Witch hunt

"Are you alright?"Rowan asked setting the woman on the alter

Two hooded and cloaked figures approached the town, an older woman sophia and the other was her apprentice, there intent was just passing through.

A hanging would be taking place shortly, as they were much more efficient than burning at the stake, and the palpable excitement from the villagers would most likely disrupt the two stranger's course. Out of four, Mercy only recognised one of them as a true witch. All of them must have survived being dunked into the river. She amused herself by coming up with reasons for their accusations; perhaps sodomy, or they were found in the midst of an orgy with their close relatives. Mercy was a regular witness to these events, although she didn't enjoy them in the least. They were always good, at least that is what she has been told. Good that it is rarely true witches who are caught. Just those they have framed. Mercy caught the eye of the witch on the stand, rope already coiled around her pale throat. She winked.

Sophia stopped to watch standing next to maria, the peasants couldn't since it but mercy could, dark power radiated from her in waves. Her power was in the league of Mercy's coven leader, because despite being far younger than said leader she was obsessed with gaining personal power. Not a following, not a home base or allies...  Sophia craved only for her own power. She smirked a bit as she watched this farce and the old minister providing over it, as he begged of them to profess their sins and seek forgiveness in the lord.

Mercy's gaze flicked towards Sofia, and she unconsciously took a small barely noticeable step away from the stranger. It wasn't that she was afraid - Mercy was afraid of precious little - it was just because she was rather surprised at this seeming nobody's vast power. She rubbed at her bare arms, as if doing so could dispel the magic radiating from the woman that crawled over her skin.

Trystan stands to the right of Sophia and bows his in respect of the Minster and lets out a prayer to the Lord before turning his head towards Sophia "Is there something important that you see?"

Sophia just shook her head as she watched the situation amused.

As the trio were creeping closer to their ultimate and premature demise, the one and only witch present threw her head to the sky and cackled. She cackled and cackled, like her life depended on it. Perhaps it did. Her skin began to crack, long lines spider-webbed across her body. Then all at once, these cracks made the shape of wings and all at once took flight in a dark flurry. Moths. She had turned to hundreds and thousands of moths. Huge ones, with bright eyes on their dusty wings. But it seemed her work had only just began, as simultaneously, her companions erupted in black flames. Their screams rang out momentarily, before they burnt to ash which was blown into oblivion by the wind. The moths came together once more to form the broken form of the witch right in front of the priest. Another screech rang out, only this one spoke of infinite rage, and the priest was flung back like a rag doll. Then she was gone.

Mercy watched, completely unfazed. She had known this witch would be up to something after her wink, but she hadn't realised it would be something so flashy. She wasn't sure why the witch had done this; she would surely be slaughtered for being caught and showing herself. If anything, a hanging would be merciful.

Rowan was on the seen too lat to help, that's not to say most would think he could, but the light that he seemed the eminate was a ward against most dark magics, and witches died the same as anyone if you bled them enough. They needed help with this problem however and Rowan knew it... they needed a witch hunter

Mercy didn't like the look of this man. It was time for her to go, so she spun on her heel and pushed her way through the crowds.

"Should we move on now that the show is over?"

"Oh indeed" The warlock said with a smile, she wished to meet these witches

"For how long I have traveled with you your smile still unnerves me...Makes me think you are up to something"

"You should know by now I'm always up to something" She said with a smile, then was captivated by something else. A manor, clearly the dwelling of a serious magician, she sensed great and arcane knowledge inside and wondered why the witches were not coveting it, perhaps they were frightened, or just lazy.

Rather, they were waiting. Or at least Mercy was. Waiting for the watching man to leave the protection of his home, so she can intercept him while another witch scouts his manor. They wouldn't take anything just yet, of course. They'd let Mercy build up trust before they do. This will also avoid making it too obvious she was part of some elaborate scheme.

Despite his reclusiveness it was an inevitability that Sebastian would eventually leave his house to get supplies. He wore rather nice, but not impractical clothes, with a long coat and a pair of gloves, though he didn't look it, the paranoid magician was armed to the teeth with magical protection and weapons.

Mercy recognised the magic on him. It clung to him like a bad smell. She gathered in all her courage, glued her eyes to the ground, and walked right into him.

As Mercy bumped off of Sebastian  the high class magician was quick to catch her and steady her so she did not fall "Careful where you are going girl." He said calmly and in an unsurprised manner, though he recognized the foul stench of witchcraft on her he pretended he did not.

Mercy looked up, tears welling up in her eyes. A skill, to cry on command, and one she had possessed since she was a girl. Her eyes found his just as a flicker raced over his own. He hid it well, but she had already seen it: recognition. He knows. And yet he has said nothing. These people are terrified: they'd not risk letting her go if this man claims she is a witch. Can't dwell on that now. "S-s-sorry," She blubbered, hand over her mouth. If he were truly a gentleman, or at least had a heart at all, she was sure he would comfort a crying lady.

"This town gets interesting by the minute"

"What's wrong girl?" The man asked with a sigh of reluctance, he suspected this was part of a kind of witch trap, he would be alert

"Indeed" The warlock said watching the house

Naturally, he'd be right. Another witch, whose name translated to Night-watcher, was already on the prowl, scouting out his house. Mercy sighed, wiping her nose with the back of her hand, as if she were preparing herself to say something terrible. "My husband..." She said miserably. "I found him with another woman!" And with that, she burst into another round of sobs. It was all rather dramatic.

"Oh good luck with that" Sebastian resumed his walk, he did not believe her and wouldn't care anyway

The house looked calm and safe, inviting even

"No, please!" She cried, reaching out for him. Time to switch tactics. Her tears ceased like the closing of a tap. "I was hoping to..." Her fingers trailed across his shoulder, gentle as a feather's touch. Her voice turned soft, gentle, like she were singing a soothing lullaby. "Perhaps..." Her finger tips led down to his hand, her breath caressing his neck as she whispered: "Exact some revenge..."

~

Leilir nonetheless ensured there was no clear signs of danger before infiltrating the building through a window she had eased open. Her footsteps were silent as she crept through the building, ever watchful.

The witch didn't get far in before she began itching uncontrollably, it was offer it felt strange like something, or rather many things were moving beneath her skin.

Meanwhile the magician simply said "No" not seeming in the least bit tempted, he of course did not let her touch him, she was a witch and so he stepped out of reach

Leilir shifted uncomfortably, hands scratching at her itchy skin.

~

A shimmer of offence flickered over Mercy's features momentarily. Of course not. She was running out of ideas. And she really didn't want to hurt the man. She dropped her hands to her sides once again, sensing defeat. Why he didn't call her out was still confusing her, but she'd have to worry about that later. "I see," She said, her voice still retaining the song like quality, however she wasn't exaggerating it like before. She turned and made her way off, but paused to crouch and tie her laces. While she did so, she subtly shared a few words with another woman sitting against a wall. Neither looked at each other through the exchange.