The Witch of Lower Denton Fell

[BedtimeStories]

OOC: Welcome to the village of Lower Denton Fell, England. We hope you enjoy your stay with us! But, like all things in life, we must have some rules. Ours are few, but necessary nonetheless!

1. Please do not post an "OOC" to this thread.
2. Please do not "just start writing" if you are not a character.

If you have any questions or comments concerning this role play, please visit our OOC Thread. Thank you!

Enjoy!

 

[BedtimeStories]

IC:
Birds sang their songs of love as they fluttered from tree to tree. Two curious bunnies nosed their way up to the clearing that edged the sleepy little valley below. They took turns watching guard on their hind legs, their little twitching noses taking in the day's scents. Nearby a young fox carefully watched.

It was spring in Lower Denton Fell and the critters of the forest knew. The sights and smells of spring were all around, but there was a new smell brewing about the forest. The scent of apple and spice was carried in the breeze.

The bunnies were not alone in that clearing. An old, tiny cabin joined them. Its windows were nearly black from the caked on dust that adorned them, the door hung crooked on its hinge, and the thin stone chimney was cracked and crumbling, sending small plumes of fragrant smoke out through them.

Sure, the cabin wasn't much to look at. It was much smaller and cheaper than the stone cottages of the village, but it suited the crone well. She didn't need much. In fact, she had no use for material things. She built her cabin from the very trees that one stood where it was now. She even had her own garden for fresh herbs and vegetales. Of course, it was not as elaborate as the Squire's estate, but it held her over.

Caitlin Marie Hay, known to the villagers as the crone, was the village's Cunningwoman. It was no secret that she was unique, but she seemed harmless so the villagers usually left her alone to do her own thing.

At times they'd come to her for a spell to cure a hex they feared had befallen them, a simple love charm to help them win the heart of another or to gain fertility within their marriage, or even a fertility charm to aid them in their marriage. As well as being a Cunningwoman, she was also the village's closest thing to a doctor since she had practice in Midwifery.

And on that early spring morning she was busy at her cauldron cooking up a little something she was sure would come in handy...

 

[X Project]

Thomas Crossman

The sun shone outside and birds sang merrily, but Thomas didn't care, as he trudged up to the bell tower to call the village to church nothing could have cheered him up.

He had been in Lower Denton Fell all of his life, his father had been the local priest, as had his grandfather, and his great-grandfather, Thomas Crossman's family had been spreading the catholic faith for as far back as he could trace. He had the same short squat build that all his family had, the same slightly hooked nose, the only thing he seemed to lack was a smile.

For Thomas, and all of the old faith were being persecuted, hunted down by a new contender. Calling themselves protestants; the followers of this religion had made it their job to make Thomas' life as hard as possible.

Still, he would have been content, but for one thing. To call him lonely would be wrong; he had many friends among the village people, but no woman. He loved being a catholic, but it meant he was denied a woman, the one thing he desired more than anything at this moment in time.

He would smile as the devout entered to worship, he told himself, he would act merrily, as though nothing was wrong, deliver a perfect sermon, try to look sincere when he heard confessions. But it was all lies, his whole existence was a lie, it seemed.

 

[toymaster]

'Damned Bells'

Richard Fairfax was not a happy man. An over consumption of the grape had left his head pounding and his bed empty. The Squire of Lower Denton Fell groaned as the sun squeezed in through the dark, heavy curtains.

Slowly, he lifted his muscular frame from the bed, stretched to his full 5'10" and had his customary scratch. Last night's clothes were strewn about the room but they'd do.

Dressed, he opened the curtains and window and looked out over his estate.

 

[BedtimeStories]

Caitlin Marie Hay

Off in the distance those annoying Catholic bells tolled their lonely cry to the few remaining faithful. Caitlin scowled under her breath. She needed her full attention derived on the task at hand. One false move and she'd be blown straight up to the heavens to prematurely join her husband Sir James!

 

[toymaster]

Richard walked across the landing and down the stairs. Gingerly he pushed the dining room door and winced as it creaked. Barely had he sat down when it creaked again.

Karyn his young housekeeper bounded into the room and asked what the Squire desired for breakfast. Normally this would have ellicited a ribald reply but Richard could not raise the effort, never mind anything else.

Realising her master had something of a head from the wine, she withdrew and went to kitchen to prepare a simple breakfast of some scrambled eggs and a few slices of fresh bread. Added to the tray was a pot of tea, all of which was laid before the Squire.

Richard opened up a large ledger and, as he ate, reviewed the estate's finances. A scowl formed on his face as he looked at the figures.

 

[X Project]

Thomas Crossman

Thomas winced as he realised that today would be the day that the squire checked his ledgers. The church had needed repairs and as the squire had been absent, Thomas had helped himself to a 'donation' to pay for them.

Still, the squire wasn't too much of a problem, the man had a drinking problem and was easily distracted from his rants. He wondered who else had been pilfering the man's treasury, the squire was known for his rather loose grasp of basic finance.

 

[BedtimeStories]

Caitlin Marie Hay

Caitlin watched through the shadowy shade the trees provided. She always felt more comfortable hidden, but today she'd need to venture into the village. Still, she stood in silence and waited.

There! The Pastor was gently ushering the remaining few parishioners out the door. He stood at the doorway, his arm around the shoulders of the Baker's daughter while he shook his hand. Was there a sly grin playing about his face?

Caitlin didn't much care. If the village's Priest was taking his liberties with the young women, so be it. Good for him even! Caitlin never much cared for sex. And she wasn't one to gossip or poke her nose in the business of others.

She had a task at hand and with the Pastor currently occupied it was time to strike!

Quickly, as silently as she could, she made her way to the back of the small, stone church. Just as always, there was a small door set into the stone. If one didn't know what they were looking for, they'd miss it altogether.

Catlin rapped on the door a couple times until she heard that hollow sound. Her finger hooked into a small hole that could have been thought as a simple flaw in the structure. Easily the door opened for her. Caitlin stepped inside.

She was careful to close the door silently in case the Pastor was back. She peeked through the curtain that concealed it from the inside of the church. The sanctuary was silent. Empty. If ever she was going to do it, now would be that time.

Over and over in her mind, she told herself she was not stealing. It was charity. She lived most of her life without material posessions. She only took what she needed. Not unlike the village Squire or even the shady Pastor, no doubt.

Caitlin made her way over to the collection plate that was not yet put away and helped herself to penny before she made her way back out...

 

[X Project]

Thomas Crossman

Thomas smiled at Caitlin as she hurried away, he busied himself tidying up the small church and noted that a penny was missing from the collection plate. He also noted the handprint in the dust on the back wall of the sanctuary, smiling to himself the priest continued with his tidying.