Thus begins the council of Jacca.
Jacca asks if we align with “Bryok’s declaration” that he made in this city. We say that we do, in our various ways. He accepts our request to lodge with him for a while.
We go into the woods, that seem bigger and deeper than they should be. We enter a cottage. Central room, big stone fireplace, with Mag cooking over the fire. “Bear” of a man, not like Silas, bringing in fire Coed, pronounced “coitus, without the us”. Bunks in the back. We got a space. Not big, like AMC huts.
We long rest. Meet Afon, ropey arms, sinewy. Tends gardens. Deilin, young woman helping out. Apprentice.
Jacca, Coid, Afon, Deilin and Mag, are the 5.
During the rest, we each ask a question of the gardners.
- Storr has some questions for Mag Storr. What happened after we left - what happened to his body, etc?
Mag: His mother came to claim him.
S: Who?
Mag She is The Beloved. Kerenja.
Storr: “she came for his body” physically? Or? She’s a legend, a deity.
Mag: Yes, she came and took his body. Royalty, not deity.
S: We’ve heard of Bremphyr and Karenja, as gods.
Mag: Just people, but royal.
S B and K married?
Mag: Bremphyr hasn’t been seen for a while. Years. Surprised when K showed up.
Storr: After body gone, what city do? Expected, normal?
Mag Emporium is Emporium, and always will be
S How old are you
M Don’t know any more. Outside of time. The seasons pass through, nothing changes.
Tending the garden. Long time, but feels like no time has passed.
Storr: Why did you give us a Derwen tree -
Mag: it felt appropriate to mark where he’d been with a tree.
Storr: Why Derwen Trees?
Mag: They tend the Derwen trees to honor Mother Night.
- Balthezar also has questions for Mag Balz: More about the Derwen. Are they connected to THE tree? Do you know what I’m talking about?
Mag: It’s my belief that the Derwen, or a forest of one, is beautiful, provides shelter, etc. Mother of the forest. When you’ve seen something like that ….THE Tree is the derwen tree. Seeing them from sapling to hollowed out shelter is something . A perfect symbol for one who gives and takes.
B Mother night.
Mag: Yes.
B: Why honor mother night?
Mag: TherHe bite is wisdom in all growing things. Giving and taking is an embodiment of that. Growing things remind me of her. Tterness of the taste of medicine, yet it brings healing.
B. Balance?
Mag: You leave this garden. You’ll see “richer” busier people, but I wouldn’t trade my life for theirs.
B Why the name Mother Night
Mag Invisible like a shadow, you always see her shadow. She’s working hidden. Working when the sun is not shining. She’s always present.
B: Heard of Mogg?
Mag Gorgomog?
B: Had horns like mine (shows horns)?
Mag Surprised by horn and a half. Seen pictures of horned kings, not seen a horned person.
Mag Sun King? Know of him, all know his name. He’s never entered the garden.
He seems to want the throne.
B What declaration would he make?
Mag Could claim a crown.
B Crown here?
Mag Karenja took the crown when she took Bryok. It was here in the temple when he passed. He carried it with him in the city.
B Jewels?
Mag Simpler, golden sheathes of wheat and a silver moon and iron ripples binding them together.
B Mogg, though. Wheat and moon - mother night and mogg? He farmed, etc, she’s
B Explains the festival at a village in Nyth….check out my circlet. Kind of like the crown?
Mag Yes, nice woven wheat. But made of gold.
Mag Bryok left long ago, and I only know he returned, went to the derwen tree and took that horned cup and drank. He could have gone to the fountain and taken the crown he carried and put it on and claimed the throne.
Long ago Mons ruled as king. The details…hmm. The kingship was vacant and no one sat for a long time. The rightful heir existed and existed as a child and would someday return and make a choice. He could have walked to the golden fountain, Mons’ symbol, or the tree - the symbol of those who live away from the city. He chose the tree.
Claims of strength over people pales in comparison to the quiet strength our Lady shows.