Once upon a time, there was a Godly valley with mountains that could touch the sky and trees that cast long shadows. The people who live in the small mountain town are hardworking and happy, so long as they never stray into the forest where the wolves lurk in the darkness. Adults brave the trees in groups to hunt the vicious pack as they have for decades, the conflict is deep with no sign of victory for either side. But wolves are not the only threat, nor the village's only secret - and the link connecting them is a simple cloak of Red ...

Every night, from the highest peak of the uninhabited mountains, a single Wolf howls to the good folk of the valley – as a warning, as a message, and as a reminder of what they did:
"Beware, beware, the Path where the Witch once stood. Beware, beware, of the Wolf in the Wood."

"Curse it all!"

Aerith picked her head off her elbow and placed her book face down when she heard someone cuss downstairs. Hesitating briefly, she left her quill and book on her candle wax coated desk and stepped curiously downstairs.

Elmyra stood with tongs in her hand, staring hard at the fireplace that was spluttering miserably. Aerith watched the wood smoke and coil up the chimney without a lick of fire and rubbed her dress skirts uncomfortably as her companion stewed in frustration.

The older woman turned around and jumped visibly when she saw Aerith standing there in her pale blue dress "Heavens, girl!" she clutched at her heart and the back of a chair "You'll send me to an early grave. You and your Father, and this useless firewood!" she cast the offensive pile of sticks an angry look.

Aerith barely withheld a giggle before she stepped forwards "Having trouble?"

Elmyra put the tongs town and then sat on a kitchen chair heavily "We have no firewood, so I had to collect some from outside. It's all wet," she sighed, rubbing her rosary cross in frustration.

Aerith glanced at the wood and spotted both moss and even a few spots of dew as steam spluttered out of the damp kindling. She couldn't imagine what Elmyra was thinking in attempting to light this, it was beyond useable. She rubbed her skirt fabric between her fingers and wondered how to ease her friend's exasperation.

Taking inspiration from the propped open pantry door she rushed upstairs to grab her cloak and boots, she came back with a shoe in each hand and stood before her irritated maid. She leaned down to her level "Hello? Maybe after shopping the wood will be dry," she pulled a boot on, hopping like a court jester and causing Elmyra to finally crack a smile.

She stood and caught Aerith's elbow as she almost toppled. "Ah, Aerith … grand idea."

Aerith beamed and stood by the exit as Elmyra gathered up a basket each, Aerith's significantly smaller and barely a kitten carrier while Elmyra's could carry a picnic and two rounds of deserts. Aerith smiled at her small one and adjusted the lid experimentally, pleased to find no damage had befallen it during transportation. She felt in her pocket for the few coins her Father had given to her for her personal use, most finances was his business – when he remembered it.

Elmyra stepped out of the house clad in a bonnet, a green tartan cloak and sensible black boots and shut the two-part door behind her. As she fumbled with the new locks and keys, Aerith admired her new home and streets in the daylight.

They were definitely busier now. People were wandering the streets with baskets of their own or with tools for whatever work was required of them. Many wore shawls and cloaks as they did, one or two men had thick leather aprons and some women wore maid hats. A group of middle-aged ladies were walking with nothing in their hands, Aerith wondered if they were just walking for the fresh air, for it was the freshest she'd ever tasted. Tilting her nose back a little she inhaled deeply with her eyes closed, the air was tinted with pine and wood smoke from chimneys and held a freshness that came with exposed damp rocks and newly fallen snow. In the air was also the smell of the market, fresh meat, cooked meat and pulled earth. In the distance were the mountains peaks, hidden in mist for now and blanketed in dense forests but they loomed like mighty guards against the open sky. Closer within the town Aerith heard the daily murmur of people; stall owners calling for customers, buyers bartering for trade, cats meowing and dogs barking, children crying, laughing and whining.

The daytime vision was so different to the midnight one. The starry valley full of mystery seemed more like a fantasy now in the overcast, busy, noisy day.

Elmyra finally locked the door and slipped her key into her pocket, she also admired the day for a while and Aerith watched some tension run out of her shoulders as she absorbed the weak sunlight and open air.

"I think the market is this way," she said.

Elmyra nodded and they were off. Aerith swung her basket absently and followed the noise with Elmyra by her side.

The cobbled streets were only one carriage wide and had barely an arm's length of room for a person on either side should one barge through, but this town didn't appear to use carriages. There was moss growing undisturbed between the cobbles, not even horses or herds of livestock moved through the village Aerith concluded; this was not a farming village. Aerith recited a few species of moss before reaching the market, five streets and a small bridge over a ditch from her little townhouse.

Instantly there were more people. Aerith didn't have much experience with small towns but she knew on sight that this place was the central location for the people. There were few stalls and two houses that looked like shops and a small inn where merry drinking could be heard. In the centre of the irregular square was a statue, the statue just a large plaque without words but filled with carved symbols and childish chalk –vandalism. Immediately behind the statue was a church, it was large like a hall and had a tall tower with a few shiny bells clearly visible. The doors were open but there was no one in the building though the sparkle of lit candles caught Aerith's eye.

Elmyra let out a sound of pleasure "What a lively place!"

Aerith agreed as they walked about to take in the sights "It is. Where should we go first?" she asked peering for a bakery or a candle merchant among the crowds.

Elmyra pointed at the church at once, she didn't give Aerith a stern look but rather an embarrassed one "If you wouldn't mind, Miss, I'd think I need to pray for luck and for a good life here. Sunday is too long a wait for me and I'd like to double check we are at a Catholic church and not one of those Lutherans or Calvinists! I won't be seen dead in a false church," her cheeks gained spots of colour at the apparent offence these alternate means of worship caused her.

Aerith knew little of religious divisions but nevertheless, she nodded her acquiesce to Elmyra's request, for it was obviously important to her, and strode smartly at her side to the big stone building.

The building was chilling as all rock foundations were and Aerith pulled her cape closer to her as they passed the threshold. She let Elmyra head to the altar to pray and light a candle in peace, not interested in her private mutterings or her whispers for luck converting herself to Elmyra's faith. Aerith smiled weakly to herself that Elmyra still worried for her soul, she decided, maturely, to interpret it as an act of love and devotion and concluded that she should be grateful for the meaning of the act even if the act itself was a source of discomfort. Elmyra merely wanted what she thought was best for her.

The girl stopped midway down the aisle to admire the stained glass and the colours they made on the air. She didn't know much of the Catholic faith or its stories but admired the artwork and amazing creations created by its followers. She knew that a love of something could cause great things. Children, statues, paintings and books were all labours of love made by people for something or someone – her Mother's words. So even if the meaning missed her she should appreciate the effort and dedication it inspired, and respect it.

Behind her, she became aware of footsteps. She turned and blinked when she spotted a tall figure dressed in black standing by a small door she hadn't noticed before, by its appearance it must have been some kind of storage as there was a sturdy lock upon it. She hesitantly sent him a small nod and he nodded back at her as he approached.

"Welcome, my daughter. What brings you to the house of God? Are you a pilgrim?"

Aerith shook her head as her tongue tied itself in knots, finding his incredible height a little intimidating "N-No sir …"

He sent her a kind smile and extended a hand to sooth her nerves "My name is Grimoire Valentine, most call me Father Grimoire, I'm the Vicar of this church. What is your name?"

At his soft voice Aerith relaxed and took the offered hand after a slight fumble to empty it of her basket "Aerith Ifalna, or Aerith Faremis if you prefer my Father's name." They shook politely and Aerith noticed the glint of interest in his oddly coloured eyes, they were red.

"Your Father's name? What of Ifalna?" he asked.

Used to this question, Aerith said without thinking "It's the tradition of my Mother's people to give the daughter the Mother's first name as their last- oh!" she gasped, looking worriedly at the Vicar in case she had just angered him.

Surprisingly he merely looked more interested "Fascinating, do your Mother's people have a name? Perhaps I have heard of them."

Aerith let out the breath that had been choking her "You're not mad that I'm …"

Grimoire chuckled "That you're not Catholic?"

Aerith's shoulders rose as she tried to make herself smaller.

The Vicar smiled at her "No, child, I am not. Forgive me for alarming you, but I'm a … scholar of sorts, I study religious rituals and traditions through the ages, mostly through the Bible but there are not many alternative texts to study." His hands folded over each other and he hummed "It is an aim of mine to try and convince my fellows that alternate deities are merely other faces of God, after all, men wear many faces throughout their lifetimes and reigns so if we are made in God's image why shouldn't God in all his perfection wear many faces to embrace as many children as possible? Not every child is keen to see God in a statue, many pilgrims have claimed to have heard him in song or in dance, are these the same? Of course not, but from the same source?" he trailed off slightly "Perhaps."

As he spoke the building of bricks and glass began to feel a little warmer and Aerith listened attentively as she wondered more about this Christian God. She cast a small look up at the cross sitting on the altar, the same one that hung from Elmyra's neck, and wondered if the Vicar's idea was correct – it would be fascinating, she would eagerly read his manuscripts.

He chuckled suddenly upon seeing her eyes elsewhere "But I see I've confused you, forgive me for my enthusiasm."

Aerith shook her head at once with her eyes back to him "I don't mind! My Father's a scholar too, a scientist. I've read many of his notes and he speaks of plant and animal life in the same way," she sent him a fond smile. "I love reading his work, it's inspiring and I wondered if yours would be the same."

Grimoire looked fascinated "A fellow Scholar in the town?" his eyes lit up as he solved a puzzle "Ah, I see, you are part of the family who moved into the White Lilly."

Aerith tilted her head "Um, it's the house a few streets that way-"

The Vicar raised a hand "I know it, child," he interrupted without malice "Your impending arrival has been the talk of the town for many weeks, it is a pleasure to meet you."

Aerith shyly giggled "They've been talking about us? Why? What have they said?"

"So many questions!" the Vicar laughed, brushing a strand of black hair out of his eyes "Mostly speculation - if your family is rich, poor, religious or not. One or two youths were hoping for a new young man to come and woo them if I recall the inn gossip correctly."

Aerith laughed "I don't have a brother, it's just me, my Father and our maid Elmyra." She pointed to the older woman praying in a deep bow before the cross and candles. She explained briefly "She wanted to pray for luck."

Grimoire looked pleased and his hands absently folded over his stomach in some kind of hold. "I shall have to give you all a proper welcome, we did not hear of your arrival."

"We arrived late," Aerith admitted.

With a small bow, the Vicar surprised her "Then let me have the honour of being the first to welcome you and your family to Nibelheim Town, may you have many happy years with us, Aerith." He smiled at her blush in a way that made Aerith feel very young, like the child he insisted on calling her. He looked outside at the overcast day that lay through the open doors "Despite the lack of sun I hope you will find your first day here a good one."

Her fingers laced together over her basket as she replied wholeheartedly "It already is, Sir Valentine."

He chuckled "Father will do, it's my title in this church."

"Oh, right." Aerith quickly memorised the name and curiously asked "Is there a Mother too?"

Familiar laughter behind them brought them from their conversation "See how ignorant you are, girl? I can see I still have some work to do before you're a Godly Lady," Elmyra approached leaving a knee print in a cushion and another flickering candle behind her. Smiling good-naturedly, she bowed to the Vicar "Greetings, Father."

Grimoire bowed back slightly "And to you, daughter. I hope you have found assurance to your prayers if not answers?" he asked politely, his eyes just as kindly as they had been to Aerith and Aerith quickly decided that she liked this respectful, intelligent and friendly Vicar just for his kindness and open mind. The fact that he had not run her out of the church doors helped him gain her favour too.

Elmyra also seemed to like him, though just being a Catholic Father might have been enough to gain her respect, as she answered "Yes, Father. I hope that this time I have."

Aerith spotted the look that she cast between herself and the man of the Church and hoped that she wouldn't try and convince this man to join her crusade. Luckily the Vicar merely escorted them out and wished them a good day before returning to his duties, leaving them with an invitation to return to the Church whenever they be in need.

Aerith watched him go and decided to stop the debate before it even began "I like him, he's friendly and open minded. He asked me about my Mother's people," she felt like walking on air from his interest and not even Elmyra's wilting expression could dampen her mood.

"I see … well, let's find a bakery and butcher before lunch or your Father will start to eat his own notes!"

Giggling, Aerith followed a step behind.

Their market exploration was mostly guided by their noses. Each stall owner from the butcher to the herbalist insisted on starting a chat with them, curious to know the new faces and everything about them. Each new fact they learnt about the new faces was like a gem to them, and Aerith wondered if the small town curiosity would lead to many rumours or if it would just help the town get used to them. Aerith answered some questions but Elmyra was typically addressed as the elder of the two, Aerith didn't mind as it left more time for browsing.

But a few people did speak to her.

The butcher's wife for one. A woman with black hair and brown eyes dressed in a leather apron and wielding a cleaver – she made an impression. But Aerith wasn't fazed when she leaned across the counter to speak to her "I've never seen her so friendly!"

Aerith smiled up at her, scratching a grey and milky-eyed dog at the scruff of her neck and her soft ears "She's lovely, what's she called?"

The woman sighed "Angelo. Believe me, girl, she's seen better days. It's only the family business that's keeping her going, she can't hunt or fetch anymore and she's long since outgrown her use … but she's good at clearing away the scraps," she chuckled and wiped her pink fingers on a cloth "What can I do for you, ladies?"

Elmyra ordered some rabbit meat and Aerith continued to pet the dog who leaned into her every touch and moved stiffly. She was a fluffy animal, a good pelt on her even in her waning years, perky ears and large eyes that once had been brown but now looked milky and grey. Her fur was silvery all over but still held the finery of a well-fed dog, and Aerith felt a good layer of fat on her too so she must have been very pleased with her living arrangements.

She giggled as she received a tentative lick to her wrist "Nice to meet you too," she greeted.

The butcher's wife handed Elmyra the meat and watched Aerith pet her companion "She's never this friendly … there's only been one other that she's liked this much," her voice turned melancholy "You staying long?"

Aerith noted the abrupt topic change but didn't question it "Yes, we just moved here. The White Lilly House I think the Vicar called it," her answer came as her maid handed over the money.

Looking surprised the butcher's wife gasped "Oh I see. Well, very welcome to you both, and from my husband whenever he decides to bring in the latest leather from the back."

Elmyra's interest perked "Ah, he's a tanner is he?"

The woman's smile was full "Yes! He's a great hunter and everything in the shop was brought down by his hands. He takes the hide and I salt the meats, don't mind the red on my hands – come's with the business I'm afraid," she turned her hands this way and that, showing work-roughened hands stained a light pinkish from the blood of the animals her husband caught.

Aerith perked up and stood to speak to her face to face, the dog pawing at her dress for more scratches all the while. "That's so productive, I like it when husbands and wives work as a team, it reminds me of my Mother."

The woman looked the Elmyra "She speaks highly of you, Mam."

Raising her hands Elmyra's face tightened "I have no children, Miss Aerith is the daughter of my employer. I'm the maid of the household and minder of Aerith since her Mother passed."

The wife's expression was sympathetic "My apologies, to you both." Aerith took Elmyra's hand and found it fisted and unfriendly.

The wife probed further "Unmarried as well?" at Elmyra's tight nod she sighed "I also have no children; my husband is quite disappointed. But at least you have Aerith, she's obviously a joy to have around if Angelo has any sway in our conversation."

Tension broken, each woman looked down at the dog who was practically sitting on Aerith's feet for attention. Aerith giggled and patted the dog's head gently "I hope she doesn't follow me home."

The Butcher's wife walked around the stall and held the dog by the scruff of her neck, "She'll have to get my approval first. Have a lovely day ladies, please come back!" she waved them out of the shop, Aerith sent the elderly dog a sad look as it whimpered; she didn't want to leave either.

Elmyra chuckled and put an arm around her waist "I'd better keep a hold of you from running off somewhere too!"

Aerith laughed and pushed her bangs from her eyes "Yes, Elmyra."

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