The Hatchling—Plot Synopses
1995
I. Candlemas - The Discovery
Spring bulbs are appearing but there are darkening clouds throughout the Land of Lothloriën. The Users (the right wing of the Politicos Party who tend to be fundamentalist Kristos) are in power and have little care for preserving Mother Earth. Arnica and Holly, the main characters, celebrate their Candlemas Ritual at the Stone Circle in the wood where they find a magickal egg. They can hear the heartbeat inside of it. Arnica learns that this is a Unicolt, sired by the Unicorn Andrius, and that it must be kept safely in the Stone Circle until Eostara. That night Holly has a dream about an earthquake.
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II. Eostara - The Earthquake
Arnica and Holly have been tending the Stone Circle and watching over the Unicolt egg. The temperatures are unseasonably warm, and the first trillium bursts forth. The magickal Unicolt egg has grown and its once faint heart beat is now a healthy pulsing. During the night Arnica and Holly are awakened by a earthquake and, while their cabin suffers minuscule breakage, they are filled with apprehension and hurry back to the Stone Circle to check on the egg. They are devastated to see the shell cracked as they fear it has been damaged by the earthquake. As they wonder what to do the egg cracks again and the Unicolt is hatched. Arnica carries the hatchling to the cabin.
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III. Beltane - The May Horn
The gardens are alive with new growth. Arnica works in the gardens in preparation for the evening's Ritual. Arnica and the unifilly, nicknamed Munchkin, develop a link of intuition. The Beltane Ritual in the Garden Circle is attended by Arnica and Holly, Phoenix and Pearl, Amethyst and Crystal, the Munchkin and, unexpectedly, Andrius. After the Maypole ribbons have been woven by all the attendees, Andrius crowns his daughter as the MayHorn with a crown braided of flowers. We learn through conversation that the Users want to make all religions illegal unless they accept the Book of Doom.
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IV. Midsummer - A Midsummer Night's Dream
It is Midsummer. Although still young chronologically, the unifilly is showing signs of maturity. The gardens are growing, but there are no signs of any of the usually abundant borage plants. Arnica and Holly make a visit to Jewel and her newly born son Dagon, and honor his birth by hanging a silver bell in the grove. Jewel in turn shares some of her borage babies with the two Master Gardeners. While walking through the town on their way to visit the new mom and baby, Arnica and Holly notice that many Earthkin have sold their properties due to growing ecological and economic pressure from the Politicos, and have moved to the mountains. Upon returning home, Arnica and Holly find the gardens to be filled with borage. They spend time enjoying the frolics of the unifilly and each other. Midsummer Ritual, held outside in the Stone Circle, proves to be very magickal indeed as a portal into the underworld opens in the great tree. They sleep in the Circle with dreams of the faerie.
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V. Lammas - Harvest Days
Many friends gather to participate in the Harvest Ritual. Jewel, Dagon & Lotus, Amethyst and Crystal and Phoenix and Pearl, and Amber are joining Holly and Arnica. The Hatchling loves to eat the flowering tops of the borage! Together they bless the garden herbe beds and work the Harvest End Ritual in the Garden Circle. Political tension is growing as the Conservers are being voted out of office and are being replaced by Politicos who instead of treating the land as sacred are bending to the will of corporations and profit. Inside the Circle, the friends give thanks for the harvest. Amber tells of ancient customs and burns the Grain Man made by Crystal and Amethyst. The Hatchling quietly watches the ritual. The flames of the cauldron making her uneasy. As the flames recede and the friends jump the cauldron, the Hatchling's fears are eased and she joins the celebration.
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VI. Autumn - The Harvest's Weight
The gardens have been blessed with an abundant harvest. The Hatchling is growing unusually fast. The Politicos have imposed a tithe upon the Earthkin in an attempt to increase their resources for their perceived progress, the cutting of trees to clear the land for commercial and industrial buildings. As Arnica and Holly ready to take their tithe into Merrydale, they wonder how they will manage to carry it into the village. Together they work magick to render invisible the Hatchling's horn, so she can make the journey with them. Successful in their magick, they venture into town with the help of the Hatchling who carries the tithe. The village is unusually crowded and chaotic but they manage to make it in and out of the village quickly, thanks to the help of a new friend, young Gino. Arnica and Holly find that not all Politicos are supportive of the party's agenda.
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VII. Hallow - Depths of Darkness
The first frost has changed the leaves of the sweet gums and other trees to a rainbow of bright golds, reds and oranges. The hatchling, very wise and precocious for her five sabbats, has fun dancing through and jumping into the pile of leaves Arnica and Holly have raked into a large pile for her. Ritual is to be worked by Arnica and Holly alone as all the other coven members are unable to join. The Hatchling helps with the preparations by making many trips from the cabin to the Stone Circle carrying in her baskets ritual tools and candles for the ritual. As Arnica and Holly pause before entering the temple, Arnica feels a chill. Together Arnica and Holly raise energy to a dramatic level as the hatchling watches in anticipation. As the two men call out to "lost loved ones from within, to join us on this night," the Goddess Herself appears to the Hatchling to explain Her winter descent into the Underworld.
As the Hatchling mourns, the Goddess says: "Remember, little Hatchling, you hold the promise. The nights grow dark and death will be prowling the land but you are my Dark Star. I will be with you at Spring."
Although Arnica and Holly cannot see the Goddess they feel Her presence as She speaks directly to their hearts.
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VIII. Yule - Dark Star's First Yule
Arnica and Holly are busy making Yule baskets for their friends. Filled with garden herbs, homemade preservers, strings of peppers and tied off with colorful ribbons. It is a happy time in the cabin. Cozy, warm and filled with love. After the gift baskets are finished, Arnica and Holly sit before the crackling fire with Dark Star. As she contentedly dozes, the men wonder whether or not she will be able to stay awake long enough to welcome the birth of the Sun Child and remark upon her growth, maturity and beauty. After Ritual worked by just the three, Arnica, Holly set to making mulled cider and wine. With a glass to celebrate the season, the men relax in front of the cabin fireplace. Morning arrives with a knock at the door waking Arnica and Holly to the bright rays of the Sun. Arnica opens the door onto the warm morning, in bounds Dark Star, her horn adorned with mistletoe and snowflakes. With no snow to be seen in the gardens, Dark Star's whereabouts, as she only witnessed the birth of the Sun Child, is her secret alone.
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1996
IX. Candlemas - A Feast of Candles
Arnica and Holly make a shopping list for their trip into Merrydale. The invisibility elixir is achieving its purpose of hiding Dark Star's horn, making it possible for the two men to take her along on their trip to the village. An especially bad flu season is upon them resulting with two deaths in Merrydale and three in nearby Mill City. Those using the tonic, containing blessed herbs from the gardens, have not experienced even a cold. Garden bulbs are up early this year and Holly is hoping there won't be a late freeze. Although Dark Star likes the walk into town, often playing hide-n-seek, she does not like being tied to a post, like a common horse, in front of the apothecary, but she fully understands the danger if she were found to be a unicorn. In Merrydale Arnica and Holly run into young Gino who offers to help them carry their parcels back to the cabin. Arnica and Holly invite Gino to participate in the evening's Candlemas Ritual and to spend the night at their cabin.
Before leaving town the four friends encounter Pastor Dolorum, a priest of the Church of the Martyr. The priest is a favorite of the Users and often quotes from the Book of Doom. Unexpectedly, the priest asks Arnica and Holly to bless something of his mother's during their rites and to secretly return it to him. "We are not all the same," the priest says.
Gino's first Ritual this Candlemas was indeed a magickal one. Candles for many were blessed and a sacred spring appeared to the West of the Stone Circle where they all revived themselves in its magickal waters.
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X. Eostara - Eggs in the Trees
The gardens are being readied for Eostara. While hanging wind chimes in the Hawthorne from high on his ladder, Arnica can see that many trees have been cut down in Merrywood. Amber and Gino arrive with baskets of decorated eggs to hang in the hawthorne trees and news that Pearl and Phoenix will be moving to Cloverville.Gino receives a new robe, hand-made by Pearl, a gifted seamstress. Dark Star, now twelve months old, brings her birthday present to the Ritual, Poppy, an elfin-looking man who has been displaced by the recent deforestation of Merrywood. While working their Candlemas Ritual by the Stone Circle, a new pool of water appears for their element of water.
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XI. Beltane - Dance of the Devas
Holly is making circlets of flowers from the garden while Arnica sets a mandala of crystals into the garden Circle. Dark Star enjoys the company of her new found friend Poppy. Six coven mates come together for the sabbat ritual: Arnica, Holly, Crystal, Amethyst, Gino & Poppy. The new crystals work their magick as the Beltane pole transforms into the Beltane tree and the trees and flowers outside the Circle seem to move into the distance. Poppy gives an invocation that he has written. With his words the Goddess appears and calls Poppy back to his own world. As Poppy leaves, outside the Circle, the devas are seen dancing.
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XII. Midsummer - Jewel and Lotus' Surprise
Summer has arrived in the gardens. Dark Star has helped to keep the borage plants under control being encouraged by Arnica and Holly to pluck all but that growing in the borage bed. Gino is now apprenticing with Arnica, learning of herbs and magick. Amber and Quicksilver have sent a gift of 24 candlestakes to light the garden path which they designed and fashioned themselves. Holly prepares the Stone Circle for the night's Ritual. He places the tools upon the alter and honors friends whose ashes were placed at points around the Circle. Many new people are moving into the area of Merrydale as the Politicos continue to cut down trees and sell the lumber for houses. Ritual is attended by Arnica, Holly, Gino, Jewel, Lotus and Dagon. During Ritual a portal opens and Dark Star - with Dagon in his basket on her back - leaps through and the portal closes behind them. The Goddess speaks through Jewel saying "Patience. He will return." But Dagon's parents are worried.
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XIII. Lammas - The Rhymer
A council has been called for this Lammas Ritual resulting in a large gathering. Wren and Robin from Highland, Jewel and Lotus, Arnica and Holly, Gino, Flying Raven, Amber, Crystal and the Rhymer are all together in the hopes of bringing back Dark Star and Baby Dagon from Eldritch. The group, accompanied by Wren's singing, forms a procession carrying baskets of seastones, flowers, herbs, fruits and grains to the Stone Circle. Jewel sets aside her mother's ego and gives herself over to the Goddess. The friends hold hands encircling Jewel while the Rhymer walks the Circle behind them weaving his magick. The gate between the worlds opens and embraces them all as laughter and song surround them. Dagon and Dark Star have returned.
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XIV. Autumn - The Gates of Death
The Rhymer stayed at the Grove for two fortnights following Lammas, regaining his strength after his trip to Eldritch. The Bard spent many hours with the baby, Dagon. Everyone misses him. Arnica and Holly are steaming jars of juice made from the fruits of the gardens. It is time again for the annual tithe to be paid in Merrydale. The political mood has changed a bit as many of the residents are not happy with the policies of the Users and the cutting down of the trees in Fern Hollow. Dark Star has been quiet since her trip to Eldritch and often takes long runs. On this Autumn Eve the weather has turned cold and Amber tells that the mountain birds portend a hard winter.
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XV. Hallows - Face to Face With Death
It is Hallows Eve and the coven comes together in the astral as many are traveling. Sickness is spreading throughout the land of Lothloriën and has already claimed seventeen lives. In the warmth of the cabin's front room, Arnica, Holly and Dark Star join with their friends on the astral plane. As they chant the Ritual invocation the Goddess appears to them. She bears the bodies of Mildora Dolorum and Phoenix as she guides them through the gates. The coven is stunned and saddened. The Goddess leaves them with words of hope.
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XVI. Yule - Merrydale's Surprise Yule Tree
Working to promote peace and goodwill among the residents, Pastor Dolorum of the Church of the Martyr, has an idea. To help put his idea into action Pastor Dolorum enlists the help of Arnica, Holly and the coven in secret. Working together, a Blessed Yule is shared by the residents of Merrydale, Kristos and Earthkin alike. A creche scene is planned at the edge of the woods and, at the unveiling, many creatures are present and Dark Star is the "horse."
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1997
XVII. Candlemas - A Candle for Pearl
Thoughts are focused on Pearl as she grieves for the loss of Phoenix; Wren has sent a healing song to be sung at Candlemas, Amethyst and Crystal have sent several specially selected ribbons to give Pearl hope and courage, and Arnica, Holly, and Dark Star make a horn dipped candle in preparation for the Ritual. Iris and Gino attend and much to everyone's wonder the Magickal pool of water just beyond the west stone once again appears. The Goddess arrives speaking of Phoenix' passing and blesses Pearl's candle Herself by invoking the Cardinal Unicorns, thrilling Dark Star who, beside her sire, hasn't ever seen any of her kin until now. All are blessed.
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XVIII. Eostara - Blessing the Seeds
It's the Hatchling's second birthing day anniversary and plans are afoot for the celebration. Dark Star has been sent in search of the first trillium as guests arrive: Iris, Amethyst and Crystal, and a surprise arrival by Pearl. For the evening circle Jewel and Lotus, Gino, and Pastor Dolorum attend. It is the first circle for the Kristo's Priest, whose own Descendent Tribe bloodline is pulling him to learn more of the Renaissance ways, and all share in painting eggs for the Ritual. As the cone of power is raised, the Hatchling blesses each and every egg with her horn, summoning fits of laughter among all the friends.
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XIX. Beltane - Ribbons From Her Horn
Storms appear to be brewing in the air, as witnessed by Holly while practicing his communication' with Dark Star using their crystal sphere. Pastor Dolorum blusters in upon Arnica and Holly with alarming news regarding the Kristo's disapproval of Earthkin customs and the outlawing of Maypoles for this season, as well as the Bishop's personal frown upon Dolorum himself. All three are upset by the news, Arnica is inspired to transform everyone into living, dancing maypoles and informs friends to bring ribbons to circle. Met with cheer from all involved, the growing coven has a spectacular Beltane and Dark Star is sent on a mission to hang Magickal wreaths on select doors, one which is sewn for Pastor Dolorum himself!
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XX. Midsummer - A Warning From the Faerie
Wren arrives unexpectedly as the cabin brews more magick while Holly oils his staff and Arnica blends a healing tincture for Lady Ellhorn. Appointed by the Rhymer, it is Wren's task to open the portal to the Realm of the Faerie this year. A message awaits them from the Otherworld. She also brings news of the arrival of Echo, a friend known for her bawdy songs and hearty laughter, and an alarming update regarding the political actions of the Kristos.
During ritual that evening Wren is successful in her Astral Travels and returns with news for all. The Faerie are dying because of the destruction and pollution of the world and it is the Earthkin who must initiate change for the better. Wren also informs Iris and Echo that the Faerie Queen urges them to become Priestesses, and the most joyous of all, the Faerie initiated Wren as a full Bard herself.
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XXI. Lammas - The Sanctuary
Everyone meets at Iris' house to discuss what could be done about the Faeries' message. Amber is even present, all the way from the River Mountains, as well as Pastor Dolorum.
Wren and Echo explain how they've been working together over the past month to shape together songs heard by the plant spirits, and have now woven a musical map to lead them to many of the various Devas that inhabit Merrywood. The Harvest Day Ritual will entail rescuing and providing sanctuary for many species. With Echo's reverberating voice guiding the Circle of Friends over a hundred different species were saved, each with its own story to tell.
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XXII. Autumn - Tithing Echinacea and Goldenseal
With an abundant harvest to present to the tithing office Arnica, Holly, Dark Star and Gino journey to town, Dark Star's relationship with Gino is truly blossoming. Revealing a level of subtlety and cleverness unseen before, Mr. Pounds, the tithing agent, requests a private conversation with the two hermits under the ruse of seeking herbal remedy for an embarrassing condition. Once alone he informs them that a developer is trying to purchase, bit by bit, all of Merrywood in order to cut down all of the trees and sell them for wood. Arnica and Holly then visit with Iris, the postmarm, asking her to hold a secret meeting. The news confirms some nagging intuitive suspicions that Iris had been experiencing.
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XXIII. Hallows - The Jar Dolly
Iris knits the jar dolly representing the Mother which covers the Hallows Ritual Drink. As she knits, she is trying to piece together who of the Politicos is plotting against Merrywood. Gino, in a proud flurry, rushes in annoucing news from Arnica and Holly, that Dark Star had communicated in her fashion with Holly that Iris holds the answer to the puzzle.
The coven is called in secret to the Stone Circle where the Ritual is worked. As the invocation to lost loved ones is made, Phoenix appears within the cauldron. Phoenix takes a very shaken Pearl, as well as a pocket watch from Gino which had been gifted from his father with him through the gates of the Otherworld, they are on their magickal way to Mill City. The coven must keep vigil until Pearl returns.
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XXIV. Yule - Birthing the Light
The coven gathers at the cabin of Arnica and Holly to work the Yule Ritual, Dark Star enjoying scones spread with borage jelly! They lovingly welcome Lupine who has long been gone on a Quest. After the Ritual the coven happily share food and news. Lupine tells of his journeys and Pearl tells of her first astral travel with Phoenix to guide her to Mill City and discuss with Gino's father about the User's latest actions. Iris reveals her deduction of the plot of the Politico Users to cut the trees and mine for ore on the land of Merrywood, the 'Society for the Forest'. After the meeting, Gino, Lotus and Jewel head back to Merrydale while the rest of the coven spends the night in the Stone Circle awaiting the rebirth of the Sun. It was a blessed Yule as the new sun's reflection dances off a bauble hanging from the horn of the hatchling.
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1998
XXV. Candlemas - The Note In The Candle
A very restless evening in the cabin, Arnica and Lupine have dreams of a body floating face down in a pond, and the hatchling communicates to Holly that Carlos must return to Merrydale soon. In the morning they learn the darkly mysterious news, that Kalven, a roommate of Gino's father Carlos and the choir director in the Mill City Cathedral of Thorns, has been found dead. While working in his office Kalven came across evidence linking 'The Society for the Forest' to the Political Users and he sent copies of the information to the coven. Due to the hatchling's warning Arnica sends a message concealed in a candle warning Carlos of the danger. Carlos receives the warning and is able to promptly return to Merrydale before anyone in Mill City is aware that he is gone. Gino is overjoyed to see his father and holds him close in his heart during ritual.
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XXVI. Eostara - An Egg for the Cathedral
The coven prepares for Dark Star's third birthday. Amid the happiness there is also sadness over the death of Kalven. Using the information he found, the coven conceals it in an egg decorated for Eostara. The egg and its news will be dropped at the Gazette office to be published in the community's newspapers. Persecutions have again begun leaving Crystal and Amethyst preparing to move to Cloverville. Arnica isn't completely surprised by this news, although he is deeply saddened at his friends' departing. A day of mixed blessings, Dark Star's birthday celebration is filled with gifts and merriment and Holly notices a potential spark of romance between Iris and Dolorum. While the others are asleep, the young Unicorn spends some time with one of her presents asking all of her astral kindred to bring peace in the times to come.
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XXVII. Beltane - The Maypole Conflict
The bishop in Mill City had declared that no Maypoles will be allowed for Beltane. However, the news of the 'Society for the Forest' and it's Politico User affiliations breaks, leaving the Bishop too concerned with his own affairs to enforce his own maypole rules. Dolorum, keeping true to his Descendent Tribe roots, encourages his congregation to raise the poles as a holiday custom their grandparents may have loved. The Coven enjoys a lovely Beltane ritual that evening, each member growing in their own way, and Lupine, Holly and Arnica (not forgetting Dark Star) spend a cozy evening contented for the night. But trouble brews for Merrywood on the other side of the mountains.
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XXVIII. Midsummer - What The Devas Said
The newspapers bear grim tidings as the Bishop is quoted saying the Earthkin are responsible for the decline of family values, such disturbing comments in retaliation to the dismantled 'Friends of the Forest' elicit strong emotions in all. Darkening spirit even further news from friends alarms environmental concerns as raging fires in other areas throughout the summer produce traveling clouds of smoke. Setting aside these concerns for the Midsummer Ritual, the Coven is delighted when the tiny Elfwort Deva appears thanking Arnica and Holly for giving the Devas a home in their gardens. She also carries a distinct and important message to each of the Coven members. Lupine, in response to the Devas' message prepares to leave the Grove to resolve the issues he left behind in the Heartland. Arnica and Holly turn to their gardens for comfort, a place where life makes the most sense.
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XXIX. Lammas - The Lammas Fires Burn Bright
A gorgeous sparkling sapphire adorns Iris' hand announcing with pride that she and Pastor Dolorum are engaged. Although Iris worries about the Bishop's reaction when he finds out, Dolorum is not concerned, and is thinking of setting aside his Kristos robes to find greater fulfillment within the coven. At the Parliament in Mill City, the Politicos decree that no Lammas Bonfires will be allowed this year. Yet, wanting to fight 'fire with fire' many of the residents of Merrydale plan to light a highly visible fire in a clearing in Merrywood, where the flames can be seen by all but left safely unattended. Another concern arises as Gino informs Arnica that the school board will require an oath to god and country before registration. During ritual the brightness of the fires dispels everyone's worries for the time being, yet the political upper-hand is becoming more and more restrictive.
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XXX. Autumn - Of Harvests and Hearings
Among their friends Iris and Dolorum make plans for their approaching Handfasting ceremony. There is laughter and good natured teasing among the group, Lotus in particular, asking the betrothed couple to "bless the crops." And if marriage plans weren't enough change, Pastor Dolorum will soon resign his position in the Church of the Martyr before the synod that is being held agrees to fire him, a recommendation from Bishop Miter. In a response to the School Board's demand that students must take an oath to the One God and country before being allowed to register, Dolly and Pearl announce their plans to open a school where children will be taught to respect our Mother Earth. With great enthusiasm and excitement Holly volunteers his help as a teacher while Arnica mentions a potentially suitable building which could be converted into classrooms. Knowing that Dagon would be of schooling age soon, Jewel and Lotus volunteer their services. Carlos and Rosetta assure everyone that there is a great demand for this new education and as soon as the doors opened there would be at least a few dozen students eager to enroll. In celebration a game of floral ring toss ensues, Dark Star's unicorn horn being the target. Winners are blessed with a "uni-kiss."
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XXXI. Hallows - The Bishop's Revenge
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XXXII. Yule - The Tower Card
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1999
XXXIII. Candlemas - It's In The Paint
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XXXIV. Eostara - Handfasting Plans
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XXXV. Beltane - The Surprise Guest
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XXXVI. Midsummer - The Dark Stranger
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XXXVII. Lammas - Reconciliation
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XXXVIII. Autumn - Of School and The Equinox
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XXXIX. Hallows - Jewel's Crisis
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XL. Yule - Presents for All
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2000
XLI. Candlemas - The Dark Pain of Prejudice
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XLII. Eostara - Where Are The Seeds?
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XLIII. Beltane - The Curious Procession
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XLIV. Midsummer - It's A Girl
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XLV. Lammas - A Troubling Harvest
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XLVI. Autumn - Knocking At Trillium School's Door
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XLVII. Hallows - Spirits From the Past
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XLVIII. Yule - The Sun Baby
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