Italy, June 1275
Perseus had purchase a vineyard and manor in Italy known as Savolvano Verolzano Bripoli. It would be his home when he is not at war. Perseus began to explore the manor that he had bought with the ten thousand coins given to him by the Japanese. The manor was large, it had cost ten thousand gold, and filled with furniture, paintings, and decorations.
Because Perseus now owned a vineyard, which grew grapes and olives, he had hired people to live at the manor and tend for it while he was away at war, as well as care for the vineyard. With his new vineyard Perseus produced not only grapes and olives, but wines as well. This gave Perseus a steady income that witchers rarely see.
Perseus' new home was quite large, especially for a witcher. Perseus was impressed and quite satisfied with the manor and vineyard. With his exploration of the manor and surrounding vineyard Perseus could enjoy the rolling green hills of the Italian countryside. Perseus loved the beauty of the hills and he loved this country he now lived in.
Throughout the next few days Perseus would begin the habit of taking a walk through the vineyard and then returning to the main courtyard to train for several hours. Perseus would also do other things such as study and keep journals of his life and participation in wars.
It would also be in his routine to study and ponder on how he had arrived in this time. Perseus had not had time to think of it because of all his training, fighting, and traveling. He had thought of it long ago, but his time had been lost and he had not thought of it in years.
This is why we see Perseus in his new study in his manor writing in a new journal and reading from an older one. You see, Perseus had thought of this topic years ago, and had written down his thoughts on the matter. From what he could tell, Perseus had traveled nearly seven hundred years through time. He knew his birth date which was August eighteenth, nineteen ninety three.
Because Perseus had appeared in the year twelve sixty one, and he had gone through the blue falling deathlike experience, Perseus assumed that he had traveled through time. However, what had caused his time leap. Perseus was sure there was no technology like that in two thousand, and he had not known of magic at that time.
For the next six months Perseus would ponder and study his leap through time. He quickly discovered there was no magic that could return him to his time. This greatly saddened the witcher, as he believed he would die in the next three hundred years of old age. He did however discover that a deity of time could send someone back. The question was, what deity, and why?
Even as Perseus studied his time travel, rebellion grew on the horizon. For in Bulgaria, the people had been oppressed and had suffered greatly under the current leaders. Many cried for revolution, and one man stood for the people and fought for them. This man was the great rebel leader, Ivaylo.
Within a year of returning home, Perseus had heard of the brewing conflict in Bulgaria. And so it was that Perseus decided to once again fight for the weak and oppressed. Leaving his house in the hands of his steward, Perseus took his leave and began to travel to Bulgaria. And in the summer of twelve seventy seven, Perseus would see war once again.
Savolvano Verolzano Bripoli, Italy, May 1276
Perseus had heard of the conflict to the east in Bulgaria. Many in the government ignored the pleas of the people and did not help them. The government was selfish and the people suffered because of it. Many had perished in attacks from the Mongols and had had enough. Rebellion was stirring.
Perseus began to pack the many supplies he would need, as well as his trusty steel and silver swords. As Perseus packed he sent word for his steward, Coreno Virzi. Soon Virzi had arrived and stood waiting for his masters orders.
"Coreno, good I need to watch over the manor and vineyard while I am away."
"Of course, sir. Might I ask where you are going?"
"I am off to Bulgaria. I may be a few years, so please keep this place in order. Can I trust you Coreno?"
"Yes, sir, you can."
"Good, I thank you for your service Coreno. When I return I expect you and the servants to have kept this place up."
"Yes, we will."
"Thank you, Coreno."
With that Perseus left the manor and began his journey to Bulgaria. Now the manor was in the center of Italy, meaning that the best way of travel to Bulgaria was to take a ship to the east and travel through the Mediterranean into the black sea. And so, Perseus began to travel to the east of Italy. But even while at home, trouble can happen.
Eastern Italy, June 1276
Perseus had only been traveling for a little under two weeks. He was nearly to eastern Italy and a town on the coast that had a dock known as Ancona. It would be in Ancona that he would obtain transport to Bulgaria. As Perseus traveled he could here the rustling in the bushes of the bandits that followed him.
Perseus had known of the men for the last few miles and had already steeled himself for a fight. In an instant five men jumped out and began to demand the witcher of his money. The witcher simply sighed, and not in the mood for a fight, drew his steel blade and cut all five of the bandits heads off in a blur.
The witcher simply flicked his blade and continued on, uncaring of the five headless bodies he left behind. He had no time or patience for men who would prey on those they thought were weaker than they. With these thoughts Perseus continued on to Ancona.
Ancona, June 1276
Perseus had arrived in Ancona and had immediately gone to the docks to see if any ships were going to Bulgaria. It turned out that there was a ship, but it would not leave for another month. And so, Perseus went to the inn, paid for a room, and in true witcher fashion, began to drink at the inn's bar.
As Perseus drank the wonderful Italian wine, he heard the door open and looking behind him saw four thugs enter the bar. The men approached the bartender and began to demand wine without paying. Perseus stood and approached the four men to help the poor bartender.
"I don't think that is a good idea." Perseus said this as he got to the argument and saw one of the thugs reaching for a knife.
"Yeah, why not?"
"Because if you do that, I'll have to kill you."
"Hahaha, you kill me? Thats bullshit you fucking id..." The man had been saying this with his back to the witcher, and he had turned to see who had addressed him only to find a man covered in armor and scars, with two swords at his back.
"Do you still think its bullshit?" Perseus asked the thug with a grin on his face.
"Get him boys, he fucking insulted me."
With this declaration the four men attacked the witcher, and as one of his names implies, got butchered. The first man Perseus dodged and with a simple punch, knocked the man out. The second he grabbed the arm of and broke it leaving the man in agony. The third had a knife, which Perseus stole and stabbed into the throat of the forth. Turning back to the third, he grabbed him, threw him into the bar and punched him hard enough in the stomach to break his ribs.
His foes defeated, Perseus sat down at the bar once again and continued to drink. The patrons were stunned that one man could defeat four opponents so easily and so calmly. Perseus sighed at the attention and continued to drink as if nothing had happened. It was going to be a long month.
Ancona, July 1276
Perseus was finally boarding the ship that would take him to Bulgaria. According to the captain of the ship it would be a two month long journey to get to Bulgaria and all of that time would be spent aboard the ship. Perseus was lucky however as he did not need to pay for his ride. The Italian captain had hired him to protect the ship from pirates.
As the ship began its voyage to Bulgaria, Perseus sat in the cabin that had been provided to him. Here Perseus wrote in his journal of his start to another war. Many of the journals that Perseus would keep would be filled with stories of blood and death. However, they would also be filled with Perseus' research in science, language, mathematics, and the art of you live as long as Perseus would, your journals would be filled with the same thing.
Entrance to the Black sea, August 1276
The ship was nearing the entrance to the Black sea. During the last month the voyage had gone well, no pirates had attacked the ship and the wind had sped them along. Perseus stood on the main deck, watching the seas as they entered the black sea.
As the ship entered the Black sea, the lookout at one of the masts began crying out of another ship. Perseus turned observing the new ship and could see that it was not a friendly ship. Aboard the ship was one of the latest new inventions, the cannon. The cannon at this time was primitive, using gunpowder to launch a metal ball at an enemy. The weapon was inaccurate and could explode when fired.
Despite this the weapon was dangerous and could destroy the Italian ship. Perseus would not be able to stop the pirates and would be in deep trouble if the weapon was fired. Wishing he could do something, anything, Perseus thought of the water swallowing the ship. As if listening to his thoughts the water rose up, and crushed the pirates.
Perseus was amazed at what had happened. If he was right, then he could control water. There was no time to think of this however, as the enemy had not come alone. Two more ships came alongside the Italian ship and began to board. Perseus drew his steel blade and began to fight for his life and that of the crew.
Many of the crew drew their blades as well and the fight began. Perseus and the Italians were able to overpower many of the pirates quickly and force them back. In a matter of minutes the blood of many pooled on the Italian ship bodies lay dead all around, whether they be Italian or pirate. Perseus' blade was covered in the blood of his enemies and he watched as they boarded their ships and retreated.
The Italian captain approached the witcher and in a frightened voice asked, "Who or what are you, to kill so many so quickly? Half of the dead enemy is by your hand."
"I am Perseus of Novigrad, one of the last witchers left in this world."
"A witcher? I thought your kind was a myth."
"Do I look like a myth to you."
Perseus turned from the stunned captain and began to walk back below deck to his captain. Soon many of the crew began to talk among themselves of the living myth staying aboard their ship. Many were in awe when the witcher walked by. After all to the Italians he was a myth. A living legend.
For the next month in the Black sea, Perseus was asked many question from the crew. Many ranged from his participation in wars, to hunting monsters, to the life of a witcher. Perseus gladly answered many of the questions and many of the men were amazed by the witcher and his stories. Soon however this time ended and Perseus set foot in Bulgaria.
Constanta, Bulgaria, September 1276
Perseus had arrived in Bulgaria, in a city called Constanta. Perseus began to explore the coastal city and ask around about the way of life in Bulgaria. His answer was one he had expected and dreaded. The people had suffered many losses from raids made by the Mongols. They were also in varying degrees of poverty.
With how the people were suffering, Perseus decided to ask around if anyone was doing anything about this crisis. There was one man that many mentioned. His name was Ivaylo, and he wanted to bring peace and true freedom to Bulgaria. He was a man that Perseus would follow. And so Perseus traveled north in search of Ivaylo.
Provadia, Bulgaria, October 1276
Perseus had arrived in Provadia, where Ivaylo was said to live. As Perseus walked the streets he heard loud shouting coming from the city square. Heading toward the shouting he found the man he had come to see. Ivaylo was riling up the crowd shouting for a new leader.
"We will obtain our freedom. The Mongols come and slaughter us and take our resources. And what does the Tsar do. Nothing." After Ivaylo said this the crowd cheered in agreement. Ivaylo continued to shout for a new monarch and for that monarch to fight the Mongols.
Soon the crowd dispersed and Perseus approached Ivaylo. Walking up to the man Perseus began to speak with him of fighting the Tsar.
"So you want to fight the Tsar? Are you Ivaylo?"
"I am Ivaylo. And yes I want the Tsar to fall."
"Then I wish to fight alongside you. But know this, I fight for the innocent and defenseless not for you to be the new monarch."
"Of course. Who are you that it matters if you are at my side."
"I am Perseus of Novigrad. One of the last of the witchers. I have fought for the last few years against both Nilfgaard and the Mongols."
"I have heard of the Nilfgaard empire, and I know the Mongols. Did you have victory against the Mongols."
"Yes. I fought for the Japanese only two years ago."
"I have heard of their victory. Yes, you would be a worthy ally and perhaps advisor."
"I just want to help the people and their suffering."
"And you shall, first however, we need an army."
And so Perseus joined with Ivaylo to help in his revolution. In the summer of twelve seventy seven, Ivaylo would have his army and with that army Perseus. Together the army would march and kill the Tsar and would begin to change Bulgaria.
Alright another chapter. This one is a bit of more slow time for Perseus as well as buying his first home. The Italian manor will be his main home and base throughout the story. That means most wars Perseus fights in will be European. Also Perseus will not just fight in wars. He will learn stuff as well. He's got a couple hundred years. Next chapter will be the Ivaylo revolution. Until then, read and review.