Page 15 - The Witcher Story

‘There is still no shortage of fraudsters then.’
‘No, far from it, ’the castellan agreed without taking his eyes off the
witcher. ‘That’s why you mustn’t demand gold in advance when you go to
the palace. If you go.’
‘I’ll go.’
‘It’s up to you. But remember my advice. As we’re talking of the reward,
there has been word recently about the second part of it. I mentioned it to
you: the princess for a wife. I don’t know who made it up, but if the striga
looks the way they say then it’s an exceptionally grim joke. Nevertheless
there’s been no lack of fools racing to the palace for the chance of joining
the royal family. Two apprentice shoemakers, to be precise. Why are shoe-
makers so foolish, Geralt?’
‘I don’t know. And witchers, castellan? Have they tried?’
‘There were a few. But when they heard the spell was to be lifted and
the striga wasn’t to be killed they mostly shrugged and left. That’s one of
the reasons why my esteem for witchers has grown, Geralt. And one came
along, younger than you – I forget his name, if he gave it at all. He tried.’
‘And?’
‘The fanged princess spread his entrails over a considerable distance.’
Geralt nodded.
‘That was all of them?’
‘There was one other.’
Velerad remained silent for a while, and the witcher didn’t urge him on.
‘Yes,’ the castellan said finally.
‘There was one more.
At first, when Foltest threatened him with the noose if he killed or harmed
the striga, he laughed and started packing his belongings. But then...’
Velerad leaned across the table, lowered his voice to almost a whis-
per. ‘...then he undertook the task. You see, Geralt, there are some wise
men in Wyzim, in high positions, who’ve had enough of this whole affair.
Rumour has it these men persuaded the witcher, in secret, not to fuss around

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The Witcher Story ENG.indd 14 7/23/08 11:04:04 PM