[Wise Child 01] Wise Child by Furlong Monica

Author:Furlong, Monica [Furlong, Monica]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Random House
Published: 1987-01-01T08:00:00+00:00

11

Secrets

By the time I was up and about again, the tiny, painted faces of the snowdrops were showing in the garden. I noticed too that the light was changing day by day, that the buds were showing on the bushes, and that in the evenings the blackbird was singing his special just-before-spring song. Juniper was cutting a dress for me from a bolt of shimmering green material—the most delicate pale green, like the color of beech leaves in early spring when they are only half out and surround the tree in a green cloud.

“For me? In that marvelous silk? Where would 1 wear it?”

“At Beltane.”

“At Beltane?”

All I knew about Beltane was that it was the time when people took their sheep and cattle up to the shielings—the summer pastures. Yes, and that it was the time they lit fires on all the hills—to Fillan’s disapproval.

“It is the great feast of the spring, of course—the time of joy and thanksgiving and pleasure. It is one of the times when we meet.”

“We?”

“Those who live… in the rhythm. Who watch the seasons. Who die with the winter and rise with the spring.” (She seemed to be talking more to herself than to me. )

“There’s a feast?”

“Yes.”

“Where?”

“A long way from here. Several days’ journey.”

“What will I have to do at it?”

“Say some words, which I will teach you beforehand. Walk in procession to the ceremonies.”

She was draping the material around my shoulders as she talked; I had never touched material so fine and delicious.

“You will have a green velvet mantle and a tiny crown. You will walk barefoot.”

“Will there be other children there?”

“Yes.”

“When will we go?”

“I will tell you near the time. One thing. Don’t tell anybody. Not even Colman.”

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