Chapter Text
CHAPTER 3
"Not much luck huh?"
The two had ventured off early morning after packing up Ren's belongings from the tavern. It thankfully wasnt a lot to exhaust Ren as they walked, just the essentials he inpsected having no real idea what he had been left with. Martyn had a bag over his shoulder with a small lute connected to the side. If they wanted to get a group together before the barrier began to shrink it was wise they acted now.
Which brung them to the village over, not too far of a walk but it did cut into the woods which Ren felt unsettled by. Looming trees hung over with thick bushes and grass brushing against their boots as they made it through with relative ease due to the daylight to the entrance. Hazlemoor was painted on the sign post as it was a relavtively small little village, Martyn had told Ren this place was more of a pitstop than any real relevance due to how easy it was to walk from one side till the next. Yet Ren was determined to ask around the area, he started with the Inn and worked around asking anyone in the streets who might be willing to join their cause. But like Martyn had said; luck seemed to be against them. The two leant against one of the houses walls by a stack of hay as Ren huffed gently pulling the strands of wheat out and tying them with his finger.
"Have more faith, im sure theres still people around, they just need to be inspired."
Martyn huffed at that amused;
"Isnt that my job?" He said gesturing to his lute as Ren snorted and gently shoved his leg. Martyn chuckled at that but sighed gently looking at the people walking around doing their day to day activities. It was almost impressive how most people seemed that keeping a routine was the only way to cope with the allegeded end of days. Some rare few decided it wasnt worth it and locked themselves up but it seemed this village, despite its small size, was a community. They worked together, they socialised and while despite not wishing to join Ren on his travels, they were at least determined enough to keep their little place going.
"Hazelmeed isnt really the place to go recruiting Ren, village is so small you can easily miss it on the map with how burried deep in the woods it is. Our best bet is the next big town over"
Martyn bent down and plucked out a leaf that had fallen on Ren's hair from earlier and sat up rubbing it in his palm before playing a small note.
Ren listened to the impromtv melody Martyn played as he heard suddenly a commotion not to far away, he stood up rapidly as the two glanced to each other and rushed over. A woman from one of the fruit stalls was waving a small towel at what seemed to be a wolf. It had a bag in its mouth most likely of apples growling low at the lady as it backed away and with a quick motion ran away into the woods. When it left the lady sighed exhausted, her shoulders slouching as she returned back to her stall. Some people who were around looked just as annoyed mumbling to themselves as Ren decided to go over and help.
Lifting the scattered fruit he overhears the woman above him speak to the man before her with such disdain in her tone.
"Shes back at it again, third time this week ive spotted her mutts in my food stall"
"Someones targetting you?" Ren speaks up a bit too abruptly, not thinking for a second if he should've kept his mouth shut and leave himself out of the affairs of others. Standing up Ren sees the two look towards him and can tell they looked tired. He hands the bag of fruit over to the lady who nods in appreciation letting the other guy speak while she fixed her stall, all the while Ren pockets an apple away.
"Not just her, if the 'Witch' can come around and ruin anyones day she will do it." He gruffs crossing his arms. "She has a whole army of wolves at her side and they keep coming here and stealing our supplies."
Huh a witch…
Ren turns to Martyn if he had heard about this before but Martyn mearly shrugs at him, seemed they both were in the dark about this. It seemed logical to just leave it be, a witch was bad news. This village seemed like no one was going to willingly trail off to a adventure that might get them killed (well, quicker than the actual doomsday.) At least, that was the impression Martyn seemed to have as he stepped up to Ren's side.
"Come on, we've helped here all we could. I know theres an inn nearby"
He says handing some coins to the lady taking an apple for the journey, he was nearly ready to walk off when Ren turned to the man.
"Where is the witch?"
Martyn spun around shocked as the fruit seller and gentleman looked to Ren surprised. If Martyn was giving Ren looks to say: 'are you mad!?', Ren was paying no mind to him as he waited for an answer. It took a second for the man to compose himself.
"First time for everything I suppose" he murmers but shakes his head and adressed Ren "If your looking to find her, she lives in the middle of the woods just west from here. You'll know when your close because her wolves like to patrol the area, but, I wouldnt be so keen to rush over there son. The Scarlett Witch is a mad woman, she was banished from this village when she was a kid and shes never been sane since. Going to her house is pretty much a death sentance."
"Sounds scary, which is why we probably shouldnt go there, right Ren?" Martyn stresses trying to tug his arm as Ren just nodded with a confident smile.
"I guess I'll have to vist her then"
He ignored the groan from Martyn as they eventually left and made their way to the Inn Martyn had spoken about. The bard was leading ahead but dragged his pace to make sure he could talk to Ren as he fumbled to put the fruit into his sachel.
"Honestly Ren, are you trying to get us killed before you've even set off to the mountains? Because this is a sure fire way to speed run us to obvilion."
He grumbled trying to reorganise everything in his bag allowing Ren to match now with his pace and walk side by side. Once his bag was sorted he swung it around his shoulders and tutted; "Unless you're mad enough to suggest…."
His pace slowed down.
Ren turned to him as Martyn squinted.
"You are seriously not implying."
Ren gave a sheepish smile.
"REN."
"No no no Its a good idea trust me- stop!" Ren yelped as Martyn kept wacking his bag against Ren's side in protest. It gained some attention from people walking by but for the most part it was met with eye rolls or confusion as the two made their way to the inn. Martyn was leading as he filled out the reception form while glaring daggers at Ren despite how many times Ren gave him the puppy eyes.
"Come on Martyn you gotta hear me out man"
"What, that you want us to go unprepared into a witches territory and get us blown to bits? I'll pass"
Martyn rolled his eyes and took the key from the receptionist as the two bickered all the way to their room.
Inside was rather cozy, an upgrade from the room Ren had originally started with with two beds on either side and a wooden drawer inbetween. The floorboard didnt creek like the other one had as Martyn threw his bag on the bed closest to the window without much care for what was inside as he flopped into the matress with a small pleased sound at how comfortable it was.
Ren rolled his eyes and sat down on his bed;
"Listen. You've got magic right?"
"Im a bard"
Ren ignored that muffled response from Martyn face planting himself onto the pillow as he carried on.
"What im suggesting here is, lets go together and see what the sitch is all about! You can protect us if things go wrong but from what ive noticed is those wolves seem to only go after food or nessescities. What if this Witch is just trying to survie?"
Martyn rolled his head to glare at Ren, still choosing the comfort of his pillow rather than to sit up.
"And, crazy thought here Ren. Stop me if you heard this one before: we go to her, try to reason and she sets her wolves like we are meals on a platter- or! She will curse us both which would be hell to undo. Just pick someone from this village to join us!"
Ren however wasnt detered in the slightest by Martyns sulking as he went towards the window and gave it a small nudge open letting the air in as he looked towards the woods. In his head he was silently mapping out where they should head off to. If it was west of the village then it would be conveinetly not too far off the path they would need to take to head to a bigger town. Its a bit of a detour to a small extent but it was worth it to try.
After an hour of settling in, Ren pocketed the key and headed downstairs, followed by a very begrudged Martyn as they made their ways into the thick woods.
"I cannot believe we are doing this."
Martyn made a point to step on every twig he could in protest. Ren had heard his sulking all travel so it was background noise to him as he wandered around with a small route in mind but ultimately it was guess work. Living in the woods was certainly a good stratergy if you wanted to be completely hidden, the trees loomed over casting little light on the area along with the consistant ruffling of grass and bushes causing anyone to be paranoid they were being followed.
"Cant you…y'know. Use your funky magic powers to guide us to the Witch?"
Ren retorted back making a quite flimsy hand gesture to motion himself doing it as Martyn stopped in his tracks and glared.
"First of all. Im a bard, im quite offended your not asking me for a tune. Second, you keep asking about my magic, it isnt even that strong buddy, I've been out of pratice for a while so I cant even gaurentee I'll be much use for you."
Ren stopped to listen to Martyn as he sighed and walked over to his side and gently pushed him forwards by the shoulders to keep walking. "Ok ok, magics off the table, dutily noted my dude. How about then a little tune while we walk?"
He knew that would lighten his companions mood as Martyn's eyes lit up and gave a small huff.
"Finally, now THIS is something I can do."
Proudly Martyn pulled over his strap to take the lute into his hands and strummed the first note. With his eyes closed and a spring in his step Martyn began to sing:
And now to see your love set free
you will need the Witch's cabin key
Find the lady of the light, gone mad with the night
That's how you reshape destiny.
Ren watched in awe as he found himself trailing behind Martyn now, his melody was beautiful, haunting. It felt like the woods itself became silent as his tune guided their path. Why had Ren waited to hear such a song?
"Wow dude thats…is that a song of yours?"
He asked after a beat or so as Martyn hummed amused still strumming along;
"Yep. Made it up just now."
Oh wow ok, that was impressive. Ren couldnt help but follow in awe of Martyn as he carried on to sing as they went deeper and deeper into the path but, no longer were they lost. It felt like deep down they were following the right path with Martyn's help as after a few more minutes Ren perked up.
Just ahead of them was a cabin, it looked homely, the smoke bellowing from the chimney. The wolves they were warned about lounged around the entranace, some resting while some were just wandering around. Trying to approach wasnt as easy as Ren wanted to believe, the second they got through the clearing the wolves easily sniffed their scent and stood up growling and barking.
They didnt approach the two however as Martyn held his hands up in defense backing away slowly.
"Tough crowd, ouch."
The sounds of them barking attracted the attention inside of the cabin as there was a shuffling sound inside before the door swung open.
"Whose there!?"
At the doorway there she stood, in all her intimidating glory:
The Scarlett Witch.
She was cloaked in a large read hood tied together with what looked to be the pelt of a bear across her shoulders held together with a emblem. Her hair was long and trailed down her front as she stood there holding what to be a rather large sythe.
When her eyes gazed over to Ren and Martyn her expression darkened, her grip on her weapon tighened as she stepped forwads, the wolves making a clear path for her as they began to form a group behind her. Martyn sensed the tension as he stepped forwards ready to bargan with the lady;
"Ok ok, I sense hositlity here, totally fair but I can assure you that-"
But before he could carry on the slice of the sythe was right below his neck in a quick movement. Ren felt his breath hitch believing she just ended the life of his companion but when he looked closer her accuracy was not one to scoff at. It was right where his neck was a inch away, more as a threat than an attack. It certainly stopped Martyn in his tracks as he smiled shocked at the action.
"If you both are from the village, I am not returning what I am rightfully owed."
Her voice was low and stratchy, a growl not unlike the wolves around her.
She was aboslutely frightening. There was no doubt about it, but it fuled Ren even more to get through to her. He gave a small cough to get her attention away from Martyn as her eyes darted to him with a cautious look.
"We arent from the village, we're travellers." He quickly explains, it doesnt relax the witch but it stops her from pressing the blade towards Martyns neck as she hissed;
"Then what buisness do you have here?"
Ok…it was clear that Martyn was the charasmatic one of the two but it seemed that approach wouldnt work on her. Ren swallowed hard and spoke up for the both of them:
"I noticed your wolves were in the village earlier getting food correct?" Ren started and cautiously pulled out an apple from his bag that he had stolen, his movements carefully slow to allow the Witch to see him as she tensed for a moment. Ren placed the apple down and allowed a wolf to apporach the apple sniffing it for a moment, it was a tense second but the wolf bit into the apple content and wandered back to the house as the witch stared confused to the kind act.
"My name is Ren, my companion here is Martyn. Im here because I think theres more to what the villagers are saying. If you really were as scary as they claimed you to be then the wolves wouldnt be going after nessescities." He says confidently looking at the pact behind her and how well kept they all looked. "You're just trying to survive out here."
The Witch lowers ever so slightly the blade at Martyns neck to stare more at Ren, her glare became cautious, her grip on the sythe was a bit tighter but it was no longer posed to attack them.
"And? Do you think that oh perfect, the poor Scarlett Witch is struggling, lets steal her stuff!"
She growls as Ren shakes his head.
"On the countary I think your remarkably strong miss-" He faulters as the Witch huffs;
"Pearl. If your going to insist on seeing me as a person unlike the villagers, then my name is Pearl."
Ren cant help but smile warmly at that "Pearl" It's much better than just calling her a Witch. "Its a wonderful name"
The wolves around them were no longer growling at Ren but kept their circle around the three of them for Pearl's sake. Pearl had noticed as well her pack was no longer bracing for danger, Pearl huffed as she pulled back and allowed her sythe to press into the dirt below. Martyn relaxed his body instantly with a deep sigh holding his neck. It was a good start for sure, but the oppertunity given to them was not to be wasted. If Ren messed this up then they'd be back to square one.
It was certainly a bold choice from Ren to want to risk everything here, at least he could tell so from the glances Martyn made to him. Thats didn't deter him however, Ren was smart, he knew their time limit. Pearl was a force to be reckoned with but overall she was a survivor.
Ren wanted someone like that on his team.
"Pearl. Its a pleasure to meet you, my name is Ren, and my friend beside me is Martyn"
He starts with quite introductions to be polite since he just got her name. Pearl gave a small nod staring at him, tilting the sythe down into the dirt, her body resting on the hilt. It seemed ok to continue.
"The reason we are out here is because…I need help getting to the summit."
Just that word alone straightened up Pearl, her eyes grew wide.
"Christ, do you have a deathwish buddy?"
"Trust me Ive asked him that also-" Martyn scoffs but jumps when a wolf beside him growls. Ren rolls his eyes at Martyn but shakes his head.
"I know everyone around the land probably has been asked with how late to the game I am but this is something important to me…" He starts holding his heart and feels that ache that something is missing. He looks to Pearl seriously;
"I need all the help I can get. I dont care about the fame or reward, if you want it to provide for you and your wolves I wouldnt mind that at all. But I think your just the person we need for this journey. I fully understand if this is too much to ask as we just met and if you say no then we will leave. I wont tell the townsfolk I was here."
Pearl was fully taken back as her eyes dart to Martyn for an explaination but the bard shrugged lamely. Ren seemed genuine but it was a fools erran. With a long drawn out sigh Pearl weighed it in her head.
"…no."
Ren felt his shoulders sink. Pearl felt a bit bad but pressed on:
"Listen, I do like the idea of the money. It would help us, a lot. But the summit isnt a easy treck mate, there is a high chance all of us will die and then who will care for my pack? I couldnt do that to them…not when.." she falters. To say it would mean it was true and it broke her heart.
Pearl shook her head.
"You can go, your not a threat to me but I think if the rumors are true then Id like to stay here"
Martyn looks to Ren wondering what he would say to combat that but Ren just sighed and gave a small smile.
"Of course."
With that Pearl motioned to her wolves to seperate as all but one stayed by her side. It butted its head against her leg as she stroked its head softly.
"That one seems rather attatched to you" Ren points out fondly as he saw a rare smile on Pearls face.
"Tilly's been by my side when she was just a pup. Whether I go she follows."
With a small nod Ren excuses himself along with Martyn back into the woods letting Pearl return to her hut.
"You have to be joking with me"
Martyn starts, finally having a voice from that whole ordeal following behind ren.
"All of that and your letting her go that easily? What about that whole 'oh we need her Martyn shes important'"
Ren rolled his eyes and slowed his walk down to walk beside his friend. "I wanted her to join of course I did my dude. But im not forcing anyone on this journey with me, regardless if I get a team or not Im still going."
Martyn groaned at that misrably. "I swear you are the biggest enigma I have ever met…"
—
Another day had passed as the two had packed up their gear ready to head back out to their next location. As much as Ren tried, his efforts to recruit people were fruitless, in terms of luck this village was a poor place to start. Martyn had offered to Ren to try again with Pearl but Ren felt heistant to go back and beg so the subject was dropped rather akwardly.
Martyn had decided to circle their next location, past the woods was a much bigger town Atheleny which was home to some of the best medics taught there. Martyn said that while there was a chance most healers there mightve been taken, it was never a bad shout to see if there was still anyone still hanging around who'd lend their services.
"I think offering the money is a good shout to get people to join us, you have no need for the reward and Im not particually fussed with it myself so that'll give us a bit more of an advantage"
Martyn explained the night before as Ren nodded happy with that plan.
Now the two stood outside the inn looking at the map for where to start their journey until suddenly there was a sound of commotion not too far from where they were.
Ren was curious and walked towards the sound as he was surprised to see one of Pearls wolves rush into the village urgently. At first he thought it was just her wolf getting more food from the stalls but it seemed more frantic, ignoring the food stalls and running around looking for something.
"Huh. Isnt that Tilly?"
Martyn muses watching the commotion as Ren felt something was off. Tilly was howling and fleeing from the villagers yet stayed within the bounds of the area looking for something- or someone.
His suspicion would be correct as the moment Tillys eyes met ren she ran over barking loudly and running around them urgently. Something felt wrong.
In a quick move Ren ran towards where he knew Pearls cabin was despite the confused yelling from Martyn from behind. The two ran deep into the woods with Tilly leading the two just ahead, yet they didnt go towards Pearls home, it was slightly further ahead. Deeper and deeper they ran despite the weight of their bags being a hinderance as they came to an area skidding full stop.
Pearl was in a rough shape, her hand clutching her sythe with one hand and the other on her side which was bleeding. She was looking furious but afraid as the group before her had her wolves to the floor whining as they held weapons against them.
"Leave them alone they didnt do anything wrong!" she snarls as the leader scoffed.
It was a group of 5 men all in what looked to be rouge and bandit outfits as the leader laughed.
"Oh Scarlett Witch, you have been a pain to all of us with how many times your mutts have interupted our work."
Ren felt his heart race. They weren't noticed yet but he didnt want that to be for long as he darted his eyes to Martyn whispering.
"I know you said your magics weak but can you make an illusion spell?"
Martyn stared back feeling the gravity of the situation. "I should be able to, but not for long, what are you thinking-"
"Good thats all I need."
Pearl was struggling to support the weight of her sythe with one hand. She had tried to fight them off and in most senarios she wouldve had the upper hand but the second her wolves were in danger a fear struck the Witch. What was she meant to do?
Gripping her weapon she closed her eyes and tried to drown out the sounds of her wolves whining, crying.
Crying for her.
Pearl had almost dropped her sythe in surrendor when suddenly the area around them became pitch black as there was a sound of rushing footsteps. Ren roared in determination as he punched the leader clean in the face allowing a wolf to break free. The shock of a surprise attack allowed the other wolves to act, biting at the ankles of their captures allowing them to get back up.
Pearl couldnt see what was happening with all the sounds of a tussle but gripping her sythe she gathered the strenght to lift it up as she heard the rushing footsteps towards her as she managed to swing it just in time to get the bandit in the chest pushing him backwards as a wolf managed to dive at him pushing him away from her.
Pearl breathed in heavily as she nearly jumped when Martyn appeared beside her.
"Shh its me." He explained as Pearl let her gaurd down and leant against his body exhausted, with one arm around her waist he looked into the darkness knowing it would fade soon. He needed to get Pearl to saftey as he supported her back to a tree. Tilly stayed willingly by her side barking worried as she groaned and sat down by a stump of a tree.
"Why..?"
"You can thank my reckless associate for this one" Martyn snorted and stood up looking into the haze.
For someone with no memories, Ren seemed to have some muscle memory of fighting himself. The darkness wasnt an issue when he used the sounds around him of the wolves to allow him to pinpoint where each member was. They didnt have long till the darkness faded as he duck down to stop any near swings and kicked at one of the mens legs. With the wolves they were doing pretty good as the darkness broke leaving the clearing open once more.
The wolves were now at the upper hand snarling, some had a taste of their blood from the agressive bites as the leader snarled. He looked worse for wear from the beating as he turned to his men and then to Ren.
"This isnt worth the money- lets bail!"
With that they shoved each other in an attempt to escape away as the wolves barked at them aggressively.
The coast was clear.
Ren sighed exhausted looking to the wolves with a small smile before remembering and turning to run over to Pearl.
"Oh my goodness are you ok? That looks bad-"
He fretted as Martyn sat beside her collecting bandages from his sachel. Pearl groaned gently but nodded. "Its fine, bastards found me on one of my patrols. I wouldve gotten the upperhand but they targgeted my wolves. In my surprise they used it to stab me in my side" Pearl hissed, hand still pressed on the wound.
Ren looked worried to hear that but it was Martyn who spoke up:
"Well the good news is the wound isnt that deep, my magic cant heal but I know how to tend to being stabbed"
"What kind of bard have you got to be to be stabbed a lot?"
Martyn barked out a laugh. "Ohhh one with a bold sense of humor I assure you."
Ren gave a small smile to the interaction as he carefully helped remove Pearl's massive cloak. It was interesting to see that behind what made her look so big and intimidating she had a tall but thin frame. the gash on her side, while nasty, wasnt as deep as Martyn assured as he bandaged her waist up carefully.
"…I dont get it, how did you know where I was?" She asked as Ren gestured over to Tilly. "She came looking for us, I could tell something had happened"
Looking to Tilly surprised, she barked in response to Ren's words.
After she was tended to, Pearl put her cloak back on securing it tight and wobbled back up into standing. Tilly at her side the entire time as the other wolves all approached with their tails wagging, happy to see their owner safe.
"…thank you" She mumbled feeling humbled by the experience but saw Ren and Martyn smile at her. A smile she never thought would ever be directed to her before…
She smiled back.
—
Arriving back at her cabin, Ren and Martyn decided to escort her back with her wolves wanting to make sure the same group of bandits didnt come showing up once more.
Pearl stood at the entrance of her door in thought.
"Well, we best be going. Mountains not gonna climb itself soon enough" Martyn yawned stretching his arms as the two turned, ready to lead back where they came from.
"Wait."
Pearl spoke as the two paused and turned to the Witch.
Pearl stepped forwards towards Ren, her eyes meeting his in a locked stare.
And then.
She bowed.
"You helped me, even when I had turned you down and threatened you, you protected my wolves and…you dont look to me as if im a monster." she admits earnestly as she stands back up to her full height.
"Allow Tilly and I to escort you to the summit."
Rens eyes widened.
"Really? Are you sure, I thought you wanted to stay here with your wolves-"
Pearl gave Ren a gentle smile.
"These wolves are all I have ever known and worth fighting for. But…what good am I to them if I sit by and let the world end? I want to do this, for them. So I can come home with that money and get us the best place I can give them"
Pearl had a fire in her eyes Ren could not fathom to refuse. A loyalty not given lightly as he nods with a smile and holds a hand out.
"Pearl. It'd be my honour."