Chương 9: A Witcher In The Flesh
It took awhile for the Khajiit to calm down. She almost battered me with spells in a panic as she finally understood a good amount of the signs she was privy too.
Credit where credit is due, she did take the news rather well in all considerations. Finding out about the prophesy of a Dragonborn walking among the people was an interesting fact she was ecstatic about. Such an individual could upend the entire structure of Tamriel due to their nature. As Tiber Septim did long ago.
Then we turned in for the night. Our thoughts to the future as this crazy world would soon come to a realization of certain doom coming it's way.
With the morning came the usual business, prepping the kitchens to feed the many Khajiit and Caravan members was always a delight. Reminding me of the time I learned the Recipes from that old ramen Shop in the Tower. Cayde and the other hunters would bug me occasionally to share. But nope, that was my little secret to keep.
The Kits were all to happy to bring their parent's share to them as they went about setting their wares for the day. But the morning sun brought guests from the forest.
Pale skin with chainmail and leather armor adorned. White hair that shined in the light. Two of them carried by horse as they rode in to the town. A voice heard from my shoulder as I was lost looking to the two.
"Ahh, Destiny has come?" Nans found her place. One dismounted as he approached, seeing my place among the Caravan he walked up to us. His friend, old but still spry, dismounted and took over the horses, leading them.
The yellow cat like eyes looked into mine, there he was. Destiny, you fickle mistress.
The wolf like pendant shone in the morning sun as he made his way to us. A smooth but gravely baritone voiced out, "Hello, I seek some food for myself and my riding companion." Gesturing to the older Witcher. A smile on the old man's face as he looked to the Khajiit on my shoulder.
I chuckled a bit, Damn this world and it's twists. "I'd be happy to help. I'm sure the boss here" pointing to the grandmother on my shoulder, "Would love to hear a tale or two from The Geralt of Rivia, as payment."
Nans was all to happy with my words, preening herself with a bit of flair. The Witcher's face barely twitched but I could see he was happy not to be told away. While they may be more respected worldwide, there was a bit more prejudice down here in the south.
I nodded to the old man, almost as old as myself if I'm not mistaken. We relocated with our bowls of food. A colorful plate of fruits and a pale congee. The Khajiit sweet tooth was an fun thing to prep for breakfast.
I told a guard to take care of the horses in the meanwhile as I guided the Witchers to Nans' Tent. Even as they walked behind me I could feel the power they radiated. Magicka had done wonders for them, and it was lethal. Compare to the Half Witchers from before I can say 30 men would be grossly underprepared for one of these men.
Nans' husband was asleep off to the side of the tent. The old man was all to happy to sleep his days away. Still never questioned, and would never question, how the Senche got paired with her.
She took her place upon his head and looked to the Witchers who sat just as I did on the pillows provided. The involuntary grunts as they did so told how sore they were from riding.
"Welcome to my Caravan, Witchers. The tales gravely underestimate just how formidable you can be." She began.
They gave a nod to the Khajiit at her words. Vesemir was the one to answer her, with a sigh he said, "A pleasure to rest with your people, Mystic. These old bones do well in the rest of good company."
She chuckled and said, "This one knows how you feel. I happily enjoy the company of my kin in these strange lands. Just as they seem to Tolerate my old antics. Even if I am not the eldest here anymore." With a bit of schadenfreude in her voice.
Vesemir might have thought she was referring to him but Geralt was a bit better on the uptake. Looking to me with an eyebrow raised, I gave a smirk that was hidden from Vesemir. He cracked the slightest of smiles at that.
They began to eat only to not be able to put down their food as they began. Smirking to myself I was happy with my cooking. Hundreds of years to practice was a helpful tool to perfect my craft.
With a sigh Vesemir put down his food and bowed to me, "Such delicious food, I have only tasted in the finest kitchens of the Palaces of Royals. Thank you."
"I'm happy you enjoyed it. So, about those stories?" I reminded. The group chuckled at my words.
Geralt spoke, "I'm sorry to say... there's not many good ones. Most think hunting monsters is all glory and wealth... Its just pain and death. And the stink."
Gramps opened an eye and looked to Geralt. He spoke with a withered voice, "To admit it is the sign of wisdom, take pride White Wolf." Geralt was stunned by the big cat speaking for a moment an with a tiny smile said, "Then I'll speak."
He thought for a moment and said, "I'll tell the story of one of my hunts. It was many years ago now. Recently after the Convergence new creatures had been sighted. It was before the Trials had been fixed and Witchers weren't the most plenty.
I was following along with some Dwarves. Their kingdom had called for a Witcher to aid them. They found me. The job was to look around and find the creature hunting the humans. Only they called me because they found out whatever it was, killed a dwarf.
The first day I found myself searching the woods. I found trails but no real clues. It was as if the people walked into the forest on their own." His words brought me to remember the Witch Queen and her antics. The Hive Magics she used were really filthy things.
Spark phased into the room now and took the two Witcher's attention. The little ball of light couldn't contain herself any longer and asked, "So what happened next!"
Chuckling I palmed her shell in my hands and said, "This is spark, think of her like a familiar. She is my companion and has been for many years. She is a curious one though."
Geralt nodded at my explanation and said, "I understand, strange I didn't feel any form of magic from you, nevertheless... I began to scout the woods, more following the trails left by the humans. Ended up finding signs along the way. Markings of runes as well as many forest creatures. While they didn't attack me, they did watch over me. following my movements."
he leaned his head onto his arm supported by his crossed legs. "If I knew what I do now I would have recognized the signs, they were known as Nature's bounty. The forest had a new guardian... and it's mate."
I could practically fell Spark's shell vibrating in excitement. She always did love stories. It was why I got into writing out the stories from my world.
"When I did track the creature down I found ritual sites. And I was able to Identify, at least to my knowledge at the time one creature, A leshen. My discovery also lead to a brief fight with it. I was able to fend it off but was injured. Had to run after it had escaped from me. Tore into my arm. Wasn't as durable at that time."
He leaned back and supported himself on his hands. Looking to the celling tent he continued.
"After explaining to the Dwarves their issue, we rallied a few willing to go on the hunt. Even made sure they were not infected by the creatures curse. They manipulate people by converting and brainwashing them to follow their orders. Luckily a passing mage helped to test the people and root out their influence."
Myself and Vesemir and Gramps chuckled at the pun. Spark and Nans were a bit confused as to the joke but Geralt didn't wait to let them to figure it out.
"As we were moving through the forest we found our leshen. Defeated him and tore down his totem. Luckily he only held one but as we found out he was not alone. One of the Nature Spirits from Tamriel, A Spriggan, had apparently crossed the ocean. Found its way and met up with this Leshen. We were soon besieged by the wildlife under her control."
Sitting up he looked between us and said, "I fought through most of them before I was able to tear down the Leshen. Which only enraged the Spriggan. Some well placed signs allowed me to finally triumph over the duo. Almost lost my life numerous times in that fight. We lost two of the Dwarves that journeyed with me."
Vesemir asked, "And the pay?" A smirk playing on his face.
Geralt grasped one of his swords on his back, bringing it around his body to his front. Unsheathing it we saw the runes on the longsword. "A gift from the king of Dwarves. Though he wanted to throw me out right away, this has been a long companion of mine since."
Looking to the blade all I blurted out, "A good blade." The Witchers nodded to my words as Geralt put his sword away.
Nans decided to ask the burning question, "So what brings you both so far south? I'm aware you are of some renown in the north so I couldn't imagine wishing to come down here to often. Especially with the Vipers."
To that Geralt sighed and said, "Looking for a girl, white hair similar to mine, Green Eyes. Seen her around here?"
To which I matched his sigh and said, "Saw her poster in the Tavern. Apparently she was spotted up near Novagrad. A place we were planning on heading anyways."
Vesemir chimed in and asked, "Anything else on that poster?"
"Nothing of note other than her appearance. but Spark here can help with that."
The Witchers turned a look at my little companion so she projected a face all to familiar to them. Vesemir gave a small chuckle and said, "Fancy little magic that is, Looks like the little lass has grown."
Geralt gave his subdued smile to the words. Then he asked, "Mind if we tag along too? If it's not any trouble is all."
Nans gave the verdict and said, "How Lovely! Yes I would love for you two to come along. But not for free after all. Hmm... how about... Argus? Need any assistance with training up some of the older kits? I'm sure two Witchers could help with that."
I could tell the little Mystic was on cloud nine to feel a chosen of destiny so close. So I didn't argue and said, "They will have to keep up though. little kits can move pretty fast when they want to."
Vesemir just laughed with us as Geralt reclined in his pillow seat. Vesemir decided to begin the questioning next, "And who are you? With how familiar you are with a Caravan leader I would almost assume you were Khajiit?"
I gave a smirk to the man. "Just recently joined up with them in fact. Hasn't been but two weeks now. I arrived in this world about that time in fact. Once I met up with them I've been here since."
"Another world you say?" Geralt asked. To which I nodded and said, "Quite so, A being who my people worship in a way needed someone to... take care of something here. Apparently something from my world made it here. She asked me to end this threat."
"Must be strong then?" Vesemir asked. To which I openly laughed at. A bit of sadness leaking through before a lid was placed on it. I responded the Witcher with, "Not exactly... I am skilled no doubt. But compared to some of my old friends, not anywhere close. Someday maybe... but not now."
Spark looked at me before she also put her two cents in, "Don't let this old man fool you, he's the BEST! I wouldn't have any other Guardian as mine." I chuckled at her as Geralt asked, "Guardian?"
Spark was all to eager to converse with him. I had told a few stories in our time together with her about various worlds. Witcher was one of them.
"Guardians are the protectors of humanity! They seek to serve the last city in efforts to rebuild all that was lost in the collapse. Guardians are beings capable of wielding the Light or dark in the defense or offense of our enemies."
Vesemir asked, "The light? sounds like some religious folk. And how is this young man old? haha, he barely looks in his 30s?"
I answered the Witcher this time, "What Spark here forgot to mention is, She is my ghost. Ghosts were a part of the being who sent me here, The traveler. They find people they are compatible with and resurrect them to fight for humanities survival. She found me, and ever since I have been able to die... but she would revive me once again to fight."
I could see they were a bit stunned at my words and looked at the little light hovering around. She continued where I left off, "The light is the paracausal force of the Traveler. Normally through the Ghosts the light would flow into our Guardians. As for it being a religion? Yeah, I would say people have worshiped the Traveler as It did stave of an extinction level event."
More stunned silence before Vesemir asked, "And... how long were you one of these... Guardians?" I chuckled a bit before answering, "In the first place we weren't called Guardians. Just as there wasn't a last city for centuries. I never kept complete track of my age but I am around 400 years into this life."
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