I

(The page is one panel, view of the city. Renart and the other guards in a corner, small compared to the buildings around them.)
RENART : Come on ! We're late on our rounds.
JEAN : Renart, you're into your third week already. You are allowed to slack off now.
RENART : That's not how I do things and you know it.
JEAN : These boots are killing me. Slow down !
(Renart slows down with a frown.)
RENART : We really must hurry.
JEAN : What for ? Nothing ever happens in this town. Ah, back in my father's day, things were more lively...
GUARD 2 : Yes, we know about the revolts.
JEAN : The revolts ! Cutting down peasant after peasant in the name of the lord. Our own little crusade.

(Renart grimaces.)
RENART : I'd rather not cut down peasants.
(Jean doesn't seem to hear him.)
JEAN : If only things could get this fun again.
GUARD 2 : Come on, we've got enough trouble as it is. Since the lord declared that hunt, the people have been jumpy...
JEAN : With reason. The witches are among us.

(Marguerite floats around)
CAPTION: Where am I ? Everything feels cold and sharp.
Wasn't I home a second ago ? Wasn't I safe ?
(Marguerite in her home)
(Marguerite going into town)
(Marguerite meeting the peasants)
(Marguerite getting beaten up)
(Marguerite's lifeless body)
No. This isn't me. I REFUSE.
I can't be... no.

CAPTION : My brow, bleeding.
My eyes, open and unfocused.
My chest, unmoving.
I am dead. Yet here I am.
Is this hell ? Is this it ?

(she floats around the guards, during some lines she grabs them, yells in their faces)
GUARD 2 : The woman's dead.
JEAN : No. A witch. I told you.
CAPTION : I am no witch.
(He uses his foot to roll her onto her back and points to a birthmark.)
JEAN : I've heard about her. My wife saw her sneak off in the night of Samhain to join the devil and his kin.
CAPTION : From your looks, your wife couldn't distinguish a toad from a man...
JEAN : Got what she deserved, she did.
CAPTION : I heal your wounded and ill but I deserve death ?
GUARD 2 : We need to have someone look at her. Find the people who did this.
CAPTION : I ask only for justice

Jean stops his fellow guard.
JEAN : Didn't you hear me ? She's a witch.
CAPTION : A HEALER.
RENART : Jean, she's dead and--
JEAN : And what ? A dead wasp still stings. She may curse us still.
CAPTION : Perhaps I should. Perhaps I should give all of you UNGRATEFUL men what you deserve, too...
RENART : Jean, we can't do this. We'll get in trouble.
JEAN : And what would you have us do ? Give her justice ? Bury her ?
The whore of Satan chose her fate.
CAPTION : NO. I WON'T ACCEPT THIS.

(she tries to grab Jean but falls into Renart's body, he faints, falls to the ground)

(Renart wakes up in a bed, in the guards' barracks.)
JEAN : You scared me out there, Renart.
You didn't faint because of the witch, did you ?
(Jean sits on the side of the bed, hands him a cup of water.)
RENART : I'm not sure. I don't know what happened.
JEAN : Well, you're new at this. You'll have time to get less squeamish.
MARGUERITE (inside Renart's mind) : MONSTER.
(Renart looks surprised, puts a hand to his forehead.)
JEAN : Are you all right ?

RENART : Hmm. Yes. Perhaps I'm just tired.
MARGUERITE : COWARD.
RENART : I'll rest some more. Thank you.
JEAN : Right. I'll go.
Just... Tell me if you need any help, okay ? I'm there for you.
(Renart lies back on the bed.)
RENART : Thank you, Jean.
MARGUERITE : Are you scared yet ? You should be. Aren't I a big bad witch ?
(Renart close his eyes.)
MARGUERITE : I KNOW YOU HEAR ME, LITTLE GUARD.

(The entire page is just one panel of Renart in bed on his stomach, trying to ignore her voice. Marguerite floats above him as a spirit.)
CAPTION : I am not mad.
MARGUERITE : You may not be, but I am.
CAPTION : This is not happening.
MARGUERITE : I truly wish it wasn't.
CAPTION : Magic isn't real.
MARGUERITE : Then why am I dead ? Why am I here ?
CAPTION : She's dead.
MARGUERITE : Yes, I am. I'm dead and you refuse me justice.
CAPTION : The witch is dead.

(Later, Renart wakes up. He waits a few seconds, then seems relieved.)
MARGUERITE : Did you think I was gone ? I'll stay with you. I wish it could have been your friend instead, but you men are all the same, aren't you ?
(He tenses up.)
MARGUERITE : The least you could do is answer me, you vile---
(He gets up, puts on clothes.)
MARGUERITE : Where are you going ?
(He storms out the barracks.)
MARGUERITE : If you tell anyone, they'll call you a witch, too.
They'll turn on you as they turned on me.

(Renart stops in front of a church.)
MARGUERITE : Oh, I haven't been in one of those in a while.
(Renart steps into the church, spots a young priest.)
RENART : Father Louis !
LOUIS ; Oh, hello Renart. What are you doing here ?
MARGUERITE : Is he your friend ? He's cute. For a priest.
(Renart blushes a bit.)
RENART : I, uh, I just felt like stopping by.
LOUIS : I see. Sit down, Renart.
(They sit down side by side on a bench.)
RENART : Father, do you believe witches are real ?

LOUIS : Ah, is this about the one that was found today? Jean told me.
MARGUERITE : I AM NO WITCH, I'm a simple healer---
RENART : Do you think she deserved her fate ?
LOUIS : I do. Witches consort with Satan and spread his lies.
MARGUERITE : Never met the man myself. I heard he's charming.
RENART : So would I not be punished for this, Father ? For refusing her justice ?
(Louis is surprised.)
LOUIS : Punished ? By our lord, Renart ?
RENART : By THE Lord.

(Louis puts a hand on Renart's shoulder.)
LOUIS : "Thou shalt not permit a sorceress to live". No crime was committed.
RENART : But "thou shalt not kill", Father. I did nothing and killed her as surely as if I was the one to strike the blows.
MARGUERITE : Nice of you to admit it.
LOUIS : This only applies to people, Renart.
Witches trade their humanity for dark powers. She killed the woman inside her long ago. There's nothing you could have done.

RENART : I'm afraid, Father. Afraid I might have been cursed by the witch.
(He gets up as well.)
LOUIS : Perhaps you need to go home, Renart. Back to your wife. Rest and pray, and you'll see you were not cursed.
RENART : How do you know ? How do--
LOUIS : I sense nothing foul about you. You are pure as always, Renart.
MARGUERITE : HA !
RENART : I... Very well. I'll go.
LOUIS : I'll see you soon.

(Renart walks around.)
MARGUERITE : You didn't believe him, did you ?
I'm no witch.
Healing isn't witchcraft. I'm just like your doctors.
I wish this didn't have to happen. I did not ask for this.
But perhaps God is giving me justice. Revenge. You did not stand up to the other guard, after all.
You wouldn't even put me in the ground and let me rest.
RENART : Shut your mouth, witch !

MARGUERITE : Oh, I knew you could hear me !
Oh, you and I will burn this town to the ground--
RENART : You'll do no such thing. We're leaving.
MARGUERITE : Excuse me ?
RENART : I shall leave the town and atone for my sins until God forgives me and rids me of you.
MARGUERITE : Good luck with that.
RENART : Unless you leave on your own, that is.
MARGUERITE : I can't. I truly can't.

RENART : Perhaps if you try really hard ?
MARGUERITE : Perhaps if I... No !
You are no better than he is ! No better than they all are !
I saved so many of you. And my mother before me !
And this is how I am repaid ? Beaten to death and not laid to rest ?
How can you do this to me ?
RENART : I didn't--
MARGUERITE : But you did ! All of you back-stabbing bastards !
And now I'm stuck here with you. I just wanted to be left alone.

RENART : We could... work together ?
MARGUERITE : How much of a doormat can you be ? I mock you, haunt you and you want to work together ?
No ! This isn't how things go !
I WILL HAVE JUSTICE IF I HAVE TO TAKE IT FROM YOU.

RENART : How will you do that ?
(she doesn't answer)
RENART : Do you suppose you'll find those who beat you ? Do you even remember their faces ?
(still no response)
RENART : You have no plan at all. And you can't leave me.
I'm doomed, aren't I ?

CAPTION : He slips into his home at night, packs up some things.
“Brigands in the forest”, he pretexts to his awaking wife. “I'll be gone for a few days.”
In truth he expects to be dead by then, or driven mad.
The witch ignore him still. It's almost like she's not here.

CAPTION : “Why me ?” he asks himself.
Always tried to be a good man. Never drank, never beat his wife, never told a lie.
He prayed hard and he prayed honestly. How did God permit this ?
And how was a dead witch not in hell ? How did the spirits walk the Earth and haunt men ?
He enters the night, shivering. His questions are unanswered.

CAPTION : He's right.
I have no plan. How could I have one ?
I can make fun of the guard all I want and drive him mad. Kill us both in the process.
But I can never be laid to rest.

CAPTION : (Renart) : Where will he even go ?
(Marguerite) : I have no place in the world.
(Renart) : There must be a way. Get rid of the witch, come home.
(Marguerite) : There's no way for me to find peace.
(Renart) : He's terrified. His own world turned upside down on its foundations in a day.
(Marguerite) : I can only feel rage. How could they do this to me ? How could they betray me so ?
(Renart) : Perhaps God will find a way.
(Marguerite) : Perhaps God doesn't give a damn.









































II


(Dream sequence. Marguerite smoking some stuff with Ambrose, Renart is a sort of spirit.
He's behind them at first, looks around.)
MARGUERITE : Ah. I needed that.
(Renart shakes his head, he's in front of them now.)

AMBROSE : Take some when you leave. It should last you a bit.
MARGUERITE : Oh, thanks love. Should we leave some for the others ?
AMBROSE : Ha ! Hopefully they'll bring other things.
Makes the rituals flow more easily.
RENART : Not a witch, eh ?

(Switches to reality. Marguerite floating above Renart, sleeping in the woods.)
MARGUERITE : Are you awake ? I heard noises in the bushes. We should check them.
RENART : Did you smoke herbs with some horned man ?
MARGUERITE : How do you...
RENART : I saw you. You lied.
You ARE a witch.

MARGUERITE : How is smoking with horned men any proof ?
RENART : Don't take me for a fool ! He spoke of rituals !
MARGUERITE : Great ! I'm a witch ! Brand me, why don't you ?
RENART : Then this must be a consequence of your magic. What have you done ?
MARGUERITE : Nothing ! Do you think I enjoy this ?

RENART : Well, you aren't burning in hell. This is at your advantage.
MARGUERITE : I'm merely a healer. I don't deal with death, life and spirits. I wouldn't know how to.
RENART : Perhaps you got help. There are others, aren't there ?
MARGUERITE : Do you truly believe I would ask my coven to do such a thing ? Why would I even plan for that ?
RENART : Your coven ?

MARGUERITE : Our group. We meet up, at times. Even us pariahs need others.
RENART : Would they know of  "death, life and spirits", as you say ?
MARGUERITE : Some would. But if you think of going to them for help, I won't--
RENART : You won't what ? You're merely a parasite. I decide what we do.
MARGUERITE : I was right. You men are all the same.
I won't let you !
(during that argument, they get “physical”, as in Marguerite tries to grab him. She finally does so.)

(Renart's attitude changes, he seems more feminine. When he speaks, it's Marguerite's voice)
MARGUERITE : Oh my god.
I'm alive ! I can feel !
I thought I'd never feel this again.
(Renart is a spirit like she was, floating around her)
RENART : WHAT'S HAPPENING ?
I CAN'T MOVE
I'M NOT IN CONTROL

MARGUERITE : Okay, okay.
I'm going to go home. I'm going to find the people who did this.
RENART : Don't you DARE do this with my body, WITCH !
MARGUERITE : My name's Marguerite. And you're in no position to be rude.
RENART : Please, Marguerite. You can't do this.
MARGUERITE : Don't beg me, guardsman.
Begging never works.

(one big illustration, POV of someone walking towards them, they can't see Renart)
TEXT : “Bandits in the forest”, he whispered to his wife. And yet there are only two people in this forest : him, and myself.
I was right to be worried, wasn't I ? He's lost it. It was the first time he'd seen death up close ; it changes a man.
I remember my first time. 12 years of age, a weak, feminine brat, I hid in my mother's skirt and sucked my thumb.
She coughed, she bled, she fell, she died. And I was a man.

(Renart turning towards him, hatred in his eyes)
TEXT : “Don't be frightened, it's only me. I talked to your wife.”
Renart does not answer me. Why do his eyes burn so ?
“There are no bandits in the forest, are there ? It's okay. I understand you wanted to be alone.”
He walks towards me now. I can't suppress a shiver.
“But you'd feel better with my help, Renart. I know what it's like.”
“YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING!”

(Renart and Jean fighting)
TEXT : I'm almost proud of him. Finally he is a man : whole in his body, strong, brutal.
“Renart, let's go ho--”
And then I look closer. My friend, covered in my own blood, and his eyes do not waver.
WITCHCRAFT.
“Did she do this to you ?” My voice breaks. I was wrong.
“You did this to ME !”
The dead wasp still stings.

TEXT : He (She) will kill me
I WILL SAVE HIM
A crusade for Renart.
I WILL COME BACK FOR YOU
And kill the witch for good

(Renart on his knees, hurt on the ground)
MARGUERITE (as a spirit again) : By god…
Renart ?
Renart, I can’t get back in. Are you badly hurt ?
(no answer from him. She waits for a panel, then floats closer to him, watching him)

MARGUERITE : I’m sorry.
RENART : Liar.
This is all you want. Violence. Death.
It’s what you’ve been given so you give it back.
(Marguerite remains silent)


RENART : Did you enjoy it ?
(She looks away)
RENART : I bet you did.
(Renart lies on the ground on his back)
MARGUERITE : We must heal you.
RENART: With magic ? I refuse.
MARGUERITE : It ISN’T magic.
(he closes his eyes)
RENART : This is all so absurd.
Do what you wish. It doesn’t matter any more.
Nothing does.

(Marguerite pointing at herbs, a wounded Renart following her and gathering them)
(panels show herbs being picked. Smaller panels. Colours. Something Quitely-like.)

MARGUERITE : Crush that one first. This one you only need the flower from.
RENART : And now ?
MARGUERITE : Now you just put it on the wounds to help with the healing process.
RENART : What ? No rituals ? Incantations ?
MARGUERITE : It isn’t ma--
RENART : Yes, all right.

(he applies the mixture, Marguerite watches him from a few meters away)
MARGUERITE : I didn’t mean for this to happen.
(Renart continues applying the mixture)
(all the next panels focus on Marguerite, closer shot each time)
MARGUERITE : I just wish I weren’t dead. I wish I weren’t here.
(she lowers her eyes)
MARGUERITE : I can’t feel anything. I almost can, but it’s out of reach.
The sensations are gone and yet my soul remains.
(expression changes to anger)
MARGUERITE : And I think of all the men who’ve caused this. They drink, they screw, they FEEL. They live.
The world goes on and I can’t stop any of it.

(Renart pauses, looks at Marguerite who’s now crying)
RENART : Marguerite ?
Marguerite, if you help me find your coven, I’ll give you justice.
MARGUERITE : Why would you ? I’ve hurt you.
RENART : And you’ve been hurt as well.
MARGUERITE : God, you’re so naïve and good. Why did it have to be you ?
RENART : Let’s help each other. It’s the only way out of this.
(he gets up as he says this)

(Renart walks towards her)
(he kneels in front of her, tries to grab her hand but of course he can’t touch her, goes right through her)
MARGUERITE : We’ll go north.
(she looks at him, stops crying)
MARGUERITE : North. That’s where the coven gathers.


III

(Renart walking in the forest, a house in the distance)

(he tries to be discrete, covers his face)
(a branch cracks behind him, he’s startled, turns around)
(turns again, Ambrose the bone witch stands right in front of him)
AMBROSE : Who are you ?

MARGUERITE : Ambrose ! Thank god.
(she floats next to Ambrose, seems to attempt to hug him)
RENART : My name is Renart. I need your help.
MARGUERITE : Tell him I’m here !
AMBROSE : Many men ask for my help. I couldn’t possibly give it to all of them.
MARGUERITE : Renart !

RENART : Can’t you sense your friend with me ? I don’t know how this works.
Marguerite. She’s dead. Haunting me.
AMBROSE : Dead ?
MARGUERITE : You could have been more gentle with it.
AMBROSE : She’s here now ?
I-- come in.

(in Ambrose’s house. Ambrose and Renart talking to each other, Marguerite floating in a corner)
AMBROSE : Witch killers, then.
RENART : Superstitious villagers, most likely.
AMBROSE : I can’t believe-- and she’s still here ?
RENART : Extremely so.
(Ambrose shakes his head)
AMBROSE : I can’t access her spirit without her bones.
RENART : I don’t know what they did with her body. I’d assume they buried her in a common grave.
MARGUERITE : Bastards.

AMBROSE : You say she possessed you ?
RENART : It was hell. I don’t want--
MARGUERITE : Please, Renart. I won’t do anything bad this time.
I just need to talk to Ambrose, figure this out.
RENART : You don’t understand. It’s terrifying.
(she floats closer to him)
MARGUERITE : They took my body from me, too. I understand.
Just a few minutes. I won’t hurt you again.
RENART : Damn it.
(Marguerite takes control)

(Renart floats next to them)
MARGUERITE : Oh, Ambrose.
AMBROSE : Marguerite ?
(they hold hands)
MARGUERITE : What happened to me ? Why am I still here ?
AMBROSE : I don’t know.
This shouldn’t be happening. Spirits don’t remain.

AMBROSE : Did you use any spell on your spirit ?
MARGUERITE : No ! I would never.
AMBROSE : Then someone else did.
MARGUERITE : Who ?
RENART : Must be a traitor in your coven.
MARGUERITE : The coven ?

AMBROSE : They’re the only witches we know. The only ones with access to you and your belongings.
MARGUERITE : Then we gather them. We interrogate them, and when we find the little RAT who did this I--
AMBROSE : We must be smarter than this. Renart is willing to help, isn’t he ?
RENART : Anything to end this.
MARGUERITE : Yes.

AMBROSE : The coven is down one witch. Renart will join us.
RENART : WHAT ?
MARGUERITE : It makes sense, Renart. It’s an excuse to gather the coven, have you talk to all of them, find the culprit.
RENART : I’m no witch !
MARGUERITE : Neither am I !

AMBROSE : He’ll pretend to be a healer. He’ll have your knowledge on hand.
(Renart on the floor)
RENART : How am I supposed to do this ? How will I find the traitor ?
MARGUERITE : You’re a townguard, you must have conducted your fair share of interrogations on witches.
(Renart, his face in his hands)
RENART: I’d only started the job three weeks ago.

(Renart on the floor)
CAPTION: Does it even matter anymore ?
Carried by the events like a raft at sea in a storm. Let the current take him further away from himself and drown him.
He never had a choice before. He won’t have one now.


MARGUERITE : It’s the only way, Renart. I’ll be here to help you.
RENART : Yes, you’ll be here. Always here.

CAPTION : There are -were- twelve of us.
(each person gets a panel. Have some Tarot-like representations that show things about them. 6 per page)
Ambrose, the bone witch.
(cat skulls and their spirits)
I was the healer. You will be the new one.
(Renart and Marguerite in spirit form, herbs around them)
Charlotte de Villepreux, the spirit witch. I’d suspect her if she wasn’t so weak.
(a frail woman, spirits around her)
Pierre is a priest.
(in priest clothes, a cross)
RENART : A what
CAPTION : He believes magic is divine in essence. To each their own.
Dauphine is a sigil witch. She founded our coven.
(middle-aged woman, sigils and books around her. She’s holding the hand of the woman in the next panel.)
Perette, the hearth witch, was Dauphine’s servant. How far she’s come.

Louise makes candles. Sells them, too. Right under everyone’s noses.
(a woman surrounded by magical candles)
Guillaume is an oracle. He might have had visions we could use, or he might see right through you.
(a large eye above his head)
His wife, Yolande, is a fire witch.
(flames around her)
Charlotte’s sister, Margot, is a white witch. Nice girl.
(white light around her)
Gregoras is a refugee from the Byzantine Empire. He deals with hellenic magic.
(a man surrounded with books and tools)
Sybil is a potion-maker from England.
(a cauldron, vials)

(Renart is back in his own body)
RENART : I won’t remember all of this.
MARGUERITE : You’ll meet them soon enough.
RENART: When ?
AMBROSE : In a week. It’ll be the next solstice.
RENART : Are we supposed to just wait until then ?

(Ambrose hands him a pipe)
AMBROSE : Wait, relax, plan.
(Renart doesn’t accept it yet)
RENART : You deal with bones.
AMBROSE : Yes.
RENART : And their spirits.
AMBROSE : Yes.

RENART : How do we know you didn’t do this ?
MARGUERITE : Renart !
AMBROSE : That’s a good question.
I certainly did have access to Marguerite’s body.
(Marguerite blushes)
You can’t know for sure that I didn’t do it. You should keep an eye on me.
MARGUERITE : I trust him, Renart. He’s my friend.
RENART : Jean trusted me.
(he finally accepts the pipe)

(Renart sits with his head down, Ambrose puts a hand on his shoulder)
CAPTION : Drown in it.





IV

(Renart vomiting in the bushes outside Ambrose’s house)
(Marguerite floating to him)
MARGUERITE : I’m sorry.
Will you be okay ?
RENART : I have to be.
(he stands up, eyes closed)

(walks to the house)
(opens the door)
(the entire coven is inside)

(Renart walks in, one large panel of the room as Renart goes through)
GREGORAS (talking to Pierre, the lettering should be particular, show he has an accent) : Interesting. I believe I have read something similar in
PERETTE (to Dauphine) : Should I make us some soup ? Or
CHARLOTTE (to Louise, holding a candle) : Mint. I like it
MARGOT (to Charlotte) : Shame it isn’t white
SYBIL (to Ambrose, Guillaume and Yolande) : It was difficult. Had to convince them to watch the shop
(focus on Marguerite)
MARGUERITE : I see the world keeps turning.
I should have expected this.

AMBROSE : Renart ! Join us.
(Renart looks anxious)
MARGUERITE : Stay calm. They can’t see me.
Perhaps they could feel me, but the agitation is too great.
I’m like a whisper in a noisy room.
RENART : H-hello.

SYBIL : Where did you find him ? He’s adorable.
AMBROSE: He came to me.
A lost man who’d just discovered his potential. He found his way to my home.
GUILLAUME : Fate, then.
I do see something about you…
(Renart sweats)
MARGUERITE : Don’t worry. Guillaume says that to everyone.
YOLANDE : It’s a shame about Marguerite.

(Marguerite looks down)
GUILLAUME : Poor girl.
SYBIL : Yes. Terrible.
(Marguerite frowns)
MARGUERITE : Did you see that ?
Did you see the LOOK on Sybil’s face ?
(Renart looks more anxious)
MARGUERITE : She was lying. I’m sure of it !

AMBROSE (lays a hand on Renart’s shoulder): We’ll begin very soon.
You should meet the others.
SYBIL : Nice meeting you, Renart.
MARGUERITE : Whore.
GREGORAS : Hello there.
RENART : Oh. Hello.
GREGORAS : I am Gregoras. (he extends his hand)
RENART : Renart.
PIERRE : I’m Pierre.
RENART : I was told you’re a priest.

MARGUERITE: Don’t start with that. There’s no time.
PIERRE : I am.
RENART : And you practice magic ? The other priests--
GREGORAS : Pierre is not like other priests you may have met.
PIERRE : I understand you may be uneasy, Renart.
A man with your talents is hardly popular with the clergy.
RENART : I- yes.
PIERRE : I trust my colleagues will see the truth eventually.

RENART : And which is that ?
(Pierre’s sermon is one large panel. Maybe no speech bubbles ?)
PIERRE : Magic is a gift of God.
Magic may harm, yes.
But are the waters devilish because they may rise and flood your fields ? Is the sun hellish fire because it may burn your skin on a summer day ?
Water quenches your thirst. The sun makes crops grow.
All things of nature are dual. Man gives life. Man kills.
It is up to us to tame nature. Bend it to your will, make it yours. Build a dam to contain the waters. Wear a hat to shield yourself from the sun.
Magic is no different. It is a savage thing, and you may tame it and make it divine.
GREGORAS : I do love your sermons.

(Marguerite in the background, Renart thinking, his head slightly down)
MARGUERITE : “Tame magic”. Pff !
You don’t control magic. It doesn’t serve you. You work with it and hope it lets you do what you want.
Not that I would know.
Renart ?
(he raises his head)
RENART: I understand.

(focus on Pierre’s smile)
PIERRE : I’m glad you do.
(he puts a hand on Renart’s shoulder)
PIERRE : Welcome to the coven, Renart.

(All of them sitting around a fire outside. Perette is serving something to everyone in bowls, she’s sitting next to Renart)
RENART : What--
PERETTE : Calm down. It’s just soup.
We can’t become companions if we don’t share a meal, can we ?
RENART : I-I guess we can’t.
PERETTE : A coven isn’t just a group.
We are one vessel for magic. It flows through all of us, and without each other we are nothing.
(Margot in the background frowning)
RENART : Soup’s good.
PERETTE : Thank you.
(Marguerite floating over someone’s bowl. Her face is close to it)
(the person drinks from the bowl and Marguerite seems sad)

(Guillaume is looking straight at Renart.)
(Renart adverts his eyes nervously)
PERETTE : You’re a nervous man, aren’t you ?
Do you feel out of place ?
(he nods)
PERETTE : This will pass.
You will be one of us now.
You never need to feel alone and weak again.
DAUPHINE : Don’t bore the young man with this, love.
Let him figure it out on his own.

(scene changes. People are standing, getting up. Renart is at a bit of a distance in the foreground, can see the fire over his shoulder)
AMBROSE : You will need to prepare a mixture for us.
RENART : I- what ?
AMBROSE : It’s part of the joining. It’s merely symbolic, use your magic, the coven will help you for the first time, and you’ll be one of us.
RENART : I see.
MARGUERITE (she looks tired and upset) : I’ll guide you through it.
RENART : Okay.
AMBROSE (touches Renart’s arm) : Take your time.

MARGUERITE : Gather the dew on this herb.
MARGOT : (hands the herb to Renart with a smile. Charlotte is standing behind her, glaring slightly) : Here.
MARGUERITE : The moss of this tree.
GREGORAS : Let me help.
(Gregoras and Renart scrap some moss)
(Sybil handing him some other things, Dauphine as well)
MARGUERITE : Heat it.
(Yolande starts a new fire while Louise sets down candles)

(Perette helps Renart put things in a cauldron and stir it. Marguerite watches.)
(Ambrose and Guillaume smoking)
PIERRE : Almost there, Renart.
Are you ready to join us ?
(Marguerite floats away)
RENART (off-screen) : I am.
(Show Renart. Marguerite is still visible a bit further away.)
RENART : I choose this.

(Ambrose makes him smoke, Sybil and Perette are pouring the potion he made into a vial.)
PERETTE : Keep this close. For the memory.
Welcome, brother.
(Marguerite again. She cries.)
(keep Marguerite in the foreground, from the back. Show the scene. Charlotte is looking in her direction.)
CAPTION : As he tames magic, he tames the waves.
It belongs to him as he belongs to himself.
(Renart smiling)

CAPTION : Dare he forget ?
(he sees Marguerite. His smile fades.)
He is not here to make friends and learn. He is not here for himself.
She remains.









































V


(they are standing in Ambrose’s home)
MARGUERITE : You had fun then.
RENART : Marguerite--
MARGUERITE : Taking my place. My magic.
RENART (smiling): What magic ? Is it not “healing” ?
MARGUERITE (angry): You--
You changed your mind quickly. Yesterday you hated magic, today you’re a witch !
RENART : This is new to me. I am getting used to this.

MARGUERITE : Like hell you are ! You come here pretending to help, steal all that’s mine !
RENART : You barely wanted it.
MARGUERITE : And you do ?
RENART : Maybe. Maybe this is what God has planned.

MARGUERITE : GOD ! HA !
Leave it to Him to guide you. Follow His plan, because you have none.
You’re just clay, Renart. Unmoving and lifeless, you let others shape you into whatever they need.
And you like it.

(Renart remains silent.)
AMBROSE (enters) : Renart ?
RENART : Yes. I’m here.
AMBROSE : You should come back. Mingle.
Marguerite can go around too, keep her eyes open.
RENART : I’m sure she can.
(he exits the shack)

CHARLOTTE (she smiles) : Talking to ghosts in there ?
RENART : No. Just… myself.
(close up of her cleavage. Collarbone and ribs stick out.)
CAPTION : His eyes drift down to her breasts.
Women rarely leave so much skin uncovered.
But things are different here, among the witches.
CHARLOTTE : I see. Well, Renart…
CAPTION : Her chest rises up as she breathes. There is a freckle there and he wonders if she has any others.
CHARLOTTE : If you need help with your spirits, I am here.

RENART : M-maybe later.
(he walks away, bumps into Pierre talking to Sybil)
PIERRE : Careful there !
RENART : I apologise.
PIERRE : Had too much to smoke already ? Perhaps you should sit down.
RENART : No, I’m fine. It’s been an… eventful day.
PIERRE : And a beautiful one.

(Ambrose sitting in the shack, putting stuff in a pipe. His cat spirits are looking at Marguerite)
AMBROSE : Are you still here, Marguerite ?
You seem to be. The cats are excited.
(the cat spirits are playing with her, she’s sitting on the ground, extending a hand)
AMBROSE : Renart seemed upset. I can understand.
I know how you are, my love. You must be very upset as well.
(Marguerite takes a cat in her lap)
AMBROSE : As much as you like to pretend you’re a loner, the coven means something to you.
It must break your heart to see it go on without you.
(Marguerite sheds a tear)
MARGUERITE : They barely seem to care.

AMBROSE : You mustn’t let this interfere with your goal.
One of them did this to you.
MARGUERITE : I’m powerless. Renart is my only way of interacting with the world. I’m forced to rely on him.
AMBROSE : There have been rumours.
Some peasants and guards in the forest. Looking for something.
(show Marguerite raising her head)
AMBROSE : There’s not much time. You can’t let Renart stop you.

(PoV of Jean, same style as during his fight with Renart. Prose and illustrations.)
TEXT : I lead them into the forest.
“Renart is gone.” I told them. “A witch took him.”
They trembled when they heard it. Sweat on their foreheads. Their hands gripped the edges of their coats tighter, the knuckles turning as white as their faces.
“We must save him. God help us.”
So we grabbed whatever weapons we could find. The few guards have swords. The young men, sons of farmers, carry scythes, hammers.
I am reminded of the revolts.
I only know them through my father’s tales. He would tell me of them when I asked.
“Father, what happened during the revolts ?”
“Some years ago, when I was a young man and a new soldier of our King, a nearby region’s lord demanded independence from his liege.
He had men, gold and guts.
But God was on our side.

(show the revolts, violent, bloody)
TEXT : There, covered in mud and blood, I was closer to his grace than I’d ever been.
Taking away the lives he had given. I was the hand of God, striking down those who spit in the face  in the King, leading us by divine right.
It was like all the stories before. I was Roland cutting Saracens in half. A knight, a paladin, a warrior of god.
It was the best day of my life.”

TEXT : Will I feel the grace of God when I find the witches who stole my friend ?
Will he stay my hand when I smite his enemies ?
Will I be his chosen warrior ?
I hope, and I pray. The Devil’s servants await.

(Renart and Pierre are sitting further away from the rest of the group.)
RENART : I understand your view on magic, but why join a coven ? Why take the risk ?
PIERRE : Because it lets me talk to them. The magic-users.
They need God in their life, too.
RENART (he smiles) : So you’re here to make sermons ? Convert them ?
PIERRE : If they ask me to. Otherwise, I do it more subtly.
RENART : What a strange priest you are !

(Charlotte is eyeing Renart from afar)
(Margot elbows her gently in the ribs, smiling)
MARGOT : Discretion, sister.
CHARLOTTE : Hmm.
(Marguerite’s face appears behind them.)
YOLANDE : He seems all right.
GUILLAUME : There’s something about him.

(focus on Pierre and Renart)
PIERRE : Get some rest. This meeting isn’t ending any time soon.
RENART : Thanks, Father Pierre.
(Pierre in the foreground walking toward the fire, about to join the others, Renart in the background)
(Marguerite passes Sybil)
MARGUERITE : Whore.
(floats to Renart, goes through Pierre)

(Renart is heading back to the shack)
(he’s now inside, Ambrose is sitting at the table, some bones are laid out)
RENART : I’ll take a nap, if you don’t mind. I’m exhausted.
(show Marguerite behind him in the background. Ambrose seems to be aware of her presence)
AMBROSE : Of course.
(Marguerite’s hand on Renart’s shoulder.)
RENART : Wh--

(Marguerite gets in his body, Renart appears as a spirit besides her)
RENART : How DARE you ?
We were supposed to work TOGETHER !
(he tries to grab his own body, but it does nothing)
RENART : NO ! You can’t do this !

MARGUERITE (walks towards Ambrose, who gets up from his chair) : I must take this into my own hands.
AMBROSE : You must, my love.
RENART : Ambrose, please !
(Ambrose hands Marguerite a sharp bone he takes from the table, she grabs it.)
(She turns to Renart.)
RENART : Please…

(Marguerite throws the bone and it pins Renart to the ground)
AMBROSE : Got him ?
MARGUERITE : Yes.
(she hugs him)
RENART (off-screen) : You’re making a mistake.
We could have done this together. We still can !
(on screen now) Marguerite please !
I’m really scared. (the lettering for this is different. Smaller, not exactly at the centre of their balloon, the letters are thinner)

(Marguerite and Ambrose look at each other)
(Ambrose kisses her)
RENART : My god.
MARGUERITE : Ambrose, this body--
AMBROSE : It’s fine. It’s still you.
That’s all that matters.
(she hugs him tighter and cries)
MARGUERITE : I’ve longed for your touch.

(Ambrose takes her hand, leads her to the bed that’s in this room.)
RENART : Marguerite ?
(he sits on the floor. The spirit cats rub themselves on his legs)
(keep showing Renart, the two others stay off-screen. Renart is horrified, tears run down his face, his eyes are wide. He’s powerless.)
AMBROSE : Take off your clothes, love.
It’s okay.
(Renart takes his head into his hands)



































VI


(Marguerite puts clothes on)
(she sees sees Renart sitting on the floor, the spirit cats in his lap.)
MARGUERITE : I didn’t plan for this you know.
I just… I was confused. Scared.
(Renart isn’t looking at her.)
MARGUERITE : I did this on impulse.
(Renart picks up a cat and hugs it)
AMBROSE : Come. Let’s leave him alone.
We have an investigation to lead.

(they exit the room. Marguerite looks at Renart as she leaves)
(Renart looks at the bone, tries to grab it)
(pulls on it, nothing happens)
CAPTION : The storm got to him.
The sea swallowed his body whole and here he is.
(the door opens slowly, sound effect)
CAPTION : Back already. Don’t look at her. She isn’t you.
(Feet in front of him.)
(the cats hiss at the person and leave Renart)

CHARLOTTE : Renart ?
(show Charlotte crouching to be at his level)
RENART : Can you see me ?
CHARLOTTE : I’d be a terrible spirit witch if I couldn’t.
(she grabs the bone and pulls it out.)
(Renart stands)
RENART : Then you saw Marguerite too.
CHARLOTTE : I did.
RENART : You are the betrayer.
CHARLOTTE : I am.

RENART : She’s looking for you. So was I.
CHARLOTTE : Are you still looking for me ? Will you tell her ?
(his expression changes, he’s visibly angry)
RENART : No.
CHARLOTTE : She’s been mistreating you too, hasn’t she ?
You poor thing.
RENART : Why did you do this ? You started it all.
CHARLOTTE : I know. I never meant for anyone else to be involved.
I wanted power. I wanted them to stop calling me weak.
RENART : What did you do ?

(show Charlotte reading a book)
CAPTION : I found a spell that was everything I’ve ever wished for.
I could bind a spirit to my own, subdue them.
Do you understand what binding a witch would do ? They’d be part of me. Their power would be part of me.
No more teasing and mockery. No more pity. I’d be strong.
I decided to use this on my tormentor. Marguerite. “Be careful the wind doesn’t blow you away, Charlotte !” “Don’t use up all your energy on this small spell now !”
She was barely part of the coven anyway. Nobody would miss her.
I used a lock of her hair. I told the peasants where to find a witch. She died and her spirit was mine.

CHARLOTTE : But it failed. I was too weak ; her spirit didn’t seek me out. She bound herself to you.
RENART : I don’t want her. Take her, please.
CHARLOTTE : No, Renart. She is part of you now and forever.
RENART : God---
CHARLOTTE : I can give you more control over her. The spell failed, but I can do it again. You can rule her.
RENART : For what price ?

CHARLOTTE : There is no price. I’ll give you Marguerite and the others.
They’re laughing at us out there, Renart. All of them, they laugh at our weakness.
RENART : You want to use the spell again ? On the whole coven ?
What about your sister ?
CHARLOTTE : I’ll be happy when that whore falls down from her pedestal.
I hate them all, you can’t imagine how much.
Bind them all to you ; I am too weak.
(Charlotte starts to take off her clothes)

RENART : I don’t--- some of them are good people--
(she reaches into a bag she brought)
CHARLOTTE : The shack has thin walls, Renart.
We all heard “you” and Ambrose.
(she takes out components for the spell, sits down)
CHARLOTTE : Would you like to know what they did when the first moans were heard ?
(Renart looks down)
CHARLOTTE : They all laughed.

(he thinks for a panel, then sits down)
RENART : What will happen ?
CHARLOTTE : We’ll be our own coven, you and I. And they’ll never laugh again.
(Jean’s PoV)
TEXT : I’m coming, Renart.
Your hero comes.

MARGUERITE : You’re looking down, Sybil. Care to talk ?
(an arrow is shot into Sybil’s shoulder)
SYBIL : Agh !
AMBROSE : Witch hunters !
JEAN : Renart ! I came for you !
MARGUERITE : YOU.
(Jean seems confused for a panel)
JEAN : The witch ! She possesses him still !

(Charlotte and Renart behind the door.)
CHARLOTTE (smiling): It’s like God made this happen.
Let them kill them all. Every dead witch is a spirit bound to you.
YOLANDE (as she makes the fire in the middle of their circle jump to some guards) : LEAVE US !
(some peasants catch fire)
JEAN : Beautiful.
(he grabs a makeshift spear from one peasant, throws it at her)
(the spear hits her in the stomach, pierces through)
GUILLAUME : Yolande !
(in the shack, one of the jars containing the spells lights up.)
CHARLOTTE : One.

(illustration shows the battle)
TEXT : This is it.
Blood flows from the wound and into the grass underneath the body. It falls to the ground, lifeless, her lover’s scream piercing the air.
Two peasants burn to death next to me as the others do battle. I don’t care ; I burn from within.
God, this is it.
The lover runs towards me, raging, and I decapitate him in a swift movement.
Others attempt to flee, before a shower of arrows pin their bodies to the ground. Perhaps they do not die immediately. I hope they suffer first.
Two women take each other’s hand and try to enter the forest. I strike those two hands first, cutting through the interlaced fingers, then I slit their throats. Blood sprays on my face. It is refreshing.
I feel the grace of God like never before ; my body is strong, quick. He lends me the strength I need to smite his enemies.
A man with horns who stood by Renart -the witch- is killed by another guard, sword straight to the stomach. He dies slowly at his -her- feet, and their eyes meet.
Renart’s scream is desperate. It comes from the guts, it is raw, primal. I have the guard restrain him, or her.
A peasant kills a woman with an unsure hand, stabbing various parts of the body nervously. I laugh at him.
I then see a man dressed as a priest. BLASPHEMY. I thrust my sword in this one’s mouth and angle it upwards. He looks at me as he dies, blue eyes turning to ice, and I feel nothing but joy.
The grass has turned red and the air smells of guts. This is my work.
I am the warrior of god.

(Renart, as a spirit, exits the shack.)
(in one large panel, he sees all the witches dead.
Yolande with the spear through her guts. Guillaume decapitated. Dauphine and Perette, their throats cut at the edge of the forest. His body held by a guard, Ambrose at his feet. Gregoras, Louise and Sybil are pierced with arrows as they tried to run away. Margot has been killed by a peasant who stands above her. Jean is still killing Pierre.)
(he floats to his body)
MARGUERITE (crying) : How did you-- YOU BASTARD !
RENART : My turn now.
(Renart grabs his body, and he’s in again.)
(Marguerite is no longer a spirit outside of his body, she’s confined to his head. Show the inside of his head, Marguerite in there, and all the others too)
MARGUERITE : What’s happening ? Why am I in here ?

RENART : I’m back, Jean. It’s me.
JEAN : Yes. I can see it in your eyes.
Let him go !
Renart. My friend.
(they embrace)
RENART (whispers): There’s a witch left in the shack.

(some guards drag Charlotte out)
CHARLOTTE : HA !
Let’s go, Renart. Take care of them.
RENART : Kill the witch, Jean.
The whore of Satan chose her fate.
JEAN : Gladly.
CHARLOTTE : No ! We were supposed to be a coven, Re--
(Jean slits her throat)

RENART (whispers) : There’s already twelve of us.
(in his mind)
MARGUERITE : Ambrose ? My love ?
AMBROSE : I’m here.
MARGUERITE : Oh god. I can’t believe this. I can’t.
Where are we ? What’s happening ?
PIERRE : Do you not see ?

MARGUERITE : Pierre ?
PIERRE : We’re in his mind.
(show all the witches in a large panel, chained in his mind, vertically, in rows going up on a sort of organic wall)
MARGUERITE : This can’t be happening ! It’s not happening ! It’s not happening !

CAPTION : The waters are calm now. He made it so, finally.
RENART (smiling) : Let’s go home, Jean.