Magus of Stonewylde Book One (5 page)

BOOK: Magus of Stonewylde Book One
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Yul stomped off down the lane, his Spring Equinox celebration completely ruined. He’d go home to bed. He’d been working hard all week, unlike the fools panting over Holly like a pack of dogs sniffing at a bitch on heat. He kicked viciously at stones as he marched furiously along the track – until he heard tuneless whistling ahead. He instantly jumped off the lane, crouching behind a bush. It was his father! He must have gone home to change out of his robes.

Luckily Alwyn hadn’t seen him. That was all he needed tonight; another beating. Not that he’d done anything wrong,
but Alwyn didn’t need an excuse. Yul stayed crouched behind the bush waiting as his father passed by. He was a beefy man with arms like hams and fists the size of overgrown swedes. The only good thing about his size was that it made him slow. Yul could sometimes get away or dodge the blows. But often that just made it worse, and Alwyn worked himself up into a spitting, scarlet rage that wouldn’t be quenched until he’d given the boy a good thrashing. Yul thanked the stars that he’d heard his father coming. He waited until Alwyn was well past before emerging again. The shock of the near-miss calmed him down and his previous anger evaporated. Buzz and Holly and all the others could go and stuff themselves for all he cared.

But then he heard a shout from behind. He swung round and saw a group of figures outlined against the light streaming from the Great Barn.

‘Hey! Stop right there, Village boy!’

He recognised Buzz’s arrogant voice.

‘Piss off!’ he shouted back.

‘I said stop! I order you as an adult!’

It was one of the pivotal laws of the community that children respected and obeyed adults; not only their own parents but any adult. Yul felt the rage start to pound inside again. If Buzz was an adult it was by a matter of an hour or so; he’d only just had his Rite. But as he hesitated, the group approached and he knew he must face them.

‘Don’t bother, Buzz,’ said Holly. ‘Just leave him and let’s get back to the dance.’

‘No, I want to sort this little runt out. You told me what he said and he’s not getting away with it. You stop right there, Yul!’

He caught up and grabbed hold of Yul’s arm. Buzz was taller and far more heavily built, and Yul felt the familiar helplessness descend. It was a while since Buzz had had a go at him, but all the incidents from the past came flooding back.

‘I’ve got a bone to pick with you, boy.’

‘Oh really?’

‘Yeah, really! First, stay away from Holly. She’s way out of your league. Next, don’t you—’

‘What do you mean, out of my league? She wasn’t complaining when I danced with her earlier.’

‘Well she is now!’

Holly smiled, enjoying being argued over.

‘Are you complaining, Holly?’ Yul asked, his voice slow and cold.

‘I—’

‘Don’t you dare start questioning her! Or questioning my authority! You—’

‘You’ve only just become an adult. Why should I do what you say?’

‘Because I’ll beat the crap out of you if you don’t! Just like I used to.’

Yul laughed tauntingly at this, darts of anger shooting about inside his chest.

‘I don’t think so. Not any more.’

Buzz yanked at Yul’s arm, raising his other hand into a fist. But Buzz was small fry compared to Alwyn. With a sudden twist Yul wrenched himself free and started to run. The others followed, yelling taunts and threats. As he ran, Yul realised he couldn’t go back home. None of the cottages in Stonewylde had locks and they’d just follow him inside. So he raced on past his home and headed out of the Village. He heard Holly and the other girls shouting from some way back, calling for the boys to stop and come back to the Great Barn.

Yul guessed that all five of the Hallfolk boys were chasing him, for there was a lot of gasping for breath and shouting. They were young and reasonably fit but Yul was fitter. Unlike them, his life was spent doing physical work. He soon gained a lead and slipped through a gap in the hedge into a field. He flew across the damp grass, his feet hardly touching the ground, thankful now that he wasn’t wearing long robes. The boys, further behind now, yelled insults and commanded him to stop.

Yul had no intention of stopping. He’d have fought one of
them, or maybe even two. But five was impossible and he didn’t want to get beaten up, especially not in front of Holly. He crossed the field and turned back into the lane further up the hill, heading for the woods he knew so well. But one of the boys must’ve stayed in the lane for he felt an arm shoot out of nowhere to grab him. He pulled away and sped on, finally turning into the shelter of the woods.

‘Quick! He’s just out of the lane! I nearly had him!’

It was Fennel. Yul turned to yell an insult and failed to see the tree stump ahead. He went flying and his knee slammed hard into the ground. He cried out in pain but struggled up and started to run again, dragging his leg. Buzz threw himself at Yul, knocking him face-down onto the ground. All the breath was forced out of his body and Buzz sprawled across him, pinning him to the earth. Yul’s chest heaved but with Buzz’s weight full on him he could hardly breathe.

‘Got you, you bastard!’

The other four crowded round the prone figures, gasping for air and laughing at the same time.

‘Nice one, Buzz! Great tackle!’

‘Let’s really teach him a lesson!’

Buzz pushed himself upright, the heel of his hand forcing Yul into the ground as he knelt up. He straddled the boy, sitting astride his back. Yul couldn’t fill his lungs under the weight of the heavy youth and started to panic, wriggling and kicking frantically.

‘Bloody hell, he’s still fighting!’

Buzz put his hand on the back of Yul’s neck and shoved his face down hard, into the wet earth.

‘Keep still or you’ll suffocate. You won’t get me off.’

Yul stopped struggling, trying to get a proper breath. Buzz shifted his weight so it settled more firmly onto the boy’s back. Yul grunted as the air was forced out again.

‘Just like old times, isn’t it, Yul? I’d forgotten how good it feels to put you in your place.’

The other boys laughed and jeered.

‘Not so cocky now, is he?’

‘Pity the girls aren’t here to see him get his come-uppance. Holly would kill herself laughing.’

‘Ah yes … Holly.’

Buzz had recovered from the exertion of the chase and was enjoying himself.

‘I was in the middle of advising you to stay away from Holly. What have you got to say to that now, boy?’

Yul tried to answer but his face was pushed into the ground and he got a mouthful of earth.

‘Hah! He’s eating dirt!’

‘Very fitting,’ crowed Buzz. Yul’s face was thrust harder into the ground and he spluttered and choked, still unable to breathe under the dead weight.

‘Tempting though it is, I’m not going to beat you tonight, Yul,’ laughed Buzz. ‘It’d be too easy and I don’t want your blood on my new robes. And you wouldn’t be fit for work if I smashed you to pulp. We can’t have you unfit for work, can we?’

Yul spluttered again and Buzz brayed with laughter.

‘Sorry, didn’t quite catch that. Never mind, probably drivel anyway. Just remember, Yul, that I chose to let you off tonight. Stay away from Holly and any other Hallfolk girl in future. They’re way too good for a dirty Villager like you. And next time I give an order, make sure you jump to obey me.’

With a final shove of Yul’s face into the earth, Buzz got up, jabbing his knee viciously into the boy’s back as he did so. Yul groaned loudly despite himself. Still cracking jokes, the Hallfolk boys turned and left. Yul remained where he was on the ground, the tears welling up. Before he knew it, his body was racked with harsh sobs. He spat out the soil and tried to sit up. His back and ribs were agony and his knee throbbed badly. But he had to get back before the celebrations ended and his father returned home. He started to hobble back the way he’d come. Angry tears streamed down his grimy face forming rivulets in the dirt.

As he let himself into the shadowy cottage, a figure stood up
from one of the armchairs. Yul jumped but then realised it was only his sister Rosie.

‘What’s happened, Yul?’ she gasped, peering at him in the soft light from the single lamp.

‘Nothing. Never mind.’

He tried to push past her to go upstairs.

‘Oh Yul, stop! You’re hurt and you’re covered in dirt. Was it Buzz and his gang? I saw them leave just after you.’

He nodded, hanging his head. His thin cheeks were streaked and his mouth was caked with bits of earth. He felt so ashamed, even in front of Rosie.

‘I don’t want to talk about it, Rosie. I must get to bed before Father comes back and sees me like this.’

They both eyed the leather strap hanging from its hook on the door, but Rosie shook her head.

‘Don’t worry, he won’t be home for ages. I only came back because Geoffrey and Gregory were so tired. They’re in bed now and the little ones are sleeping down in the Nursery. But Mother was still enjoying herself and Father was going strong at the bar when I left. Sit down, Yul. You can’t go to bed like that. I’ll clean you up.’

He sat on one of the hard chairs at the table while she brought a cloth and bowl of warm water from the kettle. Very gently she washed his face and hands. She noticed his swollen, grazed knee and bathed that as well.

‘You need to go to the bath house tomorrow, Yul. You’re filthy. What did they do?’

‘Not much really. It could’ve been a lot worse.’

‘Why? Because of Holly? She’s not worth it!’ spat Rosie.

‘I know that now.’ He stood up stiffly and ruffled her hair. ‘Thank you, Rosie.’

She smiled and stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. He followed her into the kitchen and watched as she made them both a mug of tea.

‘You seem greedy for trouble, Yul,’ she said. ‘Why do you do it?’

He shrugged and took the mug from her.

‘I don’t mean to. Everyone’s on my back all the time.’

‘It’s the way you look at folk, as if you’re challenging them.’ She traced the pink slash on his cheek. ‘You must be careful, Yul. Swallow your pride and keep your eyes down. If you do as you’re told and look humble, they’ll leave you alone.’

‘I can’t, Rosie. I’ve tried but I just can’t do it. There’s something in me that gets so angry and I can’t back down, even if it means taking a beating.’

She shook her head sadly, her eyes full of love.

‘Mother and I worry about you, Yul. All these people crying for your blood. The way you’re going, we wonder if you’ll even make it to your sixteenth birthday at the Winter Solstice.’

3
 

T
he morning after the Equinox, Miranda and Sylvie had just finished breakfast when there was a knock at their front door. Magus’ body filled the door frame and the sun gleamed on his ash-blond hair.

‘Bright blessings, Sylvie! Put your shoes on. I’m taking you out for a walk.’

‘Okay. I’ll get Mum.’

‘No, just you and me. That’s alright with you, isn’t it Miranda?’

She’d followed Sylvie out of the kitchen and looked a little surprised at this.

‘Er, yes, of course it is. Get your coat, Sylvie, and make sure—’

‘No fussing now. It’s a beautiful warm morning. Remember, Miranda, this is the beginning of a new way of life. Sylvie needs fresh air and exercise.’

They walked under the cherry blossom to the front gate and Magus led her in the opposite direction to the Hall, along the little path which wound into the woods. Early morning sunlight streamed through the branches in golden shafts. The buds were tight with green promise and sweet birdsong filled the air. They walked slowly in silence for some time and Sylvie became increasingly aware of the man by her side. He was subtly different today. He glowed with a strange radiance that she sensed rather than saw. An aura of energy pulsed around him
and she felt drawn to him, as a pin to a magnet. She found it a very odd sensation.

They stopped in a small clearing just as she was beginning to tire. The dappled sunlight played upon the ground, still littered with dark leaves from last year but bristling with spiky green shoots that would later flower into bluebells. Birds flitted around in the branches and the woodland was alive with light, movement and the music of nature.

Sylvie fished in her pocket and drew out her inhaler, but Magus shook his head and smiled.

‘Just breathe deeply, Sylvie,’ he said softly, aware of her fatigue. ‘Slow deep breaths. Can you feel how pure and fresh that is?’

She nodded, but still felt the tightness in her chest.

‘You really don’t need that artificial stuff, Sylvie. Feel the air going down, deep into your lungs, then flowing into every part of your body.’

She stood motionless, the light filtering onto her upturned face. She closed her eyes and drank the air.

‘That’s better – good girl. What does it feel like?’

‘It feels like I’m tasting heaven,’ she whispered.

Opening her eyes, she found him watching her intently. He spoke gently.

‘Then that’s just what it is. You must draw that heaven deep into your body; dissolve all the chemicals and toxins, the drugs and the poisons they’ve pumped into you. You need to get Stonewylde into your veins. Can you breathe easier now?’

BOOK: Magus of Stonewylde Book One
8.36Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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