Page 21 - The Witcher Story

‘Yes, your Gracious Majesty. He says the spell cast on the princess can
be reversed.’
‘I have known that for a long time. How, witcher? Oh, of course,
I forgot. Your code of practice. All right. I will make one small comment.
Several witchers have been here already. Velerad, you have told him?
Good. So I know that your speciality is to kill, rather than to reverse
spells. This isn’t an option. If one hair falls from my daughter’s head,
your head will be on the block. That is all. Ostrit, Lord Segelen, stay
and give him all the information he requires. Witchers always ask a lot
of questions. Feed him and let him stay in the palace. He is not to drift
from tavern to tavern.’
The king rose, whistled to his dogs and made his way to the door, scat-
tering the straw covering the chamber floor. At the door he paused.
‘If you succeed, witcher, the reward is yours. Maybe I will add something
if you do well. Of course, the nonsense spread by common folk about mar-
rying the princess carries not a word of truth. I’m sure you don’t believe
I would give my daughter’s hand to a stranger?’
‘No, your Majesty. I don’t.’
‘Good. That shows you have some wisdom.’
Foltest left, closing the door behind him. Velerad and the magnate, who
had been standing all the while, immediately sat at the table. The castellan
finished the king’s half-full cup, peered into the jug and cursed. Ostrit, who
took Foltest’s chair, scowled at the witcher while he stroked the carved
armrests. Segelin, the bearded man, nodded at Geralt.
‘Do sit, witcher, do sit. Supper will soon be served. What would you like
to know? Castellan Velerad has probably already told you everything. I know
him, he has sooner told you too much than too little.’
‘Only a few questions.’
‘Ask.’
‘The castellan said that, after the striga’s appearance, the king called up
many Knowing Ones.’

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The Witcher Story ENG.indd 20 7/23/08 11:04:18 PM