This is a portion of a much larger story (so far 267060 words) I’m writing but I think it will fit in nicely for the Halloween. I may be stretching here a bit since the main character was physically castrated by war wounds and now absolutely represses any lingering sexuality. Kami and Johanna are MTF with herbal medication. Enjoy!

******

In the early morning Wave Dancer arrived at St. Mary’s, Georgia on October 31, 1816, to deliver and pick up it’s cargo. Then it sailed upriver with the inflowing tide a bit after noon. As had become usual of the days Wave Dancer was due to arrive in town, the questing quintet (5 boys aged 9 to 12 consisting of a Native American, 2 Caucasion boys and 2 African American boys, the youngest with Down’s Syndrome) kept watch from atop Scrubby Bluff. When Wave Dancer neared, they ran back to the farm to report, then ran to the dock to help tie it up.

Gary jumped aboard the ship as soon as it was safe to do so. William had missed his son and was delighted to see the smiling lad in better physical shape and with a healthy tan. James with a crew manned the flatboat to meet the schooner. William was surprised to see the flatboat. While a bit rough around the edges it was solidly built. As the men poled the craft to the ship, James noted the badly scarred man seated by the bowsprit. The men exchanged unflinching gazes with James nodding his head acknowledging the man who returned the silent greeting. Once tied fast to Wave Dancer, James climbed to the deck to greet Captain Dever.

The scarred man carefully walked to where James stood beside William. James heard the unmistakable thunk of a wooden leg as he approached.

“Horace Finley, I’d like to introduce you to James McKay,” William introduced. “James, I’d like to introduce you to Horace Finley.”

Without hesitation James extended his hand which Horace accepted. The men exchanged firm handshakes with neither seeking to overpower the other. The scarred face showed evidence of past heavy drinking.

“Welcome to the McKay farm,” James declared with a genuine smile. “We’re a simple folk who treat all people respectfully. We seldom use our last names or honorifics amongst ourselves. To be honest we have no use for fancy etiquette since all too often it hides deceit. Am I correct you’re here to be our tutor?”

“Yes,” Horace replied. “If I like your clan and lifestyle. Mr. Dever has told me all sorts of things about you and the Clan McKay. You’ll forgive me if I doubt his praise?”

“Most people have difficulty believing us,” James replied with a chuckle, then turned to the boys. “Chitto, Brody, Jacob and Micah, please run back to the farm, hitch up a horse to the cart, and bring it here.”

The boys nodded and took off.

“Am I correct assuming you have books and other school material?” James asked.

“Yes I do,” Horace nodded. “Everything is boxed ready to go.”

By that time the ships crew set to work transferring the copper sheets to the flatboat.

“Uncle Leith,” James called out. “Can you get the flatboat to the dock and boat house?”

“Will do, James,” Leith replied.

The 3 men spent the next half hour talking about the trip as Gary stayed withing reach of his father.

Chitto pulled the horse and cart to a stop at the end of the road. Everyone watched as he cautiously and slowly maneuvered the cart and horse backwards onto the dock, tossing the reins to Brody as he and Micah jumped off the back. Brody was clearly surprised to receive the reins and grinning brightly held them tightly.

“Horace, you know Gary,” James introduced. “Chitto is my brother in law, Jacob is my brother, and Micah is my father-in-laws nephew. That’s Brody, a recent addition to our clan, keeping the horse still. Boys, this is Horace Finley, our tutor.”

The boys smiled and nodded.

“Horace, if you can show the boys where your things are, they’ll carry everything to the cart,” James stated with a smile.

All of Horace’s things were neatly piled on the cart as the last of the copper sheets were put onto the flatboat. The crew began to secure Wave Dancer as James stepped onto the dock. William stood on the deck to offer a steadying hand to Horace as he stepped off the ship to the dock. James helped him from the dock.

“Boys, lets see if Brody can drive the cart to the farm,” James said as they approached the cart.

Brody’s face lit up at being given the responsibility. Horace was about to question the wisdom of doing that as, without being told, the other 4 boys took places by the sides of the horse ready to step in if anything untoward happened. Horace smiled seeing the older boys silently assuring their safety. Maybe Captain Dever had not exaggerated. He’d never seen responsibility given to a mongoloid but the lad eagerly took the challenge.

“I mean no disrespect,” James stated. “I think it’ll be easier if you sat on the back of the cart. The farm is half a mile away, the road is sandy and there is a slight rise in the center portion. We’ll take a look at your leg to see if we can make a foot for your apparatus so you can comfortably walk about. Please don’t let pride replace common sense.”

Horace looked at James. Part of him was insulted but what James had said was true. All too often he over exerted himself and paid for it.

“Two years ago the final battle of the Red Stick War was fought about 280 miles northwest of here. The Creek Indians were split with some adapting to our ways and others resisting the white incursions,” James said. “Chitto’s uncle and many others were killed. Even more non-combatants died from diseases because they abandoned their farms and sheltered at White Forts. The uncle’s younger brother lost a hand and all his family. We made him a prostheses that he’s become quite adept at using. There are 4 of us who have fought in wars so we’re all too aware of the hell of being in battle. We’ve also learned not to deny our feelings. Those who insist men don’t cry are in denial. Here, men can cry when they need to do so. We do our best to help those who need to vent.”

Horace sat on the open back of the cart. At a nod from James, Chitto told Brody to lead the way. The young boy was grinning broadly, biting his tongue while concentrating on his task. James and William followed the cart while the rest of the crew followed. As they traveled, James pointed out the dock/boathouse, mill complex and cooperage. After climbing the rise, Horace blinked as he saw the farm and it’s buildings as well as the farmhouse.

Horace had trouble taking it all in. “You’ve accomplished all this in a year?”

“Tomorrow it’ll be 57 weeks since we started,” James said. “It took us 10 weeks to cut the 6 mile road to here. Last year I led 21 of my extended family as we left Scotland. We landed in Savannah, met the Devers, then sent 6 of our youngest and oldest on Wave Dancer to sail to St. Marys. Along the road we were attacked, killing the attackers and adding the 5 former slaves they were transporting bringing our total to 28. Then almost a year ago we added 9 Creek taking us to 37. Then we added 2 local men, 2 more former slaves, a motherless family of 4, and finally a few weeks ago 5 runaway slaves who are now free. That brings us to 51 people. Then there are 5 couples, including my wife and I, about a month away from adding 5 newborns to the Clan McKay. If you decide to stay, you’ll have the opportunity to join the clan.”

With deep concentration, Brody carefully guided the cart around the south of the house to pull up by the east porch. Ezra was seated on a rocker, itching to be released from Kami’s restrictions but he yielded to her wisdom. He knew he had been near death yet she had removed the scatter shot from his back and pulled him back. Each day she checked his back, probing and massaging the healing wounds. She had given him permission to slowly walk around the farm but with strict orders he was not to do anything that might place a strain on the wounds and must have someone accompany him, usually Hattie. Since he owed his life to Kami he understood following her orders was important.

With tears filling his eyes, Ezra smiled to see Brody driving the cart on his own. Of course he also saw the 4 older boys walking on both sides of the horse as a precaution. What was even more impressive was the smile of delight and accomplishment that lit up his son’s face. It was the 1st time since their brutal whipping that the boy had a genuine smile.

“All right Brody,” Jacob spoke up. “You did it! You drove the cart from the river dock to here!

“Way to go, son,” Ezra smiled which only caused the boy to smile broader.

The women inside the house had heard the cart arrive and Jacob’s and Ezra’s praise. Della, Hattie and Millie stepped onto the porch to. Millie stood against the wall while Della and Hattie stopped on either side of Ezra.

“Jjajja, did you see?” Brody exclaimed. “I drove the cart! I know I’m not smart but there are things I can do! I won’t be a burden any more! I can learn to do things!”

The boys grandmother, Della, father, Ezra, mother Hatie and aunt Millie struggled to keep their tears in check, as did everyone else within earshot. The overseers had constantly belittled them for being so insistent on keeping Brody. Just a useless mouth to feed... not any more!

Horace noted the pride and delight in the faces of the boy’s family. What he found strange was that everybody was smiling which made Brody even happier. The other boys quickly unloaded the cart to the porch then returned to the sides of the porch as Brody patiently glanced back at Horace waiting for him to leave the cart before proudly guiding the rig to the barn.

As Horace slipped off the rear of the cart James stood to one side in case he needed assistance. “Thank you, Brody, for doing such a good job.” Horace was not used to praising people, especially as most saw his injuries as creating a burden. Yet in less than an hour he saw the Clan McKay was far from normal. During the voyage from Savannah to here, he’d heard nothing but praise for the McKays. His past experiences told him such people couldn’t exist. But their across the board acceptance of Brody and their constant encouragement had been genuine. While he wanted to believe what he’d heard and witnessed to be true, he was afraid of more disappointment.

As soon as Horace was off, Brody urged the horse forward towards the barn. In his experience, mongoloids were seldom seen as their family kept them isolated and shunned. He was profoundly effected by the boys who quite willingly were helping the mongoloid boy grow by letting him do things. That was something he’d never seen. Even the way James stayed nearby ready to spring to his aid if needed but letting him get to his feet. All too often he’d had people rush to his aid when he didn’t need it. He was depressed enough about his war ravaged body and didn’t need their pity or help. But it was different here. It seemed everyone was not only allowed to do what they could but were positively encouraged to do so. He used the handrail climbing the steps to the porch. He had nothing to prove so why struggle.

As soon as Horace entered the 1st floor, Elespeth smiled and offered him her hand. “I’m delighted to meet you, Mr. Finley. Please, come sit at this table.”

The table allowed him to see both doors, the stairway up and down, as well as the women working in the kitchen. “It’ll be an hour or so till supper is ready. Is there anything you can’t eat?”

“Can’t eat, no, don’t want to eat, yes,” Horace returned her smile as he saw people coming and going as the women prepared dinner. “But then it’s been way too many years since I had home cooking. I’ll not tell you what I don’t like. I’d like to share the community meals, giving everything a chance.”

“Excellent,” Elespeth smiled. “That’s the kind of attitude we encourage.”

James and William entered the house moving over to the table to take seats as did Elespeth, Keir, Hamish, Chiggilli, Henry, Bill, Rita, Della, Martha, Onawa and Fiona. Kami and Johanna brought a pot of hot water and various herbal teas. James introduced everyone giving the main tasks each handled as the tea was served.

Never in his life had he ever seen 2 races mingling as a family, most certainly never 3 races.

“You’ve caught us off guard,” Elespeth smiled as she looked at Horace and his things. “We built this home with 14 bedrooms each on the 2nd and 3rd floors. We didn’t figure in how rapidly our growth would be. Kami and Hank have vounteered to move to a 3rd floor bedroom so you can have a 2nd floor room. We’ll have to rearrange some furniture so you’ll have a room before bedtime.”

“I don’t want to be a burden or put anyone out,” Horace said. “I can sleep on the 3rd floor.”

“That you could,” Elespeth replied. “We encourage people to stretch themselves and grow. But for those of us who have trouble getting up off the floor, sleeping on the floor is something we do only in dire circumstances. The Clan McKay respects the lives people have lived. Of our 51 clan members we have 13 former slaves and 9 Creek Indians. Only one of us has had a formal education. Back in Scotland I assisted the teacher in the small school the lead mine we worked set up. It closed along with the mine 1791. I’ve been teaching my family for 25 years, mostly from our family bible and a few newspapers and such. Every clan member can read. In the 9 weeks Brody has been here he’s learned the alphabet and numbers. He can read simple sentences and is learning to write and spell.”

Horace’s eyes grew wide. “I’ve never heard of a mong... ah... a person with his afflictions able to learn to read and write.

“When I teach, I teach with love,” Elespeth replied. “Others surreptitiously watch over him, gently guiding him and praising him when he succeeds while NEVER belittling him. Before he came to us he was accustomed to being treated like a pariah, teased and tormented for being himself and constantly being told he was a burden to his family. To us he’s simply a boy eager to learn and even more eager to help. He simply needs to be loved.”

“I hope I can live up to the same standards you use,” Horace replied.

“As long as you’re trying, we’ll have your back,” James stated. “Now we have to see if you’re good enough for us.

Upon hearing that Horace felt his hope for a new beginning deflate.

“We have one question about your qualifications,” James said. “We trust Captain Dever to have sorted that out for us. As you’ve already seen, the Clan Mckay is different. After enduring what we have and with much reading and prayer, we lost our faith in Christianity. In fact we’ve lost faith in all religions.”

Horace was taken back by that blunt revelation, but he also had lost his faith in religion. He’d just never heard anyone so boldly admit it.

“A bit of explanation,” James smiled. “Faith is a personal relationship of a human with a higher entity. Religion corrupts faith. It inserts greedy power hungry men between the higher diety and people. Men who mean well become self righteous and warp faith by inserting rites and moral judgement on others but never themselves. Jesus said he didn’t come to tear down Judaism but to reform it. He wanted the children to come to him because they were not yet corrupted. When questioned about which was the most important commandment he replied Love God with all your heart and soul as well as love your neighbor as yourself. Then declared that every other law in the Bible derived from those 2. Religion complicates faith to the point one becomes so busy following the rules they lose sight of what God wants of us. There’s a lot more to it but that’s the basics. I met an old quarter master who said the best way to do anything was the KISS principle. Keep it simple, stupid.”

“That sounds like a good thing,” Horace smiled.

“Now we get to the center of our life,” James added. “We do not condemn anyone for their faith. The higher diety we worship is Gaia, Mother Earth. She guides all we do. Our morality is solid, but does not align with any religion. While we’re mostly monogamous in our relationships, we would accept polygamy if all parties are agreeable. We are mostly heterosexual but do have members who are homosexual. Our personal relationships are accepted as long as no one is hurt. What we do not accept is promiscuity. Our younger people know they can not engage in intimacy until both parties are 17 and have been in a relationship for 3 months. Holding hands, cuddling and kissing are allowed. We also have 2 members who were born with birth defects. They have a male body but with a female heart and soul. We not only allow them to be vital members of the clan, they ARE vital members. The oldest has married a male member of the clan. We encourage everyone to be true to themselves.”

“Wow,” Horace said as his mind was clearly trying to process things.. “That certainly is different. I’ve seen people beaten and exiled from their towns and families for the things you allow. Captain Dever, I apologize for thinking you were daft about the McKays. It appears you were right on the mark. James, are you the head of this bunch?”

Those around the table simultaneously answered with a resounding “YES!”

James had been about to say no, instead sitting there like a fish with his mouth open.

Elespeth spoke. “I’m the matriarch of the Clan McKay. That simply means I’m the oldest woman and my wisdom is sought.”

“Now dear older sister,” Hamish added with a twinkle in his eyes. “You’re the eldest of us all.”

“Chiggilli is the same age as I am,” Elespeth replied.

“True but irrelevant,” Chiggilli smiled. “It’s well known we Creek are matrilineal. We males are accustomed to ‘yes, dear.”

“Enough silliness,” Martha laughed. “We guide our life by consensus. Almost every evening after supper is finished we sit and talk about the day, what was good, what was bad, what needs to be corrected, what needs to be done, and most importantly, sharing ideas. Everyone is encouraged to speak, all ideas are considered since we consider everyone is equal.”

“We all look to James,” Elespeth added. “He’s had more experience, 3 years as a sailor and 5 as a Royal Marine. He’s crossed the Atlantic 3 times, fought and was wounded in the Peninsular Campaign under the Duke of Wellington. He’s seen and experienced many cultures and peoples. Luckily for us no one has ever told him he can’t do something so when he has an idea, we just figure out how to do it.”

“I was his platoon sergeant in the Royal Marines,” Bill spoke up. “I’d never met a big man who could think and look out for others never expecting anything in return. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve heard people say he thinks outside the box. The truth is, James has never acknowledged there even is a box!”

“I’m going to ring the dinner bell,” Margo announced as she walked past the discussion circle to step onto the porch to ring the triangle dinner bell. She carried a water filled bucket and a towel putting both on the porch.

The people around the table stood and began rearranging the tables and chairs. As those working outside began to arrive, they all plunged their hands into the bucket then wrang them together to clean off the muck and dirt they’d accumulated. After shaking as much water as they could, they used the towel to dry off before entering. Smiles and gentle laughter were everywhere. The food was put out buffet style with the hot items sitting atop the iron stove to keep them warm. Plates, cups and utensils were set out at each seat. Pitchers of water were filled then placed on the tables. Horace was amazed by the unspoken routine as everyone did whatever needed doing. The McKays were like a well oiled machine only the oil used was love.

When everything was ready the cooks and servers moved to their seats. Without a word said everyone stood behind a place setting reaching their hands to grasp those they stood beside until a chain of clasped hands linked everyone.

“Thank you, Gaia, for the blessings you have bestowed on our life,” Kami intoned. “You have provided us with more than we could ever have imagined. You have surrounded us with people who always look out for each other. You have given us family and friends who bless us every day with kind words and actions. We honor your freely given gifts of life and abundance pledging to do our best to tend the flora, fauna and the very earth itself. May this ever be our covenant.”

Everyone responded in unison, “May this ever be our covenant.”

With smiles upon their faces everyone picked up their plate and formed a line filling it with food. Those who had not yet been introduced greeted Horace warmly.

Horace loved the blend of dishes. Feeding 58 people was not an easy task but the McKays made it appear simple and easy. They had fish, ham and deer for meats, potatoes, corn, peas, beans for sides as well as whole wheat bread and rye bread. Desserts were fruits and pies. He was a bit amazed as people stood and went back to the service line for refills or something that had not fit on their initial plate. Pleasant discussions and joking was easily bantered back and forth.

No one left the table when they finished eating, all sat back for a few moments to let their meal settle. Then 4 men stood and began gathering the dishes.

“The washing will wait,” Kami stood looking directly at Horace. “This night is All Hallows Eve. The spirits are calling us to the All Mother Oak. Let us clear the leftovers, grab an instrument or torch. Horace Finley, the spirits know of your torment, the guilt that attacks your soul like waves crashing upon the shore. The spirits have guided you to us because of our mutual needs. They choose you to come to us because you need us to soothe your troubled soul.”

Horace shivered as Kami seemed to peer into his soul. He could feel the spiritual power she was channeling. James came up to Horace placing a hand on his shoulder momentarily startling him. He could feel the spiritual power emanating from him too. However, their was no sense of danger or evil. All he felt was love and goodness, things that had be severely lacking in his life.

“My cousin and I have felt the spirits since we were children,” James explained. “Tonight your nightmares will cease.

It only took a few minutes to clear the meal, gather the instruments and torches as the group moved onto the porch. The stars twinkled brightly above and a quarter moon yielded just enough light to make out the shapes of the barn and silos. Just then Johanna appeared out of the blackness into the light by the steps of the porch with her older brother, Micah, trundling behind her. No one saw the siblings quietly slip out.

“Mr. Finley,” Johanna said. “I too feel the spirits although I am not nearly as in touch with them as Kami and James. Please do not take this as demeaning, but the walk to the All Mother Oak is over rough and uneven ground that would be taxing in the daylight. In the dark it could be dangerous. My brother and I have brought you a chariot. We ask Ronald to be your charioteer.”

Micah pushed a sturdy wheelbarrow into the flickering torchlight. A friendly chuckle swept through the Clan McKay. At first Horace was upset but quickly understood they were not mocking him. Scenanki quickly plucked a folded blanket from a porch chair and positioned it in the wheelbarrow. Ronald stepped forward and gently took an arm to assist Horace off the porch and into his chariot. James inflated his pipes and played a jaunty swirl as Johanna and the questing quintet ran ahead with torches to illuminate the way and to light the bonfire. The older teens did likewise. Ronald helped Horace sit in the wheel barrow with his legs dangling over the front, then stepped between the handles and easily lifted the load. Horace felt embarrassed but knew they were not mocking him. They truly cared for his safety. He’d never experienced anything like this.

The trip wasn’t long, but it was bumpy even at a slow speed. The youths of the clan ran ahead with their torches, forming a dual line of light through which his chariot passed. As soon as he passed a set of torches, the duo ran about the outside to take the next spot of illumination. The rest of the clan carrying more torches followed behind the chariot so Horace could clearly see ahead. Horace watched as a bonfire ignited, clearly helped along with a splash of oil. James walked ahead moving about the fire to stand on the opposite side. Everyone was well aware James was the biggest and strongest of the clan. But now with the flames dancing above the fire that illuminated him, he looked like a mythic hero out of an ancient Norse saga. The swirl of the pipes added greatly to the effect.

Kami walked in front of the chariot momentarily stopping the procession. “Horace Finley, you are about to enter the domain of the All Mother Oak, the matriarch of all forests in this area. Look behind James and you’ll see her gnarly bark.”

Horace leaned forward a bit and stared as the youths ran forward to illuminate it’s vastness which finally allowed him to see the mass several feet behind James.

“We think the All Mother Oak is 534 years old,” Kami continued. “Her diameter is 8.9 feet, her circumference is 27.9 feet. Her bottom branches are as big as trees and their weight has forced them to the earth where they now form knees before soaring back towards the heavens. They kneel between 30 to 35 feet from the main trunk creating a living arched roof 30 feet high. Her leafy crown spans 168 feet and she’s 80 feet tall.”

She pointed to either side where the 2 branches touched the earth and then soared upwards. Torches backlit the massive branches.

Horace’s mouth dropped open as he clearly saw the branches kneeling on the earth before soaring upward. Never had he seen such a huge tree.

“Come forward to the fire which illuminates her leafy cathedral,” Kami smiled as she moved an arm to guide his chariot.

As Horace was pushed under the arched living cathedral in the flickering light he could see the massive branches forming the ribs and the boughs forming the ceiling. The heat of the fire soothed his body.

James stopped playing. Ronald steadied the wheelbarrow as others helped Horace stand. Then James spoke:

"Grant O Gaia, thy protection
and in protection, strength
and in strength, understanding
and in understanding, knowledge
and in knowledge, the knowledge of justice
and in the knowledge of justice, the love of it
and in the love of it, the love of all existence
and in the love of all existence, the love of Goddess and all Goodness"

In unison the clan responded, “We are blessed by Gaia and her gift of the All Mother Oak.”

The Quakers from Wave Dancer kept the silence in respect for the Clan’s beliefs. It was difficult no to do so since they could feel the forest spirits swirling amongst them. They also understood no force would be exerted to coerce them to worshiping Gaia. It was totlly free will.

A chair appeared and several people assisted Horace to the seat. Several benches seemed to appear for the older people to sit while the younger simply sat on the ground. As Horace looked around the group he saw everyone was smiling serenely. He desperately wanted to feel the same.
“Captain Dever, you and your men are welcome to join us,” James smiled. “I think you’ll find this quite eye opening.”

As the last person sat, the torches were extinguished since the flickering flames of the bonfire provided enough flickering light to see while making it appear the leafy boughs were moving. James began playing a tune on his pipes, Dan joined in on the fiddle, Chitto on a drum and Jacob, Micah and Brody on flutes.
( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fckH2P0KK14 For the Love of a Princess)

As the music echoed beneath the leafy arches of the oak, the shadows created by the dancing flames seemed to come alive. The 4 newest adult members of the Clan McKay knew the forest spirits were helpful yet their life of fears had not yet lost it’s hold on them fearing that demons had been summoned as they huddled together in dread of the unknown. With a growing fear they looked about for Brody. They found him with Johanna, her hands reassuringly resting on Brody’s shoulders as he played a flute they didn’t know he had. William Dever and his crew, who had experienced the ethereal connection with All Mother Oak before, found themselves swept up in the somewhat melancholy tune as the flickering of the bonfire made menacing shadows.

Then James began playing a different tune with the other musicians joining in. Kami began singing while the rest of the smiling Clan Mckay joined in as back-up choir singing the ‘Forest Song’.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GMdP3mKKnk
{The definition of the word PRIME means having the highest quality or value}
Sing me your woodland ballad
Wake up my inner light
And let there be endless prime
Let the star rise and shine
Let there be endless prime
Let the star rise and shine
Faith and fate now
Be on my side
Fly as a wind, my only dream
Here's our home
And here's our will
Pure love, pure love
Save us from the dark
Only love, only love
Fly as a wind, my only dream
Here's our home
And here's our will
Pure love, pure love
Save us from the dark
Only love, only love
That keeps our souls alive
So let the dawn fires keep burning
Warming and lighting our hearts
In olden times secret knowing
Lead us the way to new start
In olden times secret knowing
Lead us the way to new start
Faith and fate now
be on my side
Fly as a wind, my only dream
Here's our home
And here's our will
Pure love, pure love
Save us from the dark
Only love, only love
Fly as a wind, my only dream
Here's our home
And here's our will
Pure love, pure love
Save us from the dark
Only love, only love
Let there be endless prime
Let the star rise and shine
Faith and fate now
Be on my side
Fly as a wind, my only dream
Here's our home
And here's our will
Pure love, pure love
Save us from the dark
Only love, only love
Fly as a wind, my only dream
Here's our home
And here's our will
Pure love, pure love
Save us from the dark
Only love, only love
That keeps our souls alive

As they sang and played the menacing fire generated shadows morphed into playful sprites joyously dancing.

Horace watched the way the music effected the flickering of the bonfire mutate from intimidating to playful. For the 1st time since his mother became ill he felt the burden of his otherwise lifelong loneliness lift from his shoulders to be replaced by a sensation he’d never before felt...LOVE... Pure Love! Tears of release and euphoria filled him. The wet streaks running down his cheeks glistened in the dancing firelight.

Johanna and Brody moved to Horace, each placing a hand on his shoulder, being careful not to block his view of the fire or trunk of All Mother Oak. Johanna spoke. “The spirits have seen your despair and forlornness and offer you a new life. Please stay seated, to achieve new life you must let the spirits surrounding us cleanse your sorrow so you must willingly open yourself to them and us. Confess your solitary life. As you do so the fire will draw and incinerate your loneliness and struggles. Only then can Gaia refill your weary soul with love and kindness.”

Horace shivered as her words tore into his very being. Unlike the times he’d gone to Confession in Church with his mother, this act of confession did not seem empty and useless. “I was born in 1782, the illegitimate child of a British aristocrat overseeing Ireland. I never met my father but he quietly supported my mother and I in a small house in a wooded forest on the outskirts of Dublin. Unfortunately my mother developed consumption when I was 9. Knowing her end was near she sent a letter to my father to take care of their son. It couldn't have happened at a worse time. My father was in the process of being awarded a peerage and taking a seat in the House of Lords. He quietly arranged with the lawyer overseeing the house where we lived to bury my mother and ship me to London.

As soon as my mother was buried I was put on a ship bound for London hoping my father would take me into his home. I was met at the dock by another lawyer and taken to the Harrow School where I had been enrolled. The boarding school was founded in 1572 under a Royal Charter granted by Queen Elizabeth I. It is located in a leafy 300-acre estate, encompassing much of Harrow on the Hill in north-west London. Attendance to weekly Anglican Services was required, but I found no succor there. During my stay I received a miserly monthly stipend. I wasn’t the only boy who stayed there year round. Like several other students under similar circumstances, we were considered the dregs of the school by the staff and fellow students, enduring practically daily bullying, especially since I was in the top 5 of my year with honors in history, math, English, Latin and Greek when I completed the curriculum in 1800.

At that point my father bought me a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 27th Regiment of Foot with a slightly larger monthly stipend and I was promptly sent to join the unit in Egypt. At age 18 I dove into the military life. By 1806, I'd been promoted to captain and my unit became part of a British expeditionary force sent to Calabria, Italy.”

“There was one fierce battle which forever changed my life,” he continued in a voice with a bitterness. “The Battle of Maida, fought on 4 July 1806 was a battle between the British expeditionary force and a French force outside the town of Maida in Calabria, Italy. As part of Colonel Cole's 1st Brigade I was deployed on the left flank with the artillery. We faced off against General Digonet commanding the 23rd Light Infantry and 9th Chasseurs and the French field guns. We attacked the French. The 9th Chasseurs charged, forcing my command to form a square. With few casualties we succeeded in holding off the cavalry attack and forced the French to retreat. Unfortunately, before we could reform our lines we were hit by a salvo from the French Artillary to cover the withdrawal of the French. The airburst shells were quite effective since my unit was still compacted from their square formation. I awoke in the sickbay of a British Naval ship. I'd suffered numerous shrapnel wounds from top to bottom. Most had been cleaned and sutured as evidenced by the nasty scarring on my face. The surgeon had to amputate my left foot just above the ankle.”

Heartfelt sobs burst from Horace as he openly broke down in tears.

“I can tell you’ve never vented your grief,” Johanna said as she and Brody wrapped their arms about him. “Let your grief out. No one here will judge nor condemn you for crying. We are a family and with the help of the woodland spirits console each other. By venting your repressed grief your heart will be freed.”

Horace placed his face in Johanna’s shoulder sobbing for nearly 3 minutes. When he raised his head he say Johanna’s face was full of compassion for him. Looking around he saw everyone looking at him the same way, even the mongoloid Brody. And it was compassion, not pity. It gave him the strength to pull himself together and continue his tale. “But those were not my worst wounds. The most devastating injury was the one that castrated me. The surgeon was able to salvage part of the penis, but any future hopes I’d had to someday start a family were destroyed. I no longer saw an end to my life of loneliness.”

Horace smiled as Brody offered him a canteen. His compassion and those around him felt like a protective shield. “It took 2 months to be able to get around on crutches and to be returned to England where I was placed in a convalescent home. The fact people grimaced when they saw my face ate at me to the point I was ashamed to appear in public. My pegleg was fitted during that time. It took several embarrassing mishaps until I learned to avoid soft ground. Fortunately my pay continued during this time. After 3 months I was deemed incapable of serving and received a pension equal to my monthly pay, £100.

After 8 months I was approached by a lawyer representing my father who was dying from consumption. Not wanting to leave evidence of his illicit affair and son, he offered a lump sum of £1500 to leave the country. That hurt what was left of my self esteem but I’m not a fool. I negotiated the settlement to £3000 then notified the pension board I was moving to America. Once again I negotiated a lump sum settlement of £12,000. Before I left for America, I sailed to Dublin to visit my mother’s grave and visit my childhood home. I found her grave overgrown with weeds marked by a small stone cross bearing only her name. I cried. As I looked for my childhood home nestled in the forest, I found the house burned to the ground with the forest chopped down and burnt. A month later at age 25 in 1807, I set sail to America, at 1st settling in Philadelphia in a rooming house.”

“Having no business acumen I approached the Head of the University of Pennsylvania seeking a teaching position. Thus I became a professor teaching Latin and Greek, moving into a nice boarding house within walking distance of the school. My £15,000 was placed in Philadelphia Bank, (later Philadelphia National Bank). My scarred face and pegleg kept me from fraternizing with other staff at the school and in the growing city. Once my students got past my appearance I was noted as a good teacher. It became part and parcel of my classes that I had to explain how I lost my leg and received the facial scars. Since the Napoleonic Wars were ongoing, that ended most discussions of my past. I had moved into a boarding house within easy walking distance of the school. The owner of the rooming house was a steadfast Quaker who accepted me as a fellow human. Many evenings were spent discussing Quaker beliefs which I found aligned with my dislike for formalized Religions. She even convinced me to join her attending Quaker Meetings.”

Horace sighed and shook his head before speaking. “I was doing okay until the War of 1812 broke out. My past as a pensioned Officer in the British Army created much animosity. As the war progressed and the Delaware and Chesapeake Bay were blockaded by the British, I became an easy target, often being accosted by groups of wayward youth throwing stones and occasionally manure. The Quakers asked the local authorities do something to stop the unwarranted assaults. The attacks slacked off but didn't stop. On August 26, 1814, the news reached the city that Washington DC had been attacked and burnt by the British on the 24th, The attacks against me resumed now with adults joining. The Quaker community was aware of the renewed violence and a crowd of Quakers headed to the boarding house which was surrounded by an irrate well watered crowd. The angry people reluctantly yielded to the quiet Quakers but vowed to return. A brief discussion led to me to pack my belongings as a wagon was brought to pick up my personal library and teaching materials. I was spirited away to a different Quaker home. The next day a covered buggy picked me up taking me to the Philadelphia Bank to withdraw my funds. Upon returning to the safe house I transferred to a covered wagon that was already packed with my belongings. From there I was taken to a Quaker owned farm just outside Philadelphia where I remained hidden. The attacks, fleeing and discomfort of a bumpy wagon trip took a toll on my health. Even offering to pay it took until September 5 until a wagon was found that was added to a small wagon convoy taking gunpowder and lead to Baltimore. Letters had been sent to the Quaker Meeting at Stony Run just north of Baltimore. The Quakers at Stony Creek arranged for a boardinghouse where I could recuperate with the hopes I could become a tutor. The 95 mile trip took 5 days arriving in Baltimore on September 11. As the wagons reached Baltimore they were cheered by local militia as the gunpowder was needed. The British were coming to attack Baltimore. Hundreds of men were digging fortifications north of Baltimore. The site brought back unhappy memories of my military experiences. After burning Washington DC the British forces headed north with the intention of burning Baltimore. The militia of Baltimore and the surrounding area flocked to the aid of the US Army who wanted to stop the British. On September 12 I was roused out of a fitful sleep by the sounds of cannon fire echoing around the Baltimore area as 5000 British troops landed between the Back and Patapsco rivers. They were met by an American delaying force. The British Commander, General Ross, was killed early in the fight. As night fell the Americans fell back to their main 3 mile long defense line centered on Hampstead Hill. On the 13th, Baltimore awoke to the largest artillery assault on the the main defense of Baltimore, Fort McHenry. The fort was 5 miles from the boarding house. Later that morning, the British probed the American land defenses to the north but after clearing a few outer positions, found the main positions too strong. I was only 2 miles from those battle lines. The bombardment of Fort McHenry continued non stop for 25 hours. In frustration and running low on gunpowder, the Bristsh withdrew.”

“By then, I was a mess,” Horace admitted. “The strain of being forced to flee Philadelphia only to end up in Baltimore for the 3 day battle broke me. Fortunately the Quakers took care of me but my spirit was broken. It took a week for me to settle enough to return to lucidity but I wasn't the only one to suffer. Anxiously I set out to explore my new environs. I didn't get much further than a nearby tavern. Rum and whiskey soothed my frazzled nerves. The proprietor of the tavern was tempted to just throw me out but my haunted eyes and scars stayed his hand. He let me sleep it off. Awakening by mid-afternoon I wanted more to drink but the owner managed to find out where I was staying. Several Quakers arrived to carry me out to a wagon. Back at the boarding house I was doused with buckets of water. Back in my right mind I humbly apologized and thanked them for taking care of me. Unfortunately my nightmares returned and I was soon back at the tavern. The Quakers would not stop me from drinking to excess, but became enablers as 2 to 3 times a week I drank myself to oblivion. I prayed with them asking for strength but ultimately failed. Fortunately the Quakers were honest and made sure my stash of cash paid for my needs and deeds. After 16 months, January of 1816, I finally crashed both physically and mentally. I could barely make it out of bed. At that point, in a moment of clarity I realized I was killing myself.”

“For most of my life I'd had no family to seek advice or comfort,” Horace declared. “Then I grew angry, there was no one to blame for my situation but myself. I'd survived too much on my own to throw away all that effort by drinking myself to death. I asked if they could summon a Quaker lawyer who was minding my bills and upkeep. The lawyer arrived and I told the lawyer and several others to chain me to the bed to prevent my leaving and to keep me chained until I either died or the chains of alcohol broke. The lawyer drew up a short power of attorney which I signed with a trembling hand. The first 2 weeks without alcohol were not easy and certainly not pretty. After that I began the slow road to recovery. I had to rebuild my strength and health and challenge my mind. Whenever I left the boarding house, I was accompanied. They nursed me back to health, a 5 month ordeal. Finally clear eyed and and headed, I thanked everyone and insisted that those who helped be rewarded. They all understood I could no longer stay there, otherwise the highs and lows I'd experienced would haunt me. In mid June they arranged for me to sail south to Savannah, Georgia on a Quaker owned coastal ship with a letter of introduction and warning to the local Quakers.”

“The salty air helped clear my head,” Horace smiled wanly. “After sailing 180 miles in 2 days, the ship stopped in Norfolk, Virginia. After 3 days they sailed 225 miles in 2 days to the port of New Bern in North Carolina. After 3 days they sailed 223 miles in 2 days to Wilmington, NC. After 3 days they sailed 168 miles in 2 days to Charleston, SC. After 3 days they sailed 98 miles in 2 days to Savannah, Georgia arriving July 7, 1816. There were not many Quakers left in Georgia by that time. The Devers explained that during the Revolutionary War, their neutrality made their neighbors wary that they supported the Crown. Many tried to continue their peaceful ways and maintain the status quo. To the Revolutionists that meant they supported the Crown. Wealthier Quakers found themselves arrested as traitors with their possessions confiscated. A few were hung, many were beaten, all were looked upon with suspicion. Most were forced to leave, moving to the growing frontier of Ohio. Those who remained stood by their pacifistic ways but managed to walk the thin line between favoring one side over the other. The local Quaker Meetings had dissolved as most moved away. The Dever family and those they employed stuck it out. They were well known for their honesty and thus were able to see their trading business flourish.”

“The Devers welcomed me,” Horace said. “Before they could read the letter of introduction I confessed I was a just recovered alcoholic who had been sober for 6 months looking to resume my trade as a teacher or tutor. Silas Dever arranged an introduction to the private school established by the Savannah Business Organization, the same school the Devers sent their school aged boys. The headmaster was delighted to have a qualified teacher for Greek and Latin although my past as an officer in the British Army was a detriment. That I’d never fought the Americans and had suffered grievous wounds facing the French was deemed to counterbalance that negative. A boarding house near the school was found and my books and teaching supplies were placed in the school. Silas warned me to keep my anti-slavery views to myself. When classes resumed in August, I was on the teaching staff.”

“Things went well for the first weeks,” Horace sighed with regret. “I saw numerous slaves which angered me but I kept myself under control doing my best to ignore it. On Sunday, September 22, I decided to go for a walk. When I reached Johnson Square, I decided to rest on a bench under the trees opposite Christ Church Episcopal. There were numerous Landau carriages lined up along the curb with more backed around the side street. Every one of them had a well dressed African driver seated on an open front driver’s seat with a well dressed African groom seated on an open rear seat. I was getting ready to return home as the front doors of the church opened. The vicar stood just outside the door to greet the parishioners. The carriages apparently lined up in the order the parishioners were leaving. The groom hopped down to place a step to enable the passengers easier access then held out his hand to assist entry then shut the door when everyone was inside. The groom scooped up the step placing it in a holding spot in the back before climbing up to his seat. It was like a well rehearsed dance.”

“About the 6th coach, once the passengers were inside, the groom stumbled as he picked up the step and fell against the side of the coach before rolling beneath the carriage,” Horace sadly related. “The driver apparently thought the movement when the groom fell was the groom leaping up to his rear seat so shook the reins signaling the horses to step off. The groom was run over by the wheel which really bounced the carriage. Looking back the driver saw the groom on the ground. Unable to see the fallen man the driver of the next carriage moved forward and the horses of that carriage stepped on the man before he could stop them. The brakes were applied to the 2 carriages and the drivers hopped down as did the groom from the 2nd carriage. They carefully extracted the man from beneath the horses placing him on the grass beside the sidewalk.”

“The owners of both wagons had stuck their heads out to see what was going on,” Horace added with a bit of anger. “Both yelled at their drivers to get back to work. They did as they were told and left, abandoning the poor man. Those oh so Christian parishioners glanced at the moaning bloodied man with as much concern one would show for a stray dog. I lost it and crossed the street to see if I could help the man. The selfishness of those so called upper class infuriated me. I knelt by the moaning unconscious man to offer aid. Based upon my war experiences, I knew he was beyond saving. The wheel had run over his stomach and there were numerous horse footprints on his chest. Blood was leaking from his mouth and I could hear burbling blood in each ragged breath. I took his hand and spoke attempting to comfort him until he passed. Those smug bastards just watched, no one even attempting to help. I stood and looked at the vicar.”

“An excellent example of your piety that no one offered this man succor,” I yelled. The vicar turned away and the parishioners continued their exodus. I stormed off as rapidly as my pegleg would let me.” Unfortunately word of my deeds and words spread rapidly,” Horace deflated. “The next morning as I walked to the school everyone scowled at me. When I arrived at the school I was brusquely told my services were no longer needed so I should clear out my things and leave. When I arrived back at the boarding house the matron told me I had until sunset to get my things and leave. My world was crashing in on me. I wanted to drink myself to oblivion. As I stood outside trying to take in what happened, Silas pulled up in a wagon with one of his men. They helped me load my belongings in the wagon, then took me back to his home. I had lost all hope but he told me the bottle was not the answer, that I was a better man than that.”

“As we were pulling away from the boarding house, about a dozen men showed up with a rope,” Horace recounted. “They wanted to lynch the ‘African’ lover. Fortunately Silas talked them down by promising to keep me from roaming about town and that he’d assist me to leave Savannah on a ship. They said if anyone caught me in town they’d lynch me, then added that if I was still in town by December 1, they’d lynch me. I was grateful for the Devers but it broke my heart when Gary came home having been on the wrong side of several fists for sheltering me. Now, here I am, baring my soul. I’m tired of running. I’m tired of the stares. Honestly, I’m just tired of living.”

A soft breeze swept beneath the leafy canopy causing the flickering flames to flare as they seemed to incinerate the despair that was Horace’s life. A strong gust of wind playfully swirled around Brody. Johanna reached out to take Brody’s hand while both youths placed their free hand atop Horace’s hands. The musicians began to play softly as Brody began to sing as the spirits entered him:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98lNKjwYtaU

In this proud land we grew up strong
We were wanted all along
I was taught to fight, taught to win
I never thought I could fail
No fight left or so it seems
I am a man whose dreams have all deserted
I've changed my face, I've changed my name
But no one wants you when you lose

Johanna then sang:

Don't give up
'Cause you have friends
Don't give up
You're not beaten yet
Don't give up

Brody sang:

I know you can make it good
Though I saw it all around
Never thought I could be affected
Thought that we'd be last to go
It is so strange the way things turn
Drove the night toward my home
The place that I was born, on the lakeside
As daylight broke, I saw the earth
The trees had burned down to the ground

Johanna sang:

Don't give up
You still have us
Don't give up
We don't need much of anything
Don't give up
'Cause somewhere there's a place
Where we belong
Rest your head
You worry too much
It's going to be alright
When times get rough
You can fall back on us
Don't give up
Please don't give up

Brody sang:

Got to walk out of here
I can't take anymore
Gonna stand on that bridge
Keep my eyes down below
Whatever may come
And whatever may go
That river's flowing
That river's flowing
Moved on to another town
Tried hard to settle down
For every job, so many men
So many men no-one needs

Johanna sang:

Don't give up
'Cause you have friends
Don't give up
You're not the only one
Don't give up
No reason to be ashamed
Don't give up
You still have us
Don't give up now
We're proud of who you are
Don't give up
You know it's never been easy
Don't give up
'Cause I believe there's a place
There's a place where we belong

Brody sang:

Don’t give up
don’t give up
don’t give up

Johanna sang:

Don't give up
don't give up
don't give up

Brody and Johanna sang:

Don't give up
don't give up
don't give up

Don't give up
don't give up
don't give up

Everyone joined in singing:

Don't give up
don't give up
don't give up

Don't give up
don't give up
don't give up

Don't give up
don't give up
don't give up

Don't give up
don't give up
don't give up

A small fire tornado about 3 inches in diameter by 3 feet tall developed in the flickering flames of the bonfire. A brief wind gust swept under the leafy canopy lifting the fire tornado from the fire. The bonfire seemed to collapse as the swirling cone of fire moved to drop atop Horace’s head where it burst into hundreds of briefly popping and sparkling flashes that scintillatingly cascaded harmlessly about him burning the sorrows of his life to ashen husks. The bonfire leapt back into flame as it seemed to consume everything that had burdened Horace. The flames seemed to generate brief images of the tribulations that had pulled Horace into the depths of despair,

The flames returned to normal. Horace slipped forward off the chair to kneel while Johanna and Brody kept a firm grips on his hands. Heart-rending sobs of decades of being unwanted and hidden away burst forth from him.

Brody had been drawn deeply into the supernatural experience, shooting an almost beatific smile to Dan who promptly tucked the fiddle under his chin and smiled back, waiting. Then Brody began to sing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7XrScyR5uM

I dreamed I walked in heaven
Just the other night
There was so much beauty
So much light

Don't you wish it was true
Don't you wish it was true

An angel took my hand
Said you don't have to hurry
Got all the time in the world
Don't worry

Don't you wish it was true
Lord, don't you wish it was true

But if tomorrow
Everybody was your friend
Anyone could take you in
No matter what or where you've been

But if tomorrow
Everybody had enough
The world wasn't quite so rough
Lord, don't you wish it was true

He said the world's gonna change
And it's starting today
There'll be no more armies
No more hate

Don't you wish it was true
Ah, don't you wish it was true

And all the little children
Who live happily
There'll be singing and laughter
Sweet harmony

Don't you wish it was true
Lord, Don't you wish it was true

But if tomorrow everybody under the sun
Was happy just live as one
No borders or battles to be won

But if tomorrow
Everybody was your friend
Happiness would never end
Lord, don't you wish it was true

Alright

But if tomorrow everybody under the sun
Was happy just to live as one
No borders or battles to be won

But if tomorrow everybody was your friend
Happiness would never end

Lord, don't you wish it was true
Lord, don't you wish it was true

Alright
What a beautiful day

Horace watched Brody in fascination as he sang with utter conviction words he could not understand but obviously felt the message. He’d never felt the comfort of a powerful faith until he arrived here. For the first time he felt the spirits sharing true love, comfort and support. Horace had experienced much heartache and suffering, never having a place where he belonged. His experience in the world had been one of hopelessness as event after event kept slapping him down. He managed to endure the crushing events by building up walls isolating himself from the oft hateful opinions of humanity. Fortunately his spirit was strong and he kept slogging through life even as it threatened to overwhelm him in misery. However, he had felt himself nearing the end of his ability to evade the never ending persecution. But here, under the All Mother Oak, he felt salvation as the spirits swarmed about him, not removing the many burdens he’d endured, but easing the burden with love and companionship. When William told him the Clan McKay would welcome him with open arms he’d doubted the veracity, fearing to let his hopes soar out of fear he’d be met by disappointment. But William had been truthful, these people were almost magical and he never wanted to leave them.

Horace smiled at Brody, a boy burdened with the scourge of mongolism yet his heart and soul were innocent and his love for those around him pure. The boy was eager to please and had the ability to learn and take pride in simple tasks, something Horace had previously thought impossible for those like him.

Everyone had been touched by the magic of the spirits. Everyone had a genuine smile on their faces. The five newest members of the Clan McKay felt their fears and burdens lifted, as did those of the crew of Wave Dancer. Everyone returned to the house with light hearts and high hopes. Brody stayed near Horace knowing they would be best friends.

The next day Wave Dancer set off on their return voyage to Savannah. Gary and Captain Dever had a bit of one on one time with warm hugs and a very nice but short cuddle that did a lot of good for the father/son duo. This time, Gary waited on the dock for the ship to pass beyond the first big turn on the river before rejoining his friends. The Clan McKay wasted no time setting up to create a better leg for Horace. As had been done for Hasse Ola, a plaster of Paris mold was made of Horace's truncated limb. Precise measurements were made to insure the prosthetic was the same length as his intact leg. A cast was also made of his intact foot, ankle and lower leg so the replacement foot would be compatible with his remaining foot.

Horace understood he’d never leave the McKay Farm, yet he was not imprisoned, he’d finally been freed!