When they returned to the small encampment and proceeded to search they found only three survivors two young girls and a young boy cuffed in chains. They had been told that they were to be sold off to a slaver in the near by country.
They buried the people of the village in the small cemetery on the hillside nearby under a old oak tree. As the sun rose it was a splendid view but it was not noticed due to what had occurred there. The remainder of the family entered the guild mail wagon to be taken to the main hall. A list of the dead that were identifiable was sent as well.
Castle and Dingo tossed the rest of the bodies into a pile in the guild hall and Cinder froze them so others could be identified. In addition they wrote a report of the incident and included detail of their encounter with the small demon, this also went by mail.
The warriors refused to take the demon core and frankly looked as if they were about to piss their pants. They made warding signs against evil and were on their way before Castle could even say a proper goodbye. Rose regained conciousness just as they were leaving.
They all had a insane night and morning but each managed to pick their things up and continue their trip to the witch. After managing to go about five miles down the road they went to the river to bath and change out of their clothes. With the sun shining bright and it not being to hot they laid under the willow tree to rest for a bit.
Dingo woke them at noon to eat and once again they continued their trip finally Cinder couldn't restrain herself anymore. "Just what the hell happened back there, I know those jerks were mad at Rose but they also wanted to kill us. I am more then surprised they didn't."
"Rose just how did you become that thing, it was you but not, taller, more muscular, tiny horns and sharp teeth. The way you were fighting was insane, I thought for surely we would be next. Then your insane red eyes and crazy laughter abruptly stop and you turned and ran like the wind."
Castle tryed to calm her a bit because by the end she was screaming, fondly her rambling quieted and only her heavy breathing was heard. Rose's mouth had dropped wide open, she had no clue about what Cinder was talking about.
Dingo stepped in front of Rose effectively blocking Cinders view and softly replyed, "She doesn't know when it happens her other soul that is carrying the infection takes over. Castro's jaw dropped and then he shouted, "How do you know this and how long has this been happening?
Dingo though for a bit, " I think from the first night I had some clues because that huge beast was dead but no one was around. Then I found out a few days later when I followed it into the woods. It feeds only on demonic beast and seems to need their blood but is restrained by Rose's beliefs."
Wendy interrupted and ask them to continue this conversation after they set up camp tonight. She said, "We are all tired and can not even think straight, let's just try to get further away from that bloodbath and somewhere safer we all know that beast can scent tract for up to twenty miles from a incident like that."
As the evening approached they found a old dugout that probably serve a hunter as a resting area. It was small, had a dirt floor and no windows. A campfire was built dead center and had a hole dug to the outside to let smoke out. This find cheered them all cause that meant they could have a warm meal again.
Dingo and Castle went for wood and said they would try to get a rabbit or something for dinner. Rose feeling very uncomfortably and unable to defend herself told the girls she would look for herbs and tubers to eat. Windy tryed to follow but Cinder pulled her back in and ask her to help arrange things inside the small place.
Rose within a few meters found a small rubbish pile and overgrown garden but was glad to find some struggling onions, potatoes and even rhubarb. She enter the woods to look for herbs for seasoning and soon ran across a rabbit trail. By the time she returned three hung from her belt and would serve as dinner or breakfast.
With dread she returned to find them all talking just outside, Castle was saying that he kinda understood now and the girls looked more releaved. Dingo turned his head in her direction and gave her, his version of a soft smile. Castle came and took the rabbit and said not to worry the witch would help her, then turned towards the river to prepare them.
Windy soft voice told Dingo to go talk to her then the two came and took her bag of finding into the dugout. Dingo stood and stretched his massive frame then walked towards her and took her hand.
Finally she heard what he had seen and done for her from cleaning her up, to placing her back in her room. How the hunger drove her to the demon beast blood, but she never looked twice at human or he would have had to kill her. He also warned that the demon side was getting stronger, wilder and how he hoped she could be helped by the witch as Creater said.
Her response was to cry at first but soon she stilled her emotion and made Dingo promise to kill her without hesitation if the witch could not help. Kill her before she even could see it coming finally he reluctantly agreed before they returned to the cabin.
Three days later they finally arrived at the home of the Witch of the West, it was literally carved into a massive rock. How she had done it to this day remains a mystery, four stories high and you could still make out the strange little windows that peaked outward. Only one door. that was at first not noticeable was the only entrance.
They only saw it when the witch opened it, a small girl walked out and greeted them to ask what they had come for. Castle was surprised to see the little girl but handed her the letter and explained that Creator had sent them.
Poof in a flash of light and pink smoke the girl transformed into a woman that looked to be. in her mid twenties. Long white hair flowed down her back to about knee level, her eyes were slate blue and piercing. She did not look like a witch Creators age.