The Witcher: Black and White
Kaer Morhen
Under the guidance of the Witchers Geralt and Vesemir, Marvo quickly excelled in physical combat and in intellectual studies. He read cover to cover every bestiary in Kaer Morhen's extensive library and destroyed nearly every practice dummy they had. He had also come to enjoy Vesemir's company. The old Witcher provided fresh outlooks on topics he hadn't heard of so naturally Marvo enjoyed the sessions of study.
Now, Marvo had been at Kaer Morhen a full decade. He had endured everything the Witchers ordered an now it was time for him to join their ranks. He and 30 or so boys were lined up in a dark cave and administered herbs and chemicals. Several began convulsing and collapsed to the stone floor.
Marvo's body seared with excruciating pain but he fought through it as he had been trained to do by Geralt. It was only after the first part of the Trial did he realize Geralt's absence. He heard Vesemir say that this was the last time they'd do the Trial of the Grasses. Whether this was true remained to be seen.
When it was over, Marvo and four others remained standing, ready to become Witchers. These other four were Wigro, Arnley, Evyn, and Salac. They'd soon bond over their survival of the Trial and fight on the field of battle as brothers.
The four new Witchers in training exited the dark cave only to be met by Vesemir and another Witcher Marvo hadn't seen before. He had a long leather jerkin and two swords over his shoulder. His hair was white like Geralt's and his eyes were as black as night with no irises or pupils. Around his neck was the medallion of the Cat. Vesemir commanded their attention as he spoke.
"Soon, you will be Witchers. You will enter the world with the skills needed to take on the spawn of the Conjunction. Like your friends in that cave, it is likely you will not survive, but I have what faith I have left in you." he said.
The four boys glanced at each other, not very assured by their leader's words.
Vesemir continued, gesturing to the man beside him. "This is Sonfrith of Cintra of the School of the Cat. We here at Kaer Morhen have brought him to teach you the fine prints of being a Witcher, listen to him and for your sake, don't disobey him."
Vesemir stepped away, leaving Sonfrith with the boys. "The School of the Wolf is weak, understaffed," Sonfrith said in a raspy tone. "The Cats and Wolves never saw eye to eye but I've made an exception for an old friend. You will train day and night, you will only eat and sleep when I allow it. If you complain, you'll receive the worst beating you've ever had. Do you understand, boys?"
Marvo spoke up. "We do, Master Witcher." he said.
Sonfrith frowned faintly and crossed his arms. "Don't be so sure, you haven't begun yet."
Marvo, Wigro, Arnley, Evyn, and Salac were put through far more grueling exercises than Vesemir could ever fathom. Some months later, Marvo thought about why Geralt was gone from Kaer Morhen. Geralt's absence made some sense, he was a Witcher and was constantly moving.
Since Sonfrith wasn't part of the School of the Wolf, he was not bound by their code and guidelines. He treated the young Wolves like he would young Cats, beating them if they made the slightest mistake or if their footwork was not on par with his expectations. They all grew to hate their trainer but he couldn't care less. He took pleasure in reminding them they'd probably die on their first day as Witchers. It was little wonder the School of the Cat was filled with psychotic monsters.
/
5 Years Later…
By the time Marvo had been at Kaer Morhen for a good 15 years, he was a fully fledged Witcher. His hair, however had remained the same dark brown that it always was. His eyes changed from green to gold and his pupils turned into slits. His senses were sharp and he was adept in combat. It had been a full five years since he had seen Geralt and the thought of them had since left Marvo's mind. Even Sonfrith had somewhat lightened up after being at Kaer Morhen for some time, but not much.
One odd day; however, all the Witchers in Kaer Morhen were called to the courtyard in front of the main gate. A man in long silk robes stood there waiting for them.
Vesemir was the first to the Courtyard and he addressed the visitor personally. "Who are you and why are you here?" he demanded.
The man bowed respectfully. "I am Andred Lunworth and I represent the Kingdom of Redania." he said.
Vesemir crossed his arms as the other Witchers arrived in the Courtyard.
"What does the Redanians want with us, does your king have a contract he wishes us to fulfill?"
Andred shook his head. "Hardly. I've come with a warning. King Radovid hold a deep hatred for all things nonhuman and has declared the abomination known as Witchers to be nonhuman. He has banded together a group of the most famous and skilled knights from Redania to Kaedwen led by Sir Adius Turnican. They bring a force of a hundred infantry and shall be here within a month."
"Why give us a warning, Redanian?" Marvo asked.
"Because, you Witchers are grossly outnumbered. A surprise attack by the newly formed Knights of Roshytta would be dishonorable. Good day to you." Andred said with a bow.
Andred turned to leave and walked out through the main gate just as calmly as he walked in. Vesemir turned to his fellow Witchers.
"Well, shit." he said under his breath.