On the outskirts of kingdoms we found plentiful work. Squabbles and sometimes outright refusal regarding payment quickly became integrated into my life. Amidst those who would betray their promise of payment, there were still a few that handed over the coin without quarrel. Identifying those that would refuse to pay soon became easy. The naivety I initially held was stripped away by the greed and malice we encountered. Darkness corrupted the hearts of farmers and lords alike.
A year had passed since we departed from Troben. The edge of my blade had tasted enough blood to fill a lake. Some of it belonged to the monsters that I had slain. Some of it belonged to humans who had wished me ill. Vessemir had taught us not to raise our swords to the common folk. Their ignorance and hatred was by design of their masters, they did not deserve to die for the lies they had been fed. The bandits and thieves that sought our horses and coin did not deserve the same kindness. Their bodies would be left to the wolves. Their death was as cruel and bloody as the lives they had lead.
"There's ladies in the city who'll cure all your woes little bird. For a few coin you can lay as blissfully as a babe. You've got coin coming out of your pockets, why not lighten the load ey'?" Radkin remarked with a lustful grin.
"I'll save my coin." I replied.
Radkin snorted. His legs pressed into Lingon's sides. The horse knew the command immediately and broke into a gallop. Without looking back Radkin called out, "You clutch the strings of your purse as if it might grow legs and run away, it doesn't suit someone so young. You remind me more and more of that old man Vessemir every day."
Anna's hooves pounded against the earth. It took only a few seconds to draw in line with Radkin once more.
The wind whipped at my ears, throwing my hood back and causing my hair to dance like snakes. My body was pressed close against Anna's neck. I shouted out over the howl of the wind, "A hundred and twenty two oren you owe me Radkin, if my purse strings weren't so tight you'd have no one to borrow from. I only lend it to you because I fear you'll throw a tantrum when the wine runs out."
Radkin took no insult from my words. With a smile that showed all his teeth he called back, "Perhaps a race little bird, winner buys wine for a week?"
"You're the only one who drinks the stuff! You're a cheat Radkin and a bad one at that. I want a room in the finest inn in Begar, meals delivered to my door every day and a bath to soak in." I revised the wager's terms.
Even with my presence detracting a portion of his pay, Radkin's income was enough to make him a wealthy man. Sadly the coin was destined to leave his purse just as quickly as it entered. Slaying monsters required preparation. And preparation had a high price.
Not all blows could be evaded, some inevitably landed. Armour could block an otherwise fatal strike, but it was costly to repair. Human blacksmiths rarely offered a fair price for mutant scum. Dwarves were far superior craftsman, but they were rarely found outside of large cities or their own kingdom. Maintaining and repairing two swords also came with an exorbitant cost, there were far too many monsters with skin thick enough to chip steel. Replating silver was not cheap.
The only thing Radkin didn't hesitate to slap down fistfuls of coin for was wine. His eyes lit up at the mention or a rare vintage or exotic liquor. His expenditure on alcohol was staggering, it accounted for almost half his spending.
"Aye so you want to make it more interesting, that's rare for an old fogey like you! Fine, I agree. But you're paying for my companions' drinks too." Radkin yelled back.
Lingon, his horse, surged forwards suddenly. The race began without a countdown. I was far too familiar with Radkin's tricks to fool for one so simple. Without need for prompting, Anna tore after them. Radkin held the advantage for barely longer than a few seconds.
The two horses charged across the plains. Their hooves struck the earth like claps of thunder and their manes billowed in the wind as they galloped. I could feel Anna's joy as she did what her body had been born to do. Her excited spirit was infectious.
"Ya!" I yelled, urging her on faster. I was smaller than Radkin, his size ill-suited to our competion. Gradually Anna began to put distance between herself and Lingon. The wind swallowed Radkin's cries of anger. Imagining his scowl and bulging temples brought a smile to my face.
The finish line drew closer. An ancient oak that had likely stood for centuries. It towered over the landscape like a wooden giant. Its crown was filled with resting birds. All at once they flapped their wings and took to the skies as they heard the sound of hooves thundering against the earth. In the sky high above they flew in chaotic overlapping circles.
I pulled on Anna's reins. Her breaths were fast and heavy, but her eyes shone with delight. With a triumphant whinny she slowed to a halt, turning to face the approaching pair.
I made no effort to hide my smirk, "Fast for an old fogey ey'?"
Radkin glared at me menacingly. Thousands of lives had met their end at his sword. His murderous spirit could scare away wolves and lynxes. Against me it had no effect, if anything it delighted me more.
I rubbed Anna's shoulders and fed her an apple from my bag. She ate it happily. I would reward her further when we reached our destination. I looked forwards to laying in a warm bath. Knowing that it was not my coin spent to heat the water would make the experience even more pleasurable.
We rode in silence for a time. Radkin kept himself occupied muttering curses under his breath and counting the coin in his purse. After swallowing the bitter pill of losing, Radkin finally spoke once more, "We're almost there."
His words rang true within the minute. In the distance I glimpsed a castle carved out from the mountains. The land at its base was dense with crops. Ears of wheat swayed in the breeze.
"Lady Farington, a baroness. This place is her fiefdom. Rumour has it that she's got a heart of gold, charges a pittance for tax compared to most places."
Radkin led his horse closer. Though his ears could pick up a man's footsteps from hundreds of paces away, he still looked left and right as if checking that no one was eavesdropping on us. With a sly smile he whispered, "They say she's quite a looker too. Maybe she'll invite the young witcher to her chambers to discuss a different kind of contract."
I scoffed and urged Anna to move away from the lecherous influence, "Only if her desires haven't been snuffed like candlelight after meeting you."
The path into the city bordered miles of fields. Farmers paused their work and eyed us warily as we passed. Though both Radkin and I rode with our hoods down, exposing our amber eyes to the light, their gazes did not contain the usual loathing that the common folk held for our kind. The small but significant detail piqued my attention.
The city gates were awash with activity. Caravans piled high with goods and long but orderly lines of people waited to be permitted entrance into the city. Radkin and I dismounted from our horses and joined the back of a queue. After an hour's wait our turn came.
The guard looked us both up and down. It was obvious at a glance that we were travelling together. There were few who carried two swords on their back. There were even fewer who had eyes like a viper.
After inspecting us and seemingly finding nothing out of order the guard addressed Radkin. My features were sharp and angular, but still retaining the innocence of youth. The boyishness of my features seemed to suggest lacking competence. I had become used to being ignored while people spoke to Radkin.
"Witcher?"
There was no disdain in his tone. Only the straight-forwardness of the common folk.
"Aye, and an apprentice." Radkin answered.
The guard picked a piece of green from between his teeth and flicked it onto the floor, "Been lookin' for one of your kind. Baroness has a beastie she needs killing. The pay's good, if it hadn't torn a dozen soldiers to ribbons I'd take the coin for myself."
People were beginning to take notice of the conversation. The guard appeared utterly indifferent to the growing number of eyes that were watching us.
"Witchers! Welcome, welcome! Welcome to Begar. Lady Farington will be delighted by your arrival, come, come, someone will take your horses. You have my word that she shall be treated like royalty!" A tall and slender man hurried over with a wide smile. A pair of tinted spectacles balanced on the bridge of his nose. His voice was rich and eloquent.
Outwardly Radkin appeared totally calm, but I could tell by the twitch in his eye that he was just as stunned as I was by the glowingly warm welcome.
"Follow me, follow me! My name is Arnad, a citizen of Begar and a servant of our lady. I shall take you to her at once, forgive my impoliteness, I am sure you are hungry from your journey. After your audience with Lady Farington I shall have the cooks make you whatever you desire!" Arnad offered an apology. He walked with long and brisk strides, leading us effortlessly through winding streets.
The castle we had seen from afar rested high above the rest of the city. A single steep road lead up to the gates. The incline caused Arnad's breathing to quicken. Despite his puffing and red face, his speed did not slow. My curiousity grew. I wondered what kind of leader could inspire such fervent service.
Several guards stood with long spears planted firmly on the earth. Their backs were straight and their demeanours sharp and alert. One of them stepped forwards and thumped the butt of his spear against the ground. His voice was deep and resolute, "Halt! State your names!"
Arnad seemed exasperated by the guard's stalwart behaviour, "Reginald I see your face more times than I see my wife's! I assure you that she is far lovelier and more charming. Surely this isn't necessary, you must know every hair on my chin!"
He raised a hand and gestured towards Radkin and I, "Our guests need no introduction. We must see the lady at once."
He stepped closer to the guard. His voice dropped to a whisper but I heard it clearly, "Let us not delay. You know as well as I do that this matter is pressing."
The guard's brows knotted together. He stared intensely at Arnad. Then he exhaled a long breath and nodded, "Come, I shall take you to our lady."
It was apparent that the guard held no affinity for politics. He did not flatter or offer apologies as Arnad did. But there was an assuredness in his actions only found in those who had seen blood. Lady Farington seemed to have talents of both the pen and the sword under her command.
The gates opened with a resounding metallic cry. The guard lead us into the castle with Arnad urging him to hasten his steps as we walked. Maids and butlers walked swiftly through the halls. They afforded us a curious look and then returned their attention to their duties.
We came to a huge door. Ornate carvings and reliefs decorated the room from floor to ceiling. Several guards in shining armour immediately grasped the hilts of their swords upon hearing footsteps. Only on seeing the face of the guard who had lead us here did their expressions relax slightly.
My mind wandered to thoughts of battle. Shining iron armour covered them from head to toe. Even their eyes were covered by a visor, they only had a small slit to see out of. Against such heavily armoured foes it would became significantly more challenging to deal a lethal blow
Though their armour granted them protection, the weight hindered their movements. There was enough space in the hall to dance circles around them. A battle plan formed in my mind. Heavy precise strikes to the temples with my sword would cause their brains to rattle within their skulls. No man, no matter how strong his will, could endure more than a handful of such blows. The impacts would not kill immediately, but they would incapacitate. Once they fell to the floor it would be far easier to find a gap in their armour into which my sword could slide.
I put the thoughts of murder from my mind. I did not wish to meet the mysterious Lady Farington while deliberating such violent musings.
"Witchers. Here to seek audience with the lady."
The knights were silent for a moment. There expressions were hidden beneath their helmets. Then two of them turned and pressed their shoulders against the door. The hinges creaked under the tremendous weight. It slowly opened. Then, we saw her.