Disclaimer: The Witcher and every character aswell as location, that is not created by myself belongs to CD Projekt Red aswell as Andrzej Sapkowski, the original author of the books.
Reviews and ConCrits are always welcome!
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Chapter 4: Silver And Steel
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It was the early noon of the next day, as the cool spring breeze blowing over the fields. Inside Sarah's house was the since yesterday returned Roland, who was still resting from his injuries from the fight with the fiend. Thus far neither the Witcher nor Elron were able to ask any of the two a question. However, they noticed a rising tension in the village. On one side were the happy villagers, glad to be reunited with one of the their most beloved members and on the other side were not only the people who distrusted the Witcher to begin with, no accusing him of having cast a spell on Roland's corpse to revive him and have him attack the village – no seriously, but of course also the four drunken thugs, who seemed a problem from the start.
Kaleb sat on a stone at the edge of the village, sharpening his steel sword when Elron, who had further tried to talk to Sarah and Roland, joined up with him.
"Did you find anything out?" the Witcher asked without looking up from his blade.
"In fact, I did. Turns out our suspects were right. I asked around a bit in the village, and the rumours have existed for years now. And given how close they apparently are, I think this rumour has some truth to it." Elron explained.
"And fatso?" Kaleb asked, "How does he fit in all this?" This time he stopped the whetting and looked up from his trusty sword.
"That's Samuel, he's the son of the former blacksmith of this village. However, now he only occassionally helps out, seeing as he is not really fit for this craft. Everyone knows that he's had an eye on Sarah, who, as I just found out, is the niece of the Alderman and the last remaining member of their blood besides him." the noble continued, "I think, he seeks to claim the position of chief of this village, at which he would succeed by marrying into the family."
"So," Kaleb took over, "In order to accomplish that, he has to get rid of every competition. And a man like him would resort to any means necessary to reach his goal."
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In the course of the evening they gathered everyone in the center of the village, at sun set.
"So, Witcher," the Alderman stepped out of the crowd, "Did you take care of the beast?"
"It seems that we have another problem entirely," Witcher Kaleb began, dodging the initial question, "Let me tell you something about fiends." he said, "Fiends are three eyed, were-elk-motherfuckers with hypnotic powers. Also, they aren't supposed to be in an enviroment like this, the same goes for a special tree species, which only grows in Skellige. But that's only the intro, the real joke's about to happen."
It seemed odd that apparently no one but Elron noticed the angered and vicious tone of his traveling companion as he told his 'joke'.
"My apprentice and me found this special kind of trees in the small wood in the north-west of the village. Two exactly, and you know what they are? They are torn down. Now in my years as a Witcher, I've seen something like this before, but only like this, not exactly. Because the portals I've seen weren't torn down and snapped in half, which makes for a whole new problem itself. Because now we can't destroy it and it remains open. Seems a bit redundant, doesn't it? So, picture this: Not a 100ft away from the edge of the village lies an everlasting portal, which leads to an island filled with monsters, such as fiends and leshens, which are all the fun of the fair. Three people are dead, one mortally injured and that because of one little portal. And it's going to continue."
Elron was rather wondered by how talklative the otherwise taciturn Witcher was. In the faces of the villagers he saw worry and fear, but also rage as the murmuring got louder and angrier, "But is there no way to stop it?" the Alderman finally asked.
"Oh, there is... Here comes the punchline," Kaleb replied, "Portals like this don't just appear, someone placed it there. Someone from this village. Or at least they hired someone to conjure it."
The murmuring became louder until there were protests and angry shouts, how the Witcher could accuse someone from this village to be willing to cause such agony. His look fell on the only silent soul here – Sarah. The young woman only looked at the ground, her face read worries, but she remained silent.
A large man with a face red of anger, not booze this time, stepped out of the crowd, swinging his fist in the air, "You are going too far to accuse any of these people! They are good folks, look out for each other, care for each other, but of course an emotionally numb mutant like you wouldn't understand it!"
Aggreeing chants built in the crowd of villagers and while the Elron had a worried look on his face, trying to defuse the situation and calm the people down, Kaleb just stood there, crossed arms, letting everything wash over him, not showing a single emotion. After a long minute he finally spoke up again, "You can shout all you want, but that's not solving your problem, now does it?" he said mockingly, "Don't worry, there is a way to help you." the crowd grew quieter again, "First of all the kind person responsible for this will have to show themselves, then we have to find the conjurer and ask them nicely to dissolve the portal. However, this only works one way, as this is a very dangerous portal, it's bound to the conjurer and can only dissolve with them. Simply put, find the conjurer, kill them, kill the fiend, collect the pay and begone. That's my plan."
Noticable was that two people – exlcuding the still resting Roland – were missing from the crowd. Sarah and Samuel. Elron had kept his eyes on the fire red haired woman and saw her bursting out in tears as Samuel rose his word before running away and disappearing behind a curtain of angry villagers. When he returned his look to the Witcher, Elron apaled – the cat eyed monster slayer was gone aswell!
A rather long time passed before he finally found him. He stood on a small hill with a tree, staring into the distance, his two swords leaned against said oak.
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"Do you know why Witchers carry two swords?" Kaleb asked. His tone was much different from anything his companion heard him say to this point. It was... sad.
"I don't seem to follow...?" Elron responded with a puzzled look.
"Silver for monster and steel for humans." the raven haired Witcher replied.
And while this wasn't exactly true, this has been the most common explanation. The silver sword was used for everything magical, while the steel sword was used for every non-magical creature.
"You know, it used to be so easy to differ – monster and man, but the lines are blurred, almost non-visible anymore. Some monsters pass you as you walk the streets to go shopping, or to take a stroll and one passes them without a second thought. 'That's a human, a person, just like me, I've nothing to fear from them.' If there's one thing I learned in my life, it's that the true monster is mankind. Monsters, beasts, magical or not, they act out of instinct, out of the will to survive, while humans have other intentions. Be it money, the favour of a pretty face, fame or just because they want to."
Though not being able to respond, Elron understood his point entirely. For the first time he learned how difficult the job of a Witcher was and it wasn't the last time that he was reminded of it.
"So, what now?" he finally asked his companion, to break the silence.
"I don't know," Kaleb responded, "Even if it's the most obvious choice, I can't accuse Samuel of being responsible for this mess."
But you still think it was him."
"I do. But the folks don't, you heard them." His look fell on the tree portal.
"Is this normal for a Witcher's contract? For it to go like this?" the young man asked out of curiousity.
"Sometimes." Kaleb's expression, though Elron didn't see it as he stood behind the Witcher, signalised that he was sunken deeply in his thoughts, "You should return to the village. I want you to check on Sarah and Roland." he ordered.
Without an answer Elron walked back towards the house of said individuals.
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Through the window he could see the young woman caressing her childhood friend gently. The two seemed to talk about something, however, it was too quiet to hear. He knocked on the door and shortly after she stood before him.
A faint smile on her freckled face, "Oh, good evening, Elron. Come in."
Inside he was met by a weak "Hello." from Roland.
"Hello, you must be Roland, I believe we hadn't had the change to talk since my companion rescued you." he said politely.
"It seems so. Tell 'im thanks for savin' me ass back there. I don't know what I would've done without 'is 'elp." Roland said. From the tone and volume of his voice, Elron could hear that he was still quite weak. He probably wouldn't leave bed for another week or two, "I must apologize for the trouble me folks 've been causin' ye and the Witcher. They just aren't used to... well, ye know..."
"Mutants?" a voice finished the injured man's sentence. It was deep and gritty – Kaleb's voice.
"Well, I didn't want to say it like this..." Roland mumbled sheepishly, "Anyway, I owe ye my deepest thanks, Witcher, for savin' me."
"And I do too," Sarah added, "I don't know what I would've done without him."
"Don't mention it," Kaleb smiled weakly, "It's part of my job." his look fell on Sarah's hand, which was bandaged roughly, "What happened to you?" he wondered suspiciously.
"Don't worry, it wasn't Samuel if you think that. It happened earlier today when I was working in the garden. A roses thorn, when I was careless."
"I see. Indeed, those have given me one cut or another two. They can leave nasty wounds, who would've thought." Kaleb nodded aggreeingly before turning to his companion, "Elron, come on, let's not bother them anymore today."
And with that the two left the house again. Later in the tavern Elron couldn't help but overlook Kaleb's suspicious expression, "Everythin alright?" he asked.
"Did you notice?"
"Notice what?"
"She doesn't grow roses."
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