• The Illness… Conclusion

    Comments Off on The Illness… Conclusion
    November 29, 2012 /  Uncategorized

    Rarely were there burnings.

    While it was true that many ships came and went from the harbour below and many, many more feet made their way up the steep roads to the keep above, never were they that of the zealots come to push the way of Dav. The harbourmaster had himself come to Merdigal’s Stand and built this town because of his own persecutions. While it was common for mischievous and troublesome souls to ‘disappear’ to appear months later in foreign cities. There had only been two public burnings recorded in the short lifespan of the keep.

    Since noon the Master Stepps had paced uneasily the length and breadth of the square.  It was a choice that weighed heavy on his consciousness and he was taking the duty seriously. Guards, farmers, sailors, men, women even the children came forth and added what they could to the efforts. The pyre of kindling had grown higher and higher; by afternoon it was as nearly the size of a small hut and the crowds had begun to mill restlessly about.

    His family arrived as the sun began to dim. His wife leads the small entourage, a cloak tight  around her shoulders as her vibrant emerald-blue eyes flitting warily around the square before locking onto his. Her petite frame seems almost as anxious as the day she had first come to live in the keep. So many rumors had wrapped her arrival, many concerning whispering of ‘witch’ in various ears. The were swiftly silenced with the first public burning in Merdigal’s Stand and the announcement that any who would bring harm to his new wife and their sons would son find themselves harmed themselves.

    Their sons trailed in after her; the younger two just ten and twelve pushing and jostling each other playfully, the both of them with the scaly and spiny cliff crawlers clinging frantically to their tunics. The eldest stayed closer to his wife, even at fifteen he dwarfed his mother and had inherited her finer features while still having broad shoulders on which sat his daughter. Even from a distance he could still see how much her illness had wasted her away. Even from this distance he could see the setting sun reflecting off her feverish skin and how her breath still gave her trouble. She was only seven, and already her body was failing her, all because in her age of innocence she had accidentally crossed paths with a witch.

    It was time, a messenger was sent and shortly afterwards two burly sailors escorted the witch into he square, a soiled cloth tied around her face to gag the woman. One of the sailors clambered over the wood pile and the woman was passed to him before being shackled to the stake.Missus Cadarus the apothecary, she was a cranky old lady and perhaps it wouldn’t be presumptious to say none would shed a tear at her death. It was the way of the keep, those who bring harm to others soon left their ranks and the girl was loved by most, bartering for sweet tarts from the baker for songs, taking her toys down into the village so the other children could play with them as well, she had a kind heart.

    “I am not a cruel man,” Master Stepps strode before his audience, his voice booming in the dying light as one of the seamen lit a torch. “But when someone brings harm to my people, to my own House, they must be removed. ” Belying his sturdy girth, he spun on the heel of his boot, jabbing a finger at the trussed woman, the rise in his voice revealing the emotions of the father through the brave facade of a leader. “You -tainted- my own daughter with your curse, witch, and now you must burn. Light the fire!”  The torch touched briefly to the kindling which took up the flame readily and begun to to jump and dance towards the woman’s feet. The woman, gagged, made no noise as she glared back at him, then slowly lifted her eyes to stare past him.

    Then, the shrill scream of a child pierced the air.

     

  • The Illness… Third Entry

    Comments Off on The Illness… Third Entry
    November 2, 2012 /  History

    Dear Journal,

    We’re burning Mrs. Cadarus today. Pappa says she’s a witch and put a curse on me. The village has been gathering wood for two days now and I can see even see the pile building in the square if I stand tip-toe on my toy chest and lean out the window. Pappa’s going to take us down and watch. I can’t wait! I’m so excited! When she’s gone the meanie will give me my breath back and I’ll be able to run and dance and sing and yell. They let me out of my room now though, and I get to eat normal people food with everyone.

    I keep getting hungry still though, and I eat and eat and eat. Oh well, maybe its just what the witchy put on me. and it’ll all be gone soon.

    Gwen.