Accused

I stood transfixed at the window, captivated not for the first time by the quiet beauty that enveloped my cottage in the early hours before dawn. Being a spinster of 25 years and the daughter of an unconventional healer had secured my position on the fringe of society. My mother and I had always treasured the solitude that our wooded croft afforded. Her passing last winter did, perhaps, make this place feel a bit less like home. Still, I could bear a bit of loneliness if only I could have avoided what happened in town yesterday.

Autumn had set the forest of Rowley ablaze in a fiery tapestry of amber, crimson, and bronze. I inched open the window, allowing a gentle chill into my bed chambers. Gooseflesh prickled across my arms as I inhaled the crisp, morning air. I allowed myself a deep steadying breath, the scent of the damp forest floor mingled with decaying leaves. I would miss this dearly, no matter what transpired next.

My brief calm was disturbed by a rustling of branches near the western edge of the woods. Scrutinizing the source of the noise in alarm, I could make out a silhouette of a man. As the figure neared, I exhaled in relief as I recognized him. Henry. He had come for me, after all. I allowed myself a fleeting smile of satisfaction before fear crept in again.

I threw open the window, whispering in hushed tones as Henry neared closer.

“You shouldn’t be here, Henry. You cannot be seen with me now.”

Henry shook his head, “My heart belongs to you, entirely. I care not for the townsfolk’s idle gossip.”

“Idle gossip? Are you mad? Hannah Burgess has accused me of witchcraft! I half expect to be dragged to the stocks at any moment!” I spat.

“I would never let that happen. I care too deeply for you,” Henry stepped closer still, taking my hands in his, “Run away with me.”

I froze, contemplating, “You know not what you are asking---what kind of life that would be for you-”

“Were I with you it would be a life of bliss and great fortune. We could go far away from here and the ignorance of these small people. Boston or New Amsterdam. Any destination, as long as you are by my side,” Henry said.

I held Henry’s fervent gaze for a moment, then mentally shook myself, “No! I cannot condemn you to a fate such as mine. I must leave, but there is no reason to abandon your life.”

“My life is right before me,” Henry said, retrieving a necklace from his pocket, “and I know your heart is pure, Catherine. That is all that matters.”

Henry brought the necklace to my line of sight, proffering it for my approval. I shrank away from the generous gift, shaking my head in protest. Henry persisted, placing the heirloom around my neck. The pendant dazzled against my fair skin in the gloaming light of the early morning.

“Please accept this as an oath of my love and affection, until I can procure you a proper ring,” Henry whispered.

Tears of disbelief and love pricked my eyes as I studied Henry’s features.

“Does that mean you’ll marry me?” Henry asked nervously.

I nodded, embracing Henry in an intense kiss.

“Good. Now get your things. The town will be waking soon, and we must make haste.” Henry said, “I’ll get the horses and meet you at the bridge.”

I watched as Henry disappeared into the mist of the long, wooded path, practically skipping with excitement. The enchantment of Henry’s beautiful gesture seemed to escape with him as our current reality crept back, filling my mind with fretful thoughts. I shuttered the windows quickly and set about the task at hand.

 I removed the necklace Henry had given me and tucked it carefully inside my traveling case. Having already gathered my belongings for what I presumed a solitary journey, I returned to the drawing room and set about securing my freedom, and with a bit of cunning, Henry’s too.

Hannah Burgess lay bound on the floor, wriggling near the hearth in vain attempts to free herself from the restraints. A taut kerchief muffled her whimpering, which escalated as I reentered the room. I appraised her for a moment, then removed the gag with a wave of my hand.

“Yes, Hannah?” I snapped, “Is there something you wish to say?”

“Please release me! I will recant! Pray…please, let me go,” Hannah sobbed.

“Are you asking for mercy after you so casually condemned me to death?” I said, “Tell me, what was it that made you speak out against me?”

Hannah cried and writhed against her restraints, resisting my question.

“Perhaps your honesty will inspire leniency in me. The truth…NOW!” I demanded.

 “I saw you! I saw you with Henry---behind the mill. Kissing….and I…I,” Hannah sputtered, “I told my father I saw you dancing naked and speaking the devil’s tongue in the woods!”

Hannah finished her confession with a shocked scream, then clamped her mouth shut hard, willing it not to spill any more of her secrets. I stood in stunned silence for a few seconds, before a mirthless laugh escaped my lips. Hannah stifled another sob.

“Forgive me. It is not my intention to be cruel. It is only that I find it so amusing. Daft imbeciles like you can go about accusing perfectly innocent people of wickedness and the world bows to your careless words. It is only petty jealousy that set your eyes on me. You have no real evidence. And yet, it seems you have caught an actual witch, armed with nothing but sheer dumb luck! Well done, Hannah,” I said, still giggling.

Hannah whined as I continued, “Dim as you may be, you are still quite powerful. Rowley’s very own pillar of chastity and morality. You have developed quite the spotless reputation. The town will be scandalized when they discover that you have absconded with the miller’s son. And you a minister’s daughter, no less. Tsk tsk.”

Hannah narrowed her eyes at me, confused and fearful.

“Yes, your father will be mortified when he reads the letter you left. It’s a torrid tale of forbidden love and lust. Quite a thrilling read,” I teased.

“But…I wrote no such letter,” Hannah said.

“Oh, but you did. Behold,” I said, presenting the parchment, “Your Papa will recognize the handwriting straight away.”

Hannah began crying in earnest at this revelation. A wave of my hand restored her muzzle. I tossed the letter into the air and vanished it with a snap of my fingers, my spell transporting it to the minister’s bedside. Pulling myself from the rage that consumed my thoughts, I quickly returned to the business of readying the cottage for the final piece of this deception.  I retrieved the bag of straw I had fetched from the nearby stables hours earlier and began spreading it about the floor around Hannah as her wailing continued.

“Fret not, my dear. Your death will not be in vain,” I taunted her, “You see, your imaginary affair with my Henry will mean that no one will be looking for either of you.”

Hannah’s muffled protests at this only angered me further.

“We shall be half a day's ride away before the smoke reaches the village. If the people of this town are even half as simple as you, they’ll assume that the burned remains belong to me and leave me be,” I stated plainly.

With this final proclamation, I snatched up my belongings and traveling cloak, hastening to exit. I reached the front door of the modest house in just three purposeful strides. Turning to survey my handiwork, I raised my hand towards the hearth and watched as the fire leaped onto the floor. An angry blaze crackled swiftly through the cottage, the dry straw erupting like hellfire. Flames licked at my back as I escaped into the night. I hazarded one last glance back and watched as Hannah and my family home were engulfed in fire.

It was a brief walk to Henry’s meeting spot, and on the way, I thought of my mother. Born to a powerful witch, I was blessed and burdened with great supernatural ability. My birthright was such that I often danced on the line of light and darkness, good and evil. While I strived to act with virtue, the temptation for wickedness was always bubbling under the surface, and at times, boiling over. The concern of my true nature and the state of my soul was one I pondered time and time again.

Then, I met Henry. In his company, I felt the light winning the battle. This light turned into friendship, then affection, and finally, a deep love. Regardless of my dubious character, I have no doubt that every ounce of goodness within me loves Henry undeniably and with reckless abandon. I would invoke the darkness if it meant protecting the life I so desired with my beloved. Hannah Burgess unwittingly bore witness to how far I would go for him, for us. At this thought, a quiet satisfaction settled in my belly, pleased with the dark justice I had dealt to my foul accuser. Hannah made her bed. I simply set fire to it.

As I turned the bend, I spotted Henry near the bridge at the edge of town, conspicuously sheltered in the shade of several towering oak trees. My heart swelled at the sight of him, and I quickened my pace to close the distance between us. I discretely pulled the cloak tightly around me, covering the angry welt on my chest where Henry’s gift of a crucifix had scorched my skin. I said a silent prayer of sorts, calling upon forces powerful enough to grant my wish that I would someday be as good and pure as Henry believed me to be.

Henry enfolded me in a brief, passionate embrace, then boosted me onto one of the horses at his side. Securing our belongings and mounting his own horse, he then met my troubled gaze, asking, “Are you well, Catherine?”

“I am now, my love,” I said, smiling despite my apprehension.

Henry grinned eagerly, “Then let us away. Our new life is waiting.”

And we set off on our journey together, as the first hint of sun touched the village.