The Reclaiming of Vesemir's Medallion

Meanwhile in Kaer Morhen the young witchers and their castellan were blissfully unaware that 2 vampires and assorted strays were wending their slow way towards them.

"Castellan, come out to the bonfire! Those dusty books can wait another day!" Phelan, the bard, called. Renny looked up, it was already quite late and she had spent the afternoon pouring over those ancient tomes, trying to piece together the hints about how the mutations worked. Deep in thought she joined the group around the bonfire in the upper courtyard. By now familiar faces greeted her - Baymen with the full yellow witcher eyes and long, dark hair, pretty Joanna, her light brown hair framing her delicate features, Daniel with his gray-green eyes glowing in his tanned face; frowning, bearded Jeremy, almond-eyed Phelan and black haired Shay. The others were on quests. While Khalid and Sir William were somewhere in southern Zerrekania in search of a missing sorceress, the last they had heard of Ragvir was that he had successfully bested a fiend. Jess Anne, Gabrel and Elena were on diplomatic missions to the dryads in Brokilon, the dwarves in Mahakam and the elves in Dol Blathanna respectively, on behalf of the new witcher community.

"So, did you find anything interesting in Vesemir's old books?" Bayman asked. "Not really, but there is one tome which I can't open at all. Joanna already did a magic probe - nothing! Which is really a pity, as I think it may contain the information we are missing. It has a wolf head shaped indentation on the cover. It sets my medallion humming, but it doesn't open the tome. " "Maybe it needs a different medallion." Daniel mused. "As it was Vesemir's, maybe his medallion will open it." "The only problem is that we don't have Vesemir's medallion" Jeremy added. "Yes, it was lost when Cirilla fought against the crones and the last surviving one, the Weavess, ripped it off and escaped with it." "Then we have to retrieve it! Even if it is not the key to the book, we can't let it remain with that evil crone" Jeremy shouted excitedly, jumping up and brandishing his sword. Bayman smiled tiredly, "I am out of that for now, the last fight with the kikimora queen in Ard Carraigh took its toll. I am glad that I even made it back here. And Mama Renny would have my hide if I went with you half healed" Grinning he ducked his head as the castellan made a mock swipe at him. "Maybe I should go to Toussaint, I heard a rumor about a Professor Moreau, who experimented on his own son. He wanted to get rid of the witcher mutations although the son was happy with his new life. I bet Geralt knows more about that!" Joanne mused. "You're just looking for an excuse to visit Geralt - we all know that you have a big crush on him!" Phelan teased her. "Then you have to come with me as my chaperone and if we run out of money, you can always sing for supper, dear Phelan!" was Joanne's tart answer.

"I'll stay here with Bayman and take care of Mama Renny while you all go caroling off to different corners of the world" Shay added. Renny laughed: "I am not in my dotage yet, but while I work through the books and manuscripts, I don't mind you making wood and repairing the walls! You all, don't forget to be back in about 3 moons before the deep snow sets in and closes off the Forktail Pass if you want to winter here, which I would recommend. In the next couple of 8-days, we will get another load of stuff from Emhyr, Adda of Redania promised more building materials and Anais of Temeria is sending furniture, blankets, candles, lamp oil and such. I hope Gabrel will be back soon and with some dwarven builders and also Elena with elven stone masons. We should definitely close the holes and make the living quarters more cozy. If Jess Anne is successful, we should also get dryad wood workers. So yes, go and try to retrieve the medallion and while you are on your journey, look around for a blacksmith and armorer as well as some displaced families, who want to settle either in the keep or around here. We have to get self sufficient sooner than later! Now get packing, start early tomorrow and have fun with Geralt!", the last as an aside toward Joanna. "You are a wicked woman, castellan!" Joanna blushingly said.

The morning dawned bright and clear when level headed Daniel and temperamental Jeremy set out together with Joanna and Phelan. With Jeremy it was no coincidence that he was dubbed the Butcher of Vengeberg, his killing spree there had nearly surpassed Geralt's in Blaviken. Both in a good cause, getting rid of dangerous bandits, but the town inhabitants took it amiss having their respective market places littered with cut-up corpses.

Their route would lead them along the Gwenllech to Ard Carraigh, then overland to Flotsam where they would board a barge to Oxenfurt and then down south and little west again to Crookback Bog, where they saw the biggest chance of finding the crone, or at least picking up the trail. Joanna and Phelan would travel together with them till Ard Carraigh, where they would turn south, bound for Toussaint.

But first they all made a little roundabout to visit Vesemir's and Leo's graves near the first dam with a good view to the old watchtower on the west side of the valley and Kaer Morhen to north on the other side of the river. Joanna brought some flowers while Jeremy carried a flask of cherry cordial, Vesemir's favorite drink. There was still some fog around when they crossed the swift flowing river to the other side. The fog muffled all sounds, one could only hear the occasional, hesitant bird song and some rustling in the undergrowth from small animals starting their day. Soon they dismounted and walked up to the tiered stone marker with the upright silver sword and while Daniel lighted the candles with igni, Joanna placed the flowers on the pedestal. Jeremy poured a generous amount of cherry cordial and handed the flask to Daniel. Phelan softly strummed his lute while Daniel addressed Vesemir: "We are here today to ask permission and guidance for retrieving your medallion Vesemir. We think it shouldn't stay with the last crone but rest here in Kaer Morhen. Besides that, we need it to open your book to learn about the mutation process. We know that you abhorred the pain and torture those young boys had to pass through and where 7 out of 10 died a horrible death. Therefore we promise to search for ways to make the Trial of Grasses less dangerous and painful before we ever put anybody through that again. On this you have our word, that we swear by the honour of the witchers!" Daniel too poured a libation on the grave, then they all bowed low and went back to their horses. As the first rays of the sun pierced the fog, the wailing song of a lone wolf drifted on the air. "This is unusual at this time of day - I think we have our permission and blessing!" They once again bowed low in the direction of the graves, mounted their horses and followed the Gwenllech for the first part of their journey.

Earlier, the castellan, a heavily limping Bayman and Shay had come with them to the big outer doors of the fortress to wave them good-bye. In that profession when somebody left, you could never be sure if they would return and in what shape, being half eaten by a monster the most likeliest outcome, as these young people were not yet fully trained, nor did they have the full mutations. That meant that they were stronger and faster than even the best human, dwarven or elven fighters, but not as fast and strong as the witchers who had passed through the Trial of Grasses. Renny was an able castellan and gifted procurer as well as a mother surrogate to them all. She alone was old enough to have the full mutations and a couple of hundred years experience on how to survive as a witcher. So over the last months she had taught them a lot about fighting monsters and surviving. The future would show if that was enough. "I hope they will back safe and sound and find what we need. In the meantime we have lots of work to do. Bayman, with your injured leg, it's the library for you, while Shay and I will poke around in the basement. I have the feeling that we might find something down there, especially behind the filled-in parts."

The journey to Ard Carraigh was quite uneventful, even the Forktail Pass showed no forktail this time. After the pass they simply followed the Gwenllech and watched it grow from a sprightly little creek into a more stately, but still swiftly flowing river at Ard Carraigh. On their way they encountered a few hunters and nearer to the town, small hamlets with their contingent of screeching, curious children and wary adults who immediately relaxed when they saw the 2 swords on the backs, knowing that only the monsters and bandits had to be afraid. So close to home the witchers were considered friend and not foe anymore, which would change along their journey. Many people treated them with fear and disdain, not knowing that those brave souls were the only bulwark that stood between them and the monsters.

Ard Carraigh was a quite picturesque town in the foothills of the Blue Mountains. The houses huddled together, their high, steep roofs throwing deep shadows over the narrow, twisted streets. Having been there several times before the 4 made their way to the Crowing Cockerel Inn, where they stayed the night. Phelan was immediately in high demand and soon the main room was packed full with patrons wanting to hear the bard. Joanna opted for a hot bath after a week of rough camping while Daniel and Jeremy started sampling the excellent beer and listening avidly to whatever stories made the rounds. The serving wenches kept them well supplied, swishing their skirts, giggling and showing off deep necklines. The reputation of tingling but safe fun preceded the witchers and many lonely, and not so lonely, maidens wanted to test that themselves. Soon Joanna was back for supper, with slicked back, still damp hair and smelling of roses and cherries. The food was ample and freshly prepared - roasted mutton leg with beets and bread. Soon Phelan started the second round of his performance, Joanna went upstairs to her room to catch up on some reading of magic books and Jeremy and Daniel were finally able to satisfy the curiosity of assorted maidens.

In the morning Joanna and Phelan started down the great south road to Sherrawedd and Ban Glean. They said good-bye to Jeremy and Daniel who headed more or less overland towards Flotsam. In a week they would cross the Pontar in Hagge and 2 more days would see them in Flotsam, where 4 countries came together: Kaedwen, Aedirn, Temeria and Redania. They had never been there before where Geralt of Rivia 6 years ago had befriended Iorveth, the scoia'tael leader, after Geralt escaped from prison and certain death with the help of Vernon Roche, having been accused of murdering King Foltest. Somehow Flotsam had survived the Nilfgaardian war, quite likely because it was an important trans-shipment point on the Pontar. The little town of Lobinden just outside its walls also had survived, but although Bernard Loredo, the erstwhile commandant of Flotsam, was able to escape in the night of the pogrom, he was later caught by some scoia'tael hunters and gleefully fed to the local arachas which already had done an excellent job guarding Iorveth's hideout.

Centipede

They followed the bridle path along the Buina and kept sharp with dispatching drowners along the shore. As they passed through Buki, a small hamlet at the entrance of a high mountain valley, which lived mostly on logging and the making of charcoal, 2 strapping lads apprehended them. “Master witchers! Master witchers! Please a moment! We need help!” Jeremy and Daniel stopped their mounts. “No worries, we are at least thinning out the drowners along the riverbank. They should be much less trouble upriver by now!” Daniel replied. “No, it’s not about them drowners – there is a big black monster in the glade near our charcoal kilns. Jussuf was killed when he tried to get there!” How long ago was that and how did the monster look like?” Jeremy asked. “T’was 3 days ago and what we saw from the monster – long, black, fiery eyes, dripping venom from it long fangs.” “Hmmm, quite likely a gigantic centipede minus the fiery eyes” Jeremy mused. “Will you help us please? We don’t have much coin, but we will find something for you – please?” “Ok, we’ll look into it, but you better find something worthwhile for us!” Jeremy grumbled, turning his horse towards the indicated clearing. Daniel sighed deeply, diplomacy was evidently not Jeremys strong suit. “Don’t worry lads, we’ll take care of your monster no matter what. But first I would like to hear some confirmation to your story. I would hate to go on a wild goose chase just because you had a bad dream.” “No, tis all true, we are the alderman’s sons – ah here he is!” An older man slowly limped up to Daniel. “My name is Franciszek, I am the village elder, and what my sons told you is true. We really have a monster problem up in the kiln glade and it really killed Jussuf. It is also true that we don’t have much coin, but we’ll do our best to get something together for you!” He didn’t look too happy and Daniel could clearly feel the rising antipathy. Not wanting to make matters worse, he just nodded respectfully and followed Jeremy to the clearing.

At the edge of the clearing Jeremy already had dismounted and checked his gear. He put insectoid oil on his silver blade and set out the potion flasks. Petri’s Philter for sign enhancement and Swallow for quick regeneration were the standard. He added Golden Oriole to combat the inevitable poisoning with the centipede venom. Daniel followed suit. “We’ll try it like Renny suggested. One of us gets its attention, the other strikes from behind” Daniel said. “You do know that the best laid battle plans rarely survive the first 5 minutes in combat?” Jeremy laughing ironically. “Ok, but we can at least try!” “No problem Danny boy, you are the bait!”

They both swallowed the bitter potions and sank into mediation to mitigate the poisonous impacts and enhance the benevolent effects. 5 minutes later, when they opened their eyes the world had changed. An expanded visual spectrum with added ultraviolet and infrared vision, sensitized hearing, also with added frequencies for ultrasound and infrasound, and a sharper sense of smell awaited them. By now they were well accustomed to what had been unbearable sensory overload just a few years back. The meditation also helped. Both looked different now. Their movements were much faster, they constantly moved their heads to get an as wide as possible range of their surroundings, their eyes so brilliant that they glowed even in daylight. Both looked unmistakably as what they really were, apex predators just about to make a kill. Fletching his teeth in a feral grin, burly Jeremy moved as lightly as a gazelle and disappeared into the underbrush where he would lie in waiting for the perfect moment.

With narrowed eyes Daniel glided into the clearing, sword at the ready. Normally giant centipedes were dumb beasts, but there had been rumors for years that mages at Rissberg Castle near Mount Cremora on the Cidarian-Temerian border had been experimenting with all kinds of life forms to make them more intelligent. If that was one of those, the fight would not be easy. Nearing the center of the clearing, Daniel started to stomp down with every second step to gain the interest of the creature. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a many legged, black armored shadow reared, but Daniel was prepared. Casting quen for protection and agilely rolling aside, he got up and lashed out with his silver sword. He was that strong that his cut neatly severed several legs and one mandible at once. Greenish ichor sprouted forth and Daniel rolled aside again.

And there was Jeremy, moving up so fast that his motion blurred. He cast igni at the centipede which rolled into a tight ball trying to escape the flaming stream, lashing out with his tail and exploding Daniels shield, setting him flying, landing hard on his hip. Jeremy sprang clear and attacked again with his sword. The one remaining poison dripping mandible grazed his arm, cutting through the leather of his armor.

Meanwhile Daniel was up again and sprang at the beast, taking out one eye. Retreating he laid an yrden trap. Another burst of igni from Jeremy forced the centipede into the trap. Enraged it reared up. Swearing to cover the pain of his injury Jeremy vaulted onto the centipede and mightily rammed his sword down between head and torso, cutting to the side, neatly severing the head. The beast crumbled, fell down, shuddered a few times and lay still.

Jeremy, having jumped off, staggered and sat down heavily. Weakly he pulled out another flask, White Honey this time, to clear the remaining poison out of his system. Daniel limped up to him. “You ok Jeremy?” “Not really, but the White Honey should clear what the Oriole did not get and then it is only a flesh wound.” “Come to where we left our gear” Daniel helped Jeremy up and leaning on each other they made their slow way to the edge of the clearing where their horses waited. Daniel got one of the pre-prepared bandages, which were soaked in herbal potions, according to their use. Expertly he wound it around Jeremy’s upper arm and tied it. “So, that should do it!” “Thank you Daniel, what is with your leg?” “Just a deep bruise, that tail swipe got me by surprise!”

Both downed a Healall potion and meditated for the next half hour. Refreshed they went back into the glade to collect their trophy and assorted valuable parts. While cutting up the centipede, Jeremy discovered an ingrown metal plate stating “GC 34-712-990 RB 1273AC” “Those dammed magical jerks at Rissberg! Geralt should have let Radovid kill off all the mages before he helped Dijkstra, Roche, and Thaler getting rid of him!” Jeremy swore viciously. “Somehow we should get word to Queen Anais that the illegal experiments continue at Rissberg and if that doesn’t help, Emperor Emhyr will definitely find a way to get those mages!” Daniel commented. Jeremy looked thoughtful “I am not sure if I want Emhyr meddling again, but something has to be done. We don’t need a second conjunction for creating chaos as long as we have those mages!” They finished up their butchering, packed everything away and returned to Buki. The sun was westering when they rode back into town.

Floki and Len, the alderman’s sons, ran to accost them “And did you get the monster?” As an answer Jeremy tossed them the head of the centipede. The 2 young men staggered under its weight and looked with new admiration at Jeremy, who just so easily had handled that head. Then they saw the bloody bandage around his arm and awe filled the expressions. Meanwhile the villagers had congregated around them and as soon as they saw that severed head they started shouting happily “The beast is dead! The beast is dead! Hail to our heroes!” Franciszek directed his sons to nail the centipede's head over the door of his hut and then addressed the witchers. "As to the reward, ahem, as I told you, we are poor folk around here, don't see much coin, but we find pretty stones in the river, they should be worth something in the big cities!" With that he handed them a pouch full of pebbles. Jeremy's scowl deepened, Daniel just fished one stone out and found that he held a fire koryinth in his hand, worth at least 150 orens if sold in Oxenfurt or Novigrad. The pouch held about 10 stones of equal and greater worth. "This is too much, good man, we'll take one each and an additional one for our brotherhood." With that he handed the pouch back to a speechless alderman. “Oh, but you must stay the night and celebrate with us. I am sure the womenfolk will have a feast ready in no time at all. And in the meantime we have some elderberry spirit!”

With a wide, nearly toothless grin he led the way to the village green where industrious youths had lighted a fire and set up some benches. A gaggle of boys took care of the horses with hero worship shining in their eyes. Shy, and not so shy, village beauties brought warm water scented with calendula and chamomile and tenderly washed the faces and hands of the tired witchers. Franciszek poured the elderberry spirit and soon the women served bowls with hot, thick stew accompanied with fresh bread. Such fortified, Daniel, the more congenial of the two, recounted their adventure and answered the many questions. One little boy tried to clamber up but unfortunately hit the deep bone bruise on Daniel’s hip. “Ahh, no little one, go back to your mother” Daniel waved aside the concerned glances “It’s just a bruise, nothing to be concerned about!” Not satisfied with the answer, blonde Katina sided up to Daniel. “Let me look, I know how to treat bruises!” After taking a quick look, she came back with some ointment which she gently massaged in. Daniel had quite a hard time sitting still.

Soon the people began to return to their huts, as their days started early. Franciszek showed them to the fragrant communal hay barn where their horses and their gear already waited. Due to their adaption, they didn’t need any light and saw quite well in the dark. They got out of their armor but kept their swords at hand. The creaking side door alerted them to visitors. But it wasn’t monsters this time who wanted a piece of them, it was Katina and her friend Lada, giggling and blushing: “Katina said that you, Daniel, tingle to the touch. Do you tingle too Jeremy? Or are you already too tired?” Jeremy and Daniel grinned at each other. “We are never too tired for beautiful women!” Daniel charmingly replied and in a low aside, that only Daniel could hear, Jeremy remarked “And this is a very nice way to get the rest of the potions out of our blood!”

3 days later they crossed the Pontar at Hagge and followed the small road towards Flotsam. They found themselves in an ancient forest with giant trees. Their trunks were so wide that it would take 8 big men to circle one of those giants with their arms. This was the boggy, primeval forest along this stretch of the Pontar. Exotic bushes nodded in the light shade of the giants and delicate blossoms perfumed the air. Little animals scurried around and the air was filled with bird song. The spongy ground squished under their horses’ hooves and it seemed a bad idea to leave the fortified path. “Here Geralt went endrega and nekker hunting? And met with Iorveth?” Jeremy asked, looking uneasily around. He already hated the humid, chill environment. “I think it was a bit more towards Flotsam and farther away from the river, but it essentially is one big bog. A foretaste of what awaits us in Crookback Bog. But the trees will be smaller and there will be drowners and mudnixers and water hags and ...” “Ok, ok, I get it Daniel – I am so much looking forward to that!” “Don’t forget it was your idea Jeremy – you brandished your sword and shouted “Onwards!”” “Thanks for reminding me, you are a real friend Daniel!” With good natured teasing and banter the time passed more quickly.

“And here is the famous bridge. I wonder if the troll still lives here!” “You witcha men? 2 swords, smelling blood, yes witcha back!” “Look who you woke up Daniel, now we just need a Kayran and some elves!” Beware of what you wish Jeremy, you might get it!” The troll happily jumped up and down, shouting: “Witcha back, Trololo happy!” That troll stood head and shoulders taller than Jeremy, who was a tall man, his thick arms long enough to easily touch the ground with a bit of crouching. His short, muscled legs were slightly bent, his shoulders enormous. The relatively small head sat on a short thick neck and his fangs glistened wetly, bared by his happy, wide grin. “Trololo new wife! Make little Trololo! Name Geralti!” Daniel and Jeremy looked unbelieving at each other then burst into laughter. “Somehow we must make sure that Geralt learns that there is a baby troll now, named Geralti!” Daniel nearly choked on the laughter. “Maybe we can send him a letter from Oxenfurt!” Jeremy mused. “Yes, send letter to master witcha, tell him Trololo and mate leave. Hoomans bad, not like trololo!” “Hmm, Renny is going to curse me but, Trololo why don’t you come to Kaer Morhen with your mate and little Geralti? We have a draw bridge you could keep well repaired and I am sure there are some nice caves around too. There are even some rock trolls on the other side of the valley.” Daniel invited the troll. “Have you completely lost your mind?” Jeremy shouted “We are supposed to slay monsters, not invite them to our home!” “I am sure he would be quite handy with lugging stones around, even do some repair work to the walls. After all he has kept the bridge in good repair. “ “Yes, Trololo and mate help with stones. Go to nice place Kar Mor. That mate Izza!” He pointed at a slightly smaller version of himself with a crowing troll baby in her arms. “Pretty Izza!” “Yes, your mate is very pretty and little Geralti is very cute!” Daniel snickered. “Anyhow, think on it, but we must go to Flotsam to catch a barge to Oxenfurt.” “In Flotsam many bad hoomans, poor elves and dwarves, many gone, only few left.” “Trololo understand, we can’t save the whole world!” Jeremy exclaimed. “But you witcha, you good witcha, you help Trololo, you help elves and dwarves too! Trololo wait here days, if good witcha send elves and dwarves, go to Kar Mor together!” “See what you have done Daniel, we now have to go rescue elves and dwarves and trolls and kayrans and” “Calm down Jeremy, we don’t even know if they want or need rescue! And Renny said we should look around for blacksmiths and such.” “But not trolls, Daniel, nobody said anything about trolls or a whole caravan of refugees!” Shaking his head, Jeremy spurred his horse and rode ahead. Daniel waved good-bye to Trololo, Izza and little Geralti and followed his friend.

Flotsam

With dusk falling, they reached Lobinden and were the last the watchmen let into town. There was not much choice where to stay, so they went to the only inn, now called “Slain Kayran”. This establishment had 3 floors and 3 purposes. You could rent a room in the upper floor, as Sile de Tansarvile had done when she had prepared to slay the Kayran, you could get food, drink, news and arm wrestling on the ground floor, but the real entertainment happened in the basement. There the brothel was located, the fist fighting rink, the gambling and from the barkeep you could buy everything legal and not so legal. Jeremy and Daniel handed the horses over to the stable boy and after renting one upstairs room, lugged their saddle bags there. Then they went downstairs in search of food and news and to find out when the next barge left for Oxenfurt. Daniel had a quite spicy stew with rice and beans, which reminded him of his first stay on this sphere, a small island down south. Jeremy had the beef roast. They both enjoyed the light local beer and some fresh fruit afterwards.

It didn’t take long for an older busty blonde with a red hat to sit down at their table and smile professionally at them. “I am Margot, I run the brothel, and I really like witcher lads!” Daniel and Jeremy exchanged glances. “We don’t want to be impolite madam, but we had quite a long day in the saddle and just wanted to find out when the next barge to Oxenfurt is due!” Daniel replied. Margot just brightened her smile and raised her voice “Oh come with me pretty boys, I promise you lots of fun!” Catcalls from the other patrons covered her desperately whispered “Please!” “Hey Margot, not enough with one, now you want to take on 2?” Jeremy, who despite his gruff exterior was quite emphatic, caught on and entered in the charade. “If you ask this nicely oh Goddess of love, how can we say no!” Daniel just looked dumbfounded at the poetic outburst of his friend, but followed his lead, rising and bowing to Margot.

She led them downstairs to a secluded alcove swinging her hips seductively. Swiftly she closed the door. “Thank you so much! I am desperate and saw no other option to get you down here without everybody knowing! So they just saw a whore with 2 customers” “That may all be as it is, but why? What is so secret nobody should even get a whiff of it?” Daniel asked. Jeremy precautionary leaned against the door to hear if anybody came up against it on the other side. “I have been hiding Ciaran aep Easnillen, Iorveth’s second in command, since he escaped barely alive from the prison barge. Anezka helped us with herbs and potions, but it took him a long time to heal. There is a price on his head and more and more soldiers are coming here. It is simply not safe anymore. And I want to live with him openly! Not hiding in the woods! Please help us!” Tears glistened in her faded blue eyes. “First a troll family, now a hunted elf with a human lover – why us?” Jeremy raised his eyes heavenwards. “Because we are good witcha, as Trololo told us!” Daniel laughed. “You know we can thank Geralt for that, he laid the foundation that people now believe we are here to help them!” “Yes, Geralt, he was such a fine, gentle man, and so good looking!” Margot dreamily chimed in. “Margot, listen, there is really a troll family waiting for us to collect refugees from the bad hoomans, so they said. They will go to Kaer Morhen. You are welcome to join them with Ciaran. Anybody else we should invite?” Jeremy asked her. “Mhhh, yes, there is Seherim and Mottle. They are raising Moril’s child” Daniel and Jeremy just looked questioning at her. “At the time Geralt stayed here, Loredo had kidnapped Moril, Seherim’s lover, and had kept her as a sex toy. She got pregnant and in the night of the pogrom, she gave birth assisted by Ves, Vernon Roche’s right hand. Shortly after giving birth Moril took her life and Geralt brought the child to Seherim before he left. After the elves stormed the prisoner barge Geralt rescued Mottle from the burning tower where Loredo had brought her and 2 other elven women to die in the flames to cover his escape. She then went to Vergen but came back after a short while having failed to establish her herb business there. Yeah and there is a dwarf, Berthold Candeleria, the local blacksmith, with his family and 2 apprentices. The guild is putting more and more pressure on him and he has been talking about leaving for quite some time now. You will have time enough to talk to them as the barge to Oxenfurt will arrive tomorrow and it will take several days to unload and load again.”

Jeremy just sighed deeply and nodded. “Yes, we’ll take care of that. But we can’t promise anything” Margot looked very relieved “You 2 stay here, I’ll make sure you will be comfortable” smiling she left. “Do you really think it’s a good idea to collect all those people and send them to Kaer Morhen?” Jeremy asked. “They have nowhere to go as they are considered freaks and monsters as much as we are. It makes sense to not struggle alone but to help each other. And Renny is right, we need some kind of community at Kaer Morhen. Repairing our own gear and living from one day to the other, without any organization, is not going to cut it. Even at the height of Kaer Morhen, a couple of mages, soldiers and peasant were able to invade the fortress and kill off the witchers!” “You are right Daniel, let’s give it a try!” Then they heard giggling, the door opened and 2 scantily dressed girls slipped in. “Margot told us that there are 2 warriors who need a bit of lovin’. I am Julia and that is my friend Maria”. Daniel sighed “And I guess you are curious if we really tingle?” They nodded eagerly and proceeded in giving a bit of lovin’.

After breakfast the next morning Daniel and Jeremy had a look at the booths at the market place which offered mainly food and then went to see the blacksmith in a back alley of the non-human quarter. Berthold was as always busy pounding away on his anvil, but his apprentice greeted them respectfully. “Master witchers, what an honour having you stop by! The last witcher we were able to serve was Geralt of Rivia. Master Berthold forged a special silver sword for him after he lost his in fighting off the dragon at the La Valette castle. What can I do for you? Silver swords for you too?” “No thank you, we have quite good ones, but we would like to talk to Master Berthold. We have some information for him.” Daniel answered. Lucas, the apprentice went up to the blacksmith. After a short exchange, Berthold stepped up to the 2 witchers “Yes? What is it?” “We heard that you might consider relocating and would like to offer you a hassle-free place at Kaer Morhen. If you wanted to travel together with others, friends are waiting at the bridge for the next several days.” Daniel explained. “Mhhh, that is for sure an interesting proposition. I’ll see what my family has to say. A crucial question – what about my income? Witchers are notoriously short on coin and there are not many of you!” “It is not that far to Ard Carraigh, every couple of months going there for market day is an option. Custom work could come that way for you too and with a growing community there will be more need for blacksmithing work.” Jeremy told him. While Lucas looked quite eager, Berthold didn’t give away if he was really going to consider that offer. “Anyhow, thank you for your time!” Jeremy shrugged and walked away with Daniel following. “Now what?” Jeremy asked. “Now we are going to look for Seherim and Mottle!”

For that they had to leave the town and enter Lobinden, the little hamlet on the banks of the Pontar and under the shade of the gigantic Marda trees. Around 3 trees were wooden platforms and walkways quite high up where elves kept watch. This had been instituted by Cedric, a former scoia'tael, who spent his latter years as guardian of the forest. He had died trying to prevent Letho from kidnapping Triss Merigold. They found Mettle sitting on a bench in front of one of the outlying huts watching a little boy play. She smiled when she saw the 2 witchers approaching: “Greetings witchers! What can I do for you? Do you need some rare herbs?” “No thanks, we are fine. Margot told us that you and Seherim are not too happy here. If that is the case, why don’t you come to Kaer Morhen?” Jeremy told her. “Oh, I did not expect this! Seherim will be back shortly, why don’t you stay bit and tell him about that yourself!” Jeremy and Daniel sat down on the bench while Mottle went inside to get the noon meal ready. The little boy watched them for bit then walked up to them. “Why are you carrying 2 swords on your back? Do you lose them often?” Daniel laughed. “No we are witchers, that means we slay monsters for pay. And for slaying monsters we need a silver sword.” “But you have 2 swords.” “Sometimes humans are monsters too, then we use the steel sword.” The little boys’ eyes lit up. “I want to be a witcher too when I grow up! Can you teach me the swords? There are so many mean people here!” “Hey, hey little man, not a good idea running around waving your sword and killing people!” “But if they are mean to mama and papa? I only want to kill the mean ones!” To distract him from that line of thought Daniel asked “What is your name? I am Daniel!” “I am Arod! That means brown and swift. And can you show me your swords? Please?!” The 2 witchers were rescued by Seherim “Arod, I told you to be polite to strangers and not pester them” “But I am not pestering them! I just want them to teach me sword fighting so I can kill all the mean people!” “Enough Arod!” Seherim did not look happy. “So who are you to bring such a disturbance to my household?” Both witcher stood up “I am Jeremy of Vengerberg and this is Daniel of Weyer. We are out on a quest, sent by Renny of Duerrenstin, our castellan! Margot asked us to check on you, but if you want to be left alone – so be it!” Seherim took a deep breath and bowed his head. “I am sorry, I should have known better. I can offer only an explanation for my inappropriate behavior. My family and I have been harassed and bullied for years now and my patience is running really thin. What was it that you came for?” “We came to offer an alternative to being harassed in Flotsam. Our growing community at Kaer Morhen needs skilled people and you and your family would be very welcome there!” Seherim face lightened up and Mottle who had been listening to the whole exchange, exclaimed “Seherim, what an opportunity! To get away from here, to be safe, to see our son grow up without all that hatred! Wouldn’t that be wonderful?” “This is not a decision to be made on the spur of the moment, we have to think about it!” “Your life, your decision! Just an additional information: The bridge troll family is waiting a week for others to travel to Kaer Morhen too. They think it would be a good idea to go together.” “Travelling with trolls? That is definitely something new. Anyhow, thank you very much for your offer, we will consider it”. With that Seherim gathered his wife and child and went inside. “Happy? Can we have some fun now?” Jeremy asked. “Yes, let’s go back to the tavern. I would like to try the arm wrestling and the dice poker!” Daniel answered “And I will trash the locals around a bit. That fist fighting rink sounds like a lot of fun!” Jeremy stated.

The late afternoon saw them outside again, this time on the docks, looking for the barge which would take them to Oxenfurth. It arrived with dusk and was moored securely. The captain, a short swarthy man with a drooping black moustache, told them that they would unload and load for the next 2 days and then depart early in the morning. They bought 2 tickets to Oxenfurth. They got quite bored during the next 2 days as nobody wanted to either arm-wrestle or fist-fight with them after that first afternoon. Even the dice players declined. So with nothing better to do, they disappeared into the forest to look for rare herbs and maybe the one or other monster. In a cave behind a waterfall they found ostmurk, the only known antidote to kayran poison and they also found some nekkers for sport. Those little beasts only got dangerous when there were lots of them. But for 2 young top fit witchers it was just a good way to get some exercise and collect trophies and ingredients. “We should look if there is maybe a contract on those nekkers!” “Good idea Jeremy!” Yes, there was a contract – 200 orens for cleaning out the waterfall cave. Additional money was always welcome, so they picked up an additional contract for destroying an endrega nest south of the town. The most difficult part on that contract was to find the nest. But once there they quickly killed off the workers, then the endrega warriors and last the queen. They used mostly igni to set those insectoids afire and then cut off their heads with a swift but powerful sword stroke. The queen was a bit more dangerous as she was very big and spewed venom. They used quen to block the venom and igni from Jeremy set her ablaze. Then Daniel darted in, jumped up and severed the head. A shrapnel fire grenade took care of the nest. They then looked around the clearing for the egg bags. They found 3. They opened them, and extracted the ripening eggs. “Put in salt, they will fetch a good price in Oxenfurth together with the nekker tongues” Jeremy remarked, cleaning the ichor from his sword. Daniel cleaned out the scratch on his arm, where a tail swipe of one of the warriors had cut through the leather. Tired but satisfied they jogged back to town, to get the contract money before the town office closed.

Early the next morning they brought their horses and gears to the landing and got ready to embark. Lucas, the blacksmith’s apprentice waited for them. “A little thank-you from my master, we are already packing up!” With that he handed Daniel a leather wrapped parcel and went quickly back to town. “Witchers!” The shrill cry of Arod cut through the noise of the dock. Seherim nodded to them “We talked to Margot and her friend as well as to Master Berthold. We are going with them. Anezka, the herb woman, also wants to come. She doesn’t feel safe here anymore.” “I don’t think this will be a problem, I am sure she will be very welcome at Kaer Morhen”. “Sirs, you have to come aboard now!” A sailor urged them on. “Safe journey to you all!” “Good luck on the Path witchers!”

What had taken them now over 2 weeks to travel overland would be accomplished in less than half the time on the Pontar. “Let’s see what Berthold sent us!” Jeremy curiously asked. Daniel carefully unwrapped the soft leather and found 2 beautiful daggers glittering in the watery sunlight. Jeremy snatched one and immediately tested the edge on his thumb. “Sharp, very sharp – do you see the wavering mottling of the steel? That’s a special technique you do not find outside Mahakam.” “Seems there is one who practices it, and he is now on his way to Kaer Morhen. Renny will be pleased.“ Daniel smiled. “For that alone it was worth talking with all those people!”

The next 3 days passed slowly, with nothing to do than watch the vegetation on both sides of the Pontar slowly changing from the wet and chill forest of gigantic Marda trees back to the more open countryside with copses of trees, little villages and fields. They passed Rinde und saw on the south shore the confluence of the canal connecting Vizima with the Pontar. Between here and Vizima was a big and weird partly swamp, partly lake area, rich in monsters, bandits and elves. Old believes persisted about the Lady of the Lake and the Vodyanoy, the fish people, her servants. Geralt of Rivia never denied the stories that he had been knighted by the Lady of the Lake for his chivalrous behavior and services rendered. His famous sword Aerondight had been a present from the Lady. Even more weird were the brickmakers, a community of individuals who lived in a little hamlet in the Swamp forest outside Vizima. They worshiped the Water Lords and were led by their eldress, Vaska. They were hard-working, simple folk who had mined clay and made bricks for generations. They had also aided Geralt during his stay in Vizima, more than 7 years ago.

Oxenfurth

The next day they arrived in Oxenfurth. Collecting their gear and horses they quickly left the busy harbor side. “What now? West gate, down south to Marauders Bridge, Toderas, then Downwarren?” Daniel asked. “Yes, something like that, but first we stop by Shani’s, the medic friend of Geralt. Renny gave me a letter for her. And we have to sell our centipede, nekker and endrega parts” “Ok, lead the way!”. As Oxenfurth was much smaller than Novigrad, they had to ask only once about the medical clinic on the waterside and in no time at all they tied their horses in front of Shani’s house. By now it was late afternoon and as luck would have it, Shani was just escorting her last patient of the day outside. She was a slim, young woman with short red hair, wearing trousers and a stylish doublet. Her serpent staff medallion glinted in the setting sun. “Mistress Shani?” Jeremy politely approached her. “Yes? Oh, a witcher! No, 2 of them! Where did you come from? Do you need medical assistance?” “No mistress, we are fine. Just here to deliver a letter from Renny of Duerrenstin.“ “I have heard the rumor that an older witcher from the east is trying to renovate Kaer Morhen and is gathering young witchers.” She quickly scanned the missive. “So that is interesting, very interesting! I know somebody who should read this too! Do you have a place to stay overnight? Ah, never worry, I’ll arrange something. Now come with me!”

Slightly overwhelmed by her quick decisiveness they followed Shani to the bridge to the university isle. The days when the scholars had been under house arrest by Radovid and his witch hunters were fortunately over, just a handful of bored Redanian guards making their rounds reminded of those dark days. “Ah, Mistress Shani! Just wanted to thank you again! That boil you lanced is healing well, I can sit down again.” “I am glad to hear that Matthias” Shani smiled and had the guards thoroughly entranced by her dimples. “Those two giving you any trouble mistress?” “No, they just brought me very good news and we are off to see Professor Kalkstein.” Jeremy and Daniel looked at each other, last they had heard was that Kalkstein had been burned in Novigrad. He supposedly went out with a "bang". When he died on a pyre, fiery beasts surrounded him and shot into the air to form letters which spelled "Radovid sucks flaccid cock". They stopped in front of an old narrow house needing repairs in a small courtyard. Shani knocked once, then just went in. A thin man, with once black hair and beard, now liberally shot with grey was bent over a table buried in books and scrolls. He turned around, squinting at them through his thick spectacles. “Ah, pretty Shani, come to visit an old, sick man!” “Adalbertus Aloysius Kalkstein! You are not an old man, and I know you are as healthy as a horse! Remember, I am your physician!” He chuckled “Whom have you brought? Some more hopeful but totally useless students?” “No, those 2 delivered a letter from Kaer Morhen’s castellan and I think you should read it.” Kalkstein corrected the fit of his spectacles and read the letter. When he looked up, the façade of the confused and feeble scholar was gone. “So, who are you?” “I am Daniel of Weyer and this is Jeremy of Vengerberg, we were sent on a quest by Renny of Duerrenstin, Castellan of Kaer Morhen.” “Do you know the contents of this letter?” “Not really, but we can make a guess – it has something to do with rediscovering and improving the mutation process that makes witchers.” “Well guessed, ostensibly they didn’t burn out your minds with the mutagens – but wait, you didn’t go through the Trial of Grasses?” “No, but we have been treated with mutating and enhancing potions and underwent a long and strict training.” “Good, at least, we have a starting point now for our research!” Shani’s eyebrows went up “Our research? I am not going to Kaer Morhen, I am needed here. Take some of your students who are wild for adventure!” “Hmmmm, I must consider this at length, what to take, whom to take, travel arrangements, hmmmm, hmmmmm” “You can start considering after you invited us to supper at the university’s eating hall and organized sleeping quarters for our guests!” Shani reminded Kalkstein. “You are right as always pretty lady! Follow me!” And with that he quickly strode outside.

Shani, Daniel and Jeremy followed him first to the stables, where they handed over their horses and learned that their saddlebags would be brought to a room in the student’s dormitory. They then proceeded to the eating hall. The worst rush was already over and they found a quiet corner. Kalkstein waved 3 of his students over, 2 young men and one girl. “Get packing, we are going to Kaer Morhen!” Ostensibly they were well used to the eccentricities of their master as they hardly blinked, just bobbed their heads and hurried out. While they waited for the food to be served, Daniel asked. “Professor Kalkstein, last we heard from you was that you died in Novigrad” “Ah pish, I made a simulacrum, conjured a few ifrits and had them shout in my voice “Radovid sucks flaccid cock” after that nobody really cared what they burned.“ He chuckled gleefully. “Too bad I couldn’t take out Radovid myself, but thanks to your friend Geralt of Rivia he was well taken care of. But couldn’t he have left Djikstra alive? That man was a genius!” “A dangerous genius from what I heard” Jeremy replied “He wanted to rule himself and tried to kill Geralt and his friends Vernon Roche, Ves and Thaler. But don’t complain, you got a competent queen and little prince Alexei!” “I sincerely hope Adda had the brains to get pregnant from somebody else than Radovid, he was seriously unbalanced.” Kalkstein commented. “Another question, Professor” Jeremy remarked. “We have quite a lot of centipede, nekker and endrega parts, do you know anybody who would buy them for a good price?” A wide smile lighted up Kalkstein’s face. “I’ll buy them, they are so hard to come by in this town. Come with me after supper and bring your bounty.”

Their talk was interrupted by servers bringing food and drink and silence descended as all 4 started eating. After the meal, Kalkstein went with Jeremy, Daniel and Shani to the students’ dormitory. He was very happy with the 2 bags full of monster parts and tossed Jeremy a hefty purse. “That enough?” Jeremy looked inside, found the purse full of silver coins and just nodded satisfied. “Yes, that’s fine. Thank you!” While Kalkstein left with his new treasure, Shani pointed out the bathing facilities “You know, it doesn’t hurt to bath once in while in warm water!” Daniel looked hurt, “Naw, I am just teasing you, nothing wrong, but take the opportunity for a good long soak!” Jeremy nodded and answered “We’ll be leaving early tomorrow morning Mistress Shani, thank you very much for your help!”

On the Way

And so they left through the Western Gate and towards Marauders Bridge in the morning. Gone were the military outposts and patrolling squads as they passed from Redania to Temeria, both being vassal states of Nilfgaard now. The long lines of refugees and their camps were gone too. Just a few huts remained of those unfortunate souls who still had nowhere else to go. The weather was dry and this late in summer, the heat of the day had already lessened. The road was in quite good repair as it wound its way over low hills and through copses of trees. There were no villages in sight, only a stonecutters settlement to the west in the higher hills. They made good time and in the late afternoon approached an old battlefield with fortifications all over the place.

“Jeremy, my medallion is humming!” the more sensitive Daniel exclaimed. “Mhhhh, that stench!” Both horses became quite agitated and started to rear. “Ghouls! Lots of them!” “Fuck, I can see some alghuls too!” The ambling, over man high shapes quickly came nearer, the alghuls spreading their venomous spines, preparing for attack. The witchers immediately jumped clear of the panicked horses. With no time to properly prepare with potions, they just downed quickly a faster working but more poisonous decoction – Forktail to give them more attack power and sign intensity. And with that also came a hot rush of battle lust as intense as sex, but lasting longer. Drawing their silver swords, they fanned out to have more maneuver room and sprang into the first pirouette, barred teeth gleaming, eyes literally glowing.

Jeremy, immediately with a strong overhead strike, cleaved a ghoul apart and sprang at the next, pushing a 3rd aside with aard and stunning it. Having cut off the arm of his target, he whirled back and stabbed the ghoul lying on the ground. With barely time to dodge, he protected himself with a quen shield, which immediately exploded under the attack of 2 ghouls. But he was prepared and cut in a half circle opening the bellies of both beasts. But he could not escape the attack from an alghul from behind, which swept him from his feet and nearly stunned him. Stumbling he came up, shaking his head to clear it, sword at the ready, quite desperately casting quen again.

Daniel meantime came up against another alghul but forced it spines down with yrden, following up with a flurry of quick sword strokes forcing the monster back and finally cutting through its skull. Feeling a hot breath he tucked and rolled, barely escaping the next alghul, but coming up for a perfect stab at a surprised ghoul’s chest. With that one down, Daniel dodged under another swipe of the alghul, but instead of gaining distance, he went in and buried his sword between the ribs, opening up the chest cavity. 2 more ghouls sprang at him but were pushed back with aard. Smashed to the ground, Daniel was able to lope one head off and cut the other’s legs off. Momentarily bereft of foes he looked around and saw Jeremy being attacked by an especially big alghul. He ran to his help, pulling his crossbow and cocking it. An explosive bolt stopped the alghul in its tracks and Jeremy finished it off with a diagonal rending cut.

Silence, quiet, and then the bird song started up again. “Phew, that was intense” Daniel breathed hoarsely. Jeremy was just leaning forward, arms braced against his thighs, trying to catch his breath. Together they had slain 8 ghouls and 3 alghuls, but the price was quite heavy. They ached all over from overextended muscles and tendons, as well as being black blue with assorted scratches in between. Having caught their breaths they went to find their horses and start setting up camp near the little stream behind a partly fallen down wooden fortification. They wouldn’t travel farther today. Making a fire with igni was literally snapping ones fingers and soon they had a kettle set up for hot water and tea. They tended to their wounds as necrophages injuries were always dangerous as a combination of their natural venoms and the dead matter those monsters delighted in. Downing the Healall potion and putting on herb bandages had become a matter of routine by now. Neither was hungry, but they stoically chewed on jerky and specially prepared energy bars with nuts, dried fruits and honey and washed it down with lots of sweet and salty tea, as Renny had taught them. They felt much better after that, their energies somewhat replenished.

In the setting dusk they went back to the area of their fight and collected the valuable ghoul eyes and alghul spines. “My medallion is humming again!” “No, don’t even say that more monsters are coming!” “It feels different, there is something there under that upturned wagon” Cautiously both moved towards the wagon. “I see something!” Jeremy exclaimed and clambered over the wagon bed. He pulled a chest out and together they pried it open. They found a wrapped short sword, its runes gleaming in the light of the rising moon, and a pouch with florens. “Not bad, that’s at least 50 florens and the short sword looks like it’s one of those magical ones Shay was raving about.” Tired they returned to their camp site, drank some more tea and fell asleep, trusting that their medallions and horses would warn them of approaching danger.

Early the next day the crossed the Marauder’s bridge, and travelled toward Toderas, which they passed through in the afternoon. That little village was alive again after having been overrun by bandits several times and then become the breeding ground of ghouls. Years ago Geralt had killed off the bandits and then ended the ghouls there. Now people had moved back in and they waved to the passing through riders. Nightfall found them halfway to Reardon Manor. They made quick camp along the roadside by a small stream, both being too tired still for much conversation. Daniel fed and curried the horses and made sure their hooves were all well, while Jeremy set up the kettle and put some soup concentrate in – another new thing that Renny had brought from the east. It was no gourmet fare, but it was quick and easy to prepare and quite filling.

Around noon the next day they passed by Reardon Manor having long been abandoned by the Reardon family. Letho had found it a convenient hiding place long ago as it had been overrun by wraiths. Letho had quickly killed off the ghosts, but had been betrayed by Louis, a supposed friend, who had wanted to earn the bounty on Letho’s head. Geralt had helped Letho and later had invited him to Kaer Morhen.

An old woman came out of the gate and smiled at them. “Come, stop for a moment! There is fresh water for your horses and I have a fresh baked cake and some caffee for you! I am Lady Dolores of Reardon” “Hmm, why not?” Jeremy said. So they both turned their horses and followed the old lady into the courtyard, dominated by a big barn. There was some evidence of repairs and one could hear some hammering from the old house. “One of yours, Geralt of Rivia – oh what a nice fellow and so good looking” – helped me regain my old manor house. So when I saw you with your big swords on your back, I immediately knew you were witchers. Since Geralt helped me, I have a soft spot your brotherhood. Come sit down, have something to eat and drink.” “Thank you milady, the caffee smells really wonderful!” Jeremy was already munching away on the cake and just smiled and nodded his head. “What brings you here young sirs?” Dolores of Reardon asked. “We are on a quest to retrieve an artefact” Daniel politely answered “Maybe you can help us? Have you heard of the crones of Crookback Bog?” “Yes, I have, but it has been quiet down there since Geralt and Cirilla killed off the crones and the evil spirit. The people still gather at Bald Mountain, but nothing other than feasts happens there anymore.” “Thank you very much Lady Dolores, cake and caffee were much appreciated.”

Nightfall found them in Downwarren where before the war, the inhabitants of this village had been known for their intricate lacemaking and artisanal smithery. With the disappearance of the crones, they had lost their protectors and their village was razed in the war. But the few survivors had not given up and a handful of new houses huddled together on the hill side. The people looked warily at Jeremy and Daniel and their glances turned outright hostile when they saw the 2 swords and recognized them as witchers. No wonder, in their world a witcher had killed off their protectors and their village had been destroyed. Seeing that, Jeremy and Daniel just continued on for another hour before they made their camp at the edge of the bog. “So, we are here, what now?” “Maybe we can start by looking for the godling Johnny, who aided Geralt against the crones?” Daniel mused “And if I remember right, there was also a werewolf around, maybe he knows something.” “Good, you talk with the werewolf, I am going scouting tomorrow morning, maybe I’ll find something” Jeremy scoffed.

Crookback Bog

In the morning Jeremy set out to find the remnants of the Trail of the Treats, while Daniel went looking for Johnny and the werewolf. He found Johnny first, or more exactly Johnny found him: “Hey witcher, come, move, you need to help my friend! Faster!” He took Daniel by the hand and ran splashing through the bog. Not far they came onto higher ground and group of rough looking fellows baiting and trying to kill a big black wolf, who was protecting a smaller grey wolf, standing guard over 2 fearfully huddled cubs. “Leave them alone!” Daniel shouted “Or what, you and your army of one village idiot!” Daniel didn’t really like fighting humans but it was no coincidence that he carried a steel sword too. Casting quen he charged the ruffians. The first fell to his upward stroke, it was so much easier cutting through humans. They were also quite slow and weak. Daniel whirled around, cutting off one arm and through a ribcage in the process. Setting one attacker on fire with igni and blasting one with aard, he had the leisure to watch Jeremy gleefully cutting down the last 2 standing. “What are you doing here, I thought you were looking for treats?” “And I found them” Jeremy laughingly replied, pointing to the carnage. “And it seems you also found your godling and the werewolf, which is whole fucking family of werewolves!”

Meanwhile the big black wolf had transformed into a black haired man with a bushy beard and yellowish wolf eyes “Thank you very much for your timely intervention, I would not have been able to hold them off much longer!” He then swiftly walked to the grey wolf and tenderly freed her hind leg from a trap. Johnny, who had disappeared during the fight, came out of the bushes and took care of the badly frightened cubs. Jeremy and Daniel cleaned their swords and looked over the meagre possessions of the ruffians. Several coins, dice, a pipe and some tobacco, as well as a couple of rusty knives additionally to the swords and clubs was all they found.

The werewolf, followed by his family, walked up to the 2 witchers and bowed low: “My name is Ernouf, this is Raffi, my mate. My 2 boys are Amoux and Coinin. I owe you my life, the life of my mate and my children! I am in your debt, what can I do to aid you?” I am Jeremy of Vengerberg and this is Daniel of Weyer. We are looking for the last remaining crone, she took something, she would have better left alone!” Jeremy hotly replied. “That is easily answered, she is holed up in her hut in the bog: Just follow this path” Ernouf pointed to the left where some dried flowers swung on a string in the wind. “I have another favour to ask – during your travels good sirs, did you see a place where a family like us might not be hunted down?” Daniel looked at Jeremy “No, you are totally crazy! You have no idea what Renny is going to do to us!” He buried his face in his hands. Ernouf just looked puzzled. “Jeremy thinks it is not a good idea to invite you to Kaer Morhen, but what place would be safer for you than at the witcher fortress? There are lots of wild wolves roaming around and you can choose in which form you would like to live. “ “And they are not going to kill us on sight? Witchers are supposed to slay monsters and for humans we are monsters.” “The monsters who were going to kill 4 sentient beings for sport are the ones dead now. I doubt that any witcher I know sees it differently. Renny, our castellan, for sure not!” “I will have to think about that, but thank you very much for your offer!”

Johnny walked up to them “I am going to lead you till you can see the huts! But I am afraid to go too near. There are lots of drowners and water hags around. And something really big is roaming the bog too!” They followed Johnny along the winding path, strings with all kinds of dried and rotten pieces of matter hanging from the tree branches. Finally they saw the huts. “Thank you Johnny, we’ll be fine now!” Fearfully Johnny disappeared. They walked a bit back and on a dry hillock under an old willow tree they started their preparations. Relic oil on the silver blades and Forktail decoction for attack power and sign intensity, Swallow for quick regeneration after a hit, and Noon wraith decoction to limit the duration of knockdown, stunning and blindness. A wolf howled in the distance. Daniel raised his head, then put the short-sword they had found on his hip. They meditated and made peace with themselves as the chances that they would survive the fight were not too great. But soon the potions brought up the first rush of battle lust, which would intensify as soon as their adrenaline kicked in.

With unsheathed sword in hand they walked up to the hut. “Come out Weavess, your time has come! We are here to reclaim Vesemir’s medallion!” “Hehe, brave fools, you will die here!” She didn’t even show herself but instead called on her minions, the drowners, mudnixers and water hags. And they heeded her call! Soon Jeremy and Daniel were surrounded by an army of murderous creatures. They remained calm, the potions cursing through their veins would not let them panic. They cast quen for protection and sprang into action. Adrenaline ignited the mutagens and battle lust and the need to kill took over. Daniel whirled into a group of drowners, distributing various body parts over quite an area, the lone waterhag made the mistake of trying to catch him with her tongue, which he promptly severed and the downward stroke cut her in half. The next 2 mudnixers fared no better. Stunning them with aard, Daniel sprang between the 2 creatures lying on the ground and stabbed them like bugs.

Jeremy’s first victim were 3 mudnixers. The first downstroke severed an arm with shoulder attached, the up-stroke opened the belly of the second and while the third tripped over the gushing entrails, Jeremy cut off his head. Suddenly a deafening bellow let everyone freeze on the battlefield. Something big moved quickly towards them. The few surviving drowners quickly scurried away. Jeremy saw 3 eyes high above, one glowing red, striped, thick legs and wide antlers. An ancient fiend had entered the fray!

Daniel and Jeremy attacked simultaneously, one from the right flank, the other from the left. Both cut deep into the fiend’s sides, blood gushing forth. Daniel sprang clear, but Jeremy was not so lucky, a might sweep of the antlered head caught him fully and sent him flying. He landed with a thud – and did not rise again. Desperately Daniel cast igni, setting the mottled fur at the beast’s belly aflame. The fiend roared up, its red eye glowing as it employed its magic and darkness descended. Thanks to the Noonwraith decoction, Daniel was able to shake off the blinding and stunning effect of the fiend’s magic quickly and while the fiend thought itself to be safe from attack, Daniel lightly ran under its belly and thrust upward. The fiend now bellowed in pain and tried to catch the witcher with a swipe of its mighty paw and the long claws. Daniel rolled aside, got up and cut again, severing one claw. The gnashing jaws with the long teeth nearly missed him, only grazing his shoulder. He did not feel it thanks to the potions. So he could freely move as long as his stamina let him. Once that ran out, it was over. He attacked again, this time from behind and left a long deep cut along one haunch. Another quick cut severed the little tail. The fiend once again cast his magic and the world turned dark. Once again Daniel quickly recovered and attacked straight from the front, burying his sword deep into the fiend’s chest, reaching the heart. The fiend dropped flat, voided and died.

“Pretty boy, you lost your sword, now it’s time to die!” cackled the last crone. Daniel’s sword was buried under the fiend, so he ran to where Jeremy had fallen and snatched up his friend’s sword. “Not so fast old one, we’ll see who is going to die today!” A hasty quen protected him from the first purplish lightning the crone threw at him. And she got a surprise as Daniel’s shield reflected the lightning back at her. She stumbled back, hurt by her own magic. Daniel whirled near but his horizontal sweep only cleaved thin air as the crone had scuttled back quickly. Now it was his turm trying to dodge the vicious swipe of her clawed arm. He failed, and her claws laid open his side so the ribs showed. Now his time was running short as he was losing blood quickly. Casting quen at himself he was able to temporarily seal the deep wound and stop the bleeding. He barely escaped the next clawed swipe, but instead of jumping back, he jumped up to the crone and while she looked at his sword he thrust the magic short sword up her chest with his left hand. The sword discharged some unknown energy into the crone. Her eyes glazed over and she died. Daniel picked up the medallion from the dead crone and staggered back to where Jeremy lay. “Hey Jeremy, see, we did it! Here is the medallion!” Jeremy was barely able to open his eyes. He had serious internal injuries and was already more dead than alive. “Good” he whispered and lost consciousness again. Daniel tried to put something on his wound but also lost consciousness. Without help, they would not survive.

Slowly the bird song came back and the first flies started to feast on the dead bodies. The corpse of the crone started to lose definition, becoming sheer and dissolving into shimmering mist, blowing away on the light breeze. Suddenly a loud thunderclap shook the ground, a sheet of lightning cursed down from the clear sky and a figure appeared in middle of the field. A tall, old woman, with long grey hair, clad in a flowing black robe with moving starlight all over appeared. She shone with light. When she saw the 2 fallen witchers, she dimmed her light and walked over to them. “You dear brave men, you don’t know what you have set in motion yet” She knelt down by them and laid one hand on each of them. Her light blazed forth once more. When it was spent, both were whole again, only their ripped clothes witnesses of their epic battle. Daniel was the first to wake up “What? Where? Who are you?” Startled he sat up and moved away. Jeremy was awake now too and searched for his sword. “Don’t be alarmed, I came here to help you. I healed your mortal injuries. I am Cailleach, the Lady of the Winter Nights.” Courteous Daniel got up and bowed “I am Daniel of Weyer and this is Jeremy of Vengerberg, we are in your debt then Milady.” “No it is the other way around. A long time ago Cthulhu laid a curse on my, causing me to be split up into 3 evil crones – Weavess, Brewess and Whispess. When you slew the last crone, the curse had nothing to hold on and ceased to exist. I am myself again and for that I am very grateful!”

Nodding to the 2 young men she disappeared into thin air. Jeremy and Daniel looked at each other “Did we just dream that?” “No, I don’t think so” And Daniel held the medallion aloft in his blood caked fist. “What happened?” Jeremy asked “After the fiend took you out, and you decided to take a nap, I had the fun to kill it by myself and then take on the crone.” “Hmmm and from the amount of blood I see all over you, you were very successful!” “I managed to kill her, but if Cailleach had not appeared, we would not have this conversation now.” “I see, for being dead, I am feeling pretty well but your Cailleach could also have healed all the bruises and cuts, I hurt all over and desperately need a bath with my blood, monster blood, and monster slime all over.” “You have enough water out there!” Daniel pointed to the bog. “I don’t think so. I am going in there now and heat up a nice kettle full of hot water. Determined Jeremy marched into the hut. He came out pretty quickly and cast igni at the hut. “You do not want to know how the last crone had passed her time!” So they set again to the task of butchering the dead drowners, waterhag and as a special trophy the fiend. Determined Daniel shouldered the enormous head. “You are not going to carry that back to Kaer Morhen?!” Jeremy disbelieving asked. “Bet on it. I killed it, I am going to hang it in my room!”

They went back to their camp, washed up a bit and in the light of the fire examined the medallion. “So that’s it. We can go back to Kaer Morhen now!”. In the distance the howl of a lone wolf pierced the night.