At the start of spring the early mornings where very chilly in Velen. But the sun won't be blocked by any clouds today so it will soon turn out to be a beautiful day. Perhaps the first day of the year I could get some work done without dragging along my warm winter coat. I always loved that first day of the year when the sun was finally warm enough to warm my skin.
I was busy checking out the bulletin board if there were any new jobs I could handle. But before I could read the first contract, trouble already found the village. People were passing by and someone pulled my arm so I had no choice than to join them. Apparently we were going towards the inn.
"What's going on?" I asked Richard who pulled my arm. He was the village elder. It was a miracle he was still alive on his age. Alive and strong. He put so much strength in pulling me along, it was hard to refuse.
"It's a Witcher." He spat.
Witchers weren't very welcome here. I knew that all too well through all the stories about them, although I never met one before. They'll do anything for coin, even if it were bad things. They don't care because they lack emotions. They are simply doing their job without any morals.
And then I saw him, the Witcher, riding his brown horse. A tall human-like creature, strong broad shoulders, his piercing golden eyes stood out. "Not just any Witcher, that is THÉ butcher of Blaviken." I responded to Richard. I knew the story from my travels. I couldn't be mistaken, he fit the stories perfectly.
"Great, just what we need." Richard let my arm go and walked straight towards the Witcher who just got off his horse.
"Name please and state your business." Richard asked the Witcher angrily. The Witcher didn't seem to be impressed by the hostile welcome. I made sure to stay near the old man. Other villagers were standing around us, curious mixed with fear written on their faces. Not many of them have ever seen a Witcher and this one looked like a bloody mess. He clearly had been in battle recently.
The Witcher wasn't in a hurry to answer, he was carefully taking in his surroundings, his eyes stopped on me when he answered surprisingly calm. "Geralt of Rivia, just eat and sleep, then I'll be on my way again."
With the sword on my back, he probably realized I was the only real threat for him in this village. Those piercing eyes scanning my appearance was giving this chilly morning a whole new level of chill. He might be peaceful right now, but his look was full of confidence. He knew no one here was strong enough to take him down. I didn't look away from his arrogant stare, instead I did the same to him.
His boots had seen a lot of walking, they were completely worn out. His dark pants dirty from riding the horse through all weathers. You'd wonder what color it supposed to be. Black, grey or brown? Sunlight reflected from his shiny necklace, a trinket shaped like a wolfs head. It stood out on top of his dark green breastplate. Underneath a wool long-sleeved grey shirt. I can't imagine how much sweat was caught up in that thing. Under his breastplate and atop of his shirt he wore a chainmail vest to protect his stomach and back. The sides were made out of brown leather. The same color leather formed straps crossing his wide chest that made sure the two swords sheathed on his back wouldn't drop down. His shoulders and upper arms covered in more chainmail parts with rims of leather. His hands hidden in heavy black leather gloves. Warm enough to last all winter.
And all of that was covered in blood spatter from his left shoulder to his right boot. Telling me he must have chopped the head clean off from some kind of creature with his sword. And doing so made the body suddenly drop down leaving this kind of splatter pattern. Seeing the rips on his shirt on his right lower arm, his own blood underneath, something with big sharp claws had wounded him.
His face scarred, a bit pale. But instead of making him look sick, it suited him and his white hair. Just like in the stories he was handsome, I must admit. I knew monster with these kind of features where the most dangerous ones. Just like vampires.
"You're not welcome here, Geralt of Rivia." Richard made sure to tell him that he wasn't even welcome to stay for one night. Even though he clearly needed it after whatever fight he had been into.
"Hmm." An agitated growl from the Witcher. Gone was has calm tone. He ended our stare down to look at Richard. This was probably not the first place he wasn't welcome. "Please don't stand in my way old man." He ignored Richard and walked straight into the inn. Knowing Marten, the inn keeper, he wouldn't say no to such a dangerous looking guest. Being an inn at a busy crossroad he knew he'd get himself into trouble when he refused guests. Soldiers, bandits, non-humans, everyone was sort off welcome here.
Richard looked back to me. He didn't know what to do. "Alena, can't you do something about him?"
"And start a fight with a Witcher? How stupid do you think I am?" I answered the poor old man. "His nickname is 'The butcher of Blaviken' for a reason. I suggest you keep on his friendly side."
"He doesn't deserve my kindness." Richard said angry.
"I agree, but you deserve to live another day. Besides he'll be gone tomorrow. If he wanted to make trouble, he would already done that," I assured him. "Now excuse me, I'll go check on Marten to see if he can manage his new guest."
Carefully I walked into to inn. My eyes adjusting from the bright outdoors to the dim lit room. I saw Martens behind the bar pouring beer into a big beerpull which must be for Geralt since no one else was in here. Besides it was rather early to start drinking.
Geralt was sitting way in the back from where he could oversee the whole room. He was staring at the table, he didn't even look up when I got in.
"How's it going Marten?" I asked the innkeeper and also bartender when his wife wasn't around. Myrthe must be cleaning the rooms upstairs. I stopped asking her not to clean my room every day, but she did so anyway because I was paying for the service.
"Fine." Marten said, "but just leave him alone will you? I don't want any trouble in my inn." He looked worried. The Inn at the Crossroads had seen its share of fights. This wouldn't be the first time he needed to rebuild parts of the inn because soldiers or bandits broke it down.
"You should know me better than that Marten, of course not."
"Good. While you're here anyway. Could you give this beer to him, so I can start on his dinner."
"Dinner, in the morning?"
"Apparently he hasn't slept, so for him it still dinner time. It's okay, I'll just warm up some leftover stew from yesterday."
"Sure thing Marten." And I grabbed the beer from the counter.
I wasn't looking forward to interact with this Witcher but I could manage to bring him a drink. "Here you go." I placed it in front of him. He raised his head to look at me.
"Thanks." He said with his deep voice. His eyes lacking sunlight made his pupils bigger. It reminded me off cat eyes staring directly into my soul. Sure he was definitely handsome, but he had written 'monster' and 'danger' all over him.
I wanted to walk away, but he stopped me with his words, "can I ask you a question?"
"You just did. Might as well ask another." I was a bit agitated. I didn't want to be near him much longer. I would take a lot of effort to act nice to someone like him.
"I'm looking for a young woman, medium height, ashen hair. Seen her?"
He means Ciri, I was sure of it. She was hard to forget. But his intentions with her could never be a good one. "Nope, doesn't ring a bell." I answered.
But he didn't give up. "You look like someone who travels, would be hard to miss this woman. She really stands out between the regular. She must have gone through here." He tried again.
I just shrugged my shoulders in an answer.
His voice suddenly became even darker, "a Witcher can tell when you're lying." He warned me. I felt busted. Did he really noticed I actually knew? Well I wasn't planning on helping him either way.
"Then you must also know I tell the truth." I said polite and turned around. I left the inn and I also left the bulletin board for what it was for today. I decided to take a day off. It had no use, I couldn't leave the village and the villagers alone with this Witcher. Not many young people live here so it were mostly old farmers and old fishermen that weren't capably of defending themselves. I will find another job after he leaves tomorrow. So Instead I strolled around the tiny village for a bit making small talk with the villagers. They were scared by the Witchers presence, but they all continued with their daily routines.
Geralt is probably going to ask around about Ciri, so he'll soon find out he's out of luck. She didn't pass through this village. Instead I was the only one here who met her yesterday at the deserted fisherman's place at the southern coast while I was slaying some Drowner creatures. Ciri stumbled upon me on her travel to the east on her beautiful black mare. She helped me kill a few monsters with her own sword, so my job was done fast. When I offered her half the coin for the job, she said I should keep it for myself. I even offered her a bed and hot meal for the night. But she was in a hurry and continued her journey. She assured me she just had a warm bed and a hot meal in Crow's Perch were she just came from. Our meeting was short, but she told me her name and were she went next. I immediately grown a liking to her, she hadbeen nice enough to help and she even gave me a special oil. I should coat my sword with it the next time I would be fighting Drowners. Besides there weren't a lot of woman around traveling with only a sword as a companion. And this one had been really skilled even though she still was so young. She killed more Drowners than I did and her sword wasn't even made out of silver. I wasn't going to risk Ciri's life just to tell a Witcher were she went. He was probably hunting her down.
"Alena, How did it go at the inn?" Richard came to ask me.
"Fine, I don't think he wants any trouble, he's just looking for someone who might have passed through here. I don't think he'll be staying very long."
"Will you.. just keep an eye on him? Just to be sure? I'll pay you for it."
"Sure Richard." And he tossed me some coin. I knew he could spare it. Not that my eye on a Witcher would make any difference when he would be on a rampage. I wouldn't stand a chance. But Richard had no one else to turn to. Since I got here around a year ago I fixed most of the monster trouble around this village. First they were skeptical, but after I successfully did my first job, I gained their respect and their coin. With me around they didn't need to rely so much on non-humans to fix their problems or bandits who only ended up running away with their coin, leaving the problems behind. Soldiers passing through only had eye for their own missions and no time for side-quests.
It was easy to keep track of Geralt. It looked like he never left the inn. His horse still standing outside, not even fastened to something. Apparently it wasn't going anywhere without her master. Inside I saw Geralt sitting at the very same table drinking more beer. This time he glanced at me when I got inside. He clearly had taking a bath. He wore a different shirt with the same armor on top on it. His gloves were gone, but his swords were still there. Always ready to fight. All blood stains were gone though. He did some serious cleaning.
I went upstairs to my room. I was also still carrying my sword and light armor, but since I wasn't going to take any job today and I sure wasn't planning on fighting Geralt, I changed into something more comfortable. A simple shirt and pants. I went down for a drink and some lunch. The one reason I needed so much coin. Without a house of my own, I didn't have an kitchen either. I needed to pay for every meal three times a day. Luckily Marten gives me a discount because I was staying for such a long time. Meanwhile it had gotten busier in the inn because lunch time had started for others as well. Some tables were already filled with people. Mostly bandits and soldiers today. The table next to Geralt was the only one to remain empty. I sat down at the bar myself. From here I couldn't watch Geralt, but I could watch the door and the stairs. If Geralt would leave, I would know. More importantly, this was the place you got to get served the fastest.
"You're grabbing a bite downstairs today?" Martens asked me like if he already forgotten that there was a Witcher sitting in his inn.
"Yep, downstairs today."
"Very well, the usual?"
"yes please."
Soon I had my chicken soup, a piece of fluffy bread and a mug of fresh milk in front of me. Even though I didn't do much today, I was hungry.
Just after I finished my meal and was enjoying a second mug of milk I saw on Marten's face that someone was coming this way. I didn't hear his footsteps but I felt his presence. He was standing right behind me. Goosebumps appeared on my arms.
He reached next to me with his arm, placing two coins on the counter for Marten to take. "Something stronger please,.. and one for the lady if she likes." His hand rough, tiny scars, dirty nails. They had been through a lot. It was like he was testing my reaction being so close.
Marten responded while pouring in only one drink into a tiny cup, "this lady doesn't drink I'm afraid."
Without asking Geralt sat down beside me, leaving one place empty between us. Enough space to not feel my personal space invaded. But close enough to know he wanted something from me. While looking at his mystery drink he just got, he started talking again about his quest for finding Ciri. "The girl is very important to me. She's in danger and I need to find her."
I looked at him and put on a serious face, "I wish I could help you, but I don't know what you are talking about."
"I know you do. A Witcher can sense someone's heart rate. And your heart is pounding like a liar." His words dark and threatening.
I was done with being nice to him. "Don't confuse lying with being on edge Witcher. I don't trust your kind, especially the butcher of Blaviken kind." I spat out. "Yes, your bad reputation pursues you. I traveled enough not to miss that."
He let out an angry sigh. Then he finally looked at me. His piercing eyes stabbing straight into my soul. "After asking around it became clear to me she hasn't been through this place, you must been the only one that have seen her. My guess is that you met her outside the village nearby. Please, just tell me where she went. That's all I'm asking."
I looked away, kept silent. He could go to hell.
He downed his drink in one go and stood up. Instead of just walking away like I thought he would, he walked closer to me and leaned in, I flinched, not sure what to do or what he was up to. I could smell his musky sent with a hint of soap. Softly he said to me, "You should know, your heart rate is different when you're 'on edge' like now. I can tell the difference."
I was relieved he turned around. I could hear the stairs squeaking under his weight, he was going upstairs to his room. I didn't breath again until he was all the way up. He was something, I should watch myself I didn't want to get into a fight with that guy. Then I surely would end up dead. I wasn't planning on telling him about Ciri. Her safety was more important than this bully threatening me.
"What was that about?" Marten asked me worried.
"Dunno." I answered, "I think he drank a few too many."
I promised Richard I would keep an eye on him. So I might as well go upstairs to my own room to stay close. From my room right above the stairs, I could hear anyone come and go.
"Say Marten, in which room did you put the Witcher?"
"The one right next to yours.. I hope you don't mind? It was the larger one and.."
"No, no it's fine. It's just good to know. Thanks Marten."
I needed to wait a bit longer. Clarich, one of the few young people living here, just came in and saw me. She walked straight towards me and wanted to know a few things as well.
"Alena! Here you are. Aren't you working today on this beautiful spring day?" She reminded me about the fact I had rather been outside today doing something else.
"Nope, I'm taking a day off, since.." I gestured at the stairs.
"Right, our new guest in town. Isn't he handsome!" She squirmed.
My mouth fell open. "Are you serious? Did you know he is thé butcher of Blaviken?" I asked softly. Hinting her she should do the same. She was talked way to loud. "You do know he's a Witcher right?"
"Yeah yeah I've heard. But that doesn't chance the fact that he has what it takes. If you know what I mean." She almost sounded in love.
"Seriously Clarich, I thought better of you." I was annoyed by the fact she couldn't see past his looks.
"Hey, not that I'm doing anything. It's just that well, I'm married of course, but let's say he would forcefully kiss me or anything. I just, I think I wouldn't even want to fight him off." She was a weird friend. Her thoughts were always so dirty, I could never follow her. Even worse, her husband knew, but never got furious about it. She never acted upon it though, but it was clear she had some troubled fantasies about men in general. This wasn't the first time she did this to me, "You're not married Alena." She suddenly seem to realize, "so you're available for adventures." She winked at me.
"He's a monster Clarich. How can you even.." I softly hissed not even finishing my sentence, "It's a miracle you married Tommy. Otherwise you would be dead in a didge somewhere for following your dirty thoughts."
"Come on Alene, it's just a little fantasy. No harm in thoughts right?"
Myrthe, currently running around with food, interfered with our conversation. "Leave her be Clarich. You know very well Alene doesn't seek the company of men. Especially if it's a Witcher."
"Yea, why is that? Are you into lady's?" Clarich asked.
"I'm not into anything. Now if you'll excuse me. I'm going up to my room." I left Clarich and Myrthe behind. I was almost glad I was needed elsewhere. Stalking a Witcher I didn't want to be near.
The benefit of having the room right above the stairs was that it was also a corner room. The sun was shining brightly through my window and made the room warm and cozy. I pulled the chair into the sun beams and sat down, eyes closed.
Knowing very well Geralt was just one very thin wall away from me. I didn't hear any sound at all, he must be resting. I decided to update my monster book. Which contained drawings on the left page of monsters I encountered and I wrote down monster features, skills and weaknesses on the right page. I started drawing Geralt's face, his armor, his legs and boots. Just like how I pictured him inside my mind. I added two swords sticking out from his back. I wish I'd had a yellow color to accent his eyes, but this would have to do for now. It took me two hours to complete the sketch in charcoal. My best one so far. On the right page I wrote down 'Witcher' at the top. Under there the title 'features and skills' and half way down the page the title 'weaknesses'. Then I wrote a list: skilled sword fighter. Uses silver sword for monster and steel sword for humans. No emotions. Can sense heartbeat of victims. The list under weaknesses remained completely empty. That was all I knew so far. I grabbed my special mixture of bandoline which I put in a perfume bottle. Spraying it over my drawing made sure the charcoal wouldn't smudge and it added some gloss to the paper. After drying for ten minutes I could handle my hardcovered monster book without care. My silver sword which costed a fortune and my monster book full of my artwork were my two greatest possessions.
With my book drying on my lap I fell asleep in the delightful warmed of the sun. I woke up when the sun was gone and someone was knocking on my door. It was Myrthe, I knew her knock.
"Come in." I replied.
"Hello Alena. I didn't hear from you so I assumed you wanted to eat up in your room. I just brought our guest his dinner so I thought to bring yours as well."
"What did he order this time? Breakfast?" I joked. I yawned widely, sleep must still be written all over my face. Some guard I was. If Geralt had left I would have missed that.
"Fallen asleep deary? You must have been tired from all the hard work lately. You know what, dinner from tonight is on me. You've done such a great job handling all sorts of things around here. We are just grateful to have you around."
"Thanks Myrthe, but you don't need to spoil me like that." I replied. But I was glad I could spare some coin with this meal. All the hard work had not be kind on me at all. I found it hard to actually ask coin for everything. It didn't feal right if for example someone was missing his child and you won't help them because they couldn't spare a coin.
The rest of the evening had been quiet. I could hear Geralt spend a lot of time sharpening his swords next to me. I wondered why he didn't just go and leave this place now he had his rest. He didn't seem the type who needed a lot of sleep. But he probably would wait until morning.
Night fell and although I had slept a few hours during the day, I had no trouble feeling sleepy after the noises downstairs were fading away. The biggest disadvantage about sleeping in this inn at a busy crossroad. It stayed noisy far past midnight. After that I soon fell asleep, knowing tomorrow will probably be an early start of the day.
Suddenly the door slammed open and I shot up in adrenaline. "What the?" My sleepy eyes saw a big silhouette in my door opening and I rushed out of my bed to reach my sword which was all the way in the other corner of the room.
"Not so fast." His deep voice told me. At the same time he was already near me, holding my wrist. Keeping me from taking my swords out of its sheath.
"Should have kept it near you. Too late now." In the dark I couldn't see his eyes. His eye sockets looked like dark pitches in the moonlight softly shining through the window "Sit down, we need to talk." He pushed me back onto the bed. I sat down while he towered over me. "Last chance to tell the truth."
I looked at the door which was still open. But before I could shout for help Geralt said on a threatening tone. "Everyone from the inn went home. There is no one left to hear you, no other guests. They left me all alone with you."
So I was in deep shit. Fuck, Marten or Myrthe could at least have warned me.
"Relax I'm not here to harm you. Just tell me where the ashen-haired girl went to." He said in a strange calm way, waving his hand in a triangle in front of me. Looking curiously at me. She's on her way to the East, following the sea on her right. On her way to Novigrad and probably traveling through Oxenfurt to get there. I thought about the answer in my head. But I kept my lips sealed. He just stared at me, like if he expected an answer rolling out of me anytime soon. Well it did not.
"Doesn't work on you hmm? Strange." He finally said.
"Does what work?" I asked but he ignored my question.
"Look, the girl is very important to me and to a whole lot of other people. A whole empire is looking for her. She's in danger and in dire need of help. Every piece of information is key to finding her and I need to find her before it's too late." He tried again.
But he could try all he wanted. There was no way I was going to betray Ciri over some bullshit story. Ciri had been in a hurry for a reason. She didn't tell me much, but one thing became clear to me in what she told me. Someone had been chasing her and that someone clearly wanted to hurt her if he did.
"I.. don't.. know.. anything." I pronounced every word slowly and angrily.
"You are clearly lying." He took a threatening step closer.
I looked straight back in his eyes. Up close I could see the yellow again. "You're the one lying. Even if you could hear a heartbeat from a mile away, there is no way you could tell if someone is lying."
"I can." His voice annoyingly confident.
I tried not to feel intimidated. "Then tell me, how is lying different from being scared, or.. other emotions like.." I couldn't find the words.
"Disire, tension,.. excitement?" He asked, a small twinkling in his eyes when he said that.
"For example… or anger. I'm pretty sure my heart beats faster now that I am angry." I pointed out.
Finally Geralt took a step back. He actually took some time to explain, but he was clearly frustrated doing so. "You're not really angry. If you were, your heartbeat would be high constantly. Your heart beat is only high during the parts that you are lying. It's less consistence. Although emotions like desire and excitement are easy to confuse with lying, it goes all over the place. But it's clear to me you aren't very excited to see me." Amusement laid in his eyes. A cocky grin on his lips. "Or am I wrong?"
The way he looked at me like that, he must hear my heart skipping a beat right now. "Well.." I hesitated. What if I told him I was? Would he just apologize and leave?
"I'll save you an regrettable answer." He said before I could respond. "Your friend Clarich, she has a very loud and annoying voice, did you know that?"
I was on full alert, how did he know about Clarich? He was already in his room when she came in.
"I heard you, the inn lady and your friend talk after I went up. Heard the inn lady say that you didn't fancy the company of men, especially Witchers."
Of course, so he really did have stupid super hearing, it was so unfair.
"I only tell them what I want them to hear. That doesn't say shit." I said, this part wasn't even a lie.
Geralt smirked. "That's not all Alena, the inn has very thin flooring. I'm surprised you didn't hear for yourself. When you went back to your room they talked some more. About you in fact. Apparently you told Clarich about a young woman carrying a sword you met at the fisherman's place. I went looking for your friend later on, see what I could learn from her, but apparently you didn't tell her much. She said I should ask you, because you knew where the girl with the ashen hair was traveling to. She even added how lovely you were and always ready to help others in need. Ironic isn't?"
I felt a warm feeling of shame rushing to my cheeks. I was busted.
"I don't know many ashen haired girls that run around with swords Alena." He spoke out my name slowly while getting up. The air was tense. I didn't dare say any other words at this moment.
"Your friend has said enough, no use to play dumb now."
"Darn. That girl with her big mouth." I scowled softly under my breath. Accepting my defeat. But that didn't mean I was giving up. I stood up and told him the truth: "Don't take me for a fool Witcher, I know about your kind. You slaughtered a bunch of people in Blaviken, for what? Coin? You're a killer at heart, always fighting monsters, beast,.. or young woman, whatever gets the job done. The girl told me someone was following her, that someone wanted her hurt.. or dead. So you see, I can't believe you when you tell me you want to protect her. So you might as well leave me alone or spill some more innocent blood. Either way, you won't get an answer out of me."
It felt good to say this to his face, but he didn't seem to be bothered by my words at seemed to have a plan B. "Fine. Pack your things, you're coming with me." He said.
I was shocked, the nerve of that guy. "I will do no such a thing."
"I need your piece of information and you simply refuse to give it to me because you don't trust me. You leave me no choice, I need to convince you of my true intentions. Something I can't do myself, so I'm taking you to someone who can." He then grabbed my backpack from under my bed and stuffed it with my clothing, my book, art supplies and toiletries while I was trying to stop him. But it had no use, I was a simple fly hanging on his arm. "It's not like you have much to pack." He mentioned while he threw the backpack to me containing all my things but my sword. Then he grabbed my sheathed sword from the corner and left the room without looking backwards towards me.
He knew very well I wouldn't let him leave with my sword. He knew I would be following him until I got it back. "Give it back! I paid a lot of money for that!" I yelled at him running down the stairs. Hoping the whole village would wake up. Truth be told, this village was used to shouting people in the middle of the night coming from the inn.
"Then tell me about the girl." He snarled back without stopping.
"No!"
He rushed to his horse and packed my sword between his things in one of the many saddle bags and hopped on. I tried snatching my sword back, but instead he snatched my backpack away from me which I was still holding clumsy. He had now taken my sword and my bag. In my simple clothes and on my bare feet I ran after him since he already rode off with his horse. I was grateful for the fact I choose to go to bed with my clothes on this night. I had no time to wake the villagers, let alone dress myself. "Get back here!" Apparently weren't the words the villagers responded to as a cry for help in the middle of the night. "Fuck," I mumbled when I stepped on a sharp stone.
