Ch. 9: Witches

Back to The Men in Brown

             It   was   probably   not   surprising   that   Chris   had   that   night   yet   another   Dream. The   bridge   he   faced   was   solid   and   yet   graceful   as   it   reached   across   the   river,   as   most   old   architecture   is. A   great   statue   of   a   crowned   rider   stood   above   him,   bronze   tarnished   with   uncounted   years   of   age,   guarding   the   bridge. Dominating   the   view   was   Blanik   mountain,   and   every   tree   upon   it   was   wilting   and   going   yellow. Chris   wondered   if   the   April   drought   had   continued   into   June   over   here,   and   then   the   wood   was   all   around   him,   yellow   and   speckled   green   as   if   it   was   autumn,   fallen   leaves   littering   the   ground. A   huge   dead   oak,   so   long   skeletal   that   all   its’   bark   had   fallen,   caught   his   eye:   because   green   shoots   were   sprouting   from   the   dead   wood. There   was   a   gurgle   at   his   feet. A   spring   that   had   withered   up   and   was   only   a   pit   amid   black   stones,   was   seeping   again. No,   not   seeping:   flowing,   a   perfect   torrent   erupting   from   it,   like   a   cloudy   blue-grey   flood.

             “The   three   signs   of   the   three   kings   returning.”   said   a   voice   from   around   him:   Merlin’s,   it   sounded   like. “Yet   no   men   now   remember   them,   and   pass   them   by   without   a   glance.”

             Chris   looked   up   at   the   statue   that   he   was   somehow   back   underneath   of. He   could   not   take   his   eyes   off   the   face. So   strangely   radiant   and   kindly   a   face. Wondering   who   he   was,   Chris   dropped   his   eyes   to   the   pedestal. There   were   words   there,   sure   enough. Likely   in   some   insane   Slavic   language. But   he   was   wrong,   for   it   was   a   name,   and   a   name   he   knew.

''             Wenceslaus. ''

             He   was   only   aware   the   statue   was   coming   alive   by   the   flush   and   motion   rippling   through   the   bronze   feet   before   him. He   looked   up,   startled,   to   see   bronze   blushing   into   flesh   and   cloth,   to   see   hair   move   and   eyes   turn,   and   Good   King   Wenceslaus   sit   living   upon   a   living   steed,   come   back   from   the   dead. A   sort   of   glow   and   halo   seemed   to   waver   around   him. He   spurred   his   horse   forward,   so   that   it   smote   the   paving-stones   with   a   great   crash;   and   one   shattered,   and   as   the   horse   pawed   the   fragments   aside   there   lay   exposed   a   mighty   sword.

             St. Wenceslaus   seized   the   sword   of   the   hero   Bruncvik. Blanik   mountain   shook   to   its’   bones. Out   of   the   mountain   rode   knights   in   black   armor   upon   white   horses,   like   a   host   of   ants:   the   mountain   seemed   to   swarm   with   them. Two   other   kings   rode up   from   opposite   directions,   each   one   also   glowy   and   wavery   like   Wenceslaus,   for   they   too   were   Saints,   and   Saints   returned   from   the   dead. A   great   smile   broke   out   on   each   face   as   they   greeted.

             “Hail,   brothers.”   said   Wenceslaus. “The   time   has   come. Let   us   take   our   great   army   to   meet   the   King.”

             “The   King   is   already   upon   us.”   said   the   second   rider. “He   saw   from   afar   the   signs   of   our   awaking,   and   has   come   to   meet   us.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             Even   as   he   spoke   the   army   of   the   Sleepers   rode   up   from   nowhere. A   bizarre   and   awful   sight   it   was   now,   with   the   huge   giant   thudding   beside   it   and   the   greenish-white   of   the   ghost   riders   and   the   great   banner   flowing   in   the   branches   of   the   walking   Tree   that   strode   at   the   head   of   the   host. The   two   great   armies   came   to   a   halt,   host   facing   host:   but   that   of   Wenceslaus   was   far   more   numerous   than   that   of   Wayham.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             “Whom   art   thee?”   said   Wayham   King,   shifting   into   man.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             “I   am   Wenceslaus   of   Bohemia. This   is   Stephen   of   Hungary   and   Ladislaus   of   Poland. We   are   the   three   saintly   kings   of   the   North. We   have   come   with   our   great   army   on   the   Sacred   Heart’s   feast   to   serve   beneath   the   King.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             Wayham   bowed   his   head. “I   am   most   honored   to   have   the   Saints   within   my   ranks,   and   unworthy   as   I   am   I   beseech   your   intercession   and   your   blessing   on   my   host.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             Root   had   just   gone   home   for   the   day. Chris   had   had   to   be   coached   on   how   to   phrase   sentences   and   form   a   coherent   narrative,   and   as   a   result   the   entire   day   had   been   spent   writing   out   the   account   of   his   Dreams. It   had   been   an   exhausting   process. And   just   when   the   boys   wanted   to   play   in   the   stream,   Mom   sent   them   to   Super   Stop   &   Shop   to   buy   some   flour.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             It   was   a   fine   day   for   a   bike   ride,   though. The   air   was   dry   and   cool,   though   the   sun   was   hot,   and   grey-frosted   white   cheesecake   clouds   sailed   in   layered   rows   across   the   deep   blue. The   green   hills   had   the   odd   clear   hard   cauliflower-texture   that   early   summer   gives   them. Accordingly   the   boys   only grumbled   a   little.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             They   got   the   right   kind   of   flour   after   a   little   searching,   and   waited   in   line   at   the   checkout,   looking   away   from   the   flashy gross   magazines   with   their   kaleidoscope   of   smiling   lovely   girls. The   cashier   was   a   very   odd-looking   young   girl:   slim,   with   blue-black   hair   and   peculiar   features. Chris   could   not   stop   looking   at   her. She   had   a   strange,   repellant   beauty:   pretty   in   a   spare   chiseled   way,   made   up   to   look   paler   than   natural,   eyes   outlined   to   seem   sharp   and   slanting,   thin   lips   painted   blood-red,   a   wide   but   somehow   unsettling   smile   that   seemed   like   a   dagger   blade   sliding   under   something. Her   tapered   hands   with   their   thin   deft   fingers   looked   almost   cruel.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             She   looks   like   a   witch,   he   thought.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             The   line   moved   closer. Her   hair   wasn’t   black;   more   an   extremely   dark   navy-blue   sheen   on   black   hair. On   her   wrist   he   noticed   a   queer   symbol   like   a   six-pointed   star,   but   the   upper   side   horns   were   bent   around   like   a   heart.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             “Hi,   how   are   you   today?”   she   said   when   Chris   and   Stephen   reached   the   register. The   lady   in   front   was   still   packing   her   groceries   into   her   cart. The   witchlike   cashier   deftly   slid   the   bag   of   flour   over   the   scanner. Chris,   watching   those   spidery   fingers   with   a   strange   repulsed   fascination,   saw   them   suddenly   trace   something   on   the   clear   plastic   counter. There   was   a   red   flicker   from   the   scanner   and   some   odd   beeps   from   under   the   clear   plastic. The   girl   gave   an   exasperated   sigh. “’Cate,   now   I   need   a   manager. Come   with   me;   I’ll   have   Customer   Service   check   this,   ‘cause   it’s   showing   up   false.”   Apologising   with   another   shark-like   smile   to   the   people   in   line,   the   girl   headed   out   from   her   alcove   behind   the   counter,   beckoning   the   boys   to   follow.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             “I   don’t   like   this.”   Chris   muttered   to   Stephen. “I   think   we   should   split.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             “Mom   sent   us   to   buy   flour.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             “Yeah,   but…she   looks   creepy.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             “It’s   Stop   &   Shop. We’re   right   out   in   public.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             “That’s   comforting.”   muttered   Chris. The   girl   in   her   yellow   shirt   and   black   apron   and   black   tight   pants   reached   the   Customer   Service   desk,   an   alcove   in   the   wall   accessed   by   a   side   aisle   with   a   counter   in   front   facing   the   cash   registers. Cigarettes   and   lottery   tickets   stood   in   colorful   racks   behind   it. The   passage   on   the   left   ended   at   two   doors   on   its’   right   side,   one   to   enter   the   desk   area   and   the   further   to   enter   a   small   room   behind   it. “Chrissy? I   need   an   override.”   she   called. There   was   no   one   at   the   counter,   but   from   the   little   room   in   back   a   woman’s   voice   called   querulously   for   them   to   come   in   here,   for   cryin’   out   loud. It   was   a   very   grandmotherly   voice. The   girl   rolled   her   eyes   and   beckoned   to   the   boys. They   went   down   the   side   aisle,   a    blank   blind   alley   with   pale   tan   walls. On   the   right   the   door   was   opening.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             “I’m   not   going   in   there.”   said   Chris.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             “Me   either.”   said   Stephen.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             The   girl   turned   to   them,   and   her   sharp   smile   was   more   like   a   blade   than   ever. “Oh,   yes   you   are.”   she   said. The   tattoo   on   her   wrist   suddenly   turned   a   dark   red. Both   boys   felt   unseen   clamps   of   thick,   enfolding   power   close   on   their   limbs   and   compel   muscle   and   bone   to   move. Like   zombies   they   marched   in   through   the   door.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             The   witch   quickly   closed   it   behind   them. An   old   woman   sat   in   the   desk   chair,. a   faded   orange   cardigan   covering   a   stout   figure,   greyish-orange   hair,   an   ugly   face   with   glasses,   a   disquieting   smile   growing   in   her   eyes. In   her   hands   she   played   with   a   cane   of   black   twisted   wood:   laurel,   though   the   boys   did   not   know   this.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             “You   really   are   a   witch.”   said   Chris.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             “You   can’t   do   this! Let   us   out   of   here   before   we   scream!”   Stephen   was   yelling.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             “Sound   is   not   permitted   to   leave   this   room.”   said   the   old   woman. “Nor   will   you. We   have   watched   you   for   a   long   time,   but   you   were   always   too   close   to   those   whom   we   fear. The   Dragons   cannot   find   you   or   touch   you…but   we   are   not   dragons. I   am   the   Witch   of   Winchester.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             “You   can’t   harm   us! We’re   Christians!”   shouted   Chris.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             “But   not   Catholics.”   the   Witch   of   Winchester   said,   still   with   that   disquieting   smile. “Your   protection   is   feeble. I   can   give   it   an   override—though   it   is   painful.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             Her   laurel   cane   lifted,   red   light   running   down   the   polished   black   wood. “Now   you   will   tell   us   all   you   have   dreamed…and   also   you   will   tell   us   about   the   Men   in   Brown.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             The   store   dissolved   around   them. A   cemetary   replaced   it. Woods   shut   it   in,   but   the   sun   shone   white   and   stark   upon   it,   and   on   the   leaves   of   the   ancient   maples   that   walled   it. Black   and   red   upon   the   nearest   tree   was   spraypainted   a   five-pointed   star   inside   a   circle:   a   pentagram,   sign   of   magic. One   of   the   maples   grew   in   two   sundered   halves,   each   half   standing   separate:   yet   a   giant   rock   clove   it,   partway   up,   stuck   between   the   two   halves   in   defiance   of   all   the   laws   of   nature. A   woman   in   nurse’s   white   stood   there,   middle-aged,   her   crazed   face   with   green   eyes   lined   and   haggard   under   her   wild   brown   hair. Old   broken   tombstones   straggled   across   the   grass   like   broken   teeth. The   place,   in   despite—or   perhaps   because   of—the   stark   daylight,   felt   eerie. Felt   evil.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             “This   is   the   Green   Lady   Cemetary   of   Burlington.”   said   the   Witch   of   Winchester. “And   here   is   the   Witch   in   White,   who   bears   the   Green   Lady.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             Both   witches   reached   toward   the   boys,   their   hands   growing   larger   and   larger. Through   Christopher’s   mind   began   to   flash   his   Dreams,   one   by   one,   as   if   they   were   being   turned   like   the   pages   of   a   book. Then   he   saw   again   the moonlit   bridge,   and   heard   the   echo   of   the   eerie   rhyme   that   Wimbledon   had   sung.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             “Sing   it   for   us.”   said   the   Witch   in   White,   her   voice   multiple   somehow,   as   if   two   people were   speaking   at   once. A   green   light   wavered   in   her   eyes. “We   cannot   hear   it.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             In   a   quavering   voice   that   swelled   as   he   sang   until   the   words   rolled   like   thunder   in   the   silent   summer   woods,   Chris   sang   the   rhyme   of   the   Men   in   Brown.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">“The   Men   in   Brown ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">They   came   to   town ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Upon   a   chill   May   morning ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">

''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Nine   could   you   see ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">If   you   had   some   glee ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">About   you   in   the   lorning ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">

''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">The   Hill   and   the   Wood ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">The   House   of   the   Hood ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">And   the   Blade   and   Bow   abounding ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">

''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">The   son   of   the   Air ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Who   has   overmuch   hair ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">And   the   Human-hater   howling ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">

''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">The   old   graveshand ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">And   the   Leatherman ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">And   then   last   of   all,   John   Wimble.” ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             His   child’s   voice   sank   into   silence. The   two   witches   stared   fixedly,   deep   in   thought. When   the   second   voice   began   they   started   violently:   deep   but   lighthearted,   like   an   old   man   singing   in   the   morning,   it   echoed   distantly   at first,   then   ever   closer,   as   if   the   singer   was   approaching   at   incredible   speed.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">“Old   John   Wimbledon,   he’s   a   tricky   fellow ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Deep   brown   his   jacket   is,   and   his   boots   are   fallow. ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">None   have   dared   outrun   him   yet,   for   John   he   is   the   faster ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Every   hill   a   hopping-stone,   and   of   his   feet   is   master.” ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             “How   in   hell   did   HE   find   us?!”   hissed   the   Witch   of   Winchester. “Is   the   very   mention   of   his   name   a   summons?!”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             “Peace,   my   sister.”   said   the   dual   voice   of   the   Witch   in   White. “He   long   ago   ceased   to   be   the   Master   of   owt   save   his   own   feet. We   are   three. He   is   one.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             “We   cannot   hope   to   hold   this   place   against   the   others.”   said   the   Witch   of   Winchester. “Even   still…we   know   some   of   what   the   Dreamer   has   seen.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             There   was   a   thump   and   bound. As   if   he   had   only   jumped   over   the   wall,   John   Wimbledon   dropped   into   the   open   grassy   rectangle. He   was   a   small   man,   but   incredibly   active;   his   movements   were   both   jerky   and   powerful,   like   an   old   warrior   preparing   to   spring. He   wore   a   broad   straw   hat   over   his   short   hair,   but   a   long   brown   beard   streaked   grey   swung   as   he   moved. He   wore   a   deep   brown   jacket   and   dull   black   pants;   his   round   red   face   was   like   an   old   wrinkled   apple;   his   leather   work   boots   were   tawny   and   scuffed. His   eyes   were   deep   brilliant   blue,   and   Chris   at   the   sight   of   them   lost   track   of   time   for   one   strange   and   dreadful   moment,   as   if   he   hung   suspended   in   some   timeless   place   and   gazed   into   a   well   of   ancient   memory   and   wisdom,   sparkling   with   an   eternal   wide   wonderment. The   ancient   maples   stirred   and   roared   as   if   in   a   great   wind,   though   the   air   hung   breathless.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             “And   what,   old   fool,   do   you   think   you   are   doing   bearding   the   witches   in   their   own   den?”   the   Witch   of   Winchester   challenged.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             “My   name   was   sung,   and   where   it   is   I   follow.”   said   the   new   arrival. “Don’t   you   know   who   I   am? I’m   John   Wimbledon! Let   those   boys   go. I   know   the   tune   for   you.”   The   air   as   he   spoke   thickened   all   around   them,   as   if   suddenly   pregnant   with   power. “I’ll   sing   you   a   song   that’ll   strike   you   into   shadows,   send   you   wailing   like   the   cold   mist,   till   your   Lord   catches   you   and   tortures   you   for   failing.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             “Your   songs   were   only   fit   in   lands   where   you   were   Master.”   the   Witch   said   remotely. “You   old   pacifist,   though   you   set   borders   you   could   not   sing   back   the   Ice,   and   though   you   preserved   the   Holbytla   through   the   Waters   you   could   not   save   your   land;   you   came   out   and   found   you   were   Master   of   a   mudfield.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             “Twas   I   that   sang   the   trees   back,   sang   the   pines   a-growing,   sang   back   birch   and   ash   into   salted   valleys. Thence   from   Euriedor   replanted   did   my   trees   spread,   their   seeds   sprouting   green   again   upon   the   muddy   hillsides.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             “And   all   of   them   you   sang   to   life   had   left their   spirits   and   lingered   lifeless,   voiceless   vegetables   who   could   never   be   shepherded. And   all   the   Ents   and   Talking   Trees   had   perished   from   your   world. Where   is   your   Goldberry,   your   pretty   maiden   dancing? Why   could   you   not   deliver   her,   the   daughter   of   the   River? Her   springs   were   buried   far   too   deep,   broken   in   the   breaking;   your   lovely   river-maid   withered   up   beside   you!”   taunted   the   Witch.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             “Goldberry   is   peaceful   now,   she   lies   within   her   long   place.”   Wimbledon   answered   softly. “There   I   hope   at   last   to   come,   when   my   long   task   is   here   done.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             “We   can   send   you   quickly   there,   if   you   decide   to   linger.”   the   Witch   said   with   a   dangerous   smile. “Get   out,   you   old   fool! Vanish   in   the   darkness! Shrivel   on   the   bitter   winds,   like   the   ice   go   wailing,   into   under-darkness   far   beneath   the   surface! Where   waiting   lies   my   Lord,   his   mouth   is   gaping   widely:   Chaos   waits   to   there   receive   the   old   fool   who   is   coming!”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             The   sun   went   in. A   shadow   deepened   upon   the   woods,   and   daylight   faded. In   the   dim   gloom   the   painted   symbol   on   the   old   tree   blazed   in   its’   own   light,   like   a   fractured   eye   outlined   in   smoke   and   flame.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             Out   of   the   darkness   the   voice   of   John   Wimbledon   rolled   like   thunder. “Cast   thee   out   from   off   this   place,   this   ground   that   should   be   holy:   cast   thee   out   in   greater   names   than   that   which   here   alone   Is! Here   none   have   ever   matched   him   yet,   he   was   made   the   master:   he   was   set   to   tend   the   earth,   to   drive   out   the   intruders! Cast   thee   out   by   Everwhite,   by   Him   who   ruleth   Truly:   cast   thee   out   by   wood   and   stone,   by   earth   and   wind   and   water!”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             The   darkness   lightened. In   the   returning   paleness   Chris   saw   the   two   witches,   stooping,   bending   as   before   a   storm-wind,   red   and   green   flame   in   their   eyes. High   and   huge   rose   their   voices   in   answer   to   the   song   that   was   forcing   them   back.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             “Do   thou   dare   to   sing   of   earth,   when   earth   is   held   and   locked   against   thee? Do   thou   dare   to   sing   of   stone   when   stone   is   but   the   bones   of   Ymir? Do   thou   dare   to   sing   against   us,   in   whom   was   not   the   strength   of   battle? In   the   last   day   thou   wouldst   fall,   Fatherless,   if   all   else   foundered:   and   Morgoth   sitteth   incarnated   in   the   Earth   thou   claim   to   master! Thou   hast   sung   of   other   names;   of   other   names   we   sing   against   ye! Dragons   and   the   Jötunheimr,   the   Nine   Lords   and   the   Vampire! Hell   has   many   ancient   legions,   names   of   might   and   of   damnation:   fall,   then,   Wimble,   as   thou   must!”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             The   darkness   deepened. In   the   pouring   shadow   the   red   light   of   the   wand   of   the   Witch   of   Winchester   blazed   like   lightning. John   Wimbledon   could   be   seen   darting   about,   here,   there   and   all   around,   from   treetop   to   tree   limb,   as   the   darting   blades of   magic   probed   and   lashed   upon   his   heels. Darkness   slowed   him,   ground   him   down:   soon   he   would   no   longer   be   able   to   elude.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             Another   voice   grew   amid   the   storm,   deep   and   throbbing,   driving,   pulsing:   the   terrible   chanting   of   which   the   boys   had   only   seen   glimpses   in   the   tellings   of   Root. They   felt   those   notes   sinking   like   soaking   water   into   earth   and   rock,   tree   and   ground:   felt   them   pulse   in   blood   and   bone.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             '' ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">“Cease   to   sing   thee   further,   witches, ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">If   thou   life   would   cling   to   living! ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Cease   thy   hold   upon   the   death-ground ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Loose   it   from   thy   cold   dominion, ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Let   the   maples   grow   contented ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">No   more   by   your   deeds   contorted; ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Let   the   dead   rest   on   in   slumber ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Free   from   thy   poisoning   power ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Loose   these   boys   from   off   thy   clutches ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Cast   from   them   the   chains   of   chantment ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Or   I’ll   sing   thee   thine   origins ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Tell   thee   of   thy   own   beginnings! ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">

''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Filley,   thou   wast   once   a   maiden ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Walking   merry   in   the   mountains ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Till   thou   came   upon   a   rock-chair ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Built   of   rocks   upon   a   hill-top ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">There   the   witches   wont   to   sit   were ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">When   they   wished   to   watch   afield ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Death   crept   up   that   chair   into   thee ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">As   thou   clined   against   the   backbone ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Thou   rose   thence   from   there   a   witchlass ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Growing   darker,   darker,   deeper ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Till   on   Temple   Fell   thou   offered ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Thine   own   babe   upon   the   altar. ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">

''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">White,   thou   wast   one   time   a   woman ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Mother   caring   for   her   children ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Once   thou   hungered   for   thy   Mother ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">For   the   Holy   Church,   thy   Mother ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">But   thou   grew   to   be   neurotic ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Superstitious,   thou   psychotic ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Till   within   this   very   graveyard ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Thou   attacked   a   deadly   coven ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Thou   art   now   possessed   a   woman ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Green   the   ghost   that   moves   thy   vision ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">

''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Green   Lady,   Liza   Palmiter, ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Well   I   know   of   thyself   also. ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Once   thou   wast   an   anxious   goodwife ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Hastening   with   lighted   lantern ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Through   the   perils   of   the   swampland ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Through   the   snow-concealed   swampland ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Where   thou   fell   and   soaked   did   freeze   dead ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Till   thy   husband   thee   dead   finded ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Shall   I   sing   of   you   yet   farther, ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Shall   I   sing   ye   into   mire, ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">By   my   singing   thee   transforming ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Till   the   oak   creeps   up   thy   figure ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Wood   and   sap   replace   thy   life-stream ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Flint   and   rock   become   thy   foot-toes ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Fungus-mushrooms   in   thy   pupils ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Fungus-bark   upon   thy   out-skin! ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">

''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Loose   these   boys   from   off   their   prison ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Or   I’ll   sing   thee   into   quicksand ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Freezing   mire,   icy   quicksand ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Till   the   cold   shall   wrap   thy   fingers ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Crack   the   flesh   within   thy   heart-bones ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Chill   the   skin   from   off   thy   features ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Cool   thy   blood   as   thick   as   treacle ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">I   am   able   this   to   bear   out: ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">All   of   this   I   can   accomplish: ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">I   am   son   of   air   and   water ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Son   of   Ukko’s   mighty   daughter!” ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             Slowly   silence   grew   in   the   haunted   graveyard. As   the   light   brightened,   Chris   and   Stephen   saw   that   both   witches   were   gone;   and   where   they   stood,   two   pools   of   mire   lay,   already   crystallising   into   ice. Beside   John   Wimbledon   stood   their   tutor   Root,   taller   and   stronger,   bearded   and   ancient:   he   seemed   for   a   moment   to   be   not   human   at   all,   but   some   mighty   hero   stepped   out   of   the   deeps   of   the   past   into   the   daylight. Trying   to   move,   they   found   they   could,   and   raced   over   to   their   rescuers.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             “Are   they   dead?”   babbled   Chris.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             “They   are.”   said   Root. “No   human   can   survive   having   his   flesh’s   accidents   changed   and   scattered   and   rearranged   into   something   inhuman,   unless   the   change   takes   care   to   keep   the   life   pulsing   in   it. But   whether   they   stay   dead,   is   the   question:   and   beings   so   old   in   evil,   are   not   easy   to   keep   in   the   ground. You   are   not   hurt?”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             “No,   we’re   fine.”   said   Stephen,   calming   down   somewhat.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             “Did   you—was   that   you   singing   like   that?”   said   Chris.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             “It   was.”   replied   Root.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             Slowly   the   colossal   truth   began   to   dawn   on   the   two   boys. “It   was   you,”   breathed   Chris. “The   son   of   the   air,   who   has   overmuch   hair.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             “John   always   was   rather   irreverent.”   said   Root,   giving   his   companion   a   dirty   look. Wimbledon   put   on   an   innocent   expression. “But   so   it   is. I   am   he. I   am   of   the   Men   in   Brown.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             “But   who   are   you?”   said   Stephen.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             “I   doubt   you   would   quite   believe   it   if   I   told   you,   even   after   all   that   has   happened.”   said   Root. “But   my   name   is   not   rightly   Root. That   name,   like   Wimbledon,   is   one   I   took   on. I   am   one   of   the   ancient   Singers. I   am   the   last   of   bearded   heros. I   am   son   of   Air   and   Water.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             He   turned   toward   the   dirt   road   that   ran   along   one   side   of   the   cemetery. “I   did   not   drive   here. I   flew. I   can   sing   upon   myself,   and   so   change   my   form. I   will   now   give   us   some   transportation.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             Without   another   word   he   began   to   sing. It   seemed   to   be   in   Finnish,   for   it   was   both   strong   and   drawling,   but   more   melodious   than   they   remembered. As   he   sang   the   air   above   the   road—thickened.   It   grew   murky. Solid   shapes   appeared   with   a   hard   thud   as   if   condensing   into   being. Power   flowed   in   every   note. At   every   pulse   of   his   music   the   ground   seemed   to   ripple. Bit   by   bit   he   sang   into   being   an   old   car,   of   a   strange   antique   shape,   gleaming   as   if   plated   with   copper:   and   it   was   running.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             “That   takes   a   bit   of   doing,   I’ll   admit,”   he   said,   walking   around   it   and   examining   it   critically. “To   sing   of   such   a   complicated   engine   one   needs   to   know   many   strange   words,   words   even   Wipunen   did   not   know   for   such   machines   did   not   exist   in   his   time. But   the   words   that   I   learned   of   craft-making   and   the   machines   of   his   time   were   roots   that   underlie   all   machinery   or   works   of   craft;   and   others   I   was   given   by   the   Earthsinger   before   I   set   out.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             “You   can   just—sing   stuff   into   existence?”   Chris   exclaimed   as   they   climbed   in. Root   drove. The   car’s   motor   groaned   and   growled,   but   it   worked. Jerkily   they   proceeded   to   drive   up   the   dirt   road   to   where   a   paved   street   met   it.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             “Did   you   think   my   tales   were   fiction,   laddie? Did   you   think   I   sang   of   fantasy? I   spoke   the   truth. I   do   not   create;   I   produce   effects   from   pre-existent   matter. I   sing,   and   if   I   know   the   right   word,   I   have   authority   over   that   which   that   word   governs. Once   common   men   could   sing   so   also—but   that   has   passed   as   the   Music   dims,   and   only   those   who   have   authority   can   still   compel   obedience. Such   as   John. Or   myself.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             “How   did   you   beat   them,   when   he   couldn’t?”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             “When   you   know   the   beginning   of   something,   that   gives   you   greater   power   over   it   than   even   the   possession   of   the   right   word. Two   stories   illustrate   this. Väinämöinen   once   tried   to   win   the   Maiden   of   the   Rainbow. She   set   him   tasks   she   thought   were   impossible:   but   when   she   saw   his   power   she   called   to   his   axe,   and   it   bit   deep   into   his   leg;   for   it   was   an   enchanted   axe,   and   could   cleave   even   his   immortal   flesh.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             “He   sang   upon   himself,   but   the   spells   on   that   ax   were   such   that   to   close   that   wound   he   had   to   command   the   maker   of   the   wound,   and   to   do   that   he   could   not. He   searched   in   his   head   all   the   words   that   he   knew. None   fit. The   blood   still   running,   he   turned   to   the   Maiden   of   the   Rainbow   and   called   on   his   blood   as   witness   against   her;   cursed   her   off   her   rainbow,   cursed   her   into   the   company   of   the   daughters   of   Louhi. Then   he   went   throughout   his   homeland,   asking   man   after   man   if   perchance   someone   knew   a   word   he   didn’t,   someone   else   had   heard   a   new   word,   from   the   mouths   of   dying   creatures,   from   the   throats   of   birds   new-slaughtered. Thus   he   came   upon   a   farmer   who   sang   unto   his   lonely   fire,   for   he   was   no   mighty   singer,   but   only   a   music-loving   farmer. He   asked   him   for   the   origin   of   Iron;   for   he   realized   what   had   escaped   the   hero,   that   to   close   the   wound   he   must   rebuke   not   only   the   axe   but   the   very   nature   of   Iron   itself,   and   to   do   this   he   had   to   know   its’   origins. So   Väinämöinen   told   the   farmer   how   Iron   was   birthed   within   the   Music,   took   fright   when   told   he   must   be   consumed   by   Fire,   how   he   hid   in   stones   and   swamps,   taking   an   oath   he   would   never   harm   Man   his   master   and   his   brother.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             “Then   the   farmer   rebuked   Iron,   telling   it   of   that   oath   broken,   how   at   last   it   had   now   done   harm   to   the   very   Singer   himself,   him   who   was   birthed   out   of   the   Music:   commanding   Iron   by   its’   nature. And   Iron   yielded,   and   that   wound   closed   and   the   blood   ceased   to   flow,   and   he   could   heal   himself:   seven   boatfuls   he   had   shed. He   was   very   difficult   to   kill.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             “He   chose   the   right   element.”   said   John   Wimbledon. “Iron   forms   the   base   of   blood   cells.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             “True,   though   in   those   days   we   only   saw   effects   and   had   not   yet   figured   out   causes.”   said   Root. “The   other   story   is   from   the   wars   of   the   Sampo. Lemminkainen   the   war-wizard,   lusty   hero   now   immortal,   set   out   to   avenge   an   insult   given   him   by   old   Louhi. Forth   by   ship   he   sailed   northward,   sailed   in   war-gear   full   of   fury. Then   the   toothless   witch   Louhi   called   the   Black-frost   of   the   Northland,     sent   him   out   upon   the   sea-crests,   gave   the   Frost-cold   these   instructions:   “Freeze   the   wizard   in   his   vessel,   freeze   to   death   the   wicked   Ahti.”   So   the   Frost   thundered   south,   and   you   could   see   it   by   the   cloud   of   exploding   trees,   their   sap   bursting   in   their   boles,   like   a   grey   darkness   that   cleft   the   forest. And   he   crouched   on   the   shore   and   the   sand   stuck   together,   and   the   rivers   were   solid   and   the   ground   was   like   a   stone:   but   only   on   the   shores   did   the   sea   freeze.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             '' ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">“When the second night Frost lingered, ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">He began to grow impatient, ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">He became a fierce intruder, ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Fearless grew in his invasions, ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Freezes everything before him; ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Sends the fiercest cold of Northland, ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Turns to ice the boundless waters. ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Ever thicker, thicker, thicker, ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Grew the ice on sea and ocean, ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Ever deeper, deeper, deeper, ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Fell the snow on field and forest, ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Froze the hero's ship of beauty, ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Cold and lifeless bark of Ahti; ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Sought to freeze wild Lemminkainen, ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Freeze him lifeless as his vessel, ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Asked the minstrel for his life-blood, ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">For his ears, and feet, and fingers. ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">

''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Then the hero, Lemminkainen, ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Angry grew and filled with magic, ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Hurled the black-frost to the forges, ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Threw him to the fiery furnace, ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Held him in his forge of iron, ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Then addressed the frost as follows: ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">"Frost, thou evil son of Northland, 

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Dire and only son of Winter, ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Let my members not be stiffened, ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Neither ears, nor feet, nor fingers, ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Neither let my head be frozen. ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Thou hast other things to feed on, ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Many other heads to stiffen; ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Leave in peace the flesh of heroes, ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Let this minstrel pass in safety, ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Freeze the swamps, and lakes, and rivers, ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Fens and forests, bills and valleys; ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Let the cold stones grow still colder, ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Freeze the willows in the waters, ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Let the aspens freeze and suffer, ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Let the bark peel from the birch-trees, ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Let the pines burst on the mountains, ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Let this hero pass in safety, ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Do not let his locks be stiffened. ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Or thine origin I'll sing thee, ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Tell thy lineage of evil. ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Well I know thine evil nature, ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Know thine origin and power, ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Whence thou camest, where thou goest, ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Know thine ancestry of evil. ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Thou   wast   born   of   evil   singing ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Bitter   notes   of   mighty   Hiisi ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">When   he   sang   within   the   Music ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Sought   to   change   the   Theme   Immortal ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Sin-begotten   by   thy   father ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Of   no   mother   but   Dishonor ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Brother   to   the   ancient   Giants ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">''<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Foes   unending,   the   Frost-giants.” ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             “Then   the   Frost   yielded   to   the   singing   of   the   hero,   made   a   bargain   for   his   person,   but   would   not   release   the   vessel,   nor   unfreeze   the   mighty   ocean. So   perforce   Lemminkainen   walked   ashore   and   back   to   homeland,   walked   upon   the   frozen   sea-plain.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             They   pulled   into   Super   Stop   &   Shop,   and   Root   turned   off   the   engine. “We   have   an   errand   here,   at   least.”   he   said.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">               “Your   mother   still   needs   her   flour.”   laughed   John.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">               “And   we   have   a   witch   to   hunt.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             The   four   of   them   went   inside. Root   hummed   a   single   powerful   note,   and   a   bag   of   flour   hurtled   like   a   blur   through   the   air   and   into   his   hand:   the   exact   brand   the   boys   had   tried   to   purchase. The   witch   was   still   at   the   cash   register,   smiling   her   dangerous   smile   as   she   handled   the   long   line. The   four   totally   ignored   the   line,   stalking   up   to   the   register   from   the   exit   side   and   plunking   the   bag   of   flour   down   with   a   thud. The   girl   looked   up. She   saw   them. Then   she   saw   the   two   boys. Somehow   Chris   rather   doubted   the   pale   makeup   was   now   needed   on   her   face.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             “Wh…what   happened?”   Her   voice   was   a   tight   squeak.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             “I   outsang   them.”   said   Root. “I   am   here   for   you.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             The   witch   screamed.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             Glass   burst. Shoppers   all   around   reeled,   clutching   their   ears. Even   John   and   Root   were   startled. In   that   one   instant   the   witch   vanished.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             Root   put   the   flour   wearily   into   a   bag. “I   should   have   seen   that   coming.”   he   said   dryly. “At   least   all   the   security   cameras   broke,   too. Come,   boys. Let’s   get   you   home.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">             The   boys   were   feeling   so   tired   by   now   they   went   to   sleep   while   Root   and   John   were   loading   the   bikes,   left   locked   all   this   time   outside   the   store. They   woke   up   long   enough   to   mumble   goodbyes   as   the   two   men   unloaded   the   bikes   at   their   house. The   ancient   car   drove   off. Chris   was   too   groggy   to   care   that   there   were   still   a   few   hours   of   daylight:   he   wanted   to   sleep. He   flopped   down   on   his   bed   and   began   to   dream.

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