Page 14 - The Witcher Story

‘They went ahead and cast spells – mainly over a bowl and tankard.
Of course some were quickly exposed as frauds by Foltest or the coun-
cil. A few were even hung on the palisades, but not enough of them.
I would have hung them all. I don’t suppose I have to say that the stri-
ga, in the meantime, was getting her teeth into all sorts of people ev-
ery now and again and paying no attention to the fraudsters and their
spells. Or that Foltest was no longer living in the palace. No one lived
there anymore.’
Velerad paused, drank some beer, and the witcher waited in silence.
‘And so it’s been for seven years, Geralt, because she was born around
fourteen years ago. We’ve had a few other worries, like war with Vizimir
of Novigrad – fought for real, understandable reasons – over the border
posts, not for some princess or marriage alliance. Foltest sporadically hints
at marriage and looks over portraits from neighbouring courts, which he
then throws down the privy. And every now and then this mania seizes
hold of him again, and he sends horsemen out to look for new sorcerers.
His promised reward, the three thousand, has attracted any number of
cranks, stray knights, even a shepherd known throughout the whole region
as a cretin, may he rest in peace. But the striga is still doing well. Every
now and again she gets her teeth into someone. You get used to it. And at
least those heroes trying to reverse the spell have a use – the beast stuffs
herself on the spot and doesn’t roam beyond her palace. Foltest has a new
palace, of course, quite a fine one.’
‘In seven years,’ Geralt raised his head, ‘in seven years, no one has set-
tled the matter?’
‘Well, no.’ Velerad’s gaze penetrated the witcher. ‘Because the matter
can’t be settled. We have to come to terms with it, especially Foltest, our
gracious and beloved ruler, who will keep nailing these proclamations up
at crossroads. Although there are fewer volunteers now. There was one
recently, but he insisted on the three thousand in advance. So we put him
in a sack and threw him in the lake.’

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