'You and I go back far into the very beginning. I think it's too early for her to experience what you did when you were fourteen; she hasn't the same background. We've checked on her, she moved here to live recently – a lecturer at the University - but nowhere near the involvement we have. She will be the third generation in the faith if she continues.
'It's her choice; she pleaded to be initiated into the Circle, besides this is only the first of many trials, it's a long journey and there is no turning back. She is intelligent and a great deal tougher than some men we know. I didn't ask for this job remember, it's a make or break situation.'
'Prepare her mentally then, she deserves that at least.' Dick, my friend, was concerned for her welfare – I had been asked to accompany this girl, a minder would be a better description, for this part of her coming initiation to the Island Circles as it involved my great Aunt Mary. I couldn't refuse; one never does on these occasions not even if one dreads the experience - and I did.
I had agreed to meet her one Saturday morning to broach the subject of the next stage of her acceptance into the Circle. We met in a café and had coffee.

Before I had the opportunity to say anything to her she said, 'Why don't' you call me by my first name, it would be simpler. It's Mary.'
'Right then Mary, you must have guessed there was something afoot.'
'Not really, I thought you wanted to see me for myself, and not what I have sought to join. Don't' you ever relax?'
'Often, with a bottle of whisky.'
'I had half worked that out for myself. You are too young to drink the way you and your friend Dick do.'
'Will you come to meet my great Aunt Mary? It's hardly fair on you to be lumbered with me, but other members who would be more suitable are not available. If you agree we could go today, the worst that can happen to you is meeting my Aunt Mary.'
'That's a longest speech I have heard you make. Is your Aunt Mary that bad?'
'Worse, believe me.'
Aunt Mary met us at the farm gate.
'I knew you were coming' she said. Exchanging a few words of pleasantries, after the introduction, she led us both down through the field leading to the marsh which was part of our land. We came to the marsh' boundary. She perched herself on the top stone and invited us to join her. She looked at Mary and asked, 'Have you ever wondered why people, these days, have no experience of other dimensions that exist within our world? Dimensions which we the old religionist have knowledge of and that makes us so different to other people.'
She searched in her bag and took out a bottle, she said, 'In this bottle is one of our greatest blessings. Aided by this sacred powder we can travel with ease to both the past and the future, and more importantly communicate with our Gods.' She opened the bottle and spread a little of the powder on the back of Mary's hand and mine. 'Smell that and tell me what you see and feel?'

Mary was not prepared for what came next. Today even, many years later, she can remember the shock and fear she felt. The event is as vivid in her mind, she told me, as if it happened an hour ago. For the first time she realised that my Aunt Mary was very different to other women. She also realised why the locals kept their distance from the farm and their fear of her, which they often expressed, but never to her face. Mary told me later what she experienced that day.

'I felt transported on a journey - I know not where, nor to this day have I any idea whether it was the past or the future, real or imagined, yet to me it was real. I was amongst a large group of people standing and waiting silently on the edge of a marsh. I did not feel a stranger either, people smiled and spoke to me as if I was well known to them, and I in turn felt content amongst them as friends. It was a trial; the judge and his advisors had retired to consider the verdict. Two hours elapsed; those standing nearby thought this did not bode well for the accused. As the sun reached its highest, we hardly dared to breathe with anticipation. Suddenly the heavy silence was disturbed by a voice proclaiming the judges return.
The accused was brought forward; he stood bareheaded flanked by two elders. They turned to face the raised stone platform where the imposingly robed judge stood, and waited. The judge looking directly at the prisoner proclaimed.
'You have been found guilty, in that you betrayed the secrets of the Circle to those who are not of our faith. You know the penalty for betrayal as well as any member here, and there is no appeal. You are however entitled to the opportunity to escape the punishment decreed by our custom, in the trial of the Marsh. If you succeed in crossing and step on firm ground beyond the sacred boundary of our land, then you are free to depart and no man's hand shall be raised against you - but you will never be allowed to return amongst us, nor shall you benefit in any way from association with our people whilst on this Earth. Do you accept trial of the Marsh?' Trembling with fear he nodded and opted for the slim chance of escape. He shook; perspiration flowed down his face as he glared at the path he had chosen to take.

Turning, towards the assembled gathering the judge said, 'Should the condemned attempt to return to this side you are to strike him until he is dead. That is the sentence.' I nodded as did everyone else, and I wondered if it came to it whether I could deal him a mortal blow. In a way I felt sorry for him. We stood in a half circle around him as he stepped on the putrescent earth that was to shoulder his weight.
He paused and looked at the ground ahead, as if mentally assessing his chance of surviving without sinking into a dark wet suffocating grave. The luscious grass that covered the surface looked deceptively firm, hiding the grim secrets of that awesome place. The thought of a slow suffocating death gave spurt to his determination and aroused from within him a splenetic outburst of effort. Surprised and encouraged by his inner response, he placed his foot on a clump of reeds, carefully testing its hold on the surface before transferring his full weight on the precarious footing. It held, I heard him shout 'I must get out.' He grasped a small willow bush that against all odds, had managed to anchor itself in the sluggish quagmire. He looked around him desperately seeking another haven on which to move.
A lark rose shrilly from a reedy clump nearby tearing into the sky, wheeling and darting effortlessly in the heavens as if to remind him of his plight. It dived, perfectly attuned to its environment, and settled unconcerned on a distant bull-rush. Above a flight of crows wheeled while orientating their flight path towards a distant roost. Their raucous calls tore through the still air heightening the tension.
His hands trembled, his limbs were tired from the stress, and his determination waned as he felt his perspiration cold to his senses. He struggled against the feeling of defeat and muttered 'I must not give in.' He dragged himself from clump to clump and incredibly saw the distance between him and safety shorten. He rested for a few moments then seemingly elated, he screeched 'I can do it yet,' and moved cautiously towards his goal. He dared to look again and was surprised to find safety only feet away. It gave him hope. He reached towards a weight sustaining root in joyous anticipation of escape.
A cry of joy froze upon his lips, as his fingers sought the safety he desired. Suddenly the ground shook and heaved to the sound of a horse plangent in its stride as it neared. He screamed as the ground opened before him and from the dark bowels of the marsh emerged the mounted guardian of Caer Siddi resplendent in his divine mantle. His silver claw and shield raised high, as his hounds tore at the hapless body of the accused. I looked at the judge and I heard him say' The secrets forsworn by an obligor unto death, bound by covenant, freely given on the sacred stone, there is no escape.'
'I have never felt as frightened in my life as I felt at that moment.'
'Do you agree with the verdict and the punishment?' Aunt Mary asked, I looked around me I was back with you and your Aunt on the wall, I stared at the marsh. Did it happen I asked myself, was it all a dream? I still do not know unto this day whether I was there or not.
'Yes' I heard Mary say in answer to Aunt's question.
'Yes, he betrayed our people' Aunt Mary smiled and patted Mary's arm and said, 'Let's go home for tea; it's been an unusual day.' Turning to me she said 'Look after her, she is one of us.'
Praise indeed coming from her, at fourteen when I underwent the test the events that followed were quite different to what she and I experienced that day. This had been harrowing for her, I sympathised with her a little, and perhaps it was as Dick had suggested too early putting her through the ordeal.