As the late afternoon sun filtered down the into forest canopy, illuminating the dirt road with the warm rays from the mid-spring sun, the sounds of hooves on gravel permeated around the silent woods. William, as often was the case, sat next to Leo at the front of the wagon as to get the best vantage points when spotting many incoming supernatural threats unseen by Leo's eye. Unusually, Victoria was also active during their daylight travels. Apparently, the woodland they were currently passing through was experiencing a heightened presence of magical energy, likely derived from numerous events which happened to line up at this particular point. specifically, a magically rich area, the timing of second full moon of spring and several stars aligning, all these abstract events coincided to create a font of natural magics.
Once this rare event was made known to the night hunter, he inhaled the herbal incense which had previously been used in the incident at the Hurst Estate. His vision was suddenly filled with a myriad of fairies and other creatures darting amongst the trees in a playful manner, avoiding the carriage for reasons likely related to the clergyman's religious affiliation. Victoria, even with her unusual daytime presence, passively watched and occasionally conversed with the gathered beings. This nexus of activity was by all accounts peaceful with no one present willing to disrupt the proceedings, content with either watching the festivities or continuing in spite of the unplanned observers. Unlike his companions, Leo was not enjoying the trip as various entities attempts to garner his attention with childish pranks. A quick bribe of a portion of his rations was enough to placate the fairies an prevent any continued harassment.
Something stirred from the deep recesses from the forest, prompting the young vampress to call for a halt in their progress. “Leo, stop the wagon.” She began, “There should not be any trouble, but a wild deity is approaching us.” The mercenary pulled at the horse's reigns, bringing them to rest. Through their journey in the forest, the equine laborers were unphased by the supernatural surroundings and similarly acted with indifference to the inbound sounds of the local spirit's feet on the soft forest-floor. Rather than being unnerved by the large creature, they were far calmer than their usual cautious selves. The old mercenary opted to focus his attention on a point in the distance and did his best to mentally remove himself from any conversation happening around him. Only William made any motion toward his weapons, but a preventative hand on his sword advised him otherwise. “The deity which approaches us is likely of comparable strength, or greater, to that of the angel Remus, albeit serving a different master. I would not advise starting conflict when its attention is more focused on the forthcoming reverence.”
The large hulking figure slowly approached the wagon. The trees that had likely lived centuries seemed to part ways, as to make room for the ancient deity's steps. The demigod in question maintained a form, similar to that of a large stag* that easily towered over thirteen feet tall (four meters,) with its oversized antlers reaching a third of that size. While initial observations might indicate that it was coated in thick and matted green fur, closer inspection would reveal that it was comprised entirely of some amalgamation of various plant-life attached to its unworldly frame. Resting on the behemoth were various fairies and similar creatures, making use of the various vegetation and flowers which covered its body. Even though Leo could not see the creature, he could still feel it's' presence approaching with an indescribable sense of awe.
The skull and horns, in addition to various uneven protrusions from the flora which comprised its body, were made of a dark brown material reminiscent of rough tree bark. From with-in the depths of the bovine skull were two glowing orbs of an indescribable colour lay watching from with-in the shadows. Whenever one thought they had identified the hue as a light blue or green, the colour became irreconcilably different as if the mere act of observing it changed it nature. Even as the beast moved from the direct path of the wagon, it's luminescent orbs were transfixed on the now stationary mortals.
Eventually it stopped beside the wagon, the strong earthen smell wafted across the inhabitants. It's ancient eyes, which had likely seen millennia pass by, gazed into the three travelers. “This...” the being said in its slow echoing voice. “is most unusual... A warrior of order travelling openly with... an agent of chaos.” The deer's voice reverberated between the trees, it's power evident to all those around the deity. William, accepting his helplessness before something far stronger than he was, could only make as many mental observations as he could so that it could be passed onto others which would inevitably follow his path. “I am sure that you all have many stories... such as how the blood-drinker obtained a minor blessing from an angel... but... we live not for the past. What brings you these old woods during our... festivities?”
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William, finding his courage, opted to speak for the group “We were merely passing through the woods on our way south. None of us had knowledge of your rituals before passing nearby.” His answer was enough, given the lack of weaponry or stock-piled magical items, to satisfy the wandering deity's concerns. “I can see that to be true... you may pass without trouble... I believe there is one of your houses of worship some way ahead...” the stag said, tone shifting to one of approval. “When you arrive... you may wish tell them to avoid the woods for seven nights... several of our attendees enjoy a bout of mischief... and do not respect other domains...” A simple nod was enough acceptance for the deer to move to one side, permitting further passage.
Before they departed, Victoria produced a a small case of strong honey mead, which was one of several that had been forcefully gifted onto her by the ever-thankful Lord Orvyn Hurst. “A gift from me for your upcoming celebrations. Your kin have been a valuable source of medicinal herbs over the years, I hope that our relationship will remain just as fruitful over the centuries to come.” Several faeries flew from the beast's back as to collect the offering, giving a loud gluttonous cheer after tasting a small acorn full to 'confirm the quality of the gift.' Such a present made her somewhat popular as several of the smaller sprites enthusiastically circled around her, trying to barter various rarer herbs for additional casks of the carefully crafted liquor.
At this point, William remembered the parasitic fairy which he had been keeping in his coat pocket. Often, over the subsequent nights since it's unpleasant extraction, the clergyman found himself staring at the newt under the light of a campfire. It was not a pinnacle of beauty, nor something which one could consider adorable. In spite of its' lack of endearing qualities, the night hunter found himself increasingly becoming fond of the fairy to some extent, at least enough to consider letting it go far from regular human traffic. “I am not familiar with your rites, so please tolerate any lapses in manner.” William began, “This fairy has been disturbing some humans, I ask that you take it away from human contact.”
Bellows of laughter echoed from the creature’s hollow sounding chest, even disturbing Leo's statue-like fixation. “Ohohoho... I was going to overlook that imprisonment...as the... Joint-Eater... as you call it... likely found itself in your hands by its own choices.... I will take this little one and keep it away from... humans...” The jar was quickly unscrewed, and the newt-like creature flew away, retreating into the secure dark embrace contained with-in the hollow center of the demigod. “You both have given us such great gifts... and the forest does not forget your good will...”
From the base of the stag's large runed horns, a vivid green vine formed and made its' way towards the pair. “Take these whistles...” it said, as the vines formed wooden nodules that hardened and fell as quickly as they were formed. “Should you play them without malignant thoughts... any nearby faeries will answer your call...” While Victoria immediately pocketed the small whistle and urged the uncomfortable Leo to press onto the church several miles ahead, William examined the small instrument. The whistle resembled an enlarged acorn, with the cupule molded into a mouth-piece for human usage. On its smooth surface, intricate runic carvings of minute size, invisible to any observer not squinting at the details. William pocketed the carefully crafted trinket, ignoring the heretical implications from his own organisation.
Having now met someone of considerable power from two different magical alignments on relatively peaceful terms, the clergyman could not help but contrast the ancient stag and the angel that served as an arbiter. Both held an air of indescribable power, humbling anyone in their presence that were below them. Similarly, the demon from the witches' hill held a similar aura, albeit diluted by their distant vantage point and but more malicious. Whatever notions of pervasive justice or religious doctrine he held had somewhat waned. Both his christian god and, most likely, the pagan gods both appeared to protect and bolster their devout followers according to their own whims. This newfound understanding pressured him into adopting a temporary measure that would suffice for the immediate future, or at least until he could reconcile his own beliefs. Any deity or being that would lend aid to humanity, or at least ignore their general presence, could be tolerated. Even if his own allegiance was to the holy caste of deities, the cost of human lives was not worth creating new enemies.