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August 23, 1999

The Hatchling—1998

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XXXI—The Bishop's Revenge

"You can't be serious?" Dolorum was kneeling next to the elfwort, its tall, eight-foot stalks holding fading leaves. Dark Star stood just at his right, playfully nipping at the upper leaves as they danced from Dolorum's touch.

"It's a perennial," Arnica said, his face gathered up in amusement. "It's trying to completely die down so that next spring it will start all over again from its root system." It was a beautiful, late-October day. Arnica felt some conflict. The sunny, warm days allowed him to make great strides with the gardens yet there was an undercurrent of uneasiness as he wondered if this might not be part of the global warming.

"That's amazing," Dolorum mused. "What would happen if you just left it?" he asked, taking the clippers to the thick stalks. Dark Star quickly stepped back.

"Slug heaven," Arnica answered. "It would all die down quickly and be a decomposing feast for garden pests."

Dolorum, having recently resigned from the Church of the Martyr, was enjoying his new freedom. No longer held to the demanding schedule of the church, he was able to expand his Earthkin roots. It was nearly two and a half years ago that Mildora Dolorum had passed over. Dolly, as Iris like to call him, had taken a position in Merrydale so he could be there for his mother in her final years. Little did he know of his Earthkin heritage, nor could he have imagined that he would leave his Kristos ministry and take great joy in belonging to Arnica and Holly's coven. Here he was helping Arnica prepare the gardens for Hallows and next year there would be a public Handfasting, conducted in the Renaissance Tribe ways. It no longer mattered if people knew or not.

Dolorum stood up, his arms full of elfwort stalks. "Where do these get thrown out?" he asked Arnica. One slipped loose and Dark Star quickly lowered her head and picked it up with her teeth.

"Not quite thrown out," Arnica said kindly. "See that large bin over at the edge of the woods? That's where we place all the garden plants which are cut back. It will take them much longer to compost than the scraps from the kitchen or the refuse from canning our fruits. But give them enough time and they'll provide the gardens with rich humus."

The hatchling, her horn bright in the sun, pranced over to the bin. She knew where the various types of compost went. Dolorum followed her. "Ashes to ashes and compost to compost…" he chanted in the autumn breeze. Dolly loved this work. "It looks like the gardens are being touched by Hallows" he called to Arnica.

"Yes," Arnica raised up to his knees. "It's truly a joy to live with the changing of the seasons and there's nothing like a garden to bring full awareness."

As Arnica and Dolorum worked in the gardens Holly was in Merrydale, sitting in Pearl's kitchen around a very large table. Iris was there. The post office was closed for her lunch. After the school board, now run by the majority vote of the User faction of the Politicos, voted to require an oath of allegiance, the decision was made to establish an Earthkin school.

"We're going to volunteer our services," Carlos said.

Rosetta, Gino's mother, nodded in agreement. "I've sort of held back," she said. Her dark hair framed her lovely face. "I've watched how Gino has grown and changed since he's had the guidance from you, Pearl. He's growing into a fine young man and I know it's because of the extra education he's getting from your coven. We've talked," and she looked at Carlos. He nodded at her. "I'd like to volunteer to fix the noon lunches for the children. It will give me a chance to be involved. Gino is old enough—and independent enough (she laughed at this) that I need something to do."

Carlos picked up her train of thought. "She's too modest to say so, but Rosetta has cooked for large family gatherings of fifty or more and she's wonderful. Those young ones will eat well if she's in the kitchen. And there's more. I'd like to offer my services for remodeling and maintenance."

Pearl looked as if she didn't know what to say. Just weeks ago they were hoping to have perhaps twenty students but the word was quietly circulating among other Renaissance peoples. Parents from other villages had contacted them. Even some of the native Descendant peoples let them quietly know they would prefer an Earthkin private school to the increasingly Kristos-dominated public schools.

"We're going to need this help," she said. "Carlos, between you and Rosetta, it appears that we can pay for one full-time position. It's not a lot but…"

Carlos interrupted her. "But we don't need much. We live simply. Over the years I worked in Mill City we put half of every paycheck into savings. Rosetta's so good with our budget that we're nearly two years ahead in house payments. Please, let us help you get this school established."

Holly took a turn speaking. It was obvious Pearl was very moved, emotionally. "Carlos, it's been quite a year. Since Kalven's tragic death last Candlemas, I've come to know more about Gino's parents. It will be wonderful working with you both and getting to know you. Gino's quite a fine young man, a reflection of your parenting. I know you'll both be a good influence on the young ones." Holly raised his cup of cider. "To Carlos and Rosetta. Welcome to our staff."

Dark Star lay upon the grass, soaking up the warm rays of the sun. Dolorum lay upon his back, his head resting upon her flank. What a picture they made.

"Gardening's hard work, but it feels wonderful," Dolorum said.

Arnica was digging among the honeysuckle vines, pruning and setting them in place to withstand the winter wind. "It's different than writing sermons, I'll wager."

Laughter danced through the gardens like the breezes among the wind chimes.

"Dolly," Arnica asked, using Iris' pet name, "what is your first name? For so long you were known as 'Pastor Dolorum' by everyone. Even after you became active in our coven we called you Dolorum like everyone else. Until you and Iris, that is…"

Dolorum blushed slightly. "Good timing, Arnica," he answered. "I've been thinking about this. You know, all of Merrydale still thinks of me as the Kristos pastor associated with the Church of the Martyr. If I'm to stay here and have a new image, it's time to claim the rest of my name."

"Which is?" Arnica paused in his work and turned, attentive, to the dark man.

"It's Deodar." Dark Star raised her head and looked at him at the sound of his name. "My mother's mother named me. Deodar means 'timber of the gods' in Sanskrit. I never really thought about it until this past year. My Earthkin heritage is stronger than I had realized. Once I began public school I was simply known by my surname. We lived in a small town, Spencer, in very conservative area and my father was pushing for me to go to seminary so I was cultivated for a Kristos lifestyle. I don't think my mother objected for she knew it would bring me a better education than I would get in Spencer. And she was right. Seminary training gave me my master's degree. And after my father died my mother left Spencer far behind. I was here in Merrydale for nearly two years before I fully realized why she chose it. I thank her every day in my morning blessings. Yes, it's time for Merrydale to know me as Deodar Dolorum."

"Deodar." Arnica said the word several times. "How fitting that the principal of the new school is named for a tree of knowledge. You will do well, my friend."

"Who's going to be at tomorrow evening's ritual," asked Deodar. Certainly, he thought, this year should be much calmer than last year, when Phoenix appeared from the Otherworld. What a series of events followed Pearl's moving through the veil to take that message to Carlos!

"Amber is in town and she'll be here. She's one of the few daughters of the Loon Tribe who seems to thrive on our Renaissance ways."

"Didn't she own a little gift store?" recalled Deodar.

"Yes, the Crystal Emporium was a joy for Merrydale." Both men fell quiet, reflecting on the store's present incarnation. 'Tears of the Savior' attracted many right-wing Kristos. Users drove for many miles to buy religious books and gifts. Amber was quite furious to see what had happened to her magickal location. Arnica picked up the story. "She'd been seeing a steelsmith but after two years, the relationship hasn't worked out and she wanted to take a break from the River Mountains."

"I've heard much about her. I'm looking forward to being in Circle with her." Deodar rose to his feet. "Well, back to work!"

Iris had left to return to work, Carlos and Rosetta had gone home. Holly and Pearl sat there, engrossed in their first 'curriculum meeting.'

"I could teach grammar, writing and literature. I taught language skills, in fact, for a couple of years before switching to third grade." Holly had thought about this for weeks. Holly and Pearl were trying to settle some important issues. At first the thought was to teach the middle grades, but there were concerns about the challenges students would face when they returned to public school. Holly and Pearl were working to see if an upper school might be the answer.

"My degree is in arts and music," Pearl commented. "Dolorum has the credentials to be principal and to teach the math courses. And I bet we could get him to offer a course or two in philosophy and ethics!" Pearl was probing the recesses of her mind. "Wait, what about Flying Raven? Do you think we could get her to come here and teach science? She could keep her home in the Mothervalley. I think she'd be a wonderful teacher."

"And Amber," Holly was growing very excited. "Let's ask Amber if she wouldn't consider taking the history and social studies. I know she taught those classes for the Loon Tribe schools before she moved here to open her store. I wonder if she'd come back to Merrydale."

Just then Iris dashed into the kitchen unexpectedly. Why, the postmarm must have closed the office early.

Iris looked at them both. "I just heard," she was breathless. "Bishop Miter got his cronies to push through legislation. They're going to try and outlaw any private school which isn't based upon Kristos principles."

"Isn't that against the constitution," asked Pearl.

"It is," answered Holly, "but you don't know Miter."

The room fell silent.

"And he doesn't know us, either." Iris was a strong woman.

Seated upon the floor in a circle, the bright flames from the cauldron threw odd, dancing shadows about the room. The Circle had been cast and each was in rapt silence in communion with their ancestors.

Suddenly, Dark Star sat up trembling. She looked at Holly sitting next to her, her eyes showing fear. Holly, who had learned to hear her thoughts, quickly put his arm around her and pulled her head down upon his shoulder and listened.

"A death," he said. "Not one of us, but the news will be like an earthquake."

No one spoke another word.

XXXII—The Tower Card

Although the concept had arisen just this past Autumn, progress was being made toward establishing an Earthkin school in Merrydale. The coven, the unofficial board of directors, had decided that the school would include grades 8-12. With seventeen students ready to sign up last autumn, there were now fifty. Parents were pooling their resources and making donations. Textbooks were being ordered and a building a block south of the post office had been given to the school. Just like that! It was a two-story building of large offices around a courtyard which could be converted into as many as ten classrooms. It even had a kitchen for one of the businesses once renting there had been a restaurant. The cost of converting the building would be minimal and a large parking garage could be converted to recreational and exercise spaces. And the school mascot had been chosen. Naturally, it would be a unicorn!

Gino and Dark Star, the hatchling, were at Pearl's house. Faced with the new requirement of an oath to 'the one true god,' Rosetta kept Gino at home. He was being home-schooled under Pearl's tutelage and making excellent progress, but it was difficult for the young teen to not ask "when will the school be ready?" Today, although cloudy outside, the kitchen was warmed with the rich scent of pumpkin pies. Dark Star was curled on the floor beneath the table. During all this school excitement, she was spending time both at Pearl's during Gino's schooling and back at her home in the cabin with Arnica and Holly. Dark Star seemed to thrive in the bustle of activity surrounding the creation of the school.

The corporate charter had been filed with the District of Merrydale. There were no difficulties with the local administration. Trillium School received a provisional charter. But it was not so easy with the parliamentary educational office in Mill City, over on the other side of the snow-covered mountains.

Bishop Miter, still smarting from Deodar Dolorum's resignation and the exposé of the Society for the Forest, was a force unto himself. Even his attempt to ban Maypole's was not successful. Realizing that his right wing religious movement was losing political power, Bishop Miter appealed to the media. "God will punish evil," he lectured, his face reddening. Miter ranted on, stirring hysteria against "pagans, heathens and other cults" and called upon politicians to protect the children against those who were anti-Kristos, thundering that allowing them to have their own schools would foster sexual perversion. Miter's plea that Parliament investigate the teaching staff at the proposed school did not pass but was currently stalled in committee. Although still the minority party, the Conservatives were able to raise the constitutionality issue and a growing number of Politicos were sensitive to growing public sentiment favoring an Earthkin school. Meanwhile, Miter was making segments of the population uncomfortable at the new school in Merrydale. Taking advantage of these threads of fear of the unknown, "God will punish evil" was the bishop's slogan. His supporters were waiting to see if the Bishop was truly a prophet.

During one organizational meeting, Pearl did a Tarot reading to see how things would turn out. The cards were turned one by one. Although the final card was the Four of Wands, certainly a reason to feel joyful, the fourth card was the Tower Card.

"The news will be like an earthquake," Arnica said, quoting Holly's message from Dark Star at the Hallows Eve ritual.

The kitchen was filled with the scent of cinnamon cookies. Rosetta was creating a new recipe for the school. Gino sat at the kitchen table, happily eating those cookies which didn't turn out 'perfect.' It was a tribute to his mother's baking skills that there were very few, indeed. Carlos was out in the front room creating pages and pages of plans and tools and materials needed to convert the new building to a school.

Pearl and Deodar were both on their way to the postal shop to meet and share lunch with Iris. It was a lovely day, cool but clear. In the distance were the snow-topped mountains. Iris had called both of them that morning, saying that she had news. What Iris was eager to share were the letters from Flying Raven, who lived far away in the Mothervalley. Her children long grown, she wrote that she was ready for a change and would rent out her house and come to Merrydale to teach at the new school. And did they know of a little house for rent? The other letter was from Amber, a daughter of the Descendant Tribe. Amber was up in the River Mountains with her people but since her brief relationship with Quicksilver ended, she was ready to return to Merrydale. Both Amber and Flying Raven expressed great delight for now they would be in Merrydale when Iris and Deodar Dolorum were Handfasted.

Arnica and Holly were hanging ornaments on the tree and decorating their home in preparation for tomorrow's Yule Eve Ritual. The scent of apple cider was in the air, as heavy as incense. It was Arnica's special recipe. In addition to the cloves, allspice and cinnamon sticks, he also added anise stars and a couple of 'secret' ingredients. Presents littered the house, wrapped in bright paper, filled with wonderful home-made treasures for their growing list of friends and coven mates.

Dark Star was sitting next to the fireplace. She had tired herself out with a good romp that morning. Coming home from Merrydale, as the invisible powder began to let her horn show again, Holly told her to hurry home and see what Arnica had waiting. Dark Star loved surprises. She was panting hard when she found Arnica in their small greenhouse. She was rewarded with some December borage blooms which Arnica had nursed and coaxed into doing well, just for their unicorn hatchling.

Life among our friends was very good when the news came, shaking the entire District of Merrydale like a fair-sized earthquake.

"What? Are you serious?" Arnica had answered the telephone.

"What is it?" Holly asked. Dark Star sat up, her ears turned toward the men. She sensed that this was the premonition she felt when the veils were parted this past Hallows.

"He's dead, Bishop Miter fell dead while giving one of his sermons this very morning!" Arnica's hand over the phone, he could not believe what Iris was telling him.

"That's amazing," Holly said. In his mind he wondered about Miter's predication that his 'God will punish evil' then shook his head. No, he could not consider Miter 'evil,' even though the man's fears and lack of enlightenment surely brought much harm to many.

"Thanks, dear one, we'll see you tomorrow." Arnica hung up the phone. The cabin was quiet for a time, until the dust of the unexpected news had settled. Arnica and Holly were quieter as they went about the cabin, transforming it into a temple for Yule.

The air was holiday-scented. In the front temple, Gino sat on the floor, Dark Star at his side, carefully looking at each of the dozens of drawing pens. One by one he would take one out of the finely-crafted box and try a few strokes on the first page of a thick drawing pad of excellent paper.

"Just you wait, Dark Star," his freckled face turned toward the hatchling. The unicorn was his favorite friend. "I'm going to draw pictures of you."

The temple air wafted the remains of the Yule Eve ritual incense, the slight smell of wood smoke from the fire and the light yet pungent scent of the spruce, all decorated up as the most honored guest of the ritual.

The adults were all in the kitchen. Isn't it amazing how the kitchen is where friends gather, no matter what size that room?

"Dolly said we could be Handfasted at Beltane." Iris blushed, quickly acting a bit distracted by playing with her long braid.

"That's true," said Deodar. "And Arnica, what would you think if we held the ceremony in the courtyard at the new school?"

"What a splendid idea," said Holly. The last time I was there, watching Carlos at work, I spent some time in the courtyard and thought about our Circles, once Flying Raven and Amber are both living here. We may not all fit into our cabin!"

"When do you think it will be ready?" asked Iris. Wearing her robe with it's little bells sewn on, Iris was their strongest activist for ecological concerns. An active, outdoor woman, until she met Deodar (who was then still known as Pastor Dolorum), she had no interest in marriage and everyone took great joy in her happiness.

"The building," answered Arnica, "may be ready by mid-April. Carlos told me that over a dozen of the fathers and also a couple of the mothers have considerable skill at construction and repair. The faculty? We're working on it."

"I've ordered the books for the faculty." Pearl paused and laughed lightly, her voice like the sound of bells. "I haven't adjusted to being faculty again! Not that my work with Gino hasn't brought me great blessings as a teacher."

"I propose a toast to our new principal, Deodar Dolorum" Arnica raised his mug of mulled cider. "Blessed be your feet for having walked this long path which brought you to Merrydale and the Church of the Martyr and now to our new Trillium School."

Voices cheered out, the soft clink of glass mugs punctuated the air.

"And I propose a toast to Arnica and Holly. You can't imagine how wonderful I will feel to have you conduct our Handfasting." Iris, said, radiant with her joy.

And so went the evening. When the coven finished laughing and joking and dreaming out loud about the changes as Trillium School took shape, they woke Gino, who had fallen asleep with his arm around Dark Star. Soon all were off into the night.

Arnica and Holly did the washing up and put things away. Even though it was late, they enjoyed their quiet time together.

"Go wake Dark Star and we'll be off to bed." Arnica kissed his partner upon the forehead.

Holly went in to wake the hatchling. "Dark Star," Holly whispered. He stroked her mane and scratched her ear. "May the new Sun God bless you as much as you have blessed us."

And then, the lights out, the cabin itself seemed to sleep.

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