"Damn it, why won´t it fit …?"
Thalia tried desperately to cram another book into the saddlebag.
Only after she had unpacked and rearranged its entire belongings, she managed to fasten the belt without the danger of it bursting open again.
She had intended to take only a few personal things with her, even her travelling wardrobe was limited. However, she found it hard to choose the right books she needed for her work. She had already packed some instruments and alchemical substances in the pockets that the packhorse was supposed to carry – ingredients that she probably would not find in Aedd Gynvael.
At the very bottom of her saddlebag rested the prototype of the "Fire-Crossbow", as one of her colleagues had called the metal construction on which Thalia had been working for some time on behalf of the Academy. If she was to finish her research faster than expected, she could use the remaining time she'd spend in the north to further develop the device.
It was already late, and Thalia knew that she was supposed to get some rest for tomorrow. But she was too excited to even think about sleep. Even the lavender broth she liked to drink before bed hadn't changed that.
In a few hours, she would set off on a week-long journey, two guards and a witcher as her only company. When the mutant had suddenly faced her in her laboratory, she had to control herself as to not let her fright show. The gruesome facial injuries of the huge man immediately caught everyone's eye. His strong stature also made him look scary and intimidating. The conversation with him, however, had revised her first impression. Again and again her thoughts drifted away to the moment in which she had touched the Witcher's hand. His skin seemed to radiate a kind of vibration that left a soft, pleasant tingle at her handshake. She had never heard of such a phenomenon. Maybe this was a peculiarity of the witchers? She had to ask Shani about it ...
"Knock, knock."
Thalia turned around. Shani stood in front of the open door to Thalia's chamber. "Well, that's a coincidence. I was just thinking about you."
"Are you packing? What are you up to?"
"I'm going on the expedition we talked about recently."
"You want to travel yourself?! I thought you were only looking for a witcher to get you the ingredience and prepare everything for the experiments here at the university ..."
"That's what I planned at first, but ... I have to make sure that the poison can be extracted in a high concentration and I can only do that if I process the glands right away. I have to extract the liver enzymes before the ingredients decompose. In Aedd Gynvael I can work in Miro's laboratory. He has already answered my message. And with a bit of luck, I'll return with useful results as soon as the mountain passes are passable after the winter."
Shani looked at her questioningly. "Miro? Do you mean Miroslav Kajczak? He lives in Aedd Gynvael now? I did not know that this funny little owl got so far to the north. Is he still devoting himself to ... what did he call it? 'Making substances that move consciousness to higher levels of perception'?"
Thalia sighed. "Probably. But I don't really want to know if I'm being honest. Perhaps I also want to prove with this trip that I have not become the `unworldly laboratory witch´, many people consider me here at the academy. Maybe I want to prove it to myself ... But now, knowing I'm leaving tomorrow, I'm afraid my courage'll fail me."
"Thalia, there's so much more to you than most people see. There's no need to prove yourself. To anyone."
"I know, but ever since Gregor died, I've been hiding in the lab, barely hearing anything about the world around me and just plunging into work. Do you know how long it has been since I last accompanied an expedition? Three years! And that one only lasted for four days.
Shani, if I really should get the professorship - and I say if, because I honestly don't really expect that I'll succeed - then it means that I probably won't get to see much in the next few years except the faculty.
I want to see a few parts of the world. Even if it's just the road to Kaedwen ... " Thalia smiled sadly. "Maybe a few weeks on horseback will help me finish with the past and clear my head. And the journey will be good for my body too. Besides, this thing is too important to be left solely to a witcher."
"So you found somebody for the job? What impression did he make?"
"Strangely, a good one. I had expected that such a mutant would be repugnant, but at second glance, he was actually quite nice. A master Eskel from the School of the Wolf."
"Eskel? Geralt told me about him once. As far as I can remember, he is an old friend of his. I'm glad you've come across someone trustworthy."
"Yeah, it could have been worse ... Tell me, Shani, when you touched Geralt - did you have some kind of tingling sensation on your skin? I can hardly describe it ... "
"Tingle? No. I had butterflies in my stomach, if that's what you mean ... " Shani grinned mischievously.
"Oh, stop it. That's not what I meant."
But Shani was right, she was lucky that she found a witcher for the job.
One who seemed to have a good reputation, who was experienced and was able to formulate complete sentences. And he seemed to have fairly good manners. Traveling in the company of a dumb ruffian would've certainly been anything but a pleasure. And she still had the two guards from the faculty to protect her.
In a few weeks she would be working again in a lab in Kaedwen - not quite as comfortable as hers at the university, but a lab nonetheless. A little adventure on the way would be a welcome change.

The next morning Eskel led Scorpion into the courtyard of the campus, where four horses were already bridled and saddled, waiting for the departure. The saddlebags were bulging, and a variety of laboratory equipment and instruments were lashed on the packhorse's back. The three riding horses, two of them brownish and one with a milk-white coat, were not so heavily loaded, but you could hear the clinking of bottles, which were stowed in the saddlebags. The alchemist had apparently cleared half a lab and stashed it in her pockets.
She stood aloof from the two guards and talked to an older man, who was apparently also a scientist at the Academy. He wished her luck and gave Eskel a slightly disparaging look. The two guards also scowled at him, with the larger of the two men not even trying to hide what he thought of the witcher. His companion, a slender, wiry man of medium height, seemed more interested than repelled, eyeing Eskel's swords on his back and the crossbow attached to Scorpion's saddle as he passed. Thalia said goodbye to the man in the gown and approached Eskel with a smile.
"Good morning, Master Witcher. This is Olbertz " - she pointed to the taller guard who was already mounting his horse - "and Jonas." The man greeted him with a nod.
"We're ready to leave," she continued. "Do you think we can make it to Rawia today?"
"We should be able to if we only have a short break at noon today. But we have to keep a tight pace - I hope you're used to longer rides? "
"I can handle that, do not worry." Thalia smiled and turned to her horse, a well-groomed white mare wearing the crest of the alchemical faculty - a red ermine cross - on her saddle. Eskel watched from the corner of his eye as she climbed into the saddle a little bit awkwardly. Apparently she was not a very experienced rider.
This journey ought to be interesting ...

Thalia rode just behind Eskel across the bridge, heading for Novigrad Gate, followed by the two guards.
In the light of day, the witcher seemed … different than yesterday in the soft light of the laboratory. When she welcomed him Thalia had clearly seen his yellow cat's eyes, the pupils in the sunlight constricted to slits.
The scar, covering almost the entire right side of his face, reinforced the dangerous impression - like a predator that was ready to attack at any time ... But what did not fit in at all was the witcher's kindness and his dark but gentle voice.
As she rode behind him, she could see the two swords on his back - why two? Were witchers fighting with a sword in each hand? The hilt of the right sword looked odd, unlike any swords she had seen so far. But Thalia had never really been interested in weapons, if anything she was curious of the materials that could be used for durable alloys.
The witcher silently rode in front of her until they passed the Novigrad Gate. Then he tightened the pace, apparently expecting his companions to adjust to him. Thalia spurred her mare to a light canter.
Although she had confidently proclaimed her horse riding ability to the Witcher, she was very much worried that she wouldn't be able to keep up with the three men throughout the day.
It was showing that the witcher spent most of his time on horseback and their two companions were experienced expedition guards who had been accompanying explorers to remote sites for many years in the service of the university.
In any case, Thalia had packed a few ointments for sores. She did not want to embarrass herself in front of the men by slowing down the whole group.
Dean Bloomfeld had insisted on saying goodbye to her before the departure and wishing her success. Thalia was fortunate to have him as a supporter at the faculty. Without him, she probably would never have come so far in the hierarchy of scientists in Oxenfurt. She had already said goodbye to her colleagues and friends at the academy last night. Most were surprised that she accompanied an expedition herself - and even one that consisted of only a handful of people, and therefore was at greater risk of being attacked by bandits. Or even worse ...
Well, you wouldn't have expected so of boring Thalia, she thought grinning. Although she didn't want to falsely accuse her friends. Most of them had honestly expressed their regard. Now all she had to do was get back safely, preferably with an effective antidote that would secure her promotion.

When the sun was at its zenith, they took a break off the path. So far, they had made good progress, had passed numerous small villages and farms. At a small stream, they refilled their caskets. Thalia took a long sip of the cool water. Even though the weather was quite pleasant to ride, the hours in the blazing sun had made them sweat. She was glad that she had opted for light riding clothes. Her downside had begun to protest against the saddle two hours ago, but now she had to endure. In a few days she would hopefully get used to riding again.
Olbertz and Jonas sat together on a fallen tree trunk and ate some of their provisions. The horses drank from the stream and ate from the grass that lined the water in lush greenery. The witcher had settled on a large stone and bit heartily into an apple. He had opened his shirt a bit and Thalia caught a glimpse of a silver medallion in the shape of a wolf's head, which lay on his chest. When he noticed her gaze, he pulled the left corner of his mouth slightly upwards. Apparently the only equivalent of a smile that was possible because of his damaged face.
Thalia felt caught and quickly looked to the side. She took herself a bun and a peach from her lunch bag and sat down on a stone near the witcher. He looked at her, pulled out the pendant of his necklace and held out the medallion so she could look at it. "The sign of the Wolf School," he explained.
"Sorry, I did not mean to stare at you," Thalia explained quickly.
"It's alright. I'm used to it."
Thalia smiled. Although she was embarrassed that her eyes had struck him, curiosity won - as so often with her.
"I have to admit that I've never met a witcher before you. The few things I know about the witcher schools I gathered from rumors. Along with the fact that Witchers are physically changed ... " All the questions that had been buzzing in her head since yesterday burned on her tongue. "Please excuse my interest in the profession, but how were these ... mutations evoked?"
The Witcher looked at her without responding directly to her question. Thalia was embarrassed - she had forgotten her manners and gone too far.
"Excuse me, I'm too curious. I'm sorry."
"No, no, it´s all right. There used to be many witcher schools in the world. But most of them are a remnant of the past and do not train youngsters anymore. There are only a few dozen Witchers left. And the mutations ... I cannot give you any details about that.
I can only tell you that, as children, we were exposed to a number of substances that have changed our bodies. We call this the 'trial of the grasses'. But the knowledge about that is forgotten - and that's probably for the best. No child should have to go through this anymore."
Eskel's voice had become quiet. He seemed absent-minded for a moment, but quickly recovered. "For an alchemist, a witcher would certainly be an interesting object of research."
"Oh, I ..." Thalia just wanted to justify herself until she noticed his oblique smile. He wanted to tease her? Alright ... "Well, I'd certainly love to examine a witcher's body..."
By all gods, had she really just said that?
The alchemist could feel her ears heating up.
She fervently wished for a heart attack. However, as her body failed to comply, she mumbled something about "have to check the saddle before we head on" and rushed off.
Hurriedly she went to her horse and pretended to control the strap of the saddlebags. Her brisk response had obviously surprised the witcher. Hopefully he wasn't thinking too badly of her now. It had not been her intention to embarrass him and herself with ambiguity. She took a deep breath and tried to clear her mind. This isn't too bad. A failed joke, nothing more ...
As Thalia stowed the provisions back in the saddlebag, she noticed a tingling on her wrist and turned her arm to look. There was a spider on her sleeve – as long as her finger, hairy and black. Thalia screamed and waved her arm quickly to shake off the animal. She succeeded, the spider disappeared in the grass.
Alarmed by her scream, Eskel was immediately at her side. "What's wrong, did you see something?"
Concentrated, he observed their surroundings with all his senses. Thalia sighed. Could this get even more embarrassing? Should she tell him that she saw a frightening creature in the undergrowth? No, she wouldn't lie to him after she had already shown such bad manners.
"There's nothing. I just got frightened."
"By what?"
Thalia sighed again. "Well, there was ... there was a spider crawling on my arm and I ... I'm a little arachnophobic," she explained, slightly embarrassed. The witcher raised his eyebrows. "And ... is the beast gone or should I take care of it?"
"It´s all right, I've already scared it away. No work for a witcher for now ... " She smiled sheepishly.
Eskel's expression changed suddenly – at first amused he now seemed suddenly serious and highly concentrated. Thalia frowned in confusion.
"Please step over here slowly. Do not turn around and avoid any rapid movements."
Eskel took one step back, then another.
"What is it? Is there something behind me?" A touch of panic seized her, but Thalia did as she was told, stepping forward, her heart pounding.
"Olbertz and Jonas, please step back as well. Go to the grove of trees over there."
Out of the corner of her eye, Thalia saw the two guards fleeing their place on the log, heading for safety. By all gods, what did they see behind her? A beast just waiting to jump at her? Why didn´t she notice anything?
By now, she and the Witcher were several meters from the source of danger. Eskel seemed to relax slightly as they reached the edge of the clearing.
"Alright, you're safe here. Stay behind the trunks, I have to take care of something ... "
Thalia looked around and peered intently to the spot where she had been standing. She couldn't see anything except a few shrubs. One of them looked strangely spiky, but she had thought the plant a bolax plant. Wait - The "plant" had moved - but there was no breeze. The spikes seemed to weigh! The thing was alive!

Eskel had since returned to the Echinops. The creature became more and more nervous, the spines began to move in a wave. Eskel casted the sign Axii to prevent the hedgehog-like, almost meter-tall creature, from shooting its spikes. If Thalia had just stepped back, it could have ended badly. The Echinops stopped moving. Eskel drew his silver sword.
Echinops were not really aggressive, but an angered specimen could be very dangerous. And it was sitting right here, where travelers often took to rest - the risk of someone being fatally injured was too high. Eskel took a swing and struck the echinops in two with a mighty blow, right where the head was well concealed in the spiked garb. The animal died without pain.
Behind him, Eskel heard Thalia gasp - apparently she was not used to such sights. He cleaned the sword with a cloth and put it back in the scabbard. Thalia had approached him now, her eyes fixed on the carcass. "What was that, Master Witcher? An Echinops?"
"Yes, it was. It can shoot its spines up to ten feet if it feels threatened. These spines break off when they invade a body. The tips continue to move slowly until they hit a sensitive organ."
Thalia stared at the dead body as she realized the danger she had been in. And they were only a few miles away from Oxenfurt. She began to believe that this expedition probably hadn't been her best idea...

Just like before they took rest, Eskel preceded, the alchemist following him at a distance. The two guards rode behind them, as they liked being by themselves. Eskel could hear them talking to each other about past expeditions, which the two of them had accompanied for the university. Olbertz seemed to be the more experienced one and told some stories that seemed to impress his colleague Jonas. Eskel continued to listen to the man's boasting until it bored him.
What puzzled him was the woman who rode only a few steps behind him. Her conversation at the rest had surprised Eskel - in several ways. He was surprised about himself that he had so willingly told her about the witchers´ school. He heard Vesemir's voice in his ear, preaching to him and his brothers over and over again, to keep the knowledge of the witchers to themselves and never to initiate anyone into the practices of the school. And then he simply told a curious alchemist about the trial of the grasses ...
Granted, she was quite charming and seemed embarrassed by her own curiosity. So he had tried to use this embarrassment to tease her a little. However, he still did not know for sure what to make of the retort. Fortunately, she had kept her nerves at the Echinops threat.
But this spider situation ... An arachnophobic alchemist on an expedition to find crab spiders. Eskel grinned.
This expedition was getting interesting...