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Eldin narrowed his eyes as Guillaume crashed to the ground hard. They were at the tourney ground's arena, but it wasn't another knight Guillaume was fighting, and dedicating his fight to a Lady Vivienne, whoever that was. Guillaume was facing a Shaelmaar, a blind monster with thick stone armor all over its body except the underside, which tracked prey by sound. At first, it had been confused by a group of heavy metal bells shackled to its tail, but they'd fallen off. Guillaume, not understanding the beast he faced or realizing it had lost the bells, had been banging his sword and shield together in a sort of celebration of not having died, yet, and had promptly been plowed into by the Shaelmaar when it curled into a ball and barreled toward him.
"Let's go," Eldin said, jumping over the railing into the arena, Renfri and Aralyn just behind him.
As they hit, Guillaume looked over at them and Eldin held a finger to his lips. Then, he drew his sword with the others. The Shaelmaar froze at the sound, its body quivering as it listened intently. Then, suddenly, Palmerin dropped to the ground behind Eldin and his lovers, and the Shaelmaar roared, turning and curling into a ball, charging. All four dove out of the way, barely clearing its path before it exploded into the wall of the Arena, fracturing it but crashing down on its back. Eldin and Renfri both reached it a moment later, slashing, but the Shaelmaar, even on its back, was so tall that they were restricted to awkward, over-the-head slashes, and even the unprotected flesh on its underside was thick and hard, so their strikes were barely more than scratches. The same was true for Aralyn and Palmerin's slashes. Before they could strike again, the Shaelmaar began to roll over and they all retreated.
As it regained its feet and roared, Aralyn's daggers smacked into each other and it spun toward her. Eldin swore, then blasted the creature with Aard. Instantly, it spun, leaping at him. He lunged forward and to the side, slashing its underside as he avoided its attempt to crush him. It shrieked in pain, crashing to the ground, then turned, curling into a ball and blasting back toward Eldin. Aralyn tackled him aside, and they narrowly escaped the massive, living boulder. It slammed into the arena wall at an undamaged point, once again falling onto its back, and Renfri leapt up onto its underside, driving her sword down into it, then ripping it out and stabbing again, then again. It swiped at her and she narrowly avoided it, then dove off as it began to roll over. Once on its feet, it staggered to the side, bleeding profusely, and crashed to the ground. Eldin sighed, walking over to it, and resting a hand on its side, inspecting the wounds. It would live, even without treatment, but it was done fighting for now.
"The beast lies defeated by Eldin the Unkillable and his companions, masters of the Witchering trade!" a man off to the side called out. "Behold as the last gasps of life seep from the beast!"
"Master Eldin, do what you must!" a woman with long, curly, red hair, a beautifully decorated gold dress, and a sexy Toussaint accent called from a spectating box above, Eldin assuming this was Anna Henrietta. "Finish the deed!"
"No need," Eldin responded. "This monster's not a threat to anyone, especially not in this condition. It fought because it was poked with spears and agitated by the bells on its tail, then attacked by a knight during that state. In this condition, it can be transported to a place it can be left in peace, no killing required."
"A victor may also show mercy!" the announcer spoke up. "It is his right! Long live Eldin the Merciful! Pikemen, see to the beast!"
Several knights ran in with pikes, and Eldin rolled his eyes.
"Gently, now, men," Palmerin spoke up. "As Eldin said, it's not up to fighting now. Try just pushing on it, first. Just don't let it roll over on you."
The pikemen hesitated, then nodded before beginning to push against the Shaelmaar with all their strength, finally getting it up onto its feet and moving toward the gate. Eldin walked over to Guillaume, just as Palmerin lifted him upright.
"Guillaume?" Palmerin asked, helping support his weight. "Ah, the lad came damn close to dying."
"I'm...fine," Guillaume lied. "Not hurt at all...Vivienne?"
"Smile as befits a hero and keep silent," Palmerin advised quietly. "Speech clearly pains you. She approaches."
"Mm," Renfri hummed softly enough that only Eldin and Aralyn could hear her. "You think if I turned down the money, the Dutchess would give me a more...personal reward?"
"No," Eldin smirked, eyeing Anna Henrietta as she approached.
He could see why Renfri was likely honestly considering trying. Anna Henrietta was absolutely beautiful, and Renfri, like Eldin, had a thing for accents. Of course, the woman to Anna Henrietta's left was also beautiful. She was blonde with long, flowing hair, a relatively simple black and brown dress, and worry shining from her eyes as she gazed at Guillaume.
"Eldin...we must...talk," Guillaume muttered. "Vivienne."
"Later," Eldin assured him softly. "I'll find you in the medics' tent."
"Eldin!" Anna Henrietta greeted him. "Magnificent! Breathtaking!"
Beside Eldin, Renfri's knees dipped a half an inch as she nearly swooned from Anna Henrietta's accent. Eldin restrained his smirk, and Aralyn, used looking at Guillaume to hide her eyeroll and snort.
"Whore," Aralyn breathed in Renfri's ear.
"Your Grace," Eldin inclined his head politely.
"I had worried that you would not live up to Geralt's abilities," Anna Henrietta admitted. "I have not heard of you before, but if you live up to your moniker as unkillable, perhaps you will suffice. And with a second Witcher and your beautiful elven companion, perhaps I need not worry."
"You have nothing to fear, Your Grace," Aralyn bowed slightly. "In terms of combat, Geralt possesses more skill with a blade, but Eldin's Witcher Signs are more powerful, and Eldin is considerably harder to kill, even more so if he is angry. As for tracking skills, they are each other's equal."
"I see," Anna nodded. "Then I may yet rest easy. See to our young hero. Hop, hop. For we must make off with Eldin and his companions. We should speak."
"I agree," Eldin nodded. "I still have questions about the Beast's methods that have, as of yet, been ignored when I've asked." He shot Palmerin a withering look, but Palmerin merely shook his head.
"I explained earlier that Milton and I were not close enough to the investigation itself to have the detailed information you require," Palmerin said. "Her Grace will be able to provide you with someone who can answer any question you have in more detail."
"At this point, answering at all will be a step up," Renfri pointed out.
"Come, we shall talk elsewhere," Anna said as the three women with her moved to lead Guillaume away.
"Your Grace, Shaelmaars are dangerous creatures," Eldin said as he, Renfri, and Aralyn followed her from the arena. "Even for Knights in full plate armor."
"Nonsense," Anna rebutted him. "In Toussaint, knights have battled beasts for mere glory since time immemorial. True, Guillaume suffered a few bumps, scars, and bruises, but in return gained eternal glory as he who slew the monster."
"And if the Shaelmaar had vaulted into the stands?" Aralyn asked. "It would have been a massacre."
"Forgive me, but I believed we were to speak of a different matter altogether," Anna changed the subject.
"Of course, your Beautiful Grace," Renfri flirted.
Anna eyed her with a look seeming equal parts surprised, curious, and suspicious, but didn't remark about her choice of words. "What questions have you been unable to gain an answer to?"
"I've been trying to learn about the specific conditions of the other bodies," Eldin said. "Everyone is certain it's the same beast that killed all three, and yet only one body was quartered, or so I'm told. And besides that, the specifics of the body that was quartered seem to indicate it was more than just a random killing. The specific conditions seemed...symbolic, though I'd need to know more about the victim to be sure."
"I see," Anna nodded. "Very well. For these answers, we will need Damien. He led the investigation prior to your arrival. We must find him."
Eldin nodded, and the three of them followed Anna through the tourney grounds until they finally found a bald man that she identified as Damien de la Tour, captain of her personal guard. He had a face decorated by strong features, a thick mustache and soul patch, and a pair of scars running over the top of his head, just right of center.
"Your Grace," Damien greeted her. "Witchers. Milady."
Aralyn showed no reaction to being called Milady, and Renfri showed no sign of having heard Damien at all, instead keeping her eyes on Anna. Eldin nodded a greeting to Damien.
"Sorry to have to tell you, but the guardsmen handling the last victim's body were-" Eldin began.
"I know already," Damien interrupted impatiently. "The creature in the cellar of Corvo Bianco, was it the Beast?"
"No," Eldin shook his head. "It was a Bruxa, a kind of vampire, but it was only there to retrieve something. Not the Beast, but tied to it in some way. It may have been following its orders."
"The Beast can command other monsters?" Anna asked.
"Depending on what kind of Beast it is, yes," Eldin said. "However, Bruxae are as intelligent as humans, though with murderous instincts, most times, so there's a chance that she was aiding the Beast voluntarily."
"Forgive me, but you must be mistaken," Damien said.
"Excuse you?" Renfri raised an eyebrow.
Damien eyed her like one might a filthy child eating its own boogers. "You claim that these Bruxae are intelligent, but a monster is a monster. All they do is kill without rhyme or reason."
"No monster is without rhyme or reason," Eldin said. "Even the least intelligent have reasons for killing, be it instinct or survival. As for Bruxae, I assure you, they are intelligent. They can speak, think, strategize, decide when not to fight, or plan out how to fight without risking their own safety."
"Preposterous!" Damien denied.
"Well, we're just humble Witchers, so what would we know?" Renfri said dryly. "You were the one who received a special request to track down the Beast due to your expertise in monsters. Oh, wait, no, that would be us."
Anna Henrietta smiled behind her hand, but said nothing.
"You dare mock me in such a way!?" Damien demanded.
"Well, if that offends you, then tell us," Eldin smirked. "What way would you like to be mocked? We take requests."
"How dare-" Damien began.
"Alright, that's enough," Anna interrupted. "Damien, Eldin and his companions are here as expert monster hunters. You are to tell them anything they wish to know, and then you are to assist their investigation, am I clear?"
"Yes, Your Grace," Damien bowed.
"Good," Anna nodded. "Eldin, I admire you and your companions spirit and wit, but you will not insult or intentionally anger my guardsmen. You were hired to deal with the Beast, not to start petty squabbles. Understood?"
"Of course, Your Grace," Eldin nodded.
Damien cleared his throat. "What would you like to know, then?"
"First off, we'll be needing somewhere to examine something I found on the body of the last victim," Eldin said. "Somewhere quiet and out of the way, preferably. We also need to hear all you know the previous victims. The state of the bodies and how they were when they were found, specifically. I am right in assuming you can tell me about them, right, Sir de la Tour?"
"Firstly, call me Damien, please," Damien responded. "Secondly, you should know I spoke against summoning you here."
"Wouldn't have guessed," Renfri said dryly.
"Pardon me for sounding rude, but we don't care about your personal feelings about us," Aralyn spoke up. "You've already questioned our knowledge about the very subject we were summoned for, that being monsters. In doing so, you insulted us professionally. We're not going to get along, that's clear, but we also don't need to. All we need is for you to answer our questions and alert us to any developments."
"And here I thought you seemed the most agreeable," Damien commented.
"She is," Eldin said. "But she also takes offense on mine and Renfri's behalf and angering her is as bad an idea as angering me, so if you don't mind, the other bodies. Please."
"Damien, we have settled the matter of the Witcher's employ in the past, definitively," Anna spoke up. "And although the contract was for Geralt of Rivia, originally, I see no reason that its terms or payment must be amended. And since you have broached the subject, nonetheless, let us discuss the matter of payment." She turned to Eldin and Renfri. "Are the legends true? Do Witchers demand 'that which you find at home, yet did not expect?'"
"At times," Eldin admitted, "though typically I personally only invoke that reward, the Law of Surprise, if I happen to aid someone by coincidence, and they make it a point of refusing to let me leave without payment. The last time I invoked it, I returned to the client's home with him to find that my reward was to be a truly priceless necklace that was the last memento of my client's wife, who had been killed by bandits while he was away. I sold the necklace back to him for the price of a mug of ale, and I have since never invoked the Law of Surprise again."
"I see," Anna nodded. "I had heard that Witchers were emotionless after their mutations, but perhaps that is not accurate."
"It's our natural expression of emotions that are dampened," Eldin smiled. "Being emotionless is a convenient excuse for Witchers to avoid discussing things they don't wish to, or to avoid doing things purely based on moral arguments. We still possess all the same emotions any normal human would, and we can express them if we wish, or not express them."
Anna nodded. "Interesting. This 'law' sounds rather romantic. On the other hand, upon returning to the palace, we would likely find impatient petitioners or a set of sample fabrics for a new dress. Poor rewards, both. I fear you would not have much use for any of the surprises we are likely to come upon. Thus, we've decided you are to receive the deed to a vineyard, Corvo Bianco, and a sum of coin. You will doubtless consider this adequate."
Eldin stared at her, speechless, as did both Renfri and Aralyn. Aralyn recovered first.
"You are too kind, Your Grace," Aralyn bowed. "We would be honored."
Anna smiled, nodding. "Title to the vineyard will be given to you at once. Surely you will need lodgings while you hunt. The coin, however, will be yours only once you have slain the Beast."
"That's extremely convenient for us," Renfri said. "Especially since that's where the most recent victim is being held. I trust you'll have some men take care of the cleanup of those bodies, Damien?"
"It seems the chancellery's bungled things again, we fear," Anna said. "Not to be left unsupervised for one instant!" She sighed. "I will have some men take care of the bodies, excepting, of course, for the Beast's victim."
"You can give him a proper burial as well," Eldin assured her. "We've learned all we can from his body."
Anna nodded. "Fortunately, nothing enhance's a wine's reputation better than a grim legend."
"Now, as I said, we need some information," Eldin said. "Renfri, perhaps you might take a walk with Her Grace. I don't believe the particulars of gruesome deaths are a fitting topic of conversation to have in her company."
"I'd be honored," Renfri smiled charmingly.
"Nonsense," Anna dismissed them. "I've already heard, and you needn't concern yourself with my handling a conversation. I shall be fine."
"As you wish," Eldin nodded. "Who was the first victim, Damien, and describe his wounds and the general state of his body to me."
"Crespi was the first to die," Damien said, leaning on a small table in a tent nearby, the tent barely big enough to be used as shade from the sun. "He was once famed for his many glorious tournament victories. Then he grew old, hung up his sword, and took to wine making."
"Crespi was not loved by the wine merchants," Anna informed them. "He was ruthless in business and thought to cheat many a time. He asked us for a dispensation from all court ceremonies. We did not grant it, we could not. Once you've taken the oath of a knight, you remain a knight till death."
"And the body?" Eldin asked. "Where, and more importantly how, was it found? How'd he die?"
"Quite unusual, the circumstance," Damien said. "He was at a feast when suddenly, one of his fellow feast goers noticed he was missing. The Town Watch found him an hour later, on his hands and knees, propped against the town pillory, his sword hanging from his neck. He had died of wounds inflicted with claws, not weapons. Blows of great force."
Eldin hummed thoughtfully, one hand resting on his satchel, where he had the pouch of Nilfgaardian coins from the third victim. "And the second?"
"In the city there are certain nooks," Damien explained. "No one reasonable ventures there after dark. Ramon du Lac's corpse was found in one such place. With the first murder, terror gripped the city. It's inhabitants grew wary, kept to safe areas. Consequently, news of the second victim came to us from a group of concerned...cutpurses."
"Killed by claws, I assume," Eldin reasoned.
"Indeed," Damien nodded. "The wound was deep, clean."
"His body was found in the gutter," Anna explained, "dressed in nightshirt and cap, a pillow under his head, and his sword replaced by a bed warmer. Ramon du Lac! A knight who but a dozen years past was an adviser to our father, the duke."
"Did anything about his reputation or rumors about him relate to the staging of the body?" Eldin asked.
"Du Lac had shady dealings with the criminal underworld, but no one ever came forward with concrete proof of any misdoings," Damien said.
Eldin considered, pulling out the coin purse. "What about the third victim? De la Croix."
"Sir de la Criox was wont to claim that in modern times, knights face new challenges, enterprise being the latest addition to the chivalric virtues."
"He made a veritable fortune in the grain trade," Anna explained. "Palmerin even nicknamed him Sir de la Stingy."
"I see," Eldin nodded. "So, there is a theme to the killings."
"Each kill has a symbolism," Aralyn agreed.
"The first knight, who retired despite his oath and who was possibly a liar and a cheat in business," Renfri summarized the first. "On his hands and knees beside the pillory, where liars and cheats get punished, and with his sword around his neck, symbolizing his retirement, him hanging up his sword, as you put it."
"The second was suspected of having been lazy in punishing criminals for misdeeds, and so was found in their operating grounds dressed in nightclothes and with a pillow and a bedwarmer in place of his sword," Aralyn recapped the second.
"The third, who made a fortune in the grain trade but was known to be stingy himself, was chopped up like the grain he sold, and had a pouch filled with Nilfgaardian florens stuffed down his throat, each coin from a separate province and time."
"De la Croix loved coin, true, but had no patience for numismatics," Damien said.
"Exactly," Eldin nodded. "It's showing that it doesn't matter what coin, any coin is good enough for him."
"These were honorable men," Anna spoke up. "We are horrified by the disdain, the disrespect with which they were treated. These were knights of Toussaint, blast it!"
"Your Grace, we're not saying they weren't good men," Aralyn said. "However, what we are saying, is that from the perspective of the killer, they weren't chivalrous men."
"Excuse me!?" Anna demanded.
"That's the theme of the killings," Eldin said. "The first, who lied and cheated, symbol was the pillory and by his sword being hung up despite the vows being until death. Honor. The second worked alongside the criminals he should have been punishing. His symbol was the explicitly ridiculous outfit he wore when found. Wisdom was most likely his missing virtue. The third, who made a fortune yet was stingy with his coin, had a purse of mismatched coins stuffed down his throat. Generosity."
"It fits," Damien nodded in agreement. "But, if that's true, what type of monster would care about chivalric virtues? What type of monster would be smart enough?"
"Very few," Eldin admitted. "Which complicates matters exponentially."
"No," Anna said. "Enough. I brought you here to find and kill a monster, not to insult dead men!"
"And in order to find that monster, I have to understand why it does the things it does, not just what it does."
"Why does it matter?" Anna demanded. "It does not matter why a Forktail kills a traveling merchant! Only that it did!"
"You're wrong," Renfri said. "Why a Forktail kills a traveling merchant does matter. Maybe it killed them because it felt threatened. Maybe it was for food. Maybe it was for sport, but this is still important information."
"Why it kills is what tells us where to look," Aralyn explained in a patient voice. "If it was because it felt threatened, it would mean the merchant wandered too close to the Forktail's nest, in which case we know where to look. If it was for food, it means that the merchant wandered into the Forktail's hunting ground, which tells us where it will return to, as well as about how far away its nest is. If it was for sport, it tells us that we will have to bait the Forktail."
"Hunting monsters is about more than waving around shiny swords, Your Grace," Eldin said. "It's not purely for combat skills that Witchers are known as monster hunters rather than monster slayers. Anyone with sufficient skill and equipment could be a monster slayer. But in order to be a monster hunter, you have to understand the reasoning behind a monster's actions and what it means. That's why you hired us Witchers. Because that's where Witchers specialize that soldiers do not. We mean no disrespect to your dead knights. We merely aim to gain an understanding of the why behind the Beast's actions."
Anna watched the three of them for a long while before sighing and nodding. "Alright. So, where does that leave us? The monster is trying to raise awareness of moral decay?"
"If we're right, the next murder will be just as much a spectacle as the last, and will denounce the victim's lack of the next virtue in line," Eldin said. "What's the specific order of the vow?"
"Honor, wisdom, generosity, valor, and compassion," Anna recited.
"Valor, then," Eldin nodded. "Alright, starting from the obvious, are there any older knights who've been known or rumored to flee from a battle?"
"None," Anna said immediately. "And at the moment, all the knights are either at the tourney or in the palace gardens. Our annual Hare Hunt will begin there shortly. Have you heard of the custom?"
"Milton mentioned something about it," Eldin said. "Seemed excited to wear the costume of the Hare. I assume it's an honor, but not one I'd be looking forward to, personally."
"Eldin," Aralyn spoke up. "What are the chances that this monster, who is evidently intelligent enough to understand the chivalric virtues, is not intelligent enough to understand human customs, or else simply doesn't understand them?"
Eldin frowned, looking over at her before his eyes widened.
"Milton!" Renfri gasped.
"What?" Anna asked, eyes also widening.
"Spectacle, a knight advanced in years, the famed cowardice of rabbits," Eldin listed. "Milton fits."
"Could it be so simple?" Anna asked.
"Grasping for straws, here, but do the victims happen to know each other?" Renfri asked. "Because Milton mentioned that he knew de la Croix."
"Damien!" Anna almost yelped. "To miss something so obvious! De Peyrac-Peyran, Crespi, de la Croix, and du Lac formed a knightly team! It was years ago, but..."
"Alright, so three victims on a team, one surviving who coincidentally could be made to fit the mold of the next victim," Eldin said. "Sounds like a grudge. Either way, Milton is likely the next victim. We need to go. Now."
"We must call off the game, at once!" Damien declared.
"First and foremost, we must remain calm," Anna countered. "Damien, order the garden searched, immediately but discreetly. By no means can we disrupt the festivities. Panic will only incite the Beast to strike sooner."
"Agreed," Aralyn nodded. "If the Beast has intelligence, it'd use the panic to hide its movements and strike."
Damien nodded, striding away quickly.
"And you, Witchers, follow me," Anna said. "My garden, my knight, I shall take the fore! A murder is not an option! I will not allow it! Not near my palace! Horses! Ready our horses!"
She turned and started toward a horse nearby, only to stop as she nearly tripped over her dress. To remedy the situation, she ripped the dress's skirt off completely, exposing the pantaloons that she wore under the dress. Renfri's head tilted to the side as she smiled admiringly, eyes rivetted to Anna's ass. Eldin and Aralyn both rolled their eyes, whistling. A moment later, their horses galloped into view and the three of them leapt onto their horses, Eldin sitting behind Aralyn and holding her as she held the reins, unlike normal where she was behind him. Anna also mounted her horse, shoving the fabric she'd ripped off into the hands of the horse's owner, who was dumbfounded to see that the Dutchess was stealing his horse while dressed so inappropriately, at least by Toussaint's customs. Aralyn and Renfri spurred their horses after Anna, following her in a race through the city streets toward the garden. As they arrived, she explained they had to acquire a unicorn horn, a golden fish, and a phoenix egg, as each hid a clue about where the Hare would be hidden. She ran them to a spot overlooking the garden and pointed out where they needed to go. She explained that the golden fish, not a real fish, would be in the water straight ahead, and the unicorn horn was on a white horse that was skittish, but which was visible from where they were. She volunteered to get the phoenix egg, and they all split up. Eldin headed for the horn, deciding it would be fastest to use Axii to calm the horse, and Renfri and Aralyn went to go diving for the fish.
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