The Witcher: The Black Dragon
Chapter 3
…
Kaer Morhen.
The sounds of steel clashing against steel rang out in the courtyard. Geralt pirouetted into a powerful strike that was blocked and was knocked back by a heavy boot. Even though Geralt had taken much harder blows from monsters, the strike still hurt and he moved back holding his sword in a ready stance, the flat of the blade resting on his left forearm. Geralt's opponent, Martin held his sword loosely in one hand, spinning it in lazy circles and a hint of a smile on his lips.
Geralt had to admit that for someone as young as Martin, he was an excellent swordsman. For every strike Geralt had made, Martin had a counter for it. The other Wolf School Witchers and Triss had gathered around watching the White Wolf and the Dragonborn spar for the past hour now, starting off with swords, then fists then back to swords. Geralt wasn't too tired but thin beads of sweat rolled down his forehead and Martin's silver-gold hair was damp with sweat.
"You're very good, you know that?" Geralt said to Martin as he moved forward to attack again and this time Martin met his attack.
"Thank you. I've worked hard to become so," replied Martin as he swung Blackfyre in a horizontal arc. Geralt ducked under the swing before leaping up to move behind him and deliver a strike of his own. But in a display of speed which wouldn't be possible for someone as large as Martin unless they were a Witcher, Martin spun around to block Geralt's strike.
CLANG!
Sparks flew as Martin's Valyrian steel blade collided with Geralt's Novigrad sword. The sparring partners then started to push against each other. Neither of them were giving in and they weren't about to now.
"Always so modest," Geralt joked dryly as he tried to push against Martin who only grinned ferally before suddenly moving back causing Geralt to fall forward. Geralt gracefully turned his fall into a forward roll before spinning on the ball of his foot and was standing back up again.
"C'mon, Geralt! I've got a hundred crowns riding on this!" Lambert shouted from the sidelines.
"C'mon, Wolf! Show that big bastard how a Witcher fights!" Eskel yelled out his own encouragement.
Vesemir and Triss watched on as the White Wolf and the Dragonborn clashed against each other. Triss had a look of concern on her features and Vesemir was evaluating Martin's swordsmanship.
"For someone so young, Martin is an excellent swordsman," Vesemir remarked. "Geralt hasn't been able to get a strike in," he added.
"That's because Geralt isn't using his signs," argued Triss. "If he used the Igni sign, or the Aard sign or even Axii, the fight would be over!" she said.
"Somehow I don't think Witcher signs would bother Martin too much," Vesemir countered. "He has that Voice of his, remember?" he pointed out.
"Yeah, he does," Triss agreed. "I wonder if he'd be willing to teach me?" she said to herself in a quiet thoughtful tone.
"The lad said that it takes years of training and meditation to learn even Word of Power, much less use it," said Vesemir as he heard those words from Triss's mouth.
"Well, it's a good thing Sorceresses are gifted with long life and eternal youth," Triss said with a smile.
"Well, if you really do want to learn from Martin, you'd best wait until he's finished with Geralt. It's been close to an hour now!"
"Yeah, they don't look like they're about to give in though," Triss said as she watched Martin and Geralt strike at each other furiously, their blades clanging and clashing against one another, the scream of steel on steel ringing in the air and sparks flying every time their blades collided.
"You sound concerned, Ms Merigold," Vesemir noted with a smile.
"Of course, I am!" Triss replied defensively a frown on her face.
"But for whom are you concerned for?" Vesemir asked slyly as he looked at Martin.
"I just don't want anyone getting hurt needlessly!" Triss said primly, not wanting to give away anything. Vesemir only cracked a grin at this and Triss looked away with a huff.
Geralt spared a look at his sword, the blade was starting to get notched and cracks were appearing along the blade. If this kept going, he'd have to get a new sword, one that could withstand the steel of Martin's own blade.
Martin having noticed the state of Geralt's sword as well spoke, "Do you want to stop and get yourself a new blade?" he offered.
"Not until I beat you!" Martin smiled to himself; a competitor at heart, he could understand that.
But seeing as how this had gone on for long enough, Martin adopted a more aggressive approach to end the fight. Striking even harder and pressing forward, Martin battered Geralt's sword from side to side before grabbing Geralt's sword arm and threw him to the ground and kicked the Novigrad sword out of Geralt's reach. Pointing the tip of Blackfyre down at Geralt's throat, Martin said one word.
"Yield!"
Geralt raised his hands up in acknowledgement of his defeat. Martin smiled before offering his hand to pull Geralt to his feet.
"I could murder a beer right now!" Geralt groaned. "You really gave me a run for my money!" he exclaimed.
"As did you," replied Martin before he picked up Geralt's steel sword and began to look it over critically. "Shitty craftsmanship… It's a wonder it lasted this long against me!" he said as he looked at the cracked and notched blade.
"Well, sorry I don't have as good a blade as you do," Geralt said. "Your sword is really something else," he added looking at Martin's sword Blackfyre in envy.
"I have some skill in smithing swords," Martin then said. "If you'd like, I can forge you one better than this piece of shit," he offered looking at the steel Novigrad sword in his hand disdainfully. "I can even forge you some armour," he added.
"Don't think I have the money to pay you for such things," said Geralt dryly.
"Did I ask for money?" Martin retorted and Geralt looked at him in surprise.
"You want to forge me a sword without asking anything in return?" Geralt said in disbelief.
"Yes," said Martin.
"Why?" Geralt asked.
"I just want to. I like to make things," said Martin.
"Well, we don't really have a working forge, only a grindstone to sharpen our blades from time to time," Geralt said apologetically.
"Give me a couple of days and I'll build a working forge for this place!"
True to his word, Martin had built a working forge within the span of three days. Everyone had watched as Martin ceaselessly worked on building the forge without even stopping to eat or rest. Lambert commented that Martin couldn't possibly be human and Geralt found himself agreeing with the younger Witcher's words. Eskel even said that his medallion vibrated a little in Martin's presence and whenever he was around Shadowmere or Odahviing for that matter. Geralt was certain that Martin was not a monster, but he wasn't human either, so what was he?
A day after the forge was built, Martin began to smith some swords for all the Witchers of Kaer Morhen. Lambert had expressed his doubt in his usual snide bitter way that Martin wanted to be paid for such services, but Martin had said that he wanted to do it anyway. All the Witchers were stunned by such generosity.
Martin then spent the whole day forging swords, both steel and silver varieties, for the Witchers and the end results were swords that would rival even the best swordsmiths of the Northern Kingdoms. The swords actually looked more like works of art than killing tools and when Lambert said that he wanted a sword that could cut a man in half, not something to dazzle them with, Martin used the steel sword he'd forged for Lambert and clove through a thick oaken bench in one swing. Lambert took the sword with a grunt of acceptance after that. The other Witchers then took their swords with a sense of pride in Martin's work, knowing they had weapons that could cut through men and monsters with ease.
When Martin had spent the day forging the swords, Triss spent that time watching him work with steady interest, fascinated by Martin's work. What was even more fascinating for the redheaded sorceress was the shirtless and sweaty young man hammering the hot metal.
Martin had offered to forge a dagger for Triss, saying to her that it was better to be armed than be unarmed. Triss argued that her magic was more than adequate to protect. Martin had said that there were times where magic could fail to protect the caster and that the dagger would be a last resort weapon should anyone render her magic useless. Seeing the reason in the Dragonborn's words, Triss accepted the offer of a dagger to be made for her and within a few hours, Martin had forged a neat and elegant steel dagger that fitted Triss's hand perfectly. Martin even offered to teach the sorceress some techniques on how to use the dagger effectively in combat. Triss accepted the generous offer and Martin then spent a whole day teaching Triss how to use the dagger he had forged for her.
Afterwards, Martin saw the state of disrepair Kaer Morhen was in and without even asking for permission, he'd set about fixing up the place. Once again, everyone was stunned by Martin's work ethic as he didn't stop for five whole days cleaning up the mess around the keep before eating some salt beef and sleeping a few hours before getting back into it again. Vesemir was beyond pleased that someone was actually taking the time to clean and fix the place. Melitele knows the old Witcher had been trying to get the other Witchers to help fix the place up. The old Witcher practically danced for joy when the rubble blocking the armoury was cleared out and the room swept clean and the weapons within cleaned and repaired and nearly cried with happiness when the roof beams were repaired or replaced with new ones.
Triss and the Witchers watched as Martin tirelessly repaired the roof of the keep. "How long has it been since Martin last ate or slept?" Triss asked faintly as she watched Martin do his work.
"It's been three days," Eskel replied watching Martin in fascination. "He can't possibly be human to do all this!" he exclaimed.
"What gets me is why he's doing all this," Lambert said. "He's got to be expecting that we'll pay him for all the work he's been doing around here!" he added suspiciously.
"He didn't ask for payment when he forged your swords!" Triss shot back giving the steel and silver swords over Lambert's right shoulder.
"I don't exactly trust the guy, Merigold!" Lambert sniped. "Nobody does these kinds of things without expecting something in return!" he added.
"Maybe Martin actually does it because he wants to help?" Triss suggested. "Did you consider that?" she accused.
"Look, Martin seems nice enough I'll give you that, but he's got to be expecting something in return for all that he's done here," Lambert replied. "And the fact he suddenly appeared in our world is a little suspicious for my liking," he said.
"Lambert, that's enough," Eskel growled sternly. "Martin's been nothing but honest with us, we should give him the benefit of the doubt," he said firmly.
"Just saying what I think," Lambert said. "Or have the Witchers taken that from me too?" he complained. Eskel sighed but didn't say anything to that. Nearly everyone in Kaer Morhen knew of the young Witcher's thoughts on being a Witcher and what most people thought of them.
"Well, I think Martin's doing all this because he wants to," Triss declared. "Maybe you should give him a chance, Lambert?" she said to Lambert.
"If he gives me a reason to trust him, then I'll give him a chance!" Lambert retorted as he stalked off. Triss glared daggers at Lambert's back as he walked off before she looked back at Martin who was just finishing repairing the roof.
"He does good work, doesn't he?" Vesemir said walking up to Triss and Eskel. "I haven't the place looking so good in decades!" he crowed.
"Well, there is the fact that Martin's barely stopped to eat or sleep since he started," Triss commented.
"Concerned for our new friend, aren't we?" Vesemir grinned and Eskel grinned as well as if knowing what Vesemir was talking about. Triss blushed a shade of pink before managing to give out a retort.
"Of course, I'm concerned for Martin! If you had stopped admiring Martin's handiwork, you'll know that he's barely stopped to eat or sleep! The last time he had any food or rest was three days ago!" Triss exclaimed.
"Well, that is slightly concerning," Vesemir mumbled. "But you have to admire what he's done to the old place," he said looking at the refurbished walls and rooves. "Melitele knows I've been trying to fix up the place myself for years, no thanks to anyone here!" he added with a glare at Eskel who merely shrugged carelessly in response.
"And then Martin comes along and does it all within a couple of weeks! It's astonishing what the man can do!" Vesemir then said.
"But if he keeps going like this, he'll die of exhaustion!" Triss yelled in disbelief. "I'm going to have Martin get some rest and food! Or I'll drag him off that roof myself!" she announced as she stormed off in Martin's direction.
Vesemir and Eskel chuckled as they watched Triss stomp off in the direction where Martin had just started fixing the masonry. "That girl's really taken a shine to our new friend, hasn't she?" Vesemir said to Eskel.
"It was almost like the first time she met Geralt," Eskel joked. "I've seen the looks she throws Martin's way since he showed up. If I didn't know better, then I'd say Ms Merigold had a crush on Martin," he said.
"Ah young love, reminds me of a time I met a young lass from White Orchard," Vesemir said nostalgically. "The way she looked at me when I first met her…" he added with a chuckle.
"Spare me the details, Old Wolf," Eskel said in mock horror. "I don't need to hear your debauched tales," he joked.
"Debauched? I could tell you tales of Witchers who would be more debauched than any of you lads today!" Vesemir laughed and Eskel joined in the laughter as they headed back into the newly repaired keep and decided to share some stories over some ale.
…
Martin grunted as he mixed some fresh mortar and slathered the grey grainy mud onto the broken masonry on the breach in the outer wall. Once the mortar was slathered on, Martin the lifted and placed the large bricks on before slathering some more mortar on top of them and repeated the process.
Martin's sharp sense of hearing caught the telltale thumping of a heartbeat approaching. "Yes, Ms Merigold? What can I do for you?" Martin asked without turning to look in Triss's direction.
Triss almost stopped in her tracks. "How did you… never mind, I don't need to know. I came to see fi you wanted any food or rest," the sorceress said. "You haven't had anything to eat, or any sleep three days ago!" she stated.
"I was busy," Martin replied as if it were no consequence. "I had a lot of work to do and I have plenty more to do," he said as he laid some more brick and mortar.
"That's no excuse to not take some rest!" Triss protested angrily.
"I will, once I'm done here," Martin said simply. Triss walked up to Martin and spun him around and looked up at him, her green eyes narrowing dangerously.
"You are going to take the next few days to rest, or I am going to do something that will make you regret doing all this work! Do you understand?" the sorceress said to Martin.
Martin grinned which only annoyed Triss some more. "And what can you offer to make consider taking the next few days to rest?" he enquired.
"What?" Triss spluttered.
"A threat isn't going to make me stop, so I need some incentive to stop," replied Martin. "So, what can you offer me to make me consider stopping for a few days?" he asked his amethyst eyes twinkling with mischief.
Triss gritted her teeth before saying, "Perhaps you would partake in a meal with me?" she suggested tightly.
"A meal? Is that all you can offer?" Martin said slyly. "Surely you can do better than that, Ms Merigold," he added.
"Well, I would offer you gold," Triss muttered.
"Actually, a meal with you would be perfect," Martin suddenly said as he put his tools down and walked over to a water trough and pulled off his shirt. Triss swallowed a lump in her throat as she once more gazed upon the acres of scarred and muscled skin. Martin didn't have as many scars as the Witchers of Kaer Morhen did, but the ones he did have made him look very appealing and the rippling muscles beneath the skin added the allure. Triss then tried to say something when Martin picked up the water trough and up-ended the contents over his head. Triss blushed a deep shade of red as the water rushed down Martin's body washing away all the sweat, grime and dirt off his body.
Martin then turned around to look at Triss, his silver-gold hair sticking to his head flatly. "Shall we?" he asked and Triss gave a startled little jump on the spot as though she had been caught doing something she wasn't supposed to be doing.
"O-of course! Let's!" Triss yelped and she started speed-walking towards the keep of Kaer Morhen ahead of Martin if only to avoid looking at the sight of a soaking Dragonborn.
"Sweet Melitele preserve me!" Triss whispered to herself as she quickly walked into the great hall of the keep. Martin followed in shortly after and headed to the room that he was given and dressed himself in some cleaner clothes before heading back into the great hall where he found Vesemir, Eskel, Geralt and Lambert all seated at a table drinking from tankards of ale.
"Gentlemen," Martin greeted cheerfully as he took a seat beside Eskel.
"Martin! Good to see you drag yourself away from your work, young Dragon!" Vesemir boomed hoisting his tankard of ale in a toast.
"Young Dragon?" Martin repeated in confusion.
"Well, because of what you call yourself, Dragonborn, a good title wouldn't you say?" Vesemir said as he took a pull of his ale.
"As good as a title gets," Martin said agreeing with the centuries-old Witcher.
"Damn fine work you've done fixing this place up by the way," Vesemir then said proudly. "I've been trying to get the lads to fix this place up for decades!" he added giving the younger Witchers a glare.
"Witchers slay monsters! They don't fix castles, walls and rooves," Lambert responded.
"Still, it's about damn time someone around here fixed the old place up," Vesemir said ignoring the young Witcher. "Haven't seen the place looking so good in decades!" he laughed.
"Well, since you've allowed me to stay here, I thought I might as well try to spruce the place up before it caves in," replied Martin.
"It's amazing what you've done so far," Geralt put in. "And although I've yet to test these new blades, you'd certainly make a killing as a swordsmith around here," he added.
"Yeah, perhaps you could go around selling your skills as a swordsmith?" Eskel suggested to Martin who looked thoughtful for a moment before shaking his head.
"Nah, I prefer to swing a sword rather than make one, but I can do both if need be," the Dovahkiin said.
"So, what brings you in here, Dragon?" Vesemir then asked. "Last I saw, you were fixing the breach in the wall," he said.
"Ms Merigold persuaded me to take a rest for a couple of days," replied Martin. "I would've kept going, but she offered to have a meal with me if I stopped for a while," he said.
"Merigold's been hanging around you an awful lot lately," Lambert observed casting a glance at Geralt who didn't look bothered by the comment. "Makes one think doesn't it?" the young Witcher added.
"Lambert," Eskel said warningly.
"What? I'm just saying!" Lambert said.
"I don't have a problem with Ms Merigold hanging around me all the time," replied Martin "I enjoy her company," he added honestly.
"As do others," Lambert grinned looking at Geralt who simply glared at him in response.
"Lambert," Eskel growled warningly.
Lambert got the hint and stopped talking.
"Well, I imagine Triss will be in the kitchen in right now," Vesemir then said. "Not sure how good a cook she is, tho'," he added.
"Then I'd best go help her," Martin said as he stood from his spot and headed over to the kitchens.
Geralt then looked at Lambert and said to him "Did you have to go and say that?" he asked the young Witcher.
"What? Everyone knows of Merigold's schoolgirl crush on you," replied Lambert. "And now that Martin's shown up, she's been hanging around him a lot more than she does you," he said.
"Triss is free to hang around whomever she pleases," Geralt replied. "Besides, I'm with Yennefer," he said with a smile.
"At least until you both get into a row and break up for the umpteenth time again," Lambert muttered under his breath.
"What was that?" Geralt asked.
"Nothing. Just chunnering to myself is all," Lambert said sullenly.
…
Martin found Triss in the kitchens staring at the hearth and the pots and pans.
"Need some help, Ms Merigold?" Martin asked in amusement and Triss gave a startled little jump on the spot.
"Oh! I'm sorry, I was just trying to think of something you would like to eat," replied Triss feeling a little embarrassed at how Martin sneaked up on her without her hearing.
"I'm more than capable of cooking for us both, Ms Merigold. I did it all the time back in Skyrim," Martin said as he walked over to the pantries and began to pull ingredients from them and collected some pots and utensils.
"But I wanted to cook for you! And stop calling me 'Ms Merigold'! I thought we were friends by now," Triss said.
"Very well then, Triss. Now, what would you like to eat?" asked Martin as he began to chop up some onions and carrots.
"Maybe some roast chicken, if it's not too much trouble?" Triss suggested. Martin's hands worked quickly as he started chopping and preparing ingredients with superlative speed and within half an hour, a whole chicken carcass was gutted and stuffed with bread crumbs, herbs, onions and bacon and the skin was rubbed in garlic and honey and put in the oven which was roaring hot.
Triss had watched as Martin worked in the kitchen astounded at how easily he navigated his way through it. "I thought most men disdained working in the kitchen," she said more to herself than to Martin. "Most men consider cooking a woman's work," she added.
"I'm not most men," said Martin. "Besides I don't have a wife to cook for me and I had to feed myself than live on salt beef all the time," he added.
"A warrior, a hero, a builder, a smith and now a cook? You'd make a good husband for some lucky woman one day," Triss said with a soft smile.
Martin looked at the redhead and grinned. "Are you offering, Ms Merigold?" he asked with a grin and his purple eyes glowing slightly.
Triss laughed and replied, "Maybe," she flirted. Martin walked up to her so that he was standing in her personal space. Triss felt her breath hitch in her throat as she Martin stood closely to her. It was times like this she realised just how physically tall and big Martin was; he towered over her by a foot and a half and his broad muscles made her feel tiny. She then wondered just what it would feel to feel the man's embraces.
Martin then whispered to Triss, "Perhaps I would marry someone like you?" he offered huskily. Triss felt her womb stir in lust and she felt herself blushing like a tomato. Why was this man affecting her so much with his presence and his words? She was a sorceress for Melitele's sake! She was schooled in the ways of magic and was skilled at politics to boot! She wasn't swayed by some charming words!
Yet, Martin's words did charm her and she felt herself enjoying them as much as she enjoyed watching him work. And his body… by the gods, that body! How long had it been since she last lay with a man? Triss couldn't remember the last time she slept with a man, since she'd ardently hoped that Geralt would notice. Triss knew she was beautiful or at least pleasing to the eye. All sorceresses were gifted great beauty upon completing their trials and earning their magic and Triss was no different.
But Triss was in love with Geralt the White Wolf. Unhappily so, she would admit, since Geralt was enamoured with Yennefer, but for another man to take an interest in her? It was astonishing.
Triss looked up at Martin, her mouth opening and closing as she tried to find the words to say something. Martin leaned down closer, his face inching towards when he suddenly stopped.
"Chicken's ready," he suddenly said, and he moved away leaving Triss dazed and dizzy and panting for breath.
As Triss found her voice again, it was taken away once more when the scent of roast chicken hit her nostrils and her mouth watered for a taste of sweet succulent meat. The scents of garlic and honey on the crispy skin of the chicken and the scent of onion, herb and bacon stuffing added to that delicious scent. Triss stomach rumbled loudly and she flushed red with embarrassment as Martin gave an amused smile.
"It must smell good if your stomach rumbled that loud," he noted.
"I haven't eaten since breakfast," Triss said in small voice.
"Well, there's still more to come, so can you hold on for a little longer?" Triss nodded reluctantly but she didn't have to wait long when Martin quickly prepared some gravy and boiled greens to go with the roast chicken.
Piling the food onto a platter, Martin then lead Triss out into the great hall where the others were still seated.
"Gods, what is that smell?" Lambert asked as his Witcher senses alerted him to the smell of roast chicken. "It smells good!" he exclaimed and his serpentine eyes caught sight of the roast chicken on the platter being carried by Martin.
"You cooked that?!" Lambert asked Martin as the Dovahkiin set the platter in the middle of the table.
"Aye. I do it all the time back in Skyrim," replied Martin as he laid out some plates in front of everyone.
"I never pegged you for a cook," Eskel remarked as he gazed upon the roast chicken and gravy with deep hunger in his viper eyes.
"It's not as if I have a wife to cook for me," said Martin as he took out a knife and began to carve off slices of the roast honeyed meat and places the slices on the plates in front of everyone. "I'm a single bachelor living alone," he added. "I had to cook for myself. Can't live on strips of hard salt beef forever," he then said.
"On that, I can't agree more, young Dragon," Vesemir rumbled as he took up a knife and fork. "But first a toast," he declared as he took up his mug of ale.
"To Martin!" the old Witcher said loudly. The other raised their mugs and repeated the words before eating the food.
"Gods, I haven't had food this good since I last went to Zerrikania!" Lambert said through a mouthful of meat and gravy. "And this comes a close second to what I had in Zerrikania!" he added as he took another bite.
"What brought you to Zerrikania?" asked Eskel as he bit a chunk out of a chicken leg with a groan of satisfaction.
"A contract on a manticore that was terrorising a local prince's fiefdom," replied Lambert. "Afterwards the prince threw a feast to honour my victory over the manticore," he said. "And the spices on those foods! I almost didn't take the gold afterwards the food was that good," he added.
"Ever tell you the time I took a contract in Undvik?" said Eskel.
"No, what happened?" Lambert asked.
"Ships were being wrecked along the coast. Thought it was just inter-clan rivalries if not for the fact that the bodies of the sailors were being torn up and eaten," Eskel said as he recounted the tale. "turned out, it was an very old water hag who had a brain between her ears and organised a bunch of drowners into a makeshift army and used them to attack ships," he added.
The next few hours were spent swapping stories with Martin sharing some exploits of his adventures in Skyrim.
"You charged into a vampire den alone?" Triss asked in horror.
"It was nothing I couldn't handle, otherwise I would not be here to tell you about it," said Martin.
"But, wouldn't anyone accompany you to watch your back?" Triss enquired.
"nah, the Companions trusted me to do it alone and the money was good," Martin said as he took a bite of his food.
"They did that? Just throw their recruits into dangerous situations like that?" Geralt asked.
"It's how we learned, training can only teach you so much," replied Martin as he took another slice of chicken and slathered some gravy on it before bringing it to his mouth and ate it.
The Witchers nodded as agreeing with what Martin said. Training was all well and good, but if you didn't put yourself into a dangerous situation every now and then, then you would stagnate in your growth.
Soon the meal was finished and Geralt sat back and breathed a deep breath. "Damn! Hadn't had food that good in ages," he stated.
"Well, I'm glad you enjoyed it," replied Martin as he sat back in his seat as well.
"I feel like a sylvan that's just an entire barnful of food," Lambert groaned. "I don't think I'll be able to move at all!" he declared.
"Well, I enjoyed the meal," Eskel said. "And it'll be a while before I enjoy another like it again!" he added.
"Going back on the Path, Eskel?" Geralt asked his fellow Witcher.
"Aye. Feeling cooped up in here, no offence to any of you of course," Eskel said.
"None taken, young Wolf," said Vesemir. "I've been thinking of heading out on the Path myself, put my new swords to the test," he added.
"Well, let me know how they perform," Martin said to the old Witcher. "I like to know if they work well at the very least," he added.
"Oh, don't worry, I've got the perfect test for them in mind," replied Vesemir. "The forktails in the Mountains needed to be culled back and I've been looking for an excuse to get back out on the Path for a little while," he said.
"Would you like any help?" Martin asked respectfully.
"Matter of fact, I could use some help," said Vesemir. "And no, I'm not getting old!" he then said glaring at the other Witchers. "I'd just like to see Martin's skills in actual combat firsthand!" he declared.
"I could come along too," Triss offered. "I'd like to see your Thu'um in action," she said to Martin with a smile.
"You're welcome to, Ms Merigold," Martin smiled.
"Back to calling me Ms Merigold again? You can call me Triss! I'm not some schoolteacher!" Triss snapped.
"Yeah. You're too pretty to be one," Martin joked and Triss laughed in response.
Everyone then began to head off to bed. Martin headed to his room and Triss followed him. "Well, Good night Ms Merigold," Martin then said to the redhead who nodded before she looked at Martin nervously.
"Something wrong?" the Dragonborn asked the redhead who blushed before leaning up to kiss him on the cheek before pulling and scuttling off to bed herself. Martin blinked and touched the spot where Triss's lips touched his cheek before smiling and headed off to bed to get some sleep.
…
TO BE CONTINUED…
A/N: there, the third chapter done and dusted. I'm sorry it took me a while and while this is mostly just filler with a bit of fluff thrown in, I thought I'd give you all something to look at to keep you all sated. No Ciri or Yennefer yet, but maybe in the next chapter they'll appear. Speaking of Ciri, some of you have said that you wanted Ciri to end up with the Dragonborn and if you had said that when I first started writing the story, I would've done it, but since I've learnt a bit more about the Witcher through the games, I've actually learnt that Ciri is a lesbian of you choose certain dialogue in her segments in Witcher 3, so unless it is confirmed that Ciri is bisexual or bi-curious, I think I'll have to pass on pairing Ciri with the Dragonborn. And to certain reviewers out there, I'm still learning about the Witcher, so if you really have a problem with how I portray characters like Triss, then find some other Witcher story, crossover or otherwise, that keeps characters in canon. There's no wrong thing with fanfiction (unless you count horrible spelling and grammar) and as fanfiction writers, we can do what we like with characters, so I do apologise with how I portray certain characters, but if you have a problem with it, then find some other story to read.
Okay, onto other things…
I'm working on a new story that is an Arrow 'verse (Arrow, Flash, Legends and Supergirl)/Skyrim/Game of Thrones/Mortal Kombat/Witcher crossover that is using one of my popular ideas, my Justice League of Amazons idea where Aegon the Dragonborn ends up in a DC 'verse where a virus has wiped nearly every male on Earth and you get the picture and I've set up a voting poll so you know what to do.
Also, I've been working on another story that is an alternate route to my Fallout/Game of Thrones story where Aegon Targaryen/Blackfyre ends up in the Mojave/New Vegas. It's an idea that's been bouncing around in my head for a while since I posted the first chapter of my Fallout/Game of Thrones crossover, but I'll hold off on it until I can get a couple of chapters out for the current Fallout/GoT crossover which might be a little while.
But anyways, I've talked enough. Leave a review if you liked what you read and if you didn't tell me what to improve or if you're just being abusive, there's the exit.
Best wishes,
Angry lil' elf.