Magus of Stonewylde Book One Read Online Free PDF

little shyly, ‘just how grateful we are. You’ve been so very kind to us …’
    Magus smiled down at her as she faltered; his eyes were dark and deep and seemed to look inside her soul.
    ‘Not at all. We have so much here and we’re happy to share it with you. You’re both very welcome.’
    Cherry bustled in later like a broody chicken and soon took control. They were unpacked and settled in before they knew it. She examined the painful eczema on Sylvie’s skin and held up one of her thin arms in bemusement, jowls quivering in disbelief. Miranda’s explanation as to why Sylvie had become so ill in the first place confirmed all her suspicions about the Outside World.
    ‘Aye, I been told of what they do out there. The poison they add to food and how they cook things in strange ways, spinning it around so ‘tis done in a wink of the eye. Whoever heard of such nonsense! I thank the stars we don’t have none of that here. We cook on a range and we eat wholesome food the way nature intended. We’ll soon get some flesh on your poor bones, little maid. And have that sore skin cleared up in no time.’
    On the Equinox Eve Cherry excused herself, leaving them food and firewood for the following day, and careful instructions about cooking on the range. She explained that she’d be joining in the celebrations and wouldn’t be able to come over, sorry though she was to leave them alone so soon after their arrival.
    ‘But Cherry, what do you actually do at the celebrations? Is it like a party? Where do you go?’ asked Sylvie.
    ‘Magus said you’d come to it in your own good time,’ she replied evasively. ‘He said you don’t do things as we do, not in the Outside World. ‘Tis not my place to go prattling about it, he told me. But you’ll see soon enough. I’ll be back the day after tomorrow. Just mind you don’t let the range go out, my dears.’
    That evening they heard some of the ceremony, as the drumming carried through the twilight. When the community raised their voices in unison it could be heard clearly in the cottage. The hair on Sylvie’s arms stood on end, for the sound was primeval and quite compelling. She longed to join in. All her life she’d lived in isolation, on the periphery and never belonging. She’d always been different; one of those children who don’t fit in. Her strange colouring made her stand out, and her quietnessformed a barrier around her. Sylvie had led a lonely life, and as she heard the people of Stonewylde chanting together, she wanted more than anything to join the circle of belonging.
    ‘Mum, can’t we just go out and have a peep? See what they’re up to?’
    ‘No, darling, we can’t. You heard what Magus said. And it would be very rude to turn up unannounced. It sounds like some sort of religious ceremony, doesn’t it? Although not exactly what you hear in church on a Sunday!’
    ‘It sounds wonderful, almost unearthly. I can’t wait until the May Day events that Magus told us about.’
    In the flickering light Sylvie’s eyes shone brightly and Miranda smiled. Life had returned to her daughter. Miranda had spent the whole of Sylvie’s life feeling guilty for failing her. Guilty for getting pregnant and not telling anyone until people noticed the tell-tale bump. For going to university and not being a full-time mother, and then for teaching but never earning enough money. She felt constantly guilty about Sylvie’s illnesses and unhappiness which she was sure were her fault for not caring for her daughter in the way she needed. Miranda had spent the years since she was raped in a wood suffering from endless guilt. Even that, as her parents had constantly reminded her, was her own wicked fault because she’d willingly followed the stranger and hadn’t put up a fight. The burden of blame she’d carried was heavy and had often come close to breaking her altogether. Now, as she saw the light in her daughter’s silvery eyes, she felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe now, at