Chapter 8

An Odd Customer

Regis had his face in his hands. 'I didn't want this. None of it! I've got to … I've got to get away … a few more years, or a decade until I've got at least some of my strength back.'

Shani shook her head fiercely, but he couldn't see that. She sat down next to him and put her arm around him. 'Look at me. Come on, Regis, look at me.' He did. He looked close to crying. Shani hoped he wouldn't. There was a good chance she wouldn't be able to handle that. 'This isn't your fault, and you're not going anywhere.'

'A Witcher died, and …'

Shani smacked his arm. Not hard, but he fell silent. 'Not by your hand!'

Regis brushed her away. 'And one of the people who tried to help me has lost her mind in the process!'

Shani sighed. That was apparently true. 'I … she didn't react. She looked at me, but didn't react. I wonder, maybe you could … can you see something like that?'

Regis swallowed. 'I might. Or not, I don't know what I can and can't do right now.' He stood. Shakily, but he stood. 'Would you mind supporting me?'

Shani smiled at him. 'Looks like I'm not running out of patients. Although you're the first who can pay. How's that anyway, if you spent so long in hiding?'

Regis managed to get a haughty look on his face. It suited him a lot better than guilt and self-pity, reminding her of his former self. 'Do you think before I ended up as a shard of glass I spent all the money I ever had? I have quite a fortune at the bank, and luckily, no heirs, so it's still there.' They knocked and were asked inside by Denser. 'I want to see her,' Regis said without preamble. Denser shrugged and stepped aside. His eyes were wide, he was probably refusing to believe she was lost. Regis sat on the floor beside her. 'Shani, please find Thaler. Or Will. To translate.'

She nodded. 'Wait, whatever you want to do, wait till I'm back.' She didn't take long. Regis took the time to look at Erienne, search her eyes. When Thaler came in, he looked at the Temerian. 'Tell them she's not gone. This is nothing a slight hypnosis cannot remedy.'

Thaler huffed. 'Hypnosis, is it? And since when do barbers know anything about that?'

Regis shrugged. 'I know quite a lot of things. Shani, please see that I'm not interrupted. That would be very dangerous for Erienne. This shouldn't take long.' He looked back down at her, his eyes fixed on hers. Her gaze was flitting around without focus, but finally, she was caught in his stare. 'Good. Just like that. Yes. Right there.' At the edge of his mind he registered Thaler muttering something about obscenities. He shook his head and dug into her mind. He didn't have to go far. There was something on the surface, like a shadow that covered her thoughts, threatening to overwhelm them. He pried her out of its grasp, gently, as if untangling a kitten from barbed wire. He wanted to do more, to pull the shadow from her mind completely, but then he realised what it was and left it there, making sure it was safe in a corner from where it couldn't dominate her again. 'Erienne, I want you to close your eyes when I tell you to. When you open them again, you will be fine. The pain isn't real, nothing but a memory. That construct in your head is under your control. Now. Shut your eyes.' She did. 'Erienne?'

She gasped, scrambled away from him, staring. Then she shook herself. Regis smiled. 'There. Feeling better?'

She nodded. Denser dropped to his knees and clutched her to his chest.

'How do you do that if she barely understands you?'

Regis glanced up at Thaler. 'The words are irrelevant, a crutch for myself rather than her. What I want to convey is what matters.'

'What are you?'

Regis struggled to get to his feet, but he was getting better at it. Shani put a hand on his arm. 'Don't, Regis, please. You know how this ends. Remember what I did?'

He removed her hand and smiled at her. 'I don't believe silence is still an option.' He looked at Thaler. 'Don't you know yet?' He considered for a moment, wondered if this wasn't a bad idea after all. Shani stood next to him with her arms folded, as if daring anyone to judge him. 'Oh, to hell with it.' He put his arm around Shani's shoulders and pulled her closer, nearly tripping her. He smiled, his lips parting and baring too long, pointed, eye-teeth.

Ϡ

Regis sat before them. He was smiling – with his lips closed. He had devoured a plate of food and had destroyed almost every belief folklore told about vampires. No, he wasn't undead, and no, he didn't need blood. Apparently he didn't even drink it for fun. Ilkar was still trying to wrap his mind around the fact that he existed at all.

He also claimed he hadn't killed any virgins, that he himself was the victim of a crime. It seemed he had owned a knapsack full of herbs that covered his scent from animals. After an urchin had stolen said knapsack, every dog in the vicinity had gone frantic, betraying him to the militia. Ilkar found that somehow it was hard to picture him doing anything violent, and he had helped Erienne, even though he claimed she would have come round eventually.

When they were all done eating, Regis walked over to the bar, talked with the innkeep, whose eyes widened when he extended a bag with money, came back, and sat down. Ilkar leaned back with his hands behind his neck.

'I saw what they did to your knee. How can you even walk?'

Regis shrugged and glanced at Shani. 'I'm resilient.' She snorted and Regis looked rather smug. 'Anyway, I think we have stayed here long enough. I'm fit to walk farther, I even managed to help with the repairs the last three days. The place is as good as new, and I just paid for your debts and any potential damage we may have overlooked in the last three weeks. So, where are you headed, and what do I need to do to hire you?'

'Tell us why you want us.' The Unknown was still struggling with the language, speaking slowly and deliberately, but he had learned a lot, Regis thought.

'Well, I have two options. Either I crawl into a bush and wait for a few years, or I ask for protection until I find a community where I succeed in gaining their trust and settling down again. Somewhere with a Vivaldi bank would be ideal. I've spent two years hiding in shrubbery, and I must say, I'd rather not keep doing that.'

'What do other vampires do?'

Regis sighed. 'Seek out their own kind, most of them. Not an option for me, the risk to fall back into bad habits is much too high.'

The Unknown nodded. 'Like drinking blood.'

Regis wasn't provoked. 'Like drinking blood, exactly. I am not a friend of self-destruction, so that isn't going to happen. Now my offer is this: I travel with you, but I stay out of your agenda. I have contacts that know perfectly well who I am. As recompense for putting up with me, I pay for your stays, your food, and don't question you if you start eating lobsters.'

'Seems a bit much for just company.'

Regis shook his head. 'Protection, Unknown. I hate to admit it, but I need protection. You saw that yourselves. Everything else is a pleasant side effect.'

Ϡ

'Kovir and Poviss,' Thaler told them at their first night's halt on the road to the north, 'are two countries but one kingdom. 'They're a little bit uncouth, but there you are. If we want to gather information we must go to the larger cities, such as they are.'

Regis tilted his head. 'Have you ever been to a larger city of Kovir?'

Thaler blinked at him. 'No. You?'

Regis smiled. 'Of course. But go on, what's the plan?'

'What do you care?'

Regis shrugged. 'I'm going to keep travelling with you, and as long as you don't ask me to grab a sword and fight, I'll contribute. It's the least I can do.'

Thaler frowned. 'Convenient, isn't it? Travelling with so many people full of blood.'

'I do not drink blood, Thaler. Never. Nor do I use any other narcotics like alcohol or fisstech. My personal history demands that I look after myself. You have nothing to worry about.' He took a deep breath. 'I didn't have to reveal myself, you know. Not for the first time I was foolish enough to believe I have done something that will earn me someone's trust. Not for the first time I was wrong.'

Shani frowned slightly. 'It's never fair to judge a book by its cover.'

Regis put a hand on her shoulder and squeezed slightly. 'If you want me to go, any of you, I will.'

'No, you're staying with us. Regis, you were destroyed at the height of your strength. Tell me, could these ordinary people have killed you? For good?'

Regis cleared his throat. 'In my current condition, and if you take into consideration that they had a Witcher, I think it is possible that they would have done something to stop me from regenerating. Permanently.'

Shani nodded. 'And if you take into consideration that everyone will blame you for the death of said Witcher, you are in trouble.'

'You don't have to convince us, Shani,' Sirendor said with a smile. 'We were in at the word lobster.'

Thaler rubbed the bridge of his nose. 'Interesting constellation. A group of stranded mercenaries, a spy on the run, a medic with helper syndrome, and an abstinent and annoyingly serene vampire.'

'The last person who said something similar to me became a true friend,' Regis said quietly. 'I take this as a good sign.'

Ϡ

'Jealous?'

Thaler glowered at Hirad. 'Of what?' Hirad shrugged and indicated Regis. 'Worried is more like it. And wondering if we're going to pick up a Ghoul next.'

The barbarian sat down next to the Temerian, close to the fire. The snow storm had let up, but it was still cold. Regis had paid the innkeep enough for her to give them all the warm bedrolls she owned. He suspected she would have given them away without the money just to get rid of the lot of them. 'Don't let Shani hear that,' Hirad said at last.

Thaler huffed. 'Trust me, I already have. She believes he's all honourable and such, but I'll keep an eye on him. And I believe we should keep watches at night.'

'That's never a bad idea.' Hirad threw a few logs into their fire. 'What's our next destination, anyway?'

Thaler sighed. 'I'd say Pont Vanis. But I'm nowhere near certain what's the fastest way to get there. Oi, vampire!'

Regis looked up from a battered book. Shani shook her head. Regis looked unperturbed. 'Yes?'

'You know anything about geography?'

The vampire rose and ambled over. 'A bit. Do you mean geography as in what city lies where, or geography as in what ocean we will fall into if we turn to the west?'

Thaler got to his feet and stared at the other man. 'You swallow your arrogance. You're not dealing with one of the idiots you usually spend your time with. I'm warning you, monster. I'm watching you.'

Regis inclined his head. 'What idiots do you mean, Thaler? Shani? Geralt? The Raven? Please elaborate.'

'I'm not normally one to solve problems with my fists, but if you're not careful I'll start with you.'

'I wouldn't recommend that. Did you want something, or was a feeble attempt to provoke me actually all?'

'I wondered how we best get to Pont Vanis.'

'By ship, seeing how it's a port. Why do you want to go there?'

'It's the capital.'

Regis nodded. 'Ah. I see. Only it's winter. In winter the capital is Lan Exeter. But that doesn't change the ideal way to reach it.'

Hirad sighed. 'Tell Ilkar that, he won't like it, but he'll kill us if we don't give him time to get used to the facts.' Regis raised his eyebrows but nodded.

Thaler stopped him. 'Wait. Are you fucking me?'

'I have absolutely no intention to do anything of the sort.'

Thaler glared at him. 'Funny. They have a different capital in winter?'

'Quite peculiar, isn't it? Thaler listen. I'm not your enemy. Don't become mine. I don't want one, but even my patience is limited.'

Thaler smiled, but unlike Regis he didn't look friendly. 'Then what, vampire?'

Regis shook his head, still managing not to look angry although the perpetual smile was gone. Hirad admired him. He would have beaten Thaler to a pulp long before. 'Nothing, Thaler. I will not soil my hands with blood for you. But I will not go out of my way to help you, either. And I have a feeling you'll need help sooner or later.'

Hirad watched the vampire walk towards Ilkar. 'You do sound jealous.'

Thaler frowned. 'I like her fine, but not like that. What do you think of him? All of you? I'm certain you discussed the decision whether or not to accept his job thoroughly.'

Hirad grinned. 'No, actually. He seems all right. If he isn't, he'll learn the hard way that we're not someone to be messed with.' He got to his feet and dusted himself down. 'I'll go and see how Ilkar's dealing with the news.'

Ϡ

The elf was sitting at the edge of their camp when Regis approached. 'You think we need guarding?'

Ilkar shrugged. 'I'd rather be safe than sorry.'

Regis shrugged. 'I'm a light sleeper. You can rest. Anything comes near I'll wake up. Unless you're guarding the camp against me.'

Ilkar eyed him with undisguised interest. 'Only in that case I should be watching you rather than our surroundings. You know, I always thought you're what people tell their children to scare them.'

Regis sighed. 'Alas, no. I am quite real.'

'I can see that. But I'm not frightened and actually watching for an external danger, considering what happened in Stonewash.' He looked behind him when Hirad approached. 'Thaler all right?'

Hirad shrugged. 'Needs to wrap his mind around this, I'd guess. Just handles it differently. He'll come round, Regis.'

The vampire looked back at the man frowning at the fire. 'I hope so. No, seriously. I'm starting to think I shouldn't have come.'

'Shani would disagree.'

Regis raised his eyebrows. 'Are you insinuating something?'

Hirad grinned. 'Just watching.'

'More than is good for you,' Ilkar said. 'Others would tell you to butt out.'

Hirad ignored him. 'Did you tell him yet?'

Regis shook his head. 'Not yet.'

Ilkar looked from one to the other. 'Tell me what?'

Hirad put on a serious expression. 'We'll have to use a ship.'

'And you will not like the city,' Regis added, seeing the look on Ilkar's face. 'What's so bad about ships?'

'He can't swim.'

Ilkar glared at Hirad. 'Thanks. It's true, and I can't even use magic here to save myself.'

Regis nodded. 'You can use something else to save yourself. Your arms and legs. And your mind, by putting your fear away and jumping in at the deep end. No pun intended. If that ship really does sink, the shore's within reach.'

Ilkar threw up his arms. 'Which deep end, Regis?'

The vampire smiled. 'We're not making a beeline for the nearest port, that isn't even possible. There'll be plenty of water, warm water, on our way. I'll get back to you when we're there, Ilkar. And now, if you don't mind, I'll get some rest. I certainly need it.' He looked back at them. 'Don't tell Thaler that, though. I prefer him intimidated.'

'Do you think he'll try to harm you?'

'Let him try. I'm still tough to kill, and I'm certainly not going to give him directions.' His smile grew a little wider. 'And no, I don't think he'll try. Actually, I know he won't. The truth is, I may be tough to kill, but right now I wouldn't like to spend an extended amount of time among people who know how to take a life if I thought even one of them has serious issues with me. In short, I scanned you. All of you. Not much, only on the surface, to find strong animosities. I found some in Thaler, but not too much, and I found something very interesting in Thraun. But I cannot tell what exactly he is. Is he a human?'

Ilkar shook his head. 'I'm not certain if it's very polite to look into people's heads.'

'Call me paranoid, but after what happened in Stonewash I decided to be on the safe side. I apologise. I didn't see another way to ensure my safety.'

Hirad clapped him on the shoulder. 'I understand you. And yes, he's human. He's a shape changer. I don't know if he can change here, though.'

'Oh, I'm certain he can. And Erienne might be able to cast safely. Something in her mind is different to the other two mages. Much more like our mages here than you two, and I believe when I guided her out of her shell I managed to make it easier for her to adjust.' He clapped his hands together. 'Very well, my friends, I will go and get some rest now. I am very tired. And thanks to my impoliteness, I will be able to sleep without fear. I bid you good night.'

They watched him go and exchanged a glance. 'Strange fellow,' Hirad said.

Ilkar frowned. 'He felt Thraun as a shape changer and the One magic in Erienne. He felt Thaler's spite. And he makes a point of letting us know he can mess with minds, hinting he can do a lot more. He's either very arrogant or very good at this.'