The Witcher: Black and White

The Skelliger

Marvo walked through the threshold from the Rosemary and Thyme and out into the streets of Novigrad. The chaos he observed previously hadn't subsided, not like he expected it to anyway. He continued walking, he decided to think through his options before embarking on the investigation. He soon found himself on the pier looking out over the salty ocean. Far out into the harbor, his senses found a pack of drowners at the bottom of the sea.

Ships of varying sizes came in and out, unloading cargo small and large. People, animals, vegetables, valuables, weapons, and the occasional band of quite blatant pirates stumbling their way towards Crippled Kate's.

On such crew noticed the young Witcher as he passed by them as they unloaded their inventory of probably stolen goods. A few got in front of him and another group behind him, cornering him on the narrow pier. Even a Witcher would have to be wary in these odds.

"Where you heading, Witcher?" a pirate asked in a graveled, disgusting voice.

Marvo cocked his head. "Your mother's. She can't get enough."

The pirate growled and the entire group drew their swords. Marvo drew his and prepared to fight.

"Boys!" A voice came from their ship.

All the pirates looked back at their ship and immediately sheathed their swords. They stood at attention like actual soldiers as their captain stepped out onto the pier. He had short ginger hair and a moustache. He was significantly taller than Marvo and was very well built. He wore a long deep blue coat and a sabre at his waist.

"Step away from the Witcher." the captain said.

Some of the pirates nodded and fled back aboard the ship, leaving the two alone on the pier.

The captain chuckled. "I gotta say, I've a soft spot in my heart for Witchers. One of you helped me outta very tight bind, a debt not easily repaid."

Marvo took a step towards the captain. "It seems I owe you a debt now."

The captain shook his head. "I've pledged no living soul will ever owe me a debt again. Nasty business, debts."

"Have we met?" Marvo asked.

"No," the captain extended his hand. "Olgierd von Everec."

Marvo shook Olgierd's hand. "Marvo of Claremont. Which Witcher helped you out?"

Olgierd laughed. "What other? Geralt o' Rivia! You don't happen to know where he is, do you?"

"That's just it. Geralt's gone missing, I was tasked in locating him."

Olgierd scratched his beard. "Well, if you ever need manpower never hesitate to call upon us. We'll be in Novigrad for a while but my crew and I are Oxenfurt bound."

Marvo nodded. "Thanks, Olgierd."

Olgierd also nodded. "Till the next, farewell."

Olgierd turned and boarded his ship again leaving now only Marvo on the deserted pier. Or, so he thought.

"You shouldn't trust him." Ciri said from behind Marvo.

Marvo turned to face her. "Why not?"

"He almost got Geralt killed two years ago when they went up against a being calling itself Gaunter O'Dimm. Believe me Marvo, he's dangerous."

"What? The large frame, crew of pirates, and sword at his hip didn't tip you off that he's dangerous?"

Ciri shook her head and turned away. "Just be careful who you trust or think you trust."

She walked back towards the Rosemary and Thyme and Marvo watched her go. She was oddly infatuating in her own mysterious way, even though Marvo knew he wasn't supposed to harbor emotional feelings, he couldn't help but stare at certain places as she walked away.

Marvo shook his head as if breaking a trance and kept walking towards the northern part of the city where Jakob Tizus was supposed to be holed up. He reached the aristocrat and politician part of the city and entered a tavern to get information.

At the counter, Marvo sat down next to a man with long blonde hair and a beard. He ordered a water and began sipping nonchalantly.

"Man comes into this bar like ye did, ye looking fer someone." the man beside him said.

Marvo stopped drinking his water and set it down on the counter. "Maybe, who are you?"

The man took a drink from his tankard and also set it down. "Someone who prides himself at knowing where everything is."

"Really? Do you know where Jakob Tizus is?"

The man quickly became nervous. He stood up from the counter. "No, I don't know nobody by the name! Ye best stop askin' about him!"

The man ran out of the tavern, clearly afraid of something. The barkeep walked up to him and leaned in close.

"It's not wise to be askin' that name around here, lad." the old barkeep said quietly.

"Why? Is he dangerous?" Marvo asked.

The barkeep glanced at his patrons. "It ain't that. Tizus was a notable member of gang working under the streets of Novigrad. He and the gang had a falling out and they kill most who speak the name."

"Do you know where I can find him?" whispered Marvo.

"Why'd you want to go and do something like that?"

Marvo sighed. "I'm looking for someone and I think Tizus might've been the last person to see him alive."

The barkeep leaned even closer to Marvo. "Back 'o the bar. Red hair."

Marvo turned around and saw the man he was talking about. He was tall, average build, and had flaming red hair tucked into a ponytail tied by a piece of cloth. He subsequently stood up and walked out.

Marvo groaned. "Dammit."

Marvo bolted from the bar and out into the street. In the distance, he spied Tizus clambering up a building like a cat. He ran after him and was lucky enough to find a ladder leading up the side of the adjacent building. Marvo climbed it and found himself alongside Tizus as they ran over the rooftops on either end of the street below.

They both skillfully vaulted over any low walls in their way. Soon, the street narrowed until Marvo was able to jump across to the other side. He did so, landed, and rolled. Springing back to his feet, Marvo continued the chase.

Tizus jumped down onto a balcony and slipped into the building. Marvo saw where he went and did the same, he found himself in a dark room staring down Tizus, who was now armed with a large claymore.

The Skelliger lunged forward with the claymore swinging to his right. Marvo caught it with his left and and with a swift action, drew his sword and hit Tizus over the head with the pommel.

/

But a few minutes later, Tizus awoke. Bound by rope suspended by a wooden crane hanging over the streets of Novigrad some 50 feet below. In front of his was the mysterious figure of the Witcher that chased his from the tavern all the way to his hideout with tiring.

Tizus groaned. "What do ye want, eh?"

Marvo took a step towards the edge. "You were the last person to see Geralt of Rivia alive, where?"

Tizus spat at Marvo's feet. "Piss of, bug."

Marvo frowned and drew his sword. Tizus tensed up but instead felt the blade scratch the bonds connecting him to the crane.

"Do not make me ask twice." Marvo growled.

"Geralt of Rivia? Name don't ring a bell, mate."

Marvo's sword sawed into the the rope a little more. "Then listen more carefully."

Tizus whimpered. "A'ight. We was in a forest at the base of the Blue Mountains!"

Marvo sheathed his sword. "What were you two doing there?"

"Geralt had gotten a lead on Adius Turnican, said something about gettin' even with the bastard."

Marvo thought for a moment. "Geralt was investigating the Knights? It explains a little, but it's might be enough."

"So, you'll let me go?" Tizus asked.

Marvo reached to his belt and unhooked a coin purse. He pinned it to Tizus' shirt. "Go to the Rosemary and Thyme. You're now central to a crucial investigation, we're not done with you."

Marvo took his sword again and sliced through the rope dropping Tizus onto a small wooden balcony that creaked as he landed on it.

As Marvo turned to leave, a loud whine sounded in his head. Suddenly, Yen's voice bore through.

"Well, Marvo? What did you find."

"Wait? What the hell did you do?" Marvo asked through thought.

"I may or may not have made a telepathic connection between us." Yen replied.

"Why didn't you do this to Geralt?"

"I tried to, but something is blocking me. I have yet to figure out what. But no matter, what did Jakob Tizus say?"

"He and Geralt were investigating the Knights at the base of the Blue Mountains, they might have a staging ground there."

"Exceptional work, Marvo. We'll be in contact."

Marvo's ears popped as the connection was severed. Marvo was dazed and a little nauseated. He hoped he never have to do that again.