. Now twenty months old, Dagon was playing on his rug near Dark Star, his favorite toys a chalice and a toy athame carved from ash wood by his father, Lotus. Jewel's corn bread, bean and walnut casserole was very popular this evening. Lotus stood, bending his lanky frame to kiss Jewel upon the forehead. "I'm heading to the kitchen for more of your dish before it's gone." They would not be spending the night out in the stone Circle. Jewel knew that Dagon would undoubtedly waken them before sunrise!

When Gino learned of Lupine's return, the lad Arnica and Holly met a year ago this past harvest was first concerned that his role in their lives might be diminished. But he learned that he had actually gained a new friend. The freckled boy was so proud of the role his father, working for the flour mills on the other side of the mountains, had played in Pearl's adventure. The pocket watch was almost never out of Gino's sight. Gino's plate was full, it seemed so much for such a small frame, yet this was already his second serving of everything and he showed no signs of slowing!

Iris sat across from Pastor Dolorum, both in animated conversation with Amethyst and Crystal. In their midst was a basket filled with fresh currant muffins, chocolate chip cookies and apples from Holly's autumn harvest.

Arnica caught himself yawning. It was getting late and Gino had school the next morning and it was a work day. Arnica stood up, a slight groan as of a fine, wood floor as his 'old bones' shifted postures. Holly nodded to Dark Star who, in a quick motion, raised her head, her horn sweeping across a small set of wind chimes which had been hung conveniently at hand, or would that be 'at horn?' The room quickly grew quiet.

"Dear ones," Arnica said, "we have much to cover and time grows late. With sunset so early, we easily lose track of the night hours. Dark Star is older this year and should have less difficulty staying up until sunrise. A few of you must leave (Gino groaned—he had school the next day) but the rest of us will soon be heading back to the stone Circle where we'll spend the night with mulled cider and a fire in the cauldron, waiting for the first ray of the new sun. Stay the night with us among the stones, but dress warm. There's sure to be a nip in the air this year." Arnica looked toward Pearl, catching her eye to see if she was ready. Her small, Pictish features were always striking candlelight. Pearl turned toward Lupine, indicating that she wanted him to speak next.

"Dear Lupine," Arnica said. Holly squeezed Lupine's hand, a gesture of a deep, brotherly love. They smiled at one another and exchanged a gentle kiss. Lupine rose and went over to Arnica. Arnica's arm went around the young man's shoulders. "We first met Lupine," Arnica said, "some years ago. Lupine was just a pup, learning of his interest in the Earthkin. One night he saw a vision in Merrywood of a wolf which howled at the Lady Moon and the next day the Mother sent him on a learning quest far away, all the way to the east where he was led to gaze upon the great waters of the Atlantikos and gather vials of sacred water from south to north. Next he was led to Heartland, still far east from the Highlands, where he had to complete his karma and prepare himself for initiation into the Renaissance Tribes. Holly and I are very pleased to welcome him into our home and our family, for we have missed him."

A loud whinny from Dark Star caused the room to instantly erupt in laughter. She thumped her front hoof upon the wood floor twice to make sure no one missed her assent.

"That was to make sure you all know that our hatchling believes that Lupine has a long future with us. Holly?" Arnica turned toward his companion of many years.

Holly scooted over on the floor, his fingers playing in Dark Star's mane and, with his other hand, scratching her under her chin. The unicolt loved her chin scratches! "Our hatchling told me that long ago while in the Bardo, even before she was brought forth in the egg she had a vision of a lean, dark man who looked much like Lupine. In her vision she saw him knocking at a cabin door. There were the sounds of joy and laughter and the Three of Cups, only with male figures. It was the arrival of Lupine."

"My friends," Lupine spoke. He had a calming, deliberate voice. "I am grateful to be so welcomed into your Circle. During the many, long years of my quest I kept a watercolor image of Arnica and Holly with me. My journey took me to such distant places that although I fantasized that some day I might be returned here, to Merrywood, I did not believe I would ever again see this cabin. In my deepest dreams did I desire to apprentice myself to Arnica, to share my work and love with my soulbrother Holly. I have been accepted for training into the Renaissance Priesthood and I give to each of you my sacred word that I will do my best." Lupine suddenly sat down, unaccustomed to such a public declaration.

"Lupine, thank you for your candor," Arnica's voice settled the energy in the room. Still speaking to the young man, Arnica continued. "When you arrived just a few days ago, I told you that I would explain the work which we have been sharing. Last Autumn when we went into Merrydale to pay our annual tithing to the government, Mr. Pounds, the tithing agent, told Holly and me in secret that he had learned of a conspiracy among Parliament's Committee for Internal Affairs. Despite the growing crisis, global warming, the continued destruction of forests world wide, even the growing violence among the crowded cities, the Politicos refuse to confront the issues. Rather they are concealing reports from the public and secretly selling off public lands to be bulldozed for commercial and industrial development. Last Midsummer Wren, our dear sister from the Highlands, went into the Realm of the Faerie where they warned her that more and more of the devas are dying."

"But we've saved many of them, turning our land into a sanctuary," Holly added. Holly's thick moustache turned up as he smiled, proud of their success to date.

"And just before Hallows," Iris' resonant voice caught everyone's attention, "I put two and two together. Sometimes the Politicos are simple minded, not realizing that some of us actually read a return address." Iris was much loved in Merrywood as the postmarm. Only those in their circle knew that she was now an active priestess of the Earthkin. "There's an organization called the 'Society for the Forest' in Mill City. Turns out it's a front for the Users, the most right wing factions of the Kristos, working through the Cathedral of Thorns. We believed that they were trying to delude the public and, if successful, we believed they would be turning large areas of Merrywood into open pit mines for low-grade ore, the type which is highly polluting yet could turn many of them into millionaires."

"But what to do?" Arnica said. This was amazing to Lupine, the way in which they all shared the telling of a story so fluidly, as if they'd rehearsed it. Why, this must be the result of working together in a coven so well. Pearl stood and Lupine's eyes were drawn to her. She was so lovely!

"I never expected to see Phoenix at Hallows. Oh, you know we believe that our loved ones will step through the veil, but I'd just begun to get on with my life. Phoenix had been dead just a year, so I hoped I would have something, but suddenly, there he was speaking to all of us,and we all heard him." Pearl now stood, feeling stronger. This was an emotional speech for her.

"Phoenix asked me for my pocket watch," Gino's voice, filled with excitement, took its turn, "and I gave it to Pearl."

"And Dark Star and I took it to Gino's father in Mill City. I, who had never before moved within the astral! I must have seemed like a waking dream when he saw me, but he recognized the watch he'd given Gino. 'He is fine and well, he's a good son,' I said, to assure him that I was not bringing fearful news. I spent nearly two hours talking with him while Dark Star moved about the city. I was exhausted when I returned, but I felt so good. I know that Phoenix is waiting for me in the astral temple, and that we'll be joined again." Pearl pulled her embroidered dress about her and sat. The stitchery of the new design shone in the light, one which depicted symbols of her journey. Pearl's needlework was a thing of magick: her wardrobe told the story of her magickal history. Still emotional over having spent time in the Bardo realm with Phoenix, Pearl looked pleadingly at Arnica.

"Thank you, my sister," Arnica's voice soothed her, and he continued the story. "Gino's father has been working in the offices of the Mill and one of the men sharing his apartment works for the cathedral. Although he leads the choir, he shares office space with the administrative offices. We'll soon have verification that a faction of Users within the Kristos is perpetrating a fraud upon all the people of Merrywood."

The room quickly filled with voices until Dark Star whinnied loudly and the tension was dispelled with laughter. Goodbyes were given, embraces exchanged, and Gino set out with Jewel and Lotus back to Merrywood. The others took up their ritual tools, Holly and Lupine carrying the great cauldron, and headed to the stone Circle in the woods.

"Oh, look!" Iris sat upright. She was more weather-hardy than the others, having spent much of her life hiking the hills and spending many nights with little more than a blanket while on long quests. Holly and Lupine were wrapped warm in a thick quilt, leaning against Arnica. The elder man had been gazing into the cauldron fire but was transported into the land of dreams right out of his meditative trance.

Iris nudged Dolorum. Not asleep, but so swaddled with his hood and his wraps (the Kristos minister was not yet acclimated to the Earthkin rites!) that he'd been focused only upon staying warm and was not paying attention. Amethyst and Crystal had brought a double-sized sleeping bag, zipped themselves up and were sleeping like spoons upon the pine-needle floor of the stone Circle.

But there, dancing by the east altar, were Pearl and Dark Star. Hanging almost from the tip of Dark Star's horn was a bright bauble. Pearl must have hung it there in the early morning light. The first rays of the sun had crested the distant hill and were filtered through the boughs, catching the ornament so it gleamed as of Yule fire.

Arnica added a couple of logs to the cauldron fire and suddenly, everyone was renewed by the reborn sun. "Blessed Yule," everyone shouted.

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