Page 26 - The Witcher Story

1V

The following day, late in the evening, the miller was brought to the small
chamber above the guardhouse allocated to the witcher. He was led in by
a soldier in a hooded coat.
The conversation did not yield any significant results. The miller was terri-
fied; he mumbled and stammered, and his scars told the witcher more than
he did. The striga could open her jaws impressively wide and had extremely
sharp teeth, including very long upper fangs – four of them, two on each side.
Her claws were sharper than a wildcat’s, but less curved. And it was only
because of that the miller had managed to tear himself away.
Having finished his examination Geralt nodded to the miller and soldier,
dismissing them. The soldier pushed the peasant through the door and low-
ered his hood. It was Foltest himself.
‘Sit, do not get up,’ said the king. ‘This visit is unofficial. Are you happy
with the interview? I heard you were at the palace this morning.’
‘Yes, your Majesty.’
‘When will you set about your task?’
‘It is four days until the full moon. After that.’ ‘You prefer to have a look
at her yourself beforehand?’
‘There is no need. But having had her fill the— the princess will be less active.’
‘Striga, master witcher, striga. Let us not play at diplomacy. She will be
a princess afterwards. And that is what I have come to talk about. Answer
me unofficially, briefly and clearly: will it work or not? Don’t hide behind
your code.’
Geralt rubbed his brow.
‘I confirm, your Majesty, that the spell might be reversed. And, unless I am
mistaken, it can be done by spending the night at the palace. The third crow-
ing of the cock, as long as it catches the striga outside her sarcophagus, will
end the spell. That is what is usually done with strigas.’
‘So simple?’
‘It is not simple. First you have to survive the night. Then there are exceptions
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The Witcher Story ENG.indd 25 7/23/08 11:04:30 PM