The first rays of sunlight rained down upon the land, and it bestowed a glimmering sheen upon the beads of sweat on the young witcher’s face.
The training week had ended, and it was the 21st of June, 1261. Midaete had arrived.
The veteran witchers, in all their mercy, allowed Roy a day off. He went to the marketplace with Auckes to find something to eat, and he tried to get some clues about the chosen person. Roy had been to Aldersberg, Mahakam, Ellander, and Vizima. Their marketplace was stuffy and noisy, and Cintra’s was every bit as noisy as the other marketplaces.
Skellige Isles stood at its west, and the maritime delivery business was booming here. Yaruga flowed on the northern side of Cintra, and the neighboring kingdoms were Sodden and Brugge, vassal states of Temeria. Cintra had a lot of partnership with the merchants in those kingdoms.
The merchants who came from the north and west easily filled the marketplace with their stalls. Auckes took Roy with him, and they bravely delved into the throng. The moment they did, the rancid stench of sweat, body odor, the smell of feet, and the scent of poultry excrements assailed them. Roy almost passed out from the smell alone, and he grumbled, “Wow, this is nastier than nekker breath.”
“You’ll get used to it eventually.”
There were sounds of flutes and lutes in the marketplace. Obviously, bards and lutists were performing in the square, and to make things worse, there was a horn player blowing his horn around. The cacophony of noises almost made Roy’s head explode, and he complained, “This is a disaster.”
He stood among the crowd patiently, and a while later, he saw a few interesting things. A small crowd gathered around some halflings and watched as they made a beautiful wine pouch from leather, while two elves were selling some exquisite dolls.
Well, this is the first time I’ve seen a non-human race outside of elves and dwarves. Halflings looked shorter than dwarves. They were not even four feet (1.2 meters) tall, but they looked a bit more handsome than dwarves were. Still, they had bigger eyes and noses compared to humans, and they didn’t have majestic beards like dwarves did. However, their chest and leg hair were thick.
Roy cast Observe on them, and he noticed that the halflings’ Strength and Constitution were less than four. Obviously, they were weaker than the average human, but they had a special trait.
‘Deft Hands (Passive). Halflings are shorter than humans and dwarves, but they have great accuracy and talent in archery and rock throwing. Dexterity +1, Perception +2.’
***
After Roy was done sightseeing, the horn player finally stopped as well. Someone probably killed him. “Hey, something smells nice. What is it?”
“Grilled potato, I suppose.” Auckes patted his money pouch. “Want one?”
“Two. One for each of us.”
“I am a meat eater.” Auckes grinned toothily.
“You have quite the good stomach.” Roy spent a few crowns to buy some potatoes and wolfed it down. The unique taste came as a surprise, but it was a light snack at most, and it could not fill the belly of a hungry witcher. There were a lot of stalls in the marketplace, however, so Roy got toast and smoked carp before his belly finally stopped rumbling.
It was time for business after breakfast, and Auckes started teaching him some tips and tricks. “We think that the chosen person the Wild Hunt is pursuing probably has the same traits as the Unexpected Children.” Auckes looked at the crowd nonchalantly, but his eyes were gleaming. “They must have something special about them, so open your eyes and look around.”
“Auckes, you could have said nothing and the outcome would still not change. We don’t even know the Wild Hunt’s target, so how should we look for it.”
“Have some patience, kid.” Auckes still looked around. “I told you the girl who was captured and released by the Wild Hunt has talent, did I not?”
“You mean the talent for being a witcher?”
“Yes. She might be young, but she already has some mana within her. She doesn’t know how to control it, so our pendant resonated with her.”
“I see.” Roy knew who the target was, but he had to pretend he knew nothing and go around with Auckes for some investigation.
“Be on the lookout. Not every girl who has talent can cause the pendant to resonate. Some girls who seem grotesque might be the Wild Hunt’s target as well. And those who act weird might be a target too.”
Yeah, I know. Girls like that are budding witches, just like Casiga.
The marketplace had the most number of people in Cintra, and it became the first stop of their sleuth work. They walked ahead and came across a weird semicircle amphitheater. Wooden stands measuring six feet tall supported a huge canvas, and it acted as a makeshift wall around the amphitheater. The entrance was located between two stands, and a tall, freckled man who wore a short-sleeved shirt, a pair of striped pants and sailor boots stood sentry outside the entrance. A small group of people wandered before him, then they tossed him some coins and went into the amphitheater.
The man tossed the coins into a big bag, and he bellowed hoarsely. “Step right up! We got the most terrifying creature the gods have ever created! The one and only basilisk from Zerrikania! See it in all its glory! Only one crown! Step right up!”
“Basilisk?” Roy was curious. What kind of fool would put that kind of monster in a packed marketplace? But that interested him as well. Hey, if it’s true, it’s worth a crown. I’m in need of a magical creature to test my Taming on. A locked basilisk is the perfect target.
“I’ve never seen a basilisk before.” A basilisk was a lethal enemy for any witcher.
“Wanna have a look?”
“Well, I am trying to look for some fun, and we have to find the Wild Hunt’s quarry.” Auckes shook his head. “You can have a look yourself, but don’t forget about tomorrow’s training.”
“Sure.”
They went their separate ways, and Roy tossed the man a crown before he went into the amphitheater. A stage made out of wood stood in the center, and a crowd surrounded it. They were staring at the wooden cage on the stage, but a blanket covered it. After the last customers came in, the man leaped up onto the stage and pulled the blanket up with a wooden pole, then the stench of the animal assailed them.
The audience took a few steps back, grumbling as they did so. Only the witcher remained still as he stared at the cage with interest.
“Do take a few steps back, audience. This creature is dangerous.”
A black beast the size of a calf was curled up in the cage. Upon closer inspection, Roy noticed it was covered in black feathers. The man knocked on the cage with his pole, and the beast squirmed. As its skin and claws touched the cage, the beast craned its neck and let out a ghastly scream. It jutted its beak out of the cage and stuck its crimson tongue out.
One look and Roy knew the beast was not a basilisk. He stared at it and casted Observe.
‘Griffin
Gender: Female
Age: Three months old
HP: 70 (Injured, weakened)
Strength: 6
Dexterity: 7
Constitution: 7
Perception: 7
Will: 6
Charisma: 4
Spirit: 5
Skills:
Chimera (Passive): Griffins have the best of eagles and lions. They have strengthened digestive tracts and regenerative abilities. Dexterity +2, Strength +2, Constitution +2.
Predator (Passive): Griffins are one of the best predators in the beast world. Its beak and claws have special structures, and the wounds they inflict will cause continuous blood loss. It has better sight and smell than other animals. Perception +2.’
***
That’s a griffin for you. She’s just a baby, but she already has better stats than a regular adult. Roy was delighted. Looks like this is going to be a fulfilling trip after all. However, there was one tiny flaw. As the symbol of bravery and courage, the griffin’s Will stood at six, and she was only three months old. Roy’s Will was 9.5. Even if he leveled up immediately, he couldn’t level his Will up to 12, so he couldn’t tame the griffin by force. Even so, he wouldn’t let go of the chance. I have to try and get this griffin.
“Have a look, folks. This creature comes from the desert. It can spew venom, so please do not come near the cage!”
The crowd looked solemn, and none of them made sudden movements. The man nodded in delight, and he continued, “This is a basilisk. It has the sharpest fangs in the world, and a single one of this beast can kill ten lions.”
“How’d you catch it, then?” someone asked quietly.
The man quickly answered, “It’s a secret. But you can purchase it if you have the right price.”
Roy interrupted, “That is no basilisk. No creature in the desert would look this dark.”
“Silence, child!” Enraged, the man nearly poked Roy with his pole. “How dare you deny a warrior’s fruit of labor? If this creature is not a basilisk…” The man swirled around to face the audience. “Then tell them what it really is.”
“A griffin,” Roy said loudly. “It’s not even four months old. It’s weakened, starving, and its wing is broken. It has the same name in Elder Speech.”
“Do you think the audience is blind? There are no black griffins in this world!” The man was still trying to deny it.
“Let me guess. You painted it black. It’ll reveal its true colors once it takes a shower.”
The audience was starting to whisper among themselves. Elder Speech was famous in these lands, and knowing it made Roy seem like an expert.
The man started to panic. “Silence, child, or I will—”
“Or you will what?” A beautiful woman in a yellow dress stepped up. Her dress was expensive, and it was obvious she was from a higher class. “Are you afraid? Have you been scamming the audience? Is that why you don’t want him to explain himself?”
“I…” The man looked at the woman with hesitation, then he shot a glare at Roy. “Fine, come here, child. Touch it, and I guarantee it will spew its venom at you. Don’t come crying if it does.”
“I’ll take you up on that offer,” Roy agreed before leaping up to the stage. The crowd was whispering, but Roy ignored them, and he went straight to the cage.
When the griffin caught Roy’s scent, its eyes turned crimson, and it started struggling violently in its cage. However, Roy wasn’t fazed at all. He went even closer to the cage and stretched his hand out to quickly touch the griffin’s furry head.
“See?” Roy teased the griffin as if it were a common dog. “Where’s the venom? I’m still alive.”
“He’s brave. Is he a beastmaster?” The girl who came to Roy’s defense looked delighted, and she mumbled to herself, “Well, now I can tell the princess all about this.”
“So did your ‘venomous’ creature kill me?” Roy mocked the man, and the man couldn’t even say a word.
“Look out, behind you!”
“The creature is escaping!”
The crowd started shouting, for the baby griffin bent its cage, and it forced the rusty nail out. The man quickly ran away, fearing he might be killed. The crowd was starting to panic, then, the griffin made one final push and broke its cage entirely, but it still took the griffin some time to wiggle out of its prison.
Before the crowd could even gasp, Roy quickly put his hand on the griffin’s head, much to the crowd’s shock. Roy cast Fear on the griffin, and the creature saw countless crimson tentacles rising from Roy’s back. Its guttural roar was cut short, and it kneeled before Roy motionlessly.
Roy’s higher Will took effect, and even after Fear’s effect had passed, the griffin still didn’t get up, much to Roy’s surprise.
The man who ran away earlier was shocked to see that as well. “What in Melitele’s name is going on? I don’t remember that beast being so agreeable.” All griffins are proud, including their babies. How did this kid manage to tame it?
When the crowd realized what had happened, their jaws dropped.
“Dark gold eyes, special attire. He’s a witcher.” The girl in the yellow dress looked excited. When she realized who Roy was, she couldn’t wait to return to the castle and tell the princess what she saw. She has always been curious about witchers, that princess.
Roy brushed his hand across the griffin’s mane and touched its warm, trembling body. Hm, this beast feels like a rooster. “You need a better cage.”
“Um…” The man’s face turned red in embarrassment. “Ca-Can you send it home for me?”
“I can, but this counts as a request.”
“A request?” Curious, the man looked at Roy closely. “Y-You’re a witcher?”
“Roy of the Viper School.”
The man looked surprised, and he forgot all about his griffin. “Mr. Roy, forgive me for my impudence.” He bowed. “Do you still accept requests? Oh, I don’t mean locking the beast up in a cage. This is a more important request.”
“You’re talking about that right here?”
“I am very sorry, my audience.” Galar turned around. “Today’s presentation has ended. But as compensation, tomorrow’s show shall be free.”
The crowd grumbled and muttered, but they left in the end.
Roy could feel Galar’s determination, so he named his price. “I like this little one. Are you willing to sell it?”
“Um…” Galar looked troubled, but a moment later, he gritted his teeth. “If you can settle this matter for me, then I shall give you this griffin in return.”
***
***
