Page 28 - The Witcher Story

‘I see. And mentally? Every day, a bucket of blood for breakfast? A little
girl’s thigh?’
‘No. Mentally... There is no telling. On the level, I think, of a three- or four-
year-old child. She’ll require loving care for a long while.’
‘That’s obvious. Witcher?’
‘I’m listening.’
‘Can it happen to her again? Later on?’
Geralt was silent.
‘Aha,’ said the king. ‘It can. And what then?’
‘Should she die after a long swoon lasting several days, her body will have
to be burned. Quickly.’
Foltest grew gloomy.
‘I do not think it will come to that,’ added Geralt. ‘Just to be sure, I will give
you some instructions, your Majesty, to lessen the danger.’
‘Right now? Is it not too soon, master witcher? And if...’
‘Right now,’ interrupted the Rivian. ‘Many things may happen,
your Majesty. It could be that you’ll find a princess in the morning, the spell
already broken, and my corpse.’
‘Even so? Despite my permission to defend yourself? Which, it seems,
wasn’t that important to you.’
‘This is a serious matter, your Majesty. The risk is great. That is why you
must listen: the princess should always wear a sapphire around her neck, or
better, an inclusion, on a silver chain. Day and night.’
‘What is an inclusion?’
‘A sapphire with a pocket of air trapped within the stone. Aside from that,
every now and then you should burn juniper, broom and aspen in the fire-
place of her chamber.’
Foltest grew pensive.
‘I thank you for your advice, witcher. I will pay heed if... And now lis-
ten to me carefully. If you find the case is hopeless, kill her. If you undo
the spell but the girl is not... normal. If you have a shadow of a doubt as

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The Witcher Story ENG.indd 27 7/23/08 11:04:35 PM