isPc
isPad
isPhone
Ardal (The Sabbats) Chapter Four 67%
Library Sign in

Chapter Four

Wednesday, October 30 th .

Nine Saint Gillian Street. Garden District. N’Orleans.

Up before the sun and before anyone else in the household, Ardal tiptoed down the creaking mahogany staircase and sneaked outside for a smoke.

The bevy of dogs was gathered at the back door waiting for the first person up to let them out for a run to do their business.

End of October and the air was clear, warm and comfortable. A nice change from the constant humidity that plagued the Big Easy. Was that Gillette’s doing?

Ardal sat in one of the old porch chairs and lit up a smoke contemplating the guests who would arrive later in the day. Who had Misty invited to her Thinning of the Veil event?

Foremost on his mind was his father.

Daddy should’ve arrived by now. Why isn’t he here? Did he call to let Misty know he’d be delayed?

Ardal planned to ask Misty as soon as she was up. If she didn’t know, he’d call his father and find out why he hadn’t showed up.

I should’ve called him by now instead of worrying myself sick.

The hinges on the back door squeaked as it opened to let Faba out. She walked through the sunroom and joined Ardal on the open porch that looked over the garden. Looking more beautiful than he remembered in a filmy dress of orange and yellow, he kissed her good morning as she sat down in the chair next to him.

Inhaling her heady perfume, Ardal reached for her hand, and they watched the sun come up together.

“I don’t think I’ve ever watched a sunrise before,” she said. “When I’m with you, Ardal, every day is a discovery.”

“Would you like to go for an early morning walk? I’m feeling a little restless.”

“I’d love to do that,” said Faba. “The air smells fresh and wonderful this morning. It’s going to be a spectacular day.”

“We’ll take Rosita,” said Ardal, “but we can’t take all the dogs.” Lulu crowded closer and whined while Ardal snapped Rosita’s leash onto her collar. He looked at Lulu’s sad face and her droopy ears and gave in. “Okay. Only Lulu and Rosita. Hoodoo and Nexa will have to wait until Ben gets up to walk them.”

As they strolled down the block to the small city greenspace, Faba expressed her wariness of Gillette. “Your sister scares me a little, Ardal. Her eyes warn of the great power she holds.”

“My sister is a little overprotective,” said Ardal. “That’s all it is. We’ve been together since we were in our teens, and she looks out for me.”

“Then she’s not your real sister?”

“Of course she’s my real sister, Faba,” Ardal’s face was a death mask, and his sudden display of anger made her tremble. “Don’t ever say that again.”

“I’m sorry. I won’t. Surely a witch with your power doesn’t need protection from his sister.”

“You never know when someone you trust will sell you out to the highest bidder, perhaps for something as paltry as a chocolate glazed donut.”

Faba giggled. “You are so funny, Ardal.”

“Funny is not my normal demeanor. I must be in party mode.”

When they arrived at the park, they sat on a bench and made out for a few minutes and the tension between them eased. There were no joggers or dog walkers out and about at the early hour.

We’d better get back or we’ll miss breakfast,” said Ardal, “and I’m particularly starving this morning. No idea why. Come on, doggies.”

Faba was quiet on the walk back to the house. Comfortable with her silence, Ardal didn’t press her into any meaningless chit chat about Gillette.

At first she’d seemed to be perfect, but non-acceptance or disparity between Faba and Gilly would be a deal breaker for him.

My sister is my life. Live with it.

Breakfast was a noisy affair with all of the kids excited about a fun day of partying. Misty and Rowanne had prepared a lot of games and crafts aimed at the younger crowd to keep them busy.

When the real party began later that night, the children would all be in their beds sleeping and only the adults would participate in the circle and welcome the guests from the other side of the veil.

After breakfast, Ardal took a cup of coffee out to the back porch. He sat down and lit up a smoke and was deep in thought about Faba and Gillette and the problems their disparity would cause him, when Tarana and Marc pulled up and parked in the lane that ran behind all of the old houses in Misty’s neighborhood.

Marc still drove the same old pickup he’d had for years. He and Tarana got out with their small daughter and Ardal noticed his father wasn’t with them.

He sauntered to the back gate and opened it for the new arrivals. Tarana held Arial by the hand and Marc carried their luggage.

“I thought Daddy was coming with y’all.”

“Sylvan is sick,” said Tarana. “I was over at your place tending to him yesterday and he didn’t seem a bit better than the day before. I’m worried about him, Ardal.”

“I’ll make a quick trip home to see how he’s doing,” said Ardal. “Be right back.”

Trehan Residence. Louisiana Bayou.

In the blink of an eye, Ardal transported from Misty’s backyard to the dock in front of his father’s house in the bayou.

He ran up the grassy knoll to the stone cottage Gillette had magickally crafted for Sylvan as a gift. Ardal’s father thought of her as his own daughter, and they had grown close.

Not bothering to knock, he ran in calling, “Daddy, are you in here?”

“I’m here, son. In the bedroom.”

“What’s wrong, Daddy? Tarana said she came over to check on you yesterday and you weren’t a bit better than you were the day before.”

“Such a sweet girl. A healing witch, but there was nothing she could do to help me. She doesn’t possess enough power to undo the spell Moonbeam put on me.”

“Why would Moonbeam do that to you, Daddy?” Ardal felt the heat of his rising anger.

“Because I was planning to go to Misty’s party without her and she became very angry with me. She has turned into a nasty person over the years.”

“It’s her fault that she’s not a part of our family anymore, Daddy. It’s all on her and the terrible things she did.”

“I realize that son.”

“I’ll remove the spell she has on you.”

“Great. Before you do that, son, would you mind making a pot of coffee? I’m dying of thirst lying here unable to do anything but sleep.”

“Sure, I’ll do that and then start the spell. I’m glad I brought my wand with me.” Ardal patted the pocket of his jeans.

He ran to the kitchen, rinsed the carafe and started a fresh pot of coffee.

Standing at the foot of Sylvan’s bed, Ardal sorted out the spell he wanted to cast. He raised his arms, wand in his right hand and chanted the spell.

Goddess of the sun and moon

Reverse this spell and do it soon

Spell of harm and unending slumber

You no longer have the number

I beg the Goddess to unencumber

Sylvan Alexander Trehan

Spell be gone

Spell I banish

With this wand

I make the spell vanish

Goddess of the moon and sun

Reverse the spell and make it done

So mote it be

Ardal repeated the spell twice more, then gently touched his father on the head with his wand.

A hazy blue cloud rose up from Sylvan’s body and Ardal ran to the window and opened it to let the curse depart on the wind.

Sylvan sat up and inhaled a few deep breaths. “That feels so much better, son. Thank you.”

“Should you rest for a minute before you get up, Daddy?”

“No. I’ve been lying here for days, Ardal. Enough resting. Let’s see if the coffee is ready, shall we?”

Ardal laughed. “I’m so glad you’re okay, Daddy. I imagined the worst.”

“It could’ve been much worse, son. Moonbeam is a powerful witch and I’m not her favorite person any longer. It wasn’t a friendly breakup by any means, but it’s for the best.”

“You can always move up the mountain with me, Daddy. The invitation is always open.”

“Thank you, son. I’ll think about it. I miss you and Gillette more than I can put into words.”

Nine Saint Gillian Street. Garden District. N’Orleans.

Ardal returned from the bayou with his father and helped him inside Misty’s mansion. He made him comfortable in the sitting room just off the kitchen. From there Sylvan could hear what was going on in the kitchen and still rest.

Pale and weak from effects of the nasty spell Moonbeam had put on him, Ardal was concerned and tried his best to conceal what he wanted to do to Moonbeam for the attack on his father. When he left N’Orleans, he’d definitely seek out Moonbeam and demonstrate his anger in a way she’d never recover from.

Angelique rushed into the sitting room with a cup of hot cider for Sylvan. He was her neighbor in the bayou, and they’d become close friends. “I can’t believe that woman would do that to you, mon cher . I’m sure Ardal will deal with her in his own way.”

Sylvan smiled. “I’m fine, Angelique. I’ll be fully recovered in a few hours. I’m looking forward to the thinning of the veil. There are people I’m hoping to see tonight.”

“Many have passed,” said Angelique with a tear in her eye. “Some may not make the journey back to visit us.”

“But others may surprise us,” said Sylvan.

An airport limo pulled up in front of number nine and two people stepped out. The front door of the old house flew open and Misty tore down the flagstone path to the front gate.

“Mother, you’re here. What a wonderful surprise.” Misty hugged her mother and Xavier, her step-father. “This is perfect. Everyone I love is here for my party.”

“Is Blaine here, dear?”

“He’s on his way and he’ll be here in time for the circle.”

The new guests filed into the foyer and were greeted by friends they hadn’t seen in a while. Rufin and Gillette had worked out their problems and were together as a couple. They seemed happy at last.

Ardal knew his sister better than anyone and had his doubts about Rufin being a permanent fixture in her life. Wait and see.

An exciting afternoon for the children lay ahead, with the pumpkin carving contest and the crafts and games Rowanne and Angelique had lined up to keep them entertained.

Paul shared his expertise with the other children and helped them with everything they couldn’t manage. Noel was not good with scissors but she was such a sweet child.

After the crafting and the judging of the jack-o-lanterns—the winner turned out to be Claire. Misty’s mother was a creative and artistic person, so it was no surprise she won first prize.

Then it was time for feasting.

Celebrating the onset of the witch’s new year, Angelique, Misty and Rowanne had gone to great lengths to prepare the special foods everyone looked forward to. Roast beef, ham and chicken took center stage on the groaning table, along with mashed turnip flavored with cinnamon, apple dumplings and roasted potatoes.

At the end of the meal if anyone had room, there were multiple choices of delicious desserts made with apples and nuts.

Before they ate, Misty offered up a Samhain prayer.

Goddess of the moon and stars

Listen to our prayer and hear

Thank you for the gifts you’ve given

Thank you for the past year

Give us strength for the year ahead

Whatever comes we face without dread

Thank you for our daily bread

So mote it be.

Dinner conversation was lively with Claire catching up with Faba, her cousin, and everything that had gone on in Faba’s branch of the family in the past few years. Truly a family reunion.

The table was cleared, and the guests took glasses of mulled wine to the back garden for the bonfire they looked forward to at every Sabbat celebration.

Ben and Ardal had laid in enough wood to create a blaze easily seen by the entire Garden District. When it was time to ignite the kindling, Ben called to Rowanne, and she ran into the yard and cast a huge fireball into the pit.

The fire roared sky-high and all the guests applauded. All except one. In the darkness, a party crasher sneaked in and threatened to ruin the event.

First to notice her was Tarana. She moved closer to Ardal and whispered, “Moonbeam is here for your father.”

“What? Where is she?” Ardal peered through the darkness looking where Tarana was pointing. Near the bed of gigantic calla lilies, Moonbeam stood with her long black cloak pulled tightly around her.

Ardal had prepared a spell for the next time he saw the nasty witch and without disturbing the party, he moved through the blackness, looking up at the moon and whispering the spell.

I am the Oracle

Speaker for the Goddess

Hear my message

Heed my words

The web of the black widow grows ever wider

The Oracle predicts the death of the spider

The Black Widow makes her magick

And preys on the weak and tragic

From this moment on

Her power is gone

Retreat to your hovel

From this day forward you grovel

I am the Oracle

Heed my words

Before Ardal’s father knew Moonbeam was there, she had vanished, and she wouldn’t be back. For now, Ardal would keep Moonbeam’s fate to himself. He was only protecting his father. No harm in that.

The bonfire died down and the children grew sleepy. As soon as they were tucked into their beds on the second and third floors of the old mansion, it was time for the main event.

Blaine arrived at the last moment and Misty kissed him with passion in the darkened parlor at the front of the house. “I’m so glad you made it, Beb. We’re almost ready to begin.”

Claire and Angelique had cleansed the dining room and prepared the table with the black altar cloth down the center and six evenly spaced candles—three orange and three black.

The guests took their seats around the table and Misty confirmed the number. Ardal, Sylvan, Claire, Angelique, Rowanne, Gillette, Rufin, Ben, and Misty herself. Faba sat out because she would’ve been the tenth witch in the circle and even numbers weren’t allowed. A traditional circle required an uneven number.

With nine witches seated around the dining room table, Misty pointed at her mother, “Claire, would you cast a circle for us?”

Claire’s long black dress cracked with energy as she got to her feet and cast a circle of protection around the group.

A glowing magenta line crawled across the ancient hardwood and formed a large oval around the table. Protection for the witches and for the working they were about to do.

“Gillette, will you call the corners for us?” asked Misty.

Gillette stood up and raised her arms, “Hail to the guardians of the East and the element of air. I call ye forth to guard my circle this night. Hail and welcome.”

She continued with the other three directions and when Gillette was finished, she sat down.

“Thank you, Gillette,” said Misty. “Ardal, will you call the Deities for us?”

“Of course.” Ardal got to his feet and raised his arms to the ceiling. “Lord and Lady hear my call. I beg you to join me here this night. I am honored by your presence. Hail and welcome.”

“I believe we’re now ready to do our working,” said Misty. “Let us welcome those waiting on the other side.”

The hour is near

The veil is thin

Welcome to those who have passed

Let the reunion begin

So mote it be.

Chapter List
Display Options
Background
Size
A-