The day was soundless and dull as the clouds hung low in the sky, blocking out the sun and dampening everyone's spirits. A tall slender man walked quickly through the barren dirty streets of Salem, Massachusetts. He could hear screaming and hollering in the distance but ignored the sounds and continued down the street. The man took out a sheet of paper and glanced at it quickly before turning down another street and entering the fourth door on the left.
Inside plants grew in dirty clay pots, odd items floated in jars filled with an ugly yellow liquid and papers stacked high upon each other in piles dotted around the place. The man took out the same sheet of paper and stared at it and then looked up around the building. He slowly walked forward and examined the place more. A large fire place was pushed into the back wall where a small pot of water hung over the empty fire place by a thin metal rod. THe windows were spider-cracked and dirty, specked with black dots and streaks of dirt. The place itself was streaked dirty, sounds of small feet pattered the ground and the man turned and noticed a large familiar book on a large wooden desk. The man opened it and knew exactly what it was.
"Balthazar."
The man slammed the book down and turned to see a man his height but a little thinner than he, stare at him through wire-framed glasses. He had old grey eyes and wrinkles on his cheeks, forehead and even his withered hands. He was young but his features falsified his age. The man before Balthazar wore a black crusted lab coat and a thick sweater that stared to get worn and black pants.
"I am so glad you came," the man said shaking Balthazar's hand.
"Pleasure," Balthazar said, "You must be Dr. Dante Deferonciey."
The old man nodded.
Balthazar had received a letter from Dr. Dante just last month urging him to come quickly to Salem for it is very important. In the letter it detailed about a certain sorceress who had roamed the streets of Salem, causing terror and other horrible crimes and yet not being accused or sent to trial yet.
Dr. Dante was a sorcerer who was trained through his mother. His family was well known for sorcery for ages, even Merlin sonetimes would talk about their deeds. He possessed his castor at the age of ten and swore to use his magic to help people, thus becoming the Salem doctor. Dr. Dante was known as the best at his work and always was true to his word. He always remained in close contact to Merlinian sorcerers and informed them of Morganains in the area.
"Who is this sorceress?" Balthazar asked.
Dr. Dante summoned a chair for both him and Balthazar to sit on. He snapped his fingers and a small spark erupted on dry wood in the fireplace and the pot of water started to heat up.
"Are you sure its safe?" Balthazar asked.
Dr. Dante sighed and said, "We are in many hard times my friend, but fear not, no one knows about me or you for that matter."
"How do you do your work?"
Dr. Dante shrugged, "Illusions my friend, simple illusion spells. But enough about that, I called you here about a witch."
"A witch?"
Dr. Dante bobbed his head up and down: "A very powerful witch at that my friend."
He grabbed the Incantus from the table and opened it to a page and showed Balthazar the picture. It was of a girl of young age. She wore a full-length black dress and a black and white cap that hid her hair, making her features more clear and open. She had black eyes, sharp features and a look that could kill. Balthazar looked at the caption below: Abigail Williams.
"Abigail Williams?" Balthazar said, "She's a witch?"
"A Morganian witch. Already, six innocent people have been sentenced to death including dogs and the people of Salem won't stop there until all the witches are gone. The people in Salem have gone mad and are getting madder by the minute. The people want the witches out and will accuse anyone that show traits of witches or witchcraft. I'm telling you Balthazar, this girl is up to something and its major."
Balthazar stared at the picture and nodded.
"Where do I find her?"
Dr. Dante smiled and nodded, "Thank you Balthazar, she can be found on the outskirts of Salem. She lives with her cousin Betty."
Balthazar thanked Dr. Dante and retreated to the front. Balthazar was ready to leave when Dr. Dante shouted to him: "Be careful Balthazar! Abigail isn't as friendly as I am!"
Balthazar walked down the streets until he came to the last of the broken and rotting houses. He was about to leave when a hand grabbed his shoulder and forced him to turn. Balthazar saw a tall thin man with deep eyes and bony features. He wore a black cloak over his frail body and his hand never left Balthazar's shoulder.
"Do not venture out there stranger," the man said, he had a shaky voice and it was hushed so it was hard to make out what he was saying, "Witches are out there."
Balthazar looked at the man, "My friend's out there."
He then realized that was the wrong thing to say when the man growled and looked at him with angry eyes. The man's grip tightened and Balthazar felt his shoulder go numb.
"How'd be your friend now?" the man shouted, "Witches!"
The word made the shutters open on houses and people peered to see the man and Balthazar on the edge of Salem.
"I assure you I am not a witch," Balthazar said, "Dr. Dante has paid me to go and find a patient."
Balthazar snapped his fingers and the sound of glass breaking rang thought the streets. The man blinked a couple of times and let go of Balthazar's shoulder.
"You go right on then," the man said dazed, the people looked dazed too and closed their shutters, "You go on then and find the patient."
Balthazar nodded and went off into the forest while the man's voice called: "Hope you find what you need to, careful there, there'd be witches!"