Chapter 4:
The sound of two metals clanging against each other filled the courtyard. Harry was breathing heavily. He was way out of shape. However, he couldn't wipe the smile off his face. He was having fun. Seeing his opponent advancing on him once again, he readied himself.
"Wrong! You should have parried that attack. Your dodge put you in an unfavorable position," came the voice of Vesemir.
Harry wasn't paying him any attention though. He was focused on his opponent, Leo. Vesemir was right, the dodge had put him in an unfavorable position, which Leo was quickly taking advantage of. Harry smirked as Leo made his move, an action that did not go unnoticed by their audience - Vesemir, Eskel and Lambert. As Leo reversed his blade to quickly attack Harry before he could recover, Harry thrust his blade forward. Leo's blade was the first to reach, but Harry calmly batted the blade with his left hand. The blade never even pierced his skin. Harry completed his thrust and the tip of his blade rested near Leo's throat. He stayed in that position for a few seconds and the retracted the blade.
"That isn't fair," Leo complained, "You used magic to deflect my blade."
"Oh," Harry said with a smile, "Was that a rule? No magic allowed?"
"It is unlikely for your opponent to use magic, but not impossible," Vesemir stated, "There is an off chance that you will have to battle sorcerers, witchers and deadly monsters that utilize magic in close combat. You must be ready for this." Vesemir rubbed his chin and hummed as he thought of an example for Leo. "There was once this sorcerer, Vilgefortz of Roggeveen. Geralt fought him. Geralt was sloppy and he underestimated the sorcerer as they engaged in melee combat. Vilgefortz wielded a staff, no magic, and he wiped the floor with Geralt. He spared him at the end of their engagement and lectured him to never underestimate his opponent," Vesemir said.
He nodded at Harry, approving his use of magic. "You knew Harry was a sorcerer. Just because he was fighting you with a sword does not mean he wouldn't use magic to assist him. We witchers also use magic in the form of signs to aid us in battle," Vesemir continued his lecture.
"Yeah but I couldn't use any signs since I broke my finger yesterday," Leo pointed out.
"And Harry has no proper instructions in swordplay," Vesemir pointed out in turn, "You both had disadvantages and advantages. Harry simply utilized his better than you did."
"Don't sweat it kid," Harry said, "You're a beast with that sword. Couple of years experience in the field and you'll be giving Eskel and Lambert a run for their money." He patted Leo on the back reassuringly.
"Hah!" Lambert exclaimed, "Like that will ever happen."
"Harry's right," Eskel spoke up, "You're rough around the edges now simply because you lack battle experience. A few decades and you will be able to keep up with me. You are definitely above average in swordplay."
Vesemir nodded in agreement. He turned to Harry. "You have good reflexes Harry. I'm impressed. Not many sorcerers are in good shape," he commented. "Although, you stamina could use some work," he added with a smirk.
Harry frowned at that. He had tried to keep in shape over the years, but, his regimen was nowhere near as gruelling as it was during his auror years. "Yeah, I guess I better add some exercises to improve on that," Harry said.
Vesemir nodded approvingly. He liked the lad a lot, which was surprising. Vesemir got along with most people but connected with very few. Besides his fellow witchers, he could name only a few people he trusted. He had guessed that Harry was maybe a decade or so older than Geralt. However, unlike Geralt's stoic demeanor, Harry was upbeat. He played a few pranks on Lambert, told stories about his adventures to Leo, accompanied Eskel on hunting trips and drank alcohol with Vesemir.
Triss had mentioned that Harry was horrible in fights and didn't know many spells for battle. Vesemir doubted this. Just from watching him fight Leo he could tell that Harry had experience. A ton of experience. Harry only used magic at the end of the spar, but throughout it he managed to keep up with Leo. Leo was faster and stronger than Harry. It was only Harry's experience in combat that allowed him to even the playfield.
Further speculation was interrupted as he noticed Harry staring up at something. He turned and saw that Triss and Geralt were observing them while chatting with each other. He gave a nod to the duo and turned to face Leo. He motioned for Eskel to jump in and be Leo's sparring partner.
"Barely two days have past since they found you," Triss said quietly as she looked at the spar below them. Leo was fighting Eskel with renewed energy. His loss against Harry made him slightly angry and he was determined to prove himself.
Geralt hummed in agreement. "I owe my recovery to you and Harry," Geralt said, "Thank you, Triss."
"Do you remember anything yet?" Triss asked. She turned and walked towards the steps that descended into the training courtyard. Geralt immediately followed her.
"Not much," he said. "I know the moves: pirouette, parry, cut," he said as he kept his eye on the spar below, "But not much else." After a few more steps he stopped ahead of Triss and turned to her.
"I can't explain it, but I feel a bond when we speak," he said hesitantly, "I know you. I know you were important to me."
Triss felt her face heat up and a long forgotten guilt resurged. Geralt was an old flame. She had once tried to steal him from his then lover Yennefer, but that was a long time ago. "Geralt," she began tentatively, "We...Oh!" She was startled as a flock of crows appeared above the walls and cawed at them.
Geralt smiled at her. "You're easily startled," he commented in amusement. Triss said nothing, but glared at him briefly. Geralt sighed and moved towards the training courtyard. "I need to think," he said to himself aloud.
"Time flows slowly at Kaer Morhen," Triss said, "You should have plenty of time to recover." They finally reached the group of people.
"Aha! It worked!" Leo exclaimed and raised his sword in triumph. He had just executed a particularly difficult move.
"Not bad," Vesemir said, "Take some rest." He turned to Geralt and nodded at him. "What do you think Geralt? Is he ready for the Path?" he asked.
Geralt wasn't paying attention however. He had just seen Lambert exit the keep gate with a troubled look on his face. Geralt felt something was off as well. His instincts were telling him that danger lurked nearby. He raised his hand and motioned for Vesemir to stop talking. Vesemir, Eskel and Harry immediately straightened themselves and went on alert. They now noticed that Lambert was missing and were paying close attention to the gate.
A moment later, the sounds of a fight reached their ears. "Vesemir!" shouted Lambert, "We've got company!"
Harry immediately took out his wand and began tracing runes. He may not be a fighter anymore but he sure as hell could support his friends. The rune he was tracing could be applied to only one person at a time. It thickened and hardened the skin for a short duration. It was the same rune he used against Leo in their recent spar. A direct hit from a sword or knife could still pierce the skin, but glancing blows could be deflected.
As he traced the runes, he looked at the company around him. 'Triss first,' Harry thought, 'She is most vulnerable against close combat. After her, Leo, Geralt, myself, Vesemir, Lambert and finally Eskel.' He decided to leave Eskel for last since he was in the best shape and had plenty of experience. He moved to Triss and placed a finger at the nape of her neck. Triss frowned at him and silently questioned him with her eyes as to what he was doing. Harry ignored her though. He was working on the second rune and moving towards Leo.
Lambert came rushing through the gate at that moment. A horde of people were behind him. They were armed with axes and swords and roared a battle cry as they rushed after him. Vesemir immediately reached for the gate lever and pulled it as soon as Lambert came through. The portcullis came rushing down and almost speared a couple of the attackers. Unfortunately, a dozen of the attackers managed to make it through as well before the gate closed.
"Geralt!" Vesemir shouted as he drew his steel sword, "Grab a sword off the training forms!"
The fight was quick and brutal. Harry had been impressed with the witchers spars, but nothing prepared him for their ruthless efficiency in an actual fight. The five witchers quickly took care of the interlopers before Triss could finish casting her first fireball. Harry had prepared four runes as the fight took place. Once the fight was over, he quickly transferred the runes onto Geralt, Vesemir, Lambert and Eskel. Lambert made some noise about not needing any of his voodoo but a serious look from Harry immediately quietened him.
"How are you feeling Geralt?" Vesemir asked as Harry went about placing runes.
Geralt shifted his gaze and looked at his mentor and replied, "I'm fine."
"Anyone know who the intruders are?" Vesemir asked the entire group.
"Ordinary bandits would never attack Kaer Morhen," Triss said giving her input.
"That we know of Merigold. You could try some of your famous magic…" Lambert remarked snidely.
"In due time, Lambert…"
"Enough!" Vesemir said as he took charge of the conversation, "We need to check the other possible passages to the upper courtyard."
The entire group made their way up the stairways towards the upper courtyard. As they reached the rampart that overlooked the lower courtyard a huge noise stopped them in their tracks. It sounded like something crashing against a metal surface.
"What's happening" Leo asked as he came to a halt.
Vesemir looked towards the keeps' gate right below them. "They're trying to break through the gate!" he shouted.
Lambert scoffed. "They won't get anywhere without a battering ra-"
Lambert was interrupted by a loud crash as the gate gave way and came tumbling down. As the gate clanged to the ground a huge beast with six limbs came through. Harry thought it looked like an overgrown praying mantis. It used four of its limbs to move around while the remaining two limbs hung in front of the beast like arms.
"Shit!" Leo exclaimed, "What is that?"
The beast gave a small screech as it came to a stop. A human followed behind the beast. His gait was casual and his expression relaxed. Harry noticed that magic was emanating from the man's left hand. The magic extended into a thick line and was coiled around the beast's head. Harry immediately concluded that the man, most likely a sorcerer, was controlling the beast. The sorcerer looked hideous. Harry thought he looked like he was a relative of Deadpool, without his costume of course.
"A frightener," Vesemir said interrupting Harry's thoughts, "One mean beast."
"Savolla," Triss spoke aloud as she eyed the sorcerer, "I know him. A sorcerer- as ambitious as he is insane…"
"Yay," Harry muttered in a blank tone, "Lucky us."
Savolla was staring at them. He had a bandana covering the lower half of his face. With a fancy gesture Savolla directed the frightener to climb the stairways of the lower courtyard. The beast was joined by the remaining intruders.
"They're coming up here," Vesemir told the group, "Get ready."
The witchers unsheathed their blades and took stances. Lambert directed his gaze to the upper courtyard behind them.
"There's more," Lambert warned them, "They're entering the upper courtyard!"
The group in the upper courtyard weren't headed towards them. They were moving towards the keep's entrance. Two individuals immediately stood out to Harry. They were at the head of the group. One of them was slightly pale and skinny. His outfit reminded Harry of an assassin of this period. He wore round tinted glasses and his jet black hair was slicked back like his childhood nemesis. He wore fingerless gloves and combat leather boots. Harry could make out a knife attached to his left boot. He couldn't be sure though as the angle kept the blade pretty well hidden.
The other person was much more intimidating. He was well built and had a slightly dark skin tone. An assortment of accessories littered the man's face. Harry suspected those 'accessories' were littered with charms. He had a ducktail beard that made his face look more menacing. Two potion bottles hung from his belt. The potions along with the facial accessories lead Harry to believe that he was a sorcerer. The only thing that contradicted Harry's presumption was his rippling muscles. Sorcerers rarely focused on strenuous physical activities.
"The one in the glasses is the Professor," Triss's said, "Murder for hire.." She frowned and focused on the person accompanying the Professor. "I sense magic…" Triss muttered out loud, "There's a sorcerer among them." Harry too had opened up his senses and confirmed Triss's suspicion. The sorcerer had given them a brief glance before he walked through the second inner gate of the keep. The gate came down once they passed through.
Triss turned towards the group. "The Professor is wanted in Redania, Temeria and Kaedwen," she explained to the group, "A real maggot. I don't recognise the sorcerer however."
"Merigold," Lambert spoke up, "I'm interested in whether you can disarm Savolla. The rest is witchers' work."
"I'll try," Triss said.
Geralt shifted his gaze to the approaching intruders. "They're coming," he said in warning.
"The frightener is very dangerous, but it's vulnerable to loud noises," Vesemir chimed in.
"The bells in the upper courtyard!" Lambert exclaimed.
"Exactly," said Vesemir, "Eskel, Lambert, you'll help me stop the frightener and the bandits. Leo, stay behind us. Geralt, you open the gate to the upper courtyard." The witchers nodded their heads in agreement. Vesemir then turned to Triss and Harry. "When we're there, Triss can stop Savolla and his pet while we prepare to deal with the Professor and the unknown sorcerer."
"I'll figure something out," Triss said.
"I'll throw around support spells whenever I see an opportunity," Harry added.
Vesemir nodded his head in acknowledgement. "Let's do this!" he said, "Bleed them a bit down here before withdrawing. Geralt, follow the wall and break through to the tower where there's a passage to the upper courtyard."
Without a word Geralt turned and headed towards the courtyard. The rest of the group stayed behind to deal with the approaching bandits. Harry's attention was drawn by a bandit screaming a warcry and charging straight at them. Harry performed a simple gesture with his wand and cast the Langlock jinx at the man. The bandit immediately slowed his charge and both his hand went to his throat. The jinx had affixed his tongue to the roof of his mouth. While he could still breath, his sudden predicament had shocked him enough to react as if he was choking. Eskel immediately capitalised on the opening and threw a dagger at the bandit. It dug into the center of his skull and the man went down. Seeing their comrade taking down with such ease halted the charge of the rest of the bandits.
"What's the matter boys?" Lambert spoke up with a smirk on his face. His arms were stretched outward as if he was welcoming the bandits. "You've challenged witchers to battle. Surely you didn't think things would go smoothly, did you?"
Lamberts speech instilled some fear in the bandits. Harry could easily see it on their faces. Savolla noticed their hesitance too. He barked orders for them to engage the group. Reluctantly, the bandits resumed their charge and the witchers strategically positioned themselves in front of their two sorcerers. As the first bandit was about to reach them, Harry cast a spell that turned the skin blue. The bandit immediately took notice and started to freak out mid charge. He failed to notice as Vesemir stepped forward and ran his sword through him. Harry grinned in amusement. 'Who knew prank spells were so useful,' Harry thought. He threw a Jelly-Legs curse that caused his targets legs to collapse. However, the number of bandits was too much. Even with the help of two sorcerers, the witchers were slowly being pushed back. They were at the courtyard gate now and had no more room to withdraw. The frightener was almost upon them.
Just as things were about to get dire, the gate behind them opened and the group rushed through. Triss immediately cast a fireball at the gate and collapsed the ceiling. The gate and chunks of rock came tumbling down cutting off the path for the bandits and the beast. The beast screeched in anger as it was denied its prey.
"That was close," Harry commented.
"The Professor and the sorcerer have gone into the Keep," Geralt said drawing everyone's attention away from the collapsed gate.
"Looks like they aim to rob you," Triss said.
"Rob us?" Lambert scoffed, "Of what?"
"Triss, child," Vesemir said, "We have nothing of value. Some good steel, snow fox pelts,-"
"I mean the laboratory and you know it," Triss said firmly, "Someone wants your famed mutagens."
"You're jumping to conclusions," Lambert said as he crossed his arms.
"Triss may be right," Eskel spoke up in Triss' support, "We need to find out what they want."
"One thing at a time," Vesemir jumped in, "We shouldn't turn our backs on a strong sorcerer leading a frightener."
"And you can't let the bandits in the lab!" Triss said.
Vesemir nodded his head in agreement. "Geralt, you've dealt with sorcerers before. Find out what this one wants," Vesemir said, "Leo will guide you. The rest of us will stay back and make sure no one follows you."
Geralt, with a gesture of his head, asked Leo to take lead. The group followed them to the entrance of the keep. Once there, they decided to fortify their position. Harry set up various traps that were designed to slow, immobilise, trip and knock back its targets. He made sure everyone knew where the traps were as he didn't want any friendly fire. He also checked on the runes he applied to everyone to make sure it was working properly. By the time they were done Geralt and Leo had returned.
"What did you learn?" Vesemir asked upon seeing them.
"The bandits are in the lab, searching for something," Geralt said, "The sorcerer used the Circle of Elements to create a magic barrier."
"Blast it!" Triss cursed aloud, "Why didn't you mention there was a Circle of Element down there?"
"It didn't seem important at the time," Vesemir said.
"If the sorcerer aligned with the Circle, he can create a stable enough portal through which he'll travel to anywhere on the continent, taking your equipment with him," Triss said seriously.
"Holy poopapalooza Batman, what do we do now?!" Harry exclaimed. Everyone looked at him strangely for a couple of seconds before returning to the matter at hand.
"All right," Vesemir spoke up, "We made a mistake Triss, but you said the sorcerer was harmless."
"I said I didn't know him," Triss replied, "I think we should protect the lab above all."
"Don't panic Merigold," Lambert spoke in a fake suave voice, "We know you'd like to see our witchers' secrets."
"Vesemir," Triss said in a dangerous voice, "If that idiot doesn't shut it, I'll-"
"Enough!" Vesemir intervened, "Lambert, stop baiting Triss, show her some respect. Triss, if we go to the lab, they'll have us surrounded. We know tactics."
"Our only option is to split up," Harry said in a laid back voice, "One small team to go to the labs and secure the mutagens while the bulk of our force to remain behind and deal with the bandits and frightener."
"Harry's right," Eskel said, "We need to protect the lab and kill the frightener."
"I can take care of the barrier," Triss spoke up, "I'll go inside."
Vesemir nodded his head in agreement. "I'll stay and handle the frightener and Savolla," he said, "You should accompany Triss to the labs Geralt."
"I'll join them," said Leo.
"It's decided then," said Vesemir, "Harry, Eskel and Lambert will stay with me."
Harry barely paid attention to the discussion. He was sensing a powerful build up in magic. He was surprised Triss hadn't taken notice. Just as he was about to warn the group a powerful ripple in magic came forth.
"Savolla just cast a spell!" Triss warned everyone in a hurry, "Something's happening!"
Everyone felt the ground shake. Harry suspected they were about to break through the wall. It was smart of them. If they cleared the rubble at the gate they would be forced down a specific path, precisely where the bulk of their traps were laid. A large explosion blew through the wall. A nearby cart was ripped apart and sent scattering across the courtyard.
Harry could see Savolla calmly walking through the entrance he had just created. The frightener soon followed its master. Vesemir, Eskel and Lambert quickly rushed forth to engage the bandits and the beast. Geralt, Leo and Triss moved towards the keep, no doubt heading towards the laboratory.
With a sigh Harry moved towards the three witchers'. Seeing as no one was looking at him he quickly conjured a sword that he held in his left hand. If anyone managed to reach him he could use it defensively. The witchers were engaging the bandits right now. Savolla, however, was left to his own devices and that was never a good thing. With a flick of his wand Harry sent a spell at him. The bandana that covered the lower half of his face jumped up and covered his eyes. In addition to this, it began tugging him in random directions.
With Savolla temporarily detained, Harry focused on assisting his friends. They seemed to be doing well on their own, but the frightener was advancing on their position. He activated a rune he had placed in that area. The ground began to turn into ice from the rune and began spreading even further. Once it reached the frightener, the beast began to flail comically as it struggled to get a firm grasp on the ground. Harry deactivated the rune to stop the ice from reaching the witchers.
Harry had to duck and roll in order to avoid a fireball. He guessed Savolla was free and was not happy. "Eww!" Harry said in disgust as he faced Savolla, "You're even uglier than your father, Freddy Kreuger!"
Savollas' angry faced twisted in temporary confusion at the statement. "Freddy who?" he muttered to himself.
"Hold him off for a few seconds Harry!" came Vesemir's voice, "I'm coming!"
"Not to worry Vesemir old buddy," Harry said in a cheerful voice, "He seems like a classic villian. I bet he's about to go into a monologue right now!"
"You dare!" Savolla shouted in fury, "A pathetic sorcerer like you who can't even cast proper spells dares to insult me? I know who you are Harry Potter. Scum like you should never have been given the title of a sorcerer. Your very existence makes me wan-". Savollas' monologue was interrupted as he slipped on a patch of ice. He hung in the air comically for a second, his eyes widened in surprise before he landed awkwardly on his neck. Harry could immediately tell he broke his neck on impact.
Vesemir had joined Harry at that point and saw Savolla trip. He turned to Harry in astonishment. Harry raised his arms and shrugged. "Whoops?" Harry said, "He should watch where he's going. Lucky break huh?" Vesemir narrowed his eyes in suspicion. "Yes," he muttered, "lucky break."
A screech from the frightener drew their attention. They saw the beast crawling forwards near the edge of the ice patch. Once the beast cleared the ice, they would have to deal with him.
"It's sensitive to noise," Vesemir told Harry, "We need to create as much noise to disorient the beast. We could use those siege cauldrons to our favor." Harry smiled at Vesemir and gave him a thumbs up. "On it!" he said cheerfully.
Harry levitated the huge cauldron over to the beast. Just as it cleared the ice patch, the huge cauldron fell onto the beast's head and covered it. The frightener thrashed and desperately tried to remove the cauldron from its head. Harry began to pelt the cauldron with any huge debri he could find. The noise the cauldron made disoriented the beast and it began to stagger about like it was drunk.
The witchers immediately took advantage of the seemingly drunken beast. Within a few seconds they targeted the beasts vital areas and brought it down. With a final wailing screech, the beasts legs gave way and it slumped to the ground. Harry walked up to the frightener and experimentally nudged it with his foot.
"Well, that was easy," Harry said as he turned and faced the three witchers'.
Lambert scratched the back of his head and answered sheepishly, "Well things aren't so smooth when there isn't an 'all powerful' sorcerer assisting you."
"I feel like you paid me a compliment, but it was hidden behind you sarcastic quotation marks," Harry told Lambert.
"You were very helpful Harry," Vesemir said, "I assure you, the three of us would have had a very tough time handling a fully mature frightener."
Harry saw Eskel nod his head in agreement. "Aww you guys with all the compliments," Harry said as he fanned himself with his hand, "I feel like I'm tearing up." He then switched emotions and spread his arms out wide. "Group hug!" he shouted, "Come one guys, bring it in. Don't leave me hanging."
Lambert immediately scoffed and walked away towards the Keep. Eskel joined him, though there was a smile on his face as he left. Vesemir stayed for a couple of seconds staring Harry in the eye. The corner of his lips twitched slightly before he too turned and joined his fellow witchers. Harry was left standing there with his arms open for a group hug. He smirked at the group and then proceeded to join them.
Harry and his group quickly made their way through the huge entrance hall of the keep and headed towards the laboratory. On their way, they ran into Triss. She was lying on the ground, resting on her side. She was holding her stomach in pain. Harry immediately rushed to her and began to assess her condition.
"They're ransacking the laboratory," Triss said weakly barely maintaining conscious, "The other sorcerer is… I underestimated him… Hurry!"
"You guys go ahead," Harry told the witchers, "I'll take care of her."
The others nodded and rushed down the spiral staircase that lead to the laboratory. Harry turned his attention back to Triss and masked his anger in the form of a question, "What have I told you about taking candy from strange sorcerers?". Triss was delirious at this point and manage to mutter 'candy?' before she passed out.
Harry sighed and got to work. He had precious few friends in this world that he could count on. Triss was one of them. Whoever did this to her was going to pay. Not now though. Triss' health was more important right now than some petty revenge.
AN: Hey guys! As many of you have no doubt guessed, the first Witcher game starts from this chapter. I'm loving the reviews all of you have sent me so far. However, the reason I've taken up writing this story is to improve myself. Character building wise, plot building wise, grammar, and so on. So, whenever you leave a review please try to include what you liked about the chapter, what you hated, how you like the story progressing, if you think a character is acting unlike they would normally react and why.
I appreciate any and all feedback, so don't hold back.