I like to thank the members of the Challenge Club for their advice and Edward Teach for editing this story.
The gently rolling hills dream under the wisps of mist and the early morning light adds a pearly quality to the landscape. The crisp air smells of earth and leaves, invigorating the woman walking along the path that follows the ridge. Her wrap is the color of ripe blackberries, making her a part of the autumn scenery.
Where the path dips down into the valley someone had fashioned a seat from a fallen log. Coming upon it, the woman sits, welcoming the opportunity to rest for a while. She smiles a bit wistfully as she looks out over the countryside. It looks so peaceful now, so innocent.
As the sun climbs in the sky, the mist clears away and it actually begins to get warm, just as it did on that day. For a minute she feels as if everything is like it was ten years ago. She had not planned it this way, but as memories catch up to her, she stays seated on the crest of the hill, the deep purple wrap pooled around her on the wood of the log. Maybe it's better to relive the past now, before going on.
* * *
At the foot of the hill is the light depression, the hollow bowl rimmed with thorn bushes and hazel trees. It is late afternoon and she feels excited, a bit scared too. They will celebrate Samhain tonight. For the first time they will come together as a true coven, establishing their own rituals. They have decided that they will start their life as members of the same assembly by honoring their ancestors.
As Una starts down the hill she recounts to herself how it all started. They were just a bunch of students, interested in preserving nature. In the months before they have been talking endlessly. At first a bit embarrassed, but gradually more and more serious about committing themselves to a life of serving the earth. From there it was only another step to serving the Goddess. They decided to create a coven, transforming themselves into witches to dedicate their life to serving Gaia, mother Earth.
And tonight, tonight they will embark on their new life. Tonight is Samhain, the eve of November, the start of winter when the veil between the worlds is so thin that it is possible to contact the dead. It was Coyle's idea, to start their life as a coven by asking their ancestors for their blessing, but they all agreed it was a brilliant plan.
The past weeks they spent a lot of time in developing some kind of ritual, but none of them really knew a lot about being a witch or witchcraft. In fact Coyle seemed to know the most. Coyle and Tara. But then, Tara was very good at researching and she had done a lot of digging in the library.
Una circles the natural depression, checking for unwanted trash but nothing seems to mar the place they have chosen. On impulse she has gathered stones on her way over and she wonders where the idea has come from. For now she has the perfect use for them, laying the smooth stones in a circular pattern, almost like sealing off a space.
She knows it's her way of making sure she is useful. The way Tara has been making herself indispensable is definitely irritating. Una smiles as she prepares the spot for their very first ceremony. Coyle will be pleased with her efforts, she's sure of it. Even if the first goal of this assembly were a very noble one, she would be a fool to let an opportunity like this go by unused. In love and war anything goes, and she's convinced Tara will do all she can to snare Coyle.
Next she lays out a small pentagram in the middle, using more rocks. They have no real knowledge of what they are doing, so she uses the five points of the pentacle to place symbols of the five elements. What do they know? When she is done, she steps back to admire her handiwork, very pleased with her cleverness and properly impressed with the way the place looks. Hopefully Coyle will be equally impressed.
She doesn't have to wait too long before the others show up. Most of them arrive in pairs, as they are already couples in everyday life. Aidan and Doreen are the first. Followed by Darren and Kyna, arguing as usual. They always do and Una suspects they like making up so much, they constantly look for an excuse to fight.
Fergus and Bebhinn are almost the opposite. Fergus hardly ever says anything and Bebhinn merely adores him, no matter what. Una likes Bebhinn, but she sometimes wishes she would have a bit more personality. She is so sweet; it is a bit nauseous at times.
Eamon and Seorus come together, with Leitis and Edana following close behind them. The last to arrive are Coyle and Tara. And for a moment Una wonders if it is coincidence. She knows Tara has a crush on Coyle. Well, so does she if she is honest. But up till a few days ago, Coyle seemed reluctant to chose between them. Una thought he was starting to show an interest in her, but it could just as well be a case of wishful thinking.
Finally they are all there and almost automatically Coyle takes command of their little group. It's nearly sundown and he wants them all to change into their robes. They all agreed it would be proper to dress in something untainted by chemicals. So Bebhinn and Doreen made them all a robe from thin unbleached chambray.
Edana and Leitis giggle a bit as the girls withdraw behind the bushes. They decided to forego all modern amenities for the ritual, which means no underwear. The men are changing on the other side of the hollow and Una can't help wondering if the others are just as excited as she is; not only from the stimulating plans they have, but just as much or maybe even more so from the fact that she is naked beneath the thin robe.
There have been jokes about witches who celebrated their sabbath in the nude, with a lot of sexual activities, but that was only in jest. Wasn't it? Deep down Una has to admit the thought of having sex with Coyle is very rousing. And she remembers vaguely that there were references to heightening the level of energy by sexual activities.
Once all of them are garbed in the simple robes they find themselves a bit uncertain. They suddenly look unfamiliar and the atmosphere turns solemn. Coyle however, has a satisfied look on his face as he motions them to form a circle. He opens his mouth to start the actual ritual, when Tara interrupts.
"Please remember to stay inside the circle. It was very good of you to build one, Una. It will protect us from harmful spirits."
"Harmful spirits?" Doreen sounds a bit scornful. "I thought there was no such thing as good or evil beings in this witchcraft business. Only intent on keeping the balance."
