Page 29 - The Witcher Story

to whether you have been entirely successful, kill her. Do not worry, you
have nothing to fear from me. I’ll shout at you in front of others, banish
you from the palace and the town, nothing more. Of course I won’t give
you the reward, but maybe you’ll manage to negotiate something from
you know who.’
They were both quiet for a while.
‘Geralt.’ For the first time Foltest called the witcher by his name.
‘Yes.’
‘How much truth is there in the rumour that the child is as she is because
Adda was my sister?’
‘Not much. A spell has to be cast, they don’t cast themselves. But I think
your congress with your sister was the reason the spell was cast, and this
is the result.’
‘As I thought. That is what some of the Knowing Ones said, although not
all of them. Geralt? Where do such things come from? Spells, magic?’
‘I don’t know, your Majesty. Knowing Ones study the causes of such phe-
nomena. For us witchers the knowledge that con- centrated will can cause
such phenomena is enough. That and the knowledge to fight them.’
‘And kill them?’
‘Usually. Besides, that is what we’re usually paid for. Only a few demand
the reversal of spells, your Majesty. As a rule, people simply want to defend
themselves from danger. If the monster has men on its conscience then re-
venge can also come into play.’
The king got up, took a few paces across the chamber, and stopped in front
of the witcher’s sword hanging on the wall.
‘With this?’ he asked, not looking at Geralt.
‘No. That is for men.’
‘So I heard. Do you know what, Geralt? I’m going to the crypt with you.’
‘Out of the question.’
Foltest turned, his eyes glinted.
‘Do you know, sorcerer, that I have not seen her? Neither after she was

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The Witcher Story ENG.indd 28 7/23/08 11:04:37 PM