Daughter Of The Morning
The Curse Of The Hunter

The girl’s jaw protruded mulishly and her blue eyes narrowed to slits as she glared back at the man. Her blonde hair fell below her shoulders and was unbound which accounted for the fact that she looked more like a wild animal than a civilized human being. She pulled one of the fronds of hair around to her mouth and began chewing it. The man’s lips compressed to a thin line before he turned back to stare out of the windscreen. The woman at the steering wheel surveyed the man quickly, her soft brown eyes taking in everything that was being said, and then flicked back to the road ahead. The man turned around to face the fourteen year-old teenager sulking on the rear seat. “We’re going to Windsor Great Park. I’ve told you once Cerian. If you continue to sulk we’ll leave you in the car.”

The autumn air had turned the verdant green leaves to various shades of brown, from a dull russet to vibrant ochre. A wind whipped up the leaves covering the road and hundreds more cascaded onto the roof of the car like a benediction. Cerian shivered and the sense of unease that had begun to pervade her consciousness for the past year made the hairs on the nape of her neck prickle. She had felt like this twice before, once when she had visited Salisbury with her father and the second, she swallowed hard, the second was when the class had been on an expedition to Urconium. Ceri had been standing some distance away from where the archaeologists had defined the boundaries of the town and she had suddenly known that a young Roman centurion had been standing in exactly the same spot and had been staring down into the black water of the Severn.

Those other times she had been able to retreat from the places and the fear that it engendered in her, but this time Ceri wondered how she could break away from it. The feeling of uneasiness grew as she stared at the falling leaves to her it seemed as though they were falling in a salute, “As if - as if they’re falling for a King!” She whispered softly. She turned and gazed out of the rear window of the blue Range Rover. The wind seemed to have become even stronger and the trees were tossing their heads. Cerian stared hard at one then slowly she began to perceive the shapes of Dryads within the trees. The oak she was staring at was a large red-bearded man, who bowed solemnly, and then it was a tree again. She turned to the other side of the road, and saw a delicate silver birch. Before her astonished gaze the form of a young girl appeared. She bowed courteously, her black hair obscuring her face, and then it was as before, merely a silver birch. Cerian whimpered suddenly afraid.

Her mother turned around, “Everything all right Ceri?” Cerian swallowed hard and said, “I’m fine Mum, I was looking at the trees.”

“They are pretty at this time of year,” her mother agreed smiling at her daughter’s reflection in the rear-view mirror. Cerian suddenly felt afraid as if a cold hand had squeezed her stomach as she realised that only she could see the Dryads within each tree.

She slid down on the seat until her head was below the top of it and shut her eyes tightly. I don’t like this; she thought fiercely, I don’t like it! After almost thirty seconds she opened them and sat up, the leaves were still falling from the trees, but the wind appeared to have lessened and Ceri no longer saw the Dryads. She breathed a sigh of relief.

When the car stopped, Cerian pushed open the door and scrambled out. She walked to the back of the vehicle. Her mother opened the boot and began taking out coats; she handed Ceri’s to her. “Do you want to come and have a look around the chapel?” she asked.

“No.” Ceri replied sullenly.

“No, Thank you” Her father rebuked her sharply, “don’t speak to your mother like that!”

“She’s not my mother!” Ceri snapped, “Just leave me alone!” Then she was running away across the field leaving two dumbfounded adults behind her.

Ceri’s father put his arm around his wife’s shoulders. “She didn’t mean it, Connie love; she’s just upset about something.”

Constance smiled wanly at her husband, “If you say so, Richard.”

“Let’s go and take a look at what needs restoring.” Richard squeezed his wife’s shoulder; “Ceri will find us. If she hasn’t by the time we need to leave I’ll contact the Park Keepers.”

Ceri ran, ran away as fast as her legs would carry her. Eventually she stopped, panting. She looked around, wondering where she was, the trees seemed to have closed in around her. She wiped the back of her hand across her nose and looked around. She didn’t recognise any of her surroundings and she almost burst into tears again. Suddenly a stag trotted out from between the trees. Ceri stood and stared at it, the stag regarded her quietly and then without any of the skittishness she would have expected bowed its head and knelt, its head bent so that its antlers were touching the ground. They remained like that for some moments, a strange tableau of child and animal. Ceri stood, speechless and then she half-snarled, “What the fu – er flip!” she remembered just in time not to swear although her father did it all the time, especially when a book wasn’t progressing as well as expected. The stag stood up, it was old by the standards of the stag world, Ceri could tell by the antlers which had had many seasons to grow and develop. It regarded her quietly for some moments, its dark liquid eyes seeming to look thoughtful and then it was gone, disappearing silently into the forest.

Ceri stood watching the animal walk away, conscious that something unique had happened, and also strangely aware that she could never tell anyone.

She began walking again, more cautiously this time. As she passed the lake a figure emerged from the water, “Greetings, Lady.”

Ceri rocketed backwards so fast she tripped and fell over, landing heavily on her behind. The creature laughed, a bubbly sound, like water running over stones.

“What-what are you?” Ceri spat.

“A Naiad,” the creature replied. “Don’t you know anything?” It added scornfully.

“What’s your name?”

“What’s a name?” the Naiad asked.

Ceri frowned, “It tells other people who you are.”

The Naiad smiled, “But this is who I am.” She raised a hand to gesture at the lake and Ceri realised that her arm was composed of moving water. There was a greenish tinge to it and Ceri saw small silver fish wriggling within the nymph’s arm. The sight made her feel quite ill. “But who are you?” she asked.

The Naiad smiled showing sharp, pointed teeth, “I am the lake; the river, the stream; I flow from the mountains where water is solid, down to the rapids where the water bounces wildly off the rocks in its path and laughs its way to the great meandering river that flows through your valleys and down to the sea.”

Ceri stared, the being’s voice had become suddenly deeper, the voice had taken on a new timbre and the woman’s eyes seemed to glow. “Come closer,” its voice bubbled, “come closer to the water. Rest your head on the moss that grows beside the pool and listen to the sound of running water.”

Cerian’s head suddenly felt very heavy and she struggled to her feet and tottered across to the pool. She lay down on her side so that she could still see the woman. The Naiad smiled showing a long, bright red tongue and sharp pointed white teeth, and she began to speak again. Ceri felt her head becoming heavier and heavier until it was a relief to let it fall onto the soft moss by the side of the pool. She remembered watching the woman gliding towards her, her red lips slightly parted as if she was panting. Ceri watched a delicious feeling of excitement beginning in her stomach, as the creature bent over her, as if it was going to kiss her. Every fibre of her being seemed to quiver with anticipation.

Suddenly it seemed as though the pool erupted outwards and a deluge of water soaked Ceri, jerking her into wakefulness. She wiped the water from her eyes and turned to the mere to see what had caused the explosion. Then she stopped. Another Naiad was in the pool, an elderly gentleman and he was holding the female as if she was a puppy. Ceri noticed absently that the weed that had been floating on the surface of the lake had now become his beard.

“You were banished from here!” he snarled, “I forbade thee to enter this place when I came here. Why hast thou returned?” Then he saw Cerian, “I see why thou hast returned. So the prophecy has come true – but thou hast not succeeded. Return to thy masters, Dark One. Tell them that she is protected from such as thee. Now begone!” He threw the creature out of the pool and Ceri watched as the Naiad lost all shape and form and slowly vanished into the ground. The man turned to Ceri and offered her his hand, “My Lady.”

Ceri turned to look behind her for the person he was talking to and then realised that he was addressing her. “I am sorry you were attacked. It was my intention to offer fealty to you when Tethys did, but I offer it now wholeheartedly and hope that you will forgive the outrage perpetrated on your person.”

Ceri didn’t answer, her mind reeling. The Naiad nodded, “I see. Perhaps you are right, it is hard to forgive such an affront. Very well. Mayhap in the future you will find it within your heart to forgive the assault.” He began to sink back into the pool, his form vanishing as he merged with the water. Just as the top of his head was about to disappear, Ceri said suddenly, “Please don’t go!”

He rose again until just his head was above the water. “You will forgive the Naiads of these pools for the affront?”

“There is nothing to forgive.” Ceri said, and wondered where the words came from. “You did not allow the other-” she tried the unfamiliar word on her tongue, “Naiad into your pool. I do not consider the fault yours.” How do I know what words to use, she thought.

“Then my people shall serve you whenever you call us.” He replied. “I must leave you, my Lady. Your destiny waits.”

“I thought that to see a water-spirit would drive me mad,” Ceri said slowly.

“Not you.” The creature replied shortly and then something like a smile appeared on the mouth. “You must go. Seek your Destiny.” He began to slowly merge with the pool, becoming liquid again. “Seek your Destiny, my Lady.” And Ceri realised that the voice came from the lake. Slowly, still somewhat afraid she stared at the water and thought she heard the voice gurgle, “Your Destinyyyyy……”

Something like delight seemed to take hold of Ceri and turning she ran away from the water and into the main park her spirit singing. She reached the crest of a hill and stopped to catch her breath, and then she raised her head and stared down at the mass of woodland below her. It was a blaze of colour. Copper, crimson and chestnut leaves combined to make the forest look as though it was on fire.

She walked down slowly. A group of visitors had halted to read a plaque set up beside an old gnarled tree. They departed, laughing, as Ceri approached. The tree was ancient and yet somehow Ceri felt waves of power emanating from it. She turned her attention back to the plaque, ‘Herne’s Oak’ it read, ‘Great Windsor Park is reputed to be the haunting place of Herne the Hunter who is supposed to appear when the thoughts of man turn to dark desires.’ On an impulse, Cerian slipped beneath the rope that cordoned the tree off, keeping it away from the inquisitive hands of youngsters. Carefully she laid a palm against it. To her surprise, the tree felt as though it was vibrating slightly, and although Ceri could never explain it later, it was as if the tree itself welcomed her.

Suddenly a voice said “Don’t put your hands into the holes - I got tired of nasty little boys poking around my home and carving words on my property, so I installed a family of ferrets.”

“Does it work?” Ceri inquired her blue eyes laughing.

“Sort of.” The voice was gentle, “I’ve had no more problems. That’s why they cordoned the tree off. Couldn’t risk any more people being bitten. Not that I mind. If they stay away nothing will happen to them.” Cerian turned to face the speaker and saw a tall antlered figure standing behind her. She smiled tentatively and then she saw his eyes, the irises were golden and suddenly she was afraid.

“Greetings,” he said, “may I be permitted to introduce myself?”

Ceri opened her mouth to reply just as one of the park wardens came into view. He spotted her and stalked across to them,

“Get away from the tree!” He yelled when he was within earshot, “you shouldn’t be under the barrier, come out at once!”

Reluctantly Ceri slipped back beneath the rope, “I was only looking,” she tried to explain.

“Yeah?” the sneer in the man’s voice was unmistakable, “and when I came back in ten minutes there’d have been another set of initials carved out of the tree, or another heart with an arrow through it!”

“I was talking to someone,” Cerian stood her ground.

“Yourself? There’s no-one else here!” With that the warden seemed satisfied and marched away muttering to himself.

Ceri’s face blanched and she wheeled around to face the figure,

“They can’t see you!” she spluttered.

“Correct,” the figure replied, “I was about to introduce myself - I am Herne the Hunter.”

Cerian’s eyes widened and she finally whispered, “The man who hanged himself on this tree!”

The figure inclined his head and then replied, “Not quite, I was murdered. The only reason it is said that I am allied to the Dark is because I appear when murder is in men’s hearts. I lead the Wild Hunt that forces the Dark Powers beyond the boundaries of Time; I could not do that if I were truly evil.”

Cerian’s eyes narrowed speculatively, “But you’re neither Light nor Dark, you’re part of the Old Magic, which serves itself.”

To her surprise Herne laughed a rich, full sound, and then he gazed down at Ceri, “They chose well when They chose you. Tell me thy name, Lady.” The tone of his voice had become strangely formal and archaic.

“Cerian Aurelia Prichard.” she replied making a small curtsy.

“A Welsh lass!” The smile that played about the firm mouth became broader. “Lady,” to Cerian’s horror, Herne suddenly knelt before her; “I have been waiting for you for a long time.”

“Please get up,” Cerian implored, and then she said curiously, “how could you know of me? For that matter how could anyone know of me?”

“You have seen someone else?” Herne rose to his feet with one fluid motion that made Ceri envious. “Tell me who, Madam.”

“Someone that called themselves a Naiad.” Ceri replied. “Well two actually.”

“Tell me what you saw,” Herne took two quick steps across the ground and took both Ceri’s hands in his own, “Tell me!” he demanded.

Slowly, haltingly Ceri told him what had happened and saw Herne’s eyes harden and his lips thin, “So it begins. Sooner than I had anticipated.”

“What begins?” Ceri screwed her face into a frown and stared up at the creature.

“Your Destiny.” The creature’s features softened and he smiled down at the girl, “I am glad you have come.” sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ FindNøvᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

“What tried to stop me? And what would it have done to me?” Ceri asked quickly.

“That I can’t tell you.” Herne smiled sadly, “if you choose to help me you will know soon enough.”

“Oh. Great!” Ceri turned and looked around for the park warden. No-one was in sight. “What are you?” she demanded.

“A creature.” Herne replied, “Not subject to the same laws of space and time that that you are, but a creature nevertheless. It is you that I am concerned with.”

“That’s bad grammar,” Ceri replied automatically, “you should say ‘it is with you that I am concerned.’ Why?”

“My Lady, prophecies have been made of you and tales told of you - it has been written that when you came you would lift the curse of man from me.”

“How?” Ceri stared at him, “I’m just an ordinary person.” She realised what she had said as the words landed in the empty air.

“Are you?” the creature smiled, “I rather think that you are anything but ordinary.”

“But you could be a hallucination,” Ceri spluttered. “Saint Bernadette had them all the time.”

“Have you ever had hallucinations before?”

“Not that I’m aware of.” Ceri smiled sheepishly.

“Then I would venture to say that what you’re experiencing at the moment is not a hallucination.”

“But why now? Why here?”

“As soon as you reached your tenth birthday you were chosen.” The creature smiled again, “and the moment you came into the park every creature within these environs would have known who you were. You must have seen the dryads.”

“I saw something. People. Within the trees.”

“Yes.” Herne smiled, “the dryads. They showed you their fealty. Every creature of my world has known of your existence from the moment of your conception. It was written that when you returned you would lift the curse of man from me.”

“Then the writing is false,” Cerian eased herself around the other side of the tree and fled. She was certain that she did not follow the path yet wherever she walked a path opened up for her, the trees seemed to uproot themselves and move for her as they would for a sovereign. Then they began to change shape. It was like watching a ghost appear within each tree. Cerian stopped and stared in amazement, the trees were dancing! That wasn’t quite true, she reflected, the trees weren’t dancing. Instead each dryad had moved from its respective tree, and now formed a corridor in front of Cerian. She could see their solidity before her eyes and yet she knew that if she tried to touch them her hands would pass through them as if they were smoke.

At the end of the gathering of Dryads, the figure of Herne appeared, Ceri almost sobbed with relief. Slowly she began to walk past the row of creatures and was absolutely disgusted when as she passed, each dryad dropped to one knee as if giving homage to a Queen. As she reached him, Herne took her cold hands in his own and his golden eyes looked into Ceri’s blue ones and he said, “They offer you their fealty - to reject it would be unworthy of you.”

“How can I accept it?” Ceri demanded.

“Because you have been chosen,” Herne replied, “Lady, you must accept this - turn and speak, the words will come.”

Cerian swallowed hard and then turned and faced the assembled tree-spirits behind her, for a moment panic threatened to overwhelm her and then she felt the light touch of Herne’s hand on her shoulder. She took a deep breath and opened her mouth; “I thank you for the honour you give me,” Ceri smiled, “for you are more worthy of honour than I, for I have not earned it. But I thank you.” The wood seemed to revolve and Cerian suddenly felt dizzy, she felt Herne’s hand on her elbow, “They will celebrate your arrival, our business is elsewhere.” The dryads parted for them as they left the circle.

Once outside the group of spinning wood-spirits Herne bowed again and offered her his arm, “Come, daughter.” When they were halfway down the path Herne said, “You’ll have to get used to their allegiance; you will probably find that it happens wherever you go.”

Cerian winced perceptibly and howled, “But I don’t want to be different! Well I did, but not this different!” Her voice ended on a wail.

“I trust you will cope,” Herne responded, “but you will have little time at present, there are others whose wish it is to be allowed to give you their fealty.”

“Oh,” Cerian said slowly, the air about them suddenly felt taut and then they were walking through a pair of what seemed to Ceri to be familiar gates. She turned to view them more closely and said, “This is Hyde Park!”

Herne nodded without stopping, “Yes, my Lady. The creatures who offer you their allegiance have come here.”

“More dryads?” She asked quickly, and a little colour came into her pale face.

“Not this time, Lady,” Herne escorted her along a woodland path where great trees grew on either side, Cerian watched with a sort of numbness as each bowed its leafy head in acknowledgment. They emerged onto a green carpet of grass, ahead of them the afternoon sunlight sparkled on an expanse of water, Ceri turned to Herne, a quizzical look in her eyes, “The Serpentine?”

Herne gently released her arm and bowed deeply, “Lady, I must leave you for a short moment, for one comes who is as great as I; without whose allegiance you will never succeed.”

Cerian turned, the water began to bubble alarmingly and as Cerian stared at it she saw a group of young men break the surface bearing a litter, Cerian saw a tall imposing figure, caught sight of the circlet of gold bound around the brow, and immediately dropped to one knee her eyes firmly fixed on the water.

A low laugh broke from the figure and it said, “Up, child and let me look at you.” Cerian rose to her feet and found she gazing at a handsome, dark-haired woman; her dress appeared to change colour from blue to green to grey, undulating all the time. Like the sea, Ceri thought.

“I am Tethys,” the woman said, “you have heard of me?”

Cerian’s face shone as if a lamp had been lit within her, “Aye, Lady. You are Empress of the Deeps and when the wind is high and the waves leap to touch the sky the children of Adam fear you.”

“They have good reason.” The woman smiled warmly. “Many fear me. Yet -” she paused while the grey eyes, cold and calculating, surveyed Ceri, “yet you do not, you are in awe of me but there is no fear in you.”

“Madam,” Cerian curtsied, “I have loved you almost since I was born - I have loved you when the waves beat upon the boat and the wind screamed past the ear like a ravening demon. I have embraced you wholly to me every time I dived from the boat and I have felt your embrace as the waves leapt so that I was drenched with spray. Why should I fear you?”

Tethys gazed at her for a long moment and then flung back her head and laughed, her eyes focused on someone behind Cerian, “A wise choice, Cernunnos.” Herne bowed, “Empress, I was merely the servant. They chose her.”

Tethys nodded thoughtfully, her red lips curved in what might have been the suggestion of a smile, “You have my blessing, Cerian, for all things that dwell in the waters beneath the earth are bound to me - but they will now also serve you. If you need mine or any of my servants’ aid, you have only to call. May you succeed, Princess.” A true smile touched the grim mouth and she looked up at the being standing behind Cerian. “She has the mark of a struggle upon her, Lord.”

“She has already encountered the Dark, Madam.”

“And?”

“And Thy husband vanquished the creature.”

Tethys looked hard at Ceri, “Did she touch you child?”

“No, Empress.”

“But I see her words did. Would you let me touch you to see if I might identify her?”

“I will.” Ceri stepped forward slowly into the lake, instantly the Naiads were either side of her, holding her up and guiding her towards the woman seated on the dais. Tethys knelt so that their faces were inches apart and then said, “My companions will dip you in the water that I might see your mind. Take a deep breath now.”

Ceri inhaled as hard as she could and felt the cold waters close over her head, and then she was raised so that she lay on her back, looking up at the sky. Something, or rather someone was holding her up, although she couldn’t see anyone she could hear the laughter of the naiads all about her. Tethys bent over her and raising her hand dripped water from the ends of her fingers into Ceri’s eyes. Ceri blinked as the salt stung, “Sleep.” Tethys intoned softly, “sleep and dream of what you saw today.”

Ceri’s pupils dilated and she seemed almost entranced and then they slowly closed. Tethys watched her for an instant and then nodded to her court. With one motion, the girl was drawn down into the limpid depths of the lake, Tethys smiled at Cernunnos, “She will be safe, Horned One, I promise thee this.”

“I know that, Lady,” Herne smiled and the smile seemed to soften his stern features, “you would not harm her. But while she has no awareness of her place and her power, she is vulnerable.”

“Not in my realm.” Was that laughter Herne heard in Tethys’ voice?

“She will be as safe as if she were in the Mother’s hand.”

“Then I wait, Empress.”

“So be it, Lord of the Trees.” Then Tethys herself had disappeared into the lake.

To Ceri it seemed as though she moved through a green mist. She was aware of others holding her and then darkness took hold of her and she dreamt. She was back in Windsor Great Park walking along the path, yet she was also acutely aware that she was an observer, she smiled wryly as the stag bowed again and then felt suddenly afraid as she remembered what was about to happen. As the Naiad began to cast its spell, she began to struggle, to try and reach out to the child about to be maimed or killed.

Peace, the word was soft and all at once the image dissolved, and with the word came so many images of rest and sleep that she was powerless to resist them and darkness took her once again. She opened her eyes slowly. She was warmly wrapped in blankets and from the corner of her eye she could see bright tongues of flame licking the chilly air.

“What-” she sat up and as she did so, realised she was completely naked. A movement to her left caught her eye and she hurriedly pulled the blanket over her again. Herne knelt beside her and almost as a father might he wrapped another blanket around her front.

“Your clothes are dry,” Herne said more gently seeing the fright in her pale face. “But I thought you might like something hot to drink first.”

Ceri nodded, still not trusting herself to speak, Herne handed her a pewter mug and she carefully extended a white shaky hand from the blankets to take it. Herne smiled and moved around behind her, for a moment Ceri thought she was alone and then she felt him kneel behind her and wrap his arms around her. Warmth slowly crept into her frozen frame. She sipped the drink and was surprised to find it was hot, rich cocoa. “How long-?” her voice cracked and she tried again, “How long was I unconscious?”

“A little over ten minutes of your time.” Herne said softly, “Tethys apologises, she forgot that it might cause you distress to relive what happened, but she saw enough within your mind to know that you only encountered the Dark, it did not taint you.”

“Good.” Ceri smiled, “If the ritual of purification was anything like that experience, I’m not sure I could go through with it.”

“Lord Cernunnos,” a gentle voice interrupted them.

Both turned to see that Tethys had risen from the lake, with her retinue. “How are you, child?”

“I am well, Empress.” Ceri replied.

“Good. I returned to apologise. Our methods must seem strange to you. I perceive that this creature of the Dark had no lasting effect. Therefore, to you I pledge my support and that of my friends and allies.”

Cerian smiled up at the female, “Thank you, Empress.” The waters bubbled again and when Cerian looked up, Tethys and all her retinue had disappeared back into the lake. She grinned up at Herne, “I’d better get dressed, my parents would have a fit if they saw me looking like this.”

“Aye,” Herne nodded, he turned his back and waited until Cerian said, “You can turn around now.” He smiled when he saw her running her fingers through her wet hair and produced a comb. “May I, Lady.”

Ceri nodded and as Cernunnos drew the comb through her wet hair it dried instantly, she felt Herne take another handful and heard him say, “Well done, Lady, you have behaved with dignity and courage. Tethys approves of you. You have proved yourself worthy, Lady.”

Cerian stared dumbly at him and then snapped, “Instead of speaking in riddles, Master Herne, perhaps you would care to explain what I’m supposed to do for you. You might also care to explain why these Naiads and Dryads keep bowing to me and why in Heaven I should be so honoured!” While Ceri had been speaking the scene around them shifted until they stood facing one another in the middle of Windsor Great Park.

Herne turned away from her, “I cannot even begin to explain that until you agree to help.”

“And I’m not sure that I want to help unless you tell me a few things!” Cerian retorted, her anger threatening to overwhelm her.”

“We seem to have reached stalemate,” Herne sighed, “Very well. If it will help you choose I will tell you a little and answer some of your questions.”

Cerian waited silently. Herne looked out across the park and began to speak. “Many writers and historians assume that Artus, Second True High King of All Britain appeared just at the right moment in order to unite the warring Saxons - they were wrong. Artus was prophesied about long before King Uther Pendragon lay with Igrayne, Duchess of Cornwall.” He paused, Cerian was listening quietly, “and there are also prophecies that relate to you, Lady, that were written many centuries before you were born.”

Cerian swallowed hard, her blue eyes wide, “Would you tell me one?” She pleaded softly.

Herne smiled, the stern mouth relaxing under Cerian’s gaze, “I will tell you the one I remember, it runs something like this; The Hunter’s days are drawing to a close. For a girl has been given freely, a child born, and she shall be called, Much Loved, Princess, Keeper of the San Graal and with her birth the Salvation of the Hunter is nigh.” He stopped and then turned his gaze onto Ceri, “I believe that you are the one, I have appeared to others, but none of them accepted my presence the way that you did.”

“No.” Cerian said suddenly. She began walking purposefully away from him, the trees bowing to her as she passed. Cerian kept her head down and looked neither left nor right, if I don’t admit anything’s happened, nothing will, she thought firmly. She emerged from the forest and took a deep breath of the sharp, but not yet cold, air. Relief swept over her as she recognised her parents walking towards her.

She turned and saw Herne behind her, “I’m sorry,” she said quickly, “but this is scaring me more than you can imagine. I cannot help you; I don’t know why you thought I could. Goodbye.” Cerian was conscious of Herne’s eyes upon her as she plodded towards her parents.

“Did you enjoy yourself, Ceri?” The woman asked.

Ceri smiled, “Yes thanks, Mum. I got a bit lost in the forest but a very kind man found me and brought me back here.”

“Your father’s been into the chapel and had a look at some of the remains of the tapestries that were destroyed by the fire.” her mother said,

“Can some of them be restored?” Ceri swept her fair hair back from her face and surveyed her parent with clear blue eyes.

“Possibly.” Her father remarked, “But I must write up the notes I made and contact the Society. If we undertook the restoration it would be a six-month long project here. I’d be away most of the time.”

“Could I come with you?” Ceri asked quickly.

Her father shook his head, “No, love. You’ll be back at school when we start work. If you’re interested in the history of this park then I’ll bring you back here after Christmas. I’ve some books on it at home.”

“I’ve read one.” Ceri said, “all about Herne the Hunter. Do you think he exists?”

For a moment Ceri saw something indefinable pass across her father’s face, like the shadow of a cloud across the land, then it was gone and he replied, “Get in. That particular book was really about a King who couldn’t resist a pretty face, and who had he reigned this century would have brought the monarchy down. Want to sit in front?”

“Please!”

Cerian clambered into the front seat car and fastened her seat belt. About five minutes later both her parents climbed into it. “Home, James,” her father said slipping the car into gear.

“And don’t spare the horses!” Ceri and her mother chorused. He started the vehicle and gingerly eased it out of its parking place. Leaves covered the road ahead of them and coated the roof of the car and continued to fall as it beetled down the drive. Cerian cringed on the seat and felt like a traitor.

“I presume you know about Henry VIII,” her father began.

“The one with six wives?” Ceri nodded, “I learnt about him at school. I thought he was just slightly eccentric.”

“Henry started off as the Golden Prince; the world was at his feet. But his desire to have a son above all things ate away at him until he became a monster.”

“But he had Elizabeth,” Ceri said puzzled, “and she was one of the greatest monarchs of the age.”

“But he would not have seen it that way,” her father replied, “Woman never had the same status as men – Henry would have sent his daughters to the wolves if it would have given him a son.”

“So he murdered two of his wives because he could?”

“I wish it were that simple. Certainly he sent Anne Boleyn to her death on what most people believe are now trumped up charges. Catherine Howard was a foolish sixteen year-old who flirted with men and didn’t seem to realize that because of her status as Queen it would reflect badly on her. Catherine Howard was a stupid girl, Anne Boleyn was more than likely set up.” her father paused, “Herne the Hunter only appears, or is supposed to appear when there are people around who have thoughts of murder. Windsor was home to Henry VIII.”

“Grim,” Ceri said, “but do you think the Hunter’s evil?”

“I don’t know,” her father replied, “perhaps not evil, but dangerous all the same.”

“Why?”

“Because he commands neither the Light nor the Dark and that makes him very dangerous, because he’s unpredictable. But-” he turned briefly to Ceri, “you’ll have to make your own choices, if you ever come face to face with the Hunter.”

“And I’m likely to do that,” Ceri hoped that she put the right amount of sarcasm into her voice and felt a great tide of relief as her Dad’s face relaxed. She relaxed letting the seat support her tense muscles and gradually the motion of the car made her eyelids heavy and lulled her to sleep.

She woke just as the Range Rover was turning into their drive, “I’ll shut the gate, Dad,” and she was out of the car before Dad could protest. Once closed she leant on it for a moment looking out across the landscape, and thought again that she lived in one of the most beautiful places in all of England and that nowhere could compare with it.

As she walked up to the house the wind plucked at her eyelashes and hair and the trees seemed to have gone wild, “I’ll just take Rufus out for a run,” Ceri said quickly as she stepped into the kitchen.

“Don’t let him escape into next door’s garden,” Mum warned as Ceri slipped out the back door. She trudged up the garden, Rufus bounding at her heels. The wind whipped at the cerise jacket she had pulled over her jeans and blue sweatshirt. She watched the trees numbly as they bent almost double in the wind and again she saw the dryad within each one bowing to her.

Herne materialized beside her, “I did try and tell you,” he said quietly, “Unfortunately, your Destiny has already been made.”

“I always believed that my Destiny was in my own hands,” Cerian replied.

“I wish,” Herne replied. He laughed harshly and then said, “I told you, you were prophesied about when this country was being torn apart by the Saxons.”

“But by all rights it is up to me whether I help you or not.” Cerian’s eyes flashed blue fire.

“Of any normal being that would be true,” Herne’s citrine eyes held Ceri’s, “but there are some who because of the time they were born, or the day they were born, have no choice of Destiny.”

“Are you telling me that I was born on a special day?” Cerian asked softly.

“You were born on midwinter’s day, when the sun’s rays touched the altar stone. It is the shortest day of the year and one of the Great Festivals.” Herne’s voice was gentle, “when the Giant’s Dance was first erected on midwinter’s day the sunlight poured through the arch to fall in a sparkling pool of light on the altar stone and one of our noblest gods was revealed. Mithras.”

“You’re talking about Stonehenge!” Ceri said delightedly.

Herne looked outraged, “That Circle was constructed long after the first Giant’s Dance. What you and your fellow men call Stonehenge uses some of the same sarsens and the lintel stones but it was not the original.” Herne seemed to be looking inward his eyes faraway.

“Who was Mithras?”

Another smile enhanced Herne’s features, “Your books will tell you that he was a good spirit who attended on the Lord of Life, Ahuramazda. Our legend is one that tells of Mithras as the same, a good spirit, It is said that in the gardens of the Lord of Life, there dwelt a white bull, Ahuramazda wept because this bull’s blood could bring life to the barren and wasted earth yet the only way that this could be accomplished would be if one who served Him would become human and suffer at the hands of Evil, Mithras volunteered, and Ahuramazda created him a soldier, and bade him take the bull to a Holy place and sacrifice it. Ahriman, the Power of Darkness, sent plagues to drive the White Bull back, so Mithras tethered the bull and went out to fight Ahriman. Ahriman set a plague of boils upon him. When this failed to stop Mithras he sent fire to burn him. Badly wounded now, Mithras brought the bull to the Holy place, the first living creature. When he arrived, he forced the bull to kneel while he sacrificed it. From the bull’s blood sprang all life on earth and Mithras too died at the White Bull’s feet. Legend runs that the Sun himself came down and dressed the wounds of Mithras, then he laid his hand upon him and restored him to life, they shared a meal together and Mithras ascended into heaven. He stands on the right hand of the Invincible Sun.”

“Sounds like the God my parents believe in.”

“It doesn’t matter what men call the Light, Mithras, Artus, Christ. The Light has had many names over the ages and if men do things that are right for right’s sake, then they follow the Light. But I am digressing. I need your help, please?”

Cerian shook her head again, “I’m just an ordinary person - I mean - I always felt different - but-but-”

Then Herne did something that unnerved Cerian completely, he took both her small hands and said, “Lady, Tethys, Queen of the Springs and Neaps, Empress of the Tides would not offer her fealty to anyone. That she gave you permission to command beneath the waters is almost proof positive that this is your Destiny.”

“That old chestnut again,” Cerian whistled sharply and Rufus came bounding up to them. Ceri patted him absentmindedly and the bearded collie leapt up at her planting its paws on her chest, nearly knocking Ceri off her feet. Herne snapped his fingers and Rufus dropped back on all fours and licked Ceri’s hand.

“Will you help me?”

“You’re immortal - why on earth do you need my help?”

Herne looked away from her and for a brief second Cerian thought he looked ashamed, “I am under a curse,” he said finally, “I have haunted many places but the last time was about four hundred years ago. I appear when murder is in the air. I am so weary of this curse. I was told that one day a girl who could see beyond the visible world would come and release me from it. Please?”

In the grey blue twilight of an Autumn evening Herne saw the shine of tears in Cerian’s eyes, she took both Herne’s hands and said, “If it is within my power to grant you rest and peace I shall do so,” she smiled, “I can promise no more than that, Master Herne. If as you say I am the key to your salvation I shall help you.”

Herne bowed formally, his antlered head just brushing the top of Ceri’s hair, “Your truly deserve your name, Cerian. I thank you, Lady.” The cold nose of the collie made Cerian start and when she looked around Herne had disappeared and there was only the wind in the trees and the white face of the moon gazing down coldly on the young girl and the dog.

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