I had rented a cottage on a remote hillside in yorkshire for three weeks while I wans finishing a book I was editing. One evening I decided to take a walk across the hill and watch the sunset over the bay.
As I walked I daydreamed and by the time I had watched the sun sink over the bay and the red streaked clouds darken to purples and violets in the twilight the path back to the cottage was completely obscured in the darkness.
In my haste to enjoy the wondourous show that nature had provided I had neglected to ensure that I had adequate means to light my way home. However Iam an old hand at camping and the sky was clear so although the moon had not yet risen there was plenty of starlight to enable me to start off in the general direction of the cottage.
After walking for about fifteen minutes I realised that I did not have a clue where I was. In the distance I could make out what looked like a church and I thought that I could see lights.
As I hastened towards the church the moon rose full and bright and the scene before me was illuminated.
What I had thought was a church was merely the remaining shell of one. Judging from the ruin the church had probably been bombed during the second world war. The closer I drew the more sounds I could hear carried to me on the warm breeze. A musky scent enveloped me as I drew parallel to the doorway.
As I entered I saw what my mind had guessed at minutes ago. In the centre of the room was a large stone altar dressed in a whilte cloth and surrounded with garlands of white flowers.
Standing to the right of the altar stood a man. His age was impossible to tell as I could not see his face obscured as it was with a mask fashioned to resemble a stylized Stag.
His eyes met mine and as if by their own volition my feet moved carrying me towards him.
As I passed through the room the other celebrants, for I had now come to realise that this is what they were, reached out to touch me gently welcoming me and blessing me.