Chapter 6

‘Excuse me?’

 

Lost in thought while staring out the window as the rain came down in a gentle sheet, Faye had not heard what the woman next to her had said.  She was older than Faye, pretty with beautiful grey eyes.   

 

‘I asked if you’re also heading to Kirkwood, ’the woman said with a smile.  ’I’m Deborah by the way, Deb for short.’

 

She extended her hand and Faye did the same, returning her smile.  ’Faye, and yes, that’s my destination.’

 

‘Visiting?  ’Deb asked.  ’I heard its beautiful this time of year.’

 

‘Actually, I’m moving back there, ’Faye replied.  ’I spent some time in London and now I’m going back home.’

 

‘Awesome, ’Deb said.  ’Forgive me if I’m being forward. You just seemed so pensive ever since you got on the bus.’

 

‘Just had a lot on my mind, ’Faye answered.  ’Are you just going to visit Kirkwood?’

 

‘Its business and pleasure, ’Deb said, shifting the heavy file on her lap.  ’I’m doing research for an article I’m writing.’

 

‘Really?  ’Faye said.  ’You’re a journalist?  What could possibly interest the outside world in Kirkwood?’

 

 Deb laughed, a sound tinged with a mixture of fascination and sadness.

  ’All the witch hunts that took place in the 1700’s.'

 

 

 

                                             ………

 

 

 

The English Coast,1794

 

‘She worries me, Father, ’Mary continued.  ’You yourself know she was friends with Bess and when I asked her to come with us, it seemed as if she were losing a loved one, and not a minion of the dark foe.’

 

Mathilda felt like slapping her daughter, but in doing so she would only incur Tobias’ wrath. She looked at Mary, her heart almost breaking that this spiteful creature had come forth from her body. 

 

‘Is this true Mathilda, ’Tobias asked.  ’Are you sympathetic towards the witch?’

 

‘Of course I am Tobias!  ’she answered.  ’Bess has broken bread with us at this very table. She has been my friend for so many years!  How can I stand idly by and watch her burn?  Elenor has  always been a troublemaker.  .  .  .  how can you take the word of that liar?’

 

‘Dear God, ’Tobias fumed.  ’Elenor has lost her child through the witch’s evil!’

 

‘The only evil, is Magnus, ’Mathilda retorted.  ’He will destroy us all.’

 

 

 

…………

 

 

                                                                              

 

‘Witch hunts?  In Kirkwood?’

 

Faye was surprised to say the least.  Who knew Kirkwood had such an interesting past.  Growing up, she had never once heard anything of the sort.   

 

‘You don’t know?  ’Deb asked, clearly taken aback at Faye’s surprise.  ’I would have imagined some in Kirkwood knew.’

 

Faye tucked her hair behind her ear, turning to face Deb better.  ’I promise you, Deb, this is the first I have ever heard of it.  I don’t believe this was covered in local history in high school.’

 

‘I don’t blame you for not knowing, ’Deb said.  ’As far as I can tell it was carefully erased from history by those who deemed it too controversial, but some records still exist.’

 

‘How did you come about this?  ’Faye asked, her curiosity peaked.  It was good to have something other than her failed marriage to think about.   

 

‘My editor is a big history freak.  He came across mention of it in an article written in the 1830’s.  He thinks it would be a good story if we can gather enough info.  I’ve been scouring libraries  and museums around London for a month now, trying to dig up anything about it, ’Deb said, pointing to the leather bound file.  ’The untold history of Kirkwood.’

 

‘Have you uncovered much?  ’Faye asked.  ’Seeing you said it was basically erased from history.’

 

  ‘I found a lot actually, ’Deb replied.  ’And in all of it I found one common denominator.  A man by the name of Magnus, who led the witch hunts.’

 

‘I can’t believe this, ’Faye said.  ’Never in a million years would I have imagined Kirkwood of all places had a shady past.’

 

‘Shady and deadly, ’Deb said, her eyes darkening.  ’Countless women and a few men were burned alive at the stake.’