THE SLYZARD MATRIARCH

The rain was coming down hard while Roach plodded tiredly along after another long day of monster hunting. Cold rain from the hood was dripping down Geralt's slim aristocratic nose. He adjusted the hood thinking: "So this is sunny Toussaint! But they mentioned something about the fall rains - good for the grapevines I suppose." He was looking forward to his cozy home, Corvo Bianco, bestowed to him by the Duchess Anna Henrietta for ridding Toussaint of an especially dangerous beast several months ago.

"Mhhh, I wonder if Marlene has some of her delicious hot food waiting for me? And if Barnabas Basils sweet niece Angelique will have a hot bath prepared?" His lips involuntary curved into a small smile as he thought about Angelique, the blonde curled, blue eyed beauty who had moved in with her uncle not long ago.

The wind not only carried the smell of rain but also the unmistaken scent of fermenting wine and molding leaves. Out of the darkness a faint light began to manifest, the entrance lanterns to Geralt's holding. Barnabas Basil took great care to have them burning especially bright when Geralt was expected home at night, knowing that Geralt could see them from far away and already feel welcomed. Being a witcher and travelling the lands slaying monsters took its toll on the spirit and the body.

Without prodding Roach picked up her pace, smelling her warm stable and fresh hay, also looking forward to getting out of the rain. Finally, they passed under the old archway of the entrance gate and the tired squishy sound of Roach hooves in the mud of the road turned into an energetic clip-clop on the cobblestones of the courtyard.

Jean, the stable boy, came out of the barn, waiting for his charge. "Give her an additional warm mash tonight and a good rub down. The last couple of days were quite strenuous for her!" Geralt directed the young man, who looked hurt - as if he didn't know how to take care of a tired horse! "Viens avec mois Roach, your stable is waiting!" Jean would take excellent care of Roach as he had been doing so for many months now.

The entrance door to the house opened and golden light spilled on the wet cobblestones as Barnabas Basil hurried outside to welcome Geralt home and to relieve him of his heavy saddlebags and the blood and water dripping trophies. "TWO slyzards? And especially big brutes this time!" "Yes, a slyzard matriarch. She and her mate had a nest in the high crags at Fort Hussar and was wreaking havoc among the sheep herds and peasants."

Tiredly and slightly limping Geralt mounted the stone steps to the entrance of his mansion. Warm candle light and the enticing smells of well-cooked food greeted him as well as a beaming Marlene and a shy yet pert curtsying Angelique, who promptly relieved him of his dripping, muddy cloak.

Franco, his page, followed him to his chamber where Geralt relieved himself of his sword belt and leather armor to have it taken care of by Franco. He sat down heavily on a chair, the fight with the 2 slyzards and the long ride home had taken its toll. Franco brought him a scented, hot cloth to wash his face and exchanged the wet and scratched boots with soft indoor half boots. Geralt contemplated lying down now and skipping the food, but his rumbling stomach reminded him that he needed some energy intake, actually lots of it. He was also sure that Marlene had spent hours in the kitchen preparing an exquisite meal and he didn't want to disappoint her.

He was not disappointed when he sat down at the polished oaken table: onion soup, coq-a-vin, lemon tarte and a cheese platter accompanied by his own wine quickly disappeared. "Marlene, you have outdone yourself again!" "Ah monsieur always says that, he is a real charmer!" Angelique only giggled at that last remark as she cleaned the table, glancing at Geralt through her long, dark honey coloured lashes. A small answering smile tugged at Geralt's lips.

"Is monsieur already too tired or would monsieur tell us about the slyzard hunt?" Barnabas Basil inquired. "If Marlene had one of those black Zerrikanian concoctions - caffee, it's called, isn't it? - that keeps one awake for hours? With lots of honey please!" In no time at all Geralt was enthroned on his comfortable chair at the fire, a cup of caffee in his hand and his retainers waiting excitedly for the story. "Sit down, sit down all of you!"

"You all remember last week when the distraught alderman of the Fort Hussar village showed up at my door? Well, he did not exaggerate - it was two big slyzards eating their sheep and their people!

When I reached the village 3 days ago most the people were huddling in their houses, too afraid to venture forth. One brave boy pointed to the high crags east of the village before he hid again. I rode there but very soon Roach didn't want to go further, smelling the intense stench of a slyzard nest and all the carrion lying about. I am used to a lot of stench, but that was really eye watering. Those 2 had been having a slaughter fest up there. There was a steep foot path leading up, more suitable for a mountain goat. As always, I prepared myself and my sword. Draconid oil for my silver sword, Swallow and Thunderbolt for me". He knew that his by now rapt audience just loved these details. "I followed the path upwards, climbing the last incline and there they were - grey shimmering brutes. One sitting on the nest, the other circling overhead, for sure already aware of my approach. Several crossbow bolts convinced the flying male to come down and face the threat head on. As he opened his jaws to breath fire on me, I dodged and rolled and came up at his side, slashing at his wing muscles. He turned around quick as a snake and dealt a glancing blow with his big ugly head. Fortunately, I was already jumping aside as his teeth would have been deadly. Meanwhile the female had crept closer behind me and I turned the sideways jump into a roll to evade her wing claws. The male reared high, flapping his wings and baring his less armored belly, which I took immediate advantage of. A heavy thrust and at the last second, I called my quen shield to survive the fire cloud the female sent against me. The male, bleeding heavily, slowed down while I attacked the female and sliced right through her wing. But the male was not yet finished and a swipe of his tail caught me off guard, sweeping me off my feet. I tucked in and rolled, but could not avoid smashing against some crumbling walls of the old fort. Slightly dazed, but not feeling any pain due to the potions - that would come inevitably later - I jumped into the next attack and finally dispatched the male with a cut to his throat. The hot metallic blood sprayed all over me, impairing my vision, but by then I was already rolling away, narrowly avoiding another fire cloud of the female. A sleeve caught fire but I quickly beat that out turning around to face the enraged female. She mantled over the fallen male, screeching her challenge. I waited for her attack, which came lightning fast, dodged and came up under her belly, which I sliced open, jumping out of the way again before her entrails could bury me in a stinking heap. She reared one last time before she collapsed. She twitched a couple of times, gave a deep shudder and lay still. I knelt on the ground, leaning on my sword, trying to catch my breath. Then the usual routine started: cut off their heads, take the parts I need for my lab and for selling to alchemists and finally throwing a fire bomb in the slyzard nest. Yeah and that's it".

His audience, who had been partly holding their breaths, exclaimed in wonder and excitement. Angelique's eyes were shining brightly as she looked at Geralt with only thinly disguised longing.

Franco went to the bath chamber and came back reporting that the water was hot now and would monsieur please follow him? Aching all over Geralt levered himself out of his chair and limped to the batch chamber. Franco exclaimed in sympathy as he saw Geralt’s injuries. The witcher was black and blue all over, with a nasty gash on his thigh, where a slyzard tooth had grazed him, and some burn marks on his arm and shoulder. "Don't worry Franco, I heal fast. In a couple of days this will be gone!" He stepped into the bath tub and immersed himself into the hot fragrant water where herbs were floating. Geralt had taught Franco which herbs to use for disinfecting and healing purposes in the bath water. With a sigh he leaned back and closed his tired eyes. He must have fallen asleep in the fragrant steam because when the door opened again waking him, the water had already cooled down. Franco brought warmed towels and Geralt’s medicine satchel. Expertly he bandaged the slash and the burns after he had put some salve on and sewed the gash. A soft house robe and Geralt was more than ready for bed.

In his chamber the blankets were thrown back to reveal a bed pan to heat the mattress and linens. Grateful for all the service he climbed into bed, took an ampoule of Healall and pulled the blankets up. Within seconds he was fast asleep.

Then, late in the night, when the house was peaceful and quiet, there were soft footsteps in the corridor. The warm light of a candle revealed Angelique's golden curls as she made her way to Geralt's bedroom. Carefully she opened the door and slipped in. By then Geralt was long awake but pretended to be asleep. Only a slight smile would have revealed his true state. Angelique blew out the candle and carefully slipped under the covers where suddenly 2 strong arms pulled her close. She squealed softly and enjoyed the fate she had so boldly sought out. "Homecomings to Corvo Bianco are nice!" were Geralt's last coherent thoughts before he became to engaged to think at all.