Excerpt: A Sun-drenched Land

Chapter One
It was undeniably, a day that could be considered picture perfect by those of a romantic notion. The sun blazed cheerfully in her azure playground, not too hot for those who hurried about beneath her. Several white puffs of clouds skidded across her otherwise smooth face, casting brief shadows as they danced merrily on their way. Certainly, they weren’t enough to make the group of people walking down the lane feel uncomfortable.
Along the pebbled laneway ran a small stream that seemed to be in rather good humour, chuckling away to itself as it watched the men and women walking so somberly by her side. Bright wildflowers grew along her banks, tumbling through the thick grass as they sought the sun’s beneficent gaze. Their many coloured faces upturned in silent homage. To the other side of the laneway stretched a long greenway, carefully tended and manicured to a state of perfection. A number of grand old trees shaded parts her e and there, creating small sanctuaries of cool and shade. The play of sunlight through the leaves would have enchanted the coldest of hearts.
Adding to this the gentle drone of the bees working so industriously as they hurried about their business, and the sweet songs of the the birds flitting above and that same coldest of hearts could easily be forgiven for melting then and there. There was an ambience in the air, of light and warmth. Beauty surrounded the walking party, it was in every corner. They could see it at every glance. Nor was it lost upon any of its number.
Lord John Mayland, walking at the head of the party with his petite wife guided them on their way. An elderly man, much loved and respected in the small village of Kelmscott where they lived. He’d come into his own when he brought the family name back from one ruined by greed and lust, to one that cherished his family and people. His sons and daughter had been raised to respect those who worked their lands, and tilled their soils... and not to abuse the privileges that their rank afforded them.
The eldest son, and the heir to Lord Mayland’s lands and title, was young Henry Mayland. A young man of no more than four and twenty, he’d been brought up by his mother more than he had his father. For this reason, perhaps, he was one of the more pampered of the Mayland children. His mother certainly made sure that he had never wanted for a thing, and as a boy had grown up expecting that his every wish and desire would be fulfilled.
William was the second eldest, younger than this brother Henry by a little over a year, William’s boisterousness as a child had caused his mother no end of grief. She complained often to the boy’s father that he sorely tested her nerves, and that she would not be held to blame when she had a nervous breakdown. Be that as it may however, William was a much loved child, ever inquisitive about what was going on around him and quickly became a favourite in the hearts of many, including his father.
The next child to be born to Lord Mayland and his long suffering wife (she would have you believe so, at least) was their daughter; Charlotte Mayland. Her family and close friends new her as Lottie, a precocious child who craved the affection and attention of those around her. As sweet as any father could hope her daughter to be, she was neither too smart nor too dull. Considered a much cherished cherry in the eyes of those who had the fortune of having her acquaintance she was much loved wherever she went.
Their youngest child, a boy who had not yet even come of age, was Harry. Bright, cheerful and always ready with a quick laugh or smile he was a favourite amongst the girls of the village. Not that this drew the jealousy of the boys, rather he was very much one of the lads. He enjoyed nothing more than mucking about on the water, whether boating or fishing. There were many who claimed that the youth would likely go into the navy... such was his passion for such pursuits. But for now, the family were content to have him at home. His laughter a welcome balm to his mother’s fits of nervous temper.
Walking with them, were the wives, husband and children of the three eldest. The family home was large enough to hold such an extended family comfortably, along with any friends who were visiting with the family at the time. By the eldest son Henry’s side, the beautiful Victoria strolled. A flame-haired beauty she was famed just as much for her passion as she was her bright locks. Myrtle walked arm in arm with her husband, William. A doe-like creature, soft and gentle she was a calming foil to her two sister-in-laws and her mother-in-law. And the last in-law, James Greymount walked by the side of his new bride Lottie.
Several children danced underfoot, disregarding the calls of their parents, uncles, aunts and grandparents to hush and show some respect. For today the walking party were bound for the small temple at the top of their village. It stood some distance away from their manor, but it was a pleasant walk, as the day was showing already in all her glory, and so the family were never much perturbed by having to walk so far. That aside, all of its members were devout in their worship of the Goddess.
Soft nods and murmured greetings where soon being exchanged between the family party, and the others in the village who were also making their way up the hill to hear the cleric speak. As they drew nearer, even the children began to hush... the reverence emanating from the temple washing the nearby land with a sombre mood. Myrtle squeezed her husband’s arm, were her hand rested gently and as he glanced down at her, she smiled warmly.
“It seems today is blessed, does it not my dear? See how the sun’s rays light up the stained glass windows? How much heart beats in expectation, I long to see the warm rays falling over all.”
William smiled back at his sentimental wife, his hand coming up to rest upon hers. She may never be as vibrant as her husband’s wife, nor as passionate as her sister, but no one could deny that Will’s wife held in her heart the same appreciation for beauty as her sister-in-laws. He saw his father’s eyes dance. His mother shook her head, whispering under her breath to her friend that had just joined their number about how fanciful the girls of today were. Neither Will, Henry nor James minded much and between them and their father they exchanged knowing glances. As his mother wandered off to gossip with her friend, he knew that nothing much had changed since she had been a young woman.
Myrtle dropped her husband’s arm and hurried off to gather her young children beneath her wing, ushering them into the cool dark of the temple’s interior. Her dark skirts swished around her legs as she sought to keep them under control, even here they were never completely subdued in their eagerness for play.
Several seconds later their eyes adjusted to the gloom within. A neat white tiled passage led from the entrance where they stood to the temple proper. Bright frescos of the Goddess in all her glorious seasons graced the wall. From the time of birth and renewal to her passing in the bitter snowy cold. As always the various members of the Mayland family looked upon them with open admiration. It was hard not to. The craftsmanship was breath-taking. Someone had obviously taken a lot of care when the piece was commissioned.
A stone basin of clear water stood by the door. Sweetly scented by the jasmine blossom that floated delicately on the surface. In turn each member of the family stepped forward and rinsed their hands in the cold water. A small man wearing brown robes stood waiting, warmed cloths ready and waiting for them to dry their hands on. He smiled benignly down at the smallest children, handing to each of them a small piece of candied fruit. As expected their squeals of delight prompted knowing looks between the adults.
Traipsing down the white tiled passage they soon entered the temple proper. Already bustling with people, the bright and airy room seemed welcoming and cheery. A reverent hush swathed the room dulling the murmur of conversation. Rows of long benches extended outwards from the centre aisle. Here and there cushions could be seen, seats reserved for their elderly patrons. Nearer the front of the temple proper there was a relatively large space where nobody was sitting. As a major benefactor of the temple the Mayland family were accorded a number of benefits. There own benches near the front of the temple was just one of them.
Lord Mayland led his family down the centre aisle, his wife floating beside him serenely. Both knew the eyes of the congregation would be on them, and he nodded greetings to those he passed. Offering a word to those of his people whom he knew by name, if not by a closer acquaintance. The softly murmured greetings followed his family as they walked, his sons and daughter greeted with an equal amount of warmth.
As they drew nearer to their benches the sun finally peeked her way through the stained-glass windows that graced the stone walls up high. Warm light burst forth, illuminating the dark temple proper in a gush of glorious coloured light. Rosy hues of red and gold mingled over the congregation with the cooler blues and greens. Here and there blurry faces of the Goddess could be made out, although the light was so fragmented it was difficult to see. One such face came to rest on the angelic face of a young girl, causing her companions to point and giggle.