The Zalem Witchcraft Trials

These are dark times…

The sky is filled with complete darkness, everywhere in sight nothing but thunder clouds, and woods. The pegasi stayed at home with fear. They believed that the keeper of the heavens was angry, for many pegasi have tried to fly higher and higher to see the loved ones who have perished. But the higher the altitude the thinner the air, the pegasi took this as a sign. They believed that the heavens are only meant for those who were dead, and so, if somepony wanted to reach the heavens, they would have to die for it.

To the average pony who ever walks in at these times, will be presented by nothing, but strong dusty winds and a dark atmosphere. If one would ever peek out the window, they would see frightening shadows of small creatures and the ever wandering animal searching for food, but never another pony…

In a house that was similar to that of the Trocter family, lived a small family of three. It is quite common for a family to have only one or two children in good health; most could not afford to maintain any more in good health. Here is Goody Nurse, her daughter Dumple Nurse, and her husband Damphire Nurse. They sat in the living room observing the fire.

“Mom?” Dumple said.

“Yes dear?”

“Will the man in the suit ever get us?”

“Of course not” She smiled “why, we haven’t bothered anypony; and it would be foolhardy of him to do so.

“Don’t worry dear” Damphire smiled. “Your mom here has the best reputation as a good assistant to ponies of all kind; she has done nothing but help”.

“Okay then, would you like some more tea father?” She said, lifting the tea by the handle with her mouth.

“Thank you dear” He smiled as he watched his daughter leave to the kitchen.

“What has become of Sara, my sister in law?”

“Well, you are aware the Zalem has only one court?”

“Yes”

“Because of this they have to go to more primitive manner of obtaining the truth” he paused.

“And what would that be?”

“The same way they forced confession and information out of Taitana…” He looked away at the door for a brief moment. “You hear that?”

“Why that is thunder, Damphire, from afar”

“It is usually cloudy, but never stormy here in Zalem…”

“That is true” She agreed “But what do you think it means?”

He paused for quite a while thinking of what exactly it could signify.

“That the heavens are angry”

Boom Boom

The escort cart runs over two boulders blocking its path, but keeps going. Inside are Apple Gail and John, they both shiver from the cold the rain has brought. Apple Gail slowly snuggles close to John, much to his dislike. He pushes her to the other side of the seat. She frowns as she tries to snuggle close to him again.

“So John, how about this trial?”

“What do ramble about now Apple Gail?” He said annoyed.

“I’m just happy that I get to spend some quality time with you” She said getting closer.

John, right about now, wanted to strangle Apple Gail for falsely accusing his wife. But he worried that it might incriminate him during court so he tried to remain calm. Though Apple Gail is not making matter better for him.

“Just…just shut your mouth until we get to trail; then you can blather like an idiot”

“Oh John, must you get like this? What ever happened to that stallion I fell in love with at first sight, as he gazed back at me thru the window? What ever happened to the stallion that made ME feel as though I had purpose?” He paused for a response.

“That stallion…” He moved his body to the other side with the hooves facing the window, “He was committing many errors in his life, errors that he seemed to not care about. And due to his recklessness, he committed adultery against his own wife, a wife, who still loves him to this day” He gazed outside the window, noticing lightning in the far distance.

“But that stallion was free from rules, that stallion was happy, that stallion was joyful for what ‘recklessness’ he was doing, that stallion was and still is you John…” She rubbed his back slowly to please him.

“Enough!” he pushed off her hoof, thunder rung in the background, “My wife is there out in court, fearing for her life! And you simply cannot see, just how much she means to me! Please leave me in solitude, Apple Gail!” John yelled from within the cart.

She scooted to the other side of the seat, facing the wall.

“Soon John…soon you won’t have to worry over her…” She whispered under her breath.

“You have something left to say Apple Gail?” John asked.

“Nothing John…nothing” She said with a smirk.

“EVERPONY IN THE CASE OF ELISABETH, THE COURT HAS RESUMED ENTER NOW, OR RISK GULTY VERDICT!” A stallion with a raspy voice yelled.

“Well I guess that’s our cue Elisabeth. Not much left now but to hope for the best” He smiled.

“We best go on now” Elisabeth said.

“Elisabeth before we go on, I was only wondering. ARE you, a witch?” He said curiously.

“No I am not a witch, if that were so, then I would be levitating things with a horn on my head. This is something only the creature known as a unicorn can do” She stated.

“IF it is THAT obvious than why don’t you tell the court that! They would surly find you not guilty” He said shocked.

“If I do ever tell the court this, they would wonder why I know such a thing. The unicorn race is only known by my side of my family. We had been keeping it secret for many generations. So I ask you Firebird can you keep this secret hidden? The secret John had been keeping form the folk about that affair, is out now, and I cannot risk anymore incrimination coming to our family” She said.

“I can do this, I will keep this a secret Elisabeth. But what do you mean family? Do you and John have other kids?”

“Why yes, we have a boy and a girl. And one coming up it seems”

“Wait…what!”

THE DOORS TO THE COURTROOM ARE NOW CLOSING!!

“Oh crap let’s go!!”