[H3]Mat's Path[/h3]

[h3] Somewhere in the 100 Acre Wood [/h3]

[color=ed1c24]"Look, like I said you're already going to die, but you decide how long it'll take,"[/color] Mat said, staring down at the tied up witch.  At this point the witch had already lost several fingers and taken a few bullets to the chest with no food or water given at all.[color=ed1c24]  "Do you know who she is or not?"[/color]

Mat's last couple days had been filled with similar methods with him trying to grab any information he could.  A name had been his lead, but then he needed to find where.  Fortunately Mat had tracked down several canidates that had provided some info after being convinced by him.

His latest target had been a screamer, which made him glad he was doing it in an abandon cabin in the woods, but she didn't seem to be turning over anything new for him.  After she screamed again that she knew nothing, Mat finally believed her. [color=ed1c24] "Very well," [/color]he muttered before he held up his flintlock and fired at her head.

Outside, Mat's stolen horse waited patiently for him as he did his best to clean up, yet he still had multiple blood splotches on his clothes.  [color=ed1c24]"Getting closer now, we're almost there," [/color]he said to himself as he attached his weapons to the horse before hopping on himself.  Giving a light kick Mat moved on.

Several hours later Mat had remained in the forest following a worn down trail that hadn't seen much use until fairly recently.  To his knowledge there weren't many around, but there could possibly be a witch that was hiding out nearby who may have more info on any other witches nearby.  He glanced around through the forest until he heard a small snap.  Turning to the noise Mat had barely any time to react before creature jumped out from the bushes at him.

The hunter had desperatly grabbed for his spear but barely missed as the thing tackled him off his horse.  Rearing from the creature, the horse immediately ran away with all of Mat's items on it.  Grunting, Mat did his best to keep the creature from immediately killing him with its teeth and reached for his small dagger on his belt.

The creature seemed to be a mix of both a mountain lion and a bear with the shape of the lion and the strong hide of the bear, seeming to get the best out of both the animals.  The mountain bear swiped at him and bit into his arm then tossed him like a ragdoll where he hit a fallen tree.  Yelling out, Mat unsheathed his dagger with his undamaged left arm to hold the creature at bay.[color=ed1c24]  "Oh hell, this was [i]not[/i] how I was planning to go out,"[/color] he called out to the beast, slowing standing up with his dagger in a defensive pose.

The mountain bear didn't seem phased at all, and instead leapt at him again.  It brought Mat down and bit down on his already damaged leg, but this time Mat finally had a weapon.  Pulling the dagger up, Mat stabbed into the beast's head several times before it cried out and released.  With its anger of it being attacked, the mountain bear leapt at Mat but the hunter slashed right at the best and dug down into its heart, killing it instantly.

Falling on his knees, Mat breathed heavily and leaned against the fallen tree, dropping his dagger and looking around.  His wounds had begun to bleed and he was losing blood fast.  [color=ed1c24]"Well shit," [/color]the hunter muttered.

Saen had slithered her way out in front of Angharad. The lamia's scaly body excelled in rough ground, but she was still panting heavily. "What exactly possessed you to mix a mountain lion and a bear? Not exactly a cross I would have considered useful."

Angharad unlike Saen, seemed as though she had simply been talking a relaxingn walk through the woods, use to long runs after some of her more ....wandering children.[color=808000]  "Well, you see, I didn't think I could put together two such agressive animals together without having them rip each other apart, so of course I simply had to try," [/color] She then took a few step closer to her Bearlion [color=808000]"Oh, Oz!"[/color] She called in a sing-song voice.[color=808000] "Come to mother," [/color]

When the creature didn't move, Angharad's eyebrows scrunched together in confusion. [color=808000]"Come on Oz, don't be difficult," [/color] It was only then that she saw the blood and the spear. [color=808000]"Oz!"[/color] she screamed, grabbing ahold of the creature and lifting it's heavy body up from the ground.[color=808000] "Oh, my poor baby. Who could have done this horrible thing to you?" [/color]  It was only then that she noticed the dying Mat. [color=808000]"Y-You!" [/color] She screamed, not really caring that Oz attacked first.   

As Angharad shrieked upon finding one of her creations dead, Saen had been looking at the scene, trying to piece together exactly what had happened. A long trail of mountain bear tracks gouged into the ground told the story. "Ang, I think your precious child was the one in the wrong here. See these tracks? The only way Oz could have made a path like that was if he charged from a distance. This poor man was caught unawares and fought for his life. By the looks of things, he's still fighting for it." She ripped off a sleeve of her shirt, using it for a bandage. "Help me keep this blasted man alive, would you?"

Angharad glared at Saen like she was ready to fight her for the right to slowly end the dying hunter's life anyways. Never mind whos fault it was.  But in an instant, her face softened back to a more neutral pose. [color=808000]"Of course," [/color]  She walked over to Saen, ripping her own rags and starting to create make-shift tourniquets around some of the larger arteries. [color=808000]"Hello, are you with the living or the dead boy?" [/color] she asked, keeping her voice calm, as though not to startle him. 

Mat had to blink more rapidly to keep himself awake and could make out two people approaching him.  Upon hearing the question of whether he was alive or dead Mat began to laugh to where he began to sound mad.  He slowly flipped his hand over so that the name his father's murderer was hidden and finally stopped laughing. [color=ed1c24] "That yours?"[/color]  He asked aloud, nodding his head at the mountain bear as they were helping him. [color=ed1c24] "Quite the bastard that thing, completely ruined my plans."[/color]

Saen had managed to slow the bleeding significantly. The man was still in danger, but now it was the slow threat of his body wasting away before his blood supply could replenish. She didn't want to answer him and give away the fact that they were witches, so she steered the conversation elsewhere. "What's your name, and how did you come to these woods? Few enough travelers take these roads, and fewer still who can defend themselves as well as you."

Mat gave a small chuckle and moved his eyes over at the one asking him.  [color=ed1c24]"Oh, I just was trying to find an old...acquaintance of mine.  I believe she lives around here, found out from some other friendly folk along the way," [/color]he replied, purposefully leaving out the name bit.

Angharad  finally pulled away from Mat, his blood staining her hands, but she didn't seem to notice. [color=808000]"Well, then,"[/color]  she said, rubbing a bloody hand through her hair, streaking it with the sticky liquid. [color=808000]"What to do if you now. Is your...'acquaintance' willing to take you in and care for your wound? If so, let us find them and be done with you," [/color]

Saen shook her scaly head, her forked tongue flicking through the air. "I think not, Angharad. It was your creation that did this to him, therefore you bear the responsibility for his injuries. The least you can do is assist him until he recovers. You owe him nothing less... and plenty more for his suffering."

Angharad let out an overly exasperated sigh, putting her hands on her hips. [color=808000] "If he didn't want to get mauled by Oz, he should have been more careful about where he was walking. He was basically asking for it, besides"[/color] she said, proding him with her toe. [color=808000] "Mesdua would never allow something like [i]this[/i] in her castle," [/color] 

Mat breathed a little slower and looked over at the other girl, giving a small smirk. [color=ed1c24] "Oh, she doesn't actually know me personally, but she knew my father and I was hoping to ask her a few things.  It's taken me a while, but I was able to track her to here," [/color]he explained, then looked back and forth at them as they spoke with each other.  Mat's eyes had finally focused enough that he suddenly saw the scales on one of the girls, which made his eyes widen just slightly. [color=ed1c24] "Well shit," [/color]he muttered aloud, feeling for his dagger with his right hand.  [color=ed1c24]"Witches right?"[/color]  The moment his hand touched his dagger Mat quickly slashed quickly up.

Saen took the slice in her right shoulder, and it caught some of her hood as well. Fortunately, her skin was thick enough that it didn't do too much damage, but it was still painful. The lamia opened her mouth, displaying her fangs and venom. She was so tempted to bite him and leave him to die... but she'd already done so much to save his life, it would be a shame to waste her effort. "Really? After all we have done for you, you ssstill decide to attack us? Angharad here may owe you her care, but you owe us your very life. If not for her and I, you would have bled to death within minutes."

Angharad let out another loud sigh before ploping herself on the ground just out of Mat's reach. [color=808000]"Not very greatful, is he?"[/color] she said. [color=808000]"Now can we let him die? We've got better things to do then waste our time trying to save this creature...."[/color] suddenly Ang's eyes lit up and she pounced ontop of the man's body, sitting like a frog, she used her feet to pin the man's arms to the ground, running a finger under his chin before forcing his mouth open. [color=808000]"Oh...the things I'd make of you,"[/color] she paused then, looking over at Saen [color=808000]"Or...is that also 'wrong' at this moment?"[/color] 

Saen's voice dropped half an octave. "Without his consent? It's wrong whenever you chose to do it. I am taking him back to Castle Bloodrose to heal. If he can behave himself, once his strength has returned, he will be allowed to leave, though I will excise all knowledge of the coven from his mind beforehand. Without it, he will be of no danger to us. Should he threaten anyone during his stay, however..." A hand quickly drew across her throat in a universal gesture.

Mat’s eyes dropped to the ground as his attack quickly failed and just made the two hostile.  It was a reactionary attack, one that wouldn't have worked at all.  As they spoke Mat listened carefully to the conversation, his mind processing it all.[color=ed1c24]  [I]Snake girl has a memory power, stay away from her.  Other witch can mesh two beings together, very nasty that, [/i] [/color]he thought.  Mat looked down at his dagger and would've ended himself then and there if the witch wasn't on his hands.[color=ed1c24] [I]No, wait!  A coven!  They're part of a coven!  She could be there![/i][/color]  With that tought Mat made a small smile and watched as the snake witch drew the finger across her throat.  [color=ed1c24][I]As long as I kill her first, you can go right ahead,[/i][/color] he thought, making a small laugh.  [color=ed1c24]“It was out of reaction alright?  I've had a rough couple past days.”  [i]Murdering and torturing witches to find this place.[/i]  “I would just like to find her is all.”[/color] 

[color=808000]"I'm sure you would,"[/color] said Angharad, still standing a top Mat's hands. [color=808000] "And it was a very strange reaction to have towards one who saved your life,"[/color] She then reached out and grab Mat's ear. [color=808000]"The next time you try to 'react' know that I am not invested in you living and would be much happier using your body for spare part,"[/color] She then lept off of him, yanking him up by his ear as she did so. A small creature then rushed out of her sleeve and down across Mat's neck, wrapping itself like a choker, and giving a warning squeeze. Unlike a regular snake, this one had thousands of tiny clawed feet, with sharp nails and dug into Mat's skin. [color=808000]"This, dear one, is my lovely child, Merope,"[/color] she said, running a hand through Mat's hair. [color=808000]"And she will kill you, best not to upset her or me,"[/color] With that, she gave Mat a shove forward. [color=808000]"If you can walk, I suggest you start, if you need transport, I shall arrange some,"[/color] 

Saen smiled at the Hunter, for that was what he surely was, even if he hadn't said it himself. Both the carrot and the stick had been waved in his face, now it was up to him to choose which one he wanted. "You can follow me back to the castle. Angharad, if one of your children can convey to Medusa that we will be having an unexpected guest and that she is to offer him hospitality, please have them do so."

Mat cringed slightly as the witch brought him up by his ear then had the creature wrap around him.  After he was shoved forward, Mat fell forward and looked around.  [color=ed1c24]“My leg was damaged previous to this, but your creature made it far worse,” [/color]he explained as he surveyed his surroundings.  His spear was nearby as it had fallen near him as he fell off the horse.  Finding it, Mat used it to prop him up and hold him steady. [color=ed1c24] “There, and it won't help me much should I try anything stupid with your lovely pet.”[/color]  Hearing the snake witch use her name Mat remembered it in his head.[color=ed1c24]  [I]Angharad, if I should somehow survive killing the murderer first, you're next on the list,[/i] [/color]he thought, then turned to the snake witch and nodded his head.  [color=ed1c24]“Very well, lead the way.”[/color]

[color=808000]"My children rarely speak english and My Love doesn't speak animal. It is among her few flaws," [/color] Angharad glared at Mat, as though it was his fault that Oz had attacked him, and he was being intentionally slow to make her upset.  Whenever he stummbled or flat out fell, she could 'kindly' yank him back to his feet, sometimes dragging or mostly carrying him until they reached  Castle Bloodrose. [color=808000]"I'm warning you now, if you are anything less than respectful, I'll be sure to replace your dick with something a lot less fun,"[/color]

ll throughout the walk Mat very much desired to stab Angharad in her glaring angry face but he figured the snake-crab creature thing would kill him first, and he'd be just another useless corpse.  The hunter gave a slight nod at her command to be ‘respectful’ while there.[color=ed1c24]  [I]Respectful?  Oh that'll be hard,[/i][/color] he thought, making a small chuckle. [color=ed1c24] “Just as long as I can still piss with the thing I think I'll be good.  Haven't used it for anything else,”[/color] he said, giving a small smile.[color=ed1c24]  “But sure I'll refrain from spitting at anyone I see, would that work for you?”[/color]

[color=808000] "Don't you have goats?"[/color] asked Ang,  looking at Mat as though she was seriously concerned for him.  Before shaking her head and letting the rest of the trip be travel in near silence until they approached the castle.