Of Monsters and Men

Ethan's pov:



The door opened and some angry farmer opened the door and explained that should go over to Delaine and Corwyn's house. He hoped that it was not that far. He was far to tired to explain anything. He felt like he was going to fall over from being so tired. He let out a sigh and walked over to the next in and walked in. (Delaine and Corwyn's Inn/ tavern) "I was told to come here for a bed," he said to whoever was there. His voice sounded like he was really tired.

 

Evan's pov:

(using this banner for now until I'm ready to use the new one)
Still wet he need to find a place to sleep. He wandered around until he found a empty house. After he spent almost all day in a forest He locked the doors and fell asleep by a fire.

Darick's pov:

He was getting worried about the people that he saw at the orphanage but it appeared that there wasn't any trouble as there was not yelling or danger that he could see. (will people coming to Oxenfurt maybe I can interact with someone there)

ooc: wasn't sure what else to do other then wait

 

Once Kruez had heard that he would be able to stick around, Kruez nodded towards Crow and went back to his thoughts as Tatiana was given a place to rest near the fireplace. As for what he would ask about, he was curious about withcer, for he was minimum knowledge on them and what it was that they did. Well other than monster hunting. He gently held his chin in his head as he thought, forming up some questions to ask. By the time Crow had asked a bit about himself, Kruez had already thought up a few questions to ask. But first he needed to answer the questions directed at him.

"First I'm I'm mainly here cause Veera asked and I thought it'd be an interesting break from what I usually do." Kruez started, so far he was right in that regard. "I'm an alchemist of sorts, from a village quite a ways away from here. Though it's probably nothing but ash now." Despite the stoic expression on Kruez's face, there was a clear hint of animosity in his voice as he spoke about his village.

​

"I am sorry it isn't much. It is all I have left for today."

Hearing the voice, Zephyr had turned to see Terra holding a plate of bread and vegetables. That answered the whole "What would he be eating" question. "Thanks." Zephyr took the plate and sat down. Given how many other people where eating the same thing, he could really be picky, especially since she was actually letting him stick around and help out. Plus he was still hungry and thus didn't need to care all that much about what he was given to eat. So he grabbed the bread and started with that. It was clear that he hadn't eaten in some time due the large bites he was taking out of the piece of bread.

Zephyr took a moment to swallow his food before proceeding to answer Terra's question. "I'm from a town out near white forest and I pretty much just stumbled upon this orphanage and decided to see if I could help out with anything."

 

​

The tavern had crowded around to watch the drunk man and Will in anticipation of a fight, cheering and jostling, placing hurried bets on their preferred fighter. This continued even when the drunk took out a knife and started stabbing. It was a common enough occurrence in a bar brawl, and most likely no one would die. Most likely.
The jubilant atmosphere immediately turned frosty however as Will let out an arcane blast of wind, what had once been a rowdy crowd turning dead silent. They backed away, suddenly anxious to get away from what they now knew was a mage of some sort, fully expecting the poor fool who had attacked Will to be slaughtered.
Their expectations didn't come to reality, however, and their hostile eyes followed Will as he went to the bar counter, deposited a few coins in front of the visibly anxious bar tender as payment, and then turned to give yet more money to a shabby looking man that from the number of tankards in front of him appeared to be doing his best to get dead drunk. Then the mage turned away and left, all the while being followed by aggressive and suspicious eyes.
Once Will had left, the eyes suddenly turned to Evander. He was now glaring darkly at the door by which Will had left, fully aware at the obvious stare of the barkeeper and the patrons seated nearest to him. They weren't entirely sure if Evander had anything to do with the mage, but if Will was going to pay him particular attention then they wanted Evander out before he could disturb their evening further.
Evander made a point of finishing his third pint before he suddenly stood up with a muttered curse, sweeping away the coins Will had left across the counter, a few clattering to the floor. He grabbed his final mug of ale, and stormed out of the tavern, staring down anyone who dared to meet his eyes for too long.

“Goddamn kid,” Evander growled as he continued down the street, chugging down his drink. What the hell did the guy want with him anyway? He was a mage, that much was clear... A faint apprehension floated through his mind. Had the kid tracked him down here? And for what purpose? Now Evander was a bit annoyed that he hadn't reacted sooner and chased Will down as soon as he left the tavern. He wanted answers as to what was going on.
...Eh, not that badly actually. If the other mage turned up, then Evander would question him, but if not then that would probably indicate that Will was not actually after Evander. In the meantime, Evander had made his way to another establishment where he could get drunk, and on top of that, enjoy the services of several very fine young ladies. He entered the front door to Henry Holden's business, and was instantly greeted with the warm welcome that only their their most frequent patrons enjoyed.

​

Ellyn listened with interest to Delaine's short overview of the taverns status. Evidently the ravages of war had not touched this place too harshly, and the opposing armies had refrained from scouring the land for what food they could pillage. That gave Ellyn a little bit of warmth, knowing that some places would escape the worst of the war, but at the back of her mind she was all too aware that that could all change within a few short days. She sincerely hoped it wouldn't
“I'm journeying up from Cintra to Novigrad,” Ellyn explained in response to Delaine's question. “And along the way I had business in the area, heard about your small village here, and decided I would find a comfortable bed for once. I've been camping out for quite a while now,” she confided to her host.
Her attention was then briefly distracted by the entrance of a young man who immediately asked for a bed, evidently exhausted. Another traveler it seemed. Ellyn turned back to Delaine.
“If you need to attend to that young man that just entered, don't hesitate to just leave me,” Ellyn offered. “You don't need to pander to me just because I'm the wealthiest patron you have in tonight,” she added with a knowing smile.

 

"Cintra to Novigrad eh? That's a long trek. Come all the way from Black One territory." Delaine replied, nodding knowingly. "If Corwyn and I weren't tied down here, I'd be tempted to go travelling. Perhaps another time." At that point, someone dressed in a black coat and hooded appeared. Delaine regarded him suspiciously, she didn't trust anyone that hid themselves like that. It only, in her opinion, added a sense of urgency to dealing with them. She nodded to Elwyn.
"You'll have to tell me a little of your travels later." Delaine stood up and turned to face their new customer, though first she shouted over to Corwyn. "How's that food coming Corwyn?" When he looked over, she gave a subtle nod at the new guest, to which Corwyn replied. He was now aware that there was someone that his wife considered potentially problematic. He could hardly disagree with his wife either, he didn't seem to be the most savoury of characters if his garb was anything to speak of. Not to mention the hour of his appearance.
"Bubbling in the pot love!" Corwyn shouted back. Then, the hostess turned to face the stranger.
"Yes, this is where you can get a bed. It'll be ten Crowns for one of the cots in the main room. We're out of single rooms, so you'll have to go in with the drunk Nilfgaardians and other folk." Delaine explained coolly, standing tall and looking directly at where the man's eyes would be if they weren't obscured by the cloak.




The two of them had made their way through the mountain pass and were now securely on the way to the elusive fortress. In fact, they were just making their way there now. They had found the path up to it, and now it was time for them to achieve stage one of the plan. Carrak of Cintra, or rather, Adolin Bonhart grinned. It was time for them to begin in earnest the plan that he had been contemplating for some time. He looked at his companion, who merely raised an eyebrow at him.
"Is it not exciting, Alanna? We've almost made it - Stage One. The rest will soon follow." He said gleefully.

She of course, was not going to fall into this particular trap. Adolin, for she refused to call him by the name of his false identity when she didn't have to, was easy to stir up into a never ending gibbering frenzy if pushed at times like this. When she had made the mistake of asking about what he was taking about the first time, she knew full well to never ask again. It was also her first hint that something was not quite right with her Doppler friend. She said friend. Captor would be more appropriate but there was a kind of almost friendship between them. They were not bored of each other's company, and that was enough.
"Yes, yes, very exciting. I'm sure that you're thrilled to be within sight of getting one thing actually done with this insane plan of yours." Now things looked to be getting interesting, and Alanna had to consider her stance. If, not when, Adolin succeeded in pulling off his stunt here with her help, then she would automatically be complicit. This posed an obvious problem. If they were caught, which they were very likely to be, then she was in a great deal of trouble. She doubted that the Witchers would spare her if they discovered her involvement with this individual. And yet, she had very little choice.
"Oh, rest assured, I am. This is your part Alanna. You are essential. We'll never make work without you." She rolled her eyes. This, again? He hadn't caught the sarcastic tone at all.
"I know Adolin. I know." Alanna comforted herself with one fact as they continued their way up to their ultimate target.

It would be almost impossible to destroy Kaer Morhen. ​

 

Olivia's pov:



She stood at her horse hoping someone would come looking for her, but none came. She was beginning to have second thought about going. She did not where she would go or what to do. She wanted to continue to fight the monsters for what they did to her all those years ago, but Veceslav's words were still in her head. He had told Aaron no to go by your emotions to think about what was to come for the dopplers. Was she going off emotions or was she thinking clearly she could not say. She would just have to think. What would happen if she stayed? What would happen if she left? That was what it had come to.

Will's pov:



(according to peter's post he some how left the tavern, but he was standing by the door waiting for a response so Garrett went with it) He had somehow walked out of the tavern. He stood in the shadows by the tavern waiting for Evander to appear again. Asking the man did not work so the next best think was to have some fun. He spotted Evander leaving the tavern and quickly followed him. He watched the man enter. He could not have a repeat of the last tavern. Somehow people in this city knew him. He pulled the hood of his shirt over his head to cover his face and entered the new tavern though a different entrance. He took a seat where he could easily see Evander, but not be spotted. He then gave the bartender some money to get Evander a drink. At the other tavern he had noticed that Evander liked to drink so what better way to get the answers he wanted then to get the man drunk. He had given the bartender a large amount of money so the drinks would continue to come to Evander. Now all he had to do was wait.

Ethan's pov:



A women said that the owner should take care of him first. "That women was here first. First come first serve." That was when the owner ask for some Crowns "I can sleep wherever need be, like the floor." He did not really want to sleep with some drunk person. There was the money issue. He had money, but it was best not to have to spend it if he did not have to. "How about I work for you for a day for a night here? I will do what ever you ask. Plow the farms take the crops, whatever you like." There was also something he would like to know. "Where is the nearest shop to here?" He needed to new clothes.

 

Veceslav Furst Kaer Morhen Evening Hall

Veceslav still sat on his knees in front of the fire, next to him lay Tatiana. She was tossing and turning obviously nightmares. He didn't think he could do anything about it, despite having helped care for dozens of trainees, something he hadn't always done nicely or well. This was something different entirely, he held no authority over her though seeing she was a guest at the Kaer and therefor his charge. It was then that she calmed down, while she still lay in an odd position, she seemed to be able to sleep a lot more peacefully. It was a really sudden change and he knew what had happened... Derrick had used his powerful Axii to calm her down. Kruez turned out to be a wandering alchemist, rather young for that though, but he had seen crazier things. "Sorry to hear about your village, as for your profesion, you might be able to learn a few things here, I can't teach you everything but there are a few things I could teach you." Veceslav said. He had to protect the Witchers secrets like the Grasses and other mutagens, but there were still quite a few alchemy tricks he had learned along the way that could help, some from other Alchemists he met along the way.

Raymond Mercator, Oxenfurt outskirts.

He had worked some more on his home, nearly finishing it, despite his leg. He hadn't made an extremely large hut seeing he had less people to accomodate, but he still had enough room to have some guests stay over at his. He sat by the cooking fire wondering how he'd survive until the next harvest. Maybe he could find some work as a Mercenary, but who'd hire a mercnary with a bad leg? Then again he had traveled all the way from Aedirn, without a problem and his leg was already healing. He had gotten used to walking with the splint. He sat there thinking about how he was going to solve this all, seeing he didn't think he had too many different options. Despite it being relatively late, he went out for a walk, knowing he couldn't sleep if he wanted to anyways because of all the thoughts flying through his head. He kept his sword with him as he walked out his new home and wandered into the city.

 

​

As they rode onwards for an undetermined amount of time, Veera considered her plan. It would be easiest to start in a big city; she and Aaron had already determined that. Hiding the evidence of what they were doing would be another matter. Plague victims. She decided. That would be the best way to go. The bodies would be burned beyond recognition, and the proof would be destroyed. Just as she turned to relay this information to Aaron, the medallion around her throat hummed and she wrinkled her nose as it filled with a horrible smell. "We've got company!" She shouted to the man behind her as she yanked out her silver sword just in time to decapitate one of the ghouls rushing towards them.

​

Ana, uncertain from from Zach's lack of response, took a step back, still holding the fire in her hands. Why do men have to be so complicated? I'm sure the potion would have worked on a girl. She thought unfairly to herself as her heart pounded in her chest. Vyle had royally screwed her by keeping her occupied when she should have been escaping, and she could hardly outrun a werewolf. Her only option, if he attacked, was to try to dodge and escape to the roof.

​

Zack was lying on the floor, trying to ease his headache. He might go exploring later and see what this Sanctuary held.

​

Tessa stalked towards the tavern she ran, slamming her hand against the wall before slumping down as she reached into her pocket for her keys. Bryce might come looking for her, but she didn't care. She needed to do something besides talk to people. Her hand throbbed as she shoved the key into the lock and twisted, nearly breaking it before shoving the door open and walking in. She briefly debated punching the wall again, but held off. She didn't want to break her knuckles.

 

Kruez shrugged his shoulders when Crow had offered condolences for what had happened to his village. The fact that his village was reduced to as wasn't the reason for his animosity filled voice, after all he was there when it had happened and he choose to do nothing. What he was more concerned with was a different matter completely. "It's fine, most of the people there had some form of dislike towards me because I was a mage." Of course he'd gotten used to that. Which was part of the reason why he became an alchemist.

Speaking of which, Crow had mentioned that he knew a few things as well. This had caught Kruez's interest. "What things do you know?"

​

Zephyr had just finished the last piece of his bread, swallowing it before going to answer Terra's next question."I don't think so, but I'm looking for someone. So I can't really stay in one place all that long if they're not here." And Since travelling by means other than on foot costed money, along with finding a place to stay and other such luxuries, he needed money. Hence why he takes odd jobs whenever he can.

 

Tatiana came to rather suddenly, and she was more than a little confused. He noticed her stirring and turned to look, but as soon as she began to groggily ask her questions he knelt down in front of her on one knee.
"Relax, you're safe. You are in Kaer Morhen, a stronghold of the Witchers. My name is Derrick of Kaedwen, the dark haired man is Veceslav and the third man here is named Kreuz." Derrick explained calmly, keeping his voice fairly neutral to try and ensure that she did not panic. "Aaron was here, though he has gone out now. As for the other woman... Do you mean Veera? I'm not sure where she is at the moment." Then, the pain seemed to hit her. Even though whatever had happened was clearly healed, she clutched her side regardless. A side effect of the Swallow that she took? He looked around at Veceslav.
"Crow, she's in pain. Think it's the Swallow?" He asked. When he turned to look at her again, it seemed to have subsided but he could see the tears that she was trying to hold back. "Has the pain gone? We'll see what we can do for you here. Honestly, it's probably best not to move you unless there's a definite way to keep you in good health available where you go back to."




Delaine shook her head and put her hands on her hips. She looked at him severely. Does he not know how things work in real life?
"Listen stranger, I don't think you know how this works. Corwyn and I don't own any of the land around here. if you want to work for coin, go ask one of the farmers, or Bowen if you're into hunting of some kind. I run my business. You can pay for the cot or you're not sleeping here." Delaine replied. Now he wants to know where the shop is? He makes very little sense. It's not like it's going to be open at this time of night. "And the nearest shop belongs to Wilfred Hoover, our blacksmith and general handyman. He's not going to be awake now so you'd best wait until the morning unless you want him to, what does he say Corwyn?"
"Batter the **** out of you!" Corwyn called from his spot over in the kitchen. The knight's meal needed a few minutes just to cook now, so he had taken to the table and was serving the various farmers and soldiers that wanted something to drink. He noticed some of the regulars looking oddly at the one that Delaine was dealing with. He supposed that he really was a stranger as even the Nilfgaardians were looking at him suspiciously. Well, gotta say one thing for the Black Ones. They do seem to care about the people who give them drinks. Suits us just fine.
"Yes, that." Delaine continued. "So, what's it going to be? You going to get a cot in the main room? They're good enough for most people coming around, even the Nilfgaardian officers. We're not having people sleeping on the floor because that just gets in the way." ​

 

Olivia's pov:



She stood at her horse a moment more. She stood by and brushed the horse. She guessed that she should tell the others what was going on and if they ignored her then she would get on her horse and head out. "Soon," she told the horse. She walked away from the stables and back into the Witcher library. Then she walked towards the evening hall. She continued to walk to she got to the evening hall entering then looked at Derrick and Veceslav. Derrick and Veceslav were talking about something what she could not say. They did seem deep in conversation. What had happened sense the moment she had left? Tatiana seemed to be resting or was and was just getting up from a rest or something. "You should know that Aaron and Veera's horses are missing." They probably ignore her it would not surprise her at all. She stood by the door waiting to be ignored. Then she could go off to where she had planned to go. She would know what to do next time and it depended on what happened now.

Ethan's pov:



The strange people in the house stood by talking about if he wanted to work for coin to go ask a farmer. Really he could do a lot here, but what he could not say. He did not fancy sleeping with some random drunk. The owners of the inn then went on about the nearest shop that was owned by Wilfred Hoover and was a blacksmith and general handyman. It really was not what he needed. he could use information about the sword he had found in the forest, but more then anything he wanted some new clothing. "You should really take care of that women before me. She was here before I was." What kind of place helps the next person that comes in before they are done with the first. It did not make much business sense. So really he did not know what to say. "Once you take care of that women we can speak. I really prefer not to sleep with some random drunk." He then walked over to a chair and took a seat to wait for the owner to be done with the women that came in before he did.

 

Callum hadn't really been phased by the flipping off, and he hadn't cared enough for the girl to follow behind her, but yet there had been this nagging voice in the back of his mind. It had told him he should, because until she gave him those names she had power over him, and even if that wasn't the case she was still his best shot at finding out where the hell the guy paying him had gone off to. And so, after kicking at the ground in frustration he had followed her. He was being much more careful this time, simply observing and keeping an eye on her. God, was this how parents felt when their children rushed off in a temper tantrum? If somehow he found someone who could tolerate his moodiness, he would be thankful he was a Witcher. The inability to knock someone up was a blessing in itself sometimes. Coming to a stop at the edge of one of the buildings, he looked down at the girl who was hurrying through the city. "You already tried to outrun me once, I don't know why you would think it would work a second time. So, names. If you can't give me them now, you're going to have the worlds moodiest and darkest Witcher on your tail. What do you say you save yourself the trouble now and just pick three people? It doesn't even have to be three that matter, any three will do" he explained, hanging off the edge of the buiding somewhat acrobatically.


Zach had been having an internal battle of epic proportions. With each minute that passed while he was shifted, the potion wore off a little. It was getting harder and harder to hold onto what little control he had. As a desperate effort to maintain some sort of focus, he put an enormous amount of willpower into getting his wolf body to sink his teeth into his own arm. He let out a slight yelp as the pain set in, but it worked. He had control for now, but already he could feel even that slipping away. He quickly began scratching in the dirt, writing a message that simply read 'no control' before he sat down behind it, in that familiar pose that a household dog would have. As long as he sat like that she would know he wasn't some rabid beast, and the second he was no longer seated there, well he just hoped that Teliana thought of something and quick.


Well, Yana had portalled back to the camp quickly only to see that it was empty. She found herself horribly disappointed in her minion, not because she had left but because she had left and not even bothered to cover her tracks. Seriously, the amount of clues as to where she'd gone was ridiculous. Broken twigs everywhere, hurried footprints, hell she wouldn't be surprised if the girl cut herself on something and leaked blood. She would really have to teach her to hide her tracks better. After she found her, anyway.

It didn't take her very long. Annabelle wasn't amazingly quick, and Yana knew the area reasonably well. Not only that, but the tracks made it painfully obvious. "MIIIIIIIIINIIIOOOOOON" she called out, raising her voice. She held up a fireball in her right hand. "WHAT DID I TELL YOU ABOUT ESCAPING?" she boomed. The fireball began increasing in intensity and power, gaining increased size before Yana hurled the fireball not at Annabelle as the girl had probably suspected but at a tree branch laying on the ground. The branch was set alight, and the witch held it just above the ground, poking at the dirt below. "YOU COVER YOUR DAMN TRACKS" she shouted, before sighing. "If you run away, how am I going to give you this dress thingy I found? Or did you want to walk around all naked forever? 'Cause I can totally arrange that if you'd rather" ​

 

Veceslav Furst, Kaer Morhen Evening Hall

The alchemist asked him what he could teach, as a witcher the easiest thing he knew was extraction of ingredients from monsters, but there was also fieldcraft, ingredient preservation. However something else was bugging him,that Kruez had said, he nearly seemed glad that the village had been reduced to ashes and it inhabitants killed, just because they disliked him? That was rather brutal, even for the Crow's standards "You think it's good ridance just because they disliked you? Rather extreme ideology there and that comes from someone with a bias against certain people. I've been treated badly, peasants begging for help and when the monster was taken care off, they immediatly changed their attitude towards the freak, the freak that just saved their miserable village and lives, don't wish death upon them though. As for what I could teach you the preperation of oils, field alchemy, extraction of components from monster bodies and ingredient preservation, but it would seem that will have to wait." Veceslav said before looking in Derrick's direction who was asking him about something rather specific, he wasn't a medic, what he was sure off however was that the side effects of witcher potions were nearly immediate and permanent. He shook his head "I doubt that's the doing of the potion." He said, then turning his attention to Olivia who had appeared in the doorway, mentioning Aaron and Veera's horses being gone. He siltently cursed, stood up excusing himself he left the evening hall thanking Olivia as he walked past her.

He had searched the entire keep, not a trace of them. He checked the places where Veera usually would be when she would be angry with either him or when she needed to be alone a little bit. Double checked her room and checked the stables just to verify Olivia's claim. Trust was a good thing, but double checking it never hurt either. He knew what had to be done, he went to the lab and prepared for what needed to be done, brewing additional potions. He then reminded himself of the threats that mage had made and made a trio of dimeritium bombs. That would get the mage to stop and rethink his actions. He wrote a short note apologising particularly to Derrick for leaving so suddenly, telling him not to follow him or let Olivia follow him. Veceslav left it on his desk and then checked if he had everything. He figured they'd be in Novigrad, biggest city, free city probably the best place for the dopplers to hide. Plus he knew some folks there that might be able to help him, hoping that it wasn't too late. He rode off on his horse, Hawk, the black cloak he wore over his Wolf school armour fluttering behind him in the wind as he made haste towards Novigrad.

 

Carrak and Alanna were almost there, but they saw the gates opening from a distance. That meant that someone was coming. Fortunately, this vale had plenty of cover. He grabbed Alanna around the waist and dived into cover. They landed roughly, and the sorceress grunted but otherwise kept quiet. The false Witcher kept a cat-like eye on the man riding hell for leather out of the vale. Once he was a safe distance away, Carrak emerged and helped his companion up, who was scowling at him. He grimaced, and thus was prepared for the slap.
"Adolin Bonhart! Have some manners!" She exclaimed. He took the reprisal graciously and made his best admonished face.
"I apologise, I merely intended to get us into some good cover. We wouldn't want to be spotted by that man." He replied. She shook her head and sighed, brushing dirt and twigs off herself. Apparently there was a small insect in all that, which she threw at him. It landed on his armour, and he nonchalantly flicked if off. "Happy?" She turned away with her arms folded and humphed at him.
"I suppose it'll do." He breathed a sigh of relief. It would be a headache for hours if she insisted on being angry at him about it. The air returned to something less tense and he refocused on the task at hand.
"The Kaer is just ahead. Are you ready for this? It looks like fate has favoured us and spared us one problem already." Adolin spoke. The sorceress began to start walking out of the bush, which said everything. He followed and overtook her with his longer strides. Her silence meant that she would follow, but she was still a little irritated and he did not feel especially like trying her patience and prodding the hornet's nest more so than it already had been. The first objective was nearly at hand.




"That woman," She began, folding her arms and looking at the stranger pointedly. "Has been served and her food is on the way. So, we can talk. I appreciate that you're new here and don't know the way this works, but you treat me and my customers with respect. You do not tell me what to do when on my establishment. Otherwise, you'll have more than just Corwyn and I to deal with." Some of the Nilfgaardian soldiers and a couple of farmers in the room looked around at the stranger that Delaine was lecturing. Lady Ellyn's food was finished cooking and Corwyn brought it over with a knife and fork placed on the plate. He put it down on the table in front of her.
"It's a little hot, mind out." He warned her, before standing next to his wife. Delaine noticed and gave Corwyn a quick smile before facing the troublesome customer. "So, what business were you discussing with my wife again Mr...?"
"We were just trying to sort out this gentleman's sleeping arrangements. He seemed to have things confused. Cots are individual. It is just a large room where we put people. That will be 10 crowns if you choose to go for that, otherwise, leave. We're not having you on the floor. That is messy and gets in everyone's way." Delaine spoke with a tone of finality.




"That's alright. Don't worry about it if things aren't coming to you. You've had a stressful few hours and you'll need the time to recover." Derrick reassured. A brothel... Rough. She hasn't had it easy then. He didn't inquire on that subject. They could learn a little more about their new guest some other time but for now, he let her walk around and stood there primarily for support. He noticed that the Crow had disappeared. That was strange, he didn't often make a habit of pulling a disappearing act especially if there were guests present. He saw Olivia at the door, and Tatiana was just moving around. She mentioned something about Aaron being terrible with horses and he chuckled. "He was indeed, bad at them. You should have seen his buck him off. I've never seen a horse that angry before. I'm not sure what Aaron was like when he was young, but he hasn't got much better now. I think the horse is just used to him." Then it hit him. She knew Aaron when she was young? That meant only one thing - Family. That was interesting. Most of the time, Witchers didn't see their family again but presumably, Tatiana was family and he had found her. Of course. He thought he heard the man mention it one time, and now it all added up. This was the sister he spoke about. It had to be. He didn't say anything however, because there was an issue at hand.
"I will be right back, Tatiana. I just need to see where Veceslav got himself off to." Derrick said, before running over to Olivia. "It looks like you're ready to go somewhere, but stay here just a minute. I need to find the Crow." Derrick ran to the first place he thought of, Veceslav's room. If he was going to be anywhere, then it would be there. He wouldn't have just left the Kaer on a whim like that. When he reached the chamber, he found the doors were already open and a hastily scrawled note was on his desk. That immediately caught his eye, because he could see the pen and ink used to write it out and it looked like it was still drying, if at least almost done. He immediately looked at it.

Derrick,

I apologise for doing this, but there is no other way.
You can probably piece together what the hell happened
I must try and stop this before it is too late.
Do not try to follow me that goes double for Olivia.
I'll see you somewhere along the way.​

He looked at the note, initially confused, but the puzzle answered itself soon enough. He mentioned stopping something, and come to think of it Veera and Aaron hadn't come back. Worse, he hadn't seen them anywhere. The Witcher raced down the stairs again and past Olivia and looked into the stables. Three horses missing and Olivia's ready to ride by the looks of things. That made Veceslav, Aaron and Veera, conspicuously disappeared by their horses' absence. So, Aaron was in on Veera's mad plot? Derrick cursed and headed back to where his female counterpart had been.
"Olivia, listen to me a moment. Veceslav has gone out to stop Veera and Aaron from murdering every Doppler they can find. He left me some instructions, one of which is to make sure that you don't follow him. So, well, don't. Besides, it looks like there are some guests at the Kaer and we'd best take care of them." Derrick explained. He looked around in the hall to keep an eye on Tatiana and Kreuz. Who knew what that strange man was going to do, given that, strictly speaking, he wasn't even meant to be here in the first place.​

 

Ethan's pov:



The Buttler's or where ever he was had said that the women that cam in before him was served and her food is on the way. So, they could talk. He was no a mind reader and there was no way he would have known other wise. "I did not know and.." his voice trialed off and he let out a sigh. Being older was such a new thing. He did not know anything about it. One minute he was young covered in ash and the next he took a hold of a orb. That was when he somehow got older. He did not know how it worked or anything. Being older was new to him and he did not know how things are or was to be. He was confused by the whole thing. What was he sopost to be like? How was he to act? He had no idea, he had been young and he had not aged how a normal person does or how he did in the past. He could explain everything, but it was unlikely that anyone would believe him. his birthday was tomorrow and if today was anything to go by he was not going to have a good one. That people then asked his name or something to that effect. "Name is Ethan, Ethan Mau." That was when they asked for money, they sure were persistent. "OK," He then reached into his bag and took out 10 coins, giving it to one of them. Now what was going to happen he could not say. He did not know where to go or what to do or what was next.


Olivia's pov:



Veceslav had thanked her and that was about it. She then watched him go. Tatiana then said something about Aaron. "You have to be there for Aaron, be strong for him." Derrick then left heading off to look for Veceslav. Derrick then came back tell her to listen to him. He then went on about Veceslav going off to stop Veera and Aaron from murdering every Doppler they can find. "I had not planed to follow anyone, but to go off to Oxenfurt." That was when Derrick had asked her to stay. She then folded her arms over her chest. "Why should I? So I can be ignored some more?" She had no reason to stay. She was angry at Derrick. He had promised to talk to her and he did not even attempt to have any conversation with her. She felt like she could was good reason to be angry at Derrick. "Don't make a girl a promise you cant keep."

 

​

The fighting was as familiar to Veera as breathing (after more then a couple decades of living by the sword it should be). She slid from one pose to another, flashing from sign to sign as her stamina allowed and cutting through the enemy until there were only a few left. Those she would let Aaron handle. She had to admit, the boy knew what he was doing. He was a good pupil, and Veceslav had taught him well. At the thought of her own mentor she grimaced, and brushed her hair back from her face. Had he figured out they had left? She hoped not, or at least that he would go the wrong way. As much as she cared for him, he just couldn't understand, and she was beyond having the patience to make him.

As soon as Aaron finished his share of the monsters and took what he wanted from those corpses, they would be off again. Speaking of which...she bent down to the nearest body in front of her and began cutting away the vital organs and eyes, putting them in in her pouch for oils and potions later. Or else maybe there was a merchant who would want them. People bought strange things these days.

​

Ana grimaced as she read what Zach had scratched in the dirt. Stuffing a hand into the hidden pocket of her dress, she pulled out a handful of blossoms, whispered an old prayer over them, and blew them from her fingers into the wolf's face. On humans, it would knock them out faster then a heartbeat. In wolves...she had no idea.

​

Tessa jumped as Seth's voice sounded beside her. Bryce would be furious, she realized. She hadn't paid attention at all to her surroundings. "A doppler? Irritating a witcher? That'll be the day." She scoffed, pain behind the irritation in her voice. Maybe if some of her kind actually stood a chance against the monster killers, they wouldn't have to be so scared all the time.

"What are you doing here?" She asked Seth, whirling around as Callum hung off the roof in front of her. Oh gods. Stalking up to Callum, she completely ignored the hopeless line of thought she had just been following and jabbed Callum in the chest with her newly bruised finger. It was more of his stomach, since he was hanging off a roof, and quite a few feet above her. The pain was worth it. "I don't HAVE names, I'm not a murdering psychopath!" She yelled, just as her mind realized she probably shouldn't yell those words out. "Now if you don't mind, I have a bar to run!" She turned and walked back to the counter, slamming the swinging door open, and then shut as she grabbed a rag and began to furiously wipe down the mugs and counter.

"You can stay if you order a drink." She relented, glancing at Callum, then Seth, who had hadn't yet told her why he was there.

 

​

"Okay" she mumbled as Terra led Willow to the kitchen. She pondered the many methods she could use to complete her mission, she had to be careful though; Terra was not ordinary. Willow had the knife concealed in her rags, but perhaps there were more subtle options. Maybe she should wait a while, she was curious about this woman. In the kitchen Willow turned to Terra with a sad and tired expression, one she had tried to keep up during the meal "What do you want to know?" she asked, almost whispering.