The Witches Page #6

- Well, that's something.

From what I've been hearing...

Now, what was all this

about her going to Cornwall?

Well, it seemed to me,

as she wasn't progressing,

that would be the best place

for her to go.

But she was progressing the whole time,

only you didn't spot it!

All you did was to warn me

not to go near her for fear of upsetting her.

- Professional advice.

- Oh really, Miss Bax.

And that nursing home

needs looking into.

- Stephanie!

- I mean it.

Liz, some food for Miss Mayfield please -

tasty and hot. I leave it to you.

And coffee.

Lots of it. Quick.

- We let you down.

- Oh no, I owe you...

We owed you more care

than you evidently got.

Ever since that night here.

Do you remember?

Alan found you.

- He did?

- In the doorway of your room. Flat out.

He called for me.

All I can remember is

having a horrible nightmare, I...

Take it easy now.

Let it go, relax.

I must have been on the verge

of a nervous breakdown for a long time.

I kept imagining wild things,

that people were witches...

She's staying here.

She's still convalescent, you know.

She needs care.

She'll get it here.

Ring me if I'm needed.

Was there an accident to a man?

- Dowsett. He drowned.

- Oh.

But there was an inquest.

That's when you were ill.

The verdict was misadventure.

This isn't the room you were in before

because of... well, associations.

Couldn't be better, thank you.

Now, don't worry.

I'm just next door.

And Liz'll bring the rest of your things

up in the morning.

- Thank you.

- Good night.

- Good night.

- Pleasant dreams.

It's good to have you

back again, Gwen.

It's good to be here.

Mrs Rigg. Mrs Rigg.

Mrs Rigg?

~ Uh?

' M's Rig..?

On! on, it's you.

I didn't expect to see you.

- Have a glass of my wine.

- No. No, thank you.

It's good.

Yes, I know it is.

I had some the first time I came here.

A lot's happened since then,

hasn't it?

I mean...

Well, I came to enquire after Linda.

My Linda?

Oh, if onlyl knew

what had happened to...

Well, she... she's on holiday, Miss.

Gone to her cousin's in Great Yarmouth.

Yes, the sea air'll do her good,

you know.

L-l'm just finishing a dress for her,

ready for next term.

- Well, I came to see how Linda is.

- Ah, yes.

Oh, here you are, Sir.

It's all ready for you.

Linda.

You did this?

- I had to.

- Why?

Come away from here.

Stephanie!

I willed you to come,

and you came.

I came...

You came to join us,

and you shall.

Alan, leave us.

Get down on your knees.

Bow down. Bow down.

Now you're one of us.

I'm sorry

about all the drama up there.

It's necessary, you know.

A sort of group release.

I can go to the police.

You'?

Straight out of a nursing home.

That place

was quite genuine by the way,

dear Doctor Wallis and all.

I'd take my chance.

No, I don't think so.

You're much too vulnerable in every way.

Is that why you chose me?

Yes, of course.

And now that you're one of us

I can tell you everything.

I shall enjoy that.

Come along.

Where does this lead?

The house. Escape route

for the priests in the old days.

Was it witchcraft then, too?

Oh, yes.

It's an old local custom.

I got on to it years ago

through Granny Rigg.

Mrs Rigg?

She made the Dowsett boy sick?

Correct.

That's about her level.

But I have studied it

as a science.

Come on.

Poor Alan - he's so loyal.

He knows.

But he can't bear it.

What does he know?

All my life I have tried

to push my brain to the limit.

To get all the ideas

and the reach out of it,

and put them

at the service of mankind.

Do you believe that?

- Yes.

- Oh, you must.

Because only now

that the end of my life is in sight

do I feel that I am really learning.

If only I could live a second lifetime -

just another fifty years...

All the things I could do for the world!

A second lifetime -

that isn't possible.

But it is.

And I have found out how.

What's that?

The only existing copy of the works

of Brother Johann of Wilrzburg.

Fourteenth Century.

- Do you read Latin?

- I used to, er...

Good.

No.

Yes.

It's what you think it is.

And I have translated the rhyme.

Grow me a gown with golden down

Cut me a robe from toe to lobe

Give me a skin, for dancing in

Of course it won't be pleasant,

and I loathe the idea of it,

but it's the necessary ritual.

But she's only a child!

Of no value at all.

Gwen, how can you compare us?

That little idiot...

...with my brain and my intelligence

continuing into the 21st century.

Now, you understand, don't you?

Gwen, you could help me.

Someone intelligent-

as fastidious as I am myself,

and there's just time for you

to learn the rites.

When is it going to happen?

Lammastide. Tomorrow night.

Tomorrow.

There are

two men up on the hill.

I think they're watching the house.

That's right.

I set them there.

Do you mean they know

what's going to happen tonight?

No, they're expecting a Sabbath.

A meeting.

A little orgy perhaps.

- They'll stop you when they find out.

- They won't be able to help themselves.

And neither will you.

D0 you really believe

you could make this work?

I know it.

- Summon up the devil?

- Now, don't try to cheapen it with words.

Call it a power or a force

that we are going to release.

Perhaps it's in yourself -

something in you.

What does that matter?

You could touch

an H bomb and say,

"l know what's in there,

uranium and stuff... that is all."

But when it is triggered off...

This is a trigger mechanism, too.

Now, through it again -

check every word.

'First let the seeker after life

be solemnly warned,

'all things must be without stain.

'The maiden shall be pure,

not above five and ten years of age.'

Fourteen years and nine months.

Verified by birth certificate.

- Where is she?

- Don't keep saying that.

You have to let me see her.

ls she in the house?

You got her away

from her grandmother, I know that.

How could she have let you?

Didn't she realise?

About this? Granny Rigg?

It's not in her league.

I think she does now.

Now she can't do a thing.

'Until the very moment of sacrifice,

let all be kept pure.

'Let no single drop of blood

be spilled in that place,

'nor other defilement,

neither human nor any beast soever

'lest the whole dread power

do turn against the seeker

'and destroy him utterly.

'Let the blade be one that has been

much used for such purposes

'and has practice in it.'

You haven't one,

you can't have.

From ancient Mexico.

A sacrificial knife.

Do you know

how many this killed on the altars?

Seven thousand!

So, what does one more matter?

It did the other duty, too.

After the blow be struck,

give me a skin for dancing in.

Alan, where is the girl?

Alan, your sister's insane.

For her sake as well

we've got to stop her.

Alan, you must help me.

Alan, where is Linda?

Stephanie,

you can't hurt her.

She'll know nothing about it.

And remember

to let her come up when it's time.

Or I'll send them for her.

Wake up, quick.

Quick!

Blood!

At the moment of sacrifice

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