The Witcher: Elder Blood

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***

Once again we had to visit Ard Carraig, walking along the wide and long bridge, gazing up at the tall green spires of the majestic palace. Our first and last stop in our trading endeavours, if that's what you could call trying to become wandering wizard traders.

I managed to get to know the city well in a few visits: I learnt about the best taverns; I found the best marketplaces available to independent traders; I visited all the local attractions, of which there were few.

In Ard Carraig, I often came across elves, much more often than in the western cities, which was not surprising - the main population of elves had been on the eastern part of the continent when humans had appeared in this world and started to take over the territories. The city was one of those where redmen and elves could walk freely in any neighbourhood without attracting the attention of the guards. A strong contrast against the backdrop of Vyzima. Such a stark difference is highly conspicuous given our speed of travel. Where others spend weeks travelling from one major city to the next, it took us no more than a couple of days, but only from the second detour along the route I'd drawn up. All thanks to the portals.

We entered the city with only one cart and two horses. The second cart and the other horses were sold on the way, while visiting other towns and large villages. Only the most valuable items were left to sell, well, and the remaining cart and horses. We tried to get it done as soon as possible, not caring about the money we might lose because of the rush. Detmold took it upon himself to market the horse cart, and I in turn sold off the goods themselves. Even with the 'speeding up' - not a quick business, I had to stay in town for two days, which in any case was much less than we had been delayed before.

To begin with, I ran through the merchants and nobles I knew to offer them the most expensive items, and then I offered them to everyone, at the same time setting up in the trading area.

And once we were done, Detmold bid us farewell and headed off to his hometown. At this point I was pretty exhausted from constantly moving around the city and selling goods, so Galantea and I decided to stay until the next morning before travelling to Vengerberg via portal. The paid room in the tavern also played a role.

- So,' Galanthea took the floor, savouring her portion of stewed potatoes and meat. - Wengerberg it is.

- Yes, I'll put all the money in the local bank, - actually there wasn't much money, I tried to change it for gems and gold, otherwise I was tired of carrying bags with coins of different kingdoms. - I'll learn alchemy from Yennifer, and then I'll think about further matters.... Are you sure? - I got a questioning look. - Sit with me in Wengerberg?

- What's the difference, I don't care what town I play in. Drunken revelers everywhere will flip a coin to a skilful bard. But you must take me with you if you're going on an exciting journey! - she exclaimed with exaggerated cheerfulness at the end.

- An exciting journey... - dipped the phrase on his tongue, looking at the smiling girl. - You know, if there is such a thing - definitely.

From the moment of my training at the academy, I noticed one peculiarity in myself, not immediately obvious: before I had a pain in the arse, I always wanted to try everything, to visit different places, to have as much time as possible.... And once I learnt magic, once I realised that with it I could live many times longer, or even become immortal, depending on luck and skill, I stopped rushing. Though, considering the speed with which we were travelling around the cities with goods, I'm not quite sure about it. Maybe it's the new world and learning magic itself that's affecting me. Sword practice is also exhausting. It's hard to say for sure, you have to get bored first, not just tired.

I'm still adventurous, though, and I still want to see the same dragon. To fight some strong monster, hmm, the same dragon. I would like to develop my skills in magic to the heights to learn to fly or at least hover in slow motion, and then jump off a cliff and feel like a bird, watching the ground without any extra tricks with equipment. Maybe make myself a hang glider? No, I'd just get killed. I still have a sense of conservation.

- What's on your mind? - Galantea, who had finished her dinner and was lazily stealing one bite from mine, took me out of my thoughts.

- About the future, about aspirations and other nonsense ...

My attention was caught by a man entering the tavern. He was wearing a dark cloak with a hood that hid part of his face from view. He looked familiar to me, helped by the wolf amulet, and when I shifted the hood a little to look around, I recognised him as Vesemir.

- ... I'll be right there, wait at the table,' he informed Galanthea, before heading towards the witch.

Vesemir looked tired, and clearly wanted to be satiated, not just take a break in one of the rooms on the first floor of the tavern. As I approached, he stopped, turning in my direction, and then opened his eyes slightly in surprise, remembering me immediately.

- It's been a long time, Vesemir. Come to our table.

- Eren,' he nodded in greeting. - I see you've finished your training,' Vesemir looked at my Ban Ard Academy graduation outfit, which I had no intention of changing. The constant monitoring of my clothes and a couple of useful charms kept them from spoiling.

- It's been a long time since I finished, but I'll tell you about it at dinner, it's my treat. Meet the girl who's waiting for us. - Galanthea is the bard who has been travelling with me since I graduated from the academy. - And this is Vesemir, the witch who taught me how to fight with a sword and a few witch signs.

- Eren told me about his time in your fortress,' she smiled sweetly.

- I'm sure he left out a lot of things, especially the bad training,' Vesemir grinned back, sitting down across from us.

The witcher did not refuse my offer, so he ordered enough food and Kaedwen stout from the waitress. I also decided to get myself one mug of dark beer and some snacks for company.

During the course of our conversation, we had time to recount briefly what had happened to us recently, since we had parted ways on the Kaedwen road. Unlike me, the witcher had a lot more stories to tell, though they mostly revolved around orders for monsters, which didn't make them any less interesting to listen to. Vesemir had just returned from one of those orders - he had just received his payment and went to the tavern for a rest.

- Who were you hunting this time? - I asked him.

- Volkolak... - Vesemir took a sip from his mug, diving into the memories of the previous day. - Some unlucky bloke was cursed in a village nearby, only half a day's ride away. Volkolaks sometimes retain their minds, but this one had succumbed completely to the beast. One of the easier jobs, really: tracked down his hideout in the morning, got ready and came back while he slept; got me once, the bastard, but otherwise he was fine. He wasn't smart, or he hadn't learnt yet - he didn't keep the wolves under control, so it would have been harder.

- I've heard from someone that these beasts are a mixture of man and wolf,' Galanthea added.

- Hmm, there's not much of a human left, but there's something there. Many monsters are humanoid.... So what do you plan to do, Eren?

- I haven't decided yet, well, speaking of long term plans, but I know a sorceress in Wengerberg, I'm thinking of learning alchemy from her. I didn't pay much attention to potions and elixirs at the academy, and I didn't have time for it.

Before going to bed, we had time to talk about the differences in the kingdoms of the Continent and the possibility of visiting Caer Morhen. Vesemir didn't mind at all if I ever visited the fortress. Also, since I didn't like to be in debt to anyone, even if it wasn't exactly true, I decided to give Vesemir a couple of rubies to pay for the horse he was giving me. The Witcher didn't refuse, of course, but he said it wasn't necessary.

The next morning we said goodbye to the witch doctor. He travelled further towards Caer Morhen before wintering, and we went through the portal, moving near Wengerberg.

I only had two pouches with me, not counting my belt pouches. One held books and writing supplies, the other all my tools. Galantea also carried coins in her belt pouch, and she had a lute strapped to her back.

- Well, it's time to devote my time to development,' I said, walking towards the city.

- Developing what?

- Mm, my wizarding skills, as an example,' I answered Galanthea.

- As if you haven't learnt anything before...' I interrupt her, taking out my bags. - I interrupt her, taking out an office book from my bag and shaking it in front of Galantea's face.

- Not as much as I'd like. It's taking too long to get this book done, and just as long to talk and look for.... I throw the book on the ground and use a burning spell on it. - Come on, there's still a lot to do. First to the bank, then to Jennyfer's... or first to find a place to settle down... we'll decide on the way.

To the mocking snort of my companion, who had picked up her lute to brighten another journey, we set off into town.