The Witcher: My Own Path

We stood stunned, staring at the main actor in the spectacle of death and carnage, terrified, hoping it wasn't our turn. I no longer knew who our captain really was. A young man smiling radiantly at everyone around him, offering a helping hand, a genius creating wonders out of fire and metal, a captain, prudent and astute, knowing there was no escape from difficult decisions, a warrior dancing the beautiful but deadly dance of death or, with fury and cold amusement, crushing his enemies with a nod. I don't know! Who he really is, I just wish he was never, ever our enemy!

As Talon dead body fell to the floor, Tyr turned to us and stood motionless, as if waiting for something. After a moment I noticed Gavorn coming out from between everyone, he approached Tyr and suddenly knelt down on one knee, with his head bowed low.

''What are your further orders, my lord?'' he asked servilely.

He looked at him, and his eyes, which only a moment ago were blazing gold and scarlet, slowly returned to their original colour. He said nothing; he continued to stand. After a moment I heard the sound of footsteps behind us, I turned around and saw her, the prostitute Loona walking towards us, to my surprise and great envy she was wearing the same outfit as Tyr, but in a female version, and her sword had the same pattern but was thinner and shorter. She also approached the captain and, like Gavorn, knelt on one knee.

''Just as you suspected, Master. one of the rats tried to slip away, I have dealt with it and our men are keeping a close eye on the area to be sure.''

''What is really going on here? Who are these people?'' I shouted in my own thoughts. I had known Gavorn for many years, I would never have guessed that he was in the service of someone, especially a man, practically still a child, but if I thought about it more deeply, this man, this child could easily take care of Lap and his men and get us for dessert. I felt chills running through my body.

Who was trying to escape? Probably the one I couldn't shoot down...

''All right, Gavorn! Take care of everything according to plan.'' Tyr said.

''And as for you!'' This time he turned to Loona, his eyes shining with vivid anger again.

''Follow me.'' he ordered. I knew one thing; she was in trouble and I already felt sorry for her.

When they left, I looked at Gavorn, who was giving the orders. Now everything made sense, he and the prostitute, if she really is one, knew each other because they served the same master, I wonder if....

''Miriam! If anyone can help your brother, it is my master.'' Gavorn looked into my eyes, and his face betrayed certainty.

''However, nothing in the world is free, so one thing is for sure, I don't regret it and neither will you.''

I nodded, I knew what I had to do. I could stay put and do nothing, continuing with a life that wasn't worth living, or I could move forward, starting down a path that was unknown but full of possibilities, for me and my brother. I headed towards one of the many chambers where I suspected I would find the captain. Just as I was about to go inside, I saw them, so I quickly moved away, but surreptitiously stuck my head out to see and listen to what they were talking about. He was standing, she was kneeling in front of him. His eyes were still burning and I could tell by the tone of his voice that he was unhappy, I can only guess why.

''At the lowest point of your life, I reached out to you to snatch you from the grip of death, I sent your daughter to one of the best academies in the world, I gave you an environment to work in, I gave you a purpose and huge funds, I trained you and gave you a title. You were supposed to be my eyes and ears! And in your first important mission you failed. You were not supposed to spy on the king, or even a minor noble, but only on third-rate bandits hiding like rats in the sewers, and what did I get? A bunch of complete nonsense, not even half correct, is that what I should expect from you?''

''Ah... so she's the reason we nearly all died.'' I thought. I have to admit, though, that she totally screwed up. I could have done so much better.

''Forgive me Lord, it won't happen again.''

''I hope so, because if it does, I will find someone to replace you, and now get out of my sight until you prove yourself, you have lost my favour.''

''Yes, my lord, forgive me.''

She got up and left the chamber passing me, I could see the fear in her eyes, however it was sadness and the fact that she had failed, that she had dominated, we could have died because of her, however I feel sorry for her, but only a little.

''Come on Miriam.''

She knows I'm here! Ah... Of course she knows, she probably guessed right away.

I step out from behind the wall and approach him, his eyes normal again. Good, those were freaking me out.

''Captain...'' I started.

''I am not your captain Miriam.

''As long as the mission is going on, you are, and as far as I know, it's still going on.''

''All right, but you didn't come to tell me that, did you, or did you come to eavesdrop?''

I sensed the amusement in his voice.

He knew!

''No, of course he didn't know!''

''So why are you here?''

I didn't know how to start, I didn't know if he would help me, I was afraid he would reject me.

''Her brother is paralysed my lord, he can't walk.''

''Hmm...'' Muttered Tyr, looking at his new guest.

''Gavorn? What are you doing here?'' I asked surprised and angry that he had spoken at all.

''I've known you Miriam since you were a child, I know how you think and I know how pride prevents you from asking others for help.''

''That's not true.'' I thought, this time it's not pride, but fear of rejection, of not being able to help.

''Is this true?'' He asked, looking into my eyes.

''Yes.'' I answered quickly.

''Maybe I will be able to help your brother...''

''I will serve you faithfully!'' I interrupted him because I know what he wants I knelt down on my knee. ''I know that this is the only way my brother will recover.'' I thought. He is intelligent, powerful and rich. He is not a racist, by serving him I can learn a lot, maybe even change a lot for us non-humans for the better, I quickly calculated. Gavorn serves him too, so I see no reason to refuse him!

''Although... I will have to examine him first.'' he finished.

''Ahahaha!''

Gavorn burst out laughing loudly, while I felt like collapsing to the ground in shame.