Lady of the Moon by Mary Gillgannon

Author:Mary Gillgannon
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: magic, goddess, romans, historical fantasy, druids, boudica, celtic britain, celtic mysticism, arianhrod
Publisher: Mary Gillgannon

Chapter 7

The forest thinned and finally ended. In the open area was a mound. Too round and perfect to be a hill, it rose up abruptly from the level terrain all around. There was a ditch around it and stones arranged in a ring at the base. As they drew near, Sirona saw an opening on the side of the mound. Breathless with excitement, she made her way through the ring of stones to the opening. Boulders blocked what appeared to be an entrance into the mound, with dressed stones marking the top and sides. The moon shone down, making the pale gray rocks glisten.

She examined the stones. On them were markings, spirals, dots and lines, weathered but still visible. Tingling with awe, she stroked her hand over the markings, wondering what they meant.

“What is it?” Cruthin called.

“There’s a grave here, an ancient one.” She returned to the ring of stones at the base of the mound. Laying her palm on the rough surface of one of the stones, she closed her eyes and concentrated. All at once, she was falling. She could see stars above her. Below was endless, empty space.

Astounded, she drew her hand away. Cruthin was standing nearby. “What do you think?” he asked. “Is there magic here?”

She nodded, then glanced around and tried to shake off the dizziness the brief vision had aroused.

“What’s wrong?”

“This isn’t what I expected. There’s power here. The stones hum with energy. But what it means...” She shook her head.

Cruthin approached her. “Come with me.”

She followed him to a grassy area a short distance away. He spread out his wolf pelt cloak—made from the animal he’d killed during his man-making trial a year before—then began to take things out of his pack. A waterskin. Leather bag. A small gold knife. The weapon looked like no weapon Sirona had ever seen before.

“Where did you get that?” she asked.

“Pellan. She said it was something passed down through her family. Her people believe gold has special powers. Don’t be afraid. It’s not a weapon, but a kind of amulet. Now, eat with me. Drink.”

“Pellan gave you all those things? Why?”

“She recognized I had a special connection to the gods. When she discovered I wanted to hold a ceremony honoring the Goddess, she agreed to help me.”

“That was very generous of her,” Sirona said skeptically.

“She said no man could ever get as close to the Goddess as a woman could. That’s why it’s important you are here.”

Was Cruthin merely using her? Yet, she wanted to be part of this. The idea of worshiping the Great Mother Goddess and feeling Her power enthralled her.

Cruthin held out the skin. Sirona accepted it and took a swallow. She’d expected mead, but this beverage didn’t taste sweet and fiery, but cool and dark, like the earth. It reminded her of the drink Lovarn had given her, although it was not quite the same. “What is it?” she asked.

“Magic,” Cruthin said. “It will give you enchanted dreams.”

Sirona drank a little more, then handed back the skin.

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