A Witch Hunt

[Rockingham]

Michael

"Oh yes... Mother," He felt that twinge every time he spoke her name, as if a hiccup in her established rhythm. Each time she got comfortable with it, each time she accepted the hard hot cock in her mouth, tasting its forbidden pleasures he made sure she understood this was the cock of her son, this was her own, her breed taking it from her.

No, but he never took. He guided her, he manipulated her, he humiliated her, but he never raped her. The door was open, and she had no chains upon her pale soft wrists. She was here on her knees of her own free will.

He felt it again, her passe of the situation. She accepted it one more time. His hands moved down to wipe the dirty hair from her prism face. He watched her engorge herself onto him, her eyes closed. Were they closed? Did she dare close them and try to pretend it was someone else?

Who else? Ned? His father? His other father? The one who abandoned him as well. No... she could not take that route either. She could not back down from this.

"Open your eyes. Look up at me Mother, look at your proud son."

And then, when the darkness of her pupils met him, climbing his body with a determined slowness that showed her reluctance, the torches pinned to the walls all lit up. They all burst into flame at once, and she saw him. She saw all of him.

How handsome he was, how lean. He didn't look like Ned. He had nothing of Ned in him. He looked like her, a male version of her at least. The muscles were more pronounced, the face more chiseled, but the eyes gave it away. The eyes and the hair showed him as her.

He might have even been a younger version of her father.

"Can you see now?" He held her head, knowing she had stopped once more, the sting of what she was doing still fresh, still an open wound festering each time he played upon it.

"Good... I am glad, mother. You may continue."

Her curse was to love him, for he was her child.
His curse was to hate her, for she was his mother.

 

[Darkness Falls]

Bannon

Bannon, discarding his wide brimmed hat, and heavy cloak, moves with surprising ease for such a big man. As he enters the spacious, fire lit room, he studies the plush crimson comforts for a long moment and then as his compelling eyes shift toward the fireplace, they fall upon the slim form of Susanna. A smile touches his lips as the obvious charm and innocence of the girl shines forth like a beacon of light in the darkness of a moonless night, and glancing at Ned, a flicker of irritation crosses his handsome face.

Turning slightly, the tall hunter allows his attention to linger upon the other woman, and as he notes her thick raven hair, and bright intelligent eyes, his smile broadens. Stepping forward, Bannon bows to Lillianne and says in a deep cultured voice “Well Lillianne, it seems Ned has decided that you and I are to be friends” Arching an amused eyebrow, he leans in a little, but being careful not to crowd “What say you my dear, will you join me in a glass of wine?”

 

[RavenMaiden]

Lillianne looked around the room in awe. She had never seen such luxury before, especially in such a humble town. Her mind tried to reason on how a man who she has never heard of could amass such wealth. Her thoughts were interrupted by Susanne's request to join her by the fireplace.

Lillianne nodded quietly as she knelt by the fireplace, attempting to warm herself. Although her trembling was caused by the situation, not the weather.

"Thank you, I shall," as she tried to warm herself she hear heavy bootsteps approaching her. The man identified as O'Brian approached her.

Ned has decided that you and I are to be friends” Lillianne backed away slightly at his comment “What say you my dear, will you join me in a glass of wine?”

Hoping not to offend, she nods softly. Lillianne cast a nervous look to Susanne, then returns her gaze to Bannon.

"T..thank you," her voice was barely above a whisper, "I could use a glass.."

 

[Darkness Falls]

Bannon

O’Brien’s smiling visage turns to the husky form of Ned, and displaying none of the contempt he feels for the man “If you please Ned, a glass of your finest red wine for me and the young lady?”

Turning back to Lillianne, the hunter’s amused eyes, liquid warm, and yet penetrating in their intensity, seem to soak into the very soul of the girl “You are frightened child?” He says softly “I am sure you have need not be” And as he speaks, the big raven haired man waves a powerful hand about the luxurious room “You are amongst friends after all”

Accepting both glasses of the crimson fluid, O’Brien sniffs the beverage with an obviously practiced nose. Nodding his appreciation of the quality of the wine on offer, he passes one of the glasses to the obviously scared Lillianne “I think you will you enjoy this Lillsanne” he says, allowing his forefinger to caress the pale flesh of the young woman’s extended hand.

 

[poohlive]

Ned pulled a seat alongside of Susanna, helping himself to the fire's warmth. He crossed a glance with Susanna, such bright young eyes, such a delicate face. She had the look many girls did when they came here, before they were subjected to the instruments of downstairs. After they went down there, the sparkle inside of their eye is gone, lost somewhere on the flood where so much blood and fluids have laid.

"You are not afraid," He smiled, pausing, reflecting on whether or not she should be. The Stranger has never asked for such care when picking up a woman before, never so many instructions for her. Susanna had become some delicate flower blooming in the dead of winter, the truly last of her kind.

"This place makes people afraid, but only because they do not know all of it. They fear the unknown. It will not be unknown any longer though. Would you like a tour of the place, dear Susanna? I will show you whatever you wish."

 

[RavenMaiden]

Slowly extending a her trembling hand, Lillianne took the glass from O'Brien. She felt a shiver run through her body as his finger touched her. She took a sip of the wine, she raised her eyes to meet the large man.

"I am quite frightened, I have been taken to this mansion, under the assumption I have done something wrong." She turned her gaze towards Susanne, "I don't believe this girl is capable of doing anything wrong, yet she is here as well."

Lillianne tried to keep her resolve, a wall against her and the fear that was rapidly eating away at her. She looked into the crimson tinted glass as she took another sip.

"I just wish to know what I'm doing here..."

 

[Darkness Falls]

Bannon

O’Brien arches an eyebrow at Lillianne, and his gaze once more shifts to Susanna. He studies the other woman for a moment, and then turning back to his raven haired companion “I am certain you are correct Lilliane, the child seems perfectly charming to me”

Lifting his glass, the tall man sips the sanguinous looking wine, and his knowing gaze drifts slowly down Lilliane’s slim form. With amused interest he notes the trembling of her muscles; yet he also sees the strength of spirit which even now attempts to overcome the bone deep fear which threatens to overwhelm her.

Finally, he nods his head at her question “As to yourself” He shrugs his broad shoulders, the white cotton of his shirt drawing taut against his powerfully muscled torso “I am a stranger here, and the reasons you were brought to the mansion were decided by another” A shadow flickers deep in the depths of the hunters grey eyes as he considers his next words “Though, what happens now is largely up to you I think.”

He smiles broadly, large white teeth flashing in the firelight “tell me a little about yourself, what are your interests?”

 

[Nibbles_n_Tits]

Susanna

Sitting by the fire, Susanna forced a polite smile and nodded as Lillianne accepted the offer of Goodman O’Brien. She tried to hide her disappointment, having no desire to upset the other girl she did not want Lillianne to see was hoping they could sit together. In company, perhaps they could have lightened each other’s spirits but Lillianne instead chose the companionship of an unfamiliar man. Susanna admitted to that under the peculiar circumstances of this evening it was not as scandalous as it would normally have been. However, it was still surprising.

Susanna herself was content to sit, quiet and alone, in front of the fire. As her fingers warmed and the stiffening chill left them, she reached her hand into her pocket and took out her bible. She held the book in her hands as Ned Bunce pulled a seat along side hers. To read it now would be rude, so she held it in lap and rested her folded hands atop it.

"You are not afraid," He said to her as he smiled.

It seemed a statement not a question, so she was uncertain how to reply. “There are many things to be afraid of Goodman Bunce; I simply pray that I find none of them in this house or that if I do, God gives me the courage to overcome my fear.” Susanna smiled, but of course, the mention of fear brought it to the forefront of her mind and she pushed her feet closer to the fire as it it could keep the chill of dread at bay.

"This place makes people afraid, but only because they do not know all of it. They fear the unknown. It will not be unknown any longer though. Would you like a tour of the place, dear Susanna? I will show you whatever you wish."

Susanna glanced over at Lillianne and saw the lovely young woman sipping wine with O’Brien. She turned back to Ned and shook her head, “Your offer is kind, and I do appreciate kindness, Goodman. However, I think I will wait with Lillianne until the others join us.”

"We could speak of other things, ones not related to this house." The thought of normal, everyday things brought a smile to her lips, "Tell me, do you miss smithing?"

 

[RavenMaiden]

Lillianne looked toward Susanne and Ned at the fireplace, she would honestly like to be sitting there at the moment, the man who offered her the wine gave off a feeling that left her fearful, On the other hand Susanne's confidence helped her feel stronger about the situation. She knew she was not going to get out of this unless she thought this mess though on her own. She had to think, the old man's words rang through her mind.

"You were given a mind for a reason, now make sure you use it. If you do not understand, ask!"

She took a deep breath as she decided to pose another question.

"Tell me, who is this other? What situation will be decided by me?" She felt a small amount of confidence return to her.

"As a librarian, I prefer to understand the world around me. Tell me, what brings you here?"

She set the wine glass down, her hands still trembling. She placed her hands behind her back as she gave a small smile.

 

[Darkness Falls]

Bannon

O’Brien gazes with interest at the raven haired woman, and taking an obscure liking to her rudeness, he chooses not to mention her bad manners in ignoring his inquiry. Time, he thinks silently to himself, will take care of such formalities as manners and obedience.

With a smile, the hunter inclines his head politely, and takes a moment to consider her questions “Knowledge is indeed a balm for the intelligent, but the other?” he says in amused tones, “you will meet him in due time, and he needs no introduction from me”

Taking a sip of wine he continues “We live in dark time’s child, and the evil lurks in many a pretty face” The tall man’s gaze seems to loose the banter, and grow cold and focused “I am a hunter of that godless evil”

 

[RavenMaiden]

“I am a hunter of that godless evil”

Lillianne stared blankly at O'Brien for a moment, she had a sinking feeling she in over her head. She heard stories of a witch hunter, men she really wished she went her entire life without seeing. She stood there for a moment, her pale green eyes staring at the carpet,

"In return, my interests are books, and nothing further,"

 

[Darkness Falls]

Bannon

O’Brien watched the girl closely as he speaks, and his interest quickens as she looks down at the carpet. She has heard of us, he notes to himself with dry humour. And she doesn’t like us. That will help in the beginning. Nothing like a reputation to get the heart racing, the blood singing with fear, and the tongue wagging its truths.

“Books!” he says lightly, and with a smile, though with his gaze still sharp, the question was indeed laced with danger “any particular kind of books?”

 

[RavenMaiden]

“any particular kind of books?”

Lillianne shrugged at his question, she had been at the library for five years, there was no type of book she had not gotten her hands on.

"I enjoy any type of book, however, I prefer the stories of lands far from here."

Lillianne paused for a moment, she realized the nature of his question a bit too late. She stammered for a moment, "I..I just enjoy anything that wanders into the library."

 

[Darkness Falls]

Bannon

“Far from here!” he murmurs softly, offering the young woman an inquisitorial lift of one long eyebrow.

Pausing, the big man sips thoughtfully upon the last of his wine, and turning to Ned, he holds up the empty vessel “Some more of that vintage would be most appreciated my good man”.

Returning his disconcerting attention once more to Lillianna, he asks with a wave of his large hand “You do not like this town of yours, or this god given country?”

 

[RavenMaiden]

Lillianne gasped as she realized he caught onto her statement. She knew if she explained the nature of her fairy tales, she would cause more problems. She decided to carefully try to explain herself.

"I have no problems with the town I came from, the library is my passion. The old man who took me in and allowed me to work there has made it a second home for me. I merely meant that seeing the world from another view illustrates things that I may never experience."

 

[Darkness Falls]

Bannon

O’Brien, noting the approach of Ned holds out his glass, and as the other man places the bottle to its lip, the soft almost musical gurgle of the crimson wine momentarily blends with the crackle of the open fire to produce a symphony of civilised contentment.

Nodding to the other man, the hunter’s words are never the less directed toward Lillianna“Stories!” He says, turning a sharks grin upon the woman “I like stories too.” Seeming to glance down at his glass, though the young woman’s pleasing face is still in view, he says in an almost of handed way “I must visit this library of yours, and maybe have a talk with this old man you speak of so fondly”

 

[RavenMaiden]

Lillianne looked up from the carpet directly at O'Brien, scared out of her mind but one thing was certain. Whatever these people were up to, she wanted to keep him out of it.

"Leave him out of this...I don't care what questions you want from me, but he's done nothing wrong and done a world of good for this town."

 

[brigid_fitch]

Temperance

"My dear I never took him the first time. For that, you'll need to talk to another."

Temperance barely heard him. Why hadn't she just kept on walking, back to her cottage, before the Stranger had told her why he had come. She looked up towards her home with a sudden hope--perhaps Richard was there after all! Perhaps she had seen the truth.

And then Richard's arms were encircling her, holding her close like they had done so many times before. She nestled against that warmth, her sobbing lessening as she leaned back against the man who could only be her husband. Who else could it be? But then that voice, that serpentine voice, oh-so-unlike Richard's.

"I want something. I want you to give it to me. You must give it freely, do you understand? That is the bargain on the table. Give it to me, of your own free will, and then Richard will come back to you."

No, I don't understand! Her mind screamed. I don't understand a thing! I was happy here tending my orchards after Richard died. If not happy, at least content. To throw temptation like this at me... She looked up at the Stranger with confused, questioning eyes. She was lost and needed direction. He was here, holding her in Richard's arms. She trusted Richard. She opened her mouth to ask what it was he wanted from her and, instead of an answer, the Stranger met her mouth with his own. And then Temperance's world shattered.

Her mind was unprepared for the onslaught. Images came flooding into her, terrifying, unimaginable horrors. Young girls laid bare before her, screaming, their brains no longer able to distinguish pleasure from pain. Objects and organs filling every orifice; men with demon-like visages leering over the women, sniggering and gloating over each others' exploits. Blood and cum intermingled, running along bodies and onto the floor in rivulets.

And floating above every scene of unspeakable barbarity was a pair of red/black eyes, ablaze with pride and delight.

"You know what it is I want..."

Richard's arms were still around her, holding her, keeping her grounded. She tried to focus, but the phantasms, although fading, still haunted her. Temperance was shaking badly and was certain she'd fly apart, except for Richard's strong arms embracing her. Richard had been with her throughout, protected her, she was sure, from the worst of the nightmare. He had always been there. And now the Stranger had promised to bring him back to her, hold her as he was surely holding her now. Temperance fought to find her voice. And when she finally found it, she realized she didn't know what it was she wanted to say. She had stopped crying, stopped trembling, and sat numbly on the ground surrounded by the Stranger's/Richard's arms.

"Come with me, to the mansion. Come and have dinner with me. We can discuss everything there."

Temperance turned around with unfocused eyes, her mind still whirling from the ghastly scenes she had just witnessed. Unable to retain her tenuous hold on her sanity, she leaned in against the Stranger/Richard and merely nodded.

"The mansion," was all she could manage, her voice filled with and odd combination of dread and longing.

 

[Darkness Falls]

Bannon

O’Brien glances up sharply and a flicker of triumph dances in the depths of his slate grey eyes “Leave him out of this?” He says in soft resonant tones “We were talking about stories my dear”

Lifting the glass, and still watching her closely, he sips the warm wine with evident pleasure; savouring both the taste and the reaction of the young woman. Deciding to push a little harder “You say he has done nothing wrong?” The big man nods slowly “But why would you assume I thought otherwise?”

 

[RavenMaiden]

Lillianne shut her mouth, she knew her impuse got the better of her. The old man was known to gather books of all types for the town. Including witchcraft books that he had brought in for select members of the town through more secretive means, most were illegal. She felt herself grow quite small as she realized this man had her dancing on a string like a puppet.

"I..I mean he has done nothing wrong, just I prefer if the accusations against me do not weight against him. I am sorry for my outburst Goodman O'Brien."

 

[Darkness Falls]

Bannon

O’Brien smiles warmly down at the woman, and inclines his head with apparent forgiveness and understanding. Reaching out, he lightly caress the pale flesh of her cheek “It is nothing my dear, so let us not get upset”

Continuing to watch her, a cat studying a mouse, the tall man’s amused thoughts roll like dark malevolent clouds across the nightmare of his mind. The art of interrogation, he muses silently, is dependant on leverage. Whether it is fear, love, pity, or even hate, they are all levers in which to pull the stings and make your puppet dance. Without this, you have nothing, and though you might break the body, the spirit shall out last the flesh.

This child, whose beauty, mind and spirit are indeed worthy, has never the less given me the weapons to strip her bare of secrets, and anything else I may deem interesting.

Allowing his gentle fingers to continue down her cheek “And, as you say, it is you who are of interest, and not this old man” His smile broadens as his lingering touch descends to the woman’s pale throat “At least” he says in soft almost inaudible tones “for the time being.”

 

[RavenMaiden]

Lillianne shivered as O'Brien had ran his fingers from her cheek down to her throat. She felt her blood run cold from his touch alone, and at the same time, she felt anger, she didn't like being treated like a fool.

She tried to will her legs to move, yet she stood in place, she spoke softly, a hint of defeat in her voice. She knew whatever questions he asked of her, she was ready to face the brunt of. At least for the old man's sake, he did so much for her. She was going to try to repay the favor.

"I understand, I will try to remain calm Goodman O'Brien."

 

[Britwitch]

"Oh yes... Mother,"
Amber's body tensed everytime she heard him call her that, the wrongfulness of what she was doing flooding her as his swollen shaft remained buried in her mouth. She closed her eyes tightly, fighting to keep the reality away from her. Her only prior experiences had been with Ned and the men in the barn, and with the Stranger...none of them were something she wanted to relive. She fought to keep her mind blank as her mouth pleasured him.

"Open your eyes. Look up at me Mother, look at your proud son."
Amber slowly opened her eyes and haltingly looked up, wincing slightly as the torches burst into light, bathing them both in warm light. Revealing him to her gaze. It was so surreal to see someone who looked so very much like her. To a stranger they would have appeared to be brother and sister, not mother and son.

"Can you see now?"
His fingers entwining in her hair, guiding her mouth back and forth along his length, the shock of seeing him having stopped her motions.
"Good... I am glad, mother. You may continue."
Holding his gaze with her own, she began to suck his shaft once more. Tears pricking the backs of her eyes as she pleasured him, her son. Her heart aching as she felt him swell ever so slightly within her mouth, seeing nothing in his gaze but contempt as she did what he wished. Whimpering as she sucked a little more insistently, desperate to see something in those eyes that might resemble forgiveness...or pleasure...

 

[save_marla]

A startling clamor wakened Rebecca from a fitful sleep, and she sat up in her narrow bed, blinking in the darkness, heart thundering. The noise came again, and she realized that someone was hammering on her bedroom door.

Springing from the bed, she threw a shawl over her shoulders just as the door opened and her sister entered the room, followed close by her brother-in-law. She’d been living in their house these three years, since the difficult birth of the twins - and she’d never seen her sister’s face look as pale and drawn as it did now.

“You have to leave,” her sister announced abruptly in hushed tones as her husband went about the room, collecting the few articles of clothing that she owned, and shoving them into a burlap sack. “Goodwife Jacobs has died - bled to death - and her husband blames you. You must leave our house tonight, Rebecca.”

She stood back, watching in disbelief as her sister straightened the bed, to look as if it had not been slept in, and her husband brought her wool coat and draped it over her shoulders. This was no joke. She stammered as the fear and confusion rose in her, “Well - wh-where shall I go, sister? Shall I hide in the forest, like some hunted animal?”

Her sister’s voice was strained as she snapped tersely, “I know not! I only know that you cannot stay here anymore. We have children, Rebecca. We have more to lose.”

Her husband handed her the bag and guided her with a firm hand out of the room. He spoke for the first time, and there was no emotion in his voice. “When they come, we will say that you have not lived here for some time. We have not seen you in weeks.”

Rebecca turned to her sister, incredulous, that she was being turned out so easily. Her sister’s kiss felt cold on her forehead. “God be with you,” she whispered, before hastily pushing her out the door.


She stood on the step for several long moments, watching as the candles were blown out again, and the house descended into comforting darkness.

Shouldering the small bag, she walked to the road, with no plan or design on where she might go, and began to follow it into the village center.

 

[Darkness Falls]

Bannon

O’Brien watches the defeat trickle into Lillianna’s green eyes, and a vague feeling of disappointment settles over him. No true master is content with a job made to easy, and as he studies the woman’s slightly submissive posture, the hunter has his doubts. Still, showing none of his inner thoughts in either expression or words, and hoping there may be more to the young woman yet to emerge, he inclines his head. Removing his caressing fingers, the feel of her cool flesh still vivid and clear upon his senses, he says “Very good Lilliana, very good indeed”

He glances around the plush room once more, and a light frown shadows his forehead. “Well” he says in a mild voice “we shall leave the questioning for the time being. I am a little tired” Looking directly at Lillianna “I shall soon retire to my bed as it has long day of riding” he gestures to Ned “If this good man will show me the way.”