Capítulo 5: Chapter V
White Orchard, Temeria
Artes lead the travel party through the village and straight to the governer's manor. Ignatius was pleased to accept the party with his son -Florian. The rooms were already prepared when the royal travel party arrived. Though, Keira and Artes worked to get the place secure and up to the princess's standards.
Two days quickly passed and Artes made his way back to Vizima. Keira was keeping a close eye on Adda. This gave Artes a chance to get back home and handle his affairs.
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Artes arrived in Vizima around mid-day. It didn't take long to reach the manor from that point. When Artes walked into the manor, he saw a handful of servants and Vesemir being ordered about by Lydia.
He watched as the servants moved around fine furniture, drapes, and paintings. Lydia sat in a chair drinking wine while she looked at possible styles that would well in the manor.
"My love!" Artes called out and Lydia nearly spilled her wine as she shot up and ran to Artes. Leaping into the air, he caught his woman and she wrapped her legs around his waist.
Artes spun in circles a few times before put her down and planting passion filed kiss upon her lips.
Lydia smiled and looked at Artes. "What was that for?" she asked as she giggled.
"Because I've missed you."
"Aye. I thought your new plaything would have kept you satisfied on your little getaway." Lydia replied.
"Haha. I'd destroy kingdoms for you. How could a princess possibly compare?" he asked.
"Hmm. why are you back?" Lydia looked a bit suspicious.
'Singer's Ring.' he called in his mind.
A gold and blood-red crimson woven ring lined with red diamonds and sphalerite appeared in Artes' hand. Artes held it out and smiled. "Lady Lydia of the House of Lessa, right?"
Lydia's heart threatened to burst from her chest. Her breathing became erratic. "You-you're not serious. This must be a game or an illusion," she said.
"And why is that? Because I want you to be my wife? Fine, I'll do better."
Artes dropped to one need. "Will you marry me? Become Lydia of the House of Lessa? Will you cry, bleed, laugh, sing, and dance with me until the end of time?"
Beat red, Lydia smiled and tears glossed her eyes. It was hard to tell if she was happy or sad, but everything was made clear when she tackled Artes and blessed him with a volley of kiss that seemed never-ending.
"I will be your wife, Artes Lessa. Even after time stops and there's nothing left in the world, you'll have me and this beautiful little boy we made together."
"Boy?" Artes asked with excitement.
"Just a hunch. Past few days, I've been eating nonstop and craving meat. But time will tell, you'll see. Now go bath, I'll fetch Nessa" said Lydia as she pushed him away.
"Wait wait wait," she called out. "I'll be taking that."
Snatching the ring from his hand, Lydia put it on danced around with it. When she finally calmed down, she and Vessemir went to fetch Nessa.
Sometime later, Lydia returned with Nessa and a friend of hers she had met in the trade quarter. Artes didn't mind as Vesemir was keeping a keen eye on things. The old fellow didn't talk much but he was very observant.
The Girls name was a beautiful blonde with a soft name -Lily. Nessa seemed to have taken a liking to her and the two girls got along extremely well. Artes spoke to her a bit at dinner. She had moved to Vizimia with her uncle about a year ago and had been searching for work when she and Nessa met. Besides her uncle being a scientist of sorts, the girl seemed extremely average.
The next morning, Artes heard a knock at the door. It was before the sun had risen and this fact had put Artes in a foul mood.
"What!" he barked when he swung the door open.
"I'm Dustin! Your pops, Raza, sent me."
"Pops?" Artes questioned with a squint "where are you from?"
Artes question caught him off guard. "Come on. Spill!"
Dustin relaxed "Dustin Conway. Pirate Captain from a line of line pirate captains. The universe's first and only Interrealm Merchant."
Unlike Raza, Artes took heed to the man's words. " Have you ever heard of Washington, US of A?" Artes asked as his power rose in case he had to blink at a moment's notice.
Dustin had a look of genuine fluster for the first time. "Y-yes. It's just north of china," he replied
"You mean south of Canada and North of Oregon?" Artes questioned him and Dustin gulped.
"Don't forget west of Idaho and East of the Pacific"
"Well, I'll be damned. you've been to earth" Artes whispered
"An Earth, not the earth," said Dustin.
Artes tuck a deep breath. "You want to come in?" he asked.
"I'm just making a delivery. Raza purchased a sword set for you. Master crafted elvish blades. I can't tell you about the type of metal. It's the rules."
"Can you tell me how you got here?"
"Magic ship. Some people get transmigrated, reincarnated, but I, I wished for a magic ship."
"More adventure and more plunder. Can you take others with you?"
"Sorry, my man. Another rule. I can take items from here to there. But people, oh no. Especially, if the elves found out. They'll hunt me to the edge of the universe. "
"Who makes the rules and what would the elves care?"
Dustin licked his lips and took a breath. A long sword and a fifteen-inch short sword appeared. "Here take these. Raza paid for them already. And then take this. Book of Elder Blood. and my card. There are instructions on how to get a hold of me. I'm on the continent every mid-month of every other month. Take care Artes Lessa. And don't waste this life."
Dustin turned away and suddenly stopped. He flashed a big smile and said, "And if you ever need anything exotic. you let me know, pal"
Dustin crushed a crystal and vanished. Artes closed the door and examined the blades. They were extremely sharp and incredibly well balanced. Like the usual blades of elvish make, these had an elegant curve to the blade.
Along with the book, Artes stored them both away. However, there was no way he could go to sleep now. He just couldn't push Dustin from his head. 'Interrealm Merchant' he thought.
When the house began to wake up, the day started with breakfast. Artes and Lydia then took a trip to the palace to get the marriage legitimized. The rest of the day was spent with just the couple, until family dinner that evening.
It was a wonderful meal. Artes had prepared a Venison roast. The family laughed and talked, even Lily's uncle enjoyed himself. His name was Valdi, he seemed ordinary. But, Vesemir told Artes that Valdi wasn't around enough to worry about.
The next morning, Vesemir and Artes rode to the city gates together.
"Can I trust you, Vesemir?"
"Aye, you can. A Century ago, Raza saved a boy who is like a son to me. This me repaying that debt. All will be well. You have my word." Vesemir vowed.
The horse canter through the city streets and the two men rode in silence until Vesemir had to ask, "How do you know Raza?"
Artes chuckled. "He is like a father to me," he said.
"So he raised you? Are you a child of surprise?"
"No. Raza rode through White Orchard to take one last contract. But he stuck around and looked after me."
Vesemir nodded. 'Who would have thought that heartless bastard would have grown attached to someone,' he thought.
"This is where we part, old man. I'll see you as soon as possible," said Artes.
Artes clicked his tongue and Tyr trotted forward. Riding hard, Artes arrived in White Orchard around the early evening. Though, he didn't go to the governor's manor. Artes had other plans.
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"Mislav..." Artes called out. "Mislav..."
Artes carefully approached the hut. He suddenly stopped when he heard a rustle in shrubs and the pull of a bow.
"Mislav! It's me, Artes Lessa!"
The bow eased and Mislav stepped out. "I've been waiting for you. What the hell is going on?"
Artes turned around with a rather serious look on his face. "I was going to ask you the same thing. You're just a huntsman. So how would you know what the governor is plotting?"
Mislav eyes went wide and he bringing his bow back up when he's hit by a heavy telekinetic push.
"Next time I break your mind. Now answer my questions, Mislav." Artes ordered.
Mislav stammered and pushed himself up from the dirt. "Y- you can use signs? But--"
"You don't have to be a witcher to use signs. Now answer my fucking questions or I'll gut you, cock to throat."
Mislav shook. "I. Florian and I have been having an affair... I was there when a soldier reported to Florian in secret. Someone is pulling the strings, but they want the princess here, badly."
"Don't make me," said Artes as flourished his fingers and sparks flared.
Mislav swallowed. "They. They want her dead. Nilfgaard. And the Governor is helping them."
"Bullshit. "
"Who else will want her dead?" Mislav asked. "I don't know how but they got to the governor. The Princess isn't safe here."
"You let me worry about the Princess. And I already knew about you and Florian. And you might want to get rid of the stable-hand. I'm sure he has a thing for you and you know what jealousy does to people." Said Artes before walking away.
"Can I go back?!" Mislav shouted
"Aye!"
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A few days had passed and Artes had been working on finding the Nilfgaardian connection. Nothing came up. So he worked on the servants and pulled the information from their minds with the Axi sign. Information about everything meant nothing because it wasn't what Artes wanted.
He then moved to soldiers. And the only thing the told him was 'the shadow'. It was like their memories had been altered and his signs weren't strong enough to break through the fog that clouded their minds.
Knock knock. the door opened before Artes could answer.
"Sir Artes... You owe me a tour of the countryside. Do you not?" Adda asked
"Aye. I do. I take it that you want that tour now?"
Adda smiled. "Aye, I do," she said. "Keira is speaking with the mage, Fercart. It's the perfect time to slip away."
"Alright. Then let's get to it," he said.
After slipping past a few negligent guards. Artes and Adda walked along the riverbank. He showed her the fisher families first. They were all kind to Artes and treated Adda just as kind. They had no idea she was the princess in her common clothes. She enjoyed the feeling and Artes could tell by the way she laughed and played in the water with the village kids.
Following the road into the village. Adda was introduced to the dwarf blacksmith, the tailor, the swordsmith, the bee farmer, and so on. The village women must have smelled the city on Adda as they dragged her away to help dye clothing, sugar fruits from the orchard, and whatever else they could get her to help with.
The last village stop was the tavern. Between dice and Gwent, Adda was the new village star. Not to mention the girl could drink.
Just before sunset. Adda and Artes walked through the Orchards. Adda thought she was a fairy as she danced around the apple trees barefooted, singing into the multicolored sky.
Artes loved watching her dance, but the sun was getting low and what the huntsman had said to him, caused him to worry.
"Hey, princess. The sun is getting low. We should head back now." said Artes.
Adda smirked and her eyes beamed through the darkening orchard with mischief. "I think we should stay. I'm sure the governor's son won't mind," she said.
"Ahh, and why is that? aren't you going to be his fiancee?"
"Mmmm. Maybe. Maybe not. I just might be yours. Florian might like to take and cock and I need a man that gives it. But what do I know? I'm just an immature Princess." Adda cooed will swaying and feigning ignorance.
Artes squinted and pulled her close by the waist. "What do you know, girl? And I hope you haven't been gossiping?"
Adda grinned. "I know you've been scheming. That sorceress has been watching you. I think she knows what we did. But, the moment you returned she knew. And when you didn't come straight to my side, she locked herself in her room."
"Get to the point."
"The point is she's been asking around about you and found out that your witcher appeared in White Orchard just before the Huntsman disappeared. When you come back in secret, he suddenly appears. Keira noticed. Keira cornered him. Keira is a sorceress"
"Keira dug through his mind." Artes bluntly interrupted
"Aye, my love. She did. And she found out that the huntsman and the young lord Florian like to play sweet boy games. Not that I mind, but it's a perfect excuse to reject the governor's proposal."
Artes' mental cranks were turning. He knew he had to speak to Keira. If she knew about his relationship with Florian, she knew about the betrayal.
"What else did Keira tell you?" He asked.
Adda rolled her eyes. "Umm, nothing. she left after that. Went back to her room. But it's nothing new, sorceresses do that. They're like hermits." Adda replied.
Artes brought his right index and thumb to his mouth and produced a long ear-piercing whistle. The sound of stampeding hoofs followed and an eight-legged all-black Sleipnir appeared.
Artes took the princess by the waist and lifted her onto the horse. Taking his seat behind her. Artes gave Tyr a hard squeeze with his legs and Tyr broke into a full gallop back to the Governor's manor.
Sometime later, Artes and Adda snuck back into the manor. Artes took care to make sure that Adda made it back to her room. When he was sure she was safe, He went to visit the blonde sorceress.
Pah! Pah! Pah! Artes smacked the door. The heavy metal latch audibly clicked and the door screeched as Keira pulled it open. She glared at Artes and he glared back at her.
"We need to talk, witch," he said.
"Oh, I know," she said.
Taking a seat at the witch's table. Artes' new shortsword appeared parallel to the back of his waist. He didn't know if he could kill a centuries-old sorceress, but he would try if he had to.
"Are you helping him?" Artes asked
"Whatever do you mean?"
"You know what I mean. Are you helping him?" Artes repeated his question
Keira pursed her lips. "No" she replied. "And if you had to ask Mislav the huntsman. Then you're not in on it either. My guess is you and the witcher were meant to be scapegoats."
"Maybe. Maybe not. But White Orchard, the White Orchard I was born and raised in would never side with the Nilfgaardians. Mislav heard wrong." said Artes.
"People change and so do their loyalties."
"Not, Governor Ignatius. People talk. I heard his whore... Mistress was killed during the first war. She was from Sodden and carried his child. So they say. He wasn't married so nobody cared about the scandal if you can call it that."
"Then why would the huntsman say such a thing?"
"Because he heard it while in the young lord's -Florian's bed."
"None of this feels right. You were trained by a witcher, how would a witcher handle this?" Keira asked.
"None of your business. I don't trust you. You've been watching me." said Artes.
Keira smirked and shrugged her shoulders. "Triss said you have a keen sense. I want to offer you a witcher's contract," she said.
Artes straightened himself in his seat. "Go on," he said
"You help me find out what the Governor is plotting. And I'll tell you what I've been up to."
Artes kept an indifferent face but laughed on the inside. He had already been on 'The Conspirators' quest. So what Keira had just offered him was like double-dipping.
"If you want my help proving the Governor is guilty in an assassination plot. You have to give me something to motivate me. The king is paying me well. I don't need another job."
"I know who your grandparents are."
'Who gives a shit! But... I do need to end that damn quest.' Artes thought to himself. "Fine. I want proof, though."
" All I have is the word of Countess Julia de Ruyter..."
"Go on"
"Julia de Ruyter is your grandmother and a cousin of hers named Orphelius is your grandfather," Keira replied with a smug look.
Artes could only groan as he saw the quest, Legacies, update. 'Open Legacies' he thought.
A family tree appeared. Above him was his mother Myrthe Lessa. Above Myrthe Lessa were two names. Julia de Ruyter and Orphelius. Orphelius' last name was blacked out as if the name was forbidden. Above his grandmother were two names that read: Muriel and Exon de Ruyter.
Above Muriel read two names: Amavet and Anna Kamney. Above Amavet read two names: Riannon and Goidamer. Ending the growth of Julia de Ruyter's side of the family. On Orphelius' side, nothing appeared.
"Who is Orphelius?" Artes asked
"A cousin of the Countess. He had no titles. she said he was a commoner. After this, you can talk to her yourself. But now you must take my contract."
"Then you tell me why you've been researching me."
"Deal"
"Deal"
Artes' codex updated with a witcher's contract.
[Keira's Secrets]
"Now tell me how the Nilfgaardians assassinate people." Said Artes.
Until the two splits for the evening, Keira educated Artes on Nilfgaardian ways of war.
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Aretuza, Thanedd Island, Temeria
Knock Knock, the door sounded.
"Come in!" a feminine voice shouted.
"Rectoress! A message has come from White Orchard."
"Who sent it?" the Rectoress asked
"Keira Metz"
"Read it." Ordered the Rectoress.
The messenger cleared her throat and read aloud:
-For Rectoress Margarita Laux-Antille-
I've found the son of Aretuza.
Your grandmother's last words were, 'He is with family now.'. I think she meant your father's sides. I request your assistance by looking into your father's identity.
-Keira Metz
The Rectoress went deathly pale. " Burn the message and leave, girl!"
The girl tossed the message in the fire and as she touched the doorknob to leave a yellow flash of magic struck her body.
"Rhwyg meddwl!" were the last words she heard.
Margarita sat in her chair and stared at a portrait on her wall of White-haired boy with Emerald-green eyes and a little girl of the same age with blonde hair and ocean blue eyes.
"Orphelius. I'm going to bring you home, my sweet brother." she softly muttered.
REFLEXIONES DE LOS CREADORES 
D_Blackwell
D_Blackwell The Genealogy is a tricky well plotted part of the story. So don't think to hard and just go with what I give you. By the end of volume 1. I think you will all be satisfied.
Also remember that Keira and other sorcerers/ess are old and extremely smart. So while it looks like Artes and Keira have immediately allied. Nothing is true and everything is permitted.
I dropped major easter eggs in this chapter.
Estado de energía semanal
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Poder 
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Poder