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."
"Damn … Damn!"
A wide birth was given to the screaming man.
Genesis in a cape of blue and covered in scratches beat the stock of his musket against the immovable tree, screaming and cursing the craftiness of his opponents. The Wolves were, once again, elusive.
One of his disciples, Seifer, cautiously approached "We're all out of bullets, we'll need the reserves for a safe return, Genesis. Call the Hunt off."
"No!" the red haired man snarled. He stood up and loaded his gun with more black powder "We're so close, they can't keep running – winter is over and they're weak, now is the only time we have a chance!" He turned to his disciple and looked him in the eye without blinking "Am I clear?"
Seifer barely hesitated, but the fleeting moment was there nonetheless, and Genesis was furious. "Yes. Onward men! Cut them off at the river if you can, call the hounds and keep them close!" He made to lead the men as one of the top Hunters he was, but a tight grip on his shoulder stilled him.
He turned and saw Genesis wearing an ugly expression, one reserved for denouncing devils and battling sinners. The man breathed heavily, just the once, then asked: "Did you invite him?"
In a perfect masquerade, Seifer hit the hand off him and turned with an expression of equal attractiveness, "You think I would! After what you told me? After what I had to grow up witnessing?" he hesitated before spitting at the man's mud-coated boots "Forgive me, teacher, but if I had more of a right, I would tear out your tongue."
Genesis smirked and nodded "Fine." He sighed with yet more frustration "It seems God is punishing us once again … how can the devils outrun his Justice?" he rubbed at his forehead "Maybe he truly has no love for us."
Seifer shook the shoulder of the deeply religious man and tried to shake off his guilt as well, I invited him .. are we being punished? "Pull yourself together, Genesis. Father Hojo promises that the sinners will burn, the longer they run, the hotter the fire. He'll tell us our retribution soon enough."
"Amen …" the elder sighed. The sun was edging past midday and it had been many miles since the start of their dawn trek. They had been travelling in circles and then further into dangerous natural traps for hours, many of their dogs had fallen behind and were resting, utterly exhausted, and their ammunition was low with not a single scrap of fur to their name.
Genesis perked up when he heard a gunshot in the distance … that one not one of his men.
His brow darkened as he hissed to his disciple. "He's out too?"
Seifer shrugged "He's a Hunter."
Genesis crossed his arms and loaded a bullet with his composure bottled tightly "He's a curse." He indicated his head sharply to in the direction of the Hunt and impatiently pushed his way through the undergrowth to lead the attack upon the enemy. I'll not let this curse linger in this village any longer!
Leon bowed his head as his hand carefully slid the eyes of the animal closed. He ran a hand over the smooth pelt that revealed good, acute care and a loving owner at one point in its life … the life that was now over.
The snout wasn't grey, the bones were still strong and yet it had been left here with a bullet in its flank, bleeding out for a lonely, sad death in an isolated part of the wood. Leon threw the gun a few feet away, feeling sick to his stomach at the fate of this poor creature. He wished he could say a prayer but he did not know who to sent it to; a God who didn't treasure the souls of animals while additionally being one that Leon had long lost faith in? Or to a god without a name, in the hopes that this poor creature's life could have meant something, that someone, something could take responsibility for the injustice.
The sticks dug into Leon's knees but he was still shaking in useless anger and felt nothing.
How dare they!
How could they shoot one of their own, even by accident, and then just leave her? No care, no quick death? Just because she happened to look like a wolf at a glance. He had seen her in the village, he had never paid her much attention but he knew she had pupped this winter, and her litter had been dispersed among the youth to grow into companions and able trackers. She was a breeding dog, a working dog, and a loyal companion given the most tragic end.
He removed his hand from the dog's muzzle and slipped the collar from her neck, he'd return it to the owner and tell them what had occurred. He stood and left her to nature, her body would be food for the creatures now.
Packing up his equipment he turned for the village – no use hunting now, he'd fired his musket because he didn't have the stomach to slit the dog's throat to end her suffering, especially not when the look of fear passed through her eyes at the sight of the knife. No, the bullet to the back of her head, where she couldn't see and where she was only aware of the comfort he offered her in her pain, was infinitely better. He would have hated himself if he caused her more suffering from a trembling blade, at least now it was quick and over and her pain was gone.
Lost in thought, he barely noticed how the presence peering out from the trees unseen followed him closer to the village than normal. He only realised when it hurriedly withdrew – making noise for the first time.
Crack!
He glanced back, unable to help himself though he knew he'd see nothing. He then realised how close to the edge of the trees they were, barely a hundred yards from the fields. Why had it followed him so close when for a solid decade or more it had haunted no further than the heart of the woods? Why had it stayed through the gunshot? Why hadn't it been scared off by the Hunt or the firing of his musket?
He was sorely tempted to give chase, it felt closer than it had ever been in his forest wandering, and, for once, the terms of the presence was questionable.
Silently questioning the trees for just a moment longer, he looked at the dog collar and returned to his path to the Heartilly residence, casting the trees one more curious look as he turned away. No use chasing it now, he'd waited too long.
He walked through the village, filled with wives and other men without the job of a Hunter, and ignored the stares he received – the red cape he wore was likely drawing attention and the cold shoulders from the deeply religious folks soon followed. Undaunted, he continued on his path.
The residence he sought was on the other side of the village. It wasn't far since Windhelm was small, but he passed through several popular gathering places on the way and that made him uncomfortable; He passed the Church, the well and the storage shed before he reached the house he wanted, and each location seemed to have all the people he'd rather never see again. The gossipers and scolds and they made sure he heard their whispers of him.
The houses far from the forest frontier it was finer in design and had an incredible three rooms to show off the slight wealth. The flocks of sheep belonged to Heartilly, and the master of the house was old blood – a family with deep ties to the land, a man made tough through tradition and religion, and by working his way into his lavish comforts. Many spoke highly of him for his perseverance and the rewards he now reaped. Leon himself had no quarrel with the man, he admired his ability to achieve, the hardships and the determination he must have conquered over the decades to drag his name the single room higher than the majority of the village.
His only daughter on the other hand … was a different story. Though graceful and pretty and a talented housewife for any future husband, Leon took issue with her crowding habits and lack of manners – namely how she thought she had the right to question how another lived their life, what did it matter to her? A beautiful Shepherdess she may be, but she didn't know when to drop her controlling crook, she was by no stretch of the imagination a tolerable person in Leon's opinion.
Leon shook his head and rapped on the door to the Heartilly residence.
He waited for a minute when the door opened with a dramatic whoosh. "Oh, Squall!"
A groan lodged itself in his throat and he expelled the pressure with a sigh through his nose "It's Leon."
Rinoa Heartilly, the only daughter, smiled at him and wiped her hands on a cloth as she stood in the doorway, as usual, she had no respect for the name he wished to make for himself and called him what she pleased.
She took a step into her personal space and beamed up at him like a child with a new toy "What brings you here?"
Leon looked to one side, unable to keep a frown from his face and he didn't want her to start a scream by wailing about his unkindness. "Is your Father here?" he had to repeat himself as she giggled through the first question.
"No, he's out at the pastures, why? Do you need something?" she leant on the door with a grin.
Hesitantly, Leon brought out the collar of the dog, Rinoa was as good as Mr Heartilly he was sure. "One of his dogs was killed on the Hunt. I wanted to bring him this as proof."
Rinoa's smile dropped like the winter temperatures. She took the collar from him with shaking fingertips and ran her thumb over the worn leather. "Mary …" her eyes were teary and she pressed it to her chest with a sharp inhale. Leon waited as she blinked rapidly and as her knuckles turned white. "How did she die? Was it those awful beasts?" she demanded.
Leon shook his head "She was shot, an accident most likely. She had a very wolf like image when she ran …" Rinoa's breath began to hitch again and he hurriedly finished his explanation "I found her dying, I made sure she didn't suffer."
Nodding, she whispered, "Thank you … thank you for bringing us this," she looked at the collar again and wiped at her eyes. She gestured inside with a small cough to clear her throat "Would you like something to drink before you go? Something to thank you with."
Her smile was back.
Leon shifted back a little "No, it's fine. I just wanted to-"
"Great! Take a seat, I've just warmed up a pot." She went inside without another word and left Leon standing awkwardly in the doorway of her house, the door wide open and her voice continuing to talk to the air as if he was beside her nodding like the daisies.
Sighing in resignation, Lord knows what fuss she would kick up he if just left now, he followed her indoors and took the nearest chair to the door. He wouldn't stay long, he wouldn't even speak if he could avoid it.
"You know, Squall, I think this is the first time you've been in my family house, what do you think?" she put a cup of warm tea before him and hurriedly straightened a pillow or homemade wall decoration.
The arms of her guest tensed. She was always so pleased to show off what her Father had done to build up their family name but she did not respect the name Leon was trying to create for himself.
Hypocrite.
"It's Leon."
A whimper from under the table drowned out his attention to her reply. He pulled his chair back slightly and looked under to see a basket of sleeping pups hiding under the table. He blinked and watched as one of them yawned and blinked its eyes open, a very pink tongue curling from the force of its sleepiness.
Leon felt a small smile tug at his lips as he reached down to introduce himself. The pup watched as the large hand hovered before it at a respectful distance. It sniffed his knuckles and shuffled forwards over the other sleeping puppies to lick the newcomer in return. Leon patted the tiny head and knew that these were one of Mary's litters, this one had her colouring, he wondered if they were weened yet – would they do well without her? They were so young.
He tensed sharply when a pair of arms draped over his shoulders like the hug of unexpected death. He smacked them from his shoulders without thinking and Rinoa's yelp of surprise made him cringe – now he was for it.
"Well!" she made a show or rubbing her arms, Leon winced when he saw one of them turning pink – maybe he had hit harder than he thought …
"That was very rude."
Leon raised an eyebrow, "Pardon me for speaking my mind, but I do not recall ever giving you permission to be so friendly with me. Overstepping boundaries is not respectable for a woman, let alone one like you."
Rinoa lost interest in her arms – Leon rolled his eyes, she was just making a fuss after all – and tilted her head "What do you mean 'like me?'" her brown eyes were large like a lamb's and she had her hands clasped as if in the Lord's prayer.
Leon rubbed at his nose, feeling a headache coming on – he should have just left at the door …
"With the extra privileges you have been brought up with due to your Father it is not a good idea to act as they give you rights over others and over our wishes," he turned his attention to the pup now trying to climb out of the basket. He scooped it up and the puppy happily began to gnaw on his sleeve and made itself comfortable on his lap.
Behind him Rinoa let out a hurt noise "I don't … You're so mean. You should loosen up a bit more, I was only trying to get you to come out of your shell a little. Don't you ever consider anyone else's feelings? Or do you actually have fun being so cold towards your friends?"
Leon scratched the puppy's ears and it let out a pleased grumble. Hypocrite.
He stood and gave the puppy to her, it at once began to wriggle its way out of her pale arms, Leon gave them both a parting nod, "I'm sorry for your loss, have a nice day." He turned and left, ignoring her calls to finish the drink she had brewed for him, when he was under the sky again he breathed, feeling more relaxed now he wasn't constantly hitting an enclosing wall.
With a brisk pace, he walked back to his home and made plans in his head for the rest of the day – he hadn't visited Selphie or Quistis for a long time, and there were several rabbit skins he had no use for. He was sure his sisters would happily make them into a gift for the upcoming St. Valentines festival for potential suitors. Selphie was insisting on courting Irvine, though a brother to them all their bond was a little deeper and had an extra layer to that with any other sibling.
Upon arriving at his humble home, Leon put away his gun and his knife and picked out the skins that had been drying on their hooks, freshly washed of blood and guts and ready to be put to use. He hung up his cape and shrugged on a clean shirt and left to seek out the two women for a long overdue catch-up.
"Leon!"
The man had both arms full of Selphie as she bestowed him with a running hug. She nuzzled into his chest "It's been so long, what have you been doing?" she beamed.
Leon smiled, arms awkwardly hugging her back, "Surviving the winter, like you."
She beamed and waved at Quistis, who was walking at a sedated pace behind her. Both women wore skirts that were tied in knots above their knees, Quistis brown and Selphie's green, with cream blouses. Their hands were covered in gloves and they were slightly earthy and damp as they toiled at the root vegetables that might have survived the cold seasons.
Leon smiled at his elder sister, "Hello Quistis."
The blonde gave him a one armed hug and pecked his cheek with an easy smile "It's been a long time," she agreed. "I remember when you visited us once a week, now once a month? Should we be offended?" she chuckled and led the way to the little house the foster sisters shared.
Selphie held Leon's hand and tugged him along, as full of energy as Zell, Leon let himself be pulled. It was all he had ever known from her just as he had learnt to accept the cool but sincere affection from their elder sister, it was all he could remember of them both and the familiar routine was comforting.
Their little house was one room with a garden at the back as well as at the front, the back garden was fenced off to keep the herbs safe and the front was not as they grew common vegetables when the weather favoured it.
There was a large mattress that they shared and a hearth and a shelf of medical ointments and salves. The younger girl had a small shelf of her own, easily identifiable by how disorganised and full it was. Stuffed with the pretty little nicknacks that she found in her daily life. There were homemade bonnets and gloves and scarfs that held all the signs of her thoughtless, but energetic and well-meaning nature.
The hearth was glowing with embers and Quistis commented to Selphie about reminding her to give the wood smith his supply of ointment for his hands so they wouldn't run low on firewood. "Yes, Quistis!" Selphie answered.
Their trade was their supplies, and their payment let them live fairly comfortably though Leon recalled them occasionally begging at people's doors in the harsher years. He made a mental note to take up an axe as soon as the weather allowed it, he needed it and the extra could be given to Hojo for the needy – he didn't need to know it was from him.
Selphie made Leon sit at the head of a makeshift table and sat opposite him as Quistis put together some bread and warm drinks, everything bland and unflavoured but still carefully prepared.
Selphie smiled at Leon, her grin brighter than the light outside and her brown hair tied up carelessly in uneven braids on either side of her ears. "You're not on the Hunt, as usual, what were you doing instead?"
Leon put his parcel for them both on the table and replied "Hunting what they scared out of their burrows. All I found was a dead dog." Selphie let out a whimper of horror and Leon assured her quickly, "It was likely a mistake, I brought the collar back to the owner and made sure she was not in pain when she died."
Quistis took her seat and handed out the small meal "That's such a shame, poor thing." Her voice was detached as she had never had a pet and had never had to take the life of a creature for food. She sipped her tea and pushed a strand of hair back into her bun, "But that explains why I saw you at the Heartilly's earlier, I should have known you wouldn't have gone on a casual visit."
Leon ignored her suggestive smile, "I gave the collar to Rinoa, her Father was out."
Selphie hummed "She was in a bad mood today when she was at the well, must be missing her poor dog." the brunette wilted at the thought.
The blonde frowned, "I hope you didn't upset her, Leon."
"No more than normal." He took a bite of his bread as his sister sighed, well aware of his anti-social personality.
"Oh, Leon … you'll never find a woman with this attitude of yours."
Leon drank his drink with a glare over the rim, "No women here would have me with my name."
The blonde concealed a wince tactfully and spoke as if he hadn't, "Besides your rudeness and hermit tendencies you're also tardy for Church meetings. You think you'd have a bad reputation just for the past? Think again. Rinoa, at least, is willing to overlook it," she stared thoughtfully into her cup. She caught the fixed stare he gave her and she chuckled. "Do you find the role of village hermit that appealing, Leon?"
Snorting over Selphie giggles Leon pushed his empty cup away, having downed it in one while their sister regained her composure. "Not her."
"Why not? Excuses won't make a future."
"She … grates." When they exchanged uncertain glances he tried to explain further, "She's like a fire in the forest, appealing for some but it's not natural and the positive points she has don't appeal in that environment, just like the flame scares nature …"
Selphie at once misunderstood, "Are you afraid of her? But she's pretty, and she's rich."
Leon elbowed her, "Quiet."
Quistis tried to puzzle his meaning while her senior relapsed into more laughter, "So … you can see her positive points but they have no appeal to you?" at his nod she pressed her luck, "The easy way has never been your path."
Leon let go of a little tension when she came to that conclusion.
Quistis sighed "I don't understand it as you do, but I do know that men have to evolve to love fire at some point and see it for the refuge it brings. I've heard that the forest is much less appealing with a loving wife waiting at home for you."
"How about you with a husband?" Leon shot back.
The blotchy blush across her cheeks and neck made him wince and apologise. Quistis stiffly crossed her arms, "It's hardly proper to ask me such, young man!"
Leon sighed, "I said I'm sorry. But now you know how I feel whenever someone thinks to pressure me into choosing a wife who I won't care for."
Quistis rolled her eyes "Oh, I don't care for her, I care for you, dear brother. Ever a shade too bright or a colour too odd. In the village gossip, God forbid should you ever overhear it, Rinoa hasn't made it a secret that she is fond of you for your looks and skill – she would be good security for you." Her eyes cut to one side and she maliciously muttered: "Then Genesis would shut his disrespectful mouth once and for all."
Leon snorted again, amused and bored by the typical behaviour of the elder Hunter, "What's he said now?" he drawled, mild interest failing to filter into his tone as he unpacked the rabbit skins.
Selphie leant against him with a sigh, "The normal, Wolves this, and curse that, and that we should Hunt them at all costs to be rid of them – he's not very original," she hummed with rare insight and thought in her voice.
Leon smiled at her quietly and passed the skins to Quistis, "Here, I thought you could craft these for the festival next month."
The blonde look them with interest "Rabbit skins?" at his nod she caressed their fur and she smiled, "So soft … what do you think Selphie? Will they be of any use?" she passed a sample and Selphie grew excited.
"Oh yes! We could make gloves or hats or socks with these! Irvine needs some nice gloves." She ran to her little disorganised shelf and pulled a few stones from a pot. "I think I could make some buttons, do you have any needles left? And threads?"
Quistis stood to rummage through the most organised shelves of herbal ointments and balms. The house was split according to them both; Quistis was cool, collected and had a feminine commanding aura about her that led her to learn the healing craft after Edea. Selphie followed as an assistant but both know it was a temporary arrangement as in future years Selphie was intent on having her own home with a husband and a family to spend her energy on. Each part of the house claimed by either sister fit their dreams and lifestyles.
Leon watched them as they planned a few designs and possibilities with the skins, he poured himself another drink and let the warmth of the fire heat him up as he basked in the familiar homely feel of this house. So different from his lonely hut, so different from the serenity of the forest.
A small headache irritated Leon behind his eyes and he rubbed at them thoughtlessly, talking about the petty gossip of the village and that damned woman was vexing him. He raised his voice to ask about the gardening Quistis and Selphie still had to do, offering his assistance.
The blonde looked delighted, "Would you? There's a trowel by the doorstep, I've marked a short line where I think the tarros were buried, but if you could go a bit either side just in case that would be so helpful."
Leon pulled on their gloves, a bit small but they were suitable for the task, and smirked, "Sounds like you would enjoy having a man around the house."
Quistis wagged a finger at him "Hey hey, gossiping about a woman to her face is highly rude, young man."
"You're not a woman you're my sister." With a roll of his eyes, Leon stepped outside and knelt to work in the hardened soil of their front garden. Rude or not, she deserves a good man to care for her, he thought.
He toiled until the sun was casting long shadows, Selphie brought him some bread for a meal and he paused to give his back a break. She nibbled at the tough texture and they watched the sun form beams like those through stained glass.
Selphie tilted her head "It's so pretty. I wonder if the whole valley could be a Church."
Leon glanced at her with a shadow of a smile and kept eating in silence. Selphie filled it with her idle thoughts and observations and he was content to listen. Sometimes he would laugh or question her but he mainly just let his voice wash over him and remind him of easier times.
"Oh, they're back."
Following her guiding finger Leon spotted the returning Hunting party with ease. Every man looked weary and many were stooped, every head was down and their shoulders curved. Leon saw Seifer attempting to calm Genesis and knew that Genesis would be in a terrible rage because his Hunt had been unsuccessful just like last year and many years previously.
Leon sighed through his nose and muttered, "No luck."
Selphie nodded, "I can see, Genesis has gone as red as your cloak. Think he'll pop like a berry if we poke him?"
Leon chuckled "Don't you dare, he'll shoot you before you get within five feet."
Selphie bounced on the spot with random nods. The taller took another bite of his meal and watched as Father Hojo stepped out from the houses to console the men. He wondered what fabrications he would spout now to explain the lack of success. No matter how hard they prayed or how much they donated to the Church it would not help their cause when their loud voices and stomping footsteps alerted their prey miles before they were tracked. Confident belief in a divine could only take a man's success so far.
Quistis looked out the door with a bowl of mixed leaves in her arms, at the sight of two of the village leaders in a foul mood she pulled at Leon's arm. "Leon, get inside."
The brunet didn't budge. "I'm not going to run from something that wasn't my fault."
The blonde tugged on him harder and hissed, "You think your inaction will keep you safe? Angry men without answers look to blame, please, just listen to me Squall!"
Leon tensed.
"God is punishing us!"
Hojo's bellows echoed through the valley and every man, woman and child stopped to listen.
"A terrible day, I have dreaded it for years but the proof is undeniable. These devils will not be caught by sinners and wrongdoers, their freedom is our punishment! Our curse and our burden. Look into your souls, good folk, repent and start anew. I shall bless the village once more and everyone pray for God's mercy." He waved his rosary at the mountains, "How God has revealed his shame to us! Oh Mighty Father, we shall lift this curse! We shall do right! We will crawl on hands and knees back to your benevolence. Amen!"
"Amen," echoed those who were listening with baited breath.
"Reject the wrongdoers my people, seek out and shame those who hide sins in the night, only then can we be free. Only then will our curse suffer us no more!"
"Amen!" the Hunters shouted.
Quistis pulled Leon inside with all her strength when she saw Genesis's maddened eyes find her brother and glare. Leon let her after he met Genesis's eyes and realised what she was doing, Selphie held onto his free arm and her grip was tighter than that upon her own life. Quistis shut the door and peered out to see what they would do next.
When Father Hojo kept bellowing she relaxed and set a simple latch.
Selphie looked scared. "Leon …"
He just smiled at her, "I haven't done anything wrong. All this talk of not sinning is not going to help them when they can't use their brains."
Quistis buried her head in her hands. "Oh God, please stop this, Genesis will murder you before he's ready to accept that."
Leon shrugged "And it still won't help him."
His sisters looked panicked, "For heaven's sake!" Selphie shrieked, her arms constricting around his waist "Why do you have to do this? Why do you need to prove a point so badly that you're okay with dying?"
Leon objected "No, it's not that at all. I'm not okay with any of this, just as you aren't. Until they're willing to listen and understand, nothing will help them, not prayers, not sinning, not my death or an army. They have shown that they won't listen so I stay silent to stop causing trouble, but life carries on despite it all and so I make my own life my way while they do theirs."
Quistis rubbed her nose as if she had a headache. "A battle of pride had no point or reward for those involved …" she looked pleading "Don't make it come to war, even if you have truth on your side it won't hold it's own against the mob." She bundled together a few supplies and pressed them into his hands "Go stay with Edea for a few days, Genesis owe's her his life and won't upset her."
Leon frowned "Why do I have to run like the guilty party?"
His sister sighed "I hate this too, but I'd rather see you safe than in a sickbed if Genesis tries to take this too far – he's been ranting about it for weeks in the Tavern, for pity's sake can you look after yourself for us? I don't think I could bare to see you hurt by them …"
Sighing heavily, Leon took the offered items "These for Edea?"
Selphie nodded "Yes. We made them because we had too much, she's better at preserving them than we are. She must had a secret ingredient somewhere," she pouted, trying to lighten the mood.
Quistis looked at her fondly before returning to instructing Leon "I'll go take Genesis for a drink, you go home and pack a few things and explain everything to Matron, she'll understand."
"She always does."
See my tumblr Thequalityrunaway for the better quality image of the cover that I drew. I also post regular updates and am willing to answer questions to those who ask.
Story is also available on Ao3 for those who prefer it there.