As the Countess and her son move against two of John Alden'svalued allies, Mary suffers under the yoke of Puritanoppression stemming from an alliance between the Marburgs andanother of Mary's powerful enemies in Salem. But even as sheseems to be at her most hopeless, Mary tries to take advantageof a widening schism between mother and son. As John and Cottonproceed with their monumental and unfamiliar task, each mustprocess new information and gather strength to aid them in whatlies ahead. Meanwhile, wracked with guilt and sorrow, amournful Isaac pays a surprise visit to an already somber towngathering, Anne Hale finds the fate of many may rest in hernovice - but powerful - Witch's hands, and John and Cotton getthe first glimpses of the enemy they are facing.
