章 12: Prank Signs...

As Reima gained further proficiency in the use of Signs he started using them for less than Honourable things.

One day Reima spotted Eskel and Arie sparring while having a break. Deciding to have a bit of fun he approaches them and fires a weak Aard at the back of Arie causing him to be thrown on top of Eskel, leaving them both lying in a heap on the floor.

Deciding the missions accomplished he tries to sprint away but is caught by an unamused Geralt.

"You think that's funny? Using the techniques we teach you for pranks while disrupting others training?"

Reima "Sorry Master..." he says bowing him head to Geralt.

Geralt "I don't think you're sorry enough, go clean the latrines." Reima's face grimaces at the thought of those unhygienic disgraces of toilets.

Reima "Do I have to?" he moans.

Geralt Nods "Unless you want to do it for a week?"

He shakes his head rapidly and runs off.

An hour later he finds an amused Arie in their living quarters reading a book.

"Enjoy cleaning?"

Reima grins "No, but you do." While forming an Axii sign and casting a basic mind manipulation.

Arie "Ah, yes... I better get to it then." He leaves his book and tries to walk out of the room but is blocked by an angry Geralt who snaps his fingers causing Arie to shake his head in confusion.

Reima finds himself face down scrubbing the latrines when he comes to, "Huh? Wasn't I..."

He remember Geralt beginning to form a Sign and then himself appearing here.

"GERALT!"

Said person is watching from the side with Arie and Eksel chuckling. Reima decides to leave it amicably as he was the one at fault, and he would rather not go near the latrines brush in hand again.

Geralt "Learn your lesson?"

Reima "Don't abuse Signs for pranks."

Geralt shakes his head, "No you can abuse the Sign as much as you want... Just don't use them on fellow Witchers."

Reima "Oh... I can do that."

A year and a half passes as we see Reima celebrating his 9th birthday by playing with the Gwent cards that Geralt had bought him as a gift. Arie is quite good but Reima was never really all that great at Gwent, even in his previous life.

After losing for the 12th time Reima decides to give up, "You win, either your cheating or I'm a cripple."

Arie "Or I'm just better than you?"

Reima "Even if it were true, I'll never admit it.

They laugh as they finish up the game and get ready to do their afternoon training session.

Geralt and Eskel stand in the courtyard, swords drawn.

Eskel "Alright, we are doing something slightly different to normal and teaming you to up against us. Remember this is not a competition and is for you to learn to work with others."

They do their stretches and draw their swords, Reima decides to try face Geralt due to Arie having no chance against him.

They start with Geralt and Eskel going defensive as Reima and Arie attack, Reima swings at Geralt but feints the opposite direction causing him to quickly change his foot position to parry.

Letting his sword be brushed away he tries a basic front snap kick but almost gets knocked off balance as Geralt dodges and quickly advances.

Using his momentum Geralt brings down his sword hard attempting to break Reima's guard but finds his sword deflected to the side by a well timed parry. Reima sees an opening and tries to bash Geralt in the face with the pommel but is kicked in the back by someone.

Turning he sees Eskel blocking Aries sword with his leg extended, he had slowly made his way over in his blind spot.

Reima "Arie keep him off my back!"

Geralt "Concentrate!" he pulls Reima's focus back to him as he performs a light slash at his sword arm.

A shallow cut is all he achieves as he pulls back and drops into a different stance. Reima does a pirouette while approaching Geralt to keep and eye on Eskel and Arie, finding them a good distance away he stabs at Geralt. In response Geralt interlocks their blades shifting them both skywards and doing a palm strike to Reima's chest who almost collapses to the floor wheezing.

Geralt "Is that all you got?" He taunts as he approaches Reima who is slumped over sword still held infront of him. Reima thinks quickly on how he can beat him and remembers their first fight...

Reima pretends to swing his sword one handed at Geralt who looks disappointed and starts to block.

BOOM

Geralt is blown through one of the Target dummies by a poweful Aard sign.

Eskel and Arie stop their fight and stare at Geralt who pushes himself out of the splintered remains of the dummy. They both look to see his reaction but are surprised to see the upturned lips through his pained expression.

Reima exclaims out loud "Ahh, us dastardly Witchers corrupting the youth with their cruel tactics!"

Garelt grins as he approaches Reima who is suddenly pinned on the floor by his foot. "Yes but you forget my Apprentice, You're no Witcher yet."

Eskel shrugs at Arie who doesn't know what to make of their almost funny interactions, if he didn't know any better he would compare them to a Father and Son duo.