Read Online Spiral: Book One of the Spiral in Time by Judith Schara - Free Book Online
Authors: Judith Schara
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years ago. There are no histories that can be traced. To my knowledge, no one has ever found a Druid burial. I don’t see where they have much to support their claim.”
“But what is sacred? Their claim is as good as any,” Aubrey said. “Especially since the Chief Archaeologist for English Heritage publically stated that another ancient site, Seahenge, was a ‘sacred site’ for pagans. That puts a very big stamp of government support on their claims. And,” ... he tapped his head lightly, “... the sacred is always up here. It’s what people think that counts in these matters.”
Germaine looked up to the top of Maiden Castle again and shivered. Sacred land?
The clouds that hovered all day were now dark gray and gave a rumble of thunder with a single warning flash of lightning. Big, fat raindrops started falling and created a near stampede in the car park as everyone ran for shelter. The Druids broke out a few umbrellas and huddled together in a cluster of white robes. They looked like tall mushrooms with their umbrellas overhead. They seemed determined to keep their vigil.
Aubrey and Germaine ran to the car. “Well, we can’t get up to the site now. Come on, my dear, let’s get out of this. Conan’s chaps will guard the place and set up a tent over the site. We’ll get you a nice place to stay nearby and start out fresh early in the morning.”
He looked at the sky with a knowing nod. “This won’t last, just a part of our usual English summer.”
As they pulled out of the car park, Germaine turned in her seat and watched Maiden Castle retreat through the rain on the rear window. Aubrey’s premonition about something to be discovered seemed to be catching. The bronze scabbard was like a harbinger of unknown things to come. Under the shadow of the hillfort, she felt a sense of something waiting for her.
The heavy veil of rain obscured whatever she had sensed. She shivered with the same cold chill she felt when she first saw Maiden Castle. Where before the hillfort seemed almost welcoming to her, it now felt closed and somber. Then it disappeared.
CHAPTER 4
June 6, 2006
Germaine lifted the sash of the window in her room at the Maiden Castle Bed and Breakfast. She shivered as cool, fresh air blew into the room, and wrapped her robe tight against the early morning chill. The storm that chased them away from the site yesterday had raged all last night. Crystalline drops of rain, glistening in the light, still clung to everything.
She drew a deep breath and excitement flowed through her body. It swept a growing sense of unease back into a corner of her mind, to a dark place where she did not have to look at it too closely. Maiden Castle was disturbingly familiar. When she looked at the ancient hillfort, she felt a disquieting sense of déjà vu.
This is about an archaeological site, not some mystical experience, she firmly reminded herself. Focus on today, on the positive. She was Aubrey’s project director on an admittedly strange excavation, but he promised she would be in on new discoveries. His prescription of a stiff drink and good food had been therapeutic. The sound of rain falling had lulled her into a deep sleep, the first she’d had in months. Now, it was a new day.
Yellow and white honeysuckle vines climbed up the wall outside her window. A few sluggish bees made a low buzzing hum. Sounds of the Dorset countryside drifted in—a cowbell rang, horses neighed in the distance, a barn door creaked shut. The window faced east, and in the early morning light, the outline of a long hill stood etched on the horizon. Mai Dun . The ancient Celtic name felt magical. The anticipation of a new dig was exciting and a surge of adrenalin flowed through her veins.
Pale sunlight streamed through the open window, touching the antique furnishings of her room. Dark wood furniture gave off a faint scent of lemon oil and the bed linens smelled of the outdoors. With its delicate, blue-flowered wallpaper, the
“But what is sacred? Their claim is as good as any,” Aubrey said. “Especially since the Chief Archaeologist for English Heritage publically stated that another ancient site, Seahenge, was a ‘sacred site’ for pagans. That puts a very big stamp of government support on their claims. And,” ... he tapped his head lightly, “... the sacred is always up here. It’s what people think that counts in these matters.”
Germaine looked up to the top of Maiden Castle again and shivered. Sacred land?
The clouds that hovered all day were now dark gray and gave a rumble of thunder with a single warning flash of lightning. Big, fat raindrops started falling and created a near stampede in the car park as everyone ran for shelter. The Druids broke out a few umbrellas and huddled together in a cluster of white robes. They looked like tall mushrooms with their umbrellas overhead. They seemed determined to keep their vigil.
Aubrey and Germaine ran to the car. “Well, we can’t get up to the site now. Come on, my dear, let’s get out of this. Conan’s chaps will guard the place and set up a tent over the site. We’ll get you a nice place to stay nearby and start out fresh early in the morning.”
He looked at the sky with a knowing nod. “This won’t last, just a part of our usual English summer.”
As they pulled out of the car park, Germaine turned in her seat and watched Maiden Castle retreat through the rain on the rear window. Aubrey’s premonition about something to be discovered seemed to be catching. The bronze scabbard was like a harbinger of unknown things to come. Under the shadow of the hillfort, she felt a sense of something waiting for her.
The heavy veil of rain obscured whatever she had sensed. She shivered with the same cold chill she felt when she first saw Maiden Castle. Where before the hillfort seemed almost welcoming to her, it now felt closed and somber. Then it disappeared.
CHAPTER 4
June 6, 2006
Germaine lifted the sash of the window in her room at the Maiden Castle Bed and Breakfast. She shivered as cool, fresh air blew into the room, and wrapped her robe tight against the early morning chill. The storm that chased them away from the site yesterday had raged all last night. Crystalline drops of rain, glistening in the light, still clung to everything.
She drew a deep breath and excitement flowed through her body. It swept a growing sense of unease back into a corner of her mind, to a dark place where she did not have to look at it too closely. Maiden Castle was disturbingly familiar. When she looked at the ancient hillfort, she felt a disquieting sense of déjà vu.
This is about an archaeological site, not some mystical experience, she firmly reminded herself. Focus on today, on the positive. She was Aubrey’s project director on an admittedly strange excavation, but he promised she would be in on new discoveries. His prescription of a stiff drink and good food had been therapeutic. The sound of rain falling had lulled her into a deep sleep, the first she’d had in months. Now, it was a new day.
Yellow and white honeysuckle vines climbed up the wall outside her window. A few sluggish bees made a low buzzing hum. Sounds of the Dorset countryside drifted in—a cowbell rang, horses neighed in the distance, a barn door creaked shut. The window faced east, and in the early morning light, the outline of a long hill stood etched on the horizon. Mai Dun . The ancient Celtic name felt magical. The anticipation of a new dig was exciting and a surge of adrenalin flowed through her veins.
Pale sunlight streamed through the open window, touching the antique furnishings of her room. Dark wood furniture gave off a faint scent of lemon oil and the bed linens smelled of the outdoors. With its delicate, blue-flowered wallpaper, the
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