The Witcher: My Own Path

The day had already been a success as soon as I collected payment from my client, and now Gavorn's vow made me feel even better. I don't have to worry about him tricking me, or at least in the near future, because I could sense in the force that he was telling the truth all along. After the Loona incident I prefer to check people's sincerity very carefully, I can't take anything for granted.

''Let's sit down! Nightingale, join us.'' I ordered Loona.

I turn to the dwarf and ask.

''I don't think I need to tell you that everything you hear here should be kept strictly confidential!''

''Of course!'' He declares briefly with seriousness.

''Good!'' Now Gavorn, you are one of my men, so before I give you the plans of what to build. Tell me what you need and I will try to help you.

He looked at me for a full minute, probably not knowing where to start, or not knowing how or what I could help him with. Life for non-humans was hard and they encountered problems in every possible situation. Starting, from buying food, to equipment, clothes, housing there was always someone somewhere, trying to cheat them! No wonder the end result was the rise of the Scoia'tael, freedom-fighting rebels of the non-human races, around the year 1260.

''I will be honest with you, my lord, to my shame. My people and I are starving, living with thirty people in one house, stuffed like fish in a barrel. Our clothes are worn out and can no longer be repaired. We don't even have decent equipment, whether for work or everyday use! I can see his reddened eyes, we adults can still bear it somehow, but children... they...

Until now he has bravely held back, but he finally can't take it, his tears are flowing in streams. I look questioningly at Nightingale, waiting for her to confirm if it really is that bad. Loona nods, confirming everything.

I lean back in my chair and take a deep breath; the non-human situation was worse than I expected. I hoped it wasn't so tragic yet. I don't want a revolt followed by a pogrom of non-humans. I thought I wouldn't have to resort to that, but now I have no choice.

I lean over and put my hand on Gavorn's shoulder, who lifts his gaze and looks at me hopefully.

''Please lord, help us.'' he begs.

''Nightingale, what profit have you made in the last six months, how much money do we have to spend?! ask with seriousness.

''Exactly two thousand orens, one thousand eight hundred and ninety-seven, my lord, she announces quickly.

''Hmm... I'm starting to think. well then! But first…!'' I pull out the complete plans for the construction of my tavern from my interdimensional pocket, pretending they are from under my coat. Handing them over to Gavorn.

''Go through them carefully and tell me what you think.''

Gavorn wipes his eyes with his sleeve and takes the plans, begins to study them carefully. I, meanwhile, am thinking about how to get as much cash as possible quickly.

(Twenty minutes later)

He puts down the documents and looks at me.

''You designed this!'' I nod in confirmation.

You really are a genius! This inn, when built, will be one of the best in the whole area, if not in the whole of Temeria. What's more, I already know it will generate extraordinary income!'' he says with conviction.

''How long will it take you to build it and how much will it cost?'' I ask.

''Hmm…'' This time he wonders aloud.

''I estimate nine to twelve months and the cost will be twelve to fifteen thousand orens.''

I hear Nightingale gasp. ''True, the sum is not small, but to be honest, this is what I expected.''

''Now, Gavorn, be completely honest with me!'' The atmosphere in the house is changing.

''How much do you need for a start-up to last at least five months?'' I look deeply into his eyes.

''I will need new tools, materials to build a solid foundation, to pay people, transport everything, hmm...''

''You will get the new tools from me for free, we have them in abundance at home and they are of good quality. I announce.'' As for buying materials. If you know someone wants to cheat you, let me know, besides, it wouldn't hurt to let the rumour go that you are building this inn for me. As you know yourself, I'm a bit of a celebrity, so material prices shouldn't be an issue.''

''Hmm... he thought again. In that case, about six thousand!'' He confirmed with a vigorous nod.

''Right. I reached under my coat, pulled out a sturdy money bellows and placed it on the table. The sound emanating from it left no doubt as to what was in it.'' Gavorn's eyes lit up.

''You will use this six thousand to start the construction, do everything you can to make sure the foundations are solid and that you make it in these five months. However, that is not all I have planned for you Gavorn! I want to help you and your people, but you will be very busy through this!''

His eyes betray nothing but determination and readiness to listen to my every order.

I get up from my chair and start circling the flat, covering my mouth with one hand and holding it up with the other. I began to wonder what to do next. I still had four thousand orens with me, Loona almost two, which was less than six. I could ignore Gavorn, but people are more likely to follow a generous Lord, besides, reaching out to non-humans when they need it most could pay off in the future, just how to play it all out so it's not a waste. I can't just give him all the money, that will solve the problem of hunger and maybe clothes, but only in the short term, I need to think of a long-term solution.

Hmm... the best solution would be to give them a job, but I don't run any such place yet, unless... I stop and look at Nightingale and then at Gavorn.

''Nightingale, Gavorn, what do you know about the marshes on the south-western shore of Lake Vizima?'' I asked, hoping they had at least some idea of the situation.

''Not much, I'm afraid, my lord.'' replied Nightingale,

I turned my gaze to Gavorn. The dwarf merely shakes his head.

I am disappointed; though, good news may come of this. If my memory serves me correctly, a dwarf named Yaren Bolt was the leader of the lumberjacks in the game. If Gavorn doesn't know anything about the marshes, it could mean that there are no dwarven lumberjacks there, and therefore no one felling trees there. I know the swamps are a dangerous place, but the trees that grow there are part of an ancient forest that could be used to make beautiful and expensive furniture that could make a lot of money and give work to many people.

I turn to my chief spy.

''Find out everything you can about the swamp and the area! Who they belong to, who lives there, what they do there. Find out who I need to talk to and who I need to pay if I want to build anything there! If you have to, send Haren there!''

Nightingale looked me in the eye, then bowed his head.

''Of course, my lord, as soon as I have all the necessary information, I will inform you immediately.'' He finishes.

I can see from her that she doesn't quite understand why I only gave Gavorn six thousand, when she knows that I certainly have more, and besides, she does too and I could use it. She also doesn't understand why I want to know so much about the swamp when there's probably nothing there, well except maybe monsters. She doesn't question my orders though.

''Gavorn!''

This time I turn to the dwarf. I pull out a pouch with a thousand orens in it and place it in front of him. He knows there is a lot of money in it. He knows that with this money, many in the non-human district will finally be able to eat something. He opens his mouth and closes it like a fish, and no words pass his lips.

''Although we hardly know each other, you are now one of my people, so I give you this money as a credit of trust that you will not let me down. I'm also giving it to you because it may help you in the task you will do for me.''

''P... please, my lord, tell me what you need and I will do my best not to let you down.''

I nod with satisfaction.

''Giving you money, can only temporarily solve problems in a non-human neighbourhood, it's a short-term solution, what you need is steady work and as much of it from you all as possible! A hungry fisherman doesn't need alms in the form of fish when he's starving, he needs a fishing rod so he can feed himself and that's what I plan to give you Gavorn, but one step at a time.

I reach under my coat again and pull out the rolled-up parchment. The bewilderment on Gavorn's face is hilarious, but I refrain from bursting into laughter. I can see from Nightingale that she is also struggling with this.