When Shall We Three Meet Again?

The moor was dark. Under the dim light of a distant waxing moon, fog hung low over the ground, clinging to every hillock and stump as if fearing to drift away into the frozen sky. A thin drizzle fell, soaking everything through, wetting the very bones of anything standing too still for too long. In the distance stood three figures, huddled black like crows against a feeble firelight. Their features were gruesome, hidden beneath tall hats pulled low over their faces. One stirred; the most venerable, the doyen of this coven.

"When shall we three meet again?"

It's voice was rough, a drawl like drawing a sledge across dry mud.

Another spoke.

"Ideally, Brother Pulsifer, sometime when the weather is more clement, and ideally, indoors".

The third Rootfinder huffed inside his oilskin coat.

"And I can't do next fortnight. I've got a full schedule in Mireforp, with many a-burning".

"Ah, a festering pit of evil and devilment, is it?" This from the first, who worked casting unspeakable parts into the shared cooking pot they huddled around.

"I don't know Brother, I've never been. I'm sure I'll find plenty when I get there."

"As is our way brother!"

"Indeed".

"How about you, Rootfinder Dalrymple? I hear your exploits in Grutz were of particular note?"

The second shifted slightly, a swelling of the chest suggesting pride.

"Aye indeed yes! A notable crop of burnings, a veritable coven of evil! I used the old "Art thou in the grace of the root?" technique!"

"I am not familiar with that one?"

"Ah, Rootfinder Shadwell, 'tis an ancient and truthful method of turning up evildoers! You ask your accused "Art thou in the grace of the root?". If they answer in the positive, then you burn them, for nobody can know the ineffable nature of the root…"

"Except rootly Purerootans like ourselves" a voice interjected.

"Indeed. And if they answer in the negative, then you burn them, as they freely admit to being a sinner!"

"That is nefarious!" said the second.

"'tis so, but mightily efficacious!"...

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From "A description of ye actes of ye Rootfinders and theyre divers deeds moste evil" by Jeremiah Thripp, later burnt as a heretic.