Subj: The Letter, Part 26
Date: 10/26/01 9:49:05 PM Central Standard Time
From: R J Jamison

Miranda Du Val looked down at the small present Judah Zachary had given. It was a tiny portrait of himself. He had thought it would comfort her while he was gone. She held it, felt the power emanating from it and was repulsed. She did not want him, she did not want a life with him but she was getting too old to begin looking anew. A woman her age should have married and born children already. Here she was toying with Althia Collin’s secret lessons on learning another way to control her fate, plotting a quiet breakup with Judah and desperate flight to another new land. Miranda had quickly picked up on Althia’s ways, manners and methods. While she was not completely without suspicion, she listened attentively when Althia spoke. Althia had promised a better life and one without Judah if things were handled delicately. Miranda pushed away the miniature portrait. There was no way she could ever get out of Judah’s grip, it was hopeless. ‘Why delude myself, his power is too great!’

“Mama says its tea time!” Abigail Collins’s sing song voice called from the hallway.

“I’ll be right there Miss Collins.” Miranda picked up the heavy tray, sighed at her fate and went to serve her mistress.

“I tell you Braden,” Amadeus Collins huddled closely to his brother in their offices near the wharf. “The things I am hearing about Judah Zachary, we must not associate ourselves with him any longer.”

Braden had listened for days at his brother’s religious fervor and desire to expose their employee. While he was certain the allegations were accurate, Braden also feared his own wife’s exposure should they proceed against Judah Zachary. “It’s all gossip Amadeus, pure village gossip. You need proof.”

“Proof! I have mountains of proof. It’s an apostasy! The man worships the Devil! His ceremonies have been witnessed by good God-fearing Christians! It can no longer be avoided.” Amadeus stood. “Brother, I have seen this wickedness myself, with my own eyes.”

Braden’s eyes widen in disbelief. “When and how?”

Amadeus began to rub his rough hands together, a testament to the fear he felt about recent events. “I was returning from my trip last Tuesday, I knew Teresa would be distressed at my late return so I pushed my horse and it fell. I had to walk the last several miles into New Bedford leading the nag. I knew of a path and clearing through the forest that I felt would cut my travel down quite a bit. While on that path I heard people singing or chanting is more like it.” Amadeus turned to directly face Braden. “I saw them, all standing around a fire without clothes, chanting some language I had never heard and calling upon their great God, Diablos. That name I did recognize!” Braden had listened to Althia’s intuition of how Judah was different from her but no particulars had been provided. Devil worship? People in his home were worshipping Satan?

“I am going to convene the Church elders and the Town Council, are you with me or not?”

Braden weighed his options and saw that there were none. If he did not stand by his brother and condemn Judah Zachary, he and Althia would be under suspicion. “I shall accompany you brother but first I wish to tell my wife.”

“As I do mine.” Amadeus realized belatedly that again he was not the considerate husband Teresa seemed to desire. “She is so distressed with the child, this will certainly only increase her anxiety.”

“Perhaps we should send our wives to stay with our brother and his family.” The third Collins brother, Theodore, had left New Bedford three years ago to settle on land granted to him.

“In that backwater? There are no doctors, barely any buildings, it may be well-situated to be a port but it certainly is not one yet!”

“Perhaps we should lend more support then to Theodore after this is over and turn that village into what we all know it can be. More and more people are settling up the coast due to the abundant fishing.”

Amadeus thought over the idea. He then snorted contemptuously. “You can go join our brother in his little town of Collinsport, but I’ve left enough of civilization behind by living in the Colonies as it is. I do not intend to leave what little comfort there is to journey further north and run the risk of being killed by the heathens who roam the forests!”

“It was merely an idea. You indicated that you were concerned for your wife.”

“She will survive, she is strong. But it might be wise to send Althia and the children away.” Amadeus eyed Braden knowingly.

“Why Althia?”

Amadeus’s brow crinkled. Did he dare speak what he had heard so many years ago about her. “We need not talk about what we both know. I do not understand it but I do know she and Judah Zachary are not the same. I know and trust Althia.”

“You know and love her money.” Braden spat.

"This is a powerful root, it can be used for all types of medicinal purposes but also to cast a spell of protection.” Althia held up a large, brown twisted root to Miranda. They stood together in the darkness of the root cellar beneath the Collins home. Candles, arranged in a manner Miranda did not understand, illuminated Atlhia’s lesson. “And this, is particularly helpful when a woman is in distress during childbirth. It staunches the flow of blood.”

Miranda sighed. “I really don’t know how I’ll learn all of this and why its important!”

Althia glared at Miranda. “So you wish to condemn your entire existence for the sake of brevity?” Miranda blinked at Althia’s terse tone. She had questioned much of Althia’s instructions over the last three weeks and Althia had always been patient.

"Miranda,” Althia took her hand. “It is a lot to learn, our time is short but in order to possess the control of your life as you’ve expressed it to me, you must learn the craft in its entirety. It is dangerous to only learn pieces of it.”

“But will it protect me?” Fear clouded Miranda’s eyes. “You show me all these things about medicine but not how to protect myself!”

“If you follow the lessons as I’ve shown them to you –“ Althia’s words were cut short by a loud thud from above. Footsteps knocked above the two women. Althia quickly hid her tools, handed one candle to Miranda and took a second for herself. “We can resume our lesson tomorrow when Martha takes the children to the docks to see off the Valiant.”

“Judah will expect me to be there.”

“Say farewell to him tonight, tell him it will be too painful for you to watch the ship leave port. It will be our safest time as everyone in town will be watching the ship leave. I can then show you how to protect yourself. We must be outdoors for that.”

Braden stood in the Drawing Room awaiting wife. He knew she most likely in the root cellar trying to persuade Miranda to abandon Judah Zachary. He had been skeptical of Althia’s efforts and now that he knew of Zachary’s true beliefs, he feared for his wife and family.

Several moments later, Althia questioned her husband in frustration. “But why must he condemn him publicly? If given time and support, I can arrange for him to go, we can get rid of him quietly.” Althia argued with Braden.

“I can not stop my brother, I can only try to protect you and the children.” Braden took the family Bible from his desk. “Zachary has been seen by too many including Amadeus, why did you not tell me it was Devil worship?”

“And what about Miranda? Will she be pulled into this as his betrothed?” Concern was evident in Althia’s eyes. She did not wish for Miranda, an innocent to so much, to be condemned by Judah’s side. While it was true she had participated in fledgling activities and bore ill will towards the Collinses, it was artificial. Juadah Zachary had created her hatred. “If she provides evidence against him and stands true to the Church, she will not fall with him.”

Althia gazed into the dark interior of the house. She shivered in fear; neither Braden or Amadeus knew how strong Judah was. They had no idea that his power could potentially haunt them from New Bedford and beyond.

Judah Zachary sat in the offices the Collins brother’s maintained near the docks. He knew they were looking forward to establishing more appropriate offices in the newly organized ‘center of town’, near the Church and away from the malodorous docks. He stoked the small fire and laughed to himself at the thought of his center being closer to the Church, part of the Collins Brother’s Shipping Enterprise. All things were coming into place. The Collins men had offered to allow him to buy into their shipping line. It would be an auspicious start to his empire. The only outlying issue was Miranda who was being problematic. She had seemed so eager to be with him several months ago and angered at his imminent departure but now was becoming distant. Her initial loathing of Althia Collins had now completely replaced by a begrudging respect. Judah had known that it would be best to not cross the Collins woman but did not think Miranda’s complete change was warranted either. Miranda was showing herself to be too changeable emotionally. He had thought the solid, quiet woman he had known all these years would be an ideal mate. He now believed Miranda had merely been bored, uninterested and devoid of any feeling for him. Now that her innermost soul had been stirred, it was almost a tempest, something he was not sure he wanted to spend an eternity attempting to direct. At first Miranda had been strongly opposed to him going on the next voyage of the Valiant, even after explaining the riches they would both have upon its return to the Colonies. Then instantly Miranda had accepted and now seemed to welcome his departure from the shore. She had not even been with them last night in the clearing as they prepared for Judah’s departure. She claimed being behind on her duties with the Collinses and needed to finish many tasks or risk dismisal. It occurred to him that maybe Miranda was doing more than just catch up on chores with Mrs. Collins. Judah leaped forward as he clearly had a vision of what Althia and Miranda had done the previous evening. He saw them sitting before a fire talking of herbs and prayers to the Goddess. “That whore!”

“There he is!” Judah turned to see Amadeus at the door, standing with an army of men, pointing in his direction. “There is Satan’s minion!”

Quickly the men surrounded Judah’s powerful frame and pinned him against the wall.

“You shall repent your beliefs!” A man yelled at Judah an echo of the chorus of voices calling for Judah to repent and accept Jesus. Judah recovered quickly from the unexpected attack. He listened without response for several minutes. The local pastor finally made his way through the assemblage, his dark countenance trying to intimidate Judah into repentance. It was then that Judah laughed.

“You do not scare me little man of God.” It would be terribly easy to escape this situation. One or two moments alone and Judah Zachary knew he would be free. Let them tremble in fear of him and his God. Let them believe they can hold me. Judah weighed unleashing his power now or waiting to flee under cover of night. Surely staying in the jail and leaving in the darkness would require less use of his power. Strength, he needed his strength while fleeing the Village.

“You blasphemer!”

“You blaspheme equally to doubt the power of my God and my powers. You can never hold me nor call on me to repent the one powerful God that stills resides in all of the universe!” As Judah was pulled out of the office, he saw Braden Collins stand aside. Judah sensed the man’s fear and smiled in appreciation. Braden Collins was standing aside, his brother handling the arrest but both men knew; they had much to dread from one another.

Althia Collins stood alone in the root cellar of her home. She had collected about her a number of important items. She had possessions of Judah’s that she had quietly acquired for the last several months in addition to things from each member of his coven. She knew that in order to ensure the safety of her family and of Miranda, she could not fail in casting the most powerful spell she knew. She collected the numerous items and left her home. Knowing that most of the people New Bedford stood in the Town Center for the trial of Judah Zachary, she hurried to a clearing in the nearby forest. After arriving at the spot she had scouted out before, she stood alone. She spent several moments verifying that she was truly alone. After confirming that no one else was near, she began withdrawing her tools and erecting them on a fallen tree. In her mind she went over the ritual which she had never performed. In her mind she wove a spell of protection to live beyond herself, for knowing of Zachary’s power, it was probable that his revenge could be exacted for many years, even generations from now.

After lighting candles to represent many aspects of her life and those of the family, Althia began, “Anal nathrac ooth vas bethed doch yel de en vey.” She repeated it until a light mist began to pass from her lips and grow to envelope the room. ““Anal nathrac ooth vas bethed doch yel de en vey.” Once the air of the room was so thick that another body could not be seen, Althia concentrated her mind’s eye on Braden, her children and the future. “Protect, protect, protect—“ Her mind then switched to Judah Zachary, “condemn, condemn, condemn.” She whispered. Althia’s incantation was interrupted by a the sound of approaching horses. “Protect!” Althia yelled and waved her arms. The mist disappeared instantly and the candles went dark.

“You must testify to what you know Miranda!” Amadeus stood above the trembling young woman. Around the room were the same men who had just taken Judah to the local jail and incarcerated him. “Today Judah gave nothing away. He remained perversely quiet, no defense. Your testimony is necessary to condemn him for what he is! I have done my best to protect you from scrutiny because Althia and Braden are so fond of you—“

“Miranda!” Althia entered the room and quickly went to the frightened girl. “You must do as Amadeus says or else you will never be safe.” Althia looked deliberately into Miranda’s eyes.

“I want to speak to Mrs. Collins alone, please.” Miranda watched as the men grumbled and after assurances from Althia, left the small Drawing Room. Althia shut the door to the hallway and slowly moved to Miranda’s side. “I shall never be safe again!”

Althia took the trembling hands into her warm and comforting ones. “I have done all that is possible in order to protect you and my family. You can have the life we planned. You can still leave on the ship for the islands. You must testify against him and then leave this land.”

“I can never hide from him!” Miranda jumped and pulled away from Althia.

“You have two choices, Miranda.” Althia’s voice became stern. “You either stand with him and face a trial and execution or you do as we planned. If you fear for your safety even in the Caribbean, you can learn things there to protect you. I am not familiar with the traditions there but I’ve heard, they are very powerful and protection can be afforded to you. I can direct you in how to find it.”

Miranda turned her large blue eyes full of hatred and fear onto Althia. “So I must become like you to survive in any event?”

“Like me or like Zachary, you can not go back. You dabbled in something best left alone, now you must decide.”

Miranda screamed in frustration and then fell back down onto the chair. “I will testify if you promise the sanctuary.”

Althia nodded and went to notify the Town Elders of Miranda’s decision

Within the New Bedford jail, Judah Zachary sat contemplating the day’s events. Outside him the sky was black with fear and magic yet he could harness none of it. His powers were being stifled. He had asked for Miranda to come to him in order to try and discern who was blocking him. He did not really need to ask, there was only one force powerful enough to do so. She was not powerful enough to fully stop him, that both of them knew. Althia Collins was his exact match in skill, device and power. An exact match however did not assure her success only a stalemate. He had wanted Miranda to come in order to deliver a message to Althia but no visit was authorized. Instructions provided by Braden to the Town Marshall were explicit on ensuring Judah’s power and influence was not allowed to develop any further. In the room, Judah knew were hidden small talismans meant to retard his ability to contact anyone by means other than conversation. He was not going to be allowed a visit or conversation with anyone and now his nontraditional means were impaired as well. Even the man who brought him his meals was so truly devout there was no way to twist him to Judah’s will. He was alone but not forgotten. He believed in his Lord and believed in his ability to persevere, if not here and now, someday and some way.

The trial of Judah Zachary was a lurid affair in which the entire town became involved. Witch hunting drove many of his coven away. Miranda was left behind with Martha. Martha, alone and aged, was struck down in fear of being discovered. She was found without life in her small shack on the edge of town. Neither Miranda nor her employers divulged information about Martha and she was quietly buried. Miranda did fulfill her duty and testified against Judah, driving him unrepentant to the executioner. Judah never named Althia Collins in his trial, he only promised revenge against the entire Collins family. His head was severed and the future of the Collins Family laid.

Weeks after the trial, Miranda stood at the dock looking at the ship that would take her and her Mother to a new life far away. She had voyaged on ships before. She recalled coming to New Bedford to try this new life in the Colonies. Several years later she was boarding another ship. “I had thought life here would be so very different.”

“And it is.” Miranda’s Mother said.

Bitterly Miranda laid out what she felt. “No, we arrived servants, we leave as servants and are destined to another land to be servants again.“

“But we live in the love of our Lord, is that not enough?”

“For you, but I’ve wanted and still want more.” Miranda eyed the building she knew housed Braden Collins. She also knew that inside those offices stood Althia watching silently.

“Dear girl, be happy with the fact that you are alive and your soul not compromised by this ordeal. If it were meant for us to be something else, we would be it.” Miranda’s Mother turned to follow the others onto the ship.

“It is meant to be and somehow, someday I will have it.” Miranda turned and followed her Mother onto the ship and a new life in Martinique. Within the building, watching quietly, Althia felt a stab of anger, hate and jealousy from Miranda. All of Althia’s kindnesses could not erase all the unscrupulous feelings Judah Zachary had cultivated.

Dark Shadows is a Dan Curtis Production.