The Bloody Cottage

I am writing in regards to the coven that was discovered in the woodlands of Bordeaux. By the time you are reading this you will have most likely heard gossip of what transpired. Horrible crones hiding amongst the trees; kidnapping children, hexing folk that stray to close, and even horrible acts of carnal pleasure. Most of the stories told will be warped and formed into whatever shape the teller needs. I would like to lay out the tragic tale in full truth.

The cowardly hunter was the first to bring information on the witches whereabouts. He came one night stumbling into the tavern I frequent, he was in a great hurry and dripping with sweat. We originally thought he had gotten a head start on the rest of us with the drinking.  But as he came to tell us why he was in such a state we heard the truth.

According to the craven, he had been hunting where he always had. He was tracking some beast, which led him to the old abandoned cottage. He claimed that the long empty structure now looked to be inhabited.

He crept closer and to his shock found three beautiful young ladies. One was tending to a garden nearby, and the other two were trying to move a large table. He decided the chivalrous act was to help. He greeted them pleasantly, and they him. After they explained that they were converting the old place into a home for the sick; he happily helped them with everything they asked of him. His mood took a foul turn though once he noticed the shrine amongst the medical supplies.

He felt the anger grow inside of him. He shouted at them and accused them of the highest of heresies. They pleaded with him and tried to sow their seeds of corruption within him.

"No, no! Ple--please listen! It is only but a  shrine to Asclepius. We pray to him and offer him gifts only so that he may heal others. You do not have to fear us, we have only come to aid the injured and forgotten. Please let us perform our duty, so that we may enact what the fates have woven."

Praise be to the Lord that the hunter stood firm. For surely, only through him, was the craven able to muster the courage necessary.

With this damning evidence acquired the witches were set to be captured for trial. I joined the group charged with this task, and we set out as soon as we were able. We arrived at the coven a fortnight after the hunters first encounter. Night was upon them and the men's nerves had left them with the sun. But still they kept a steadfast focus on the mission at hand.  They were here to perform their duty to God no matter the cost.

They smashed through the door to the cottage, screaming at the woman to drop their weapons. The crones had a young girl on their vile table. One of them had a small surgical blade, another mixing some nefarious concoction, and the last was performing some evil incantation with the shrine. The witches tried yet again at a feeble attempt at manipulation. They begged and sobbed, explaining that the girl was abandoned and needed immediate care.

But the brave men had seen all they had needed. They were witches, it was plain to see. The most valiant of them decided now was the time to strike. He reached out to disarm one of the women, and as she resisted her blade found its way into his stomach. The seductress tried to claim it was an accident, but the other men weren't going to hear it. Madness broke out all at once as weapons were drawn; screams were the only thing heard, the smell of iron and bile filled every nose, and when it was done carnage was all that could be seen.

The holy warriors celebrated their victory by destroying the shrine and burning the tainted remains of their slain foes. Their final act is most often left out of common tellings though. They took great care in burying the small corpse of the wounded girl, for their shame was great. No single man would take sole blame for the injustice, so the secret was kept amongst the group. She looked so sad as we filled the hole.

I hope this letter better tells the tale of the bloody cottage. I also hope that it helps to explain why that poor little girl had to die that night. Of course we didn't knowingly strike an innocent child down in her sickbed. But we had a job of grave importance and failing wasn't an option. Necessary casualties sometimes occur in the service of the one true God.

Best Regards,
Philippe