Heart of the Hill (20 page)

Instantly, Vivienne became a silver fish that swam through the water with ease. “I too am a shape changer,” she called and leaped with the water out of the cavern's entrance, changing in midair into a nighthawk that circled up into the sky.

Zorianna foamed in a raging torrent out of the cliff and turned into an eagle that chased the hawk up into the black clouds.

Both beings began hurling lightning bolts.

In the valley below, the dikes could hold no more.

Floodwater crept silently across the fields.

In the heart of the hill, the Crystal Cave radiated with magic.

Stalagmites rose from the floor; stalactites hung from the roof. Many had joined, forming glistening columns, some white, some orange. Mineral-laden water, dripping down the walls for thousands of years, formed lacy patterns over the walls. Water gathered in diamond sparkles from the tip of each stalactite and added a shimmering glaze to the stalagmites below.

Water bubbled and flowed along narrow trenches cut along each side of the cave, one rimmed with twinkling orange crystals, one rimmed with flashing white crystals. Everything glittered and gleamed, reflecting light from the door of fire.

Adam, Chantel, Arto, Holly and Owen hurtled through the flames, one after the other.

“We didn't burn,” crowed Adam. He stretched out his arms to catch Chantel as she cannoned toward him.

“Oh, Adam, look at the cave!” breathed Chantel.

They stared at the wonders.

Arto landed after them, silent as a cat. He gawked at the children's backs and took cover behind a collection of stalagmites.

Holly sailed through the flames like a long-jumper, skidded and sat down hard on the floor. “Ouch.”

“You daft idiot, we could have been incinerated!” yelled Owen, flailing through the air and landing on top of her.

Adam and Chantel swung back in shock.

“Adam, Chantel, you made it!” shrieked Holly, extracting herself from Owen's limbs. She threw her arms around her cousins. Owen pounded their backs. All four gabbled excitedly. Gradually the peace and beauty of the cave reached them. One by one they fell silent, marveling.

“We need to find the staff, and there are a million hiding places,” said Adam. “It could take forever. Thank goodness you're here to help.”

They began exploring the glistening pillars and probing gentle fingers into cracks and hollows in the delicate crystal patterns lacing the walls.

Arto stepped from his hiding place. “What children are you that search the Lady's sanctuary?” His voice was stern.

“Gosh … Arto … I'd forgotten,” said Holly.

Arto paled. “You know my name? What magic is this?”

“We're Magic Children. I saw you in a dream,” said Holly.

“We're from the future,” added Owen. “She's Holly, I'm Owen, and these are our cousins Adam and Chantel.”

Holly turned to the others. “This is Arto. The one whose cup I caught.”

Arto leaned forward. “The Lady's cup?
You
have it?”

He was bewildered.

Holly nodded. “It's a long story, but I was hiding in the bushes when you tripped …” Her voice trailed off as she realized what was happening. “I don't get it!” She swung around to Adam. “If he's in the past, I'm dreaming and you're really here … how can we see and talk to each other?”

“This is the Lady's Crystal Cave,” said Arto simply.

“All is possible.”

“We're searching for something hidden here, concealed by magic,” said Adam. “But I guess you're looking for this?” He fumbled in his pocket and pulled out the bronze cup. He offered it to Arto.

Arto gasped and cradled the cup against his chest.

“We've been trying to give it back for ages,” said Adam. He grinned at the others. “That bit was easy.”

“Too easy,” said Holly. “Why did the cup come to us, if all we have to do is give it back?”

Arto reached for his dagger.

“Hey … it's all right,” said Owen. “The cup's yours.”

Arto relaxed. “Maybe Arto knows,” said Adam. “What's the cup used for?”

“'Tis the Lady's cup,” said Arto. “For mixing and drinking waters from the Red and White Springs …”

“That's all?” said Chantel, disappointment obvious in her voice. “We did that.”

“… in order to see divinations in the pool,” continued Arto.

The children's eyes sparkled.

“Hey, I bet that's it,” breathed Adam. “Arto, can you show us how to see divinations in the pool?”

Arto shrugged. “Though you are strangers to the ways of the Crystal Cave, you are Magic Children. Maybe.”

Holly touched his arm. “Will you help us?”

Arto nodded. “You returned the cup. I will help. The cup and I were called here for a reason.” His eyes searched each child's face. “We must approach the heart of the hill humbly and with reverence.”

“We will,” everyone vowed.

Arto led them through the stalagmites, deeper into the cave, to an open space where a crystal-encrusted ceiling arched overhead. The crystals flickered and danced with inner flames, reflecting the light from a small fire with a pile of dry sticks beside it.

“The Wise One's eternal flame,” said Arto. He made a gesture inviting the children to step onto the broad expanse of white marble floor before the fire. In the middle of the floor a shallow depression was carved.

“We have a ceremony to perform,” said Arto. With both hands he offered the Glastonbury cup to Holly.

“You must take the role of the Lady's high priestess.”

“I must?” said Holly, flustered.

“You are the oldest female,” said Arto. “And the cup came to you of its own accord. You must do the Earth Magic.”

“I am honored,” Holly said formally. She took the cup in both her hands and bowed.

“This is the Lady's reflection pool. Please be seated while I instruct Holly.”

Owen, Adam and Chantel seated themselves around the rim.

Arto took Holly aside and gave her whispered instructions. The others watched anxiously. Holly nodded several times and seemed to repeat things back to Arto.

Finally they both came back to the depression. Arto seated himself with the children. Holly stood at the head of the pool, between it and the eternal flame. She held the cup in both palms and looked expectantly at Arto.

He smiled. “You have the solemnity of the priestess. Please begin.”

Holly flushed with pleasure and took a deep breath.

“We come to the Lady's Reflection Pool for guidance,” said Holly clearly. “If our question is worthy, may the waters reveal the answer.”

Holly moved ceremoniously around the Crystal Cave.

She filled the cup seven times from the Red Spring and seven times from the White Spring. Each time she poured the water into the depression.

Gradually the shallow pool filled, but despite the sparking ceiling above, the water lay still and black.

After the last cup was emptied, Holly joined the circle and settled herself at the head of the pool with the eternal fire behind her.

She dipped the cup in the dark water, sipped, then wiped seven drops over each eye with each finger. She passed the cup to Owen.

Owen took the cup and raised his eyebrows in an unspoken question.

Holly nodded.

Owen too dipped, sipped and wiped his eyes with seven drops of water. He passed the cup to Adam.

Adam, Chantel and Arto all completed the actions.

Arto placed the cup on the rim of the pool.

“Who is the person with the question?” asked Holly.

Adam half raised his hand. “I am.”

“Look into the water,” said Holly. She extended a finger and began to stir. “When the water lies still, ask your question, Adam.”

Adam nodded and concentrated on the pool.

Silence fell. Absolute silence. Even the dripping water and songs from the streams faded away.

The water swirled and began to pull light from the Crystal Cave.

Holly withdrew her finger, and the water whirled faster and faster. Gradually the light became concentrated into one beam that fed from the crystal ceiling above into the pool below. The pool grew brighter and brighter and the crystals duller, until all light was gathered and darkness fell around them.

The water settled.

The four children and Arto stared down into a still pool of liquid silver that gleamed up on their faces. All else was black except for the quiver of the everlasting flame behind Holly.

Adam tried to clear his mind and frame his question simply. “Please, can you show me where Myrddin's staff is hidden?” he whispered. He leaned forward and stared into the silver surface.

There was nothing: no reflection of his face, no movement in the depths, only the flicker of the eternal flame.

Adam stiffened and looked more closely. This was no reflection; the real flame was hidden behind Holly.

The flame in the pool brightened. Its light revealed a hand and arm that gathered a stick from the pile and fed it to the fire. The image faded. The pool darkened, and light returned to the Crystal Cave.

Holly gave a tiny sigh of relief.

“Thank you, Lady,” prompted Arto. He looked expectantly at everyone.

“Thank you, Lady,” the children repeated. They looked at each other. Had any of them seen anything or heard the Lady's voice?

Holly picked up the cup and returned it to Arto with a little bow.

“It is over. You did well.” Arto leaned over and clasped Holly's hand.

“I saw nothing. The Lady didn't speak to me,” said Holly, distressed.

“Me neither,” said Owen.

Arto didn't comment.

Chantel looked anxiously across the pool at her brother.

Adam untucked his cramped legs and stood up.

He walked over to the eternal flame and stared at it thoughtfully. He stooped, picked up a stick and fed the tiny fire.

Arto ran over. He lifted a hand as though in protest, then stopped and watched intently.

The flame crackled greedily.

Adam added a second stick and a third. The blaze strengthened.

One after another Adam piled seven sticks on the fire. It reddened and glowed fiercely.
Whoosh.
The flames blazed to the ceiling. Within the conflagration an upright staff appeared with a head of gold holding a fiery crystal.

“May the waters protect me!” shouted Adam. He thrust his arm into the fire and pulled out the staff.

Holly, Owen and Chantel clapped in delight.

Arto smiled. “My task is completed. Thank you, Magic Children. May light burn always in your hearts.”

He turned and bowed to the fire. “Thank you, gracious Lady. May your waters protect me.” Holding the bowl high, he stepped into the flames.

At the bedroom window in Wearyallhill House, Myrddin lifted his arm to the sky and gave a roar of delight. “Light and Dark, Dark and Light, Earth Magic lives… Adam has my staff. My magic flows once more.” He held his hands over Holly's arm, whispered a healing spell and sprinkled stardust over her bandage. Holding his arms over the sleeping children, he spoke. “Gently, gently, you may return from the dreamworld. We will go together and greet Adam.” He sat on Owen's bed and waited for them to stir.