Witch of the Woods 1

Win steps out of the guild hall. He decides that his first course of action in his new request is to learn all he can about the disappearances and the Witch of the Woods. He presumes that, even if talking to such an anxious man is irritating, Ward is the best place for his investigation to start.

Most of the adventurers are still knocked out and gathered up. Win spots Ward nearby. He’s rubbing his head as he examines Win’s strange method of capture. Win walks up behind him and taps him on the shoulder. He turns around and nearly jumps out of his skin.

“T-the rope! How did you get out! Are you here for revenge!?” Win considers taking his investigation elsewhere for just a moment.

“I broke the rope when I took care of the adventurers. I need to ask you about the Witch of the Woods.” Some of the villagers seem shocked when Win mentions the name.

“How do you know about that? Oh, I knew it, you’re here to—”

“I heard about it because I took a request to investigate it.” Ward looks around several times at all the people around.

“Well, I’ll believe you for now. Come with me, I’ll tell you what you want to know.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Ward takes Win back to his house. They sit at the table facing each other. When Ward seems settled in, Win starts asking questions.

“Can you start by telling me about the disappearances? You’re a guard, so you must be among the ones who know the most, correct?” Ward seems somewhat uncomfortable talking about the Witch.

“I suppose I am. A couple of the village hunters went off into the woods and just vanished into the night.”

“So everyone disappeared at night?”

“I guess so? Nobody said anything was strange if they came back before sundown, but it’s not like we know what happened.”

“And everyone disappeared from the woods? Nobody’s been hurt inside of the village?”

“That’s right, and it’s a lucky thing too, since the kids don’t like the woods much in the first place.”

“Do you really believe that this is the Witch of the Woods?”

“I can only hope it is. It would make sense if it is. But… there’s a part of me that thinks it can’t be the case.”

“Do you think it might just be wild animals getting the best of them?”

“Well, I had that thought bouncing around in my head at first, but after he came back, I’m sure it can’t be so simple. There must be somebody out to get us.” Win nearly knocks over the chair as he stands up.

“He? Is there a witness? Why wouldn’t you bring me to him first!?” Ward shies back slightly.

“Well, I guess there is one, but he won’t be much help.”

“Why not?!”

“Something’s been wrong with him since we brought him back to the village. He won’t talk to us at all. All he does is babble.”

“That doesn’t matter. Take me to him.” Ward isn’t sure that it’s wise, but he cannot find the strength to refuse Win’s demands.

Ward takes Win to a small house near the wall surrounding the village. It seems something has been defacing the ground around the building, with marks from something sharp all around it. Ward tentatively moves to open the door. He opens it slowly, cautiously, as though there’s something dangerous within. The door is open fully, and there’s no signs of life inside. Then suddenly a man with a crazed look in his eyes lunges out towards the two of them like a beast. Win quickly moves and drags the man to the ground, then uses earth magic to fashion dirt bindings to hold him in place. The man seems to struggle against the light of the sun. Win kneels down near him and observes him closely.

“It seems his mind has been addled by some curse. It really might be a witch out there.” Ward seems scared of the man writhing against the bindings on the ground.

“See, nothing you can do.” His voice grows sad. “We don’t know what to do.” Win sighs with frustration.

“So many adventurers and none of them tried anything. So worthless.”

Win holds his hand above the man’s face. The man tries to move his head and bite off Win’s fingers, but they’re just out of reach. A soft lavender light starts to pour down from Win’s palm. It wraps around the man’s head, then slowly spreads to the rest of the body. It glows and dims as it permeates into the man’s skin. Ward stands there, not sure what to do, not sure if what Win is doing is safe. After about fifteen minutes, the light has been fully absorbed by the man’s body. Win takes a deep breath from the relief of not needing to cast the spell any longer.

The man suddenly stops moving as though he passed out. Just a short moment later his eyes shoot open and he starts looking around frantically.

“Where am I? What’s happening?”

“I had you bound for your own good. Calm down. Do you know your name?” The man takes a deep breath.

“My name is Hrothulf. Did you help me? I felt like my mind was in a fog, and I couldn’t control my body.” Win releases the bindings, though Hrothulf makes no attempt to move just yet.

“I did. Do you remember what happened just before that? While you were in the forest?”

“I suppose I ought to thank you then.” Hrothulf sits up slowly. “I think I remember it.”

“Can you tell me?”

“Of course. Let’s see… I had lost track of time, and it was already night when I decided to head back to the village. However, I was attacked. It was this giant woman, as far as I could tell twice my height. She had long hair and a bony body, and all she did was shriek. There wasn’t any light so I couldn’t make out anything else though. I don’t remember anything after that. I suppose that must have been the Witch of the Woods.”

“So you weren’t taken or anything? I wonder why you didn’t vanish… Did you have anything on your person?” The man rummages around on his body. He pulls a small iron dagger with a silver emblazoned grip from his waist.

“All I had was this. It’s been passed down through my family.”

“I see. Well, I suppose I’ll need to investigate the woods myself.” Win looks at Hrothulf then at Ward. “Thank you for your help.”

Without waiting for their response, Win starts walking off to make for the forest.