WITCH HUNT PHASE: NIGHTThe quiet night was welcomed by the villagers since the ending of the burning of that young girl earlier. Content, the villagers happily continued their daily lives. Some proud of themselves for not being being accused, others ashamed that a member of their family ruined their reputation and lineage.
Either way, this night the villagers were eager to finally rid themselves of the menace that plagued their livelihood since a few days ago. The deaths that occurred, the boy that is still missing, and the burnings that happened as a result. Even though it's still fresh in their minds, the villagers agreed that the sooner it was not spoken of anymore, the sooner it will all be forgotten.
Because, you know, that's how it always happens...
right?
On this night of nights, the ambitious scholar,
Danzavare was heading home for the night after a full day of investigating the unholy spree of killings and burnings. To him, none of the activity seemed to match. No matter how thoughtful a conclusion he came to, he was always met with the cold shoulder and ever cooler stare of those who shun the non-believers. Of course it was of no surprise to him since the very people who shun him for not fearing the lord were also illiterate.
To this young scholar, the boy's disappearance didn't make sense. He believed that the mother was not asked any questions of where her son was, what he looked like, or even if he sleepwalked. To Danzavare, this information mattered since he planned to ultimately work at his uncle's law practice when he leaves for Bristol in two months time.
He could not explain the ghost writings created in the fog and it made him even more curious as to how it got there. Surely there was a reasonable explanation for such a thing. Witches, they are known to use magic which is gifted to them after they've sold their souls for youthful longevity and power. If that is the case, then the young girl who burned today was proof, wasn't it?
But nevermind, the ghost writings were the mystery he wanted to break, and for that he had to consult the books his uncle lent him on the "otherwordly." But as he rushed home, Danzavare heard a noise....a....weeping sound from around the pond. He went to go check it out, being naturally curious....
this was the last Danzavare was seen alive.
Later that night two farmers rushed the Judge's quarters to alert him of a terrible scene they've just found by the pond. When the Judge asked the farmers how they knew, they explained that some livestock got loose and they had to go chase them back. Apparently they were able to jump over the fence. As they chased one sheep, they noticed something like eyes following them, only...the eyes did not move. As they got closer they saw it was a scorched body in an open casket. Shocked and horrified, both the men ran as fast as they could to the Judges house because they believed that the witches were back!
The Judge, finally able to observe the scene, fell ill.
The body was burned, the eyelids cut away from the eyes as well as the lips and tongue...probably as the soul was still breathing, deep cuts were seen from the open areas of the casket and on the casket itself. Candles were placed around the corpse...but the most prominent part was the rod that impaled this poor body.
The Judge was tired. He was weary of his days being occupied by the dead and their empty stares. He was tired of the wailing from loved ones who've been wronged. And now, now the Judge is faced with an unknown victim.
The Judge has decided. Tomorrow he will alert the village of this tragedy. He will not wake the village tonight. Let them sleep. Let them slumber.
The Judge turns around to the two farmers.
Judge: "Do you recognize who this is?"
The two farmers, still unable to look a corpse in the eye, did their best to give it a glance...but failed.
Understanding, the Judge asked for one of them to get the guards and summon the Gravekeeper.
As the Judge kept observing the scene, he noticed some odd markings carved on the tree trunk next to the casket. They read:
Now I am alone
But you will be
Alone in your graves
V~~ Judge: "So there's one more left?" thought the Judge. Unknowing to the other farmer, the Judge moves way from the etchings and waits.
It was half past the hour before the lone farmer came back with 3 guards and the Gravekeeper to take care of the body.
Judge: "You know what to do. Get to it. I will summon the villagers tomorrow. We are not finished. God please save us."
The Gravekeeper prepares the headstone...
Gravekeeper: "I recognize this fellow. He was a young aspiring lawyer apprentice named Danzavare. His uncle holds a successful law practice back over in Bristol. He was to journey there soon. It's a shame, really. This lad was probably the most observant and outspoken of all the villagers here. Perhaps he got too close... Perhaps that was his end.
I'll lay him to rest properly. Please pay him your respects when you can, and let his uncle know, will you?"
