Chapter 5. Celtic secrets and coffee.
Riha met Sarah at the door of the first class they were sharing. "They said we could choose our own seats, I saved us two." She pointed to the seats by the window. "I like fresh air." She said warmly.
Sarah nodded taking one of the saved seats. "So do I." she reminisced for an unguarded moment. "I use to spend all my spare time wondering about in this one Park back home. Play acting out parts of my favorite books."
Riha's face brightened with her smile. "That sounds like fun."
"I think it was…" Sarah felt a pain at her temple. "I have a hard time remembering all of it for some reason."
Looking at Sarah's book cover the Irish girl whispered. "Have you always doodled on your books?"
Looking down at the strange little sketches the other shook her head. "Nope this is a recent development."
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Dr. Rygil looked up when Sarah entered the office. "Ah, Miss Williams, just the person I needed to see. Child here's a list of books, I want you to get a cart and pull these for me."
Sarah took the list and placed her own books on the credenza. "I'd be happy to. Dr. Rygil."
He watched her go happily off to the main floor with a cart to being her hunt of the volumes he'd requested. He looked over at Tally who was busy with students making requests. He quietly went on with his work.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Sarah, sitting on the terrace for the evening meal was not at all surprised when Riha joined her. The two girls sat in the cooling air, watching the sun slid beneath the horizon. They were content and didn't notice the glaring stares from the group at the table inside the dining hall.
Feeling at peace with the world, Sarah leaned on the table. "So how was your first day of the new school year, Riha? Was it everything you'd hoped it would be?"
"I could live without one or two of my fellow academics." Riha teased. "Outside of that, the day went fine. And for you?"
Sarah sipped a glass of ice tea gingerly. "It was fantastic, I love working with Dr. Rygil. I can't see why others haven't wanted to. He's so… I don't know… intelligent. He makes you want to ask questions about his research."
"Do you think we can spend a little time going over the history assignment?" The Irish girl asked as they ended their meal. "I have no wish to be going back to my room and being alone with that girl I room with."
"I can understand that." Sarah said. "I felt that way most of last year with the girl I roomed with. It was as if she felt I was intruding on her space. Sure, come on up to my room, and we'll get a jump on the assignment."
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Lilith looked at the Babylonian, "How do you intend to introduce my son to the world of mortal men? You don't intend to make him be a teenager do you?"
Gilgamesh watched the crystal carefully. "Certainly not," he assured the worried Queen. "For now, it is important to create the right circumstances for his entrance. Consider Sarah the stock, and everyone else minor ingredients. Your son is my stone… he will be added at the right time. I promise."
"But how?" Lilith was impatient, and fretting. "He has no memory of her, and she none of him….how will you…"
Gilgamesh placed a finger to her lips to silence her. "In time, dear Queen…in time."
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Sarah smiled at the guard as she and Riha passed by him on their way up to Sarah's room. He tipped his hat to them and watched as they went up.
Riha's mouth popped open as they entered the studio. "This is your room?"
"Home sweet home," Sarah said kicking off her shoes. "Just sit anywhere you want," she instructed her friend. "You want some music while we work? I've got some wonderful instrumentals that my folks brought up."
"Sarah, this in not just a room…it's…it's…"
"An artist's studio," Sarah finished for her. Finding a nice quite disc she placed it on her cd player. "Mrs. Browning said he just up and disappeared. He left behind a lot of interesting paintings…they were going to toss em, but I told them I wanted them to stay. You know I may just try my hand at finishing some…" She joined the other girl on the floor of the large room. "You should see it at dawn, with the light flooding in over every thing."
Riha snickered. "Ye must have a wee leprechaun watching out for ye. For only one with the luck o the Irish could be rewarded with a wonderful place like this."
Sarah laughed, "Well I am Irish on one side, and Scot on the other. Does that count?"
"Aye, that it does." Riha handed Sarah her book. "Ye must tell me about yer family…where in Ireland do yer people come from?"
Sarah began to page though the history book, "Oh my mother's grandmother was from a little village near Tara's Hill…"
The other girl smiled, "Would ye know the name of her family?"
"Yep, it was Reilly." Sarah found the page they were to read, "She married an Irish-American named Paul Clare and immigrated. Here's the assignment." Sarah began to read aloud to the other ending the discussion of heritage.
For several hours the pair read and took notes, until Sarah looked up at the clock. "Oh gads, it's almost ten. You had better scoot, or the RA in your Dorm is gonna have kittens looking for you." She walked Riha to the door.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
When Sarah met Riha at class the next morning Riha was wearing a big smile. "Here, Sarah, darlin' look at this."
Sarah took the old picture album from the other's hands and carefully opened the aging pages. "What am I looking for?"
"You'll know." Riha said with confidence.
Sarah paused over one picture; it was two young girls sitting on a white washed stone wall. Fresh faced and loving life, they could have been modern girls except for the old fashioned dresses. Sarah looked at the one, "This could be you." She smiled. "Is it your grandmother?"
"My great gran," Riha said with pride. "But look at the other, carefully darlin'."
Sarah looked at Riha. "That could be me."
Riha nodded. "Read the caption." The Irish girl pointed to words written in a clear hand under the picture.
"Mora McMannon and her cousin Sarah Reilly," Sarah looked at Riha. "Oh it couldn't be."
"Why not?" The Irish girl giggled. "Fate Darlin'! And the good saints…and the wee little ones…"
Sarah looked at the picture again. "Well I'll be." She smiled. "I guess this makes us sort of cousins."
"Aye, it does at that. This picture was taken on my great gran's wedding day… Sarah Reilly was her maid of honor." Riha accepted the book as it was handed back. "My gran told me her mother in law and her favorite cousin lost track o one another when the Reilly girl moved to the States. When you said Reilly last night I nearly jumped out o me skins."
Sarah looked at her new relation. "Tell you what, you tell me about the family there, and I'll catch you up on family here."
The history instructor cleared her throat, and the girls took their seats.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Megan stood out side Donning Hall; she waited for Ellen Courtney in the shadows. When Ellen arrived Megan motioned her into the shadows as well. "Do you understand what I need you to do?"
"Yes." Ellen said. "You want me to watch the foreign girl's moves, and report them to you."
Megan nodded. "I will see to it that it's worth your while." The girl with shark's eyes promised.
"I've no doubt that you would, however you don't need to." Ellen bristled at the thought of her room mate. "I don't like foreigners."
Megan coyly smiled. "Nor do I."
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
The first week of classes were coming to an end and Sarah was looking forward to going home. She was finishing up her work for Dr. Rygil when he asked if she were free on the weekend to do some work. "Oh I'm sorry Dr. Rygil, but I'll be going home this weekend. My father wants me to come down on weekends on the train to be with the family."
"Of course, that's a wonderful thing." Marcus stated. "I'll have things for you to do next week. Come back well rested, Miss Williams."
Sarah had not bothered with packing, as she had clothes at home to wear. The only thing she had to bring with her home was a little gift she'd gotten for Toby at the school bookstore. It was a book of fairy tales.
The train ride was over much quicker than Sarah had thought it would be. She barely had time to sort out her thoughts. Karen was at the station with Toby to greet her. Sarah picked up her little brother and hugged him close, enjoying the sweet scent of baby powder that Karen still smoothed on the boys skin. When she arrived at the house, Merlin jumped up to greet her with a big slobbering lick.
Robert arrived home an hour later, and read his paper while Sarah and Karen set the table for dinner. Karen had made a thick rich stew for dinner, and it was simmering all the while Karen had been waiting at the station. When everyone took their seats Karen asked Sarah how school was going.
"I like the classes I've chosen, but the most amazing thing happened. I made friends with an exchange student. She's from Ireland." Sarah began.
"Ireland, eh?" Her father asked. "Any where near Tara where your mother's people are from?"
"That's what I was just getting to, Daddy." Sarah said in excitement. "She's a descendant of my great granny's cousin!...She has a family album with a picture of Sarah Reilly."
Karen and Robert both looked pleased. "You must have her come home with you." Karen said. "We'd love to have your friend, er…cousin? What ever she is, she's welcome."
"Thanks Karen, would next week be too soon to have her come? I really hate leaving her there… she's not very popular… and well… I've an uneasy feeling about one or two students toward her." Sarah said.
"Oh Sarah, don't tell me you're fay…." Robert quipped.
"Fay?" Sarah blanched.
"You know…sensitive... Or is that physic?" He went on not really paying attention to his daughter's face. "You're mother's grand mother was you know."
"Sarah Clare was a physic?" Sarah blinked. "Daddy, neither you nor mom ever said anything about that."
"Sure we did," He took a bite of stew. "You just didn't pay attention; you were most likely too young to understand. Good stew, Karen. I like that you used more carrots."
Karen nodded. "You should call your mother, and let her know you've met this girl…What's her name, Sarah?"
"Riha… Rhiannon McMannon," Sarah was surprised by the suggestion to call her mother from her stepmother. "I will give mom a call…but it will have to be tomorrow… She's on stage tonight and won't get off until close to midnight."
Robert looked at Sarah, "You know I bet I can get tickets for you and this Riha to see the play your mother is doing, if you girls would like to see her."
Sarah wondered if she'd stepped though a looking glass. "That would be great Daddy."
Toby sat quietly eating and swinging his feet as he hummed a song to himself.
Robert looked at Karen, "Where did he hear that tune? He keeps humming it day and night."
"I don't know…it just started and he won't stop." Karen sighed.
Sarah listened to Toby, but it hurt her head to try and remember if she'd heard the song before, so she let it go.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
It was nearly noon when Sarah dialed her mother's number. "Hello, Lena, it's Sarah, is my mother up?" She spoke to the cheery maid that kept house for her mother in New York.
"Yes, Miss Sarah…she's been expecting your call."
Sarah looked at the phone, wondering how her mother could be expecting a call. "Hi, mom." She said as she heard her mother take the receiver.
"Sarah, darling!" Linda gushed. "I've had you on my mind all morning…I woke up early and just knew you'd be calling. How is school?"
"Not bad…" Sarah laughed. "I've got great classes, and I'm doing some aide work with the head of the Library… oh and mom, the most amazing thing… I made friends with an exchange student. Her name is Rhiannon McMannon."
There was a long pause, Linda whispered. "I know that name…McMannon…."
"Mom, her great granny and mine were cousins!" Sarah explained.
"Of course…." Linda slapped her forehead. "The Tara Hill families."
"Mom, she has a family album, and you would not believe how much I resemble great granny." Sarah stated. "Karen said I should bring her home, and daddy offered to get tickets for us to see your play."
"Oh Sarah, your father doesn't have to bother, I'll get you and your …cousin passes." Linda said smoothly. "You two can stay here with me for a weekend. We'll do a girls weekend."
Sarah laughed and continued to plan with her mother.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Sarah arrived at Brighton one Sunday after noon just before five. She was glad she didn't have luggage and walked the two miles down the road to the school. Riha was sitting on the green knolls reading a book of poems. Looking up she waved happily at Sarah. Waving back Sarah rushed over to where her friend sat. "Hey, just the person I wanted to see."
"Oh really?" Riha laughed.
"My father and stepmother want you to come home with me next weekend and my mother wants us to come to New York to see her play and stay with her for a weekend." Sarah lay back on the cool grass of the knoll. "Ah Sunday afternoons... How I love them."
"I'd love to come home with you, Sarah darlin'." Riha lay back as well. "It's got to be better than sitting here and hiding from Megan."
Sarah turned her head, "Did she do something?"
"No, but I can feel her plotting." Riha confessed. "some times being…fay is a pain in the …"
Sarah held a hand up. "Careful… the woods have ears…" she prevented the use of profanity by her distant cousin. "That's the second time this weekend I've heard the word fay used."
"It's an odd old word," the Irish girl agreed. "Still it's sometimes the only word that fits."
Sarah felt her hunger build. "I'm famished; want to split a pizza in the student union?"
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
September was coming to an end; Sarah had been enjoyed the weekend with Riha at her father's home. She also enjoyed the weekend with Riha and her mother in New York. Life was settling into a nice routine for the teenager. She was happy with her classes, and her aide's position. Thanks to Riha she was quickly becoming acquainted with the family history in Ireland. Riha was spending a great deal of time at Sarah's room. Even the guards knew her on sight as she'd enter the building.
Sarah received a call on Thursday night before the end of the month; Karen and Robert were going to be out of town due to a family problem on Karen's side. Would Sarah mind staying at school that weekend? Sarah assured her stepmother it was not a problem. On Friday morning she told Riha that she'd be staying at school and asked if the other girl had plans for the weekend.
Riha looked about them, secretively. "Sarah, darlin' promise me ye won't be banding this about."
"I promise." Sarah said inquisitively.
"I've a secret." The Irish girl confided. "But I can't tell ye, I have to show ye. After classes, go to your rooms and change into street clothes and wait for me. I'll take you somewhere wonderful." Riha whispered carefully.
Sarah felt her heart race with excitement the rest of the day. Something deep inside her had been waiting for an adventure. Something longed for excitement and a quest. When classes ended for the day she raced up to her rooms and changed into her russet skirt with its matching laced bodice, and the poet's shirt that she was most fond of. She wore knee high boots that were easy to walk in.
Riha tapped lightly on the girl's door, she was dressed in a hunter green skirt that looked very much like Sarah's russet skirt. She laughed. "Looks like we have the same mind, does it not?" It was true anyone looking would think they had planned the outfits to match. "Ye need to take a shawl, Sarah. It gets a wee bit chilly these nights."
Sarah pulled a paisley shawl out of her drawer. "Will this do?"
"Aye nicely." Then the Irish girl motioned her to follow her. "Once we get to the road, we need to step lively. Our first stop is a little place that you will love." The girl promised.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Brighton's main street shops closed early most days but were open until eight on Friday's and Saturdays. It was a lovely little town, much like Briarwood, it looked like it came out of a picture book. The shops and mains street had a colonial charm, the side streets also kept to the theme. At the far end of town, just past the rail road station, Riha took a turn. She headed to the oldest section of the town, off the main drag. When they reached the end of a lane where a shop was set back from the road, she pointed to the sign. "This is the Black Unicorn." Riha said. "You're gonna love this."
The Black Unicorn was a little shop that looked fairly ordinary from the road. As one entered it was filled with the scent of candles and incense. There were sun-catchers and dream-catchers hanging in the window. Sarah looked about the shop and then at Riha questioningly.
"Sarah, this is a spiritual shop." Riha explained as she pointed to a table full of tarot decks. "Everything one needs for the spirit can be had here."
Sarah felt dizzy, "Riha, you don't actually believe in this stuff do you?" She picked up a deck with a strange picture on its cover. She set the deck down again quickly.
"Sarah, I'm a Celt. I know that there are things that man can not explain… one has to take some things on faith." Her cousin said picking out some candles and other items.
"Oh but Riha," Sarah protested. "Ireland is a catholic country…doesn't the church frown on this stuff?"
Celtic blue eyes widened. "Sarah, just because we accept the Christ does not mean we've abandoned the olde ways." She looked past the girl to a woman entering from the back room. "Mrs. Channing, this is my cousin…the one I told ye about." She took Sarah by the hand. "Sarah, this is Mrs. Channing she's the proprietress here."
Sarah extended her hand. "I'm happy to meet you, Mrs. Channing."
The woman looked at the girl slowly accepting the offered hand. "I'm happy to meet you, my dear. Your cousin has become one of my best customers." She assessed the girl silently. "Are you also a practitioner?"
Riha giggled. "No, Sarah's a novice, Reverend Mother."
Mrs. Channing raised her hand, placing it carefully under Sarah's chin. "I don't think that's quiet true, Riha. You've an enchanted look about you, Sarah." The long fingers moved smoothly over Sarah's face. "You look like one who sleeps to the truth."
"Do I?" Sarah felt dizzy again. "I'm sorry, must be all the scents in here."
Mrs. Channing lowered her hand. "Of course…" She smiled an understanding sweet smile. Her large hazel eyes were kind and calm. Her graying hair was clipped to the back of her head in a romantic French twist with curling tendrils trailing out. Her long dress looked almost regal. "Be seated, child. Allow yourself to acclimate to the scents."
Riha went about the shop gathering items she needed.
Sarah looked at the tarot decks again, as she was seated next to the table holding the decks. Once more she picked up the strangely pictured package. "Do people really use these?"
Mrs. Channing looked at the deck that Sarah was drawn to. "Yes, my dear." She smiled calmly. "Although not that deck, it's not one of my best sellers…in fact that's the last one I have and it's been here for several years now. It's called a Fairy Deck, and the drawings are very old, and perhaps too odd for most folk."
Sarah looked at the picture on the deck. "It's rather an odd picture. Not unpleasant actually, but it does give one a strange feeling."
Mrs. Channing placed Sarha's hand on the deck. "Take it child, a small gift."
Riha watched as Sarah picked up the deck, a wisp of a smile played at the corner of her lips. "I've made my selections." She placed her candles and oils and other items down and pulled her wallet out to pay for them. "Sarah is there anything you'd like to look at?"
"No, thank you." She was looking at the deck of cards that Mrs. Channing had pressed on her.
Once they had revived the warped parcel with Riha's items, they exited the shop. "Now on to the evening's entertainment," Riha cooed happily as she linked arms with Sarah. "Do ye drink coffee, darling?"
Sarah looked bewildered, "Do I what?"
A few blocks away, just past the bridge that led out of town sat an old mill. It had been turned into a coffee house a few years before and had become something of a haunt for the artistic of the community. Sarah thought they would be taking a seat out side to enjoy the cool evening air as the sun had set while they were in the Black Unicorn. Instead of taking seats on the pretty patio overlooking the turning waterwheel, they entered the Millhouse. Riha greeted the man behind the cashier's desk. "Tommy Miller, this is my cousin Sarah Williams. Sarah, this is Tommy, he owns this wonder establishment."
Tommy Miller was middle aged, short and built like a barrel. He reminded Sarah of Friar Tuck in an old movie. He had a deep voice and an air of authority. He was dressed in a suit that had perhaps seen better days, but was still comfortable. "Nice to meet you, Sarah," he greeted the new girl. Looking at Riha he said quietly. "Will you be gracing us with a reading?"
The Irish girl nodded, "I've a new poem I've been working on all week." She pointed to a table in a quiet corner on the second level. "Could we sit there? I'd love for Sarah to get a good view of the goings on."
"Of course," snapping his fingers he told a waiter to take them to the table that Riha had requested.
Sarah and Riha settled in as they did an order of Viennese coffee was delivered to them complements of Mr. Miller. Riha waved her thanks, "Isn't this the most wonderful place?"
Looking about, Sarah had to admit the place had atmosphere. "How in the world did you find it?"
"Last year, right after I arrived I set about exploring the town." Riha explained as she sipped her coffee. "I found out they have amateur readings on Friday evenings, and then have guest poets on Saturdays. So I started hanging out here, and one night I got up and read a poem I wrote…. And then again the next week, and again…it's addictive you know."
Sarah sipped the brew, and smiled. "So you are going to read tonight?"
Riha nodded. "Yes…. Tommy usually lets me ready early on so I can high tail it back to the dorms before lights out." She looked at Sarah. "Let me order some munchies. They have some find bread and cheeses here."
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Lilith saw a change in Gilgamesh and looked at him.
"Now…we add the stone." He said quietly.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Tommy looked at the door as he heard the roar of motor cycles pulling into his parking lot. He leaned on the desk and smiled as the four leather clad men entered the Millhouse. The first man was tall and lean, pulling off a helmet and shaking out his long blond hair. His face was handsome and haunting. The second man was not nearly as tall as the first and not lean at all. His face was weathered and lined, but he had kind eyes. The third man was the shortest of them all but he had bright red hair and walked with flair. The fourth man was tallest, and slow.
Sarah saw them enter and could not take her eyes off them, fascinated by their strange appearance. She saw Tommy ask the first man something, which was answered with a nod. A waiter was called over and the men were escorted to a table on the main floor. Riha looked down at the place Sarah was staring and turned back to her cousin. "He comes in here every weekend, with those others. They just sit and listen."
Sarah placed a hand to her now throbbing temple. "It's funny, Riha…he looks vaguely familiar. But it's so dark in here I really can't tell."
Riha sighed. "Well don't ye be worrying over it now. I'm up first…" She stood up and kissed Sarah's cheek. "Wish me luck, cousin."
"Good luck." Sarah said.
Tommy moved to the makeshift stage. "Ladies and Geltemment…. Welcome to the Millhouse. We are proud to present Miss Riha McMannon." He motioned the girl to the stage.
There was applause, polite and quiet. "Thank you." Riha bowed. " I'd like to read a poem I call… On the Knoll…." She closed her eyes, and composed herself. When she opened her eyes she began to recite.
"On the knoll, Where dreams go grow, Is where my soul doth go.
When shadows crawl, And time stands still, I seek the place of peace.
On the Knoll, Where green things grow, Is where my heart goes.
When days are over, and races run, Tis there I find my fun.
On the Knoll, Where friendship flows, Family waits for me."
Riha bowed and stepped down as the audience applauded; she came back to the table with a sheepish grin.
Sarah stood up and hugged her cousin. "That was beautiful."
The Irish girl giggled, "Not bad." She teased. Then both girls giggled.
Down on the main floor, mismatched eyes looked up at the direction the sound came from. Merriment danced in the eyes, as a grin formed on his full and generous mouth. He looked at the young girls sitting enjoying themselves. The profile of one of the young beauties intrigued him and he found himself staring at the girl.
"Jail bait," A hushed voice reminded him softly.
"Hog, I'm only looking." He said back.
"Keep it that way." Hog sipped his coffee from an oversized mug.
"MMM hummm." Hummed the man as he watched the girl.
Riha took notice of the time. "Dear saints Sarah," she gasped. "It's nearly ten thirty! We'll never make it back to the dorms by eleven. I'll be locked out… and the RA is gonna have those kittens."
Sarah stood up, "Come on, Cousin…" she said clearly. "You can spend the night in my rooms…we'll call your RA when we get back…We'll say we were studying and lost track of time."
"Sarah, yer a darlin'!" Riha laughed pleasantly as they made their way down to the main floor and past the four men in leather.
Sarah was moving carefully though the dark audience and for a moment her eyes met those of the man with blond hair. She whispered "Excuse me," as she bushed him accidently.
He smiled a lazy, easy smile. "Excuse me." He replied pulling back to allow her passage.
Hog cleared his throat and the man rolled his eyes.
Out side the girls linked arms to walk back to the school.