The Divine Hunter

The rain had passed, the black clouds gone. Once again, clear blue skies graced the land. The great sun shone far above the heavens, its light refracting into all colors of the rainbow through the droplets in the air.

Beneath that rainbow stood an orphanage living in the quiet woods. The rainbow smiled at the small, picturesque place that changed the lives of some poor orphans forever.

Another glorious morning for the children. They were reciting a poem with Kiyan leading them. It was a poem regarding witchers, written by Dandelion before he left.

Vesemir was in the smithy, still wearing his apron and mittens as usual. Blacksmith apprentices were going about their day, creating new items with Vesemir giving them orders. A few scissors and hoes stood on the wooden rack in the corner, though they left a lot to be desired.

Letho was in the lab, overseeing Vicki and her friends making spirit potions. The kids were young, but they could already make a dozen or so common potions like marigold and spirit potions, though the quality was lacking.

Beyond the woods stood a few scarecrows made of burlap sacks. Serrit was on the farm, teaching the kids how to shoot an arrow. Auckes would usually be there with his brother, but the guy was in Toussaint and still hadn’t returned just yet.

Roy had handed all the brotherhood’s coins to Serrit and handed the business management to him as well. Since Roy had to be out and about, Serrit the math whiz became the finance manager.

***

A brown, gleaming horse stood in the stable beside the orphanage. It grinned and made weird noises through its teeth. At the same time, the horse rubbed its head against the witcher. Its ears were pricked up and flapping like little wings.

“Alright, I know I’ve been neglecting you lately. I shouldn’t have left you in the hands of the kids. Look, I brought you more food, and I’m gonna massage you.” Roy patted Wilt’s face and placed a bucket full of carrots, medicks, and corn beside the trough. While Wilt was eating the treat, Roy brushed its back.

Wilt munched on the carrot and let out a happy snort, and then he breathed down the witcher’s face.

“You’ve forgiven me? Good boy. Tell me if this feels good.”

Wilt whinnied.

Roy patted its neck and scrubbed even better.

***

Lytta was standing under the shadow of the elm tree, smiling at the witcher. A breeze billowed her black dress and fiery-red hair. “You’re raising a horse and a griffin. You should consider a career as a druid, not a witcher.”

She patted the cat’s head. Gryphon mewed in protest, but she pushed it down her cleavage.

“Perhaps I might learn the ways of an animal tamer.” Roy gave Coral a knowing look. “I heard druids are masters of nature, and to an extent, they possess powers akin to wild animals.”

Coral raised her head and bit her lip. “Well, should I open a portal to Caed Dhu, then? You can learn from the druids. I’m eager to see what kind of surprise you might bring back with you.”

“That’ll have to wait. At least until I’m done with the business at hand.” Roy turned around. A witcher in Bear School robes and twin swords strapped to his back approached them. He was none other than Geralt.

“Did the kids get on your nerves again?” Roy smirked at the children who were behind Geralt. They were scrambling to dodge the pendulums that were swinging down on them.

“They’ve been working hard lately to catch up to Carl.” Geralt shook his head. He looked at the couple and joked, “Is it a good time to talk? I’m not interrupting, am I?”

Roy cocked his eyebrow and put his apron on the stable fence. “Geralt of Rivia, a joker. Never thought I’d live to see the day.”

“I was born with a sense of humor. Oh, very well. Eskel, that old dog, found a woman with horns. And he wouldn’t stop showing off. Lambert has been out and about lately, and he seems lively. I did not think he would look so happy just being a sword instructor. He must have slept with someone’s wife or girlfriend. It’s getting on my nerves.” Geralt shook his head, a hint of exasperation hiding in his voice.

Yeah, the guy needs some love, Roy thought. Geralt had been quiet for a while since he joined the brotherhood. At least Roy never saw Geralt sleeping around with anyone. And now, Vesemir, Lambert, and Eskel all had a partner, but Geralt was still single. Poor Butcher of Blaviken.

Roy looked at the sorceress, and Lytta shot him a warm smile, though she was surprised Roy would suddenly turn around.

Geralt’s lips twitched, and he took a deep breath.

“You’re not here just to crack a joke, White Wolf. So, what is it this time?” Roy crossed his arms, and Lytta approached him, grabbing his arm.

Gryphon seized the chance to escape the suffocating cleavage. It mewed loudly as it climbed up Roy’s head, burying its face into Roy’s short hair, though its eyes were fixated on the sorceress who almost suffocated it earlier.

***

“This is not farewell, Ciri. We’re the same kind of people, you and I. Destiny has decreed that we meet in the future.”

***

Oh shit. Roy decided to launch a preemptive strike before Coral could tear him apart. He pushed away Lytta’s fringe, pulling her closer and whispering into her ear, “What were you thinking, my dear Coral? Cast any more doubt on me and I’ll show you what Clamp can do. You won’t even have the strength to get out of bed the next day.”

Coral felt her heart flutter and her face burn. She shot Roy a dirty look, but the mage leaned closer to Roy and kept quiet.

Geralt saw everything. He let out a long sigh in his heart. Like a wolf that was licking his wound, he remained silent and melancholic. A tiny tear drop welled in the corner of his eye. I wish Yen was that gentle. Geralt imagined something that would never happen.

“Sorry you had to see that, Geralt. Back to the matter at hand. We’ll be going to Cintra together, but first, we’ll make a detour to Vizima.”

“Why do you want to go to Vizima?” Geralt asked.

“Those brats want to take the pre-Trial? Well, it’s their lucky day.” Roy looked at the boys. They were starting a two-on-two sparring session. “Coral can’t do the modifications as fast as we want her to do all by herself. It’d be years before she could increase the Trial’s rate of success.”

Coral nodded. The more she researched, the more she realized it was nigh impossible to modify the Trial all by herself.

“And so, I’m going to enlist the help of an acquaintance. A mage and genius alchemist who goes by the name of Kalkstein. Ever heard of him?”

All the color drained from Lytta’s face. “Ciri is one thing, but you know that madman as well?”

“What? Is something the matter?”

“No. He’s not exactly a criminal, but…” She had a weird look on her face. Coral wanted to laugh, but there was respect in her eyes. “Kalkstein is a gifted alchemist. He’s an expert in flames, explosions, and matter composition. His mind is filled with bizarre ideas, and he’s an adventurous soul. But he hates rules the most, and the man is fearless. Once, he experimented on himself just to see how his new bomb would affect magical shields. It was in Ban Ard’s dorm, and he succeeded. Succeeded in turning the dorm into rubble. Fortunately, he was the only one around, so no deaths, but still, he was expelled. The mage community still talks about it to this day.”

She paused for a moment. “Any magic academy graduate has heard of him before. And the man is an unpredictable ball of chaos. Hard to get along with.”

Roy’s lips twitched. He just had a glimpse into the past of that unkempt, mousey man, and he expected no less from that maverick. “He’s fine. At least he never goes back on his word, and he’s a genius in research.”

“Are you sure you can convince him?” Lytta looked at Roy suspiciously.

“I have to try.” Luck plays more of a factor than persuasion skills. If he’s interested in the Trial, then everything will be fine and dandy.

***

“And Berengar lives in Vizima as well. We’ll be needing more manpower after the expansion next year. Planning in advance never hurts. I’ll try to convince him to join us. Even if I fail, it’s fine. I’ll just keep talking until he changes his mind.”

And Roy gained Geralt’s respect. I’ve never seen any witcher who’s this persistent. And shameless.

There was also a third reason. He needed to see Vivienne and Adda. The information about the first war could be used as a bargaining chip to exchange for some useful stuff. And the Church of Virtue should take the brotherhood’s side.

***

“One week.” Roy held Coral’s hand and looked at Geralt. Solemnly, he promised, “I will return even if the mission ends in failure.”

Geralt nodded. “I shall be waiting for the good news then.”

“So, care to open a portal to Vizima, Coral?” Roy took Gryphon and placed it on his shoulder.

Coral sighed.

***

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