Hello, everyone! This is the first chapter (And Prologue) of my Fanfic for the Witcher! In fact, it is actually my first Witcher Fanfic! It will be set in the DLC Blood and Wine, using the Storyline and characters, as well as my own character who I've worked on for a bit. She will be the Protagonist of this story, which I'm pretty excited about.
I'm a pretty big fan of the Witcher and have been for a few years now, I've read the first Novel "The last Wish" and loved it, and have also played all the games, Witcher 3 is actually one of my Favourite games of all time. I plan on reading all the novels in the franchise, and am kind of mad at myself for not doing it sooner haha
Anyhow, I hope that whoever reads this will enjoy it! I would love for you to leave a review or Pm if you do in fact like this little chapter, or have any opinions at all! I love seeing things like that, it's good to get feedback! Thank you for stopping by, and I hope you all have a lovely morning/day/night!
PROLOGUE
Toussaint, a vast vassal duchy of Nilfgaard. The rich and beautiful land of fables, a land of love and wine … is ever expanding with peoples of all ethnicities and homes, for word travels far. Tales of courageous Knights errant following their moral codes, protecting and helping those in need, extravagant fashion, and arrays of colors adorning citizens wherever they go. Exquisite wine, made from unbelievable vineyards.
Beauclair the capital of the evergreen province, filled with minstrels, Lords, and baronesses, handsome heroes waiting for a damsel in distress, and all things magical, never could one think of such soil to be soaked with not wine, but blood. However, blood on its soil is what brings a certain Witcher to the peaceful kingdom, for a beast haunts the public, a monstrosity threatens the lives of common folk …
A monster of great power and evil has arrived in the fair city, and no one but the White Wolf can stop it. Or perhaps, the offering of love could save the land of Blood and Wine from the Beast of Beauclair …
AUBREY DE LA SAVANT
The sun had just awoken to illuminate the land; buildings and structures echoed shadows and vivid colors of light. Birds twittered and tweeted, amongst the green trees.
She couldn't help but fixate her concentration down on the streets of Beauclair, as she leaned heavily with fatigue against the stone railing. People were now just leaving their houses, whilst some were already working hard, strolling or trotting to their places of work, markets, and merchants setting up their stock. After sneakily watching the citizens of the city, she adjusted her beige blouse under the leather belt that held countless herbs, potions, and scrolls.
'Aubrey,' The demanding yet polite tone grasped her utmost attention as she spun quickly to focus her attention on the Duchess. 'I am glad you could make it on time, I sincerely apologize for bringing you here at such early hours of the morning, however, we have important matters to discuss.'
'Your Grace, you need not apologize, I am always at your service.' Aubrey replied with great respect, bowing her head, initiating dark blonde strands of hair to fall from a lazily done up do. The Duchess smiled in appreciation, walking to the left of Aubrey, watching her people with great pride yet guilt.
'My friend, you know you are permitted to call me by name when it is just us … anyhow, that is not what I wished to discuss. My people are in grave danger, and as you have heard, I requested for the Witcher's help to resolve this danger we face … his arrival should be quite soon I hope, for I sent my best Knights to find him.' Her eyes leaving the city, reaching Aubrey's brown ones, 'However, we cannot wait any longer. You know this city better than even I. You have great Knowledge Aubrey, and that is why I must ask for your help.'
Aubrey paused at her Leaders words, a wave of excitement rustling within her. Her large eyes opening wider, no longer tired and deprived of sleep, but as awake as the sun.
'Of course, Anarietta. I will do anything you ask of me.'
'I am pleased with your eagerness my Dear Aubrey, but I am worried you will lose that once you hear of your task. I want you to investigate the city, every single nook, and crevice, being and object. Even the dead. We need a lead, two have died, two! In the time span of but a week!' Her index finger and thumb, supporting the fact, 'Never have we had such a tragedy, they were honorable knights, the manner of their deaths horrendous, despicable! Whoever or whatever did this needs to pay with their head … we need a lead, something reliable; and we will not find one until the Witcher arrives. If you could find some form of information … it would be immensely acknowledged. Am I wrong to say you and the Witcher are rather well acquainted?' Anna Henrietta asked softly, with fidgeting hands. Aubrey smiled with remembrance, for she is much more than acquainted with the Witcher, a close and dear friend would be a better description.
'Yes, yes we are. He is a good friend, I suppose you wish for me to aid him with his task? I will do so with honor, I desire to stop this monster too. My full attention and best efforts will be invested to find a lead by the time Geralt- the Witcher arrives. I promise you, Anna.' She spoke quickly, going to her lady's side, with a warm smile. The Duchess nodded her head in satisfaction, her wild chestnut curls bouncing.
'Thank you, Aubrey. I knew I could count on you, I trust this will not interfere with your research too much?' Aubrey relieved a small and swift chuckle, signaling to the world outside the tall elven columns and tracery.
'My research is Beauclair, it will be the opposite of Interference, not that I will be solely doing this for my benefit of course. I truly want to stop this madness, but it wouldn't hurt to take note of the architecture and what not, haven't been outside of Hauteville in years, it'll be compelling to see how the rest of the city fares.' She spoke with genuine interest and intrigue, causing Anna to simper at her friend's scholarly traits.
'Of course, well I should not keep you from your work. If you have any questions, or perchance answers … I will be either here or at the tourney grounds. Good luck Aubrey, I trust you will gain significant clues from the disaster at hand.' With the last nod from Aubrey, Anna left the tower, her royal gown trailing behind.
'Hmm, Geralt where are you? Not like him to be late.' She muttered silently to herself with somewhat worry, peering once again out to the beautiful city that she spent the majority of her life studying. The bustling and traffic of people growing frequently as the sun continued to rise in the clear sky.
With a sigh, she twisted away from the intricately designed barrier, following the path Anna took. Her large doe eyes greedily taking in the structural layout of the castle she had walked through thousands of times before, managing to discover some sort of mark, flaw or purity upon the smooth stone.
Through hallways, constant exedras, and ogival archways, Aubrey acquiring frequent nods; from a large spectrum of the Duchess' personal guard, servants and colleagues, she finally reached the grand opening that led to the royal gardens. The royal gardens, where many of her herbs and plants grew and lived; the same herbs and plants she used to mix and create concoctions. The concoctions made for testing a variety of building materials and surfaces; testing their durability and age, their history and story. Concoctions made to protect such materials from the corrosion of time, and dangers of the environment. The recipe for such elixirs and chemicals were a family secret, only written on a single piece of parchment, and so she the last of her heritage, continues to keep hidden the ingredients. Many have attempted to create similar elixirs but to no avail … the thought causing a smirk to form on her small lips.
She could give it away, and she would if she ever became tired of her role within the court of Beauclair, however, she could not ever fathom losing interest. It was in her blood, it's her destiny to be the scientist of architecture, the scientist of more specifically; Aen Seidhe architecture. She helped plan and scaffold new and innovative buildings, she studied the old ones and theorized on materials lost in time. She was also a scholar by trade, taking interest in all things not human … elven, dwarven, halflings and even "monsters". Often thought to be far from human as well, for she was an "odd" one, not "normal" and most steered clear of her.
The second thought, applying a frown on her brows while busying herself with the watering of plants. The sun burning into her tanned skin, as she stooped backward, grasping the edge of her blouse and tucking the soft fabric tightly into her belt once more. With a loud sigh, she left the small colorful garden, clumsily sprinting down steps and slopes, the echoes of her boot heels loudening every step.
Her mind set on finding Damien de la Tour, captain of the ducal guard. She liked him, perhaps not the most scholarly man, but he was kind to her, reasonable most the time and he would be a great help for her small investigation before Geralt finally arrived in the city. Her steps correlating with her breaths, as she used her memory and theories on where the captain could be. Soon, her mind drifted to darker thoughts, as she saw many knights gathering flowers, heading to the graves of Crespi and Ramon du Lac. Each guard and knight filled with sorrow, igniting a sense of deep sadness within Aubrey. Two elderly knights murdered in a manner she had never heard of before.
After a time of light sprinting through gardens, corridors, rooms, and huts; she finally caught sight of the large captain, standing with a group of his men, an expression of anger and shock. His eyes catching her just as she reached the outskirt of their circle.
'Aubrey de la Savant, I am relieved you're here. Another victim has just been found … a noble man we believe. His remains were found by a fisherman of the Cockatrice Inn. We just received word for guards to be sent.' His voice stern and somewhat revealing stress as his men cleared a path for Aubrey. Her eyes wide and lips shut tightly.
'What do we do? How could it happen so quickly?' She spoke with shaky breaths, staring up at him. Heaving a heavy sigh, his armor clanked with force as he walked slowly to the balcony facing the beautiful mountains. The Cervantesa pass.
'We kill the beast … we find it and we kill it. Even if it takes all our knights and guards. Her grace briefed me on your mission Aubrey, you are to help track this creature down.'
'Sir, I agree, the beast should be stopped, however, we do not even know who or what it is, where it's from and what its motives are. I promised to put all my effort in tracking it down, but … I believe we should wait for Geralt to arrive before any drastic action is made.' She said quietly, noticing the Captains disagreement, his jaw locked in place. Amber eyes meeting her face.
'We do not need his help. I wish her Grace would have listened to me, we need to take action now! Beauclair is in danger, and the longer we wait, the more time we lose. And time is something we can't and will not lose, this degenerate being will pay! Aubrey, you must help us, go now, and find any information before it is too late. Men, escort Lady Aubrey to where the corpse was found! Make haste!' His anger shining through his facade of calm, Aubrey nodding her head with obedience, deep down, however, she couldn't disagree more.
'I'll be back soon, I just need my equipment, good sirs.' She answered the guards' silent question, as the Captain stormed off. All with raised eyebrows expressed their neutrality as she sprinted in the direction of her office.
8***8
Digging through her broad leather chest of chemicals, glass bottles, scrolls, and envelopes, she finally pulled out her most prized possession. The metal, vibrating vigorously as it came into close contact with her potions. The Witcher medallion she had found in an excavation not too long ago, the school of the Wolf. A lone witcher corpse, well a skeleton that is, twin swords made for a monster slayer by its side, beneath the destroyed elven structure; Termes. She could sense some form of magic within the structural debris, and came to a conclusion that the witcher was either on a contract, or there on his own personal expedition.
Sliding the necklace over her head, it hanged with grace from her neck, the wolf with growl fierce and angry, rattling every few moments as she sauntered over to the elven sword suspended on a weapons stand. The hilt a pale color, the blade with a sharp and agile curve. She tested the quality with a few swings, the steel flying through the air, cutting the particles with swift whooshes. The runes installed within the metal, glowing a vibrant blue. Another artefact she was proud to have found. With an acute clip, the sword sustained a position below her belt, swaying gradually with every move she made as she ran out the door with a cloak, in the direction of the guards.
Whatever was going to happen, she would face it with courage and valor just like the knights. She was born and raised in Toussaint and so she would show this monster what it means to affront Toussaintois, however, she would show it that with courage and valor, comes the strength of compassion …
8***8
They headed North-East, all ten of them atop their loyal steeds. Their destination the Cockatrice Inn, no talk or chatter was made during the majority of the trip. Just complete and utter silence of words, only the intense galloping of hooves and disarray of dirt and gravel could be heard ringing in her ears.
She kept her eyes to the front, sensing the thick and nervous atmosphere as they rode on their path. The guards just ahead of her exchanged a few looks of gloom and ordeal, but she decided to pay no mind to it. They seemed frightened and so was she, what were they going to see? She'd never witnessed a murder victim before and so far, hadn't planned or desired too. Her heart pounded noticeably against her chest, but she wouldn't let it get to her. Courage … have courage.
They bypassed many vineyard vines, replete with profuse amounts of workers, sweating beneath the hot Toussaint sun. She lost all concentration when she saw them working, she was entranced with how focused they were and how they seemed to ignore the group of guards following the path near them. Why aren't they worried? But then she remembered, nothing much happened in this land, little to no conflict, no war ever corrupted their soil. Maybe it's best they don't know too much.
Soon, they reached the cobblestone and rather decaying bridge of the Inn, Aubrey stayed patiently perched atop her stallion, as the guards spoke with the fisherman who had found the body, he seemed to be a lover of talk, igniting impatience amongst much of the group, soon however, he was directing them to the meander. It was only then, she could remark that nearly all eyes strayed over that exact spot, where the fishing nets waited for a catch, where she could see an object caught within a net upon the sand, the sight sending shivers of disturbance. It was him …
She had to distract herself and fast, soon deciding on using her time on observing the architecture of the Inn.
Moss and greenery grew on the structure, adding a charm to it she thought kindly. Although the history and age seeped through the sturdy walls of clay and brick, it was beautiful and she couldn't help but fall in love with the Inn. Someday, a more peaceful day … she would visit and study it more carefully, use her tools and elixirs on it.
'Men! Lady Savant,' She smiled kindly with a tinge of humour, as the leading guard whispered her name gently, just after practically screaming, 'We are to investigate this- uh crime scene, please do not … or at least try not to sabotage any evidence, we will need it for further information. We are to carefully and when I say carefully, I mean it … we are to carefully traverse the body to Corvo Bianco, and before you ask, it is no longer a Vineyard but a temporary morgue. DO not waste time, for I have done that by just talking! Let us go!' Some of the men laughed quietly to themselves, while others like Aubrey, moved their heads in understanding.
The fisherman stood beside the commander of the group, signalling for all to follow.
And with that, Aubrey slowly left her saddle, boots touching the ground with little noise compared to the rattling of iron armour. The team of guards, a fisherman and scholar began walking hesitantly under intense stares, ready to do their job. Ready to do the Witcher's job.
'Geralt, I'm going to slap you for this.' She mumbled faintly to herself.
8***8
She sat pale and with no colour, her back slouched over as tears stung her eyes. A guard pet her on the back, standing close as to block her vision from the body. She had vomited soon after they pulled the quartered, rotting and stench ridden corpse from the net.
'I am so terribly sorry, I-I'm not cut out for this …' She choked, hand working quickly to wipe at her lips.
Abel, the young guard with black hair, kneeled down to her eye level, yet the soft pressure of his hand on her back never declined. 'It is fine Miss, this is not something any of us were trained for …' They both glanced at each other, he gifted her a warm smile, relieving some of the disgust and fear she had felt previously. She sighed a thank you, as his eyes reached the wolf hanging atop her chest.
'A Witcher's medallion, wherever did you find such a thing?' He asked in pure curiosity, as the guards continued on their work to place the corpse of Count de la Croix on a cart which sat in a large wooden boat. She smiled at his question and true interest, something not many people gave her.
'An old elven ruin, many years ago. I found it there, along with many other artefacts.' His eyes seemed to lighten up at her statement, before she stood abruptly in shock. Aubrey, gasped in surprise as she saw a hand floating atop the river, she ran swiftly not taking mind to the yelling behind her form.
Splashes upon splashes was a common sound as she trotted through the water, grasping the hand without a second thought. She was drawn to the sight at first, so strangely drawn to it, as if it were a magnet. The hand a sickly pale colour, severely amputated, yet warm and lively. She wasn't disturbed for some odd reason as she settled knee deep in water, studying the hand with an intricate and well-crafted ring adorning the ring finger.
'What are you doing? Are you crazy, woman?' The cry of a guard startling her from the trance, her brown eyes finding a small crowd of the guards watching her with concern. She frowned profusely, as one snatched the hand from her, moaning in disgust, and that is when she blushed with extreme intensity, becoming flustered to the point she had to look away.
She had just run through muck to get to a hand, a hand that had been chopped from an arm … what had got into to her?
'You will stay here … see if you can find more evidence, you seem to have a good eye,' Another man, with a distinct accent and moustache, demanded slowly, no emotion showing. They had the fisherman help push the boat through the wet sand and dirt, soon leaving Aubrey completely alone, as the fisherman decided to head back to the Inn.
Her form entirely still, as careful eyes grazed the site. Junk, fishing equipment and pure rubbish that had followed the rivers current, lay on the shores. She did not touch much, thinking better of it than to mess or lose any helpful evidence the Witcher may find.
'Geralt! I'm not going to slap you… I'm going to wring your neck!' She huffed and puffed, fidgeting with her leather belt. She shortly found herself, flat on the sand. Her backside sat upon the grainy rocks, she took the time to feel the heat of the sun, to breath in the fresh air and scent of flora.
And that is when it hit her, after numbly watching a bottle float by, she realised that the current must have brought the hand and body! She rose rapidly, kicking up piles of sand.
If she backtracked the flowing current, sooner or later, she would find the murder site! She would have to; a smile grew large on her lips. Her mind flew past the idea that maybe the murderer could be there, but she had no time to develop weariness over it. She promised her Grace, she would find something before Geralt arrived; she always kept her promises.
