.XXX. Past Acquaintances.
As he rose from the ground with a couple of inaudible grunts, his eyes slid to the right, and locked onto Galodo's tracks, which led uphill...
'So ?', Nabb asked with a grunt, all the while the witcher stood up, more concerned about his partner's whereabouts and his horse's condition, than the troll in front of him. 'H-human has no t-tongue ? You alike the eunuch ?'.
'What ?', Gerd replied, as he laid his eyes on the troll.
'Nabb meet toongue-tied mann once. Looong ago. He hadd friend with. Friend said he a eunuch.', Nabb answered, scratching his chest. 'But you speaks. So ?'.
'What's the fee ?', Gerd asked petting his horse's back. 'It's alright...', he continued, calming his horse.
'You can give Nabb the horsie...', the troll replied.
'Are you going to eat it ?', Gerd asked turning to Nabb.
'Mhm.', Nabb murmured. 'What else it good for ? I cannot ride it.'.
'I need the horse. Choose something else.', Gerd said, stepping towards the troll.
'Hmm...Sharpy sticks !', Nabb responded with excitement.
'No. I need my swords too.'.
'Humannses always haggle !', Nabb grunted, with a thump of his left foot. 'You needs carriages. You needs boots. You need sharpy sticks. You needs wooden leg and pretty rocks. You needs horsie. You needs hats. Humanses greedy ! But ! Greedy no more after Nabb mash puny humanses with rroock ! Then Nabb takes whatever Nabb wants !'.
'What did the eunuch and his friend give you ?', Gerd asked calmly.
'Hmm. Nothing. Friend haggle not, eunuch haggle not, he not tongue had, and was poor like Nabb. Nabb let 'em go.', the troll responded. 'But you things has. And you greedy. Nabb gives rroock to greedy humanses !'.
'There must be something else I can offer. Think.', Gerd replied, approaching Nabb.
'Your f-frriend's horsie !', the troll said, with a snicker, proud of his resolve. 'Nabb saw how frriend left you beehind...'.
'He did...', Gerd began, looking around. 'But you see, if I give you his horse, he'll have to ride with me.'.
'Ride with ? Why ?! He leave you behind. So, he gets rroock !'.
'No need for stoning.'.
'Why not ?!', the troll scoffed. 'You dumbhead !?'.
Gerd chuckled. 'I might be. But, for now I have to find him...'.
'Not worry 'bout that.', Nabb said, as he picked up a few of his rocks. 'Nabb, has friends too.'.
'Meaning ?'.
'Nabb's friends will catch yours.', Nabb responded, as he finished up collecting his rocks. 'Follow.'.
'Will they kill him ?', asked Gerd as he reached for his horse's reins.
The troll shook his head. 'Nabb does the killin', friends collect.'.
'Collect what ?'.
'The humanses that escape Nabb's rroocks.', the troll replied as both he and Gerd, left the side of the woods. 'Shame. Your friend had pretty horsie. Nabb likes black horsies.'.
'You always eat them ?', Gerd asked following behind Nabb.
'Not always. Nabb and friends, has horsies back at camp...', Nabb began, snorting. 'It's food Nabb has not...Nabb, must eat many things in one day. Nabb always hungry...Cannot eat horsies from camp, so...'.
'You look for horses on the road...', Gerd added, leading his steed through the woods. 'You ever tried hunting ?'.
'Sometimes. Bunnies to quick for Nabb. But, Nabb can kill boars and deer with rroocks.'.
Gerd chuckled. 'I guess there isn't much left of them after ?', he asked, while Nabb nodded sadly. 'There are plenty of deer tracks around here. I could hunt some for you. And we could call it as payment of the fee you requested.', Gerd replied, while Nabb placed his rocks on the ground, then sat near them.
'Alright. But, horsie stays with Nabb.', the troll began snorting. 'Nabb need two deer. Nabb gives you one deer leg.', the troll resumed, while Gerd tied his horse's reins to a tree near Nabb. 'Nice horsie...', he continued, trying to pat the horse's muzzle.
'I won't take long...', Gerd began, stepping away from his steed. 'Don't eat my horse.'.
'Nabb won't eat horsie. Nabb, promiseses.'.
'Good.', the witcher said, then turned away and left to look for a fresh set of deer tracks. 'I won't be long...'.
The storm which the witcher harbored within himself, hasn't calmed. Nor could he, with all his strength succeed in ignoring it. For it seemed that not even Kaela's words could calm it, no matter of how much she tried, or wished that she could do so.
'You're finally awake...', Kaela said, as Gerd let out a few grunts while turning on his back. 'How are you ? How's your head ?'.
'I'm fine. How is she ?', Gerd asked, checking the condition of his chest wounds, while standing on the bed's side.
'She managed to fall asleep not long ago. But, she barely ate anything...', Kaela murmured, laying naked next to the tub, on a walnut settee with her nose among the pages of a prominent book.
'She needs time, care and love...', Gerd added. 'But, she doesn't have anyone left to offer her those things anymore. All thanks to me.'.
'You could take care of her-', Kaela began before being cut short, as she placed the book she previously perused upon, down on a table to her right.
'Don't be ridiculous.', Gerd muttered. 'I cannot. She wasn't able to even look at me when we spoke. I am supposed to return her to her father, which I killed, because I chose to. Because, I know it's easier to extract the information I need from a dying man, than to convince one that I am trustworthy.', he continued, raising from the bed and walking towards a table at the center of the tent. From where he picked a tankard and drank. 'I could take her to Novigrad. I know several people that could offer her a good life, and the means for her to have such a life for herself later. I cannot offer her such things, Kaela. All I can give to her, is more of the same...Nothing more.'.
'I- don't understand how you can utter such absurdity. For it is so untrue.', she replied standing up, then scoffed. 'Was your kind really forcefully indoctrinated into believing that you are all emotionless monsters ? And that besides the sole purpose you were made for, you have nothing else to offer ? Because I know you don't believe in it.'.
'I have to believe in something.', he added, leaned over the table. 'I am a witcher. I kill for gold. Monsters, humans, matters less. As long as they pay me in gold.'.
'Gerd.', she replied softly, as she stopped near him. 'You know what I am. So, tell me, am I supposed to believe what the world says about my kind as well ? Just because I have to believe in something ? While there's plenty of proof pointing otherwise ? No, I do not. And nor should you...', she continued, touching his shoulder. 'We are much more, than what the world states we are.'.
Gerd scoffed. 'We are not.', then he paused for a few moments. 'We are simple. As I don't belong in their world, besides the times when I'm needed. And I don't even want to. So, I'm not going to try to pretend to be something that I cannot become. I'm a witcher. I cannot just set aside or forget what I am, and be a parent. Nor could I hope being one, no matter of how much she needs a caregiver.', he resumed, then turned around to face Kaela. 'I know this must disappoint you. But, I cannot. Why should I deprive her of choice, and ruin even more of her life by taking her with me ? When there are people, who can offer her so much more than I can. I don't know why you can know every thought that goes through my head, but you're unable to see it...', he continued, placing his right hand on Kaela's cheek. 'Life is simple. You are born, you live, then you die. We complicate it. Love complicates it, along with fear, and greed. There's no reason for me to drag her along with me. On a path covered in blood and layered with corpses. I made no promise to anyone. Nor was she promised to me.'. He then kissed Kaela's forehead and walked towards the bed from where he picked his trousers and shirt.
She remained still and silent, for a good amount of time. As she probably, understood the source of Gerd's words. Or perhaps she didn't and tried to make sense of nonsense. Whatever it was, she did try to make sense of it. As she knew one of them was due to his nature, and another, his concerns regarding the wellbeing of Elia. As through all his stubbornness, he did make a valid point. That witchers are not caretakers, as their purpose is to be a monster slayer. Were they to assume such a role, the sole purpose for which they were made would become obsolete. As then, she recalled a quote she had found among Gerd's thoughts. 'For if a sword could begin to ponder about becoming a stick, it would loose it's sharpness.'. If it was true, or not, she couldn't tell. As she sensed in his previous words, both fear and contentment. Kindness, selflessness, and selfishness. Making the result of his decision to seem right, for he knew it's difficulty, and it's consequences. She then softly sighed, while turning around towards the witcher. 'Where are you going ?', she asked approaching, while he was getting dressed.
'To look for work.', he answered putting his frayed jacket on.
'You don't have to leave-', she said, before being interrupted.
'I do.', he promptly replied, fitting his gauntlets. 'It's best that I get as far as possible from the city. You and your people, might want to consider leaving as well. Find a new place the set camp. If you decide to, I'd urge you to do it today. That is, if you don't want soldiers to show up here come morning.'.
'-And you didn't plan on staying anyway...', Kaela added with a murmur, then sighed. 'Where will you go ?'.
'Northeast. There might be some witcher work that way.', he answered, buttoning his jacket. 'Promise me you'll look out for her. I'll come back in a couple of days. I'll take her to the city then.'. His eyes then met Kaela's. He did not approach her, as he just gazed into her eyes for a few moments, then blinked. 'When I return, I'll pass by the elven ruins of Nyr Saeth...', he resumed, then turned and left towards the tent's doorway.
Afterwards, with a nod, he picked his swords and crossbow from a table close to the tent's entrance, and then, he walked out.
As Galodo passed the hump of the hill, he looked back, expecting to see the witcher riding behind. But, he saw no such thing. For all he heard was the loud neigh of Gerd's horse followed by a few thumps and a growl. While on the road ahead of him, two bulky men appeared from the left side of the woods. 'Voe'rle !', spoke the one on the left. Bald or so it looked, as instead of hair his head was tattooed. Bulky and tall, wearing a ragged dark grey tunic and black loose trousers, boots of the same color, tied by two buckles near the top half. And besides the hunting knife which he wore on his belt, he had no other weapon. And as for the one next to him, he was almost as tall, fair haired, with a light beard. He wore a beige shirt, and washed up green trousers. Grinning as he aimed his crossbow in the direction of the mercenary.
'Get off your horse, mate.', the one on the right added. 'Magnar. What's with the Elder Speech ? Eh ? Don't you recognize this cunt ?', he continued with a snicker aimed towards his mate. All the while the other, measured the mercenary, head to toe, and after a short couple of moments he responded with a snort and a spat.
To Galodo's surprise and the poor luck thus far, he did recognized the men in front of him, by the thick accent and then their distinctive looks.
'I fuckin' do !', the one on the left replied laughing, patting his partner's shoulder. 'How's it goin' ? What's your koviri arse doin' back here, eh ?', the man continued, approaching Galodo. 'I ask, 'cause me an me mate here thought you'd get as much distance 'tween you and the Thyr's as one could. Hell, I wagered you had gone beyond The Great Sea. What, did they finally get you ? If so...How come, you aren't dangling by their pretty bridge ? Eh ?', the man said, as he came as close to Galodo, that he could tell if whether, Magnar, still had his back teeth or not.
The mercenary awkwardly smiled, looking away. 'Luck, I guess...', he replied laying his eyes on Magnar.
Magnar frowned, then chuckled, as he tilted his head towards his partner. 'Luck, eh ?', he asked taking a few steps back. 'As I recall, all your luck ran out after that last job you pulled...', he continued, patting the neck of Galodo's mare. 'Along with whatever shred of amity you had left with those Thyr cunts...', he resumed, approaching. 'Whatever it is the reason you're still breathin', I am pretty sure it ain't 'cause of any luck...', Magnar paused for a few moments staring Galodo down. 'What it might be, is that debt you had. And for the reason you're here...Well, even though I don't know the exact spot, I'm pretty fuckin' sure you and that mangy prick Sartor, had a stash north of here...'.
Galodo replied with a short snicker. 'Is that why the two of you are here ?', he asked, then sighed. 'I emptied it of all the gold, then burnt the rest...'.
'You burnt all that fisstech ?', Magnar scoffed, baring his teeth. 'And all the pelts ?'.
'I did.'.
'Horseshit !', he snarled. 'The fisstech alone, would've sufficed enough, then some...To buy yourself the life of a fuckin' king and pay that bloody debt of yours.'.
Galodo chuckled. 'I see you don't recall, how we ended up with that much fisstech in the first place...',
'Does it matter ?'.
The mercenary nodded. 'Sartor and Zezka lifted it off a bunch of idiots that tried to sell it in Aedirn. Remember ? Saying that none would buy their high quality batch ? It might've been as pure as a priestess's twat, but were I or anyone else to seek a buyer in order to sell it...We would've received our payment in anything but coin. And if you still don't get it, that batch was stolen. None wanted to buy it because none desired to die for it...'.
Magnar started laughing, looking back at his pal. 'Am I supposed to trust you ?', he continued, whilst his right hand reached the hilt of the knife he kept on the belt. 'Cause I fuckin' don't. Now...You'll take me and Rocco to it. And if you speak the truth, and you really burnt it, I'll put this knife 'tween your ribs and toss you in that hole. But, if you didn't, and you lied... I'll take whatever's left in there, then I'll throw you in it, with your hands and legs tied and set it aflame, then I'll watch as you're burned alive.'.
Within the blink of Magnar's eyes, Galodo headbutted him, drawing his sabre from the back of his horse's saddle. As then he continued with a kick in the man's stomach that pushed him a few steps back, and followed with a slap on his mare's thigh. Which began to run ahead, towards the other's right side, with Galodo following behind, using his mare as cover. However, as he was about to leave the horse's back side, Magnar grabbed him from behind, locking his arm around Galodo's neck.
'You little bitch and your fuckin' tricks !', Magnar muttered as he squeezed his hold on the mercenary's neck. 'Catch that damned horse !', he continued, while the other followed after Galodo's mare. 'Stop squirming about ! Simmer down ! And do let go of that sabre, before I break your neck...'.
Galodo struggled for a couple of moments, then as his supply of air got thinner and thinner, he did let go of his sabre.
'There you go...', murmured Magnar, holding Galodo down, while the other did manage to catch up to the horse and bring it back. 'You know, mate. Your little idea might've worked, if you had fought Rocco instead...', he continued, watching as Rocco brought back the horse. 'He get's groggy if you smash him in the snout.', Magnar said, all the while Galodo was getting dizzy himself.
'Oy. Let' him out of that lock will you ? He'll pass out...', Rocco added, as he approached.
'Listen up, boss. I'll let go, if you promise to not give us more trouble. Deal ?', Magnar said, while Galodo nodded. 'Alright.', he resumed, then let go of the mercenary. Who, right after he was out of Magnar's hold, slid the tip of his right boot under the blade of his sabre and with a swift lift he hoisted it up into the grasp of his right hand. Managing a horizontal slash, which Magnar evaded.
'It was nice to see you again, boys. But, I'm afraid I got to go.', he said, taking a few steps towards the side of the road, then whistled. His mare raised on it's hind hooves managing to pluck the reins from Rocco's grasp, all the while Galodo ran down the road, and met up with his mare ahead, jumping in the saddle.
Nor Magnar, nor Rocco gave chase. Nor did they look as if they wanted to. This particular escape, seemed to be rather too easy even to Galodo himself. Yet, as he set his eyes ahead, he managed to get a glimpse of why. As a sphere the size of a fist flew out of the woods, blowing up as it touched the ground in front of him. The horse let out a loud neigh, bucked the mercenary and then ran towards the side of the road, where it's stopped, startled.
Galodo fell with a thud, and a grunt, yet while his mare fled to the road's side, he managed to get up, only to be greeted by the stock of Rocco's crossbow slamming against his head.
'See ?', said the troll, playing with a boulder. 'Nabb likes this rroock moore, 'cause it dooesn't cruumble. Nabb hate's crumbly rroocks. For they doon't mash as nicely.', he continued while the horse snorted. 'Ah !', Nabb sighed. 'Horsie Nabb's friend now. Nabb friend hurrts not.', Nabb uttered softly, while from the woods a faint sharp grunt could be perceived. 'Nabb doesn't like cruumbly rroocks...Bum...Bum...Bum. 'Tween the wooods Nabb finds them rroocks, they maash and squaash, they are biig colored alike aash, and smaash little humansess and all them greeedy foolks. Swooosh and Squuish. Nabb's likes rabbits, boars, deers too. Horsies taste good, but better friends to yooou...Bum...Bum...Bum.', Nabb mumbled melodiously, while rolling the bolder back and forth.
All the while from the woods, Gerd appeared, caring one deer on his right shoulder, while dragging another behind him. 'Got your deer.', he muttered, approaching.
'As promissessd...', the troll replied, as he felt he needed to. 'Nabb, did not eat horsie.'.
While Gerd with a grunt tossed the deer carcass on the back of his horse. 'Good.'.
'Now we go to camp.', the troll added as he rose up from the ground, then picked his boulder, while Gerd placed the other deer on his horse. 'Horsie, Nabb's friend too...'.
'Great...', Gerd replied, taking the reins.
'You Nabb's friend too. What you called ?', Nabb said, walking alongside the witcher.
'Gerd.'.
'Gerd, Nabb's friend.'.
'Alright. The camp, is it far ?'.
The troll shook his head. 'No, closer now. Nabb, eager for new friend to meet other friends.'.
'You don't say...'.
'Your friend there too...', Nabb said, scratching his jaw. 'Nabb will make sure friends know, Gerd payed the fee.'.
'Alright.', Gerd replied, as they advanced further into the thick woods following a beaten path, filled with all manner of thickets and shrubberies.