Page 16 - The Witcher Story

with spells but to batter the striga to death and tell the king the spell had
failed, that his dear daughter had been killed in self-defence – an accident
at work. The king, of course, would be furious and refuse to pay an oren in
reward. But that would be an end to it. The witty witcher replied we could
chase strigas ourselves for nothing. Well, what could we do? We collected
money, bargained... but nothing came of it.’
Geralt raised his eyebrows.
‘Nothing,’ repeated Velerad. ‘The witcher didn’t want to try that first
night. He trudged around, lay in wait, wandered about the neighbourhood.
Finally, they say, he saw the striga in action, as she does not clamber from
her crypt just to stretch her legs. He saw her and scarpered that night.
Without a word.’
Geralt’s expression changed a little, in what was probably supposed
to be a smile.
‘Those wise men,’ he said, ‘they still have the money, no doubt? Witch-
ers don’t take payment in advance.’
‘No doubt they still do,’ said Velerad.
‘Does the rumour say how much they offer?’
Velerad bared his teeth in a smile. ‘Some say eight hundred...
’Geralt shook his head.
‘Others,’ murmured the castellan, ‘talk of a thousand.’
‘Not much when you bear in mind that rumour likes to exaggerate. And
the king is offering three thousand.’
‘Don’t forget about the betrothal,’ Velerad mocked. ‘What are you talking
about? It’s obvious you won’t get the three thousand.’
‘How’s it obvious?’
Velerad thumped the table.
‘Geralt, do not spoil my impression of witchers! This has been going
on for more than seven years! The striga is finishing off up to fifty people
a year, fewer now people are avoiding the palace. Oh no, my friend, I be-
lieve in magic. I’ve seen a great deal and I believe, to a certain extent, in

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The Witcher Story ENG.indd 15 7/23/08 11:04:07 PM