Red Solstice (Alfheim Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

couple of hours before the wind rises and rain clouds gather.  There is the long throaty sound of thunder rolling some distance off and then a cloud burst hits us.  I am beginning to feel exhausted from all this activity so I welcome a break where I can soak in a bath and prepare for this evening.  Hilda has some aromatherapy oils so I add lavender to my hot water and boy does it feel good.
     
    On Friday before the main set, my younger brother Ben and I do an acoustic gig.  He plays guitar or violin and I have a mandolin, and we sing old English folk songs, and occasionally sneak in a new one as well.  Not the usual ones but the more freaky, as they seem to be what the regulars prefer.  The whole things lasts just thirty minutes with then a thirty minute break before the main set.  Ben really enjoys it, he is more of a true musician than John and he can turn his hand to a variety of instruments despite being only sixteen.  I just love the complex melodies and the sometimes racey content.  This night I am using some numbers from Mr Fox and the firsts main lyrics concern a shape shifting bird called “The Gay Goshawk”.  By “Gay”, they are not saying that the bird is only interested in its own sex but the poetic gay from the Middle Ages which means more happy or full of energy.  I always sing the first  line “A gay goshawk came to my window sill” with my eyes shut as I imagine the scene in my head, and when I open them, there he stands, safe in his jacket.  His eyes fixed on me as if they are boring into my soul, it's heady stuff and my voice falters before picking up the rest of the verse and the one following.  Ben has noticed I can tell from the way his eyes flicker first to me and then out into the audience.  His voice picks up the third verse,  and I allow myself to ease back into the set.  After all there is not much he can do to me whilst I am on stage and the crowd is with me which I admit makes me feel quite cocky at first.  Hilda taught me how to close my defence system down tight but music seems to open it slowly, surely and inevitably.  I appear to myself to be growing languid, pliable and I am grateful when the set ends and I can make a break for the back stage area.  John, Harve and the other guys are out there just chilling and John looks up as I arrive, his face taking in my expression and putting two and two together.  He jumps up from the barrel that has been his seat and heads towards the stage,  Ben following me places his hand on John's arm.  “It's okay,” he says, “the guy has gone for the moment”.
     
    I slump down on the barrel and pick at my sleeve, nervously.  Harve mutters something about a good hiding.  He has muscle on his muscle from the drum playing and equipment loading.  I let out a laugh which eases the tension and shake my head.  I can imagine what Harve could do to our skinny friend. John shuts his eyes to show he is thinking.  He always does this when a problem confronts him so I am not totally surprised when he says “okay, you can go and stay with that Hilda for the time being.  I can take over the vocals and maybe Ben could stay on and do some backing.” Ben grins in agreement. 
    “What about my clothes ,” I throw out to the room in general.  The guys laugh at that and John continues, “We will get some to you tomorrow, okay?”  I mutter darkly about press gangs and bullies but in fact I am relieved far more than I can say. 
     
    I am back at Hilda's and Aylsa is happy because my brother has brought me there and she is talking to him in a low voice just out of my earshot.  Well what ever turns them on say I but I wish it was not so behind my back.  To be honest they would suit each other as both of them have similar values although you might not see that if you saw him in his stage gear.  He could do with a permanent lady and also one who would make a great wife and mother.  I snigger at the thought but I hope it does work out