The Witcher: My Own Path

We're getting together, we're finally getting together to get rid of that cursed bastard Talon, and I already thought we'd all lost our spirit and remnants of dignity, as if not enough had been taken from us by those mangy dh'oine. I don't like the fact that everything is organised by another man, as if we elves or at least dwarves can't figure something out. Admittedly, I have seen him a few times and he seems to be a decent man and his actions have a positive effect on our area, but I don't trust him as much as the other dh'oine. However, Gavorn is one of us and just because of him and who we are targeting, I am willing to take part.

''Everything Alright Miriam? You look tense.'' Asks the older dwarf standing next to me.

''Everything is fine Gavorn, though I wonder about the commander of this operation, can we really trust him?''

''You needn't worry my dear, he has as good a reason to care about the the Talon as we do, besides you know how much he has helped us.''

''And that's what worries me my friend, there hasn't been a man to worry about us yet, and besides, who just gives thousands of orens to strangers like that, especially non-humans, it's all very suspicious.''

''Hahaha you worry too much about it young Miriam, and if you don't trust him then trust me right?'' She smiled, lifting my spirits a bit.

''You know I trust you, that's why I'm giving him a chance.''

I walk away from him, thus ending our conversation. I walk over to the window and open the curtain, starting to look outside. The moon is shining exceptionally strong today, making visibility very good. There are no city guards in sight. At least he has done what he promised, however, he should already be here. I turn away from the window and look at the others. They are getting ready, sharpening axes and daggers, checking bows, chords and arrows, hoping to find something useful.

Together with Gavorn and me, there are ten of us in total, four dwarves and six elves. Apparently, we elves have more hatred for the Talon than our short friends.

I look around the flat with boredom, its owned by the brothelmother, I furrow my brow, I don't trust her either, however she is friends with Gavorn, yes...

Suddenly I hear a knock on the door, our agreed code. The owner of the flat approaches and slightly swings the door open, after confirming that it's our latecomer, she lets him in. The room is quite bright, so you can see him clearly. On his head is a hood covering his eyes. She is wearing a magnificent black silk gown with a high collar, with blood red stripes running from her armpits to her waist and further, a thick black belt around her waist, but without a buckle. A magnificently crafted steel epaulet encircling his almost shoulder along with extra protection for his biceps. Long black sleeves paired with black as night leather gloves, fabric wristbands, also in scarlet, and all finished with a long magnificent cape reaching to his ankles. Attached to his belt on the left side of his hips was a scabbard, and in it was a sword, by the shape and craftsmanship of the head and shaft I knew it was an extraordinary blade. Ahh... I sighed in spirit. For I had never seen an outfit so unique in my life, so... different from any other. It was beautiful in its intimidating form, I felt chills when I looked at it, I was jealous.

The owner pulled the hood off his head, and I was surprised, because up close he looked even younger than I expected, but I didn't have time to think about it. I saw that he was standing upright in front of us, with his chest thrust forward and his head raised. For his age and physique, he looked impressive. He looked at each of us carefully, probably assessing our physical condition and equipment. However, I am ashamed to admit that next to him we all looked like beggars, including Gavorn, although he was the richest of us. However, I did not see a shadow of displeasure or contempt on his face. Either he didn't care, or he was masking his feelings well. It remains to be seen which of the two.

''Thank you for coming and thank you Gavorn for convincing these brave men and women to join us. No doubt each of you has a purpose in this and I will be honest with you, I do too and Gavorn knows it.'' The dwarf nodded briefly.

''Admittedly, I cannot reveal what it is. However, know that I have no intention of harming you, only of getting rid of the Talon and his nasty band of bandits and fishmongers.

''However, we suspect that the Talon and his brutes are just a small fraction of a larger group, a group that may be part of an even larger organisation, probably led by someone rich and influential, so for our mutual safety I want to get rid of him in a quick way, obliterating as many traces as possible.

''So far everything he says makes sense and I'm not the only one who agrees with him, from the murmurs and other nods I gather that most if not all do.'' I think to myself. I continue to listen as he continues.

''I must also warn you straight away, we don't know their exact number and have only a guess as to their weaponry and training, but be prepared for a number slightly higher than ours and that they have at least a basic understanding of where the hilt of a sword is and where the handle of a sword is. I ask that you do not underestimate anyone, as we do not want to leave any of our own out there.'' Everyone nods their heads in agreement with me.

''So that there will be no misunderstandings and confusion if the whole operation goes as it should, which is the division of the spoils.'' Everyone's ears perked up because they really want to hear about it.

''I would like to say that we will share equally, but I can't.''

''I knew it! The fucking dh'oine is trying to trick us, a din is slowly starting to build up in the flat. We are all risking our lives, and he...''

''Silence!''

Everything suddenly went quiet for some reason unknown to me, he didn't even shout, he just raised his voice, but I felt... I felt that if I spoke up now, something bad would happen, this feeling was really strange, as if something invisible was resting on my shoulders.

''Let me finish, please!''

Still, no one spoke, this invisible pressure on our shoulders was holding us back.

''If tomorrow, or maybe even in a few days, a large amount of unknown equipment, starts circulating in the market because you decided to sell something that fell to you from the loot but you didn't need, Catch's superiors might notice it, making fast tracks lead them to us, I can't let that happen!

That's why I will pay you for the equipment and everything else in pure cash. Because I have a place to store and how to dispose of these phantoms without a trace.''

''Ahh...'' apart from my own, I heard a few other sighs of relief, heard and noticed a few apologetic words and looks. The young man was absolutely right, we were so focused on the riches to be gained that greed had blinded us to a healthy sludge, I honestly felt a little ashamed for myself and our people. When everyone had calmed down, our commander continued, hell, I don't even know when I started calling him that.

''That's not all though.'' he announced.

''We know where their hideout is, but it's going to take us a while to get there, so by the time we get there, we need to stay focused, we need to expect the unexpected.''

''Drowners and drowned dead.'' someone commented.

''Yes.'' The young man admitted.

''That's why we'll be moving in formation all the time.''

''I will be in front behind me Drag and Hubert, two dwarves with axes, behind them all with bows, that is Miriam, Tomo, Anna, Ywert, Inak and Timothy, our elven companions as support and finally as a rear guard Gavorn and Biga. Has everyone understood? You have fifteen minutes to recheck everything and then we are off!''

That was the end of our briefing and to be honest I was pleasantly surprised, if everything went so smoothly this operation could be a great success and I could finally take revenge on The Talon and his foul dogs for my little brother. I saw the young Tyr approach the prostitute Loona and begin to whisper quietly. From what I heard, she was his teacher, a brothelmother and the light of Vizima… the world is fucked up.

Getting into the sewers was not a problem, there were no guards, and besides, the distance from the flat to the sewers was only a dozen metres. As our whole group made our way inside, Tyr at the front fired up the torches and Gavorn at the end did the same. Along the way, we encountered a few of those pesky drowners and drowned dead, but they posed no problem for our skilled archers. Eventually we arrived under the bars that led further into the sewers. Our young captain took one last look at us, making sure everyone was ready. You could sense the tension in the air beyond the stench of shit, we were all nervous about what awaited us there, but also excited. When he received confirmation that we were ready, without further delay we headed to the headquarters of these fuckers.