Witch of the Woods 5

Win returns to the cottage, his cloak holding the bodies secured to his back with a simple spell. He knocks on the door and waits. When Calliope opens the door and sees him in the morning light, she smiles. They walk into the cottage and take a seat at the table. When Win sits down, all the tension leaves his body and he looks just about ready to collapse.

“Calliope, can you come with me to the village?” She nods slowly in response.

Soon enough, they reach the village. Again Ward is standing at the gate. He jumps up when he sees Win and Calliope approaching. He points the tip of his spear at them.

“So you really found the Witch of the Woods. But why did you bring her here?!”

“Are you stupid?” Win gently lowers his cloak and unfurls it to reveal the corpses within. Ward flinches back when he sees them. “It’s hard to make them out, but are these the people who went missing?”

“I don’t know! Oh, please cover them up again, I’m sure somebody else would know!” Win bundles them together in the cloak once more.

“You’re worthless as a guard, shouldn’t somebody else be doing this?” Ward looks downcast.

“If only somebody would…” Win sighs.

“Well, good luck with that I suppose. I’ll go around trying to identify the bodies.”

Win passes by the gates and begins to walk through the village, Calliope right behind him. He returns to the house near the wall, Hrothulf sitting out by the sun as he waits for his body to fully recover. He’s relaxed, and doesn’t notice Win and Calliope approaching him.

“Mr. Hrothulf, are you recovering well?”

“I am. I’m sure I’ll be back in tip-top shape by the time you take care of that Witch of ours.”

“I already have. Can you take a look at these bodies?” Win again unfurls the cloak to reveal the bodies. Unlike Ward, Hrothulf isn’t squeamish. He bends down and inspects the bodies. There are still personal effects on them, making it easy enough to identify. Hrothulf kneels and bows to Win.

“Thank you for bringing them home.”

“It was just a job.” Hrothulf gives a quick laugh in spite of the pain in his heart.

“What a blunt man you are.”

“I’ll leave the bodies in your care.”

Win pulls his cloak out from under the bodies. Air puffs out of it as he casts a disinfectant spell. He places the cloak back on his shoulders as he walks to the guild hall, Calliope still following after him.

Win walks inside the building and quickly makes his way to Melissa’s desk. She smiles at him cordially.

“Welcome back. How can I assist you, Win.”

“I completed the mission. The Witch is no more.” Melissa doesn’t seem to process it immediately.

“Already? Then… you need to write a report regarding the investigation.”

“Very well. May I have some paper? And, if it’s possible, may I have a blank notebook?”

“A blank notebook?”

“Yes, I think it may help me.”

“Alright.” Melissa hands him a sheet of paper, a small notebook, and a pencil.

“Thank you. I’ll submit the report soon.” Win turns around and hands Calliope the notebook and pencil. “It’s irritating that you can’t talk. Though it seems I don’t need you to.”

Win sits down at a nearby table and begins to write a report, supplementing the tool he lacks with magic. Calliope sits across from him, and writes something in the notebook.

“Why did you give me this?”

“I said so, didn’t I? It irritated me.”

“Why did you bring me here?”

“I thought I might need a witness to attest to what I have done, but it seems the guild doesn’t require even that.”

“Why did you say that to the hunter?”

“The affairs of the dead don’t concern me. I truly do not care about those who are already dead. It’s better just to move on, and leave them in the past.” Calliope sees the melancholy in Win’s eyes.

“What will you do next?”

“Why does it matter?” Calliope just taps the pencil against the same line of the notebook. “There’s nothing keeping me here, so I suppose I’ll leave. Perhaps I’ll cross the border.”

“May I come with you?”

“Why would you want that?” She again taps the line. “I prefer to travel alone.”

“There must be something I can do to assist you.”

“There’s nothing good that can come from taking an interest in me.”

“I feel I may again learn to borrow the spirits’ power if I follow you.” Win stops himself from speaking when he reads that. He assumes it must be a lie, that she must have read him well, but even then he can’t shake his desire for it to be true.

“Very well. You may accompany me until the power returns.”

Win stands up, the sheet of paper in hand. He returns to Melissa’s desk.

“Do you need help with the report?”

“No, I’ve finished it.” He hands the sheet of paper to her. She quickly scans it, but cannot find any obvious flaws.

“How did you write it so quickly?”

“The mission was uninteresting, so it was easy enough to summarize. I’ll take my leave now, if that’s alright.”

“Hold on! You forgot to accept your pay for the request.”

“I suppose I did.” Melissa places a silver coin in Win’s hand. It’s the same as the salary one of the manor’s servants received each month. Or rather, it’s enough to support a small family for a month without much difficulty. “Are you certain I should receive this much?”

“It is the proper amount, don’t you think.” Win seems disgusted.

“No wonder the adventurers are such layabouts.” Win starts walking, then calls out to Calliope, still at the table. “Calliope, are you prepared to leave? I would rather not stay long.” She gets up and makes her way to him, then nods.

Win and Calliope leave the guild hall, then make their way to the village gate. They step outside, and see Ward there. Win has a sudden idea.

“Mr. Ward, can you hold out your hand?” He tentatively opens his palm, anxiety clear on his face. Win drops the silver coin into Ward’s hand. “Please use this for the benefit of the village. Farewell.”

Without waiting for a response, Win begins to leave. Calliope looks over her shoulder at Ward, then follows after Win.