Jack of Ravens

31

Woodstock Music and Art Fair, Bethel, New York, August 1969

Church made his way past the naked men and women dancing in the August sunshine and scanned the half-million-strong crowd. He didn’t really need to see the familiar faces — he could feel their pull in his head, just as Robin Goodfellow had told him.

On stage Country Joe was performing his ‘Fixin’ to Die Rag’, and the Woodstock Aquarian Music and Art Fair eased its way slowly into history as the last gasp of the Love Generation.

Church found the Seelie Court high up on the slope of the natural amphitheatre, watching the proceedings on what was, at the time, the largest performing stage in the world. Men and women in various stages of blissed-out euphoria wandered around the fringes of the court, oblivious to the collection of odd figures.

‘Brother of Dragons.’ The queen greeted Church with a warm smile.

Church gave a bow. ‘Your majesty. It’s good to see you again.’

‘And you. I feel your presence in my head. This is an unusual development.’

‘Something Robin Goodfellow arranged from the time we met at the music hall.’

‘Ah, the Puck. He is a merry fellow. But you would do well not to keep him at your back, Brother of Dragons.’

The king finished watching Country Joe’s set and turned his attention to Church. ‘The Fragile Creatures have excelled themselves this time. This is a spectacle beyond all others.’

Church had to agree. The performers included some of the most celebrated bands of all time — The Who, The Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix, Crosby, Stills amp; Nash and Sly and the Family Stone. The organisers had only expected 50,000 people a day. Ten times that number had blocked all roads leading to the isolated farm where the festival was being held, a population equivalent to the third biggest city in the state.

‘Would you like to spend some time with the Seelie Court?’ the queen asked.

‘Thank you — that’d be great. And I would like to ask for your help in a very important matter.’

‘A boon?’

‘You have always been friends of my people. The years to come are going to be very hard for them. They’re going to need all the help they can get, as will I.’

The queen patted the grass beside her. Sit, then, Brother of Dragons, and tell us your heart’s desire.’