Blaine
”Sancte Michael Archangele, defende nos in proelio, contra nequitiam et insidias diaboli esto praesidium. Imperet illi Deus, supplices deprecamur: tuque, Princeps militiae coelestis, Satanam aliosque spiritus malignos, qui ad perditionem animarum pervagantur in mundo, divina virtute, in infernum detrude…” The priest laid his hands on the wooden sword that had been placed before him. Blaine knelt on the other side, head cast low, reciting his own prayer under his breath. “Whatever god or angel is listening, lend me your strength so that I can strike down your enemies. Harden my heart against them, so that I can’t hear their pleas for mercy…”
The priest clapped his hands together, interrupting Blaine’s prayer. “The blessing is complete, my son. Go forth and slay the wicked under God’s sight.”
Blaine retrieved his sword and slid it under his cloak, then he glanced up at the priest. “If it pleases you, I might stay and continue my prayers.”
The priest nodded, then turned and strode down the aisle toward the door. As he did, he passed a quartet of nuns who strode purposefully up the aisle. The priest nodded to them, "Sisters..." he greeted as he passed.
The lead nun nodded brusquely and continued on her way. Almost as if they floated on air, the nuns quickly flanked Blaine as he was just finishing the last muttered words of his prayer. The lead nun placed her hand on his shoulder and Blaine stiffened, but then quickly relaxed.
He kept his voice low so as not to upset the priest, who was just now exiting the chapel. "You're so eager for my blood that you won't wait for me to step outside the church?" He smirked. "Either you're confident...or stupid."
The hand tightened on his shoulder as the other disguised witches prepared a spell. The leader finally spoke. "The Mistress sends her regards." Blaine began to feel warm as he recognized the words of an ignition spell. From his kneeing position, he quickly drew his blade and swung it at the feet of one of the witches, tripping her and burning her ankles. In one smooth motion he spun and rose to his feet, pointing his sword at the second nearest witch. He leveled his gaze at her and spoke very plainly. "I may be a killer, but I am not without honor. I refuse to shed blood in this sacred place. If you leave now, I will spare you."
The leader laughed. "Oh ho! A Hunter who abandons the hunt? This'll be easier than I thought!" She would be the first to taste Blaine's blade. As she dove toward him, he extended his arms, plunging his sword into her chest. The sound of burnt flesh was quickly accompanied by the scent of the same, which always assaulted Blaine's nostrils.
Another witch screamed in fury and pounced.
Blaine sheathed his sword as he exited the church, quickly finding the priest who was cowering just around the corner. The Hunter looked in his direction, bowed his head and simply stated, "Forgive me, Father. Their bodies remain, but should be burnt immediately..."
Ethan
Ethan stepped through the doors to the tavern. He had been hot on the trail of the witch who had killed his brother, and he had finally gotten a name before stopping off to get some food and drink in him before setting off in the evening.
Medusa BloodroseWord was, she was powerful. She never even bothered hiding, or so they say. As he sat at the far end of the tavern, he noticed a couple other fellows, decked out in more gear than they needed, likely Hunters like himself. He also took notice of the girl who seemed to have the guys eating out her hand...that is, they
would be if she wasn't busy accepting drinks from them. He smirked at the prospect of a decent challenge. An (admittedly
bad) habit of his involved challenging the prettiest girls to drinking contests, to test their mettle. And if they turned out to be a witch, well...he always fought better after he had a few drinks in him. Liquid courage, and all that.
He let out a sharp whistle and waved to the bartender. "I'd like to buy the pretty girl a drink! And one for myself, of course. I'll have what she's having." He laid several shillings on the table and leaned back in his seat.
Fey
"Word is, Medusa Bloodrose is the worst of the worst."
"Word is, she drains her victims of their bodily fluids and uses them to water her plants."
"Word is, she kills any man who gets close to her."
"Word is-"
"Okay!" Fey shushed her familiar, and spoke in hushed tones. "I know, Sombra, but if mother trusts her, then I trust her." Fey travelled through the center of town, lugging her personal belongings in a small cart. The cart also contained several of her family's wares: 'healing' crystals, 'love' potions, dream catchers, and other assorted knick knacks for sale. As she pushed the cart, trying to draw as little attention to herself as possible, Sombra laid over her shoulders and whispered doom and gloom into her ear. Fey had always assumed that he did this partly because he wanted to protect her, and partly because he enjoyed seeing her nervous.
Sombra huffed and laid his head down before quickly picking it back up again. "There's a place." He looked in the general direction of the tavern. "Set up there."
Fey sighed. This was all her mother's idea, sending her to live with Medusa, but it had been Sombra's idea to try to sell some wares in route. To "make some scratch" he told her.
Sombra heard her sigh and huffed. "Oh, c'mon. There's no harm in making a little money before we get there... Besides, we'd be intruding if we didn't offer
something in return. And, you know that coin is the universal language."
Fey muttered back, "I don't sell things...I keep the till balanced."
Sombra smiled cheekily. "And this is your chance to expand your horizons! Don't worry...I'll try to pinch some purses while you do your thing." With that, he hopped onto Fey's shadow and disappeared. The young witch could see his orange eyes appear here and there in the shadows that were cast all over town, and she wished that she could do the same...except, she wouldn't be able to haul her cart...
She set up a short distance from the tavern. She kicked the stand out under the cart and folded the top to reveal a few shelves, all with her wares in easy view. She stood completely straight as she recalled the words that she had rehearsed time and time again. After a few seconds, she opened her eyes and clapped her hands together, then, as if her personality performed a complete one-eighty, she plastered a huge smile on her face and threw her hands into the air.
"COME ONE, COME ALL TO FEY'S SHOP OF THE ODD AND CURIOUS! FEELING UNLUCKY IN LOVE? COME SAMPLE A CONCOCTION THAT WILL WILL MAKE ANYONE SWOON! WITCHES HAUNTING YOUR DREAMS, BUY A DREAMCATCHER AND SAY GOODBYE TO YOUR NIGHTMARES! COME, COME, DON'T BE SHY! STEP RIGHT UP AND PERUSE MY MAGICAL WARES!" The smile stayed plastered to her face as a few curious customer approached her.
Okay, Fey...just like we practiced... She took a breath before greeting her first customer.
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