Dettlaff's Redemption

"Dettlaff, no!" Regis clear voice and the hoarse shout of the witcher "Stop it!" cut through my blood rage. Was it worth killing that woman and then having to face Regis and either killing him too or getting killed? Was it worth killing the witcher, who would otherwise never give up and hunt me for a long time? Not that I am overly concerned with those humans, but Geralt of Rivia had touched something in me.

The decision was made in a split second. Instead of dismembering Syanna, I just gave her ugly scars to match her ugly character for everybody to see. My claws left 4 ragged cuts over her face and while she sank wailing to the ground I addressed Regis and the witcher: "Just make sure that everybody knows who was the mastermind behind those killings and thefts. I have been duped by this woman, used and made the fool. I greatly regret ever having met her!" With that I transformed into smoke and left the scene of my disgrace.

I needed time to think, to fully calm down, and to sort through my feelings. My toyshop was out of the question, but Regis lair at the ‎Mère-Lachaiselongue Cemetery was safe and quiet. And he always had a nice stash of mandrake liquor on hand. I settled into his comfortable reading chair, glass in hand and stared at the frayed map of the continent on the wall. Where to go? What to do? I felt only minimal remorse about the dead humans, but I was angry at myself having been so blind that Syanna could play me like one of the marionettes I make.

In the early hours of the morning Regis came in. "I thought you long gone! But as you are here, come on out and share a drink with me and Geralt!" "Do you think this is a good idea? Geralt may be different, but is he so much different that he won't try to kill me? Especially as the Duquessa cannot have been happy that he let me go." "Her Highness was quite displeased that you are still alive, but Geralt reminded her that she had agreed to be satisfied if the killings stopped. It was harder for her to accept that her little sister was behind all that. So, you are quite safe sitting with us!" "Get me right, I was not so much concerned about my own safety, but I kind of like Geralt and don't want to fight him". Curious now I followed Regis outside to the bonfire at the lakeshore where Geralt was already waiting. He looked tired and worn.

Regis handed him the flask and he took a deep draught, handing it over to me. "You owe me one, that I just let you walk away!" That little conceited weak human had the gall to think he could have bested me! But then I saw his lopsided smile and realized I had been had again. Regis was right, either I would have to stay away from humans indefinitely or get accustomed to their culture. "So how do you propose I pay my debt to you?" Now it was his turn to look surprised "Hmmm, I actually already thought about that. Some time ago the witcher conclave in Carnuntum in the far East contacted me. They wanted my permission to renovate Kaer Morhen and also to gather young witchers together, maybe even create more if they find a safe way to do so. They already have 2 sorceresses who are not associated with the Lodge. They could definitely use someone versed in alchemy" with that he glanced at Regis "and you 2 would make an additional formidable defense against even sorcerers. The past has shown that this is VERY necessary."

An old fortress full of fledgling witchers? With more or less successful mutations and not yet able to control and work with their mutations? That did not sound like something I would enjoy. Regis didn't say anything, he just watched me. Okay, this was not about my enjoyment, this was atonement and from what Geralt told me, they could really need a hand over there. "Regis and I will be the only adults there?" Regis just raised an eyebrow. "No, they sent one of their experienced witchers to act as castellan. Renny of Vindobona. She seems to know what she is doing. Yes, the new witcher castellan is a woman - they do things different in the East. A long time ago I met one of their female witchers ..." His expression turned a bit dreamy and he smiled slightly. "Anyhow, Renny even convinced Emhyr to ship supplies to them, although I think I recognize the tender touch of Cirilla putting thumb screws on Emhyr." "Yes, I will go there with Regis. But I can't promise that I will stay long! Will they accept us?" "They better!" And with that it was agreed on that Regis and I would go to Kaer Morhen to lend a hand to the growing community there.

I thought that we would travel to Kaer Morhen in our fashion as smoke on the wind without the inconveniences of normal travel, but Regis had other ideas. "What better way to get a grip on your temper and become accustomed to living with humans, blending in, than travelling through their lands!" With that he bought 2 horses and a mule and after a short stop at his cache and my toyshop we set forth on a late summer day. We had enough time to reach Kaer Morhen before the snow closed the high passes in the Blue Mountains of Kaedwen. Our route followed the Angra river to Spalla in Lyria, then Vengerberg in Aedirn, Sherrawedd in Kaedwen and the along the Gwenllech river through Ard Carraigh till we reached the narrow side valley with the Forktail pass that leads to Kaer Morhen. All in all, this journey would take us 2 months, if we didn't hurry, which Regis ostensibly had no intention of doing. He wanted to disperse medicine on the way and expected me to make and repair toys.

We crossed through Toussaint pretty quickly in only 4 days, not sure how fast word had spread of our involvement in the last upheavals and wound our way through the northern valleys and over some passes, now frequently stopping as Regis replenished his stock of herbs. I used the frequent stops to work on some simple carved toys - dolls and horses. With my hands busy I had time to think of what had transpired and also to reflect on my emotions and work through my anger and hurt. When I had first met Rhena, to me she will always be Rhena and not Syanna, in Mettina 5 years ago, she was still quite young and scared by her past, which she avoided to speak about. I did not see her suppressed anger and fear, I just saw a scared young girl that I rescued from some low life in a back alley. I was totally fascinated by the fact that she accepted me as I was without asking questions about myself or my past. With her I could laugh and relax and she was equal to my passion, daring me to go further. And then, one day, she suddenly disappeared, leaving me without a word, heartbroken.

No wonder I was overjoyed but also greatly alarmed when I was contacted by her kidnappers. As I do not hold a great regard for humans, I was not troubled to kill those knights and thought it a small price to get my Rhena back. But then to learn of her betrayal, how she used me! It took all my self control not change form and hunt her down, even now, a week after we left Toussaint! Good that we travelled through mainly uninhabited land so I could ground myself in solitude.

One night we stopped in a tiny hamlet and while Regis distributed cough syrup and other medicine I was beleaguered by the handful of children wanting to see my toys. With wistful eyes and dirty fingers, they admired each and every one of them. The simple peasants and hunters were grateful for the medicine and even more so for tidings from Toussaint. While Regis gave the news, a towheaded little boy crawled on my lap and fell asleep, thumb in mouth. Soon after the mother rescued me and we went to sleep in front of the open fireplace. We left early and I placed the most admired toys on the mantel piece for the little pests to find. I started to understand Oriella, who ran an orphanage near Beauclaire. Those little humans had a certain appeal and smelled of sweet, sweet blood. But Regis would have my hide if I even thought of tasting that alluring offering.

Our first town, Glevitzinden, did not improve my view on humanity. Dirty, stinking, with open sewers running on the side of the streets, drunkards lying in dark corners, cut purses swarming the market, beggars crying out for alms, and strumpets plying their trade in broad daylight. The importantly strutting guards did nothing to calm down this hubbub. Serenely smiling Regis wended his way through the market and set up his booth in the shade. Soon we were crowded, his mandrake hooch sold like crazy, but also his medicines and my toys were in demand. While Regis gave out good advice and mandrake hooch in equal measures, I was busy keeping the thieves at bay. One scowl from me was usually enough to send them scampering away.

I did not really understand why Regis wanted to spend the day selling his medicines. We didn't need the money and hours surrounded by ignorant people did not rank high on my list. In the evening, when business slowed down, I asked Regis why we were doing this. "Did you listen to what the people were talking about? Asking questions?" "Not really, they natter all the time, quite without sense." "That is not so, what I learned is that the rumor that Kaer Morhen is inhabited again and thriving reached that far south already and that many people are happy about that. It seems there are more monsters around than in the last decades and nobody is able to kill them. But there are a few who still fear and hate witchers more than the monsters. That Renny has her work laid out for her!" "And what can we do about that?" "Maybe you were asleep standing up? Did you not listen to what I told people? How Geralt is helping the people in Toussaint working together with Damien de la Tour from the Duquessa's guard? "I get the point, I will definitely pay more attention to what is going on around me!"

We spent the night in a moderately clean inn, not that bed bugs were really a concern for us as they did not like the taste of our blood. In the morning, as we saddled our horses, a young woman with a baby on her hip and a toddler on her hand came up to us, "Good sirs, please take me with you, my man was killed by a kikimora, I have no family and I and my children are starving here. I can cook and wash and sew, even take care of your horses. I don't care where you are going. I have nowhere to go!" Regis, always the altruist, told her that we were going to Kaer Morhen and that she was welcome to come with us. "Oh, to the witcher's keep? I am sure they need someone there to cook and wash and clean! And we will be safe!"

So, what was there to do for me? I lifted her into the saddle of my horse and handed the little girl to Regis. After all I did not tire easily and if we let her walk, she would only slow us down. Regis just smiled serenely. "Young woman, now that you and your children are coming with us - what shall we call you?" "Oh sorry, sorry, I totally forgot to introduce me. I am called Arnika, my daughter is Mara and the little man here is Kacper!" with that she proudly showed us the infant. Soon we left the busy little town behind and followed the road to Spalla, where we would cross the Jaruga. The fertile river meadows were busy with harvesting peasants, using the warm and dry late summer weather to get in the various grains. Regis could not help himself and had to identify each and every field crop we saw. Arnika listened avidly. "And here is a field of spelt used for - ah, they have an infestation of ergot here! See Arnika, that deep purple fungus growing on the panicle? Dettlaff, can you please harvest that for me? And while you are there, look around for more! I am going to talk with the good people there in case they don't know about it." With that, he rode ahead. Arnika slid out of the saddle, helped little Mara down and looked expectantly at me. There was not much for me to do than proceed to the field and start harvesting ergot. Once I showed her what we were to do, she was much quicker in finding and harvesting this purple fungus. She also plucked the unripe capsules of the red poppy and the cornflowers growing in profusion at the fields border. Up ahead the road Regis had accosted some peasants and quite likely explained to them how dangerous ergot in the flour would be. It looked like the peasants were actually grateful. When we joined Regis, they pushed some coarse bread and apples on us. I handed the stuff immediately to Arnika. Regis was delighted with Arnika's harvest and immediately began teaching her and little Mara, the uses of ergot, poppy and cornflower.

In the evening we camped on the opposite shore of Scala. What a sweet domestic scene we had! I lighted the fire, Arnika cooked and Regis played with Mara, keeping an eye on the baby. Kacper was fretful but at least I had the option to spend the night elsewhere if he wailed too often. The morning dawned bright and clear and soon we were on the road again, as we wanted to cross the Jaruga and reach Spalla in the evening. To make the time go by faster, I started teaching Arnika how to ride a horse as opposed to just sitting on a horse. Regis had no problem taking Mara for the lesson and Kacper slept in a carrying cloth on his mother's back. Arnika was an apt pupil and soon discovered that riding can be a lot fun. I promised her to teach her horse care too. At noon we halted in the shade of a big old elm tree. Regis again took the opportunity to collect all kinds of herbs and teach Arnika and Mara. I whittled on some more toys, a doll for Mara and a rattle for the baby. During the long, hot afternoon Arnika dozed in the saddle but was immediately alert as we started to cross over on the bridge. "Oh, what a big city! I have never been that far away from the place I grew up! This is all so wonderful!"

In the Inn of the Golden Pheasant Regis rented 2 rooms. This was ostensibly a better establishment as they had a minstrel playing through dinner hour. Arnika introduced Kacper to bread soaked in gravy, which was very messy but a full success. Mara just looked around with big, grey eyes and ate - a lot for such a small girl. Arnika and the children excused herself after the meal to make good use of the wash house, while Regis and I enjoyed a cup of wine. "How do you like our journey so far?" "Not as tedious as I expected. But I am more interested in our goal, Kaer Morhen. Did you ever visit there before? What can we expect?" " Kaer Morhen, Caer a'Muirehen, meaning Keep of the Elder Sea in the tongue of the elves, was built in the 11th century by the School of the Wolf which settled there after the Order of the Witchers splintered. In the days of its glory, the School of the Wolf was one of the most recognized of the witcher schools. Its members gained the reputation of professional and reliable monster slayers. The second half of the 12th century saw a massive attack on Kaer Morhen by an enraged mob led by a group of mages and priests. All witchers present at the keep were killed. Though the pogrom was condemned, the school never regained its full functionality. For some time since then schools of the Wolf and of the Cat were funded by Kaedweni monarchs. The student exchanges took place and some older witchers befriended each other, though most of the students did not trust each other, which often resulted in brawls and arguments.

King Radowit II however, under the influence of his court mage Astrogarus and druids, perceived the revival of the witcher schools as a threat to his rule. His manipulations made Master Treyse of the Cats engage in a plot against the Wolves – during the witcher tournament he and some of the students under his influence ambushed the unaware Wolves. After most of the Wolves died, the King ordered soldiers to kill the Cats as well.

The last children were trained at Kaer Morhen in the 1230s. Knowledge about Trials and mage assistants eventually vanished since then. By the 1260s the only living member of the "old" (pre-pogrom) witchers of the Wolf was Vesemir. He, and a couple of younger ones, used to spend winters in the keep. They welcomed some witchers from other schools, like Coen, but Cats and Vipers were banned.

The early 1270s saw the ultimate downfall of the school, when it fell under the attacks of the Salamandra and the Wild Hunt, when Vesemir died defending Ciri. After the battle Lambert left with Keira Metz. Last I heard was that they settled in Brugge, where Keira is well renowned for her cure of the Catrionic Plague. She heads the medical branch of their University, while Lambert enjoys the life of a trophy husband with occasional monster hunting to keep in shape. I have no idea where Eskel went. Letho, who helped with fighting off Erendil, the king of the Wild Hunt, stayed for a time and then went east. He is quite likely the source of information for that eastern witcher conclave. Now there are about 10 people there, as far as I know one bard, two sorceresses and the rest more or less full witchers. Their goal is to be a safe haven again for the surviving witchers regardless of which school and, if possible, to recreate the mutation process in a better way with a much less mortality rate. " "Why would they do that?" "There are several disturbing news and rumors going around: Unknown and ferocious monsters were sighted far west of Skellige. Hjalmar, envoy of Queen Cerys an Craite, brought the news to the young Queen Anais of Temeria, daughter of Foltest, in Vizima. As she is only a teen, Vernon Roche is her trusted advisor and friend. Queen Adda of Redania, who followed her deceased husband on the throne, with her son by Radovic, was also present during that audience. King Tankred Thyssen of Kovir brought disturbing tidings from North of the Drakensberge. And for once the sorceresses and sorcerers are united in the believe that at least a small conjunction of the spheres will happen in the next 50 years." "But that is our chance! We can finally go home!" "It might be possible, but neither you nor I know the old homeland as we were born here. And if the Unseen Elders are a measure of how our people really are, I am not sure I want to go back." "Yes, there is that. You are right, I better get used to living with humans."