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CL133
Clanluna
Chapter 133: Dance Magic
Harry Potter is owned by JK Rowling
Earth’s Children is owned by Jean Auel
Zariz was at the Men’s Ceremony when he noticed it. Ood had already left the Men to go participate in the mog-urs’ ceremony. But that didn’t hinder them at all. After all, all of the men in his Clan but Androm were fully qualified to be mog-urs themselves. They were sitting in a circle by a small fire as they swam through the memories. This area was dotted in fires as the men of the other clans had come here to do their Men’s Ceremony too. Over the hill, the women of all the clans were doing a massive combined Women’s Ceremony. And Zariz realized that he could feel a difference between this Women’s Ceremony and the ones his Clan used to have before Wilmara joined them.
The next day, Zariz went to visit his mother. He found her at her camp in the midst of an intense discussion with a centaur and a sphinx.
“What’s going on here?” asked Zariz.
“I’m trying to help them figure out a way for them to do magic without a wand,” explained Mariza.
“We were quite impressed at what all she was able to accomplish without a wand and hoped she could help us to do something similar,” said Tangle the Centaur.
“When I didn’t have a wand, I combined divination, astronomy and runes,” said Mariza. “And since I didn’t have a wand, I used Pleasures to charge the runes.”
“But that will not work for us,” said Tangle the Centaur. “Our unicorns only come into Season once a year and we lose all control when they do. We wouldn’t be able to concentrate enough to charge a rune.”
“Why don’t you charge it by dancing?” asked Zariz.
“Dancing?” asked the sphinx.
“It’s just that I’ve noticed a difference in the Women’s Ceremony when there are Weeches present,” explained Zariz. “I can feel the uncontrolled magic leaking off of the Women’s Ceremony if there is a Weech amongst them. Even one Weech is enough to make a difference. So I think, if the Weeches are throwing around so much uncontrolled magic that I can feel it from a distance, what if you deliberately tried to use dancing to raise the magic and channel for something.”
“Do you think that would work?” asked the sphinx.
“It’s worth a try,” agreed Mariza.
After that, there were a series of unofficial ‘Womens Ceremonies‘ that were not just restricted to women. At these ceremonies each participant would try to levitate a rock through ritual dance. They would dance for long times and sometimes the stone would, after enough dancing, wiggle or even rise a little into the air. It wasn’t as spectacular as a wand. But it was a start.
A wide range of people tried these dancing ceremonies. Both Weeches and Weez-urs could raise magic by dancing. With Weez-urs, the more Clan they were the harder is was to do dancing magic. With Weeches, the more Clan they were the easier it was to do dancing magic. With Sphinxes, both male and females could do this equally well. Centaurs, and even Unicorns could do the dancing magic.
But much to Đelđuma’s and Vezava’s sorrow, muggles could not make the stone rise.
Most of the humans thought doing magic this way was too time consuming. But the Centaurs, Unicorns and Sphinxes were loving that they could do even a little magic. The Centaur and Sphinx traders planned to spread this knowledge when they returned to their own Summer Gathering and to their own Clans.
Before they knew it, the Summer Gathering was over. Now that a “floo” connection had been completed to Luna’s Clan, Many of the clans, like Đeeš’ Peverell Clan, could use magical power to link the fires together and use fire to transport themselves home. In small groups, the clans threw some powder on the central fire of Luna’s cave, stepped into the green fire, saying “Peverell Cave” (or the name of their cave), and were swept back home. The older children could go in groups of two but the smaller children had to be held by an adult. Đelđuma and her daughter, Pariđa were the only ones without any magic, so Zariz had to hold them while he flooed back to their home cave.
Once they were back home. The members of the Peverell Clan looked at each other for a moment. They hadn’t seen much of Zoub at all this summer. He had been off trading with other peoples. But he had not managed to bring a mate back with him to help care for him and his six children. Their Leader, Đeeš, still had no mate and three children to care for. Ood, the mog-ur, had six children to care for. And no mate to help him. Androm, the male clanluna, only had one child. But also had no mate. Zariz had two mates. True, his mates did help all the other men care for their children. And Wilmara’s sisters were a big help to the others too. But in the end, Zariz had two mates and the rest of the men had none. Zariz didn’t need to look into their minds to see a hint of jealousy before Androm nodded and turned away to carry his baby back to his room.
This broke the tension and everyone else returned to their rooms too. As soon as they had unpacked, Đelđuma turned to Zariz and said:
“Zariz, I am going to go spend some time with Ood for the rest of the day.”
“That’s fine. Have fun. See you in the morning,” replied Zariz, giving her a quick kiss.
Wilmara pulled her in for a kiss too, before Đeđuma left, taking Pariđa with her.
“So, are you ready to take that love potion?” asked Wilmara.
“Wilmara, you don’t have to,” replied Zariz. “I wouldn’t want to control you like that.”
“Well, we could both take it,” offered Wilmara.
“That wouldn’t be fair,” said Zariz. “I’m already in Love with you. It wouldn’t affect me.”
“But you think it will effect me?” asked Wilmara. “Don’t be so sure. Tell you what. If you agree to teach all of Maeba’s daughters and granddaughters legimancy, I’ll take Love potion with you all winter, every winter until it doesn’t work on me any more.”
“As you wish,” replied Zariz. “I’ll start some brewing tonight.”
Over the next few days, Zariz didn’t see much of Đelđuma. She was not only spending her nights with the other men of their clan, she was spending most of her days with them too. Zariz had managed to catch her eye once and saw that she was trying to squelch the jealousy that the other men had for Zariz and his two mates.
One morning a owl came from Ceban of the Ravenclaw Clan. He wanted to change next year’s Summer Gathering, so his Clan could host it and was writing all the clans to persuade them. Zariz made plans to set up a series of hearths so he could connect Ceban’s cave to the fire network. He’d have to make several hearths between his mother’s cave and Ceban’s. Perhaps in the future, new clans might form somewhere near these hearths?
After several days, Đelđuma had Shared her way back to their hearth. Some of these nights she had gone fishing, others she had stayed in the cave.
“What is this?” asked Đelđuma, spotting the nearly finished potion.
“A love potion,” explained Zariz. “The strongest there is. While it doesn’t actually create Love, it does make you feel like you are in Love. It can be pretty overwhelming. If you are already in Love, it does nothing though.”
“Who is it for?” asked Đelđuma.
“Wilmara and I are going to take it together,” explained Zariz. “I don’t think it will affect me. But she wants to try it. It should be ready by tonight.”
“If you two are going to do that, do you mind if I take some too?” asked Đelđuma.
That night, after the children had been put to bed. Zariz ladled out some doses of Love potion and put hairs from each of them in them to key their objects.
“Do you mind if Zariz and I go first?” asked Wilmara. “This was, after all my idea.”
Đelđuma nodded her assent and watched as Zariz and Wilmara drank love potions keyed to each other.
“Well?” asked Đelđuma. “Did it work?”
“I’m certain I made the potion right . . .” said Zariz. “But as I expected, I don’t feel any different at all. I already know that I Love you both.”
Wilmara lunged at him and kissed him so hard he fell on his back. Zariz kissed and caressed her back. When she finally stopped to breath, Zariz said:
“Well I guess the potion is affecting you.”
“Not really,” replied Wilmara. “I don’t feel any different at all. I’m just happy to know that we both Love each other so much that the potion doesn’t work on us.”
“Me too,” agreed Zariz, giving her another quick peck on the lips before turning to Đelđuma. “Are you ready to give this a try?”
“Yes.”
Zariz gave himself and Đelđuma doses of love potion keyed to each other that they drank.
“I do not feel any different at all,” announced Đelđuma. “Are you sure you made it right.”
“I think so,” affirmed Zariz. “Why don’t you try it with Wilmara?”
The two women drank their love potions. As soon as they did, their eyes glazed over and their pupils dilated. The stared at each other transfixed for a moment before Đelđuma spoke up.
“Oh . . .Oh! You are šo beautiful!” gushed Đelđuma as she leaned towards Wilmara.
Wilmara responded by pulling her into a kiss, then laid back, pulling Đelđuma on top of her.
“Oh my šweet đeliciousš Đelđum!” cooed Wilmara before kissing her again.
This was supposed to be Đelđuma’s night to Share with both of them, but instead, the women only had eyes for each other. The next morning, the two women held hands to go to the trench together, and could barely let go of each other long enough to make breakfast. After feeding the other children, Đelđuma sat behind Wilmara and wrapped her arms around her co-mate while Wilmara nursed her son.
“Thiš feelš šo good!” gushed Đelđuma. “Are there any šiđe affečts?”
“Well, as I told you last night, if you already love the person, it doesn’t do anything,” explained Zariz. “So if you take it on a repeated basis, you’ll either feel it taking less and less affect, as the feelings of love become real, or you’ll become resentful of the person the potion is keyed to because you feel betrayed every time it wears off.”
“I think that from now on I want to try thiš with everyone I Šhare with,” purred Đelđuma. “And speaking of Šharing . . . Wilmara, honey, I know this is supposed to be our night together, but we neglected poor Zariz last night. Do you think we could Šhare him tonight?”
“Of course,” said Wilmara, turning, bending her head back, so she could kiss Đelđuma again.”
Zariz and Wilmara discontinued their plan to take Love potion all winter. It didn’t have any affect . . . they were already in Love. But Đelđuma took it nearly every night, keyed to who ever she was Sharing with that night. But after about a moon of this, she decided to stop. The potion had only affected her a little bit with the other men at first. She already loved them. And she was started to become resentful of Đeeš and Zoub. Even with Wilmara, the potion was affecting her less and less as their friendship, with Sharing, turned into genuine love.
As the autumn progressed the clan hunted and gathered and fished, stocking up for the winter. Since Zariz was the clan expert on Herbalogy, he gathered plants with his mates and the girls more often than he hunted.
As the weather turned chilly, the clan spent more and more time teaching the children. There were several who were old enough to learn the three R’s. And Wilmara’s sisters were still learning the local languages . . . or failing to learn in Apra’s case. Her inability to communicate was getting to be a problem. She spent lots of time trying to learn, but she just couldn’t remember the words.
Apra did not have the same problem with magic. You could show her a spell only once and she would remember the incantation and wand movements. But her language problems made it difficult to teach her non-wanded subjects, like Runes. She was able to learn practical things, but not theory or explanation of the procedure.
But she was not the only magical student. Two boys were now entering their second year of learning magic and her younger sister: Inda was starting to learn Herbalogy, Astronomy and potions.
The cave of the Peverell Clan was augmented by a stone house at the base of a cliff. The small cave was walled up to form a room used for religious ceremonies, like the Men’s Ceremony. It adjoined a large room with a central fire and a smoke hole. This was the gathering place for Women’s Ceremonies, Mother Festivals and socializing. Off of this central room were 6 more rooms. Five of them were inhabited by the men and their families. The last, housed the animals and the door to the outside.
A short distance down the path from the stone-house was a waterfall that fell down the cliff. The sound of it made a constant dull roar in the background that diminished to silence in the winter, when it froze. The freezing of the waterfall was a sign that it was almost time for the Winter Mother Festival.
“Apra has become a woman,” announced Wilmara, on the morning that the waterfall froze.
“I will take her to the cave room for isolation after breakfast,” replied Đelđuma.
“And how are you going to explain it to her?” asked Wilmara.
“I will manage,” assured Đelđuma. “I can show her how to take care of her bleeding and with enough care I am certain I can get the point across.”
“And how are you going to explain all the things she needs to know before 1st Rites?” asked Wilmara.
“I can manage it,” said Đelđuma. “Besides, most of what children learn about Pleasures they learn from watching the adults of their hearth. I’m certain the three of us have set a good example.”
The Peverell Clan, with it’s separate rooms offered more privacy than most clans had. The usual arrangement was for each man to have a hearth area marked with boundary stones. It was considered rude to look across the boundary stones into another hearth. But there was no custom against children watching the adults of their own hearth Share Pleasures. And so, long before one’s 1st Rites or redfoot, children learned by watching the adults of their hearth.
“Yes, we have,” agreed Wilmara. “But what about before? Who knows what she saw living with our mother?”
“I am certain that she will be fine,” replied Đelđuma.
“I think was need to someone to translate,” said Wilmara. “Someone who speaks better Sungaean than us. Perhaps Zariz‘ mother?”
“I said No!” sniped Đelđuma. “I can handle this!”
Zariz was beginning to wonder why Đelđuma was being so stubborn about this. He took a peak into her mind and saw that Apra was the first girl to come of age in their clan. Đelđuma felt that she would be a failure as one-who-Serves-the-Luna if she couldn’t handle this on her own. But then, Đelđuma realized what he was doing and turned away to try to break off his contact.
“I Said, I can handle this!” growled Đelđuma, as she avoided the eyes of her mates.
Several mornings later, Đelđuma returned to their hearth, tired after spending the night overseeing Apra’s 1st Rites.
“How was it?” asked Wilmara.
“She was a little more frightened than they usually are,” admitted Đelđuma. “But Androm was very gentle and patient with her. It almost took him until morning to persuade her to Share with him. But her Need was Relieved and she’s now ready for a mate. I think we’ll wait until after the Winter Mother Festival for that, though.”
The Winter Mother Festival was that night. Although they had another woman this year, Zariz made certain that he and Ood and Androm all had polyjuice potion keyed to Đelđuma, in case it was needed. That night, at the Mother Festival, Apra picked Đeeš, then Wilmara picked Ood. Like last year, Zariz took some polyjuice potion to transform into Đelđuma, grabbed Androm’s hand and led him back to his hearth. This year he had enough polyjuice to retain Đelđuma’s appearence all night. Or he could have if Androm hadn’t also wanted to take a turn as Đelđuma.
This next morning, Wilmara announced: “I think I’m going to start Sharing with Ood more regularly.”
“Does this mean you’ve changed you mind about Pleasures with men?” asked Zariz.
“No. I still prefer women,” replied Wilmara. “But I’ve grown to be friends with Ood and I can see the shortage of women is threatening the harmony of our clan. I’ve found that once Ood has, in his guise as Đelđuma, Relieved my Need, I don’t mind returning the favor even after the potion wears off.
So I’m going to need you to make more polyjuice potion. But on your nights alone with Đelđuma, I’ll spend the night with him.”
“There’š going be more of them,” slurred Đelđuma, who after staying up two nights in a row, was looking very tired. “more nightš with uš, I mean. . . . Apra wantš Đeeš to be her mate and is going to štart šharing with Zoub too . . . šhe tol’ me . . . But ‘ need šleep firšt . . .”
A couple of days later, Đelđuma and Ood, assisted by Androm performed the mating ceremony for Apra and Đeeš. After their isolation ended, Đelđuma stopped Sharing regularly with Zoub. So now, that there were fewer people for her to Share with, each of them got more time with their clanluna or in Zariz’ case, his mate. Her new sleep schedual included: Zariz, Both Zariz and Wilmara, Wilmara, Ood and Androm. And on the night she Shared with Zariz alone, Wilmara would spend the night with Ood.
As the winter progressed Đelđuma’s Blessed status began to show. Divination showed that her son would be of Zariz’ spirit. He was elated that she was, at last, having a child of his spirit.
Throughout the winter the clan kept working, making things to trade to other clans at the Summer Gathering. The enlarged tipis had been a big hit with the centaurs. Zoub needed more of them to trade next summer. Also more hearths needed to be built and connected to the fire network to enlarge it enough that Ceban’s Ravenclaw clan would be part of it by the time of the Summer Gathering.
Snowy owls from his mother were no longer the only source of gossip now that most of the clans were connected to the fire network. The biggest bit of gossip was about the birth of Ayla’s and Luna’s triplets.
Spring came, and winter snow melted. Midway between the Equinox and the Solstice, the Peverell Clan visited Mariza’s Hufflepuff Clan for their annual. Mother Festival to charge the stone circle. Vezava chose Zariz to be her partner for the ritual, while Wilmara chose Mariza. Đelđuma picked Žeež, the mate of Zariz’ sister. By now, Đelđuma’s Blessed status was very obviously visible for all to see. Soon, her son by Zariz would be born. And the Mother Festival seemed to speed things along, as it started her labor. Mariza helped Zariz deliver her grandson.
After the birth, Đelđuma stayed with Mariza to recover while, Zariz and Wilmara went home to pack for the summer gathering. Đelđuma’s baby would be named at the Summer Gathering.
This story is continued in Clancreb. (or is it a do-over)
Peverell Clan of the Clanluna list
Đeeš Ea (25) – ¼ Clan (Clan-brown hair, hazel eyes) Đišič’s son, Weez-Ur, Leader
------Đešpotošič (9) – ¼ Clan, Žayljača’s son, Weez-ur
------Đaylj (6) - 1/8 Clan, Žayljača’s son, Weez-ur
------Đeešač (3) - 1/8 Clan, Žayljača’s son, Weez-ur
Ood Ađ (29) – ¼ Clan, (Red-hair, gray eyes) Iga’s son, clanluna, Weez-Ur, mog-ur, N: C,T,D,R
------Ijađič (11) – 1/8 Clan, Igača’s son, Weez-Ur, Čovič’s grandson
------Đurič (7) – 1/8 Clan, Igača’s son, Weez-Ur, Čovič’s grandson
------Đigač (4) – 1/8 Clan, Igača’s son, Weez-Ur, Čovič’s grandson
------Pigađ (1) – 1/8 Clan, Igača’s son, Weez-Ur, Čovič’s grandson
------Đoođ (6) – ¼ Clan, Đoročia’s son, Weez-Ur, Đihovilo’s grandson
------Đoroč (3) - 1/8 Clan, Đoročia’s son, Weez-Ur, Đihovilo’s grandson
Zariz Ah (20) – ¼ Clan (Clan-brown hair, Sky-blue eyes) son of Mariza, Weez-ur, Medicine Man (Adopted by Thonda), N: C,T,D,R, Cr,H,Div,p
---Đelđuma Đ (20) – Other, Krstulović’s daughter, clanluna, Zariz’ mate
------Želžum, (5) – ¼ Clan, Đelđuma’s son, Weez-ur, Krstulović’s Grandson
------Pariđa (2) - 1/8 Clan, (red hair, green eyes) Đelđuma’s daughter, Krstulović’s Granddaughter
------Đujmoviča (7) – ¼ Clan, Knežjka’s daughter, Željka’s grandaughter
---Wilmara Al (20) - ¼ Clan, (dirty-blonde hair, Clan-brown eyes) daughter of Mara, Luna’s granddaughter, Weech, Adopted by Cruna, Zariz’ 2nd mate, N: C,T,D,R, Cr,
------Antiočh (0) - ¼ Clan, Wilmara’s son, Đoroči’s son, Weez-ur,
------Apra (formerly Aphrodionephthys) (13) - Other, daughter of Mara/Gaea, Luna’s grandaughter, Weech
------Inda (formerly Indirariadnerthythsa) (10) – Other cave-elf, daughter of Mara/Gaea, Luna’s grandaughter, Weech
------Metisa (7) - Other, daughter of Mara/Gaea, Luna’s grandaughter, Weech
------Themisa (3) - Other, daughter of Mara/Gaea, Luna’s grandaughter, Weech
Zoub A (22) – ½ Clan son of Ebra, (Clan-brown hair, Gray eyes) Weez-ur, Trader
------Zađ (11) – ¼ Clan, son of Hađiča, Weez-ur,
------Đomič (8) – ¼ Clan, son of Hađiča, Weez-ur
------Đouđ (5) – ¼ Clan, son of Hađiča, Weez-ur
------Pariž (2) – ¼ Clan, son of Hađiča, Weez-ur
------Parn (1) – ¼ Clan, son of Lojkova, Weez-ur
Androm A (20) - Iga’s 1/16 Clan son, clanluna,
-----Pandruč (1) - 1/8 Clan (Clan-brown hair, Sky-blue eyes), Đuča’s son of Zariz, Weez-ur
------------Various Snorkacks
------------Various Push-me/pull-yous (Wool, Furs, Meat)
---------various Cave bears descended from Hug Giver
Clanluna
Chapter 133: Dance Magic
Harry Potter is owned by JK Rowling
Earth’s Children is owned by Jean Auel
Zariz was at the Men’s Ceremony when he noticed it. Ood had already left the Men to go participate in the mog-urs’ ceremony. But that didn’t hinder them at all. After all, all of the men in his Clan but Androm were fully qualified to be mog-urs themselves. They were sitting in a circle by a small fire as they swam through the memories. This area was dotted in fires as the men of the other clans had come here to do their Men’s Ceremony too. Over the hill, the women of all the clans were doing a massive combined Women’s Ceremony. And Zariz realized that he could feel a difference between this Women’s Ceremony and the ones his Clan used to have before Wilmara joined them.
The next day, Zariz went to visit his mother. He found her at her camp in the midst of an intense discussion with a centaur and a sphinx.
“What’s going on here?” asked Zariz.
“I’m trying to help them figure out a way for them to do magic without a wand,” explained Mariza.
“We were quite impressed at what all she was able to accomplish without a wand and hoped she could help us to do something similar,” said Tangle the Centaur.
“When I didn’t have a wand, I combined divination, astronomy and runes,” said Mariza. “And since I didn’t have a wand, I used Pleasures to charge the runes.”
“But that will not work for us,” said Tangle the Centaur. “Our unicorns only come into Season once a year and we lose all control when they do. We wouldn’t be able to concentrate enough to charge a rune.”
“Why don’t you charge it by dancing?” asked Zariz.
“Dancing?” asked the sphinx.
“It’s just that I’ve noticed a difference in the Women’s Ceremony when there are Weeches present,” explained Zariz. “I can feel the uncontrolled magic leaking off of the Women’s Ceremony if there is a Weech amongst them. Even one Weech is enough to make a difference. So I think, if the Weeches are throwing around so much uncontrolled magic that I can feel it from a distance, what if you deliberately tried to use dancing to raise the magic and channel for something.”
“Do you think that would work?” asked the sphinx.
“It’s worth a try,” agreed Mariza.
After that, there were a series of unofficial ‘Womens Ceremonies‘ that were not just restricted to women. At these ceremonies each participant would try to levitate a rock through ritual dance. They would dance for long times and sometimes the stone would, after enough dancing, wiggle or even rise a little into the air. It wasn’t as spectacular as a wand. But it was a start.
A wide range of people tried these dancing ceremonies. Both Weeches and Weez-urs could raise magic by dancing. With Weez-urs, the more Clan they were the harder is was to do dancing magic. With Weeches, the more Clan they were the easier it was to do dancing magic. With Sphinxes, both male and females could do this equally well. Centaurs, and even Unicorns could do the dancing magic.
But much to Đelđuma’s and Vezava’s sorrow, muggles could not make the stone rise.
Most of the humans thought doing magic this way was too time consuming. But the Centaurs, Unicorns and Sphinxes were loving that they could do even a little magic. The Centaur and Sphinx traders planned to spread this knowledge when they returned to their own Summer Gathering and to their own Clans.
Before they knew it, the Summer Gathering was over. Now that a “floo” connection had been completed to Luna’s Clan, Many of the clans, like Đeeš’ Peverell Clan, could use magical power to link the fires together and use fire to transport themselves home. In small groups, the clans threw some powder on the central fire of Luna’s cave, stepped into the green fire, saying “Peverell Cave” (or the name of their cave), and were swept back home. The older children could go in groups of two but the smaller children had to be held by an adult. Đelđuma and her daughter, Pariđa were the only ones without any magic, so Zariz had to hold them while he flooed back to their home cave.
Once they were back home. The members of the Peverell Clan looked at each other for a moment. They hadn’t seen much of Zoub at all this summer. He had been off trading with other peoples. But he had not managed to bring a mate back with him to help care for him and his six children. Their Leader, Đeeš, still had no mate and three children to care for. Ood, the mog-ur, had six children to care for. And no mate to help him. Androm, the male clanluna, only had one child. But also had no mate. Zariz had two mates. True, his mates did help all the other men care for their children. And Wilmara’s sisters were a big help to the others too. But in the end, Zariz had two mates and the rest of the men had none. Zariz didn’t need to look into their minds to see a hint of jealousy before Androm nodded and turned away to carry his baby back to his room.
This broke the tension and everyone else returned to their rooms too. As soon as they had unpacked, Đelđuma turned to Zariz and said:
“Zariz, I am going to go spend some time with Ood for the rest of the day.”
“That’s fine. Have fun. See you in the morning,” replied Zariz, giving her a quick kiss.
Wilmara pulled her in for a kiss too, before Đeđuma left, taking Pariđa with her.
“So, are you ready to take that love potion?” asked Wilmara.
“Wilmara, you don’t have to,” replied Zariz. “I wouldn’t want to control you like that.”
“Well, we could both take it,” offered Wilmara.
“That wouldn’t be fair,” said Zariz. “I’m already in Love with you. It wouldn’t affect me.”
“But you think it will effect me?” asked Wilmara. “Don’t be so sure. Tell you what. If you agree to teach all of Maeba’s daughters and granddaughters legimancy, I’ll take Love potion with you all winter, every winter until it doesn’t work on me any more.”
“As you wish,” replied Zariz. “I’ll start some brewing tonight.”
Over the next few days, Zariz didn’t see much of Đelđuma. She was not only spending her nights with the other men of their clan, she was spending most of her days with them too. Zariz had managed to catch her eye once and saw that she was trying to squelch the jealousy that the other men had for Zariz and his two mates.
One morning a owl came from Ceban of the Ravenclaw Clan. He wanted to change next year’s Summer Gathering, so his Clan could host it and was writing all the clans to persuade them. Zariz made plans to set up a series of hearths so he could connect Ceban’s cave to the fire network. He’d have to make several hearths between his mother’s cave and Ceban’s. Perhaps in the future, new clans might form somewhere near these hearths?
After several days, Đelđuma had Shared her way back to their hearth. Some of these nights she had gone fishing, others she had stayed in the cave.
“What is this?” asked Đelđuma, spotting the nearly finished potion.
“A love potion,” explained Zariz. “The strongest there is. While it doesn’t actually create Love, it does make you feel like you are in Love. It can be pretty overwhelming. If you are already in Love, it does nothing though.”
“Who is it for?” asked Đelđuma.
“Wilmara and I are going to take it together,” explained Zariz. “I don’t think it will affect me. But she wants to try it. It should be ready by tonight.”
“If you two are going to do that, do you mind if I take some too?” asked Đelđuma.
That night, after the children had been put to bed. Zariz ladled out some doses of Love potion and put hairs from each of them in them to key their objects.
“Do you mind if Zariz and I go first?” asked Wilmara. “This was, after all my idea.”
Đelđuma nodded her assent and watched as Zariz and Wilmara drank love potions keyed to each other.
“Well?” asked Đelđuma. “Did it work?”
“I’m certain I made the potion right . . .” said Zariz. “But as I expected, I don’t feel any different at all. I already know that I Love you both.”
Wilmara lunged at him and kissed him so hard he fell on his back. Zariz kissed and caressed her back. When she finally stopped to breath, Zariz said:
“Well I guess the potion is affecting you.”
“Not really,” replied Wilmara. “I don’t feel any different at all. I’m just happy to know that we both Love each other so much that the potion doesn’t work on us.”
“Me too,” agreed Zariz, giving her another quick peck on the lips before turning to Đelđuma. “Are you ready to give this a try?”
“Yes.”
Zariz gave himself and Đelđuma doses of love potion keyed to each other that they drank.
“I do not feel any different at all,” announced Đelđuma. “Are you sure you made it right.”
“I think so,” affirmed Zariz. “Why don’t you try it with Wilmara?”
The two women drank their love potions. As soon as they did, their eyes glazed over and their pupils dilated. The stared at each other transfixed for a moment before Đelđuma spoke up.
“Oh . . .Oh! You are šo beautiful!” gushed Đelđuma as she leaned towards Wilmara.
Wilmara responded by pulling her into a kiss, then laid back, pulling Đelđuma on top of her.
“Oh my šweet đeliciousš Đelđum!” cooed Wilmara before kissing her again.
This was supposed to be Đelđuma’s night to Share with both of them, but instead, the women only had eyes for each other. The next morning, the two women held hands to go to the trench together, and could barely let go of each other long enough to make breakfast. After feeding the other children, Đelđuma sat behind Wilmara and wrapped her arms around her co-mate while Wilmara nursed her son.
“Thiš feelš šo good!” gushed Đelđuma. “Are there any šiđe affečts?”
“Well, as I told you last night, if you already love the person, it doesn’t do anything,” explained Zariz. “So if you take it on a repeated basis, you’ll either feel it taking less and less affect, as the feelings of love become real, or you’ll become resentful of the person the potion is keyed to because you feel betrayed every time it wears off.”
“I think that from now on I want to try thiš with everyone I Šhare with,” purred Đelđuma. “And speaking of Šharing . . . Wilmara, honey, I know this is supposed to be our night together, but we neglected poor Zariz last night. Do you think we could Šhare him tonight?”
“Of course,” said Wilmara, turning, bending her head back, so she could kiss Đelđuma again.”
Zariz and Wilmara discontinued their plan to take Love potion all winter. It didn’t have any affect . . . they were already in Love. But Đelđuma took it nearly every night, keyed to who ever she was Sharing with that night. But after about a moon of this, she decided to stop. The potion had only affected her a little bit with the other men at first. She already loved them. And she was started to become resentful of Đeeš and Zoub. Even with Wilmara, the potion was affecting her less and less as their friendship, with Sharing, turned into genuine love.
As the autumn progressed the clan hunted and gathered and fished, stocking up for the winter. Since Zariz was the clan expert on Herbalogy, he gathered plants with his mates and the girls more often than he hunted.
As the weather turned chilly, the clan spent more and more time teaching the children. There were several who were old enough to learn the three R’s. And Wilmara’s sisters were still learning the local languages . . . or failing to learn in Apra’s case. Her inability to communicate was getting to be a problem. She spent lots of time trying to learn, but she just couldn’t remember the words.
Apra did not have the same problem with magic. You could show her a spell only once and she would remember the incantation and wand movements. But her language problems made it difficult to teach her non-wanded subjects, like Runes. She was able to learn practical things, but not theory or explanation of the procedure.
But she was not the only magical student. Two boys were now entering their second year of learning magic and her younger sister: Inda was starting to learn Herbalogy, Astronomy and potions.
The cave of the Peverell Clan was augmented by a stone house at the base of a cliff. The small cave was walled up to form a room used for religious ceremonies, like the Men’s Ceremony. It adjoined a large room with a central fire and a smoke hole. This was the gathering place for Women’s Ceremonies, Mother Festivals and socializing. Off of this central room were 6 more rooms. Five of them were inhabited by the men and their families. The last, housed the animals and the door to the outside.
A short distance down the path from the stone-house was a waterfall that fell down the cliff. The sound of it made a constant dull roar in the background that diminished to silence in the winter, when it froze. The freezing of the waterfall was a sign that it was almost time for the Winter Mother Festival.
“Apra has become a woman,” announced Wilmara, on the morning that the waterfall froze.
“I will take her to the cave room for isolation after breakfast,” replied Đelđuma.
“And how are you going to explain it to her?” asked Wilmara.
“I will manage,” assured Đelđuma. “I can show her how to take care of her bleeding and with enough care I am certain I can get the point across.”
“And how are you going to explain all the things she needs to know before 1st Rites?” asked Wilmara.
“I can manage it,” said Đelđuma. “Besides, most of what children learn about Pleasures they learn from watching the adults of their hearth. I’m certain the three of us have set a good example.”
The Peverell Clan, with it’s separate rooms offered more privacy than most clans had. The usual arrangement was for each man to have a hearth area marked with boundary stones. It was considered rude to look across the boundary stones into another hearth. But there was no custom against children watching the adults of their own hearth Share Pleasures. And so, long before one’s 1st Rites or redfoot, children learned by watching the adults of their hearth.
“Yes, we have,” agreed Wilmara. “But what about before? Who knows what she saw living with our mother?”
“I am certain that she will be fine,” replied Đelđuma.
“I think was need to someone to translate,” said Wilmara. “Someone who speaks better Sungaean than us. Perhaps Zariz‘ mother?”
“I said No!” sniped Đelđuma. “I can handle this!”
Zariz was beginning to wonder why Đelđuma was being so stubborn about this. He took a peak into her mind and saw that Apra was the first girl to come of age in their clan. Đelđuma felt that she would be a failure as one-who-Serves-the-Luna if she couldn’t handle this on her own. But then, Đelđuma realized what he was doing and turned away to try to break off his contact.
“I Said, I can handle this!” growled Đelđuma, as she avoided the eyes of her mates.
Several mornings later, Đelđuma returned to their hearth, tired after spending the night overseeing Apra’s 1st Rites.
“How was it?” asked Wilmara.
“She was a little more frightened than they usually are,” admitted Đelđuma. “But Androm was very gentle and patient with her. It almost took him until morning to persuade her to Share with him. But her Need was Relieved and she’s now ready for a mate. I think we’ll wait until after the Winter Mother Festival for that, though.”
The Winter Mother Festival was that night. Although they had another woman this year, Zariz made certain that he and Ood and Androm all had polyjuice potion keyed to Đelđuma, in case it was needed. That night, at the Mother Festival, Apra picked Đeeš, then Wilmara picked Ood. Like last year, Zariz took some polyjuice potion to transform into Đelđuma, grabbed Androm’s hand and led him back to his hearth. This year he had enough polyjuice to retain Đelđuma’s appearence all night. Or he could have if Androm hadn’t also wanted to take a turn as Đelđuma.
This next morning, Wilmara announced: “I think I’m going to start Sharing with Ood more regularly.”
“Does this mean you’ve changed you mind about Pleasures with men?” asked Zariz.
“No. I still prefer women,” replied Wilmara. “But I’ve grown to be friends with Ood and I can see the shortage of women is threatening the harmony of our clan. I’ve found that once Ood has, in his guise as Đelđuma, Relieved my Need, I don’t mind returning the favor even after the potion wears off.
So I’m going to need you to make more polyjuice potion. But on your nights alone with Đelđuma, I’ll spend the night with him.”
“There’š going be more of them,” slurred Đelđuma, who after staying up two nights in a row, was looking very tired. “more nightš with uš, I mean. . . . Apra wantš Đeeš to be her mate and is going to štart šharing with Zoub too . . . šhe tol’ me . . . But ‘ need šleep firšt . . .”
A couple of days later, Đelđuma and Ood, assisted by Androm performed the mating ceremony for Apra and Đeeš. After their isolation ended, Đelđuma stopped Sharing regularly with Zoub. So now, that there were fewer people for her to Share with, each of them got more time with their clanluna or in Zariz’ case, his mate. Her new sleep schedual included: Zariz, Both Zariz and Wilmara, Wilmara, Ood and Androm. And on the night she Shared with Zariz alone, Wilmara would spend the night with Ood.
As the winter progressed Đelđuma’s Blessed status began to show. Divination showed that her son would be of Zariz’ spirit. He was elated that she was, at last, having a child of his spirit.
Throughout the winter the clan kept working, making things to trade to other clans at the Summer Gathering. The enlarged tipis had been a big hit with the centaurs. Zoub needed more of them to trade next summer. Also more hearths needed to be built and connected to the fire network to enlarge it enough that Ceban’s Ravenclaw clan would be part of it by the time of the Summer Gathering.
Snowy owls from his mother were no longer the only source of gossip now that most of the clans were connected to the fire network. The biggest bit of gossip was about the birth of Ayla’s and Luna’s triplets.
Spring came, and winter snow melted. Midway between the Equinox and the Solstice, the Peverell Clan visited Mariza’s Hufflepuff Clan for their annual. Mother Festival to charge the stone circle. Vezava chose Zariz to be her partner for the ritual, while Wilmara chose Mariza. Đelđuma picked Žeež, the mate of Zariz’ sister. By now, Đelđuma’s Blessed status was very obviously visible for all to see. Soon, her son by Zariz would be born. And the Mother Festival seemed to speed things along, as it started her labor. Mariza helped Zariz deliver her grandson.
After the birth, Đelđuma stayed with Mariza to recover while, Zariz and Wilmara went home to pack for the summer gathering. Đelđuma’s baby would be named at the Summer Gathering.
This story is continued in Clancreb. (or is it a do-over)
Peverell Clan of the Clanluna list
Đeeš Ea (25) – ¼ Clan (Clan-brown hair, hazel eyes) Đišič’s son, Weez-Ur, Leader
------Đešpotošič (9) – ¼ Clan, Žayljača’s son, Weez-ur
------Đaylj (6) - 1/8 Clan, Žayljača’s son, Weez-ur
------Đeešač (3) - 1/8 Clan, Žayljača’s son, Weez-ur
Ood Ađ (29) – ¼ Clan, (Red-hair, gray eyes) Iga’s son, clanluna, Weez-Ur, mog-ur, N: C,T,D,R
------Ijađič (11) – 1/8 Clan, Igača’s son, Weez-Ur, Čovič’s grandson
------Đurič (7) – 1/8 Clan, Igača’s son, Weez-Ur, Čovič’s grandson
------Đigač (4) – 1/8 Clan, Igača’s son, Weez-Ur, Čovič’s grandson
------Pigađ (1) – 1/8 Clan, Igača’s son, Weez-Ur, Čovič’s grandson
------Đoođ (6) – ¼ Clan, Đoročia’s son, Weez-Ur, Đihovilo’s grandson
------Đoroč (3) - 1/8 Clan, Đoročia’s son, Weez-Ur, Đihovilo’s grandson
Zariz Ah (20) – ¼ Clan (Clan-brown hair, Sky-blue eyes) son of Mariza, Weez-ur, Medicine Man (Adopted by Thonda), N: C,T,D,R, Cr,H,Div,p
---Đelđuma Đ (20) – Other, Krstulović’s daughter, clanluna, Zariz’ mate
------Želžum, (5) – ¼ Clan, Đelđuma’s son, Weez-ur, Krstulović’s Grandson
------Pariđa (2) - 1/8 Clan, (red hair, green eyes) Đelđuma’s daughter, Krstulović’s Granddaughter
------Đujmoviča (7) – ¼ Clan, Knežjka’s daughter, Željka’s grandaughter
---Wilmara Al (20) - ¼ Clan, (dirty-blonde hair, Clan-brown eyes) daughter of Mara, Luna’s granddaughter, Weech, Adopted by Cruna, Zariz’ 2nd mate, N: C,T,D,R, Cr,
------Antiočh (0) - ¼ Clan, Wilmara’s son, Đoroči’s son, Weez-ur,
------Apra (formerly Aphrodionephthys) (13) - Other, daughter of Mara/Gaea, Luna’s grandaughter, Weech
------Inda (formerly Indirariadnerthythsa) (10) – Other cave-elf, daughter of Mara/Gaea, Luna’s grandaughter, Weech
------Metisa (7) - Other, daughter of Mara/Gaea, Luna’s grandaughter, Weech
------Themisa (3) - Other, daughter of Mara/Gaea, Luna’s grandaughter, Weech
Zoub A (22) – ½ Clan son of Ebra, (Clan-brown hair, Gray eyes) Weez-ur, Trader
------Zađ (11) – ¼ Clan, son of Hađiča, Weez-ur,
------Đomič (8) – ¼ Clan, son of Hađiča, Weez-ur
------Đouđ (5) – ¼ Clan, son of Hađiča, Weez-ur
------Pariž (2) – ¼ Clan, son of Hađiča, Weez-ur
------Parn (1) – ¼ Clan, son of Lojkova, Weez-ur
Androm A (20) - Iga’s 1/16 Clan son, clanluna,
-----Pandruč (1) - 1/8 Clan (Clan-brown hair, Sky-blue eyes), Đuča’s son of Zariz, Weez-ur
------------Various Snorkacks
------------Various Push-me/pull-yous (Wool, Furs, Meat)
---------various Cave bears descended from Hug Giver
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