The Witches Lullaby

Chapter One

"Lysander fetch your sister, were waiting to go to church and she still isn't ready." My grandmother shouted to my brother as I heard his footsteps trail across the wooden floor which lead up to my room. "Bridget come on, grandmother I'd waiting for us. Were going to be late for church and you know how they are about us being late."
"Yes, yes Lysander I will be finished in a moment I can't get my bonnet to stay on."
I messed around with my bonnet to try and keep it on before tying it. "Grandmother will tie it for you just come out." I sighed quietly before opening the door to my room and walking out with my bonnet in my left hand. "Grandmother, please will you tie my bonnet I'm having a bit of trouble." Her eyes moved swiftly to me as she nodded. "Come now child, I will tie it for you."I walked to her as she took he bonnet from my hands and fixed it into place. "See, its not as hard as it look Bridget." I heard Lysander make a comment while m grandmother dusted my dress."come now or..."
"Or well be late and they don't like us being late. Yes grandmother we know." I smiled as we all rushed out, locking the door and making our way to church with the rest of the village.

"Bridget we can not tell anyone especially the Lord about our private studies. People will think we are different. We must remain the same with the others. Our studies are only safe in the safety of our own home child."
"Yes grandmother."
Our private studies have been past down through generations through my mothers side. We practice witch craft but the good kind. The kind which let us make medicine to help people but if anyone knew what we do, they'd take me and Lysander away from grandmother and keep us away from her forever. That's why our studies have to be secret and only between us. We need to keep it safe. I don't want to lose them ever. We came closer to the church as I cleared my mind about the studies and made sure all I could think about was our religion. "Come on children we're just on time." We made it to the door as the priest greeted us with a half smile before we walked to our seats.
Everyone was still standing as we stood next to a family called the Masons."First let us say the lords prayer."

"Lord, thou knowest better than I know myself that I am growing older and will some day be old. Keep me from the fatal habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion. Release me from craving to straighten out everybody's affairs. Make me thoughtful but not moody; helpful but not bossy. With my vast store of wisdom it seems a pity not to use it all, but Thou knowest Lord, that I want a few friends at the end.
Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details; give me wings to get to the point. Seal my lips on my aches and pains. They are increasing and love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by. I dare not ask for grace enough to enjoy the tales of other's pains, but help me to endure them with patience. I dare not ask for improved memory, but for a growing humility and a lessening cocksureness when my memory seems to clash with the memories of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be mistaken.
Keep me reasonably sweet; I do not want to be a saint-some of them are so hard to live with-but a sour old person is one of the crowning works of the Devil. Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places and talents in unexpected people. And, give me, O Lord, the grace to tell them so.
Amen."

"You may all seat." The priest announced and stood proud in front of us all. All you could hear was everyone taking their seats at once. "Here today we are here to talk about the sins of far away lands by people called witches" witches?! That's what me and grandmother are. "These people are sinners and they are shown are female or even male, the make themselves look like one of us and try to fit in. But no more. They will not be hidden any longer!" I looked around as everyone nodded to one another and to keep suspicion away from us I nodded to my family. As they nodded back we all looked to the priest. "No more will we stand for their outbreak! In other lands they have a witch hunter to seek out the witch. So from now in forth, we will do the same! I know no one in this village is a with but we have to be safe and this is the only way." I gasped quietly but kept my face straight. My grandmother held my hand tight. "If I suspect that anyone in village is a witch or working with a witch, the punishment is death!" Everyone in the room gasped.

"Death." His poison work lingered in my mind as I tried to empty it and carry on acting normal. "You are all dismissed. Go and carry on with your chores of today." The hall was filled with the noise of heels standing. Everyone rushed out as they were talking about the new rule which was laid out for us. "Grandmother?"
"Shush child and get back to the house immediately. We wouldn't want to be seen by any witches and cursed now would we?" I gave her a puzzled look as she pinched my elbow. "Ouch!" I screamed quietly as we were pushed into our home. "Bridget, put all our work down in the back yard. Bury it, bury it deep and watch out for people watching you." I nodded as I collected all my scrolls and a shovel before running to the darkest part of the yard and started to dig. I dug a good six foot before burying the scrolls and covering the hole up again. I walked back in and shut the back door before a loud bang crashed at the front door. My grandmother rushed and opened the door to our surprise it was the towns keeper. "Bridget..."
"Yes sir?"
My heart began to beat faster and faster. Did anyone see me and reported me? "Oh lord I don't want to die tonight. I'm to young."
"Die? Why on heavens would you die? I came to say you're needed for the candle making."
"O-oh sorry sir yes, I will make my way back there now."
I quickly gathered my candle making kit before hugging my grandmother and Lysander. "Come on now child you'll be late." I nodded before leaving and closed the door behind me.