Sebastien spat out a mouth full of blood into the swamp lands. The earth smelt horrible, the air was moist, and the ground felt it could sink. All in all, a half hour ago was much more beautiful.
And there in just in equal disgust was the Witch herself. Sebastien limped up with a even more pissed face than she provided. She observed the man up and down and gave out a single laugh.
"You look like shit." She commented. She made sure to brush the loose hair out of her face, and walk to the stump behind her. She sat down and dropped her head into her hand. "So now that my lab is destroyed how do move on?"
"Oh yeah, your lab is top worrying right now." The Witcher dropped onto another stump and spat another clump of blood. "Not that the fact these people found us instantly isn't a issue."
She scoffed at the response and walked over to the boy. She grabbed his chin and twisted his head around. "It's alright, just a slight concussion and blood loss from when you fell on your head. The bleeding will stop shortly, and the cauterized wound isn't bad. Should definitely find a doctor though."
He smacked the hand off of him and spat some more. "The wound isn't what I am worried about for fuck's sake!" He looked up at the Witch before he stood to tower above her. "We Witcher never worked with mages before, a slice of the cut wouldn't be on the table. So what the fuck is going on?"
"Big balls on you huh?" She crossed her arms and leaned back. "Novigrad has a sort of a Witch Hunter problem. As in they are grabbing anyone even thought of being a Witch and burning the stake. All brought by our King Radovid, no doubt to target me and anyone related to me." She stretched out her lower arm and hovered over the wound. "How'd it happen?"
"A flying dagger cloaked as a crow or something. Nothing anyone from my school could produce alone. If anyone that could source magical power would aid my old pals, being offered to be spared would be payment enough."
"So I have no doubt Radovid is supplying the Cat with an arsenal of mages to find us. Now you tell me why you're here. What the hell happened that made you come back here."
"The Wild Hunt is after Cirilla."
"Bullshit." She spat right out.
"No bullshit. The frost that covered the ground, the summoned beasts, that black skeleton armor." He started to freakishly chuckle and nod his head up and down. "I know what I saw. The carnage."
"You think they'll get in the way to get you?"
"Nah, but you know I won't let Ciri be in danger like that. I owe the Wolf way more than I owe you."
"And you realize if we don't take out this danger you'll just place the girl in the middle right?"
Sebastien lowered his guard. He spat out less blood this time next to Philippa's feet. "So where do we go? Can't just kill the King just like that anymore. And running isn't going to work."
"I can get hide and run for as long as it takes till we either escape Radovid's grasp or kill off the last of the Cat. But both of those has to happen before I start to wrinkle."
"Okay and I can't exactly just fend of mages that are constantly tracking me. My medallion won't hum at the signs at magical items that fly across the sky."
"And you won't be detecting monsters anymore too." She pointed at the Cat emblem on his chest. "The most least common denominator is that medallion on your chest." She turned her hand over and gestured him to hand it over.
"The hell you're taking this."
"For now I am. I know of an old artifact that you can find in the mean time. One you retrieve that you may have that back."
Sebastien froze when he grabbed the medallion. Under no circumstances was this to be removed, essentially this was an extension of him. It was slow but the piece of metal rose over his neck. "What the hell am I finding for you?"
"One of the old Baron's of these lands used to be so deathly afraid of magic that he had a stone crafted. A stone specifically could detect magic being used around him. You'll find it. Go to a place called Crow's Perch. Ask the Baron to find it." She pulled a small scroll from her pouch and planted it into his hands.
"And how are you going to hide with my medallion and not lose it?"
"This bog has a strange force of magic around it. Much more powerful that what this thing can transmit out. And stealthily to hide whatever monster is hiding in here."
Sebastien dropped the medallion in her hand. He squeezed tight enough to crack her knuckles and leaned into her face. "If anything happens to this, I will kill you. The deal ends there."
"Please, you're a bitch without the bite. One Witcher isn't enough to scare me."
Sebastien's muscles constricted and pulsed from under his skin. If there's anything the man hated, was another person to act as if they had him cornered. Especially if they weren't the ones that spared his life beforehand. To him this was just another magical girl, nothing more than another contract.
He cooled his temper and pulled away from her. She placed a tiny crystal skull into his chest. "Break this when you're close to the bog. I'll return to this spot as soon as I'm safe to."
"What am are you doing in the mean time as I risk myself for some undescribed artifact?"
"Going to figure out how the hell to use it on you. I told you he was a crazy old man afraid of magic, he didn't exactly write everything down in detail. Just find the thing and return to me."
Sebastien smirked as he walked backwards from the Witch. He twisted around and placed the skull into his pocket. At the same time he pulled the paper and opened it. It was only then did he realize how bad all this could go wrong.
A complex betrayal to remove his one form of protection. Then send him into a unknown land to go after and kill him. And if he survived that, return to a massive ambush to finish him off.
He shook the feeling off and made his way to wherever this map led him to. His body was still madly in pain, a barely covered wound and a concussion to add on. Whatever this goal is had to wait.
Sebastien inspected the map in more detail. Closest real town that could help his case was northeast of him. Oxenfurt, a town full of knowledge and a renown college. It was quite the hike and out of the way but the only place that could help.
His travel forced him to stay along the main road. The least dangerous route but the most exposed. And the bright sunny sky would not hide him in the bit. No matter the choice, each one had its ups and downs.
He learned his choice camed to be the right one. Nobody on the road wanted to bother the heavily armed and hurt weirdo. He wandered directly into a small patch of huts and houses attached to the road. Barely big enough to call itself anything than a pit stop. A decent enough blacksmith shop, an inn, and a few house to call home.
But it was big enough to stop and eat at. Sebastien made his way into the the small inn and gather all the attention to him. The few people in there couldn't stop their gaze at the warrior. The tingle in their eyes read only fear and trouble.
Sebastein paid them no attention and walked to the bar. He plopped in a seat and dropped a few coins on the counter. The rough man draped in basic peasant clothes turned his attention to the gold.
"Will taking this gold lead me to having a sword at my throat later?" The man asked. His hand rested right under the table for Sebastien to see.
He rolled his eyes in response and placed another coin down. "You'll get one sooner if I don't get my drink."
The man grumbled to himself before he filled a mug from the cask. The placed the drink down and grabbed a few of the coins. "When a stranger sits in the middle with a fresh wound like that. It usually brings in trouble." He leaned into Sebastien's ear while he eyed around. "These people are scared of that sort of trouble. And can't say I don't fear that myself."
"Trust me." He took his first swig of the extremely sour beverage. The side of his lip curled as his attention remained forward. "I'm thinking their looks are from this beer of yours."
The innkeeper failed to hide his laughter and leaned on the bar. "Sorry, thought maybe it'd add a few hairs on your face." The man let out an exaggerated long sigh before his head tilted up to the ceiling.
"This town is known to be a pretty close spot to that Ox College, to collect herbs and such. Amd our herbalist happens to be expecting a pick up later today."
Sebastien tossed another coin on the counter. "Thanks for the tip mate."
"eh." He shrugged his shoulders and walked to another patron. "No reason to let a decent folk perish."
Sebastien swirled his glass before he took another drink. "Decent." he mumbled to himself as he looked down at the piss yellow contents. "Sure."
He finished his drink soon after and left the establishment without a word. The others kept their eyes on him but didn't bother to follow him out. Even injured his kind isn't known to be put down so easy. Rumors would just say at that point they get harder to kill.
The herbalist's hut wasn't out of eye sight, in fact it was just around the corner. With the bright sun and equally warm temp, Sebastien waited outside. A nice old bench felt cool to the touch as it was shaded by the straw roof. The wounds didn't bother him at this point, mixed with elixirs and wither blood it settled at this point. The sun was just the bliss on top.
"Excuse me young man." A soft voice interrupted his sleep.
Sebastien didn't realize he dropped his guard so easily. His eyes grogged open to a red head squatted down between his legs. "Sorry, I don't have time for that service." He groaned and sat forward.
"Excuse me!" She sprang right up and slapped Sebastien across the face. "I knew Witchers to be rude but even the others look better compared to you." She scoffed and tightened her green outfit.
The glare from the silver emblem on her fitted vest caught his attention. "The snakes. So you're a doctor?"
"Trust me, a doctor is much more interest in you with those wounds than a prostitute."
Sebastien grabbed his side as he groaned to his feet. "Apologies. If you know Witchers then you know the like we get. Doctors are on the bottom of our lists."
She huffed and pointed at the door. "Do you work for the herbalist here? I have an order to pick up from her."
Sebastien looked over her shoulder and noticed the small cart and horse behind her. "You got any guards with ya? Or is it only yourself?"
"Threatening me? Or about to give advise?"
"I don't work for the herbalist, but for a ride I'll make sure your goods get delivered safe."
She smiled and nodded at the door. "Give me a hand then. If you're not too weak."
Sebastien followed behind the petite girl. He grabbed the first crate and dropped it into the back of the cart. One by one he walked in and dropped it off. Then before he knew it they were off once again.
"We should be there by night fall." She spoke out.
"So tell me." Geus leaned forward where his arms rested on his thighs. "Why are you coming out here with no guards for your college?"
"The name's Shani by the way. But to answer your question it's not for the college. The college is more of a, a way to get the ingredients I need."
Sebastien nodded as he listened. "Listen, I need some potions made if possible. I don't got the coin now but I have a safe house inside Oxenfurt."
She side eyed the boy and gave a little smirk. "I'll put it on Geralt's tab." Sebastien's face froze on the girl. She took a peak at him and reflected on his face. "I don't know much but he told me if I find another Witcher allied with the Wolf to let them know he's in town." Sebastien was still frozen in place. "He said to wait for him in Novigrad, he's on the hunt for Ciri."
Sebastien broke free of his trance and leaned back in his seat. "I don't recommend you get involved in this matter. No matter how much you've been told."
"He never told me but I figure it's dangerous. It's what the supplies are for. I'm going to help, however I'm able to."
A few hooded figures entered the street up ahead. Sebastien instinctively grabbed the reigns and pulled them back. He covered Shani's mouth and signaled with his own to hush. He grabbed his swords from the floor and hooked them on his side.
Sebastien jumped from the cart and proceeded forward. The sun wasn't quite dark yet, a little too early for regular bandits to strike. His hand remained on the larger sword and stood a safe distance away.
"Put the sword down if you value you or the girl's life!" One of the hooded figures shouted out.
"I can't just let that happen." Sebastien held his hand out and started to pace forward. "Just leave the street and you may live."
"Witcher!" Shani screamed out.
Sebastien blasted aard out at the two and reached for the smaller blade. His feet twisted around and pulled the blade to his hand. He flipped the blade around and cocked back. Another man jumped into the back of the cart with an old club in hand. The man was too slow to react as the dagger flung into his throat.
Sebastien turned back around with his other weapon drawn. He curled his sword to his side and blocked a poor swing. His boot connected with the bandit's side and allowed a clean slice across the chest. Sebastien quickly grabbed the dagger and blocked another attack.
He thrusted down right through the attacker and drove his sword into his throat. The blade dragged through to the side and into the head of another man. It slide like butter as it split a section of the skull off.
One last man could be seen in the vicinity. Sebastien lept toward the last. His should bashed the weakling into the ground face first. One boot planted into the man's back as Sebastien's sword rested in the nape of his neck.
"Look wrong guy! Wrong guy! I'm sorry we'll leave you alone!" The man begged for his life.
"You know anything of these guys?" Sebastien shouted out to Shani. The hurried and panicked feet ran close to his side. A dainty hand grabbed his shoulder and peaked over.
"Those tattoos are similar to a group in Novigrad. Whoreson gang, they abduct girls and smuggle drugs around the major cities."
Sebastien rolled his eyes and brought his sword up like a side swing of a broom. "Fuck 'em then." Without a second thought the blade came right back down. "Let's get back on the cart." Sebastien sheathed his sword and directed to the cart. "Do you think they were after Ciri?"
"If they were." Sebastien grabbed to the cart and pulled himself up. "Ciri is nowhere close to here." He turned back around and pulled Shani up. "I told you. Don't worry about this."
"Well at least the good news is you weren't that hurt after all."
"Not that hurt? I have a burned eye, heavy internal bleeding, a concussion. I need to sir the fuck down."
"Well in that case. Take a rest and we'll get you looked at."