CHAPTER 24
Clax followed orders, and got us all up early the next day; breakfasts were ready and the usual chamomile tea. I had taken a great liking to this and so carried on drinking it after Hattie left.
The last to enter was the man himself. We all turned, and could not hide the hope that must have shown on our faces.
If he refused our plea, I didn’t know what we would do. Even though we had prepared well, I was becoming worried at our depleted stores. The extra help had not been expected and therefore, we were using up more of our food than we had thought. I knew we could not carry on for many more months and sooner, rather than later, we would have to begin rationing the food and fuel we used. Our hopes were now depending on this man and his previous identity, Gwion Bach. It could be dangerous for him and us, but I was certain of my spell; I knew it would work.
Taliesin was kind and didn’t make us wait long. ‘Well Abigail, if I can call you that?’ I nodded and smiled. ‘Let’s see what you are made of. I’ll agree to your request my dear, just make sure you take good care of me, I’m not ready to expire yet. I’m placing my trust in you Intercessor; please do not make me regret my choice.’ As soon as the words had left his mouth, I couldn’t resist rushing to him and giving him a huge hug. Not professional, I grant you, but after all, I was just a mortal, and couldn’t and wouldn’t, let that part of me disappear.
The next couple of hours were chaotic. Even though our garden was protected; we decided it would be safer to do the spell in the confines of the cottage, and warmer too. We began by removing all the furniture from the sitting room. I mixed a potion of aloe, pepper, musk, vervain and saffron and also added a small amount of sweet grass. I set it in pots, in a circle around the room. I sat Taliesin in the centre of the room, in a comfortable chair, and warned him the spell would take a while. I had to repeat the words three times with twenty minutes apart; only then, with luck, would it work. We had replenished the protection dust around the room to help keep any unwanted spirits away from us.
With everything ready, I began my spell:
Guardians of the spirit realm, hear and guard my plea,
When the witching hour rings true, bring Gwion Bach to me.
Other souls who hear my call, are not welcome in this place.
Only the one known as Gwion Bach, may enter sacred space.
We dared not talk in between the incantations, so the time seemed to slow down. I made sure the pots of herbs were kept burning, and paced around the room. I didn’t know what the outcome of all this would be, but I knew I was doing the right thing. My mind went back to Hattie. She told me to follow my instincts and that was exactly what I was doing. I looked up and gave a silent prayer; please let me make you proud Hattie.
At last the time came and I made my final incantation:
Guardians of the spirit realm, hear and guard my plea,
When the witching hour rings true, bring Gwion Bach to me.
Other souls who hear my call are not welcome in this place.
Only the one known as Gwion Bach, may enter sacred space.
We waited, it seemed forever, but probably, in reality, only a few minutes and then a light shone down on Taliesin and he seemed younger in his stature. He spoke and it was a young man's voice. ‘Tell me the meaning of this, why have I been called forth, I do not belong to this time and place.’ It had worked; I was elated but knew he couldn’t stay long, so I chose my words well before I spoke.