He had been away too long in places where he couldn't practice magic, and he felt as if his powers were being drained bit by bit from him hourly. The money had been spectacular - lead photographer for the best magazines, working at luxurious locations. Some of the sets had run over, and he hadn't been able to get free to renew his commitment to his magic, nor even to pray to Her. This had never happened before, and Acelin Voclain swore it would never happen again.
He was home now, and he didn't even bother unpacking before grabbing what he needed to head into the deepest woods. His grimoire, candles, special items he had set aside as gifts to the Mother, the aspect of Her that he derived his power from.
With the greatest of care he had set up his sacred circle, had drawn all the symbols in the clearing, lit the candles, chanted the prayers. He had taken care to select the finest of things for Her offering, beyond the rare food items that were more traditional. He had placed a rare pink stone in the center of the circle, and a few yards of the finest silver silk he had ever seen. Rare oils and spices in crystal bottles also were part of the offering, as well as an acacia bowl filled to the brim with rare sea-weed salt from Japan.
He had invoked the aid of the elements, beseeching each to aid him and bring his prayers to Her swiftly. Looking up, he saw the moon was at its fullest, and there had been no noticeable result.
" I appeal and beg before you, She of Three Faces, of whom I derive my strength, please hear the plea of your servant, the heir from the line of Voclain. A sign, I beg, that you have not forsaken me as I traveled abroad, stayed too long away, unable to turn my heart and soul to you as I do so faithfully. I beg for the Mother, as a son begs for his Mother, for the Maiden as a lover desires a glimpse of his truest love, and for the Crone as a man of years takes comfort from his life-long companion."