The Bard of Wild Rose

By Celia Blake

"The Bard of Wild Rose" is a literary work of fiction, an approximately 75,000 word fantasy novel for young adults and up.
Sixteen-year-old Holly McCarthy lives two lives, or so it seems. Her life in the earth realm attending a Wisconsin high school provides her with a loving family and friends, a good education, and her church choir. She also lives a secret life only she and her closest friends and family know about-- a life where she can travel to the fairy realm where her Druid boyfriend lives. In this realm music is more than she could ever have imagined; and, a fairy priestess invites her to come and live and study there-- a decision she fights her parents to be able to make while searching her heart to find out if that is what she wants to do.
Her boyfriend in Fairy is kind, passionate, and patient. Although he doesn't dream-call her to his realm as much as she would like, her love for him sparkles as bright as the fairy realm itself, and she knows they will have a future together. Still, living like this is confusing at times, and often seems unreal.
In the earth realm she is paired up with a new boy at school for a class genealogy project. He makes advances toward her, and she has some learning experiences that add to her distress. She not only discovers her strengths and weaknesses, but also her family history of Druid ancestors.
With many questions on her mind, Holly struggles with inner conflicts, teenage temptations, trouble with classmates, flooding emotions of love, guilt, and fear.
Although she makes mistakes, the most important issue for her is clear-- her scholastic future. But if she goes, she will not be able to come back from the magical world of Fairy for at least two years. Can she leave her home, her family, for that long?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Celia Blake
• Release date: Sep 30, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005646257

Celia Blake

While at the University of Wisconsin—Waukesha, I served as the literary magazine editor. I earned my Bachelor's of Arts degree in English from the University of Wisconsin Green Bay. Since then, I have continued to write.After self-publishing two poetry books (under a pseudonym) I wrote a novella, followed by a middle-grade novel, then "The Bard of Wild Rose" (now available in Smashwords), a novel for young adults and older. I have recently completed a short story collection which will be published soon. My future plans include writing a third fantasy novel.

Book preview

Prologue

Like stepping stones that rise out of water as you walk, the teenage years are filled with wavering decisions and new discoveries. Exploring interests, choosing what to learn, or finding one's first true love-- there is an innocence and sacredness. It is remembered. Recalled by the sound of a forgotten song, or the smell of a season change. Sometimes it comes to you out of the blue. The purity, the joy and the excitement. But also, the struggles and the lessons.

No matter how straight the path seems, life can take unexpected turns. With each moonrise we should listen to the Goddess, follow her guidance, and trust her.

Chapter 1

The morning dew shimmered like magick, as it did in his land. Holly watched a happy squirrel nibble on the peanut shell. She could hear him crunching away. It was late summer. She enjoyed being outside early enough to see the sunrise. A light breeze blew her bright copper hair. She took a slow, deep breath-- and feeling cool, fresh air enter her lungs, sensed something new, something changing. Autumn would soon approach with the hinting of the trees, as their leaves turn yellow and the bushes blend from green to red. But before any of that, Holly heard it in the wind. It was like that now, but something else, something sad.

She pushed away that emotion, forgetting it. She was happy. She was at peace watching the bees hovering beneath the birch tree as they pollinated the wild pink daisies.

A chipmunk approached. She tossed a couple peanuts into the leaves of grass. His little cheeks grew round. With pleasure, she listened to the high-pitched, short chirps of the cardinal, one of her spirit animals, hoping to catch sight of those lovely red feathers. And she felt him--sitting next to her, slightly back in the lounge chair. Panini Sean O'Connor, Nick for short, the love of her life.

Her first kiss, their first kiss, had been three years ago. She had been only twelve years old, but she knew, even then, that she loved him-- and since then dreamed about the day they would marry.

Oh, look at the beautiful humming bird at the feeder.

I like that one. Her body shimmers like a fish's scales, he said, in an almost muted voice.

Like a green sequence dress.

Yes, that, too. His laugh sounded distant.

Nick? She turned her head away from the backyard animals to look at him. But he wasn't there. He was there, but she couldn't see him. Just an empty chair. She felt a heat, a panic, crawl up her insides. Nick! she cried, where are you?

She reached out to where she sensed he was, to where he had been sitting in the lawn chair. She felt his leg and then felt his hand on hers. Yes. She could feel him. But not see him. Her heart dropped into her stomach.

I'm here, Holly. He squeezed her hand. I'm right here.

She took a little comfort in his voice and his touch, but...

But, I can't see you. You're invisible.

She sat up in bed, hyperventilating. She consciously tried to slow her pulse and her breathing.

Where is he? she wondered. I miss him.

It was just a dream. She was in her house, in her bed. Tears streamed down her cheeks. She flipped over and curled up, sobbing into her pillow.

The anxiety was too much. She tossed and turned, still crying. She felt so lonely and considered crawling into bed with her parents. But that wouldn't help. Not anymore. She was too old for that. She was too old to cry like this, too. It was just a dream, and it was her dream. Nick hadn't sent her this one. In fact, Nick hadn't dreamcalled her or sent her a letter in so long-- a few weeks, at least. It was really starting to get to her. But... there wasn't anything she could do about it. She had sent him a letter-- he didn't reply, so she had sent him one more. Nothing. No reply. And she couldn't call him-- couldn't go to him.

Holly considered asking her best friend, who was also the go-between of the letter passing , who was also the closest connection to his land. She could ask her, Billie, the Guardian of the portal, to ask around about him. But that sounded desperate, and she was afraid of what she would find out.

Holly didn't sleep much the rest of the night. When she finally gave up and got out of bed, it was four-thirty in the morning. Well, she wanted to look her best for the first day of sophomore year. And Billie was going to be in high school with her this year. That was something to be happy about. Since she had the time, Holly decided she would primp more than usual and look her absolute best. That, too, would make her feel better.

Chapter 2

She drove past the football field where the boys were having an early morning practice. The car ahead of her was driving notably slow, it was filled with senior girls checking out the players. The driver honked. Hands shot out the windows, waving toward the field. She wasn't in any hurry, so she stayed a few car lengths back.

Holly listened to the boys chant a tribal football song while they warmed up. It was nice enough weather to have the car windows down. She hoped for an Indian summer, but at the same time just knew it wouldn't be. The soccer field across the street welcomed them back with the smell of freshly cut lawn as they rounded the corner heading toward the lot.

Holly!

What? What?

Billie was looking at her with a wrinkled forehead and confused eyes.

Oh, I'm sorry-- daydreaming.

Let me guess-- Nick?

No. What did you say?

I said you look really nice.

Thanks, Holly replied with a melancholic tone.

It's the first day of our sophomore year. You told me you are one of the only girls in our class who has a license and a car. And, you're my best friend! Try to enjoy it! Billie demanded.

Holly pulled into the nearly empty student lot and chose a parking space up close. Aren't you sick of school?, she asked. You just spent three years of training in Fairy, with no summer breaks, might I add. Then another year of extensive home schooling with your grandma.

Billie liked school and loved all her friends, both in Fairy and in the earth realm. Fairy wasn't in another universe or anything like that, just a different realm. But, they considered where they were to be the earth realm because Fairy seemed so otherworldly. She had her adventures there, and now she was ready to have some at home.

That's just it! she explained. I miss our classmates and regular life. I'm Guardian, now and forever-- well, until I have a daughter. But I'm still half human. Hold on, she paused, eyes closed with her palms together in the praying position-- index fingers touching her lips.

All that enthusiastic energy faded away-- replaced by focus. Holly could feel the transformation in the air. She waited quietly. After one solid, silent minute, Billie pulled her cell phone out from her backpack.

Gotta text Grandma real quick. Someone just crossed over into our world. It's okay-- not scheduled, but not a trespasser either.

Billie was now a Priestess, and Guardian of the well. The well was on her land, where she lived in a lovely cottage with her cool grandmother. They called the estate Cottage Hill. When Billie's mother had past away, the Guardianship went back to her grandma until Billie came of age. The land has been in the family for two millennia, and the well was more than the average well. It was a portal. A portal into a parallel world: the world of Fairy, or Faerie. Like her mother and her grandmother, Billie had decided to take the quest and complete the training to become the Guardian of one of the three portals. She succeeded.

Holly and one other friend, Vivian, knew about Fairy. It's where Holly fell for her beloved Fairy boy: Nick. The crossover Billie just sensed, reminded Holly of him, of her horrible dream. He had been there beside her, but invisible. It was still scary. Holly displayed a fake smile.

Honey, what is it? asked Billie.

Sorry. I just, I had a sad dream last night.

Did Nick dreamcall you? That should make you happy.

No. No. It was my own subconscious mind. Never mind. I'll try to forget it-- for now, and cheer up. I am happy you're back in our school.

Great! Let's go. Billie hopped out of the car and slammed the door. She noticed Holly cringe. Sorry, she said.

Holly's dad had sold his classic light blue 1975 Oldsmobile Ninety-eight sedan on eBay in order to buy his daughter a 2000 Toyota Camry. Holly had wanted to keep the Olds, and Billie didn't blame her-- it was sweet. But he insisted she have something more reliable. Billie wouldn't be driving until next year. Her dad was a Part-Fairy Druid who lived in Fairy, so he wouldn't be buying her a car. She expected, when the time came, that her grandma would give her the old pickup truck, or make her work for it.

Time for you to show me around, she said cheerfully, admiring the perennial garden as they walked over rustic bricks through the lounge. A few students sat on timbered benches, chatting in the corner.

Gorgeous flowers, she added. Plant life always called to her like a child calls to her mother: 'Look at me, aren't I lovely!'

Welcome to Wild Rose High School. This way, Holly said, directing her through the doors.

Billie dragged herself away from the natural beauty outside and followed her best friend into high school.

Holly pointed to the left. The cafeteria is in there.

We won't have to worry about that. You have a car. We can go out to lunch.

True. Open campus is awesome. They don't have that at Pine River High. Those poor kids are stuck on-grounds. Anyway, they hold study halls in there, too.

They walked to the right. The sound of many string instruments playing many different songs echoed toward them. This is the music wing, she said, pointing at the row of lockers lining the hallway.

Billie thought about their friend, Vivian, who played violin. But Viv was in Fairy, training to be a High Priestess and the next Lady of the Lake-- a training that was five times more transcendental and comprehensive than Billie's training. Not that the past four years were easy, far from it. But, her skills were more integrated to her role as Guardian. And Billie was pleased to be a Priestess living in this world, guarding a portal in the earth realm.

Choir, Orchestra, Band. Since I'm in Choir, my locker is down there. Sucks we can't be together. What locker number are you?

Billie pulled a slip from her back pocket and showed it to Holly.

Okay. I'll show you where it is later. Here's the auditorium. She waved her arm toward two sets of large wooden doors. Concerts, plays, talent show, and detentions.

They were hit with the strong smell of freshly brewed coffee as they rounded the corner to the left and came upon the main office, which was still closed. Through the large silver gate, you could see the staff shuffling paperwork. Slow spinning fans hung from the cathedral ceiling in the lobby. Many tall windows framed the front doors, letting in plenty of light. A few boys were skate boarding down and around the steps out front. One of them performed a pretty cool trick sliding along the railing.

Do you think I should have went to the orientation yesterday?

No. You're not a freshman. And you have me. That's why we're here so darn early. Holly put her arm around Billie. "Don't worry. I got your back, girl.

Most electives are downstairs or on the first floor. English is on the first floor, too. Science, history and math are upstairs. Let me see your schedule. She grabbed it out from Billie's hands and scanned the list. Phy Ed is downstairs, English is right there, she said pointing to a classroom. History... oh, good. At least we'll have one class together. And I heard Mr. Boeman is cool. Let's see, Health and Home Ec are both near the cafeteria. Sign Language, room 143. We'll find that. I took Spanish. I wish they offered Italian, though. Awesome!

What?

Second period lunch. Same as me. Then you have Business Technology. Holly faked a yawn, patting her open mouth.

It might come in handy! Billie explained. I don't know what I'll take in college, if I go to college."

I thought you'd be a botanist or something, said Holly.

Well you never know-- I could open up my own flower shop or something. I'll need to know business then.

Oh, yeah. I suppose that is a good idea. Cool.

She looked down again, at Billie's schedule. Her index finger slid down the page. Seventh hour you have Geometry, then Student Assistant! And you don't have any science or a study hall.

Yeah. I tested out of Science. I'm going to help teach it to freshman. I didn't want study hall. I want to learn, said Billie

Dork.

Bitch.

Billie! What a foul mouth. Who knew?

Laughing, Billie pushed her playfully.

Come on. Let's head downstairs. I'll show you where the girl's locker room is.

Chapter 3

Aside from the annoying little soprano girl who way overdid the staccato, Choir was great. Mr. Heidle was thrilled to see Holly. Before he began testing each student's range and pitch, he motioned Holly over to the piano and handed her some sheet music.

I wrote this during the summer. Let me know what you think.

Holly was flattered that her teacher would ask her opinion. Great, she replied. My dad traded in my keyboard for a baby grand. I'm sure he'll love to hear it, too.

Marvelous!

As a child, Holly had always sang in the church choir and always loved it. Plus, she spent the past four years (all of middle school and her freshman year) concentrating on training her voice even more. Since her best friend had been gone into Fairy, and her boyfriend lived there, in another realm, it left her plenty of free time. She would always regret not training in Fairy herself. But that hadn't been her choice. Her mom had forbidden it. Holly didn't have any Fairy blood, but when she was in the fifth grade she had been invited by one of the oldest Priestesses to attend school there, specifically to hone her vocals and be trained as a Bard. She thought her dad would have agreed, but her mom had wanted her at home with her and her little brother.

Holly's dad traveled during the week for work, but always made time for her on weekends. He appreciated her talent because he, too, played and loved music. He used to play his acoustic guitar and sing her songs when she was a little girl.

Holly's parents had felt bad for keeping her in this realm because they knew how much she wanted to go to Fairy. So, aside from the school and church choir, they paid for piano lessons and a private voice tutor.

When Mr. Heidle heard her sing, he realized how much he'd missed her voice over the summer. She sang magically, a true gem. He knew she would be his star solo at the school concerts and felt lucky, humbled, to be part of advancing such a gifted young lady.

Second period Algebra II was a complete bore. When Holly walked into third period History she noticed a new student, a boy who hadn't been at their school last year. She felt his eyes on her and immediately sensed his attraction to her as she casually walked past him to sit on the other side of the room. Sorry, Buddy, she thought. I'm taken. And that thought brought her dream back into her mind. She slumped into the desk and retrieved her notebook from her book-bag with as much enthusiasm as a blind person at an air show.

I see you've been trying really hard to cheer yourself up, the sarcastic voice of her best friend woke her out of her funk. Holly sat up straight and smiled, a little less fake than the morning smile.

That's a little better, said Billie, sitting down in the desk next to hers.

Billie noticed Mr. Boeman walk in trailing an almost visible degree of ck One. Aside from his mustache, he was good looking, for an old guy. But, if he didn't do something about the excessive cologne, he would never get a wife.

Holly, on the other hand, was noticing the new kid staring at her. She replied by bugging out her own eyes. He laughed. She rolled her eyes.

Who's the new kid? she asked the student who sat behind Billie.

Not sure. He's wearing a football jersey, the kid said, stating the obvious.

So. He made the team. Doesn't mean they'll play him.

Don't they play everybody in high school, Billie inquired.

I don't know.

The bell rang, signaling students into their seats.

Hello, class. For those of you who don't know me, my name is Dale. But you can call me Mr. Boeman.

Billie liked his name and wondered if he shot archery. She, personally, was an excellent shot. She favored her recurve bow that was constructed from the magick hickory trees which grew in Fairy. She also had a crossbow made of cherry wood. After a year of drying, she used the wood of the elm to hand make all her many arrows.

Mr. Boeman assigned a kid to hand out text books while he took attendance. When he called out the name Michael Llewelyn, the new boy replied here. When Holly took notice, the boy winked at her. Mr. Boeman, noticing the exchange, smiled slightly, before continuing the roll call.

Now, before we dive into this wonderfully written and mostly accurate text book of American History, I'd like to announce our semester project.

A rumble of disappointment sounded from the back of the room.

Mr. Boeman ignored. it. You will each be assigned a partner.

Another rumble, this one louder, reverberated toward the teacher.

Oh, jeez, thought Holly. Kids want to partner with their friends, not some bozo the teacher assigns. Why don't they understand that? I sure hope it's not...

Holly, Mr. Boeman called her name first. You will be partnering up with Michael.

Mikey, sir, said the new kid, with a huge grin on his face.

Holly rolled her eyes.

The teacher replied to Holly's apparent distaste to her match, saying in a monotone, Be kind to our new student, Miss McCarthy.

She took a deep, surrendering breath.

Jessica, you'll be with Adam, he continued.

He assigned Billie with Matthew, a nice brainy guy. Billie liked him and thought his freckles were cute.

After assigning all the students, Mr. Boeman coughed a few times, clearing his throat for the announcement. You will be doing a genealogy project. Take a sheet and pass it on, he said, handing a stack of papers to a student in the front row.

Holly, with raised eyebrows, sent a nervous glance towards Billie. In their best-friend silent language it said, How are you going to pull this off?

Billie replied with a shrug. She didn't seem worried about it.

Mr. Boeman continued, "Because America was considered 'The Melting Pot' and because most of you are little melting pots yourself, I think this will be fun for everyone. I know some of you are one full nationality, so I figured doing this in pairs would be even more educational. The goal is for each of you to help the other trace their family tree back to the first place of birth of the ancestors who traveled to America and forward to yourself. Add extended family, cousins, if you want. Be creative. This sheet gives you a list of examples. Check the internet, the county courthouse site, any genealogy, heritage or ancestor site that is free, interview relatives. Get the facts about your heritage. You will share your information with your partner and give suggestions to each other. Then, creatively display your trees.

The second part of the project is a short essay describing how your partner helped you. Remember, he or she is writing the same essay about you, so be nice and be honest. Both your individual projects and your partner's essay will join together for one grade to each student. This will be twenty percent of your total grade for the semester. Although the semester doesn't end until January, I want these projects done before Christmas break. Be sure to exchange phone numbers with your partners before you leave today.

Yawns and fidgeting trailed through the room as Mr. Boeman thoroughly explained the remaining eighty percent of the grade and listed the chapters of the text they would be covering. The bell rang. A crescendo of mumbles added to the sound of students packing up their notebooks and such.

See you tomorrow, said Mr. Boeman.

Where's the Home Ec room? Billie asked Holly.

Across the cafeteria, near where we walked in from the student lot this morning.

Great, thanks! Billie flung her bag over her shoulder and booted out of the classroom excited about her next class. She would have to speak with her Grandma about this project, though. There was no way she could share her family tree with anyone non-Fairy, except, of course, for the chosen few she trusted with her life.

Chapter 4

Gym was okay, especially since they weren't required to change into gym clothes on the first day. Holly then proceeded to Advanced English, a prep class. She hoped it would give her the knowledge she needed to test out of the required junior and senior English classes so she could instead take the college level classes like Composition and Creative Writing. She had done extremely well last year in freshman English with Mrs. Martinsen, who had suggested she take