Of Monsters and Men

Veceslav let Derrick's remark about his sense of humour slide, now really wasn't the time for that sort of thing. He brought up the rear, guarding against the ghouls. They were crawling out of the woodwork and if they didn't get out soon then they might all die. Ghouls dropped around him Veera in particular fired at those around him and he really appreciated it. The young girl that had accompanied the other witcher told him to hold next to Veera saying it wouldn't do them any good if he died from exhaustion. "I may be old, but I'm tough, yet I am not stupid. If you need help give a shout." The Crow said as he moved over cutting down the Ghoul that Veera had hit in it's shoulder with his silver sword. He walked next to Veera, they were making too slow of a progress. "Veera, lead the way out of here, we need to speed things up a little." The Crow said as he fired a crossbow bolt into a Ghoul's eye. He watched as the Bearschool witcher kept the front clean single handedly. The Ghouls tried to swarm him but he stood tall.


Alastar took up the front with his silver axe, his fighting style wasn't as graceful as the normal witcher swordwork, but it wasn't exactly the utter savagery of Skellige Warriors a bit more refined than that, but the difference was marginal. He cleaved Ghouls apart with his axe and he kept the path clear towards the city gates. He heard Treasa shout she was going to the rear and in his battle rage he did acknowledge it, but was too busy to reply to it fully. He fought the ghouls with axe and fist as they clawed at him. Their claws were sharp, but his armour helped a lot. That and his trancelike state. The adrenaline coarsing through his veins. He stood tall and roared at the Ghouls as if he were an animal. When he did this 3 Ghouls piled in on him. Trying to bring him down grabbing hold and trying to drag him down. His free hand reached and threw the one clinging to his back away as his silver axe found another. The ghouls didn't stand a chance as another one was struck by a crossbow bolt. His face had some fresh scars on them from Ghoul claws, but it hardly mattered for Alastar, in this aggresive mindset he would keep on going until he expired. Something Treasa didn't like too much and he understood why, but he couldn't help it. It was how he had been trained and that was how he fought. "SHOW ME WHAT COUNTS AS FURY AMONGST YOUR MISBEGOTTEN KIND" Alastar roared at the Ghouls as his push started to gain momentum.​

 

"He comes in the night, he comes in the day,
Only one mission; to make them all pay.
He's inside your wardrobe, he's under your bed,
He's inside your heart and he's inside your head,
He'll skip along the graveyard path singing like a lark,
But on his arrival he'll bring you only dark.
The souls of the lost shall be enthralled to him.
An army of puppets dancing to his every whim,
He is always watching, you can't escape those eyes,
and when he finally catches you, he will ignore your cries,
He lurks among the shadows, he'll give you such a fright,
SOLOMON! SOLOMON! Master of the Night!"

"Pestilence! Plague! Withering disease!
He'll bring these dark forces upon you with ease,
The shadow that lurks around the village well,
A dark demonic creature from the depths of hell,
His puppets surround in shadows, there is nowhere to run,
And when your bodies wither he shall have his fun,
He will watch and laugh, at your last feeble breath
SOLOMON! SOLOMON! Bringer of your Death!"​

 

​

Veera glanced at Veceslav, seeing the same exhaustion haunt him. They were holding strong for now, but for now much longer? She clucked to the horse, pushing forwards and trusting her male companions to keep her safe. Making her way through the city, she vaguely remembered to turn left instead of right, and forward after. But she didn't know how she knew that. The headache behind her eyes only grew, and she winced, slinging her crossbow back in its holster to press one hand to her temple.

It didn't relieve the pain, but it helped block out the light of the hazy sun as she and the horse led the charge down the twisting and turning roads of Oxenfurt. She was going to have to question Derrick further, about what exactly they had been doing, how she had lost her memory, what she had been doing here.....The necromancer, for that was the only thing she could think to call him, had recognized her. Had said the entire battle was her doing. That couldn't have been true, could it? Why would she cause the death of so many, for what gain?

Her headache only grew with each passing thought, until it transformed into a migraine. Even the sun in her eyes caused her blinding flashes of pain. She pressed her hands to her eyes in an effort to block it out, no longer paying attention to whatever was happening around her as lights flashed behind her eyes.

​

Treasa smiled a little at Veceslav's rough humor, but made sure he went up by Veera before continuing to shoot her arrows into the oncoming horde of the necrophages. At least she would have something to do during watch tonight; making new arrows always made the time go faster. She put a shaft through the skull of a charging Alghoul before turning back for a second to make sure the rest of the group was doing okay.

Which Veera was not. The female witcher was pressing her hands to her face, blind to the threats around her. Derrick and Veceslav did an admirable job of keeping the ghouls off of her, but they were going to become overrun if they didn't make it out of the city. She aimed at a ghoul jumping towards Veera's leg and shot, making the shot through its eye. As it slumped down, she felt a pain in her own leg and turned. The resulting drawn arrow went through the ghoul's neck, causing it to gurgle as it fell. She looked at her injury and swore quietly; it wasn't bad by any means but gods did it hurt.

Alastar will have a hissy fit. She turned before anyone else noticed she had paused and fired off another arrow. A short time later, thanks to the miraculous powers that be, they made it out of the city, sloshing through the muck of the city water towards the farther shore. Veera's route had taken longer, but it had given them a break from the murdering hordes that braved the necrophages, leaving them with, well, the necrophages.

Treasa winced as the water seeped around her wound, shaking off the annoyance of pain as she stepped onto the bank. They could make camp with the dopplers, but that might give most cause for worry, and they had the injuries of their own to contend with. Might as well let the witchers have some secrets. She helped guide the horse away from the burning, rotting city, and towards the grassy knolls by the forest. "Here?" She asked Alastar and the other witchers, sticking the bottom of her bow in the ground as she patted the horse's neck.

"Well you're a friendly fellow." She murmured, smiling softly. She had always had a soft spot for horses.

​

Ana opened her mouth to reply to Zephyr when the man in question burst into the tent. Her heart nearly stopped as he approached her, looking ever the same, besides a little more bedraggled. Before she could reply to him, he swept her up in his arms, hugging her tightly. Ana hugged him back, ignoring the protestations of her healing wounds as she pressed her face into his shoulder. The moment was over quickly as he pulled back. She hesitated before nodding in reply.

Something's different. She remembered vaguely the rage with which Vyle had come from the sky, tearing down the witch hunter in front of her. She remembered the look on his face, the touch of his hands on her own as she cried. She thought she had seen something in his eyes, something she had wished to be true, but....searching his face, she bit her lip. It wasn't there now. Maybe it had been a dream, a hallucinogen of her own wishes transferred to life by the nearness of her death.

"Zephyr saved me." She nodded towards the aforementioned mage with a small smile of thanks. "I'm sorry we couldn't stay. We were attacked by a woman. Someone adept at killing mages. Something drew her away...or I'm not sure if we would be here." She looked down at her shaking hands, clenching them to hide the lack of fingernails. A constant reminder until they healed, it seemed. "Are you alright?" She asked the vampire quietly.

​

Tessa settled down, waiting for Seth to lie next to her. When the mattress didn't move with his weight, she looked up, then sat up. What....Glancing around, she saw him on the ground next to her. Oh for the sake of the gods. She swung her legs out of the bed, stepping carefully over Seth as she dragged the blanket with her, draping it over him lying down next to him, her head resting on the same pillow.

"You won't leave me, and I won't leave you." She reminded Seth, grabbing the hand that wasn't wounded and entwining her fingers, silently marveling at how small her hands seemed compared to his. She scooted in closer until they were nearly touching, but not quite, and shut her eyes, a small smile on her face as she held their entwined hands in between them, resting on the pillow between their faces.

With Seth so close, knowing he would protect her, she finally fell into a peaceful sleep.

​

Zack was busy assigning watches when one of the healers from the infirmary came rushing up to him. As he listened to what she had to say, he could only swear silently, keeping all emotions off his face. The god's own joke. "Attend to Zephyr, if he allows it. Leave the v-leave the man and the woman, if she doesn't wish for help, we shall not force it upon her." He responded, patting the healer on the shoulder.

Turning back to the maps and scrolls, he sighed. He had one last thing to do, and it needed doing before the dark came. It was already afternoon, and so, collecting Rael and one other, he left one of the older dopplers in charge, instructions should things go wrong, and headed back for the city. There was someone he needed to say goodbye to.

 

Veceslav kept the side clear keeping the Ghouls off of Veera, he took a few additional wounds as he protected the flank of his younger scion. His legs in particular were getting a beating as the claws sunk into them. Along the way he stumbled a few times, almost falling over but getting up and going cutting down the necrophages. He was glad it was just ghouls and the odd alghoul for now. Rotfiends would be a pain to deal with, not to mention the smell. He noticed Veera wasn't doing too well, but there wasn't much he could do for her, right now except keep the Ghouls off her. The route Veera had chosen for them as he had instructed her to do, kept the fighting to only one opponent, necrophages and not dopplers and townsfolk still fighting amongst themselves as the monsters joined into the fray. Veceslav thought he could hear the sound of a fiddle carried on the wind, but he thought that the exhaustion was getting to him. As they exited the city however they came in the way he had and through some miracle Hawk was still there. He told the others he'd catch up to them as he stroked the animals neck, even hugging the animal. "I'm sorry for leaving you so long, buddy..." He whispered, he wouldn't ride the horse after he had caught up with the others again. He dismounted and walked with them towards the grassy knols where they decided to make camp. Atleast they were out of the city which was good. He let Hawk roam free, the animal generally stuck around the area when he let him asit began to nibble on some blades of the impossibly green grass. Veceslav however lay down and for once in a long time actually drifted off to sleep....


Alastar carved a bloody path for the others as they left the city. Ghouls and a few Alghouls all fell to his mighty axe and fists. Together with some back up of the other witchers of course that struck ghouls around him with crossbow bolts. His blood was coursing through his veins as he continued on his rampage. And he did get a few good hits in on himself but he ignored them as there were still more enemies to defeat. As they got out of the city, he eventually calmed down a bit and the wounds were starting to hurt as well. The Crow was supposedly good with Alchemy something he had been taught only a little about, he could get a basic Thunderbolt together and maybe a swallow but that was it, well and that special decoction for a boosted battle rage.

They had left the city, the water they had crossed was cold and as he didn't need to be up front anymore to carve a path he lagged behind and walked with Treasa who had been injured, that wound needed to be cleaned and bandaged, particularly because it had been necrophages that caused it. He himself couldn't get sick because of his witcher immunity, but she wasn't so lucky. "That was some good fighting you did, Treas, you should clean that wound though, preferably with some alcohol, necrophages and all." He said giving his neice a pat on the shoulder. "I'll leave you to it, done it plenty of times after all."

When she asked if they should make camp there he looked around, grassy knol, forest close by, city, necrophages and all that all the way over there. It was perfect, a home away from places that weren't his home. "Yeah, this is a nice spot, let's make camp here and let our new friends rest a bit, they seemed to have had a long day. And it's only just been noon." Alastar said as he let himself fall backwards on the soft green grass looking up at the friendly blue sky. "That was some nice fighting..." He said to no one in particular, had it been later on the day or perhaps colder he would have made a fire but that wouldn't be necessary. Then again he looked at the other witchers' armour. Not as nicely padded and warm as his own, but the sun was out and despite it being winter had some intensity. If they were cold he'd probably hear about it and he would make a proper fire, worthy of Mordor the heroes that had been gathered.​

 

​

Kruez followed behind Tatiana shortly after making the portal. As luck would have it, he had managed to take them back to Kaer, specifically the training ground. How he managed to get to a place he's never seen before, let alone step foot in prior to now was a mystery, but that was a question for another time. Kruez then shook his head at Tatiana question as he started to walk around. "Nope, looks like we're wandering around for the time being."

A solem look appeared on Sweallow's face as Terra explained the meaning behind the drawings. As he listened, he was slowly starting to understand just why she was so persistent on leaving despite her injuries. She had enough blood on her hands and didn't want there to be anymore. "It's quite alright, I should be the one apologizing. I had no idea no idea the meaning that the drawings held to you."

​

While Ana and the man had their talk, one of the healers approached him with the intention of looking at his wound. There was no reason for him to object, especially given how leaving it untreated would be problematic in the future. He gave the healer a quick nod as they went to remove the makeshift bandaged made from his torn shirt sleeve. There was a noticeable damp spot of blood from where the sleeve had been pressed against the wound, which fortunately stopped the bleeding at least.

 

So they wanted to bring him somewhere to rest. Very nice of them, that. He could almost believe it too, if they were merely some simple farmers with no further ulterior motives than the chance that he would do some work around a farm when he was better, but powerful people such as these would expect much, much more. That said, who was to say that what they had planned for him wouldn't be to his liking?
Evander decided to give it a chance. He stood up, unsteady for a brief moment but with a deep breath managed to stand firm. “A safe place, eh?” He barked out a short, mirthless laugh. Safe from what? “Well, lets go to this safe place then.” He waited for them to lead the way, not entirely comfortable with turning his back on them just yet. They could be absolute cowards waiting for just that. Improbable, they didn't look that sort, but he couldn't help being just a little paranoid. Just a little.



Ellyn dismounted from her horse, patting Oak and murmuring a command for him to stay. She looked up at Gordon and smiled at him reassuringly. “You can get down if you want, Oak will keep still, but stay close to him for now. I'll call you is I need you.”
With that she turned back around, and took a few more steps into the group of tents before calling out. “Corporal Ardal aep Skellan," she called out. She didn't know if he was in earshot, but somebody else would be, and would hopefully have the sense to go get the Corporal quickly. "If you wouldn't mind, I need a few words with you."

 

"Yeah, nice apart from the several hundred innocent people that got butchered in that mess. And my shoulder. That really put a downer on the whole affair." Derrick spoke with a tone of icy sarcasm. He followed suit with the other Witcher however, and lay down on the grass, unbuckling his swords and crossbow and laying them next to him so he could lie down comfortably. He closed his eyes and sighed, then looked into the sky. A clear sky, unmarred by rising columns of smoke. The only sounds were nature and his companions, a merciful break from the pained screaming of the past few hours. He didn't need to sleep, but he'd enjoy the chance to. However, that could wait. For now, he wanted to know a little about their new friends. "Thanks for saving our asses. Getting out of there would have been harder if you hadn't come along, damn ghouls... So who are you two anyway? I've never heard of you Bear, and certainly not your lady friend." Your lady friend who apparently hates my face or something.





"Well give us a bit to find the aforementioned safe place. We were headed to Novigrad. It's a big place with plenty of places to lay low. That, and we're looking for something there?" Adolin explained, somewhat briefly. "Any objections?" If this guy was a sorcerer, it was possible that he had an idea of where they might find someone with the required materials. And his skills could be helpful. Could someone so talented with making stone break it just as easily? Could his skills be used to destroy? It was possible.




The people of Pontarsfork continued with their day in blissful ignorance. Many people had already gathered water from the well before the hidden death had begun, but people sometimes used water to bathe and so went back to the well and collected their new poison. And so, in a couple of houses, the death of the village began with chills, and shivering.

Ellyn's shouting attracted attention of varying sorts. Curious soldiers in varying degrees of dress poked their heads out of tents, or looked up from around their cups and fires to see the woman that was shouting for the corporal in the Northern Tongue. None of them dared say anything, for they saw she was different. That she was special. It was best not to interfere with their business. However, she did manage to attract the man she was looking for. Corporal Ardal aep Skellan, in full uniform stepped out and approached her.
"Then let us have a few words. What is it you want from a humble corporal? I imagine you'd be better off going to the command tents my lady." He suggested politely. One didn't climb the ranks by being rude. Ardal aep Skellan did not want to be a corporal forever.
​

 

Olivia's pov:



Her medallion was vibrating more and more. There was only one thing to do and that was to check it out. She moved closer to town square and there seemed to be no Dopplers at all. She came across some ghouls some dead some not so dead. The sign of a resent battle among the damage. She could not be to far behind now. The only issue was getting past all of the ghouls. Shooting a few with her crossbow some of the ghouls dead on contact some injured. She had to think of something fast. She then shoot Igni into the sky like a flair, doing it in such a way to blind the ghouls. She had to get moving and so she did. She made her way out of town square as quickly as she could. She wondered if anyone would spot the fire flair in the sky. She then made her way to where her horse was at. It was a long track, but she made it there. Looking at the man the keep her horse the last couple of hours. "I would suggest that you get out of town and quick. I see that the town will be going down soon if it does not in a few hours." She then got on her horse making her way out of town as quickly as possible. After some time she looked up at the sky. The sky was clear and was nothing like the city's sky. She wondered who had fought off the ghouls in town square. It had to be more then one person. As far as she knew the only person that was in Oxenfurt. That brought the question who had fought the ghouls more to her mind. She was now out of town and ready to go home, not sure why she had came to the city in the first place. It was time to find Derrick.

 

​

Veera slipped off the horse and dropped onto the ground with a soft groan, tenderly stretching her leg out. She peeled her blood stained pants past her knee and grimaced at the sight that awaited her. The kneecap had swollen to twice its size and was discolored, a bruise forming around the edge. The wound itself was clotted, the blood sticking to the cloth of her clothing. Instead of treating it, she lay on her back and took a deep breath, squeezing her eyes shut. This was going to hurt.

"Let me help." The girl, Treasa, sat down beside her, her own injury as of yet untreated. "Here." She handed Veera a strip of cloth to bite on and grabbed the knee, bracing it between her hands.

"On the count of three?" Veera narrowed her eyes, and nodded, letting out a breath as she relaxed for a moment.

"One." Treasa wrenched and Veera's scream tore from her throat, muffled by the cloth. She lay back, sweat making the blood stick to her skin as she waited for the pain to become bearable again.

​

Treasa watched Veera for a moment before turning to her own leg. She glanced at Derrick, green eyes glinting in the sun. "The lady friend's name is Treasa, in case you didn't catch the bear of a man shouting it earlier." She jerked her head in her uncle's direction as she rolled her pant leg up, exposing the raw wound. "That's my uncle Alastar, Bear Witcher."

She hissed as she prodded at the injury before grabbing a flask sitting next to her. With the witcher's immunity, she hadn't offered any to Veera. Not to be stingy, but with an injury from a necrophage, she needed all the help she could get. Pulling out the stopper, she breathed slowly, then dumped the clear but strong smelling liquid on her leg, gritting her teeth.

"I can't imagine anyone's heard of me. I'm not a witcher, nor particularly powerful. And I haven't slept with most of the women on this side of Skellige." Grabbing one of the arrow heads, she counted to three in her head, then began to use the shaft to cut away the top layer of shredded skin, avoiding as much muscle as she could. It hurt, but she bore the pain well enough. She had suffered worse.

The wound began to bleed anew, and she poured the rest of the flask over the injury before grabbing a second scrap of cloth and pressing it against the wound, waiting for the blood to clot. "I can't imagine there's anything either of us can offer you, conversationally, that would make us more interesting." She finished her reply to Derrick, watching out of corner of her eye for her uncle. He hadn't disappeared on her before, but it never hurt to be careful.

​

Zack wiped his forehead before moving onwards. It was bloody work, moving through the city. The necrophages were out in full force, and Zack got to see the damage that the battle had done to the city. What bodies were left were being devoured by ghouls and alghouls while looters tried their luck at stealing what they could. Compared to the pandemonium earlier, it was nearly dead silent.

The thought of what happened to the creators of those battle cries earlier made Zack shudder. He quickened his pace, his bodyguards following as they made their way through the streets. All too soon, they arrived at the church. It still burned strong; likely the embers would smolder for months. Zack looked up towards the spire, unable to see the body atop it from this position. Likely the spire would be the only part of the church to remain, the stone column cracked from the heat of the fire but still strong. Just like our spirit. He thought back to the people that awaited his return to the camp, and sighed. He had let them down. This was not how this was supposed to have happened.

"Go see if there are survivors before they are given a worse fate by the ghouls. I will remain here." The two dopplers looked at him, but Rael nodded, his eyes sad as he turned away. He understood. It had taken some time, but he had accepted the truth, and he would grieve Fiel and her poor decisions, and move on. At least, Zack hoped he would.

He waited until they were gone, out of sight, before turning back to the church. A pyre, as it was. "All you ever wanted." Zack cleared his throat, feeling his eyes ache.

"I didn't realize what giving this power to you would do. I thought I understood how downtrodden you felt, how small and insignificant. I thought you could move past personal vendettas, past what the witchers had done. This was supposed to have been peaceful. I wanted to meet the witcher, with our numbers, to show her that we weren't all monsters. That we are people too. And you-" He cut himself off, rubbing a hand over his face wearily.

"I should have known. Gods save me but I should have known. After what you did to Tessa, I think I realized, but I didn't want to. I didn't want to think you could have done something like that to her. I wanted to wrap my hands around your neck myself. She almost died, and you...you didn't think. You were supposed to send her away, not shove her through death's door."

His emotion caused his voice to crack, and he paused, clearing his throat again. "I realize now, she is gone. Part of my punishment for my sin, for allowing you to do...this," He swept his hand back, over the destroyed city. "I'll likely never see her again, never stand at her wedding or watch her children grow up. Never know her fate. I have to stay here, and rebuild. Retake what was once ours, and what will be, but this time, do it right."

He let his form shift for a moment in the one that was far more comfortable, like a fitted glove on his skin.

​

"Ironic that even though you've died, so has this face, this name." The real Bryce stared into the fires that still burned in the center of the church, some of the beams on the roof yet left untouched. "For the rest of my life, I will have to wear your face, use your name." Silent tears made their way through the sweat and blood on his face. "No more fitting of a punishment could there be invented."

"I won't let what you did ruin us. We may fall down, we may stumble, but we will get back up, and I will fight until my last breath to make a safe place for us. Something you couldn't see far enough ahead to do."

As his form slowly shifted, amber eyes looked for the last time into the sky. "You always said you wouldn't be significant. You proved us both wrong, but at what cost?"

​

Zack turned, rolling his shoulders as he slowly adjusted to his form; his new form. "Goodbye, Zack." He whispered, his back to the flames as he walked away, towards Rael and the other doppler, towards the people that counted on him, and towards the uncertainty of the future. His mind went back to the last time he had seen Zack.

"Bryce!" The doppler with such distinctive color ran up, gasping and out of breath. "Bryce we can't find Tessa! I think the witchers took her!"

"Calm down." He felt a thrum of fear at the thought, but pushed it away. "Tell me what's happened."

"Tessa just disappeared! Seth went one way and I went this way and we just can't find her! Damn those witchers!" Zack had tears in his eyes, rage twisting his face.

"Zack, we'll look for her together. It's possible if they've taken her, they know who I am and are doing it to target me." He grabbed Zack's shoulders, holding him firm. "I need you to help me. It's the only way to ensure our future."

If only he had known. When he had searched the city as Zack, and come up empty handed, he had returned to the spot where he and Zack were supposed to meet, and exchange information before changing back to their original forms. One hour passed, then two, and Zack hadn't showed. Bryce began to worry, and started searching the city for the younger doppler. What if he had been right? what if Zack was lying dead in a gutter somewhere because of him?

It became all too apparent what had happened, but Zack couldn't bring himself to believe it, right up until he watched Zack, masquerading as himself, selling mages to the witch hunters. And judging from their conversation, he had been doing this for far too long. "I played right into his hands." When Zack had run into Tessa, he had been so overwhelmed by relief at her safety that he hadn't had time to warn her, to tell her. His emotions had taken over his mind, and she had nearly paid the ultimate price. Watching her bleed on the street, thinking he had done that to her, nearly destroyed Bryce. He could only watch Seth comfort her, feeling unworthy of even standing there. To this day, and for the rest of her days, she would think it was him that did this to her. "If the punishment fits." He whispered to himself as Seth took her

Zack and the dopplers made it back to their camp without any more interruptions or delays. He made a decision, then and there, and knelt on the grass, scribbling out a letter.

Quickly addressing it, he gave it to a female doppler. She looked at him, listened intently to his instructions, and then took one of the horses salvaged from the city and left for Novigrad. The letter had a single name written on the envelope, and as he watched her leave, he felt all of his hope go with her. One last chance to make right the damage that had been done, and he blinked away the tears before turning back to the people that watched him.

"Let's get these tents finished."

 

​

Vyle held her arms lightly as they talked "Well I suppose someone other than me needs to save you sometimes" a smile flickered across his face "I swear, you're a drama magnet" Vyle's eyes narrowed at the mention of the assassin woman "Willow?" he breathed with disdain "I should have known she'd get involved in this mess. I should have killed her when I had the chance" turning back to Ana he gazed into her eyes with an expression of loyalty and determination. He wanted to say something... no... now wasn't the time "Yes I'm fine. And we should stay here temporarily, I trust these dopplers, they're not like the ones who followed Bryce"

"I'm not getting distracted, I have no idea where she's gone and I can't know until your little birds tell me" she told the hooded figure, as she watched the other dopplers wander around Sanctuary. They were the ones who followed Bryce, and still followed his legacy. They had wanted her to be their leader since she'd fought for them so valiently during the battle and staged the multiple-Bryce trick. But she couldn't, she didn't know the first thing about leading. They did though. The hooded figure. They ruled everything from the shadows. They spoke to her some more, in a hushed whisper "Hmm? Witch Hunters? You want me to go to Witch Hunters for help?" Willow exclaimed with surprise. the hooded figure whispered some more "Oh. I see. Very well. Crow's Perch, right? I'll get going once I've gathered my supplies" Willow stated, as the hooded figure skulked away like a shadow. She still had no idea who they were. Human, mage, doppler, hell they could be a werewolf for all she knew. With one last glance to the remainder of Bryce's army, she skipped away.

Later, she sat by the road with a bag of supplies and wearing a purple cloak, embroidered in gold, that she'd found on a dead nobleman of the city. She wore the guise of a noblewoman. In her experience, people were much more likely to offer you a lift if you looked like you could pay for it.

​

"So, you didn't go through with it" Sylvi casually muttered to Bramwell
"I told you already, I don't care what the king says, I'm not assisting in the massacre of innocent people" Bramwell responded through gritted teeth. He was too moral for his own good. The carriages trotted at a leisurely pace along the winding road away from Oxenfurt, the two mages sat in the front one, some of the king's men followed.
"Sure. Well it all ended well anyway didn't it?" Sylvi stated
"The city of Oxenfurt is gone" Bramwell rounded on Sylvi angrily, fury evident in his expression "And everyone in it is dead" Sylvi shifted away from him awkwardly
"Okay, okay, calm down" she resumed looking out of the window
"Hello there!" A voice greeted. A strange woman was running alongside the carriage "Can I come in?"
"There's a noblewoman outside" Sylvi stated with disinterest. Bramwell opened the door for her "What are you doing?" Sylvi exclaimed
"Being polite. Hello there dear lady, do come in!" the strange woman hopped aboard with her bags and sat back in the carriage, next to Bramwell and opposite Sylvi
"Ah! Thank you. You have no idea how terrible everything's been! The city was ransacked! None of the townspeople got out alive!" the woman stated
"You mean, except you"
"And how fortunate!" Bramwell couldn't go anywhere without trying to court the ladies. "Do tell us of your escape!"
"Yes yes, of course. I got out, barely. Anyhow, I can't bring myself to recount those terrible events. Where is the carriage headed?"
"Crow's Perch, but of course you wouldn't want to come along with us, we're dealing with a very dangerous man!"
"Perfect!... I mean... well... I might as well come along with you, I have nowhere else to go!" Sylvi was suspicious of the strange woman, especially since she caught a glimpse of a blade among the bags
"And your name?" she asked. The woman smiled
"Sara"

Meanwhile, Violet was scouting the grounds of the palace. Witch Hunters or dopplers could be anywhere, and she protected her king with righteous fervour. Eventually, she started as she came across a young girl outside the palace. With a gesture, she summoned spikes of rock to surround the girl and stop her escaping. She took no risks. With morningstar and shield in hand, she approached the girl
"And who might you be?"

 

Novigrad. Evander didn't really want to go back there. That said, he didn't really want to go anywhere, and he certainly didn't want to stay where he was. So where the fuck did he want to go? His own question made him feel lost and helpless. He didn't know. Fuck it, he told himself dismissively, it doesn't matter. Just stop caring.
He looked at Adolin. "No objections. Novigrad's a shithole, but then everywhere's a shithole nowadays. Lead the way."

You can just assume Evander is following along now Al, if you want to get to wherever it is their going.


Pleased by the corporal's prompt appearance, Ellyn gave the man a small smile. "The command tents can not give me what I want quite as quickly as you will," she told him. "There is a local girl called Matilda somewhere in this camp, and I have reason to believe that you will know of her. I want to see her, right away if possible. It's important."

 

Alastar turned his head and glanced over to Derrick who was complaining about his shoulder. "Well it is what it is, as for your shoulder, if that's the worst, be glad you ain't part of the untold number of dead folk." Alastar said, turning his eyes back to the blue sky above. What had even happened in that city he didn't know but clearly lots of death judging by the amount of necrophages they had to carve through. He didn't look when he heard Veera scream, she had a nasty wound that needed to be taken care off.

Treasa already answered the question as to who they were and he let her have the word. "Indeed, Alastar Farrell, Bear School Witcher." He chimed in as his neice introduced him. He plucked a blade of grass and put it in the corner of his mouth as he lay his head back down on his two hands. "Not really a remarkable witcher, just walking the path." Alastar added.

Well there was the curious fact that as a witcher he had a girl following him about everywhere backing him up. And not just any girl, but blood related as well. He wasn't that remarkable a witcher, except maybe his lack of tact and if Derrick hadn't run into any others like himself his different set of weapons than the fancy swords. He pushed himself up and looked at the sleeping form of the Crow, must have been one helluva fight with the old man sleeping already. He had never thought that if he'd run into the legend the man would be sleeping.

Treasa was taking care of her wound and he didn't say a word about it. His own face was hurting still and while he couldn't see it there were several streaks of blood on it. He figured he should get that sorted out. Treasa looked at him to make sure he hadn't disappeared on her. He hadn't done so before and didn't intend to make today the exception to the rule. He took a piece of cloth, made it wet with some water and cleaned away the blood as well as he could without being able to look at his own reflection. "Treas, do I look presentable like this?" He asked with a smirk on his face, trusting his neice's judgement.

Over in Novigrad, completely unaware of the chaos, death and despair of Oxenfurt, sat Sigmund, having finished his meal he had gone back inside and went to his library, rather quietly, because he didn't hear a thing from the guestroom. No talking or anything. Within his library he took out a piece of parchment and wrote a letter to the Rivera's requesting them to come over, that there were guests with injuries that needed to be looked at and while he could do it himself he wasn't exactly an expert and rather left it to them. When he was done he immediatly sent one of his servants to deliver the letter. Sigmund had a moment of peace as he sat in his chair thinking, the lad had done wrong, hurt someone for a twisted reason. And well perhaps he had been too hasty about it all, but there would be punishment, this action could not go unpunished. He had to realise that and Sigmund guessed he did, but the girl on the other hand seemed to not fully understand, which would cause issues, but no matter this had to happen.​

 

​

Veera propped herself up on a nearby rock, shutting her eyes as she let her head fall sideways on her shoulder. "I'll take third watch." she murmured before falling into a deep sleep, troubled by faded pictures and blurry faces that had no meaning to her, but tugged at her like a lost child.

​

Alastar turned his blood streaked face to her, asking if it was socially appropriate. She sighed, motioning towards his beard. "You might as well go clean it out in the stream." She commented. Checking the cloth pressed against her wound, she reapplied the pressure. Veera and Veceslav were asleep, leaving only herself and Derrick awake with her uncle. He hadn't yet responded to her comment, and she sighed. Maybe she was being a bit hard on him, after all she had only heard stories. It wasn't unheard of for women to claim to have slept with a witcher for the status or the attention.

It had even happened to Uncle Alastar a few times, although she kind of doubted he would turn down that last woman....

"I'll take first watch." She offered to the witchers, before pointing at her uncle with her free hand. "You. River. Clean. We don't need the next passersby to think you ate a bear or something."

​

Teliana smiled softly. "Once I get my strength back, I'll be able to save myself." She lowered her eyes to where Vyle's fingers brushed against her arms. "What about your witcher friends? Could we not stay with them?" The fear that had momentarily calmed began to rise again. She wanted to be behind walls, several layers of walls, as far away from Milosh as she could be. He could still be in the city for all they knew.

Vyle couldn't stay with her forever, every moment of every day, and when he left, what if Milosh struck again? What if he continued what he started? Her breath hitched at the thought of being strapped down to that cold table once more, and she shut her eyes, trying to keep the recent memories from invading. "I was going to ask if we could have Zephyr accompany us, as thanks." She murmured, keeping her eyes shut as she spoke. "He needs to be taught how to defend himself....if they come back..."

When they come back.

Suddenly the walls felt as though they were closing in around her. What if I'm dreaming? What if I'm still strapped to that table? She took Vyle's hands in hers, squeezing them gently. No, this has to be real. It has to be.

"I don't want to be trapped there again." She said to Vyle, looking up at him. "I don't want anyone to have to be trapped there again."

 

"Damn, you don't waste time getting to know people before the accusations start flying." Derrick commented, still looking up at the sky. He smirked to himself. "And I wouldn't have thought you'd have been famous for sleeping with the women this side of Skellige. I would have thought it was the men." If she wanted to play the b*tchy attitude then she would receive the same in kind. It was kind of annoying that she was already taking shots. He hadn't even tried to flirt with her yet! She could have at least waited until she had some justification! It was kinda true, but that wasn't the point. It was a matter of principle.
"Anyway, by the sounds of it you're right. Unless you feel like abusing your new friends more." He finished pointedly.




"Very well. Novigrad it is." Adolin stated, and he led them towards the city nearby. They would arrive at the gates of the city in a little while. He considered their next move. They'd find somewhere to eat, then try to get a little more out of the sorcerer and perhaps slightly introduce him to their plans. He had no fondness for Witchers eh? Interesting...



"You're looking for Matilda?" The corporal raised an eyebrow and looked at the man on the horse behind her. He looked like another Northerner, whereas the lady had a more Southern touch. More from his part of the world. Interesting. Looking at the boy's face, he noticed similarities. "She didn't think any of you would really come look for her. Come off your horse, and follow me." When they dismounted, the Corporal beckoned for them to enter a nearby tent. The tent was larger than the others, signalling that it was probably his. Inside, there was a pair of pillows and a large blanket, inside which there was a young woman resting.
"Matilda!" Gordon exclaimed. The girl stirred and looked over to them, revealing bruising and a large cut on her face.
"Gordon?" She murmured. Her eyes flicked over to Ardal. "Hey, Ardal. Why are they here...?" ​

 

Alastar snorted at Derrick's remark, he had it coming though with all the stories and rumours. And while rumours and gossip weren't the most trustworthy of sources there always was a bit of truth in there somewhere. Then again he had a few run-ins with women who claimed he had slept with them, some from the time before Treasa went along with him. Some when she was there, which gave him an alibi that he conveniently called upon. Then again that last woman he wouldn't have minded it too much if the rumour had been truth.

When Treasa told him to go to the river and wash his face because she didn't want people to think he had eaten a bear. "I only had an argument with a bear, she didn't like the way I adressed her cubs and that's how I got these scars." He said, bursting out into laughter. He then went to a small stream that he ran into before he reached the river and thoroughly rinsed his face and washed out his beard. He then trotted back to where the others were and sat down near the Crow who was currently off in dreamland, not a place many witchers could say they had been to. He himself couldn't recall the last time he had slept.

Had he been a more alchemy oriented Witcher now would be the time he'd brew his potions but he wasn't so he inspected his weaponry, which needed to be in top condition. "Say Derrick, ever considered trading those little toothpicks of yours in for some real steel?" The Bear School witcher asked refering to the Witcher's swords. I mean seriously how were you supposed to fight Arachasae with those things? Axes were a helluva lot better for cleaving those ugly bastards apart. He glanced over to Treasa who seemed to be doing alright for now and if anything did pop up he knew she'd come to him to talk about it.

Sigmund spent some more time in his library working on some research when there was a knock on the door. It had been one of his servants telling him that Matilda had come and not just that but that little Gregory was there with her. He went downstairs to meet them "Good day, Matilda, Gregory, good to see you and thank you for coming so fast, please come on in, the guests are upstairs, I am suspecting they are asleep. They have made a long journey." The old mage explained. "How have you been?" He looked at young Gregory, he hadn't seen the young boy often and it had been a while, since he had seen him. "You have grown up, young man, you'll grow up to be as big as your brother one day." He shut the door behind them and lead them towards the living room. "As I said, they're probably asleep, is there anything I can get you in the mean time?" He asked the Riveras if there wasn't he would go check upstairs and see if they were awake or not. ​

 

​

"The witchers? I suppose. And the mage can come along but... Ana... Ana... are you okay?" Vyle asked with worry. She was troubled, he could see that much. Those witch hunters... how badly had they treated her? She looked out of it, was she even able to tell what was real anymore? "Stay with me, you won't be trapped there again, we're out. This is real" Vyle insisted. how could he convince her? Hesitantly he looked around the tent, making sure they were alone, closed his eyes, and pressed his lips to hers. Oh gods what am I doing this is going way too far. But he had to prove to Ana that this was the real world, and this was the only way he could think to do it. As he pulled away he tried to keep a tight expression, though an uncomfortable smile tried to slip onto his face. "Convinced?"

Violet sighed, so this was the king's new little princess. Violet removed the stalagmites and walked closer, placing her shield on her back but keeping the morningstar out warily. You could never be too careful "I see. Come with me. I'm taking you back into the palace. The king won't be happy" he gestured for the girl to follow and they walked around the grounds towards another entrance.

 

"You raise a good point Alastar, but I'm more about being quick. Those things look a little heavier and I'm not too fond of the top heavy balance, and I tend to favour a precision based approach to those things." Derrick replied, sitting up and looking at Alastar. Almost as if reminded by him, he took his blades out and a whetstone as well as some oil and began to clean and resharpen the weapons. Derrick scowled at the sight of his silver blade. Sadly, having to parry had worn the silver edges of the blade down on the one side. He'd make sure to use the other side and get it fixed up at the nearest blacksmith. Thinking about it, once his shoulder had recovered he was going to head to Novigrad and seek employment under King Archon. That reminded him, he still had to help Tatiana out... But he had no idea where she was. He could only hope that she made it out alive. Hopefully one of them did. The memory of Aaron's head being held up by that psychopath Bryce echoed in his mind. He quickly changed his mind back to the subject at hand. Best not to think about all that.
"That, and swords are stylish. When people think style, and rank, they think swords. It's all part of the Derrick of Kaedwen brand." Derrick continued. His eyes flicked over to Treasa, then back to Alastar. "Besides, most women think swords are cool." The last part was partly as a joke, but knowing the girl who had recently joined their party, she'd probably think that he was serious. That reminded him.
"Wait, Olivia was meant to be in Oxenfurt as well. Where is she?" ​

 

​

​

Ana went still with shock when Vyle kissed her. Absolutely still, as though one small breath would cause the moment to shatter. Her hands instinctively went to his chest as he pulled away, but she found she couldn't respond to his question, her lips parted slightly as she stared up at him. Time seemed to slow as her mind struggled to process. But he didn't....he never....."Do you..." She removed one of her hands from Vyle to press them to her lips, hesitantly.

Some part of the old Teliana, the one that had withered the moment she had entered Milosh's room, opened up a little at the affection. Don't question it. If this is a dream, do you really want to ruin it?

No. Ana moved cautiously, winding her arms around Vyle's waist. Confidence would only take her so far, and she stopped herself before she pushed the limits. "I could have used that earlier." She whispered, resting her forehead on his chest. Could have used you a lot earlier.
"Don't let me go." the words were said so quietly, she wasn't even sure they had left her lips. But she meant them.

​

Treasa flipped off Derrick when he wasn't looking, just for being a jerk. I didn't realize we were "friends". She let Alastar and Derrick talk while she sorted out her injury, binding it with the remaining cloth before pulling her quiver to her lap and going through her supply of arrows. She was short a good twenty, if not more. By her count, she would probably be short more before she had time to stop at an actual armorers. Sighing, she got to her feet, testing out the strength of her leg before turning, just in time to catch the end of Derrick's sentence.

"Those women clearly didn't have standards." she replied, hoisting the quiver onto her shoulder. "And we didn't happen upon any other witchers. Alive, anyway." She started walking past her uncle, then paused, resting a hand on his shoulder. "I've got to collect wood." She murmured. Her eyes remained on his face for a moment, before she turned and began walking towards the river. She wouldn't go out of sight, never had and probably never would, but she didn't feel the need to be babysat every time she went for a short walk.

"I'll be back shortly. Perhaps I'll find your friend along the way." She called back to Derrick, waving in a gesture that showed far more confidence then she felt.