Here's a short excerpt from the beginning of chapter 4 of my latest book entitled THE VORTEX. It will be the third and final book of the Alban Saga.
Chapter 4
The Sacrifice
2500 BC
After many days of travel on foot, the old Druid priest named Ferus and his nine followers crested a short rise. It was a clear and cool evening, and they could easily see the long avenue of stones in the distance that led up to the great circle. It was as if the gods themselves had placed the large, flat standing stones in the ground to guide them. And as they gazed down upon the ancient and sacred site, Ferus lowered the hood of his robe, raised his staff in the air, and called out its ancient and holy name, “Clachan Chalanais!”
It was early spring on the Isle of Alba and would soon be time to plant, harvest, and hunt the foods necessary to sustain life throughout the wet Alban year. Barley, wheat, rye, and millet would be planted along with leeks, onions, turnips, carrots, and parsnips. Wild nuts, such as hazelnuts and walnuts, would be harvested during the late summer and fall, and boar, deer, fox, beaver, and bear would be hunted year-round. Also, the fishing season was almost upon them.
The Druids, led by their priest, had come to Clachan Chalanais on one of the smaller isles of Alba to perform a ritual to their gods. In two nights’ time, a full, yellow moon would rise and skim the southern hills in the distance. When it did, a human sacrifice would be given - another bountiful harvest ensured. Alba had been a land of great plenty for the Celtic people for as long as anyone could remember, and the Druid’s Spring Harvest Ritual had always occurred to ensure that bounty.
After taking a moment to glory in the sight of the timeworn monoliths, Ferus guided his fellow Druids down the hill. They entered the path that was set off by the stones, leading up to the main circle. Once there, they would start a fire, take their supplies from the back of their small packhorse, and prepare the night’s meal. It had been a long and arduous journey, and Ferus knew that everyone needed rest.
With their goal finally in sight, they had all walked swiftly to the sacred stone circle. Once there, the nine Druids followed Ferus's lead. They knelt down on one knee and allowed the soul of Clachan Chalanais to wash over them. The massive stones, much taller than any of them, rose high into the evening sky like ageless giants reaching up to honour the gods, the moon, the stars, the sun, and the seasons of the earth.
After several moments of meditation, Ferus rose up off his knee and stood. His followers emulated him, and at his direction, they began setting up camp. Once all the supplies were taken from the small, sturdy gearran, it was tethered in the tall grass and allowed to graze and drink from a nearby pool.
The supplies were then distributed. Woolen blankets were laid out to sleep on, and the extra food and supplies were stored in a stone-covered hole nearby. Wood shavings, pieces of kindle, and bricks of dried peat were placed in a small fire ring at the center of the circle of stones and lit; they would provide comfort and warmth for the coming night. As each of them settled onto their blankets, their dinner, consisting of oatcakes, roasted nuts, and dried legumes, was allocated in equal portions, and a flask of wine was shared by all. When they were done eating, they waited, knowing Ferus would want to speak to them.
He said, “Our journey has been long, and we have finally reached our destination. Tomorrow, I will take three of you to visit the nearby villages with me. In each of them, we will talk to the Elders until we find an outcast who has broken their rules. That person will be our Sacrifice for tomorrow night’s ritual, and as has always been the custom, the village Elders will gladly give them up, knowing that in so doing, their sacrifice will honour the gods, and the land will again provide a bountiful harvest for us all.
“But tonight…we sleep.”
The nine Druids nodded and bowed their heads in acceptance. Then they laid back onto their blankets and were warmed by the fire and the knowledge that they were there to follow the time-honoured traditions of their forefathers and do the work of their god’s.
