.XXIII. Crossroads.
The road to Erde was not one would call short nor safe, as bandits are known to pillage the merchant wagons passing through here, some coming from Kaedwen others not. Most, carrying illicit items and choosing this route with the intention of avoiding the payment of certain taxes or any requirements of permits for the transportation and handling of sensible merchandise. Therefore, it is not a loss for anyone in the city, as those that are valued, needed, and necessary, travel on the main road, whereas these were not needed, nor valuable. As most of their cargo is already stolen, or 'moved' from one Lord of the east to a thief's pathetic stash inside or out of the free city of Novigrad.
However, as it was close to dusk, and such a time of day should more than often induce several philosophical topics to ones mind, Gerd, was no exemption. This one, was a matter of certain importance to his contract, as the man's trail he followed, might prove to be a bit more complex. Empowered by a certain hunch that he had, that this man, Reginald. Wasn't working alone nor was he as mundane as he let the scholar believe. For, as he experienced during his long time on the path, a man's need for purpose is universal, but the understanding that such meaning is often given by other people is rather not easy to understand at first. Everyone needs orders, instructions, a reason and even a minuscule, almost insignificant thing to aim towards. The meaning of marriage besides the union created in front of the gods, brings purpose, and obligations of mutual understanding, and a deviation of your self-centered attention towards your other half. That is the concept of it, then there is the reality of it. The concept being the ideal, while the latter, the truth. Which is most of times hard to process and understand, most of time because life is too short and other times due the lack of patience or the naive ways people tend to think. Is that life is never as easy as it sounds, but always has a way to bring challenges and obstacles that are sometimes hard to overcome or avoid. And only a very few get to know and experience that everything, is due to a cause-effect relationship that most of times is unrelated to us until the moment it is.
Gerd recalled a contract he had in a village near Attre during his first year on the path. Where a fisherman fell victim to a drowner, who's only fault was that it had to prowl the areas inhabited by humans in order to feed itself. But none mentioned the fault belonged to the incompetent fool who ventured in these waters just to get more fish one unfortunate morning. Knowing that it was a place frequented by the drowner. He had a wife, and two children, obviously he did so he could catch more fish in order to sell and feed his family. Greed killed him at the same time the drowner did. Villagers avoided that area of the small bay for a reason. If he had waited two more days, Gerd would've arrived in the village, taking the contract and would've slayed the drowner, and the fisherman wouldn't have died. But, how could he tell that to the fisherman's grieving wife and orphaned children ? He had no right to, but assumed that they knew it.
Although witchers are described as being emotionless, merciless, unable to feel love or compassion. Gerd, did feel something, and it was disgust.
He didn't meant it, but that's what it was, disgust. Directed toward the incompetent husband this woman had chosen, who's greed costed him his life. And worst of all, the fact that the children had no say in all of this, no way of understanding how it happened, why and by whose fault. Which had everything to do with them. They were crying, sniffing and weeping, while the mother barely got to actually grieve herself or understand what happened, because she tried to comfort them.
Little did he knew back then, of how many more times he would encounter that feeling...
The thing about living this long, is that one gets to see plenty, but learn very few. Yet, if more time passes, one may get slowly but surely, the answers to questions that bother others to their graves. Small pieces of a puzzle, that not even one man or woman, nor elf or dwarf can ever complete. For its purpose is not to be completed but understood, deciphered.
But.
In truth...
Life itself to the naked eye, to an outside observer, uninterested, uninfluenced by myth or social constructs, looks and surely seems a mess. Which no one truly admits it, but rather try to lie themselves by making it merrier, with tools such as alcohol, sex, narcotics, poems and theatre pieces that awe the viewer, who like a troll gobbles every word, each lie.
And as a conclusion to these lines of thought. For the romantic, hopeful and poetic minds, life, is like a painting, that each men and women paints themselves, with the colors they choose. Yet, the saddest part, is that all of it is a farfetched self-inflicted illusion, and that most choose to see the rest of the world in a primitive construct composed out of only two components. Black and white. Bad or good...Helpless to admit that in truth there is nothing but a combination of the two. As the night has a way of transcending into day, and vice-versa, so does everything else. For nothing is truly good or raw evil. As in this situation comes perspective, a gift offered by wisdom, honed through the years..
Then there's the belief in destiny...
Which, couldn't be more bold but to expect one to nod at the idea that Destiny, willed a child to survive war, famine, sickness, death and then the pain of broken bones, bruises and nasty infections due to untended cuts before undertaking The Trail of Grasses. Which was followed by the worst kind of headaches, soreness, and then death again ? Only to be pushed closer towards death after ? So, in the end to become a witcher... A killer for hire, a monster slayer, that peasants and nobles alike, resent more then each other ? To march merry as a drunken dimwit, on The Path ? How could one accept that over logic ? I do not know...
From within the thick woods and high grass and bushes on both sides of the road, the village appeared. Surrounded by trees and weeds, with the hay roofs of the hut's beyond. While, some distance away, outside the village, a couple of carriages were stopped on the side of the road. Most certainly owned from the look of it, by thieves and cutthroats, as one does not come around these parts for civilization but rather the opposite. And not far from the road they had set up a camp. From which Gerd expected to witness the usual activities, a band of merry lads and lasses such as them would take part in.
'Witcher ! Over here ! I want to have a few words with you.', yelled a man, waving as Gerd approached the camp site.
Gerd stopped on the side of the road, watching the camp, then got off his horse, looking at the man. 'What is it ?'.
'Are you looking for work ?', the stranger asked, approaching Gerd.
'Depends on the kind of work you talk about.'.
'The kind that's fit for a witcher.'.
'Which is ?'.
'That, we can't talk here. Follow me.'.
Gerd led his mare by the reins as he followed the stranger inside the camp. From the middle of the camp, music, and songs echoed loudly.
'What's the occasion ?', asked Gerd.
The stranger replied with a short laugh. 'Must there be one ?', he replied turning towards Gerd. 'We sing and drink, because we want to. Because it pleases us greatly. As you may have already noticed we're a bunch of merry men and women, of foreigners, thinkers and merchants. Travelling from village to village, in search for nothing but of other beautiful men and women. Life is far to short to be lived all in one place. And a family doesn't have to be tied by blood, but by friendship.'.
'Right. What's the work I am supposed to do ?'.
'Patience, my friend. You will have your-'.
'Listen. I don't have time to waste-', replied Gerd interrupting the stranger.
'You, my friend, are very tense and aggressive. I know the perfect medicine...'. The stranger stopped, turning towards the witcher. Moving his hand along Gerd's chest armor. 'You can have me or my sister...Or both if you prefer-'.
'Dearest brother. What have you brought here ? Hmm, a witcher...', said a dark haired woman, almost naked, if her body would've not been covered by a transparent red dress. Quite aroused by the look of it. She kissed her brother on the cheek, and then approached Gerd, while she subtly pinched her left erected nipple as she moved her hand to her hip. 'I want us to spend a mere night together, witcher. I promise you'll enjoy every moment of it...'.
'I told you. A job fit for a witcher.', added the brother, approaching as well, before being pushed away by his sister.
'He's all mine. If he desires that you join us later, I'll call for you...', the woman said, while her brother reached for the reins of Gerd's mare.
'Well, go on. I'll take good care of your mare...', the brother replied, noticing the witcher's subtle frown. 'What ?'.
'By taking care of my mare, you meant...'.
Confused about what the witcher implied. 'A bale of hay and water. What else ?', the man asked, puzzled, yet not long after he understood the witcher's scowl. 'Why-', the man began. 'Who would do that ?!', he continued, then left.
'You'd be surprised...', the witcher murmured, while the sister seemed rather amused.
Unable to truly explain how he ended up into this exact situation, Gerd joined the woman to her tent. 'Here we are.'. She said holding his hand, as they entered the tent. 'So, Gerd, shall we ?', she continued taking off her dress.
'How-'.
'...do I know your name ?', she added. 'Because I've heard of you.'. She changed her previous aroused tone to a more thoughtful one. As she reached for a silver goblet that contained wine, on a table not far from the entrance. 'Now, lets take that armor of yours off.'.
'Not how my contracts usually go...'.
'The only difference, is that you won't have to slay the monster...Besides that, everything is just what a witcher would do during a contract. Follow the trail while learning the nature of the creature. Then, begin the preparation before the fight. The Brewing and drinking of the required potions and apply the right oil to the silver blade. And finally, the battle...', she approached Gerd with a pleasant smile. Helping him to take his chest armor off. 'Thus far, you have followed the trail...But have been unable to identify the nature of the creature...', she continued taking the chest armor off, moving her right hand's fingers against his sternum, downwards. 'So, master witcher...What am I ?', she asked as her hand reached his trousers.
'From what I observed thus far...'.
'Yes...', she whispered, as her lips touched his collar bone.
'Due to the immunity to silver...'.
'Mhm...', she continued whispering, kissing the jugular area of his neck.
'And the lack of any reaction from my medallion...'.
'Wrong.', she responded as if asked, pushing herself away while holding her hands behind Gerd's head. Her left hand grabbed the back of his head. 'A job fit for a witcher...'.
However, little that might've reveal or mean to someone listening. It gave Gerd a shiver, that ran down his spine. 'A job fit for a witcher...'.
She moved away from him, taking another sip of wine. While Gerd realized what he had in front of him.
She looked at him, as she placed the goblet on the table, and smiled.
'That is correct.', she said, as she turned to face him. 'Huh. Is age that important ?'. she asked approaching him. 'I know your age, yet you don't see me being bothered about it. Age for me and you, right now, is but a worthless number. It reveals absolutely nothing about us. You a result of mutation and I, member of a species beyond any human's limited comprehension. Yes. Would you like me to say it ?'.
'No.', he quickly replied. Sliding his hands down her back, clutching his fingers around her waist as they were heading towards the bed on the other side of the tent.
'I believe we are now entering the preparation stage...', she added with a whisper in Gerd's ear, after which she made a pirouette, then pushed Gerd on the bed, climbing on top of him.
Her pale skin, warm and soft, almost shined alike scales under the light of the candles. While her auburn eyes seemed to shift towards a crimson shade, as her curled dark hair fell around her face, shading them, making them shine in the dark. It was hard to place into words what her game did to his mind. He felt her as being all powerful while he felt completely powerless. It wasn't anything if nothing but the truth. His realization to her true nature would still send from time to time shivers down his spine. As the intensity of her being felt like a bolt of lighting striking his whole body. Her eye lashes revealed her eyes that harbored within them a kind of desire he had never experienced before. More than anything, it was the fact that she knew everything about those particular thoughts, which gave her even more power and control over him. Somehow to his surprise, this was an incredible source of arousal. The fact that she could see and know all he thought of, felt as if he had nothing to hide, which was true. Who thought that the lack of any secrets from someone felt as good as it did. Being completely naked, without any shield or armor, both literally and figuratively, could feel so deep and heavy, as if it could crush your chest at any given time, yet your entire being felt as light as a feather...
After a while she leaned her head next to Gerd's and softly whispered. 'Witcher, shall we begin...', allowing her lips fall upon his.
Their first of many, lasted around an hour. As now, both were laying on their back staring at the roof of the tent.
'I guess none of us won...', she added jokingly, turning to her right side, kissing his arm.
He murmured, staring at the canvas roof.
'I'll keep you all for myself...', she said raising from the bed.
'Is he-'.
'Kairr ? Yes. Don't mind him...', she replied reaching for a goblet that contained water. Then, after she emptied it two times she returned to the bed. She sat down on the side of the bed, then turned to Gerd and smiled. 'Kaela.'.
She then laid down next to Gerd, resting her head on his arm.
'Kaela.', began Gerd. 'I-'.
'I know. But, spend the night with me...', she replied, kissing the side of his mouth, then moved on to his lips. 'Let us belong to each other. Let us enjoy every part of each other...', she whispered, as her hand moved downwards.
She then climbed on top of him once again. Initiating one of many other carnal urges, that lasted till' dawn.
The morning's first beam of light caught them right at the climax of their yearning. Kaela stood on top of Gerd, with her back arched and her head pushed back, while Gerd's left hand couldn't unpeel from her naked breast. As both let out intense breaths soon followed by a grunt and a moan.
She leaned upon Gerd, kissing his chest and after he took a deep breath, he moved a few locks of her curled dark hair, away from her face. 'I can't say I've met any other member of your kind, that-'.
'You know you don't have to say a word...', she interrupted turning her head to rest her chin on his sternum. Her reddish lips were almost hypnotizing when she smiled. Combined with her black curly hair, and auburn-crimson eyes that were squinting at the same time with a slight smile, certainly as a response to whenever she found any entertaining lines of thought sliding through Gerd's mind. Added to her being more then the truth about her nature would let on. 'Hmm...', she murmured, staring into Gerd's eyes. 'Yet I understand it. And, regarding your earlier enquiry. We as any other being do tend to be from time to time, consumed by sexual desire. The answer is that, you, simply didn't ask...'.
'That, I never did...'.
Kaela lifted herself up, and sat on the side of the bed. 'You're leaving...'.
'I have to find that man-'.
'You don't have to do anything. I've seen everything about-'.
'I'm a witcher. If I stop, what will I do ?'.
'Anything-'. she began with great eagerness to explain, then stopped as if she had lost it all.
'Kaela. I know nothing else, but this. I'm good at it. No witcher has ever died a peaceful death. And I do not wish for one. Such a death is for the weak. Besides, I was born on the Skellige Isles after all.'.
'A bunch of savages...', she replied looking at Gerd. 'You are nothing like them. That foolish desire of dying in battle is the only thing you share with them.'. She continued with a deep breath and then smiled. 'But, it is what it is...'.
She then stood up from the bed, and walked to the table, from which she picked up the reddest apple and took a bite from it.
'Ah ! You two must've had a great night...', said Kairr, entering the tent. 'I am disappointed you didn't care enough to include me as well. But I'm glad you two had a magnificent time together.', he continued approaching the table and poured himself some wine. 'Are you leaving ?', he asked, seeing as Gerd was getting dressed.
'I have work to do.'.
'The path calls ! However, do consider coming back. You are more than welcomed here.', Kairr began, then softly smiled as he caught wind of his sister's displeasure. 'Just look at my lovely sister. She's glowing. You've satisfied her every need I see, only if you could do the same for me...Ah ! But that is such a shame, as my sweet sister seems to want you all for herself. She never liked to share...'.
'Get out...', replied Kaela, pointing toward the exit.
'As you command, sweet sister.', responded Kairr, leaving the tent.
Gerd, now placing the swords on his back, approached Kaela. 'I-'. She turned and grabbed one of the sword's straps, pulling Gerd closer for a kiss.
'Return to me, once you finished the contract...'.
Once again on the path, Gerd was heading for Erde. The village was of small size, yet from what he heard in the camp, most people around these parts came here for the good works of a small shop, that makes and sells, from boots, belts and jackets to every kind of item that is manufactured or could be dressed in leather. That could benefit Gerd as well, since his sword straps were worn and a set of new ones would be more then required, after the exposure to all that sand and hot sun back in Zerrikania.
As he entered the village, that contained four huts, he got off the saddle and left his mare near a watering spot. And was shortly approached by a couple, that walked down from their porch.
'Good day, sir.', said the husband. 'What do you seek here ?'.
'He's a witcher ! Are you goddamn blind ?! He came to slay a monster...', said the wife following behind him.
'What monster you crazy hag ? There's none here !'.
She clicked her tongue, while slapping her husband left ear. 'He came for the werewolf-'.
'Dammit woman ! You fuckin' dumb believing that horseshit. You and that numskull, Lena, spreading who know what madness goes through that head of hers. Go back in the damn house !'.
'Is there a contract on the werewolf ?', asked Gerd, for if there's none here, there could be one in the closest village.
'There's no damn werewolf here !'.
'How would you know ?!'.
'Are you deaf woman ! I told you to go in the damn house !', he replied, then grabbed her by the shoulders and pushed her towards the porch, making her fall near the steps.
'Get in there and shut up ! Anyway, fuckin' crazy woman...'. She then got up mumbling, slamming the door behind her. 'Don't slam the damn door you fuckin' harpy ! For you ain't the one who's fixin' it !'.
She then threw through the window a frying pan at him then a pair of boots. 'I should've married your damn brother !'.
'Should've married your damn brother...', he mumbled rolling his eyes back. 'He's fuckin' dead !', he yelled throwing the frying pan back.
'I'm looking for-', attempted Gerd before being interrupted.
'I rather take death over you !', she yelled sticking her head out the window.
'Gods give me strength...', he mumbled. 'Shut up !'.
'I'll damn cut you in your sleep ! And feed you your damn worthless prick and balls !',
'I'll feed you my fist if you ain't gonna shut up !'.
After a while the two calmed down, allowing Gerd to ask about the girdler or cobbler's shop. 'Wha-What did you want to know ?', asked the husband.
'About a shop-'.
'That's the small hut over there...', responded the man, pointing towards a hut on the other side of the village.
'Thanks. Farewell.'.
'Glad to be of help.', replied the man, walking back on the porch.
After witnessing that yelling contest between the two villagers, he went to the gridler's shop. Where he planned to ask about Reginald as well. Behind the hut were a couple of medicinal plants, and a few crates that smelled of alcohol. Then as he opened the door, inside were laid on a chair a couple of prepared leathers and near the legs of the chair, two pairs of boots. From behind a wall the owner of the shop appeared.
'Welcome. What can I do for you ?', she asked hauling a crate containing wolfsbane and placed it near the wall.
'A new set of straps for my swords.'.
'Anything else ?'.
'Just a question. If, of course you wish to help me...', replied Gerd, while the girl nodded her head in agreement. 'I am looking for a man, dark haired, sturdy, scarred left ear, and a missing middle finger. Do you know anyone of the sort ? I think he goes by as Reginald ?'.
'Hmm. I think you just described Aidan. Reginald is his middle name, I think...Anyway, he's not here. You should check his hut though. It's outside of the village, in the woods to the east. There's a path behind my garden that'll lead you to it. He lives there. Some days he comes here to help me with the shop.', she said, as Gerd gave her his swords for measurements. 'I saw you talking with Ulf and Melva.'.
'You should put up a sign outside. I would have known where to come without asking...'.
'Sorry, I got my reputation recently. But I did gather the money for a sign. I just need to go in Brunwich to make it...'. She looked up at Gerd through a few locks of her golden hair, then straightened herself, pulling those locks behind her ear. 'I know it seems unfit for me to ask...But, could you help me with it ? I have a lot of work, and-'.
'Fine. I wanted to ride that way anyway.'.
'For that werewolf ?', she asked, looking back at Gerd.
'Mhm. Do you know anything about it ?'.
'I don't. This is the second time I heard of it, the first being from Melva...', she leaned behind the counter and picked up a sheet of paper. 'Here's the model for the sign. The blacksmith's shop is near the entrance, a dwarf owns it. His name is Turmir.'.
Gerd took the sheet of paper and placed it in a pocket on his belt. 'I see you're a herbalist as well ?'.
'And Alchemist...I plan to make enough coin to afford a life in the city. Buy a small place and set up shop...'.
'It's a good idea. And it might work...'.
'I hope it does. I can't stand this place anymore...', she shook her head, and with a light smile continued. 'The straps should be ready in a couple of hours.', she said, handing Gerd his swords back.
'Good. I'll visit Reginald's hut until then, and with luck, check if there's any witcher work in Brunwich.'.
'Alright. Later then.', she replied as Gerd walked out the door of the small shop.
He turned left and walked behind the shop, where he found the path that the girl mentioned. With a set of fresh tracks leading into the woods. It took some time to reach the hut. But alas he arrived at the doorstep of the house of this man, Reginald. Gerd knocked but no one answered, and whilst doing so he noticed the door's slight nudge, as if it were unlocked.
'Anyone home ?', Gerd asked as he cracked the door open, walking towards a table in the middle of the main chamber. Clean, if not for a few breadcrumbs, on the right side of the table, near a small basket, covered by a folded towel.
Yet, as he was looking around the chamber, he noticed a faint sound from the other room, and proceeded to find what it was. Though, as he approached the opened door, a pair of claws slid across his chest armor, followed by a growl. 'Hrrgghrrrr !'. Quickly after came another attack, this time hitting Gerd, who managed to make the sign of quen before the strike, sending him through the wall behind him, stopping into a tree outside. As the assailant came out through the hole in the wall, growling once again. 'Be gone, witcherr !'.
'I just want to talk !', Gerd replied lifting himself up from the ground.
'They always doo !', he growled as he approached, while Gerd, seeing no other alternative for the time being, unsheathed his silver sword.