Accalia Starling can't stop the emotions she experiences whenever the tall, green eyed Harlequin lays eyes on her. She knows deep down that there's something off about him, but unfortunately, he holds her heart in his tainted hands.
Started: October...
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June 7th, 1556
Another person has been burned. Perhaps I shouldn't refer to them as 'people', after all, witches are evil, soulless creatures. They murder innocent souls; countless villages have been decimated, children apparently screamed and begged for mercy. Witches are not human, and yet, why do they behave like one? I have known of two women in the village that were accused and later tried for being those evil creatures.
One had screamed as her body burned. She had begged for her life, even as the flames licked her body. Even as her flesh melted, she begged for mercy. Even as the air filled with the awful stench of her corpse, she tried. Tears were running down her cheeks, and yet she was convicted and sentenced to die for her sins.
The other had begged for mercy as she was thrown into the river. She had flailed in the water, screaming for help and insisting that she was innocent. I remember watching the water churn as her body grew weak and her head went under the water. She had floated when the life was drained from her body. I remember how pale her face was, and I realised that she would never be able sing again.
I remember passing both women on the streets as I rode past on my horse. The one who was burned sold flowers picked from the meadow near by. The one that drowned would always sing for money; she was one of the best I had ever heard, and yet, no one paid her any attention. She, along with the other woman, did not appear to be witches. Though, I suppose that one will never really know the truth until they're tried. Perhaps the system is flawed, perhaps the accused don't get enough rights or protections.
All I know is that I do not believe that either of the women were witches. I just cannot understand how someone could hide something like that from everyone. It is rather unsettling, knowing that just anyone can be accused and most likely sentenced to death. It breaks my heart, knowing that many people were killed by the witches, however, which means that I must not let myself grow too sympathetic to them. I pray for the lost souls every night, and let us hope that the witches and their reign of terror will end.
-A.S
Accalia stares down at the freshly inked parchment paper of her journal. She feels relieved to have finally written down something that's been bothering her for a while. She hates to admit it, but the idea of magic and witchcraft has always been interesting to her. It's dangerous to think this though, especially as witch hunts and burnings are becoming more common—especially in Germany. Many have died, and it's strange to her that the church seems to be okay with this for the most part. They have been complicit so far.
Once the ink has dried completely, Accalia closes her journal and pushes it to the side before standing up. She knows that she has to make it down to the dining hall soon because her parents have gotten a new Harlequin—a person to keep them entertained during the evening and supper time. She doesn't understand why they need one, but who is she to complain? Maybe it'll mean that meals won't be as boring as they normally are.
