Hex

Father of Earth and Heaven,

I call thy name.

Around me the smoke and shout of battle roll.

My eyes are blinded

by the dazzling flame.

Father, sustain an untried soldier's soul.

Life or death or what ever be the goal.

In this, we beg.

For the sake of Jesus Christ,

our Lord.

Amen.

Who goes there?

Soldier.

Stay back.

Where are you heading?

I have been travelling--

Have you seen battle today?

It's a dull day for the enemy.

It is.

It is.

Have you eaten?

I have food to spare.

Should I break bread with you?

Round head.

My quarrel is with your king, not with you.

Than you shall have a quick death.

Coward!

Round head!

Show yourself!

We have sinned against thee

because we have forsaken the Lord.

Now deliver us

out of the hands of our enemies

and we will serve thee.

Why do you wait?

I'm not used to that look.

What look?

The look of a man ready to die.

You shouldn't be so certain.

Have you seen many of our outcomes?

You might miss.

At this range?

It might jump.

Wet from the rain.

It was under cover.

And you still haven't pulled the trigger.

You see, every second you wait

is another chance you give me.

It matter not.

Neither of us will leave this place alive.

Something ungodly lingers here.

You must remember.

At the church?

I remember you hiding like a mouse.

Surely you heard them.

You fear murmurs and apparitions more than steel?

I fear what I saw.

And I saw her.

Will you not be a man and the pull the damn trigger?

It would be a shot wasted.

When she comes,

we will need every chance we can get.

You stabbed me.

You stabbed me in the back.

She's out there.

Must be a night prowler.

It is her.

Wild dog or stag would make noises.

It would not approach the flames.

Denying the Devil's work

will not make it disappear.

This must be an animal.

Tis a creature.

But not one of this earth.

A witch.

She found her way into your mind.

Into your dreams, didn't she?

She will seek to confuse us.

Poison our minds with fear.

She may even

take control of our bodies.

So that we turn on one another.

She is coming.

Enough of this.

Who goes there?!

Come back.

Come back.

Can't you see?

After last night, we know what she's capable of.

Crafting symbols and mind games

will not stop me walking out of this forest.

I told you what I saw.

Perhaps she is too deep inside your head.

You underestimate her.

We survive together.

The battlefield awaits us both.

If we should meet in combat, I will repay your charity.

With a quick death.

Sir, I fight for king and country.

How did you come to be here?

I pray thee,

speak to me.

No.

You.

No.

Forgive me.

What must we do?

The forest is hers.

While she has control, we will never find her.

You must bring God back to this land.

The church.

We bless the church,

we track the witch,

we do what needs to be done.

Destroy it.

Leave the armour.

Wait here.

Kneel with me.

What now?

Welcome God Almighty back into the forest

and into our hearts for protection.

Be strong in the Lord

and in the glory of his might.

With him,

his wisdom and strength,

he hath council and understanding.

Let us try our ways.

Find mercy of the Lord.

What is it?

If her visions torment you

then embrace God.

Your mind will be cleansed of all demons.

I can not.

Why not?