Moondance of Stonewylde by Kit Berry Read Free Book Online

and she went limp and pliant. She slumped down into a huddle, crying piteously.
    ‘Sylvie, stop it. There’s no need to cry. It didn’t hurt that much.’
    He put an arm around her and she flopped against him, all the fight knocked out of her. A strange little sobbing noise came from deep within her but after a moment she started again.
    ‘Please, please let me go. She’s coming, she’s rising! I must be there to greet her, to honour her. Please let me go. I beg you. Please, please …’
    ‘Alright! We’ll go outside and you can show me what you must do. Come on then.’
    She leapt up, her eyes wild, and he held on to her hand tightly. They went up the garden path, but at the gate when she tried to turn towards the woods, he pulled her round and bundled her in the other direction.
    ‘The woods, the hilltop, my Yul—’
    ‘Oh no, Sylvie! We’re not going anywhere near him. We’re going somewhere far better for moongazing.’
    In the woods, Yul’s excitement had turned to anxiety. The sun had already set and it was almost time for the rising of the moon.Where was she? She’d promised to be here, so something must have happened. Had they locked her up? He decided to go to the cottage and have a look for himself. The light was fading amongst the trees as he moved silently along the path, eyes scanning and ears pricked, ready to melt into the shadows if Magus or anyone else appeared. But nobody did, and no lights were on in the cottage although dusk was falling. He crept in through the wide open front door, hoping he wasn’t walking into a trap. It was soon obvious that the place was empty. Now what should he do? Frowning, he left the cottage, closing the door behind him, and started down the lane away from the woods, unsure where to look next.
    Sylvie skipped along, still tethered to Magus’ hand but tugging him forward.
    She’s coming, she’s rising! I can feel her. Quick, quick, quick! I must be ready to dance and spread my wings. Quick!
    Magus was mystified by the sounds she made, which were almost speech-like but didn’t make any sense. She was desperate, rigid with tension and quivering with suppressed energy. She tried to pull him into a run, frantic to reach their destination. As they climbed the path leading to the cliff top Magus held on to her tightly. The drop was treacherous in places and he didn’t want her running ahead.
    Let me go! She’s here! I must dance in her quicksilver magic. She’s giving and I’m not there to receive her gift. Let me go!
    With a sudden twist she freed her hand from his and flew up the path. Her bare feet skimmed the stony ground, her long gauze skirts brushing the grasses and flowers at the side. He called after her, but in vain. She was so fast, haring ahead until she reached the top of the cliff. He was fit and strong but still couldn’t keep up with her. When he reached the top a few minutes later she was already dancing. She spiralled joyfully, springing across the grass with pointed bare feet, arms outstretched to the heavens. Magus stood at the head of the path, out of breath from the rapid climb and now breathless with wonder. The great moonhad risen, a glowing orb that hung brightly just above the sea. And Sylvie glowed too with a strange silvery light which laced around her body in shining threads, sparkling on her moongazy dress and glimmering hair.
    Yul had reached the Hall. Keeping to the shadows, he skirted the main building trying to see inside without being seen himself. Maybe Magus and her mother had dragged Sylvie up here and shut her in one of the rooms. He saw Hallfolk sitting around on big sofas watching a large coloured screen. The lighting was different here from the candlelight he was used to, for the Hallfolk used electricity from the wind-farm. The harsh light reminded him of the byre, its bright glare making him shudder.
    Yul crept around the walls peering through the windows. In other rooms people sat talking and reading. He saw servants