Age of Kings 1066

POV Geralt

I had just finished speaking with the village leader and was told everything I needed to know. Now all that was left was to contact the Lady of the Woods. I took Roach and approached the forest edge. I tied up Roach and started setting up the offerings ritual. Then started to meditate while I awaited a response.

Several Hours Later...

I open my eyes as a massive amount of fog starts to appear. I don't draw my sword to show that I mean no harm. Then close my eyes and continue to wait. I feel a tap on my shoulder and a giggle.

"It seems you have gotten rusty since I last saw you," said the stranger.

"I was only waiting for you to show up," I replied.

"Hmm, well, what does the famous Troll Slayer want here? There are no monsters or undead to be found here," She says while taking the food I left as an offering.

"I heard you had an incident a few years ago. I am also here to apologise that I wasn't here to stop them," I add the apology when I sense she gets upset at the mention of the incident.

"Yes, I had a little pest problem. The filth had attacked my family. But they learned why that was a bad idea. I made sure they felt all 1000 reasons. Then I let them rejoin nature. But you do not need to apologise, you can't be everywhere. You carry no blame for what happened. That old cretin on the other hand is a different story. He's lucky Treebeard is too lazy to complain. Or else I would break his legs and force him to crawl back to that palace of his," Hatterene said with venom in her tone.

I knew she was referring to Radovid V, and I had no intention of arguing with her.

"I am also here to see if Keira Draconis lives and if the rumors are true and she had a son," I ignore the vitriolic statements to ask what I came here for.

She narrows her eyes at me, and I can feel I am very close to death, but I don't hesitate or back down.

"Why do you want to know that?" Hatterene says with a dangerous edge.

"You might not know this, but those assassins didn't just come here. They also went elsewhere and killed most members of the Draconis Dynasty. Only Radovid and his Great Aunt still live," I tell her.

That causes her to pause.

"Why tell me this?" Hatterene asks.

"Because I know you care about Concordia greatly and know that if the Draconis Family dies out, Concordia may cease to exist. The last sanctuary will be destroyed," I told her the worst-case scenario.

"He will be safe here. With me. I will not let anyone take my godson from me. Not even you," Hatterene tells me.

The ground trembled a bit, and I could hear the trees nearby creak in preparation to attack me. I press on anyway.

"You know the forest can't protect everyone. The other nations will destroy the forest eventually. Hundreds of thousands would die if he weren't brought to the capital to take up the throne. The Duke is old and may not live for much longer. Concordia needs a Draconis on the throne or else it won't last. We both know that," I explain.

"He's just a boy, he has already lost his mother. I can't bear to lose him. Not after what happened to him," Hatterene said.

"You can't protect him forever. And not from everything. Concordia needs him. The innocent citizens who have nowhere else to go need him. I swear to you I will protect him," I give her a sincere promise.

She seems to be torn on what to do, but I just wait and let her think. If she still refused, I would leave and tell Radovid.

"I will let you ask him. But even if he agrees, I have 3 conditions," Hatterene says while holding three fingers up.

"Name them."

"1 My daughter will go with him. 2 You must be his personal bodyguard and protect him with your life. 3 He must visit me once a year for at least 1 week. If all of those can be met, I will let you meet him," Hatterene lays out her requirements.

I think them over and make sure they are within my power to fulfill.

"Agreed. But I can't guarantee he will visit once a year if it isn't safe or he is too far away," I tell her the limitations that might come up.

She gives me an understanding smile.

"Of course. His safety is all I care about. I promised his mother that I would protect him like he were my own son. I don't intend on breaking that oath," Hatterene says.

I was surprised that she would make an Oath. A Fae Oath is the strongest commitment in the world. An unbreakable deal that even gods wouldn't mess with. 

Once we agreed, I untied Roach, and we began our journey into the Lost Woods.

"So, what number of Roach are you on now?" Hatterene asks.

"Hmm, I think this is Roach number 48? Or maybe 49. It's hard to keep track," I respond to her.

She just gives me a blank stare and then laughs.

"When we last saw each other, what 50 or 60 years ago you were on Roach 25. I can't imagine how you go through so many horses," Hatterene mocks me.

"Roach 25 was eaten by a corpse lord. A shame, too, as he was nearing retirement. Another year and I would have sent him to live on a farm for the rest of his days." I spoke with reminiscence. 

"You and your obsession with calling your mounts Roach. I mean your current mount is a mare and yet you still rudely call her Roach," Hatterene says with an exasperated look.

Roach nods and neighs in agreement, and I just stay silent.

POV Rio

I was pushing Kirlia on the swings, which I used as a form of workout. She was damn heavy and I made sure she knew that everytime I pushed her.

"Oofta! Geez, what have you been eating? Rocks?"

"Shut it, Rio, I am very light for my height. Which is something you don't have," She responds with a mocking lilt.

"Yeah, and yet you can't even grow in the right places."

I whisper quietly, but apparently not quietly enough. She gets a dangerous look in her eyes as she looks down at her washboard chest.

"Why don't you say that a little louder. I think I heard someone cruisin' for a bruisin'," Kirlia says with a threatening tone.

"Ugh, what happened to the sweet, shy little Princess that I read stories to. She got replaced by a rude tomboy who has to mock others' height. A shame, a real shame."

I shook my head and looked at her like she was a disappointment. She blushes up a storm and yells at me.

"How dare you?! I must inform you that I am the sweetest Kirlia that has ever existed. And don't call me Princess! It's embarrassing."

She gets off the swing and tackles me. I am knocked to the ground and try my usual tricks.

"Pocket Sand!"

She blocks it with a barrier, so I use the next strategy.

"Stop right there, criminal scum! Nobody breaks the law on my watch! I'm confiscating your stolen goods. Now pay your fine or it's off to jail."

Kirlia merely rolls her eyes.

"Come on, Rio, give up. I know all of your tricks. A mere illusion won't scare me," Kirlia says with a smug grin.

That grin vanishes and is replaced with confusion seconds later.

Clink

A pair of shackles appears on her arms, and she is dragged off me by the guard. She looks at the shackles, then at me, then at the guard.

"Wait, you're REAL! HOW?!" Kirlia screams in confusion.

"Hope you rot, criminal scum."

"Thank you, Mr. Guard. She was going to do horrible things to me and my purity." I say with a look of terror.

Kirlia gives me a shocked look and tries to defend herself. But the guard is having none of it.

"Keep moving, scum!"

"I will visit you in prison. Please take her away, Mr. Imperial Watch, and long live the Emperor!"

"All hail the Septims!"

Kirlia is then dragged away while pleading and saying that it was all a misunderstanding. I just sit on the swing and start using it.

Was all that just to get a turn on the swing? Maybe. Would I ever admit that? No.

'Wonder what's for lunch?'

As I am having those deep thoughts, I hear something that makes me get into defense mode.

'Hoofbeats. But sounds like one set. And the rider is wearing chain armor of some kind. Or maybe something similar. But I also smell Hatterene is with him. So who are they and what do they want?'

I wait and see who arrives, but when I see them, I recognize them, but that makes me very confused.

'Is that Geralt? The White Wolf, the famous Witcher. But why is he here? No better yet, how? I haven't heard any info suggesting Witchers are a thing here. Nor anything like the continent.'

I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't notice them arriving. I realised when Geralt got within a few feet.

'I really need to stop doing that.'

"Are you Rio Draconis?" Geralt says while putting out his hand.

"Ah, yes, that is me. Is your name Geralt by any chance?"

That seems to surprise him.

"Yes, that is my name. How did you know?"

"I have heard tales of the legendary Geralt. A mighty warrior. The white hair and two swords gave it away."

I was telling the truth; it was just that I heard of a different Geralt, most likely. 

"Huh, I can see how that makes sense. Do you know why I came here?" He asks.

"Nope, not a clue."

"I am here to ask if you want to come with me to the capital." He then goes on to explain why.

I thought for a while and eventually came to a conclusion.

'I could do a lot if I were the Duke, but I will need to learn a lot before I think I will be ready. But I think this is the right thing to do.'

"I will go with you." I look to Hatterene. "Sorry, Sister Hatterene, but I can't stay here if it means that many may die due to my inaction."

She smiles and then answers me. "It's okay, just remember to visit once a year or else I will cry, and that would be very mean."

She makes a crying motion, then opens her arms and gestures for a hug. I oblige and hug her. She hugs me tightly and whispers in my ear.

"Please be safe. And I know you can do great things."

"I will, I Pinkie Promise."

"Forever~"

We both shiver, and then she lets me go.

"Don't break that. For both our sakes," Hatterene pleads with me.

 I just give her a serious nod, then we go to get Kirlia out of prison. It wasn't hard, just 40 gold.

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Authors Note:

The date is currently March 1065 CE. Rio will likely lead the Duchy around the year 1070 or so. Until next time, Ciao.