Circle of Nine: Circle of Nine Trilogy 1 (42 page)

EPILOGUE

I
t is so light above the earth. So light. My eyes have now adjusted and I can see the sky, the moons, the sun. The days have been glorious when I have walked with Demeter arm in arm and I have felt her grief slide away like an unwanted skin, revealing the radiant shining being below.

I have tasted grains that have been kissed by the sun and wine that is sweeter for having been distilled in the Overland. Being in the Overland means I can stand tall, I am no longer stooped. There are friends to visit — new worlds to explore. The light makes me dizzy! It brings me to life. I burst with the fertility of spring, with hunger. Demeter watches me and shakes her golden hair ruefully.

‘Enjoy the light, Persephone,’ she says sadly. ‘For only too soon he will summon you to return.’

The grief then flares in her turquoise eyes and I feel bowed with shame. I have run through fields of flowers and danced naked in sacred moonlight. I have stood on the soil and caressed her with my bare feet. I have tasted the rain and felt the wind make love to my skin and hair. All simple, priceless pleasures; I have had them and many more.

The days pass so quickly in the Overland. Too quickly. I begin to panic and Demeter is there to sympathise, sensing my fear. Never were mother and daughter closer! Sometimes I wake at night to see her staring at the moons, her beautiful face filled with longing and prayers.

‘If only they would change it,’ she says wistfully.

But I am Persephone and a sacred contract has been made. I stare in awe at my radiant mother, at her corn-blonde hair, silver snake jewellery in her ears and around her arms. I move my hand slowly and salvanna appears.

‘A present for you, Mother,’ I say.

Trifles, it is all I have to give her.

Our days are numbered yet are filled with joy. The Faiaites are delighted at my return and hold numerous festivals celebrating my ascension. The one I rose with has long left. I miss the contact I had with her in the underground, her breath so near my face . . . since then I have risen and descended many times. Her sparrow flies free and she has become the air, the moon, the sun. We are now closer than when she inhabited a form and clung to me as we rose through the soil.

The Faiaites are filled with fear about the Azephim and the child that they have kidnapped. Yet Demeter and I do not concern ourselves with such gossip. There is little time left to me once more . . . so little time . . .

There are moments when I can smell Hades’ grief and longing for me, but when the light shines his needs fall away from me like clay washed from my hands. My eyes are opened and now I can see. I am Persephone, loved by my people. Hades cannot touch me in the Overland. I am here to dance in light.

I’ve grown accustomed to the light, my friend. I need the sun, the stars, the moons. The love that Demeter gives me is all I will ever need. For we are one and should not be separated.

Demeter is afraid. ‘It is a sacred contract,’ she whispers sadly.

It is not that I do not love Hades. For a portion of eternity, he is my Lord, and I love him then. But there is another portion that I inhabit, a portion wherein I pay him no mind. It is easy to forget him in the Overland.

*

When the leaves began to curl and yellow and fall from the trees, my eyes connected with Mother Demeter’s in sorrow. The White Goddess would soon be creeping across the land, the signal for my return to the underground.

This time, however, I feel different. The Old Gods are losing so much power in so many of the linked worlds (we are all one). Does it really matter to these lives if a sacred contract is broken?

Demeter argues this point with me. She twists her pale hands and pulls at her hair.

‘The worlds are dangerously out of balance,’ she informs me. ‘Blood is being spilt in many worlds, religions are ending. Doorways between worlds are being opened, doorways that should remain closed. Thought patterns are threatening to smother small worlds entirely. The Solumbi are rising, ever rising. Many species from many worlds are falling into extinction, oblivion.’

Demeter believes if I do not honour the contract then I will be adding to the illusion, increasing the chaos. All the goddesses fear the Eom being recharged by Maya.

Hades’ call has become stronger inside me. I hear him at night, his furious bellows, his impatient demands. But I have closed my ears. The Faiaites are beginning to protest — Persephone needs to return, they insist. But I close my ears. All I want is the feel of the sun and of light. At night I lie awake and listen to Hades’ lamentations and the moans of the underground. By day I walk hand in hand with Demeter and move in light.

The Dreamers are shifting, moving tides, creating disasters — they too grow impatient.

But I am Persephone and there is no love like the love of a mother in the Overland!

Look into my eyes, friend.

Deep into my eyes, friend.

Answer me this question — will this be the season I refuse to descend?

Glossary

ALFECKLAND

Ancient nature spirit. Is nearly extinct now in several worlds, and totally extinct on the Blue Planet. The alfecklands have retreated in ever increasing numbers to forest land near Faia, in an effort to restore their dwindling numbers.

AMEW

Azephim High Council. The Amew consists of voted members, eleven in all, who preside over day-to-day affairs concerning the Azephim. They have very little regard for rules and regulations and are easily corrupted.

ANGOLI

Child Azephim

ASRAI

Small, delicate female faeries who melt away into a pool of water when captured or exposed to sunlight.

ATHAME

Witch’s knife, used for channelling energy and casting circles.

AZEPHIM

Dark Angels

AZMOME

Poison that the Sea Hags inject from spikes on their bodies.

BELTHANE

The great festival celebrating fertility and fire. Robert Graves claims in
The White Goddess
that the Belthane fires culminated in the sacrifice of a man representing the Oak God. Belthane is a festival of human sexuality and fertility, a celebration of spring energy.

BINDISORE

Outcast, offspring of interbreeding, most often as a result of a union between Azephim and Faiaites, or Azephim and Faery tribes. A Bindisore is hatched from an egg which is commonly fostered by an eagle.

BINDIWIT

A hybrid of bat and elf. Now extinct in all the known worlds.

BLUITE

Earth dweller; one from the Blue Planet.

BOGIE

Goblin. The temperament of Bogies range from mischievous to evil. In Eronth the Bogie is a great ally to the remaining Faery tribes.

BONELYNX

Animal once native to Eronth, and hunted into extinction by the Azephim, who sought it for the magical properties attributed to the bone through its nose.

THE BOOK OF LIFE

Common term in Eronth, referring to the
Tremite Book of Life
(see Tremite Scribes). The
Book of Life
is open to interpretation and is frequently misinterpreted. There is also a
Winski Book of Life
which is only taken seriously by its lone scribe, Jig Boy.

THE BOOK OF SHADOWS

A witch’s book of spells, rituals and magical lore. Traditionally, the Book of Shadows is copied by hand by each new apprentice to its witch or Crone.

BOWZ

Informal Webx term to describe Hostlings.

BRIDE OF THE STONE

Refers to the Eronth legend of the pure maiden who will awaken the Rainbow Bird Wizards in the Circle of Nine.

CANDLEMAS

The feast of lights, signalling the first signs of spring inside Mother Earth. Heralds the strengthening light that is beginning to pierce the dark of winter. Candlemas is also the feast of Brighid, a fertility-bringer.

CIRCLE OF NINE

Nine powerful Rainbow Bird Wizards who fled to Eronth after stealing the Eom crystal from the Azephim in the Web-Kondoell. They were turned into nine stones after incurring the wrath of the goddesses in Eronth when they attempted to molest Aphrodite. The Circle of Nine stands outside Faia, and the stones are cared for and protected by the Faiain villagers and the nine Virgins, protectors of the Sacred Fires and companions to the stones. According to legend, when the masculine energy overthrows the sacred goddess and the last goddess admits defeat, the stone wizards may return to flesh and blood and rule Eronth, although the Tremite Scribes predicted that the love of a pure maiden would awaken the sleeping warriors and they would become flesh.

CRONE

Old woman held in high regard in Eronth. Crones normally display a vast range of magical powers and live with an apprentice.

CROSSA

One who is able to travel freely between all the known worlds. One who fully realises the truth that all worlds are one world.

DARK BEAUTIFUL ONE

A term for the Azephim.

DAY OF ASHES

The day the Webx race were attacked by the Azephim and the Eom abducted.

‘EKO OPZURI ELLE!’ or ‘ALZOURI EKO ELLE!’

Magical banishing phrase to repel Solumbi.

ELDERS

Final stage of Webx life when the Webx reaches its pinnacle. Contrary to popular belief, the Webx people are not immortal although they do live for millions of years before turning to seed, when new life flows from them. The Elders are the most respected in the Webx tribe. This final great stage is only reached after decades of arduous testing and initiations in the Oakdeer stage.

ENDI

Flesh-eating bush that grows silver berries, found in profusion throughout the Wastelands.

ENJOLI

Species of bird common throughout Eronth.

EOM

Sacred black crystal. Originally claimed by the Webx race, but abducted by the Azephim.

ERGOM

Rodent, similar to mice. Common in Eronth. Make satisfactory magical familiars due to their high intelligence and willingness to please.

ERONTH

An island existing in a parallel dimension to earth.

ESTEO

Eronth version of coffee. A popular drink throughout Eronth. Made with crushed hazelnuts, vanilla and ilkama milk.

EYSTON

Azephim word for measuring time. No equivalent in Bluite time.

FAIA

Large agricultural village in Eronth, under control of Mary, High Priestess, a Bluite Crossa. Is the home of the Circle of Nine.

FAIAITES

Most modern-day Faiaites are a hybrid of Faery and old Faian blood. Their original name has been suppressed, although it is described in the
Book of Life.
It is believed that if the original name is spoken in the wrong tone, or written in the wrong mood, it has the power to split the known worlds.

FAIR-I’S

Magical enchanted eyes that resemble pebbles and flowers. If handled, you lose your sight. Found throughout Eronth, but in particular in the Glade of the Almost Were.

GHORMHO

First-hatched from an Azephim clutch of eggs. The Ghormho, male or female angel, is always highly regarded and is never eaten by the Azephim Hatcher.

GLADE OF THE ALMOST WERE

Magical forest in Eronth, inhabited, due to a karmic gift, by materialisations from Earth. A glade of failed dreams and dreamers. By allowing the Glade of the Almost Were, it frees up the Blue Planet from the toxic materialisations that smother it.

GLAISTIG

Part water-faerie, part goat and all seductress, she lures all beings and then feeds on them in the fashion of a vampire. The Glaistig frequents streams and rivers in Eronth and can survive in the ocean, but is rarely spotted there.

GLAMOUR or GLAMOURING

Protective magical camouflage. Used throughout several of the known worlds. Used either for aesthetic reasons, i.e. to appear more beautiful, to disguise ageing, or for reasons of survival or treachery.

GLAZRMHOM

The second to be hatched from a clutch of Azephim eggs. Both the Ghormho and the Glazrmhom are highly regarded and the Azephim Hatch Mother will not eat them.

GLOMX TEXTS

Alternative term for chapters of the
Tremite Book of Life
that are concerned with ancient prophecies.

GREAT OCEAN

The divine fluids of Lepso, both tears and body fluids, that surround the Dreamers in the Shell, according to Eronth mythology.

GREAT SHELL

The home of the Dreamers, the three sisters who lie sleeping in the Shell which is comprised of the bones of their murdered brothers, dreaming all the known worlds into existence.

HEADHUNTERS

Only three now remain in Eronth, sisters, the Triple Crones. At the Dark of the Moon they rise and hunt for heads. Favoured victims are small children and the elderly. Will also take the heads of flowers, and domestic animals such as ilkamas and meerwogs. Long banished to the Wastelands, they remain highly regarded throughout Eronth by all races, despite their bloodthirsty tendencies, due to their ancient origins and their close connection with the Dreamers. Many offerings are therefore left for the Triple Crones and many power rituals performed to honour them.

HEZTARRA GALAXY

Galaxy of exalted light beings, where Angels, Great Masters and exalted Crossas have their origins.

ILKAMA

A magical animal, gold with black stripes. Similar to a zebra. Used throughout Eronth for transportation and as household pets. Azephim have only recently begun to hunt them for their distinctive hides.

IMOMM

Ancient Faery tribe in Eronth. One of only two pure-blood Faery tribes remaining. Feared by many Eronthites due to their extraordinary powers of enchantment, their bloodthirsty tendencies, in particular their love of the Dances of Death, and their fondness for stealing Changelings.

ISLAE

Faery creature. Tall with a large, bulb-like, pink head and three large violet eyes. Gentle, peaceful, filled with wisdom and knowledge, their numbers are now gravely threatened along with their natural vegetation, which is being destroyed by the Azephim expansion into the Wastelands. Offspring are called Islaets.

JANUSITE

Two-headed being, extremely rare. Mainly located in Faia. Both blessed and cursed with an ability to see the past, the present and the future.

KEEPERS OF THE SHELL

Legendary protective custodians of the Dreamers in the Shell. Many poems and songs of Eronth feature the Keepers. Although no Eronthite has claimed to see them, it does not diminish their popularity.

KONDOELL

Region of the Web. Original home of the Azephim.

KYLON

Azephim penis

LIGHTCASTER

A witch-hunter. A negative energy that lives off prejudice, misogyny, superstition and hatred. Mainly located in the worlds dominated by patriarchal religions. Shunned in many of the known worlds including Eronth. To all outward appearances the Lightcasters are charming, well educated and slightly dandyish in appearance. There has been no recorded evidence of female Lightcasters. Parasitical and cunning, they are masters of psychology and can arouse a mob in seconds. They tend to work alone and are immortal. They could only ever be destroyed if there was no discrimination or hatred remaining in any of the known worlds, which seems a highly unlikely event, for as Khartyn points out, ‘In the heart of the bright mother lies the dark mother, in the heart of the dark mother, is the bright mother.’

LOOZ DREM

Children who have died suddenly or under violent circumstances. Unable to accept their deaths, they become trapped in the known worlds. Sometimes referred to as demon children.

MASACHINONEAF

Second stage of Webx development. Equivalent to puberty in human terms.

MAJA

Enormous tarantula-like spider found throughout Eronth in rapidly decreasing numbers, although still common in the Glade of the Almost Were. Loved by the Faery tribes as a beast of burden, though they are put to other uses as well. Easily trained to follow orders due to its placid nature.

MAUG

Azephim delicacy. Consists of Bluite ears and eyes in a marinade of coconut and lime juice, pan-fried with garlic and chilli.

MEERWOG

Popular pet in several of the known worlds, a hybrid monkey crossed with a dog. They are enormously loyal, intelligent beings. Meerwogs have electric-blue eyes and a red stone in the middle of their forehead, and are the size of a small dog. Legend records the meerwog was the Dreamers’ original chosen companion in the Great Shell, but as the devoted, loving animal could not attain a state of detachment set by the Dreamers, it was therefore banished into the known worlds.

MERMAIN

Mermaid siren who is lethal. Entices victims with her extraordinary beauty, and consumes them. The
Book of Life
states that to die by the Mermain is to die in eternal ecstasy. The ocean is her natural home, but she can exist for short periods on the land. There are many historical accounts of Eronthite men sacrificing themselves willingly to the Mermain’s mouth.

THE MYSTERIES

Hidden knowledge. Spiritual truths beyond understanding in Eronth.

MYSTIC OCEAN

Ocean formed from the blood of the giant Amira.

NEREID

A sea nymph.

OOOTSA

Magical term for a conch shell.

OUTEREZT

Aged Azephim outpost. Too old to continue to use Glamour, they are banished from the Web. Most of them die attempting to cross into other worlds. The remainder have formed a small outpost colony in the Wastelands. Tolerated (barely) by Ishran.

PANCHION

Azephim castle

PANTEHLUM

More affluent area of Faia. The market square where ceremonial festivities are held.

PROTECTORS

Protectors are to be found in several of the known worlds. Often referred to as guardian angels, they carry amulets of various colours, commonly blue, that contain powerful binding and repelling spells. Protectors are not infallible, and there are several recorded cases of them failing to protect their charges. All beings from all species have Protectors, although the quality of the Protector can vary dramatically. Protectors are more prevalent in worlds where magical skills are underdeveloped, such as Earth.

RATSI

Extinct animal of Eronth, a Faery familiar.

SALHMAIN

A mischief night. A night of primordial chaos. The astral is less firmly bound to the worlds and it becomes easier to cross. This is a time when we can best communicate with our dead. The Phooka is believed to rise and spend the night destroying and contaminating everything in sight. A night which belongs to neither past nor present, nor to any world. The veil between worlds is at its thinnest and fear and uncertainty grip the land.

SANTAL

Azephim term for servant.

SAP-SPAWNED

Early stage of Webx life. Equal to birthing in human terms.

SEA HAGS

A group of sisters living under the ocean under rulership of the Warrior Queen Shambzhla. Hags normally hate all land dwellers, as they believe the land to be their natural territory, having once been under water. Sea Hags are covered in poisonous spines along the back and arms. They have a split brain: the right side is under their chin and the left side is on top of their head. They have crusher claws for hands. Their teeth are inside their stomach, which opens out. There are twenty pairs of gills over their body, and black seaweed. They are highly skilled in magical arts.