Chapter 10:Samhain Brings Answers and Some Questions...

Chapter 10:Samhain Brings Answers and Some Questions...
Autumn days were here, October at last...Emmeline's favorite time of year...she always imagined 'October' written with a fat pumpkin in place of the 'O', and mused upon all that fall portends...apple cider, gourds and squashes, hearty stews and savory pies, walking through yellows, reds and oranges of fragrant piles of fallen leaves. Em adored California's ginko trees with their bright yellow leaves against the blue sky. How their little seeds stank, though!
Her birthday had come and gone with a small party at Daryls' with just Manuel and Rosa and the two of them celebrating. Em rather liked it that way, she didn't care for crowds or fancy celebrations. Rosa and Daryl both had cooked a sumptuous hearty meal of chicken and vegetable pie, redolent of much garlic which Emmeline adored, and calabasa tamales with just the right spiciness of chilies, a waldorf salad with mandarin oranges as a novelty and carrot cake. Pumpkin pie made its' appearance as well, as it had every night since their outing...
They gathered in the parlor and Daryl played lively tunes on his fiddle whilst Em endeavored to follow along on her new mandolin, which Daryl officially gave to her on her birthday. That was the best present of all...
Rosa presented her with some homemade chocolates, some with chilie in them which she knew Emmelina savored. Manuel even shyly gave her an intricately carved horse head,in a beauteous dark wood of spiral grain looking like a formidable knight chess piece. Em had remarked on the fine workmanship and was so truly delighted that Manuel blushed and couldn't speak for some time. His was a true gift, Em indeed.
It was in fact, a surprise to Daryl as well. It was then that Emmeline discovered what it was that Daryl 'did'--(besides kidnap people and order others about like a feudal lord...); when he had asked Manuel to consider making wood sculptures to sell in his antiques shop.
'You've a shop, don Diego?' Em enquired, studying her knight in dark red wood.
'Of sorts. I sell antiques by appointment only. Although I do a fairly brisk trade, if I do say so myself.' He indicated it was on Russian Hill, near to where they had dined at Madame Yvanna's. Hm. Interesting. Although, certainly, for a time-traveler, antiques would be an easy and very profitable trade, indeed. Em doubted that it was altogether honest if not completely underhanded. But that fit Daryl to a 'T'.
Still, she wasn't about to let all that disrupt enjoyment of her birthday. And while Daryl seemed in the mood for granting favors...
'I received an answer to the inquiry I sent to the local Druids!' Em told them. 'And they invited me to attend the Samhain gathering this year!'
An eyebrow was raised. 'Indeed?'
'Yes! I would so like to go!' She challenged Daryl, leaning forward.
'Yes, of course. I shall take you there myself, then,' was his blithe answer, seemingly unconcerned. Hm. Not quite the 'free from Daryls' clutches' outing she had hoped for, but...she'd take what she could get.
                            . . . .
Samhain night.
Appropriately, a full moon, as befitted a magical evenings' gathering of practitioners of ancient and arcane knowledge.
Emmeline dressed appropriately, that is to say, prepared for a cold, and usually, foggy night, with a warm woolen black cape lined in red and insulated boots and gloves. She had persuaded Rosa to come with them as well, wishing for feminine support when out with don Diego...
 'Only if you promise to come with me to the Dia de los Muertos celebrations in November!' Rosa struck a bargain,then, to which Em happily acquiesed.
The gathering of the San Francisco Druids was held at a another grand old house up yet another steep hillside in the city. It sat upon a few acres of property, rounded with tall hedges and trees and a formidable iron gate which was opened to admit Daryl, driving this night, who seemed known to the guardians of the gateway.
Up a narrow roadway, lined with tall oaks and set at intervals with torches blazing against the encroaching darkness they rambled til they came upon the house and Daryl set the brake and disembarked, opening the carriage door for Em and Rosa, and handed them graciously into the drive. A coachman took the lines then and drove the coach to the carriage house beyond whilst Daryl smilingly offered an arm to each of the ladies. Rosa giggled as she took his in hand, pleased to play the part of (half) her employers' escorts for the evening, and they climbed the tall stairway to the front door, the veranda surrounding gaily decorated about with jack-o-lanterns, corn tassles,lanterns and autumn wreaths. Not a ghost, nor witch or hint of the usual macabre Halloween here;all seemed to bespeak upper class gentility and an easy elan'.
No valet or butler within; the lord and lady of the house took their things and showed them where to find them later;
'We'll be heading outside soon to gather round the bonfire, once all have arrived!' Mrs. Leek smiled and introduced Emmelina and Rosa to Mr. Leek, or Connor and Bridget, respectively. Don Diego, was known to them, of course, and
they chatted amiably as they were escorted to the parlor, where musicians were tuning up and a girl sat noodling upon the piano, whilst in the dining room beyond, druids and guests were partaking of hot apple cider and mulled wine and nibbling upon nuts, apple tarts and cheeses.
While Daryl caught up with the latest from Connor, Em took a glass of cider and she and Rosa wandered back to the parlor where the musicians had at last agreed upon a key and a song. It was then that Em espied someone she recognized: playing her banjo in the corner was the Orphan Girl she'd given coins to at the library!
Emmeline took a seat upon a bench with Rosa beside her and they enjoyed the spiced cider to the old mountain and celtic ballads...
'When two lovers meet down, beside the green bower
when two lovers meet down, beneath green tree
When Mary, fond Mary, declared to her lover
You have stolen my poor heart, from the Banks of the Lee...
 'I loved her very dearly, so true and sincerely,
There was no one e'er in this wide world
I loved better than she
Every bush, every bower, every sweet Irish flower
Reminds me of my Mary of the Banks of the Lee...
 'Don't stay out late, love, on the moorlands, my Mary
don't stay out late, love, on the moorlands from me,
how little our notion, when we parted on the ocean,
that we were forever parted, from the Banks of the Lee...'
The singers' plaintive sweet voices well accented the haunting tune of love and loss, and Em recalled that, indeed,
Samhain was a night of remembrance of those things and people now past, as well as Keltic New Years'.
She noted Daryl standing next to them then, and she and Rosa inched over and she patted the space beside her, as Daryl smiled a small smile and besat himself down, mulled wine in hand to lend an ear to the songs.
The evenings' music picked up into jigs and reels and a merry crowd had now gathered, clapping and singing along. A lull followed, and the hosts brought round a tray of drinks to offer the musicians. Connor caught Daryls' eye and sat at the piano bench. 'What, no violin tonight?' he asked, as he limbered up at the keyboard.
Daryl, smiling, stood and wandered amiably to his host, who looked at the fiddler hard by, whom surrendered his instrument to Daryl, whilst all about pressed Daryl into service as songmaker, with Connor accompanying on piano. Daryl tuned up abit, and bent to whisper a confident tune in his ear. Connors' eyebrows shot skyward, and he shook his head, but smiled and said, 'It's your call, Diego...if you feel up to it, so am I!'
As the light and whimsical tune began, Emmeline recognized it with some surprise...Daryl playing Paganini! 'The Devil's Chuckle' How horribly, delightfully apropo! She hoped he hadn't bitten off more than was chewable, even for he...but Daryl once more proved himself up to the task of even Niccolo's 'Caprice for violin solo in B flat major'; Paganini, who was often hailed as one to rival the devil himself on violin...and, indeed, had done nothing to deny the dark allusions to the infernal source of his musical brilliance...
A fine short piece of witchy work it was, however, and delighted all in the gathering. Amid applause and 'bravos!', Connor stood and motioned Bridget beside him. 'I believe all are gathered here, for the most part! Let us take our wraps and a hot drink and join together outside about the bonfire then!'
--which, suiting action to suggestion they did forthwith and
found a fine warm blaze about which to warm themselves, with a large iron cauldron beside, hanging from chains depended from a tall sturdy tripod.
When all had gathered, Bridget led the guests in the Druids' Creed, which Em knew by heart, and then she and Connor poured a thick liquid into the cauldron.
'Before we celebrate the New Year, we take time for remembrance of the past, of what has gone before, that path which has led us here to the present! We call forth our ancestors on this night, to give us greeting and counsel as they may. Think ye then of what ye wish to impart to your own people who walked upon this particular material dimension afore ye! Give them thanks for their guidance and revere them for preparing the way...' With a graceful gesture, Bridget motioned the throng to gaze into the cauldron and take a moment to commune with their ancestors in turn.
A wooden recorder was softly played by a young lad, as bodhran beat in time to a rambling tune, and one by one, folk stared into the oily surface of the cauldron's essence. Em seemed to perceive a sortof smoke or vapor arise from it, twisting into odd shapes as each moved past...Rosa as well as Daryl joined her, and Em wondered at that. For some reason, she hadn't expected Daryl to opt in;some folk did not. She also noted that the orphan girl was in line as well, and she hoped that the lass would find some familial contact on this enchanted evening.
As people filed beyond the cauldron, they took up seats upon benches to the side and drank and spoke quietly amongst themselves;comparing their experiences, perhaps. Rosa went ahead of Em, and she noticed the girl smile at what she saw there, and dip a small curtsy and cross herself, kissing her hand in a farewell gesture as she went past...then it was Em's turn. Taking a deep breath, she wondered if she would be favored with vision...she saw nothing at first but the filmy, oily surface, with rainbow colors in the flickering firelight.
She thought she discerned a face below the surface, a man, his eyes closed. It was no one she knew...it looked to be a fair man, clean shaven, with straight,long reddish blond hair. He was lying on a table or slab and she could see the whole of him; she saw he was quite a large man, indeed, though slim of build, he was strangely tall. Taller than the tallest man she had ever seen, who was near 7 feet! What could this mean?...the image dissolved then and she beheld her mother's face, just as it looked in her cameo, which she wore, and her hand went to it then,and clasped it tightly.
 The waters swirled, and then nothing more. Em moved on.
She took a seat next to Rosa, and took Rosa's hand, and they smiled at one another, but said nothing, just enjoyed the sisterly affection and warmth of being together. Emmeline regarded Daryl then as he looked, gazing hard at the cauldron's surface. She saw him go quite pale then, his mouth opened, and he closed his eyes with a pained look upon his face. He brought his hand to his forehead then, and gazed once more. His face relaxed a moment, and she thought she saw a tear on his cheek. He, too, kissed his hand and held it out in a gesture of love and farewell...and moved on.
He joined them not on the bench, but betook himself inside. Em allowed him some space of peace then, and watched as the orphan girl sidled up for her turn. Her eyes went wide as she gazed therein, and she held her head to one side, quizzically. An almost-smile touched her rosy mouth before she took her leave, and went to sit next to her banjo, and petted a small white dog with a black spot over one eye.
Em decided to approach. She quietly sat next to the girl and held her hand out to the dog who sniffed her and wagged a stumpy tail. 'His name is Bosco,' the girl said matter-of-factly.
'Ah. Have you two been together long?' Em patted Bosco, who scratched himself ferociously.
'Umm, not long, no. He found me, I didn't look for him,'she made clear. 'But, he's alright. I seem to get more tips with a dog.' She looked at Em then with a bit of challenge in her gaze.
Em gave a wry smile. 'That figures. People are odd that way.'
The girl regarded her. 'I remember you from the library.'
'Yes, I work there. I'm Emmelina.'
'I'm Sophie.'
Em gazed about them. 'You should come into the library sometime.'
'Don't see what for...'the girl took a stick and played tug-of-war with Bosco.
Ah. Em knew what that meant. Probably.
'I only work there part-time.So... I have a little time to spare. If you like, I could teach you...reading.'
The girl, Sophie, considered this.
'It does come in handy, you know.' Em hinted.
'Alright. If I have the time,'Sophie agreed.
And so Emmeline and Sophie set up a meeting time. Once she cleared it with Mrs. Peel, she was sure it would be alright. There were other literacy tutors who worked there as volunteers. Sophie then took her independent self off, banjo in hand.
Daryl appeared once again. Ah, yes, him. She was fairly certain that he would have no objections to her tutoring enterprise. But, they could speak of that later.
'That's all that we may attend of tonight's festivities. The rest of the evening is for the Druid initiates and sacred rites. Once you're initiated, then you may join as well. Until then...' he held a hand out for her, and she smiled in agreement, rising. They gathered up Rosa and bid their hosts farewell, and waving to Sophie who was picking out a tune in the parlor, they took their leave of the San Francisco Druids as the full moon rode high in the sky, occulted by some wisps of clouds, but otherwise surrounded by the rare cold clear ebony darkness, studded with diamond stars...
                         . . . .
Daryl stood on his back porch, regarding the night sky as he bid welcome the new year. Much like Jack, he liked celebrating, wherever he was, he was always eager and usually welcome to join a new tribe and learn something new, be it music, cookery, healing herbs or history remembered only by word of mouth...
A gypsy he'd been indeed, thought he, as he spared a glance at his ring finger, denuded but for the krys knife scar. Once upon a time, he would gladly have worn a gold ring there as well...but it wasn't meant to be...
The least he could do was to spare a similar fate from Emmeline and to do what he could for Jack, hopefully in one throw of the dice. With luck. What was the old gypsy farewell blessing...'Love and Luck Go With You'. They all would need more than luck. They would get it. He'd see to that or die trying.
He sipped the rough apple jack and hot coffee toddy and grimaced. Oh, admit it, man, you have kept the girl here and wined and dined her for your own sake, you didn't need to be so extravagant. But, if he'd been a total ass, would she have listened to him at all? He didn't think she had really warmed to him much...he recalled how her sweet face couldn't help but disply regret this night when he'd announced his intent to accompany her.
He tossed back the remains in his cup, spitting out the coffee grounds. Garden could use the mulch...Oh, just enlighten the girl then extirpate the relationship. She hadn't far to go; into Jack's waiting arms...
Well, he'd played his part tonight, Wicked Uncle Daryl, and his devilish fiddle, at it again... He smiled a sardonic grin and
gazed at the sinking moon. Well, the stage is set.  He'd done his part. All seemed proceeding apace. He could count on Jack to take it from here and be there for Em...
Yes, that was what he wanted.
He sighed into the night.
                                   . . . .
Another workday so soon. Em felt she had just been here...
The library  again, but she was feeling more at ease here, after getting to know some of her colleagues. She'd discussed the tutoring with Mrs. Peel who agreed that would be well done after her shift. She could set a time with Sophie when next they met...
Which was sooner than Em thought. It was nearing the workdays' end when she spied the girl sidling inside the lobby, gazing about her like she'd wandered into the wrong church. Em put her cart away and approached Sophie with a smile.
'Glad you could make it! We can begin whenever is convenient for you, Sophie. It will be a private tutoring session, no one but we two.' Em hoped to reassure the girl, who was nodding, looking rather lost.
Em's gaze suddenly froze as she looked beyond Sophie to see what she hoped at first was a hallucination or some trick of the light. But no! Lordamighty, as Homer would say, 'Dickman!'
'Dick, what?'Sophie stepped behind Emmeline, reacting as though the police were on a raid.
Em's mouth made a tight line as she took the girl's arm and directed her behind the nearest bookshelf. Sophie's street smarts told her to flatten and make like a shadow for now, as Em peered around the shelf edge. Dickman was bowing over the front desk, hat-in-hand, and otherwise kowtowing greasily to Mrs. Peel who regarded his unctiousness with thinly disguised
abhorrence.
'So who's the nuchschlepper?' Sophie asked, assessing the situation most astutely.
Em thought that about summed him up, having learned a thing or two living with Jack, and Alice before him. 'Director Dickman. My former boss.' Em hissed. She felt she could trust Sophie, and hoped she was right.
'A real toches lekker,'nodded Sophie who had the right of it. 'You're well away from that.'
'Indeed.' Em watched, frowning as Dickman spewed oily sentiments upon Mrs. Peels' deaf ears. She handed him her card and appeared to make her excuses, turning her back upon him and exiting through the rear door. Dickman made a face and glared at the card, before jamming his hat upon his head and turning
on his heel, out the door.
Em relaxed against the stacks, closing her eyes as she exhaled.
'He's gone now,' Sophie announced. 'You want I  should follow him?'
'No! No, just so he's well away...' Good grief, what an introduction to her new tutor for the girl! Luckily, she turned to see Sohpie smiling.
'You'll be alright, Emmelina!' Sophie patted her shoulder. 'Okay then, how about Fridays? I'll try to make it here about this time?'
Em agreed that would be well. 'I'll see you this Friday then, if you can make it! Do try! And, Sophie...thank you,' Em smiled sheepishly.
'Da nada. Arreviderci!' And away flounced the indomitable Sophie, back to whence she came.
Goodness, whatever had that business been about? Em breathed another sigh of relief, now that the situation was no longer
ineluctable, and took herself off as well, thanking the goddess that she no longer had to debase herself as an employee of that worm...
She smiled, thinking of her new pupil, Sophie. Well, Emmeline had been lucky enough to have benefitted from afew mentors herself; about time she began to audition for her new role as instuctor.
Dickmans' loss was not only her gain, but an orphan girls' as well. Aye, Sophie bespoke in sooth; Em had done well to be rid of him.
...Nuchschlepper...
                               . . . .

Banks of the Lee -- listen @:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGv3S6Tbd1U