Within the small village of Shales great hall a large fire burned within the centre of the hall illuminating the stone floor benches adorned with bearskins that allowed for more comfy seating for the judges. Behind them stood a crowd of villages that were awaiting the verdict of a dark-haired blue-eyed man who had had his back turned to the hearth. Before him and the other judges stood a struggling silver-haired woman who was being held by two men.

“It has been a long and arduous process my friends but finally we have a verdict”. There was a pause then the man continued with a slight smile

“We find Xeranus, daughter of Molcoth, guilty of witchcraft and deviance from what is proper and natural ”. 

There was an air of glee from the crowd as the preordained judgement had come now they were free  of this thing. A sharp  angry cry cut across the room from the condemned woman  . 

“How dare you, you pig lover, you murderer you whoreson? Do you think me having silver hair is enough? For being unwelcome in the village is enough for me being a witch not after what you did to farther You can’t do this to me Menlek, you’re not a lawgiver!” screamed a silver-haired young woman with an angry passion. 

“Guards, silence her!” Barked Menlek.

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There was a dull THUD as a farmhand, drafted in to act as a guard, whacked Xeranus over the head with a wooden club. Xeranus groaned as she slumped slowly to her knees. She was barely conscious as two men hoisted her upright and held her there between them by her arms.

 “I have my hereditary right as a descendent of the village chiefs as you well know, and my place as head of the village council. Lord Wengen has also sent a representative and an escort, and I speak for everyone in this village! Menlek bristled indignantly. He leaned forward and, with a mean stare, continued. “What matters here is I have authority over you, witch!” 

“The Chiefs are long gone, their laws are long gone. Times have changed Menlek, this isn’t lawful and i will make you pat!” The girl managed to slur.

Menlek snorted at the witches rambling  

 “You have been found guilty of witchcraft, and otherness you have been sentenced under the ancient law of Snowland. You are to be taken to the Cursed Range where, in accordance with tradition, you will be tied to a stake and left for the shrikes. You will be eaten alive so the world may be cleansed of your wicked tainted!”

 ‘I Curse you Menlek, for what you did to my father and…’ She slurred, still dazed.

She never got to finish her sentence as the guard on her right hit her over the head causing her to lose consciousness. 

‘Muzzle her so she can’t spit her lies and her foul craft!’ ordered Menlek cold satisfaction emanating from him.  

A guard went over to a table at the side of the Great Hall and picked up what appeared to be an iron mask that covered the lower half of the face. The guard walked over to Xeranus and with a little effort placed the mask on her. 

‘Take her to the horses and escort her to her fate’. Ordered a smiling Menlek as she was dragged unconscious from the hall.