The Webbd Wheel: Part 4: Yule
The Webbd Wheel: Part 4: Yule
Post #38: In which watchful waiting and a cycle ends...
(If you are a new subscriber, you might want to start at the beginning of the Webbd Wheel Series with The Hanged Man. If you would like to start at the beginning of The Tower, go here. For the next serial post, go here.)
MARIA
Dear Gabriel:
I’ve read and re-read your letter. It gave me much to think about, and brought my love for Maria, Rose Red, and so many others to the surface of my mind. Tonight we are at sea with an icy wind in the sails and I find I cannot sleep. I’ve lit a lamp and, wishing I had someone to talk to during this long winter’s night, thought of writing you. Chris is curled up in his hammock, and in any case he doesn’t know anyone at Rowan Tree and thus cannot understand my feelings.
I exchange letters with both Ginger and Rapunzel, who keep me well informed, but they are not men. Their letters are filled with affection and description, but I think they do not always share their deepest fears and feelings to spare me from worry, and you provide a male perspective on happenings and personalities they cannot.
You are wise to play the part of everyone’s favorite old uncle, either prattling and gossiping or dozing by the fire. Being underestimated is a great advantage. I wonder, though, that David and some of the others can be so stupid. Ah, well, all the better, I suppose.
I, too, am interested in the new arrivals, and the coincidence of their appearance in Rowan Tree in the same few days. Is it a coincidence, I wonder? They certainly sound as though they possess nothing in common, other than both being strangers seeking a place to spend the winter, but coincidence is so often not chance at all, merely a deliberate part of a pattern we don’t yet perceive.
Chattan sounds a good fellow, and I trust your instinct and Kunik’s that he means no harm. Kunik is no fool, so if the man is off in any way, he’ll pick up on it, especially as he’s taken him in. The fact that Artemis trusts him and has traveled with him also speaks volumes.
I don’t feel nearly so sanguine about Mingan, and I share your concern about his persistent attentions to Rose Red, his friendliness with David and his cronies, and his suspiciously helpful presence among Gwelda’s friends. In fairness, he may simply be unusually tactful and trying to get along with all factions at Rowan Tree, but you don’t describe a tactful man; you describe a twister. I’m sorry you’re saddled with him in your home, but I appreciate the wisdom in keeping him under your eye.
My heart breaks for Gwelda. She and Jan were such a joy to be around and work with, and so deeply in love with one another. It’s hard to believe anyone would kill such a man, but many a good man has been senselessly killed.
I have heard vague stories of the bodarks, but thought them only sinister tales. It disturbs me that Artemis has some experience of them and they are in fact more than evil rumor. Yet I know well from my time on the sea that Webbd is full of dark magic and malignant forces, as well as holy power and great good. I suppose everywhere it must be the same -- an uneasy balance.
My heart is heavy for Rose Red and Maria. Maria has fought so hard to reclaim herself from her earlier life and the murder of her children. When she naturally fell into a leadership role at Rowan Tree, I rejoiced in her healing self-hatred and the appreciation of others for her experience and wisdom. Naturally, a weak, vain man like David finds her a threat. She’s ten times more powerful than he is. His manipulation during the meeting about Gwelda is typical of such a character, as well as his lack of compassion and eagerness to seize any advantage in power.
As for Rose Red, I know her sensitivity. It sounds as though she’s lost her lover, Rowan. If I know her, she’s hiding her grief and feeling ashamed. She’ll also be agonizing over her oak’s failing health and feeling intuitively the larger disturbance and trouble in Webbd’s forests and trees. I’m glad Gwelda sought her out, as that will give her someone to care for and talk to, and I’m even more glad Artemis is with her.
We all loved the White Stag, and his loss is a blow none of us will forget soon, but Artemis and Rose Red must be particularly bereft.
To have Mingan sniffing around in addition to everything else is intolerable and makes me burn with rage. What does the man want from her?
I wonder if all these events and disturbances have to do with the Yrtym. I feel a growing and pervasive sense of wrongness now everywhere I look. The night sky is changing, as are the sea and trees. The sea withdraws from the land -- how can such a thing be? Bodarks murder the innocent. The Sacred Consort sacrifices himself, and once harmonious communities divide and struggle for power. The midnight wind whispers of fear and despair.
It heartens me to know you and Kunik are there at Rowan Tree, along with Artemis and Heks. I do not know her well, but she holds some kind of power; she reminds me a bit of Baba Yaga, and I mean that as a compliment, believe it or not! I have faith in Ginger, Maria and Rose Red. None of them know how strong they are. Whatever comes, I know you will all stand shoulder to shoulder and face it. I wish I could stand with you, too, but I know in my heart I belong here, at sea. If I can play any part in this, it will be from here.
I’ve long believed wherever we find ourselves is the place we’re most needed, whether we understand why or not.
Watch over them, Gabriel, Rose Red and Maria, Ginger, Gwelda, and the rest. My love to everyone; you’re in my thoughts. Send me news when you have it, and watch your back, my friend.
Radulf
Maria finished the letter, folded it, and returned it to Gabriel. “What a good man he is,” she said. “Thank you for letting me read it. He’s right. Ginger and I do try to spare him our deepest doubts and fears. There’s nothing he can do, after all.”
Gabriel cradled his pipe in his palm. “Isn’t there? Do you feel unsupported and misunderstood by him?”
Maria laughed. “No, of course not. He’s a good friend. When he tells me he believes in me, it helps me believe in myself. I wonder if that’s true -- that Ginger, Rose Red and I don’t know how strong we are.”
“Sometimes our loved ones see us more clearly than we do ourselves,” said Gabriel. “Radulf neither needs nor wants protection. He knows who he is and he knows where he needs to be. If he’s right, and he has some role to play in this, the more information he has, the better, don’t you think?”
“I do.” Maria sighed. “What are we going to do about Rowan Tree, Gabriel? What’s the right thing for everyone? If I’m not the best leader, I’ll gladly step aside, but I can’t believe David will be better than me.”
“David would be a disastrous leader, except it wouldn’t be just David, you know. It would be David and his cronies. They would grab power, pit people against each other, encourage competition, greed and toadying, and disempower you women as fast as they could.”
“I think so too. So how do we protect the community without looking as though we’re the ones who are being self-serving?”
“You won’t like my advice.”
Maria raised a dark eyebrow. “Tell me anyway.”
“I think we should wait. It’s Yule, remember, when Yr returns. No one knows what happens when Cerunmos dies, but it would be fitting for him to be reborn in this season. When Artemis returned from her little field trip with Chattan, she seemed unconcerned about the new Sacred Consort. Perhaps she knows something we don’t. In any case, I think we should give it some time and see what happens.”
“That makes sense, but even if Cerunmos returns, how will it help Rowan Tree?”
“I don’t know. This is connected in ways we can’t understand. Cerunmos seems like a big piece of the puzzle. I’ve also been talking to Heks, Ash and Bea.” Gabriel paused and chuckled, shaking his head. “That Ash is a character.”
Maria smiled. “He is.”
“You know they brought news that young Seren, who fancies himself king of storytellers and music, is on the way to fix Rowan Gate?”
“I heard. And probably Clarissa will be right behind him.”
“Won’t that be interesting?”
“Interesting isn’t the word I’d use. It seems like more complication. I’d like everyone to go away and leave us alone so we can go back to the way we were. Visitors appear to be stirring up David’s obnoxious behavior.”
“And that’s interesting, too. Who do you think encouraged him, Chattan or Mingan?”
“Who knows? Who cares? Maybe just having two new men did it.”
“It matters, Maria. When a new person arrives in a group or a community and the dynamics deteriorate, it’s wise to identify the problem’s source.”
Both Mingan and Chattan seem pleasant.”
“Do they?”
Maria thought for a moment. “Well, no. I like Chattan and I don’t like Mingan, but he’s been helpful and kind to Gwelda …”
“Has he? Have you ever seen him spend time talking to Gwelda, trying to get to know her?”
“Well … no. But he helped build her house.”
“Yes, and he takes every chance he gets to bother Rosie, who feels as you do. She doesn’t like him and she feels bad about it. Then, after a hard day’s work “helping” Gwelda, he goes to David’s house and drinks rubble and talks to the men’s club. He usually doesn’t come in until I’ve gone to bed.”
“You make him sound like a spy.”
“In Radulf’s words, I think he’s a twister. Dishonest, selfish, manipulative, and invested in his own agenda.”
“What does he want?”
“I’m not sure. He wants power over Rose Red, but I’m not sure what else. The point is David’s a perfect tool. He’s too stupid and self-important to see through Mingan’s machinations. He’s stirring David up because he likes causing trouble and it distracts from whatever his real intention is.”
“Everything you’re saying makes me feel more determined to figure out a plan immediately. Why wait for it to get worse?”
“I think it’s more effective to let things unfold as they will. This situation is uncomfortable, and, as you point out, it’s about to get more complicated. For example, where will Seren stay?”
“I hadn’t thought about that. The most logical place is with David. He has a spare room in that ridiculous house of his.”
“And what will the arrival of Seren, who sounds like a vain, selfish youth, add to the mix of David, his cronies, Mingan, and the rest? Will he be able to fix Rowan Gate, and if not, what will happen? Vanity doesn’t take kindly to humiliation.”
Maria sat with downcast eyes, swirling the dregs of her tea.
At last she looked up. “You’re right. I don’t like it, but there’s no doubt things are changing and moving in unexpected ways. I hate this bickering and tension. Rowan Tree has been such a peaceful place. Do you think Rose Red or Gwelda are in any immediate danger?”
“I don’t. Rose Red is surrounded by friends. My eye is on Mingan. Artemis and Heks are here. Gwelda is sheltered and safe for now in her birch forest. Rowan Gate and the other portals on Webbd will do what they do. Most people still look to you to lead the community. It’s never been formal, and I see no reason to change that now. Let David do his worst. Let’s see what happens.”
“We have created a remarkable news network,” said Maria. “Ash and Bea are invaluable. Radulf is in touch. If Clarissa does come, she’ll know something about what’s happening with the merfolk. Rapunzel is gathering information from her lighthouse.”
“Watchful waiting,” said Gabriel, his eyes half closed as he sucked on his pipe.
Maria laughed. “’Everyone’s favorite old uncle’?” she quoted.
Gabriel grinned.