Chapter 2: History lesson
PREPARE FOR SOME REALLY HISTORICALLY INACCURATE STUFF
Long ago, before Ringler Island was even a thought, the island was made up of colonies. Though the island was inhabited by mainly flora and fauna, the colonies flourished on their own.
During one colony's journey there, one family was considered to be the strongest and most intellectual of the families, and because of this, they were picked to be the community leaders. The family was made up of a mother, father, three girls, and two boys. Each were as healthy as the time, and their social class, permitted. They were seen as the strongest because all of the children had survived farther than any other children in the community and were, on the outside at least, fearless about going to a new world.
Clemence Baker, the youngest of the girls, was about 11 years of age. She had brown hair that went down to her shoulders and stunning green eyes. She and her brother were the troublemakers of the family; they were deeply loved anyway.
Francis Baker, the youngest of the two boys, was about 10 years of age. He had dirty blond hair that was long enough to cover his ears and chilling blue eyes. He had been told he would have his pick of the girls when he was older, but he paid no mind and would simply nod and continue playing with Clemence.
Marion Baker, the middle child, was 13 years old. She, like her brother Francis, had dirty blonde hair. However, unlike her brother, she had glowing brown eyes. During her time she had become the oddball of the family. She showed no interest in any of the boys around, and instead of participating in what was considered "normal" activities, she enjoyed wandering around and losing herself in the sky.
The eldest boy, Edmund Baker, at 14 years was scrawny and very sickly looking, but showed no symptoms of any sort of illness, so no one felt the need to worry. He had light brown hair that covered his eyes. Not many people saw his eyes because of this, and he left everyone wondering how he got around with hair like his. Some people have seen him wandering around in the blackness of night without bumping into anything.
The eldest daughter, and child overall, Susanna Baker, was already to be courted by a boy named Edgar. His family was also considered for leadership and were the second strongest in the group. Susanna had dark brown hair with mesmerizing green eyes. Despite the courtship that had been set in place, Susanna spent most of the time helping her father gather supplies for their settlement.
The parents of the family were Christine and Erik Baker. They were loving, but also strict, which is to be expected of parents in the 1600's. Christine had dirty blonde hair that was mostly brown at the roots and it was always up in a bun or a braid. She also had the most beautiful brown eyes. Erik on the other hand had light brown hair that was a little past his shoulders and had sparkling green eyes.
When the island was first populated, the small community had decided that they wanted to focus on building community more that religion, so they built their homes and farms first, followed by the common house (which was to be used for meetings). Building these structures took a few months of hard work, but everyone was content with what they had done. Well, nearly everyone that is.
Minister Sprout was angry that no one had been faithful and joined him for the Sunday Sabbath. Minister sprout was a fairly chubby man with greying hair. He wore glasses over his piercing brown eyes and was never seen without his ministry , unfortunately, was widowed before they had left to the new land, and all of his children had been married off to decent families, so he went on in life as a lonely, bitter minister.
When the next Monday rolled around Minister Sprout decided to pay a visit to the Baker family's home. He planned to request that they begin steering toward building a religion in the community now that their village was structurally complete. He knocked on the door, and waited politely. After a few seconds, Christine opened the door and smiled. "Good morning Minister Sprout! What can I help you with this fine morning?" Christine was always smiling, and it never failed to amaze the minister. "I would like to speak with your husband. Is he home?" Sprout wanted to get this done as quickly as possible so that he could return civility to the community. "He's right the-" Minister Sprout was suddenly met with Clemmence and Francis pushing past him and sprinting toward something behind him. When he turned around to see where the children were headed, his eyes stumbled across Erik and Susanna carrying firewood and some flowers. He couldn't help but scoff. "Excuse me minister, but why did you just scoff at the sight of my daughter?" Sprout quickly changed the subject when he finally found who he was looking for. "Goody Baker-" "Oh, hello Minister Sprout! What brings you here today?" Erik asked as he also caught sight of the minister.
Erik and Susanna had finished their duties and placed the wood into the pile. Susanna entered the house with her freshly picked flowers and Christine quickly followed her.
"Goodman Baker I think-" "Please come in" Erik asked, and Minister Sprout quickly obliged. "Goodman-" "Please, call me Erik! We've known each other long enough I think." Sprout shot Erik an incredulous look that made it seem as if Erik had just committed murder. However, Sprout quickly shrugged it off and remembered his reason for visiting. "Goodman Baker, we as a community have become too lethargic and casual around each other. We need some sort of routine throughout the week to keep everyone on task. For instance, if we hold a mandatory sermon every Sunday, we can keep our community pure and our people sin-free. Besides, with all of the construction going on we have been severely lacking in teaching and enforcing the good word of the Lord. If you want proof then you need not look any further than your own family. Your daughters run and play like the boys when they should be practicing their homemaking skills! And-" Erik stopped him there and shot a look that had him slightly cowering in fear. "Sprout, I will talk to you father to father rather than man to minister. Clemence and Marion are only children, and while they do learn their necessary homemaking skills when they arrive home at dusk, they still need to have the freedom to run and play to their heart's content. Susanna Is working with Christine to take care of the littluns in our community, and she is only here all of the time because she is helping Edgar, who is helping his father build more farms and store houses, all things that you could benefit from. The families of the community, including mine, see no need for a mandatory sermon to be held every Sunday. However, you are more than welcome, and always have been, to hold your sermons for everyone to join by choice.
"The common house is not a house of god"
Sprout sneered.
Erik sighed.
"When we as a community are sure that we can survive here we will build your church, but for now we must prepare for the coming winter. We don't know of the condition here so I suggest you do the same Goodman Sprout"
"Be it then"
Sprout grumbled when he walked out of the house.
*Months later*
Winter had come and passed, few perished during this time, mostly the elderly had passed, and their grieving period came and went just the same. During the winter, the hunters were able to catch some bigger game for their village, because they too were looking for sustenance.
On a morning most like any other, Minister sprout was overseeing the construction of his church when Edgar had come up to him with a question.
"Minister sprout?"
"Yes Edgar? What is it?"
"I want to talk to you about some things that i've seen happening around the village at night."
Sprout stared at him blinking a few times.
"What have you seen?"
"At night when the moon gets to its highest point, I see lights, candles maybe, moving around outside of the windows, with dark figures following them, there is always seven of them."
"Hmm. That is strange, as far as i know there isn't any seven member fami-... hmmm"
"What is it minister? Have you come up with an idea?"
"Yes. How much do you know about our betrotheds family?"
"As much as anyone else sir, if you are thinking what I think your thinking… y- you're wrong, they are a good family and they wouldn't stoop to that level, forget I had said anything we have just had good luck with our island."
"Son, they could dangerous; unfortunately I cannot go up to the courthouse without evidence… thank you for bring this up to me son."
"Minister n- dammit"
*A few hours later*
Erik and some of the other men and some boys had just come back to the village after hunting, bringing back two stags and some fish from a local lake; when he was approached by their elected Judge, Judge Dredd; being followed my Minister Sprout. He didn't have a good feeling about this.
"Goodman Baker I would like a word with you when you are finished."
"Judg-"
"Minister calm yourself"
Sprout silenced himself.
Judge Dredd may have looked like an imposing man but he was very nice and was patient with most people, as long as he felt he had a reason to trust them. That being said he was at the end of the patience rope with Sprout. Sprout looked almost like a child standing next to Dredd
Erik walked over to where the two other men were standing and greeted them both.
"If we could Goodman Baker, I- we would like to talk to you somewhere private."
"Of course, My home should be empty, the children are at their lessons and Christine is at Goody Martins home."
"Very well. Lead the way."
All three men walked the way to Eriks house. He could feel the anger radiating off of Minister Sprout; and the worry waving off of Dredd. He felt some anxiety begin to prick up.
When they reached the home Erik let the two men in and they each took a seat at the dinner table, Dredd at the head with erik and Sprout on either side. Here, Sprout looked nervous.
"Would you like to tell me why we have gathered here today?" Erik asked; he was side- eying Sprout.
Dredd stayed silent for a moment, he looked like he was trying to place his words in the right order.
"Y- Yes, you see, Minister sprout, came up to the courthouse earlier today, around when you and the other men had just left, claiming to have evidence that your entire family was full of-"
"I- I never said the entire family!" Sprout defended, looking paler than before.
Dredd looked at Sprout, sprout stopped talking.
"He said that your family was full of… uh… witches."
The moment after Dredd had uttered that word it got colder as clemence and her brother walked through the door, despite it being a decent temperature, Sprout and Dredd both got goosebumps.
"Hello daddy!"
Clemence came rushing into hug her father, Erik smiled and picked her up as he caught her, Francis came rushing in after her.
Both Dredd and Sprout left immediately.
