Page 20 of Damnation (Gallows Hill)

Thomas

This sinful day, we have been delivered grave news.

Governor Phips has ordered that the court of Oyer and Terminer be disbanded or treason shall be faced.

We have tried to seek reason with the man, but he will have no part of it.

No doubt he has been coerced or corrupt.

Perhaps both. He does not know a thing, living his lavish lie in Boston.

He does not know the evil we have overcome, the horrors we have faced.

Nineteen have met their just fate, and hundreds more are to follow. Though with the Governor’s order, I foresee the lot of them being set free within a fortnight or two. Even Dorothy.

That simply will not do.

S etting my journal down, I look around Ingersoll’s tavern, where I have asked those truly loyal to gather. That list has grown quite short as most have begged off or even slandered the name of what we are achieving here in Salem. Better without them all, I say.

The very idea of witches we know to be true being allowed to live? When Sarah was not gifted such? No, ‘tis all or nothing, and since we have begun, we must finish this. With or without the Governor’s approval.

“What hast thou gathered us for?” Hutchinson calls out.

Standing to my feet, I tuck my journal into my coat pocket as I begin pacing the room.

“Brothers, lend me your ear. We are at war. We are at war with a great and vile enemy. One that plots to destroy the very fabric of our lives. They are hungry for our town, our virtue, our souls, and we cannot allow it!”

Every man is solely focused on me, a feeling I have grown more accustomed to as I have taken over a lead position during these trials. ‘Tis a feeling unmatched by any.

“The Governor wishes us to abandon our beliefs, allow evil to run rampant among us, but I simply cannot, and I know you are all in agreement.”

Several heads nod in the tavern as I continue.

“Though the court has been disbanded, and our trials may be halted, I urge you all to hear me now. We cannot allow our work to stop; we cannot allow our guards to fall. We do not need a court or trials or the Governor’s damned permission for a thing!” I snarl.

“What does thou mean?” Walcott asks.

“A brotherhood,” I continue. “A brotherhood to watch over each other, over our town. A brotherhood that is thicker than blood or water. One that once entered into, cannot be broken nor weakened. In numbers, we find strength; in brotherhood, we find protection.”

“And what will our brotherhood be doing, Putnam?” Parris asks, ever morally just.

“Nothing God would not ask of us, Samuel,” I answer before addressing the crowd once more.

“Salem needs us, dare I say Massachusetts needs us. This is not just an agreement, not just a promise to remain a faithful servant to God. This is a promise to remain a faithful servant to each other, to the brotherhood, to our safety.”

To my surprise, a few uneasy looks pass upon faces, and I waste not a moment in calling such out.

“Why do you look to me in such a way, Ingersoll?”

He appears spooked as he looks around the room before shaking his head.

“I am unable to understand why we need to promise so much. Does it not feel as if we are taking another religion?”

“Blasphemy!” I scoff. “This be not a religion, but a community…a society operated in secret. One that will protect the town of Salem, that will seek out evil and deliver justice in God’s name.

Tell me this, do you think the Nurse family will not come for us?

For we all know, they harbor hate towards us all.

And the Carys? Ushers? Aldens? What of those who escaped before and during the arrests?

Every man, woman, and child is a threat until we deem otherwise.

Just because the Governor dubs the trials over, does not make it so.

If we allow them to strike first, it shall be our necks snapped at Gallows Hill, mark every word I speak. ”

Understanding begins to fill the room as several heads nod. To my surprise, the first to rise to his feet in support is Parris. I thought the goody reverend would struggle with such a premise.

He extends his hand for my own, shaking it as he speaks.

“I shall follow you anywhere you lead.”

“As will I,” Edward says as he too stands.

“And I,” Griggs agrees.

Preston and Hutchinson look to each other before standing.

Then, one by one, Ingersoll, Walcott, Lewis, and finally Stroughton all rise to their feet.

My eyes meet each, silently thanking them for their commitment.

Together, we have some of the strongest families of Salem.

Together, we have the most impassioned members of our community.

With their support, we will create a group that not only protects, but thrives, far from the government’s reach.

We shall be an operation of our own support. A society. A brotherhood.

The Brethren.