The False People

"Hmm," I pondered a bit on my next course of action. I saw a wagon in the distance some time ago and thought to investigate it to see whether or not it had a human or beast at the reins. Through the trees I spotted a man watering his horses, but it's strange that this man is still putting up camp at a time like this. It's close to noon after all. I was led to believe that most wagon drivers saw time as essential. They've to make it to certain places at a certain time or move from one place to the other quickly and in a timely manner to successfully ride the trading flow. The risk of getting sacked by bandits is lower the closer you get to a town as well. He's too calm in the middle of this forest and wasting too much time which has me cautious, or maybe I'm just being paranoid.

I watched from behind a tree and frowned deeply. My paranoia has sustained my life for many years now so maybe there's something here.

Miata peeked noticeably from the side of the tree I had my arm on and leaned on myself. I'm perfectly visible for any man that looks hard enough my direction. Miata stood in front of me with a fist full of my coat in her hand as she did this several times then finally curiosity got the best of her to ask me, "Papa why we watch him?" I put my finger to my lips and she pouted slightly yet did as I instructed. I placed my hand on her shoulder and crouched down to her level and thankfully not with that long hair of hers blanketing us. I've long taken that hair of hers and shortened it to the point that the strands barely licked her belt instead of reaching her knees. I also taught her to braid it like a rope to wrap around her head neatly. The bangs stayed though. It's like a trade mark.

The man we watched finished soon with everything in that wagon of his and turned to his horses after. It looked to be full of goods, just from the assortment of different statues and rugs I spotted him packing and beating. I remained curious of what kind of merchant this man is and whether or not we could possibly get a ride to the next time. I grow tired of walking and could really benefit for a moment of still. It's been over a week now of walking afterall.

I looked back to Miata with my shadow shielding her and turned her around to face me. "You asked me why I haven't gone to him right?" I leaned against the tree a bit more to mend to it as the girl happened to be concealed by a bush at her level. Arsenal's paws touched my leg begging for attention. I looked down to her and shook my head. She understood what I meant and dropped down to all fours.

"Yes, Miata is confused. Why does you watch him?" I really need to teach her more proper grammar but she's getting better.

"Because," I mused a bit before answering. "Not all people you see are truly what they seem."

"Like… false people. The wendigo." I rose a brow at her use of words. That was a good phrase for those things that can disguise themselves as humans. The "False people" or as I call them the Wendigo are tricky creatures that much is for sure.

I looked back to the wagon man and said, "Yes like false people."

"Like daddy…" I looked at the girl and pat her head. I'm not sure what I can do to help her recover. I can side her all I wish but she'll never forget. With enough training she came learn to accept and grow from her trials and misfortunes. She's unknowingly fulfilled a few requirements to become a tyro and later a Jäger like me.

"Is that one false person?" She asked.

"I'm not sure, but I think if he was our little friend here would know, right Arsenal?" The wolf cub barked in response when I acknowledged her. The cub that's been willingly following me for the last four days barked next to Miata. I didn't worry about that bark because this is the forest and wild animals are everywhere. One random animal's noise is nothing special. Miata like the cub and asked me then begged me to let her keep her puppy less she would kick me every second she could until I did. Begrudgingly I agreed with her for that's something I'd lose my mind over.

I pat the wolves head once I gathered enough information on the man before me. He moves and sways like that of a middle-aged man and the scent of both human flesh and death are nowhere to be found near him. This man doesn't have the taint of the wendigo as well and feels remotely human enough. That same can be said about the succubus for they are our worse enemies next to the vampire, but this man is neither by being a male and in the sun light currently. "Well let's go say hello Miata," I said as I climbed back up from my crouched down position. On queue the girl latched onto the insides of my coat to hide out of sight the best she could. I don't blame her for this because she seems very nervous around strangers or stopped whatever made her feel safe. I feel partially to blame for her new-found mistrust to strange humanoids though. She's been watching me, studying me, and learning from me for almost two weeks now and during this I've avoided any other contact with other people we've come across. I went as far to threaten a batch of individuals to let us pass without issue. Sadly, they wanted my money to let me pass. I had to tell Miata to go behind a tree while I took care of business.

The only company she has had since the hunt in that town is me and no one else and any person we came across after having been unsavory to say the least didn't help make her comfortable. Bandits are a pain on top of this. I can imagine that she is cautious of strangers and even more now because of me. She might think that all people are "false people" now. I need to be more careful of what I say and how I act towards people for now on.

We approached the wagon driver as he hitched his horses to the wagon while humming some tune I didn't like for some odd reason. Miata stayed concealed behind me and under my coat where she could fit into, and she is stepping along me while I walked. It was cute and reminded me on how some children hid in the skirt of their mother's, but I am anything but a mother or mother figure. Arsenal stayed close to my left side as well as sniffing the air on the lookout for any scent that could be a threat. The wagon driver saw me approach a minute later from the side of his now hitched horse. The man jumped and basked in shock which was a fitting reaction. I was capable of walking up to this man and get within killing distance without him noticing until it was too late. Seeing his state of life is the same right now he must've concluded that he was alive for a reason then calmed down.

I presented him the palms of my hands first to show that I'm not a threat and placed them behind my back. His gaze upon me was nearing suspicious and cautious. I approached slowly from the side of his wagon and greeted him, "Good afternoon."

The man shivered slightly at the way in which I talked to him like most others but stayed composed for the most part. "Afternoon stranger," I caught his eyes scanning the area a bit for settling on my once again. I nodded in confirm his unspoken question that I am indeed alone and not with ten other men laying in wait to ambush him.

"Are you on your way to Rabona?" I questioned. According to my map we are close. Maybe another week by foot and maybe three days by wagon.

"Ay, why do you ask?" The man put up his guard. I know a fighter when I see one and this man isn't one. If I was a bandit or thief I could've killed this man with ease, but lucky for him I'm not here for that.

"We wish passage on your wagon on your way to Rabona," I answered evenly while drawing my eyes to his wagon. I noticed that he had a fair bit of room in the back for passengers.

"We stranger?" I nodded and gestured to the black turning white wolf by my side. The man looked at my wolf companion with wide eyes. "Stranger is that an Uran wolf!"

"An Uran wolf?" I questioned.

The man now looked at me with wide eyes. "You don't know? Stranger this sort of animals' fur is worth a good sum to the right people," he nearly gasped in shock at the pup. I crossed my arms at the man as his eyes burned onto Arsenal who looked ready to pounce the man. "Stranger you give me that wolf and I will… AHh! Ow!" I looked at him as the man jumped on one leg and grabbed the other and rubbed it furiously.

"Leave Arsenal alone!" I recognized that voice and looked behind me. Miata was gone from my coat which meant she snuck out like a bandit and attack this man.

"Oh, the divine's tits! Ya lil...!" The man looked ready to grab Miata until I walked between the two.

Miata ran back to my side and grabbed my coat but glared harshly at the man from her peeked over position from behind me. "You leave Arsenal alone." Miata childishly growled at the man.

"Miata." The girl winced when I called her and look at me. "Why did you do that?"

"Ya kid tell us," the man roared while rubbing his leg.

"Sir," I said quickly in a dark tone and the man winced. "I am trying to talk to my little girl." I looked back to Miata when the man backed down and waited for an answer. Miata refused to meet my stare for a minute with a quivering lip.

"Horse man looked at Arsenal like," she looked at me quickly with a strong and sad gaze. "Like daddy did mama!" She yelled the last part and I suppose in a way it did make sense. If a bandit sees a stack of gold on legs just waiting to be taken they will swoop down like an animal to claim it. This man looked at my wolf like a piece of meat and much like how "daddy" looked at "mommy" before he ate her.

"I see." I pat the girls head. "You've down nothing wrong for defending your friend Miata. If Arsenal was any older I'd think she would appreciate your support."

"Really?" I nodded to the girl and earned a smile from her. The wolf barked and reached up to Miata while on her hind legs playfully. Miata giggled and pet the wolf like it was a cute puppy and not a savage animal.

The wagon driver watched the scene with a "what the hell" sort of expression on his face. I took his shoulder and dragged him away from the two as they played.

"Listen," I gestured to the girl and her pet. "That wolf is hers and not mine. By the looks of things she doesn't wish to part with it."

"Ay I can see that," the man agreed before rubbing his leg once more for good measure. "Ya daughter kicks hard stranger," the man's voice turned raspy for that last part.

"She can yes. I said before she and I need passage to Rabona if you're willing to provide us transport," I said bringing us back on the subject at hand.

"I do believe that animals like that are not allowed in the holy city," the man whispered. I rolled my eyes not that the man could see at the holy city part. I wager that this "Holy city" most likely has a cathedral and is the religious capital of this land. I wonder just how unholy the city really is once you peel back the skin. I wager it's crawling with "false people" and tainted creatures seeing that they can take the form of humans and all. If they don't allow my wolf companion in then I'll make sure no one sees her unless I wish them too. Simple as that.

"Then a town along the way close to the city will do." The wagon driver looked back to Miata and the cub then back to me.

"Four beras is the cost stranger for you, the girl, the wolf, and my silence." The last one made me almost chuckle because that option isn't usually a given. Most of the time I had to make a bargain for someone's silence but not for a seasoned man like this who already knows how to play the game. This man must transport his fair share of suspicious people and strange characters from time to time. One big problem about the bera thing was I didn't even know what a bera was.

I shrugged and reached into the side pocket of my knapsack and pulled out four golden pieces and presented them to him. The man smiled and pocketed the coins and said, "climb on back stranger and we'll be off." I nodded and walked to the back with Miata on my heels and Arsenal right behind her. The wagon wasn't too high off the ground and by the looks of it was in good condition meaning the odds of me going through the bottom are quite slim.

I reached down and cupped Miata's armpits and pulled her up on top. I reached for Arsenal next and handed her to Miata. She took the cub from me and hugged her to her chest gently like I taught her. At first she seemed ready to smoother the poor dog to death, but thankfully I stepped in before that could happen. I climbed in the back next and marveled at all the random stuff I saw in the back. Weapons, clothing, rugs, and trinkets of different variety. I sat down and crossed my legs before leaning back on the wood and sighed. Miata quickly took "her spot" on my lap and did the same but against my chest.

"You good stranger?" The man called from the front.

"Yes," I called to the front while I looked around. "I'm good."

It took maybe a couple hours of riding to reach a town, and right away I wished to leave. I could smell the decay in the air and felt the presence of the wendigo in the surrounding area. I count at least two or more of those monsters are in this town but in the form of a man I'm sure to blend in. It seems I've more hunting to do in case we are assaulted.

"Welcome to Velma stranger," the wagon drive announced from the from of the wagon. I looked around the small town to the brick and wooden houses we past by. I noticed a vast amount of people around the wagon almost in the same manner as the houses of Miata's home town. The architecture was different though. I've noticed more windows on the houses and many of them are on wooden foundations. A few are on stone foundations. I yawned a bit before resting my head back on the wood of the wagon. Miata by the looks of it was playing around with her hair at the moment. She's fiddling with its strands in an attempt to braid it is my guess. From what I can see somehow while I've been resting she's undid her braids causing her hair to blanket her arm and a bit of her chest that she fingered. Arsenal rested to my right but very much awake.

I rolled my neck rousing Miata's attention as consequence. "Papa awake," the cute girl looked up to me and I nodded.

I didn't even realize I was asleep at all. I thought I was just in a state of rest like Arsenal, but if Miata says so then it must be true. I must be more exhausted than I thought if I'm sleeping so sporadically. It's strange that I'm needing sleep in such a manner to begin with. Maybe it's because of my use of the Carnage for the first time in a very long time. My first Hunt since my last. One that still haunts me to this day. The blood on my hands never washes away no matter how many times I wash them. Though that's nothing new. I've hunted for so long and so many. The Skin Chimera being one of the first monsters I've killed and one of the first souls I took for myself. The hunt in Miata's town forced her will upon me once more and my blood boiled from it. The demons in my head are silent still and the spirits have abandoned me once I started my voyage to a different land. I wished to sail away from the world I nearly destroyed to a new one away from the past. Away from the beings after my head. I, the Hunter of All, run away as if I'm prey.

The irony of this notion brought a sad smile to my lips. I'm the hunter and I'm running away from my past. I've made no mistakes I regret. You can't live in regret. That doesn't mean a man has to live in a void and in that continent was emptiness. I had nothing left to hunt, no brothers or sisters to call my own, the ones that wished to share life together with me have passed on, and I'm on the borderline of the Fallout. I'm the last of the Jäger and absolved by the dark. I wonder now why I still live. Answer: Because I don't want to die like any cowardly human in this world.

I wagon came a halt and I glanced around a bit to the town. The driver climbed down and walked around to let down the tail gate. The man waved giving me the go-ahead to come out. "Let's get out Miata," I said to the girl and she climbed out of my laps on her hands and knees. I stood up then jumped out of the wagon and Arsenal followed shortly after. I turned around to the girl and rose up my hands. She did the same to let me pick her up from under her arms and set her down next to me. She quickly snagged my hand and a handful of my coat the moment I let her go.

"1-hour stranger," the driver declared.

"Very well," I said as I lifted my nose to the air. The smell of death is in the air same with human blood. The wagon driver on my request stopped here. Well, not here but the next town on the way. We've just arrived and now wish to leave with the monsters that live here. A Jäger is desirable to monsters alike. I cut myself when facing that abnormal knowing it would fine the blood irresistible. I'm without cuts now but I could still attract them if I'm not careful. I can't hunt well in the middle of town without causing a panic. If I do happen across them, I'll have to kill them quickly and in the first move like an assassination. Something I specialize in.

First things first, I need to find a clothing store and get this girl something nice to wear other than what she has on now.

"Arsenal," I got that attention of the wolf dog. "Stay here." The wolf barked in an argumentative manner almost. I narrowed my eyes down upon the wolf and it bowed its head. "Good," I said while leaning down to pick up the wolf. Wolves are always been as a bad omen and in a town like this people will line up to kill her if given the chance. Even more so to get her fur. I placed the wolf back in the wagon and pat her head before turning to walk away with Miata by my side.

"Papa," Miata tugged down on my coat tail. "Can Miata have that?" I glanced down to saw her pointing out at something and rose my head upward to a small shall with dolls on it. She appeared to be pointing at one that I found a bit alarming. I walked up to the stall to the woman next to it putting on a forced smile on her lips.

"Welcome stranger how I can help you?" I pointed at the doll she had between one of a knight and of a little girl. The woman's eyes trailed towards it. "That one," she reached for it and picked it up.

"Yes," I confirmed. The woman held the doll in her hands for a moment before facing me. She smiled and looked down to Miata who seemed very eager at the moment to have it.

"This is for your daughter?"

"Yes, it is." I simply put causing a woman to shiver a bit. "That's the one," I asked the girl.

"Yes papa," she quickly answered before moving behind me between myself and the woman.

I thought so. I was hoping a bit that I was mistaken. This doll she wanted was very strange to see in a country like this. The doll that Miata wanted is a highly detailed one of a woman. One wearing a very familiar garb. A noble born coat with golden embroidery along the edges of the garb. There's a pure white cravat around her neck with a large brightly green-colored gemstone brooch clipped to her coat on the left fold of the collar. She donned a cape over her right shoulder with chains that hold it in place. I can see while frills on the openings of the sleeves with brown gloves of sort on her hands. The trousers are nearly identical to my own only dark grey like the rest of her clothing. Her tricorn has white feathers on the top on the left side. The interior color of her clothing is an ashen blood red. All in all this doll was in the shape of a Jäger I once knew from England. It's just missing the twin daggers and a crossbow. The eye color is different being sky blue not dark blue, but the resemblance is uncanny. I had thought that woman died 7 years ago. So to see a doll in her image is hallowing.

"Well stranger that'll be two silvers please," she said with a smile and I just about reached for my Od or break her mind stead. I'm sure this doll is worth five copper bits as most and this woman is trying to get much more than that amount out of me. The woman noticed my silence and grew a bit nervous. "It's special stranger," she reinforced on why this doll of the Blutjäger of old is worth so much. I tilted my head a bit and glared at the woman. I don't wish to pay that much for it. Two silvers can by my little girl and I a decent enough meal for the day. A bera could get me room at an inn for two days and meals depending.

"Could you explain a little on why it's special," I asked before going into the bartering phase. "Maybe a bit on who its portraying and why its unlike your kind." I meant the people of her country as well. I know who this doll portrays but how this could happen is impossible.

The woman blinked a bit at me before looking down at the doll for a moment and smiling. "This is a doll made in the image of an amazing woman sir," the woman answered mystically. I could've told her that though. "And she saved us from the yoma threat when others refused. She… she was amazing. A Hunter."

"What was her name?" I had to ask just to make sure, but I doubt she gave her name. A Hunter relinquishes their name one the Change takes form and shifts their body's. This is especially true for those that became BlutJäger like me.

"Mary. She… she was like a sister to me." This woman was chosen by her to be her Anchor then. All of our kind need someone to help keep us sane and focused until we reach a certain level. She changed her name to simply Mary as well. If she's brought up the woman in such a way the great hunter has fallen to time instead of the hunt. I asked the woman what happened, and she responded in a sad tone. "She told me she had to leave one day. That in order to keep us safe she had to leave to die."

The Fallout. I was about her time if she survived for so long as what she was. So, one of the Jäger of old persisted in this land. I should find her if I can, kill her or whatever she became, and then close the circle.

"You know you remind me a bit of her," the woman admitted, and I drew my attention back to her.

"Did this Mary leave anything behind? A weapon perhaps? Maybe a scythe and strange sword made of black metal," I asked and the woman's eyes widened in shock. "I'd like to purchase this weapon of Mary from you please same with the doll. Any remnants you have of her as well to include clothing I want as well."

"Wait, I don't…"

"And I'd like it to be made with haste," I interrupted the woman. I reached into my bag and presented her a sack and placed it down no the stall. "I'm offering you 100 bera for her weapons and 15 for her clothing and doll. Is this satisfactory for you my dear girl," I stepped back from the sack and waited for knowing her mind is everywhere.

"Ahh, I… I mean… Who are you?"

I shook my head at her question. "Do we have a deal my dear," I stepped up to her a bit and she stepped back a bit. "Because I'd really appreciate it if you sold what I asked to me, please." I released Miata's hand and instead took the young woman's instead. I'd say she's maybe in her early years still and haven't become a fully grown woman yet. I could safely assume that Mary adopted this girl as her anchor while she was around Miata's age like I have. Being exposed to a female Hunter would make her more susceptible towards our magnesium. I can tell by the way her eyes seemed to glaze over a bit as my scent began to penetrate her nose.

I rose my hood up a bit so she could see my eyes and put down my mask with a very gentle smile on my lips. "You know you're a very pretty young woman." I took her hand in both of mine and drew a bit closer.

"Ahh, t-thank you sir but… m-my sister told me…"

"I'm sure to take care of yourself and stay safe correct," I asked and the woman bite her lip before turning her head a way from me a bit. Her lustrous black hair she has blocked my sight of her face as it fell past her shoulders. "I understand if her mentionables are important, but what about you. Couldn't the money help you greatly? Are you sure you haven't tried to sell it once before just to see how much it is?" I smiled as she turned her eyes from mine in something akin to shame. "Could you please deal with me my dear?" I leaned in a little close and cupped her chin to bring her back to me.

"I… I suppose mister. But what do you want with her left behinds?"

"Let's just say that I'm curious and I'd like to work with you… In more ways than one if you'd allow." The woman flushed a moment later and bit her trembling lip at I drew closer. In this type of coercion its best to let the disposition grow naturally and positively. Show you care and willing to give a little before you leave with everything you wanted out of the person. "So, can we deal?" By the point I asked this my arm was around her waist and our noses were almost touching.

"Y-yes sir."

I grinned. "Thank you dear." I released the woman leaving behind a present upon her body and stepped back away from her as the woman caught herself on her stall to keep herself from falling. The young woman looked up to me with fear and uncertainty but also a sense of curiosity and want which is what I want. The woman fixed her clothing a bit before walking away towards a small house with only a single story behind her stall. I looked down to the doll of this Mary and picked it up.

"Papa," I felt something hit my leg. From the disgruntled call I heard below I can assume it came from Miata. I could feel that she's upset right now for some reason. I dropped the doll of the Hunter down for her to take and felt the girl snatch it from my hand. "Fuuuu," she growled before turning away from me with the doll hugged to her chest. Must be upset I was so nice to that girl from before. It's to be expected I guess. That's how it always works when girl get involved with me. One gets close and possessive and then I'm left dealing with the Fallout once I work my magic on another. Speaking of which I could make out my mark on her back that only I can see. An Od mark on the small of her back next to another. This one is grey and close to black.

Interesting.

I waited until the woman came back with something wrapped in a black sheet. I wouldn't have to open it to know that she brought me what I asked. I could feel it much like if a Hunter found Love or Hate once I fade to the void as well. The power within those weapons are significate and worth the loss of gold for the treasure that Hunter held. She was second to my master and one of the best. As a woman of faith she placed much of it in her weaponry and fully believed that with every soul she reaped with her scythe and body she'd rend with the stroke of her sword her target would fine piece in the world beyond the mortal one. I know this isn't true though. I didn't have faith in the worlds beyond the human ones. That's one reason I caused the downfall of one already.

"Here sir," the woman presented it to me with her grey eyes focused on my own. I rose my mask up to my face over my nose once more. I rose my hands up and took the bundle and instantly felt the weapons within respond to the blood and Od within my body. The sheet began to erode before us, and I quickly heeled my Od before it this could happened and grit my teeth. These weapons haven't been used in so long that they are very eager to be wielded once more. I took a breath and pulled the bundle up and rested on my back on the hook from my harness meant for my back.

"What's your name," I asked the girl.

"Maria," she answered easily, and I nodded my head.

"You may call me Ledger Naethens Lady Maria," I bowed respectfully to the woman and she flushed once more.

"I'm not so noble to be called a Lady," she muttered, and I hummed.

"Very well. I looked around the shack and frowned. How can this girl, an anchor, be living in such a way? I would have assumed Mary would've set her up with something up for the girl if she's been raising the girl for years like I'm assuming. That's when she went dark. "Maria when did Mary leave to die?"

"Maybe close to a year ago," she answered, and I rose an eyebrow at this. That might be around the time I left country to sail. It might be nothing but for us nothing is coincidental. She left her weapons as well. "She told me to give this to someone like her if they ever came here." The girl reached for a small jewelry box to the side and showed it to me once more. I reached up to took it as well. "Are you a Hunter as well?"

"I've been called that," I admitted. The box though has my attention. Did this Mary leave an heirloom if a hunter where to come here? I opened the box and reached in for the item within. I took hold of something and pulled it out to a bright green gemstone. A brooch. Her brooch as mystifying as it was all those years ago. I clenched it in my hand before pocketing it as well.

"Did you know Mary."

"No," I shook my head. "I didn't." I know only of her and how she Erased within the North while I soon took the west and east as my domains. Still if she's here and exists still I must find and Hunt her down as well. This will be a good hunt. But first. "Maria why are you here and not set up?" Like any anchor we desire them to be paid well and taken care. She's living in a simple shack selling dolls. This isn't set up if you asked me.

"Mary took care of me when no one else would," she defended her sister and I sighed.

"Of course." I reached into my pack once more and pulled out a gold necklace next. I walked up to the woman and placed it around her neck with her permission first. "You should leave this place to go to Rabona. That's where I'm going and if you happened to be there when I am I'll assist you. Until then I wish you luck in your endeavors." I gestured to the sack of money next. "Spend that quickly. I feel it'd be in your best interest to do so."

"W-wait I have questions."

"I don't have answers." I reached down, and Miata took my hand in an instant. "Thank you for your business Lady Maria." I bowed and walked away from the girl baring my mark and the mark of another. I've always wanted to meet her as a hunter and not a tyro. I can't wait to find and finish this.

Miata held her new friend delicately as she examined it with a sweet smile on her lips. She must have liked that doll to pick that one out of the many others in that stall. I even saw a teddy bear as well but she chose that one. I wonder why that one. I guess if she likes it she likes it. With that out of the way I went back to looking for a clothing store with Miata's hand in mine. The girl has fought me on this new clothes thing for a while during out travels. She's behaved like I was trying to get her to eat stuffed carrots or something. Once I noticed a decent enough store I pointed it out and was met with resistance.

"Miata come on. You just have to try on some clothes."

"Let me go. Nonono!" I flicked the girl in the forehead as she got on my last nerve which surprised her beyond anything else. Her free hand came up slowly to the spot I flicked her and rubbed the red mark.

I kneed down to Miata's level and chasten her quickly. "Listen while in public you will not act like a crazy girl. Do you understand me?" My tone was hard and unrelenting in this making the girl who was not use to this from me to flinch.

Miata snort a little and nodded slowly. "Yes papa."

"Good, now be a good little girl and calm down, or I will do a little more than a flick to the head Miata." The girl nodded again and stayed quiet. I sighed and stood up without giving the girl a single look. She squeezed my hand a little tighter same with her doll as I pulled her into the clothing store with a woman at the front counter. The woman was typical for this region. She has light brown hair in a bun with bangs covering her forehead but somehow it didn't cover her ears. Her eyes were a lighter brown than mine with a look of boredom about them. The woman has a well-made commoner's dress on that covered everything except her shoulders which where bare. I will admit she was pretty in the natural sense. Her hair looked like it was never combed or brushed and just left alone. She didn't have a sign of makeup on her as well. The dress she wore was plain and wouldn't attract common men's eyes, but I think that what made her more interesting. You'd think that most women in this day and age would dress to impress. She is either married and doesn't wish to make herself appear available or maybe she's not that interested with selling her soul to some random man in this place.

I brought my examination to a close then approach her slowly giving her time to notice me. Her chin came off of her hands and she straightened her back to greet me. "Afternoon… Err," she uttered hesitantly as she gazed upon my form. I nodded and pulled Miata forward in front of me but gently so not to make it seem like I kidnapped the little girl. I don't need that kind of hassle.

A second later the woman looked down to the girl and smiled. "Hey sweetie how are you?"

Miata squeezed the fabric of my pants when my grip on her shoulders never loosened. She was stuck in place and really wanted to hide behind me but in my mind so social interaction with someone other than two animals is good for a girl her age. She flat out ignored the young woman from before and I didn't push anything. Her attention was focused squarely on me after all. This time would be good practice to see where she's setting at with her studies.

The woman noticed Miata's shyness and giggled, "Come on sweetie don't be shy around ol' Sisy. I ain't gonna eat ya." Very bad choice of words. They made the "Miata is shy" situation worse because now my little girl was nervous and behind me glaring at the woman with mistrust. She moved fast enough to get out of my grip, which I found shocking enough, but she shot behind me to in the blink of an eye too. Her skill to run and hide is as impressive as always. I'm exaggerating her speed somewhat because I saw every step and movement she took, but it was a little too fast for most to follow immediately. The woman blinked and looked to me in confusion.

"Was it something I said?" I shrugged.

The woman of course couldn't have known that Miata lost her family some time ago. I couldn't fault her on her poor choice words. Miata did most likely watch her mother get eaten by the thing that turned into her father and survived with the memory of fires to forever plague her mind until the end. I peeked behind me to the glare Miata had. I had to calm her down and hurry with this business clothing stuff because we've wasted enough time already with Maria and trying to find this place.

"Miata," I murmured loud enough for the girl to hear me. She girl looked toward me hesitantly with her forehead covered slightly as expecting a second flick to the forehead. Although that was the last thing I had in mind for the moment I still want her to stop hiding. "Don't worry she is not a false person. If she was I would take care of her." The little girl nodded slowly and lessened her grip on my coat.

"Now say hello to the lady and trust me she won't bite because if she tries I'll take care of her."

Miata smiled, "Okay, Papa promise to keep false people away."

"Until I'm not needed I will."

"Promise."

I nodded. "Promise," I said without issue like before. The day I'm not needed can be if I left her in the care of a family I can trust or at an orphanage in a major city. Either way this was an easy promise to make.

Miata let my coat go completely and walked in front of me. She bowed her head and stopped herself from going all the way down by placing her hands on her knees. "Good evening," she paused for a second, "Ma'am, my name, Miata," her greeting was almost perfect, but the woman smiled brightly at Miata's attempt. I taught her some proper greetings depending on the time of day, who she is greeting, and the manner in which they meet so to my surprise but approval she used one.

"Evening Miata you can call me Sisy. I'm sorry for scaring ya a secon' ago." Sisy said with a grin. "So, what can I do for you hmm?"

Miata's head came up to look at me, so I gestured for her to ask the woman herself. "Mi," she paused and shook her head, "I want new clothes."

"Really," the woman stepped around the corner of the counter and looked closely at Miata's current attire and frowned. "Yes, I'm sure ya do with… those on." Sisy put her hand out and wave for us to follow her.

"T-thank you," Miata finished still a little red in her cheeks.

"No problem sweetie. That's cute doll ya got there," the woman noted while staring at it and Miata hugged her little gift tighter. I stopped a smile at it.

"Papa got it before… me," she confessed.

"Really," the woman grinned. "Well your papa is really nice huh?"

"Mmhmm," Miata nodded her head. With that the woman wandered around the shop from one shelf to the next.

I pat Miata's head gently and smiled. "Almost perfect my little angel. Almost perfect." That wasn't bad but she needs to talk more.

"Thayk yof Papa," she said in what almost sounded like a different language.

Sisy started to go through a couple dresses making me frown. "I really didn't want Miata to be in a dress," I announced to the woman making her frown.

"Why? She's be a..."

"My choice in the matter ma'am and where we're going my daughter will need something less breezy. She needs a cloak as well for the rain and sun."

The woman's frown deepened but didn't challenge my word. Instead she looked to Miata with an innocent smile and asked her, "What do you want cutie," to her and Miata responded with, "what papa says."

I hummed in my persistent emotionless tone. "You heard her ma'am."

And so Miata was outfitted in something more practical and a lot less girlish as I requested. Miata was given tanned colored cotton trousers that where loose around the legs and comfortable for her. A black tunic without sleeves more meant from boys her age but it mattered not to me really. It fit her well enough. The woman against my wishes gave Miata some traveling foot wear that was a mix of boots and shoes. They're reinforced at the bottom, but the material isn't thick enough to qualify as boots. They forced her pants up to the point that they had to be bloused above them. I myself found a nice silk Tuscan red coat that reached down to her knees. The coat had a belt around the stomach region which I found strange but didn't mind it.

I noticed dark colored cloak was made of some sort of water resistant material and light for the humidity. I liked it and made sure to get the best for the girl. I looked the girl over and liked what I saw. A dress is a pain to move in from what I've seen of women running in them. A girl running from danger needs anything but to trip on such things. I've witnessed it too many times to make Miata suffer that fate.

"How's this stranger?" The woman asked.

"That looks good, but we should do something about that hair though." All girls need something in their hair, so I've heard. I searched around and found a red ribbon of sorts from a shelf to make this an easy fix. I pulled Miata's hair back and tied it all back into a pony tail though let the bangs out front stay mainly because I couldn't picture her eyes showing for all to see after so long. Not yet that is. The bow in her hair looked good though.

As I reached the counter I already started to count the money I thought I would need for the cloths. 2 bera for it all and I let two bare gold rain down in front of her. "Thank ye stranger. You should hurry and leave to if you're smart."

"Oh," I noted with a faint smile. "And why's that exactly?"

"Because there are yoma about in this town."

"Yoma?" I asked for that's the second time I've heard that word today.

The woman looked at me like I was stupid. "Yes. A yoma. Ya know, 'em maneaters and what not disguised as regular people."

Oh, she means the wendigo I've killed from before. They're called yoma here. That's very uninteresting name and almost sounds to be of Japanese origin even though even now this woman and I happen to be speaking a northern dialect of Latin. I've heard a mix of Germanic dialects as well, but I have yet to hear or see anything remotely Eastern here. Well, until now I suppose.

"Well, with these yoma about what do you people plan to do?" I asked generally curious because from what I've seen they can blend in with normal humans pretty well. Enough to fool an entire town until most of its inhabitants are the very monsters they feared. They had to deal with these yoma somehow outside of my senior Mary that inhabited this town. If not, then I'm sure the humans here will be more endangered than the wolf I have with me.

"Well Claymores of course."

"Claymores, like the sword?" I asked.

"No, by gods were ye born under a rock or somtin'?"

"Or something," I said cryptically. "Let's just say where I come from we have yoma but none of these 'Claymores' you speak of. We have the sword but not a group that call themselves such." That wouldn't make much sense to me to game yourself after a type of bladed weapon.

"Claymores be yoma slayers. They called "Silver Eyed Witches' as well," the woman explained. "I must say ye mus' come from a very out of the way part of ta region ta not hear about 'em."

I shrugged again. If these "Witches" are exterminators for these "yoma" creatures then I'd like to meet with one.

"If you have yoma and no claymore then how do you survive?" The woman mused and again I found myself a little curious. If Mary and Maria have been traveling and if Mary has been hunting for the last decade how is she not known yet. Did she stick to the shadows then and refuse to conquest?

Interesting.

She must have hunted from the shadows to ensure no one knew of her abilities. She did this for a reason so maybe I should turn from the Conquest and do the same. If she hunted from the shadows it makes sense how Maria isn't set up for the future. She hunted out of necessity not money like we are raised to do.

"Papa hunt them and cut off their heads. Whoosh! HA!" Miata made a couple sounds and motions reminiscent how I was cutting off heads of a wendigo the way she watched me do. "Papa strong and hurt mean wendigo that tried to hurt Miata."

The woman smiled at the little girl and her antics. The woman giggled a bit. "I'm sure your… "Papa' is strong dear but against a yoma…"

Miata glared at the woman forcing her mouth closed. "Papa hurt them all. No one stronger than papa."

The woman just shook her head with a relenting smile. "Right sorry. Your papa is strong to kill a… wendigo?" The woman looked back to me in question.

"Where I come from they're called wendigo. My people can tell the difference between us and them then hunt them down like the monsters they are, so I can tell you we have no need for your "Witches'." Why in the underworld would you call a witch to take care of a monster problem instead of a Jäger I'll never know. Maybe such is the custom here in this land, but all witches carry a heavy price for their services. I would know because I've the brand to show for it on my hand.

The woman seemed fascinated by this revelation and perked up over her counter. "Is this true?" I rose an eyebrow at her sudden burst of excitement and nodded. "How?"

I pointed to my nose. "We have an heightened enough sense of smell to distinguish a man eater to a normal animal eater. The smell is very pungent and easy to tell apart. All wendigo smell the same when they devour the flesh of humans. Any that survive off the meat of animals we leave be for the most part."

"What!" The woman exclaimed. "If you can kill them all and know how to tell the difference why not kill them all?"

"Because we are not monsters. We kill when we have to. If a wendigo goes into the woods and survives off the meat of birds or a deer then that's on them. If they turn around and target a human then track it down to kill it with nets of iron and fire."

"Wait, don't tat' mean ya know bout the yoma in tis town? "

I nodded. "I can smell one in this town, not that it matters."

"Not that it matters! Stranger these things be killing us!"

"That isn't any business of mine." I dismissed coldly earning a flinch from the woman. "I'm not a soldier or a knight out to protect the people when you already have a means to do it. These claymore things you speak of sound proficient enough to solve your problem." I bowed towards the woman and reached down. Miata took my hand and we left the store. "Enjoy the remainder of your existence."

The woman appeared to be horrified by my answer and the dismissal of this town's plight. I can understand her shock, but as I said this isn't my hunt. If a hunter for the strange organization here in the region is here or coming here, then I don't need to step in without good reason. I know for a fact that Mary didn't start this organization though. We'd never degrade ourselves by claiming to be witches or allowed that to foster. I'm sure this organization works like any other out for themselves. A town is plague by a wendigo and like always the town head sends a request to this organization for them to send a hunter to kill the monster. Either the hunter takes the payment, or a courier comes to pick it up days later. If the sum isn't acquired in the set time this town is on its own until they are raided by monsters like the one I found Miata in. That's how it usually works for any business that offers protection for tribute.

I'm sure the people here sent a request some time ago and are currently awaiting this witch for the organization. I've a feeling like these Claymore might be more trouble than I need right now, but still I'm curious of what these hunters look like. Are they human like myself or something else entirely? I can imagine them as ugly as the very monsters they hunt and masked for a hunt. That would explain why no matter who I asked they all seem to be afraid of the mentioning of the incoming Claymore. I wonder if I should kill the wendigo myself and take the reward for myself, but this sort of action could have dire consequences for myself in the future. Best I refrain.

"Papa." Miata pulled down on my sleeve looking slightly troubled about something. I leaned down to the girl's level to better keep this talk to ourselves.

"Yes princess."

"What you said before, was it true?" I rose an eyebrow.

"Depends, what did I say princess?" I don't have a good memory on the minor discussions I have now a days so I need a constant reminder on what I talked about.

"About Miata being your daughter?" She asked in a weak but hopeful tone.

I do remember making that sort of comment but it was for the sake of alias and not much else but something tells that she's serious about this sort of thing. I haven't really thought about my current relationship with young Miata and I automatically assumed it was of a teacher and student and all teachers care for their student. It seems she wants a closer relationship than that. Well I can indulge her little fantasy if she so desires. "If you wish to be my little girl Miata then I will be your papa like I have been."

Miata smiled and jumped up and wrapped her arms around my waist. The girl laughed from joy almost making me lose my balance somewhat. To stay upright I pulled the girl up and threw her up and placed her on top of my shoulders. Miata giggled while hanging on to my neck and I gripped her ankles.

"Come, we need to get to our wagon before it leaves."

"Okay papa!"

I wandered in the general direction of the wagon, but a crowd of people seemed to get in the way and said crowd weren't moving anywhere for some reason. Miata seemed to busy with her doll to even notice this. "You like that thing huh?" I asked her.

"Mmhmm," she hummed.

"Why is that? Why did you want that?"

"Prwtty," she announced with the doll out showing me it's uncanny likeness to the Mary of this land. "She like papa. And Miata want to be strong like papa."

"Not like me," I mumbled under my breath. And hopefully not like her or my Master.

I made my way through the group until I bumped my way to the center. The entire road had people along the sides as if ganging way for royalty. I caught a whiff of something strange. It was of human origins but with a twinge of beast. Maybe a hybrid between and human female and a monster because we all know how universal humans are when it comes to mating. Orcs especially take advantage of this fact. I remember Isabella the succubus as well when it pertained to me. I don't mate though that's not worth it.

I turned toward the end of town and saw just what the people were looking at. A woman in a skin tight and white body suit along with silver shoulder pauldrens with a large sword on her back. This thing was huge by human standards, but I suppose for a part beast like it is a sword of that size isn't an issue to wield. A silver battle skirt of sort hung from her hips and she had silver heeled boots on as well. I will admit that she looked… beautiful? Can I used that word for a beast spawn though? Her appearance and aura is most mystic even to tell the truth. Those silver eyes that looked nowhere except forward fascinated me.

"Interesting," I whispered.

"Prwtty," Miata said out loud.

From afar behind the woman I saw the wagon outside the tavern. "There's the wagon." I walked toward it with the perfect opened path towards it thanks to the silver-eyed witch known as a claymore. This one seemed more the serious sort. It's almost parallel to that of a Hunter. In the war for humanity it's hard to not be serious after all I was nothing but business for a good 18 years before I loosened to develop empathy. As the witch and I got closer I used my awareness to further examine the woman's energy and found it erratic. It would probably best if she died like the beast she hunts.

When we were only a couple meters away silver eyed witch spared me a glance. I matched her looked with one of my own and looked into those inhuman eyes. I fought to keep the frown from showing on my lips. It has humanity but not much after that of the wendigo. The witch stopped a bit in front of me and examined me for a moment and I did the same. I stood over her taller by a couple inches but noticed more the size of that sword and not so much her body. Witches do not use weapons like this. I feel no Od coursing through her stagnant circuits. She doesn't have a connection with nature or the dark arts. What is this thing supposed to be?

"Who are you?" The claymore asked me in a tone an octave deeper than I expected.

"Noone of importance claymore." I noticed her eyes shimmer a bit with disapproval at the use of that name. Do they prefer not to be called claymore? I supposed if I was called a Hood or crossbow then I'd be a but put off as well. "Forgive me, that was rude of me." The claymore blinked at my sudden apology. I placed my hand out and said, "You can call me Hunter if you wish. What may I call you?"

The woman looked down at my hand then back at me. "Deneve." She slowly took my hand and squeezed lightly but not like a human woman or man for that matter. It was strong and firm. So much so that I returned it with equal strength even though I didn't mean to.

We released and I bowed respectfully towards the woman before passing by her. "Good luck in her endeavors Lady Deneve." I felt her eyes stick to my back for a couple moments at the most then looked forward as if I didn't exist anymore.

With this strange hunter here now it is best I take my leave. I've heard the whispers of monsters called claymores and in my opinion this claymore is a beautiful woman but not fully human. It's modified, her scent is wrong, she feels a bit like the very wendigo I've killed, and her eyes are like a wendigo's just silver instead of gold. The way they dress is most likely their trade mark.

"Miata did you see that woman?" I asked the girl.

"The one with nice eyes like us?" She noted.

"Ah… Yes that one. Whatever you do try not to get too close to those people."

"Why not?"

Before I could answer someone beat me to if first. "Because they're trouble," a random man said.

"Tell me about it," another said after the first man. One man walked over to me of average height and build, black hair and eyes, and a stubble on his chin.

"I can't believe the chief requested one of those things here." Another man said out loud.

"Did you see those eyes too? So creepy."

"Hire a monster to kill a monster that's how it is I guess."

I sighed and walked to the wagon until the man with black hair put a hand on my shoulder. "Hey wait stranger at least…"

I shrugged off the man's hand and reached the wagon with the driver shaking his head at me and my dog barking at my return. Miata kicked my chest and I rose up and picked her up from my shoulders to sit her down.

"Arsenal!" Miata reached for the wolf and pet her lightly.

"Stranger," I heard and looked over to the driver, "you got either a death wish or some balls to get that close to that witch without so much as a shiver." I shrugged the best I could with an energetic little girl on my shoulders.

"It's a woman sir and nothing else." I said evenly.

The man snort and leaned back in his seat. "Whatever you say stranger but its best we leave especially after that stunt you pulled."

"Right." I pulled Miata up and she climbed on into the wagon right after Arsenal. "Lets be off." I stepped into the back and noticed a couple additions to the back. 4 new additions to be exact. I noticed that my wolf was far away from all four and even Miata kept her distance as well.

"Oh yeah I fo'got to tell ya, you got company back there so make nice okay?" I looked to each face and studied them: three men and one woman, and each stared at the three of us. The smell of decaying flesh was all over the wagon and the growling from my wolf made Miata uncomfortable. One of the four glanced at my wolf which Miata saw and hid her away.

"You'll play nice with us right handsome?" The woman smiled as me, but I saw the intent in the men's eyes that stayed on Miata who hid behind me.

I felt a growl climb up my throat but swallowed it before it could. "I suppose so," I muttered blankly at the wendigo woman in disguise and grinned savagely. "After all you only live once."

One of the men growled while the woman just smiled. "I know right so you understand our urgency correct?"

"I say urgency goes to those that don't make rash decisions," I returned.

The woman narrowed her eyes at me but nodded none the less.

"I say you should shut the fuck up!" I looked at the man with brown hair and blues eyes and frowned.

"Try and make me," I challenged with my blood beginning to simmer.

The false man growled as we got under way but said nothing. I sat down in the wagon but made sure to keep my eyes on all four of these beasts. If they moved against me I would kill them all in seconds. They didn't wish to expose themselves by the looks of it and stayed in control, if barely. I kept my sword close to me and loaded my revolver with a couple rounds. They won't attack yet but once they do I'll be ready. I made sure to keep Miata close to me with me between us and them.

These monsters wearing the faces of mean. These false people.

Introduction of Two new OCs. Maria and Mary. One an Anchor that's marked and the other a Hunter from the past. Let's see where this goes.