Chapter 7: Gifts of Beltane
Beltane morning. Ceara awoke, knowing that it was going to be a good day. She cared not that it was the Christian Pentecost. A clear bright sky told her that it was going to be a good night.
On Beltane, one always wore a specific outfit; one that clearly showed off what you were. Often, men would walk around wearing only their kilts; this was completely acceptable. Every virgin wore a similar outfit; a sheer flowing skirt that sat low on the hips and a halter belly top with beaded fringe. Now, Ceara and Ebekah had left theirs in Ireland; though now they were probably a smoldering pile of ash. Locked in his mother's chest, Robert the Bruce found the necessary materials and gladly gave them to the sisters.
As was tradition, they spent all morning preparing. Ebekah looked stunning in an outfit made of green and gold. Her long red curls hung lose and were topped with a crown of white flowers. Today, Ceara lost the hard working peasant girl guise and adopted a mystic faery guise. Anyone who saw her on Beltane could have sworn that she was unearthly, angelic almost. She made her skirt out of a piece of solid white silk overlain with a sheer blue. She hemmed the top a band of silver silk. The bottom was hemmed with the silver silk along with being hung with silver beads that tinkled with every movement she made. Ceara's top was made of solid blue silk with the same silver beads on the bottom hem. It had a plunging V- neckline and a chain halter strap made of silver chain maile. The back was open except for the tie straps crisscrossing to hold it together. Her auburn hair hung loose like her sister's and was crowned with blue and white morning glories. She had been able to save what little jewelry she had and wore it with pride.
That afternoon, Robert the Bruce held the Pentecost feast. Many nobles had come with their daughters to try and marry them off to Robert or any other noble who night be interested; for a price. Ceara, Ebekah, and a few other young Irish servants had volunteered to serve. They served the meal while ignoring the looks that some of the nobles gave them. Ceara had been assigned to serve the Bruce. She knew that many of the daughters that had come despised her and envied her at the same time. She would stand there laughing with the Bruce and serving his food, all in the same instant.
When it came time for the nobles to present their daughters, Ceara and Ebekah stood on either side. No one could have guessed that they were serving as Robert's personal body guards. He had seen the sisters up keeping their fighting skills and was quite impressed. He sat in his chair, bored out of his mind.
"May I present my daughter Elizabeth," yet another noble said. That night, it seemed that all the ladies were Scottish seemed to have English names. Damn English influence. Scotland is becoming less Scottish each day.
Robert looked at the Lady Elizabeth. Her features were neither beautiful nor ugly. She was just another girl who was trying to be married off by her father. He almost pitied the girl.
"What do you make of this one," he murmured to the sisters.
Ebekah simply said, "She's quite plain; young too. Can't be older than sixteen."
"What about you, Ceara?" Robert asked.
Ceara said, "She is young, probably has little experience in running a household like this. She'd be better off on a large estate, not a military city like Edinburgh. She wouldn't do well in such a close proximity to commoners. Look how she shies away from me and Ebekah." Ceara was good at reading people; she could tell what they were like.
Robert exchanged pleasantries with this Lady Elizabeth and kept moving down the line. It was almost sunset and time for the Pentecost Mass. He made the announcement and all followed, except for those celebrating Beltane. Those who were going to be celebrating the pagan holiday went off to prepare the feast. Many of the nobles who were stout Catholics, were dismayed to see these ancient holidays being carried out.
Out of range of the Bruce, the two sisters broke out into fits of laughter. "Did you see al of those pathetic girls?" Ebekah laughed. "I know some Irish wenches back home that look better than they do!"
"And at least those wenches have some personality. I've never seen a more dismal group." Ceara walked up to the door if their home, and gripped the doorframe for support.
"What are you two laughing about now?" demanded Diedyia from inside.
Ceara and Ebekah went inside, got their cloaks and headed out again. Silently, they walked to the servant's entrance. A few servants passed, on their way to the fires. They waited in the dark until they heard the hesitant step of Robert the Bruce.
"Finally, you decided to show up," Ceara teased. "Now hurry or we're going to be late and miss the lighting ritual."
The sisters each took one of Robert's hands and began running, practically dragging him behind them. As they drew closer, they could hear the sounds of a steady drumbeat, calling everyone to the fires. Pagans from all around Edinburgh were gathering, willing to worship the Mother Goddess who had given them life. "Let the English come," they said.
"Now remember," warned Ceara. "You're now just Robert, a commoner. You hold no noble title. You have not the power to arrest, kill, or demand. Forget everything and learn."
The group neared the unlit Great Fire. The sisters knelt and prayed. Robert decided that it would be best if he followed suit. The sounds of the pulsing drumbeat filled his head. His own heartbeat soon took the drum's rhythm. A cry went up in the crowd; he looked up to see Ceara leading the procession. Next to him, Ebekah beamed with pride.
A fiddler joined the chorus of drummers to create an even more haunting melody. The entire procession circled the Great Fire, intoning the ancient words of invocation. Beside him, Ebekah explained that Ceara was acting as the High Priestess. When he asked why, she explained that there were no more priestesses left in Scotland to fulfill the duty. Ceara, having some Druid training, was the closest they could get to having a real priestess. Watching Ceara showed the Bruce just what he was missing. He had never know that pagan feasts could be so enchanting.
After intoning the ancient words, Ceara lit the fire; this told everyone present that the feast had begun. Rollicking music filled the night along with the laughter and crackling of the fires. Huge tables were laden with food even more wonderful than anything that was ever served at a noble's table.
"Where did you get all of this food?" Robert had never seen commoners with so much food.
"Well," Ebekah began, "People from all over brought it with them. It's kind of like their offering to a successful feast. Besides, it's only at feasts that we get a good meal." With that, she took up a wooden plate and began to pile it with food.
"Ebekah, save some for the rest of us." Ceara came gliding towards her sister, smiling. "Some of us haven't eaten in a few days."
Ebekah handed her older sister a plate and watched as She piled on even more food than she had. The sisters encouraged the Bruce to try some, telling him that it was better than any noble would ever eat. He din not believe them, so he ate. Much to his dismay, the O'Noclahn sisters were right; again.
When ha had finished eating, Ebekah and Ceara brought him to the fires. They watched as the Virgin Huntress blessed the Horned One to go run with the deer. The Huntress was then brought inside a ring of fire. Everyone waited in anticipation for the Horned One to return. When he walked into the ring of fire to lay with the Virgin Huntress, a great cry rose up. Wild music flared up and dancers were worked into a frenzy; the dancing would last into the early morning. With the O'Noclahn sisters beside him, Robert joined in, almost a new man.
That night, the moon was at its zenith, and the tides ran through people's blood. Around midnight, a rider, weary with many days travel behind him, arrived. It was a small wonder that he was still alive, considering all of the wounds he bore. Ceara was called to take a look at him and begin medical treatment.
Ceara walked towards the now dismounted rider. There was something familiar about him, but Ceara did not know what. She picked up a torch and held it to the man's face. She let out a gasp of surprise and called, "Ebekah, come quickly!"
"Ceara, what-" Ebekah asked when she came
"Look - do you know him?" she questioned.
Ebekah looked and started to cry. "Savin, you fund me. How?"
"Blessed Goddess! Ebekah! What are you doing in Scotland?" A million questions filled Savin's head, but it hurt too much o think about them.
"Ebekah, stay here while I find Diedyia. She'll know what to do."
Beltane morning. Ceara awoke, knowing that it was going to be a good day. She cared not that it was the Christian Pentecost. A clear bright sky told her that it was going to be a good night.
On Beltane, one always wore a specific outfit; one that clearly showed off what you were. Often, men would walk around wearing only their kilts; this was completely acceptable. Every virgin wore a similar outfit; a sheer flowing skirt that sat low on the hips and a halter belly top with beaded fringe. Now, Ceara and Ebekah had left theirs in Ireland; though now they were probably a smoldering pile of ash. Locked in his mother's chest, Robert the Bruce found the necessary materials and gladly gave them to the sisters.
As was tradition, they spent all morning preparing. Ebekah looked stunning in an outfit made of green and gold. Her long red curls hung lose and were topped with a crown of white flowers. Today, Ceara lost the hard working peasant girl guise and adopted a mystic faery guise. Anyone who saw her on Beltane could have sworn that she was unearthly, angelic almost. She made her skirt out of a piece of solid white silk overlain with a sheer blue. She hemmed the top a band of silver silk. The bottom was hemmed with the silver silk along with being hung with silver beads that tinkled with every movement she made. Ceara's top was made of solid blue silk with the same silver beads on the bottom hem. It had a plunging V- neckline and a chain halter strap made of silver chain maile. The back was open except for the tie straps crisscrossing to hold it together. Her auburn hair hung loose like her sister's and was crowned with blue and white morning glories. She had been able to save what little jewelry she had and wore it with pride.
That afternoon, Robert the Bruce held the Pentecost feast. Many nobles had come with their daughters to try and marry them off to Robert or any other noble who night be interested; for a price. Ceara, Ebekah, and a few other young Irish servants had volunteered to serve. They served the meal while ignoring the looks that some of the nobles gave them. Ceara had been assigned to serve the Bruce. She knew that many of the daughters that had come despised her and envied her at the same time. She would stand there laughing with the Bruce and serving his food, all in the same instant.
When it came time for the nobles to present their daughters, Ceara and Ebekah stood on either side. No one could have guessed that they were serving as Robert's personal body guards. He had seen the sisters up keeping their fighting skills and was quite impressed. He sat in his chair, bored out of his mind.
"May I present my daughter Elizabeth," yet another noble said. That night, it seemed that all the ladies were Scottish seemed to have English names. Damn English influence. Scotland is becoming less Scottish each day.
Robert looked at the Lady Elizabeth. Her features were neither beautiful nor ugly. She was just another girl who was trying to be married off by her father. He almost pitied the girl.
"What do you make of this one," he murmured to the sisters.
Ebekah simply said, "She's quite plain; young too. Can't be older than sixteen."
"What about you, Ceara?" Robert asked.
Ceara said, "She is young, probably has little experience in running a household like this. She'd be better off on a large estate, not a military city like Edinburgh. She wouldn't do well in such a close proximity to commoners. Look how she shies away from me and Ebekah." Ceara was good at reading people; she could tell what they were like.
Robert exchanged pleasantries with this Lady Elizabeth and kept moving down the line. It was almost sunset and time for the Pentecost Mass. He made the announcement and all followed, except for those celebrating Beltane. Those who were going to be celebrating the pagan holiday went off to prepare the feast. Many of the nobles who were stout Catholics, were dismayed to see these ancient holidays being carried out.
Out of range of the Bruce, the two sisters broke out into fits of laughter. "Did you see al of those pathetic girls?" Ebekah laughed. "I know some Irish wenches back home that look better than they do!"
"And at least those wenches have some personality. I've never seen a more dismal group." Ceara walked up to the door if their home, and gripped the doorframe for support.
"What are you two laughing about now?" demanded Diedyia from inside.
Ceara and Ebekah went inside, got their cloaks and headed out again. Silently, they walked to the servant's entrance. A few servants passed, on their way to the fires. They waited in the dark until they heard the hesitant step of Robert the Bruce.
"Finally, you decided to show up," Ceara teased. "Now hurry or we're going to be late and miss the lighting ritual."
The sisters each took one of Robert's hands and began running, practically dragging him behind them. As they drew closer, they could hear the sounds of a steady drumbeat, calling everyone to the fires. Pagans from all around Edinburgh were gathering, willing to worship the Mother Goddess who had given them life. "Let the English come," they said.
"Now remember," warned Ceara. "You're now just Robert, a commoner. You hold no noble title. You have not the power to arrest, kill, or demand. Forget everything and learn."
The group neared the unlit Great Fire. The sisters knelt and prayed. Robert decided that it would be best if he followed suit. The sounds of the pulsing drumbeat filled his head. His own heartbeat soon took the drum's rhythm. A cry went up in the crowd; he looked up to see Ceara leading the procession. Next to him, Ebekah beamed with pride.
A fiddler joined the chorus of drummers to create an even more haunting melody. The entire procession circled the Great Fire, intoning the ancient words of invocation. Beside him, Ebekah explained that Ceara was acting as the High Priestess. When he asked why, she explained that there were no more priestesses left in Scotland to fulfill the duty. Ceara, having some Druid training, was the closest they could get to having a real priestess. Watching Ceara showed the Bruce just what he was missing. He had never know that pagan feasts could be so enchanting.
After intoning the ancient words, Ceara lit the fire; this told everyone present that the feast had begun. Rollicking music filled the night along with the laughter and crackling of the fires. Huge tables were laden with food even more wonderful than anything that was ever served at a noble's table.
"Where did you get all of this food?" Robert had never seen commoners with so much food.
"Well," Ebekah began, "People from all over brought it with them. It's kind of like their offering to a successful feast. Besides, it's only at feasts that we get a good meal." With that, she took up a wooden plate and began to pile it with food.
"Ebekah, save some for the rest of us." Ceara came gliding towards her sister, smiling. "Some of us haven't eaten in a few days."
Ebekah handed her older sister a plate and watched as She piled on even more food than she had. The sisters encouraged the Bruce to try some, telling him that it was better than any noble would ever eat. He din not believe them, so he ate. Much to his dismay, the O'Noclahn sisters were right; again.
When ha had finished eating, Ebekah and Ceara brought him to the fires. They watched as the Virgin Huntress blessed the Horned One to go run with the deer. The Huntress was then brought inside a ring of fire. Everyone waited in anticipation for the Horned One to return. When he walked into the ring of fire to lay with the Virgin Huntress, a great cry rose up. Wild music flared up and dancers were worked into a frenzy; the dancing would last into the early morning. With the O'Noclahn sisters beside him, Robert joined in, almost a new man.
That night, the moon was at its zenith, and the tides ran through people's blood. Around midnight, a rider, weary with many days travel behind him, arrived. It was a small wonder that he was still alive, considering all of the wounds he bore. Ceara was called to take a look at him and begin medical treatment.
Ceara walked towards the now dismounted rider. There was something familiar about him, but Ceara did not know what. She picked up a torch and held it to the man's face. She let out a gasp of surprise and called, "Ebekah, come quickly!"
"Ceara, what-" Ebekah asked when she came
"Look - do you know him?" she questioned.
Ebekah looked and started to cry. "Savin, you fund me. How?"
"Blessed Goddess! Ebekah! What are you doing in Scotland?" A million questions filled Savin's head, but it hurt too much o think about them.
"Ebekah, stay here while I find Diedyia. She'll know what to do."