Page 27 - The Witcher Story

to the rule, for example, not one night but three. Consecutively. There are also
cases which are... well...hopeless.’
‘Yes,’ Foltest bristled. ‘I keep hearing that from some people. Kill the monster
because it’s an incurable case. Master witcher, I am sure they have already
spoken to you. Am I right? Hack the man-eater to death without any more
fuss, at the beginning, and tell the king nothing else could be done. I won’t
pay, but they will. Very convenient. And cheap. Because the king will order
the witcher beheaded or hanged and the gold will remain in their pockets.’
‘The king unconditionally orders the witcher to be beheaded?’ Geralt
grimaced.
Foltest looked the Rivian in the eyes for a long while. ‘The king does not know,’
he finally said. ‘But the witcher should bear such an eventuality in mind.’
Geralt was silent for a moment.
‘I intend to do what is in my power,’ he said. ‘But if it goes badly I will defend
my life. Your Majesty, you must also be prepared for such an eventuality.’
Foltest got up.
‘You do not understand me. It’s obvious you’ll kill her if it becomes nec-
essary, whether I like it or not. Because otherwise she’ll kill you, surely and
inevitably. I won’t punish anyone who kills her in self-defence. But I will not
allow her to be killed without trying to save her. There have already been
attempts to set fire to the old palace. They shot at her with arrows, dug pits
and set traps and snares, until I hung a few of her attackers. But that is not
the point. Witcher, listen!’
‘I’m listening.’
‘After the third crowing of the cock, there will be no striga, if I understand
correctly. What will there be?’
‘If all goes well, a fourteen-year-old girl.’
‘With red eyes? Crocodile’s teeth?’
‘A normal fourteen-year-old. Except that...’
‘Well?’
‘Physically.’

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The Witcher Story ENG.indd 26 7/23/08 11:04:32 PM