The frigid air of Skellige pierces the witcher's skin. He is used to the much warmer climate of Zerrikania. Hogart enters the prison and unlocks Ruan's cell. "Good morning Ruan, I hope you're feeling better. Let's go and see what the Jarl decides".
Hog unchains and escorts Ruan towards the Jarl's lodge. The witcher has a slight limp and walks slowly, still weary from his wounds. The captain of the convoy notices, "Don't worry witcher, take your time, the sirens took their toll from all of us."
Every villager in the Marlin Coast looks at the witcher with curious but demeaning eyes. The children gathered round to see the witcher. A Skelliger grabbed the children and pulled them away, "Don't go near the mutant."
The witcher used to it, doesn't even bother to react. They walk upwards towards Urskar where the villagers give him the same stern look. A member of the convoy has enough and addresses the crowd, "Don't look at him like that. He saved our arses from the sirens".
The crowd scoffs at him and continue on with their daily chores. The convoy continues its walk up a steep dirtroad through the mountain. Above them a huge cloud of smoke, as the Tordarroch forge works at full swing. Ruan drags his feet up the mountain exhausted.
They finally arrive at the Jarl's lodge. Two heavy wooden doors open wide to reveal a huge hall with a hearth in the middle of it. The Jarl warms his hands in front of it. He casts a shadow that swallows the room behind him. The prince stands behind the Jarl and a woman with peasant clothing nods at the convoy. "Jarl, this man killed Huln. We brought him to you from Novigrad to face your justice."
"Thank you men, untie his hands and you're dismissed."
"Sir, he is an extremely skilled warrior. He has not shown ill intent, but he remains very dangerous, if you send him to his death he has nothing to lose."
"Do not worry, I respect his proficiency and he is surely not in the condition to fight, free him".
They proceed to untie him. Hogart looks at him concerned. "He is not a bad man Jarl". "Thank you Hogart, I'll take your words into consideration."
"That's all I ask Jarl."
The soldiers exit the lodge leaving the four of them.
The Jarl goes near the witcher and offers him a handshake,
"I am Jarl Fergon, my son told me all about what happened on the ship. That leads me to believe you are not a vile man. I understand that you had a misunderstanding with Huln. One thing led to another and you drew blades. He killed someone dear to you and you retributed, correct?"
The witcher nods in agreement.
"Usually our laws dictate an eye for an eye, but Huln took the first eye and you took it back. You also saved a life, my son's life, for which I am eternally in your debt. But you see…Huln had a family. You made a widow and three orphans."
The Jarl points at the woman, "She is Huln's widow, and she wouldn't be wrong to ask for your head in retribution."
Ruan looks at them warily. The woman pierces the witcher with a resentful stare. The Jarl adresses the witcher, "Helga has agreed not to ask your head on one condition. You see, the sirens you encountered right before port, have nested all over our northern shores and threaten our livelihood. They already made our shipyards and fishing grounds inaccessible, and now as you experienced, our port is also at risk. It is only a matter of time for them to flood the island. I won't let my people's lives to be taken, and if I don't succeed, they should take mine too…We don't have the manpower to hold them back and we have exhausted all the help we can get from other clans. Our coffers are deep, but without trade, they will run dry. The few witchers I found, agreed to be paid in gold for each head they brought back. They let the monsters breed, killed enough to be rich and fled to the contintent. Your kind knows no integrity. That's why I am left with no choice but to impose an ultimatum to you. You either take the contract and live or I make sure we both lose our heads. A head that doesn't work is no use on strong shoulders," the Jarl looks back at the woman, "Isn't that right Helga?"
"Yes Jarl."
The witcher understands his predicament, "So I either work for you or you execute me". The Jarl approaches him calmly, "No, you either complete the job, or I execute you. I am not an ingrate. I will make it worth your while. You will be given a chest of gold, accommodation, and should you successfully finish the job, you can keep the lodge, live in it, sell it, whatever you like. So by working for Undvik, you will gain both a livelihood and your freedom. I think it's a fair deal".
The witcher contemplates it for a bit, he starts hearing laments, shrieks, cries, women and children screaming. After moments of enduring his demons gnawing at him, he simply responds, "Behead me".
The Jarl smirks, disappointed. "You will work for me, or I will behead Hogart for freeing you without permission during your voyage."
The witcher frowns, "If he hadn't, your son may very well be dead."
The Jarl snaps at the witcher, "My men protected him! I appreciate your effort and that is why I provide you shelter and a way of earning a life you vagrant, but you won't use my gratitude to escape your fate. Macnevan, show the witcher around and bring him to his accommodation."
"Yes father."
