Solstice at Stonewylde Read Online Free PDF Page B

again but after a while the danger seemedto have passed. Yul realised he should’ve eaten only a little and very slowly.
    ‘I’m feeling a bit better so can I go home now, sir?’ asked Yul casually.
    Clip stared at him in consternation.
    ‘Well … you’re hardly in any fit state to leave.’
    ‘But my mother will be so worried about me. You’re the master here really and you could help me get home.’
    ‘I’d like to,’ said Clip hesitantly, ‘but I think Magus wants you here a bit longer. If …’
    ‘Too bloody right he does!’ said a deep voice.
    They both jumped in fright as Jackdaw’s powerful bulk filled the doorway. He was unshaven and the stubble glistened greasily on his jaw and head. His massive arms and chest were exposed by the leather waistcoat he wore, even in this cool weather. His bulbous muscles, covered in writhing tattoos, bunched menacingly. He came inside and sauntered over to where Yul sat.
    ‘Nice try, kid, but we all know Magus has something in mind for you. The last thing you’ll be doing is going home.’
    ‘Er, I think I’d better be leaving,’ said Clip, edging towards the door.
    ‘Sounds good to me,’ said Jackdaw rudely. ‘Here, did you bring him food?’
    ‘Yes, yes I did. He was very hungry.’
    ‘Oh, what a shame! You should’ve waited for me. I’d have enjoyed feeding him again.’
    Jackdaw lowered his bulk onto a bale, watching Yul closely. His bright blue eyes gleamed; the boy seemed much better now. Clip sidled away and out of the byre, closing the door behind him. Jackdaw smiled, revealing a gold tooth, and Yul eyed him warily, remembering the humiliation he’d endured at Quarrycleave.
    ‘Just you and me now, mate,’ said Jackdaw. ‘Are you thinking of old times? Because I am.’
    Yul nodded and stared down at the stone floor, too frightened to speak and knowing whatever he said would only make thingsworse. Jackdaw chuckled, then cracked his knuckles and spat into the corner.
    ‘It’s good to be back but it’s a pity I ain’t got longer with you. No, don’t look like that, my son! You know you missed me too. It were fun back in the summer, weren’t it? Happy days at ol’ Quarrycleave and now they’re here again.’
    Jackdaw fished in the breast pocket of his waistcoat and pulled out a pack of cigarettes and lighter. He lit a cigarette and inhaled deeply. He examined the glowing tip speculatively, and glanced down at the quaking boy at his feet.
    ‘You still look a bit dopey to me, Yul me old mate. After that long sleep I reckon you need waking up good and proper. Yeah? Let’s get that shirt off, then.’
    When the all young people had been through the Green Labyrinth, the candles along the path were lit and the adults began their journeys. The afternoon wore on, the light continuing to fade from the sky. Sylvie sat alone outside the Barn wrapped in her black cloak, shivering and watching the amazing spectacle on the Green. The entire labyrinth was ringed with glowing lanterns forming a great circle of light in the dusk. Hundreds of tiny candles in coloured glass jars twinkled amongst the white pebbles. The paths of the labyrinth were scattered with silent figures in black hooded robes, their faces turned to skulls, shuffling slowly towards or away from the wicker tomb in the centre. She shuddered at the macabre sight, and then looked up and gasped.
    The leafless trees surrounding the Green were clotted with birds, not only rooks from the rookery in the chestnut trees, but also crows, jackdaws and hundreds of starlings too. They were all perched in the bare branches watching the Dance of the Green Labyrinth taking place below. It reminded her of the funeral.
    ‘Incredible, isn’t it?’ said a mellow voice next to her, making her start. Magus sat down close beside her on the bench and she began to tremble more violently.
    ‘Sylvie,’ he said quietly, ‘I’m sorry. I’ve treated you badly andI want to make amends. You genuinely struggled with