Velerad clapped his hands.
‘Beer!’ he called. ‘And sit closer, Geralt. What do I care?’
The beer, when it arrived, was cold and frothy.
‘Foul times,’ Velerod muttered, drinking deep from his tankard. ‘All sorts of filth has sprung up. Mahakam, in the mountains, is teeming with bogeymen. In the past it was just wolves howling in the woods, but now it’s kobolds and spriggans wherever you spit, werewolves or some other vermin. Fairies and rusalkas snatch children from villages by the hundreds. We have diseases never heard of before; it makes my hair stand on end. And now, to top it all, this!’ He pushed the wad of leather back across the table. ‘It’s not surprising, Geralt, that you witchers’ services are in demand.’
‘The king’s proclamation, castellan,’ Geralt raised his head. ‘Do you know the details?’
Velerad leant back in his chair, locked his hands over his stomach.
‘The details? Yes, I know them. Not first-hand perhaps, but from a good source.’
‘That’s what I want.’
‘If you insist, then listen.’ Velerad drank some beer and lowered his voice. ‘During the reign of old Medell, his father, when our gracious king was still a prince, Foltest showed us what he was capable of, and he was capable of a great deal. We hoped he would grow out of it. But shortly after his coronation Foltest surpassed himself, jaw-droppingly: he got his own sister with child. Adda was younger and they were always together, but nobody suspected anything except, perhaps, the queen… To get to the point: suddenly there is Adda with a huge belly, and Foltest talking about getting wed to his sister. The situation was made even more tense because Vizimir of Novigrad wanted his daughter, Dalka, to marry Foltest and had already sent out his envoys. We had to restrain Foltest from insulting them, and lucky we did, or Vizimir would have torn our insides out. Then, not without Adda’s help – for she influenced her brother – we managed to dissuade the boy from a quick wedding.
‘Well, then Adda gave birth. And now listen, because this is where it all starts. Only a few saw what she bore, but one midwife jumped from the tower window to her death and the other lost her senses and remains dazed to this day. So I gather that the royal bastard – a girl – was not comely, and she died immediately. No one was in a hurry to tie the umbilical cord. Nor did Adda, to her good fortune, survive the birth.
‘But then Foltest stepped in again. Wisdom dictated that the royal bastard should have been burned or buried in the wilderness. Instead, on the orders of our gracious king, she was laid to rest in a sarcophagus in the vaults beneath the palace.’
‘It’s too late for your wisdom now.’ Geralt raised his head. ‘One of the Knowing Ones should have been sent for.’
‘You mean those charlatans with stars on their hats? Of course. About ten of them came running later, when it became known what lay in the sarcophagus. And what scrambled out of it at night. Though it didn’t start manifesting straight away. Oh, no. For seven years after the funeral there was peace. Then one night – it was a full moon – there were screams in the palace, shouting and commotion! I don’t have to tell you, this is your trade and you’ve read the proclamation. The infant had grown in the coffin – and how! – grown to have incredible teeth! In a word, she became a striga.
‘Pity you didn’t see the corpses, as I did. Had you, you’d have taken a great detour to avoid Wyzim.’
Geralt was silent.
‘Then, as I was saying,’ Velerad continued, ‘Foltest summoned a whole crowd of sorcerers. They all jabbered at the same time and almost came to blows with those staffs they carry – to beat off the dogs, no doubt, once they’ve been set loose on them. And I think they regularly are. I’m sorry, Geralt, if you have a different opinion of wizards. No doubt you do, in your profession, but to me they are swindlers and fools. You witchers inspire greater confidence in men. At least you are more straightforward.’
Geralt smiled, but didn’t comment.
‘But, to the point.’ The castellan peered into his tankard and poured more beer for himself and the Rivian. ‘Some of the sorcerers’ advice didn’t seem so stupid. One suggested burning the striga together with the palace and the sarcophagus. Another advised chopping her head off. The rest were keen on driving aspen stakes into her body during the day, when the she-devil was asleep in her coffin, worn out by her night’s delights. Unfortunately one, a jester with a pointed hat and a bald pate, a hunch-backed hermit, argued it was magic: the spell could be undone and the striga would turn into Foltest’s little daughter, as pretty as a picture. Someone simply had to stay in the crypt throughout the night, and that would be that. After which – can you imagine such a fool? – he went to the palace for the night. Little of him was left in the morning, only, I believe, his hat and stick. But Foltest clung to his idea like a burr to a dog’s tail. He forbade any attempt to kill the striga and brought in charlatans from all corners of Wyzim to reverse the spell and turn her into a princess. What colourful company! Twisted women, cripples, dirty and louse-ridden. It was pitiful.
‘They went ahead and cast spells – mainly over a bowl and tankard. Of course some were quickly exposed as frauds by Foltest or the council. A few were even hung on the palisades, but not enough of them. I would have hung them all. I don’t suppose I have to say that the striga, in the meantime, was getting her teeth into all sorts of people every now and again and paying no attention to the fraudsters and their spells. Or that Foltest was no longer living in the palace. No one lived there anymore.’
Velerad paused, drank some beer, and the witcher waited in silence.
‘And so it’s been for seven years, Geralt, because she was born around fourteen years ago. We’ve had a few other worries, like war with Vizimir of Novigrad – fought for real, understandable reasons – over the border posts, not for some princess or marriage alliance. Foltest sporadically hints at marriage and looks over portraits from neighbouring courts, which he then throws down the privy. And every now and then this mania seizes hold of him again, and he sends horsemen out to look for new sorcerers. His promised reward, the three thousand, has attracted any number of cranks, stray knights, even a shepherd known throughout the whole region as a cretin, may he rest in peace. But the striga is still doing well. Every now and again she gets her teeth into someone. You get used to it. And at least those heroes trying to reverse the spell have a use – the beast stuffs herself on the spot and doesn’t roam beyond her palace. Foltest has a new palace, of course, quite a fine one.’
‘In seven years,’ Geralt raised his head, ‘in seven years, no one has settled the matter?’
‘Well, no.’ Velerad’s gaze penetrated the witcher. ‘Because the matter can’t be settled. We have to come to terms with it, especially Foltest, our gracious and beloved ruler, who will keep nailing these proclamations up at crossroads. Although there are fewer volunteers now. There was one recently, but he insisted on the three thousand in advance. So we put him in a sack and threw him in the lake.’
‘There is still no shortage of fraudsters then.’
‘No, far from it,’ the castellan agreed without taking his eyes off the witcher. ‘That’s why you mustn’t demand gold in advance when you go to the palace. If you go.’
‘I’ll go.’
‘It’s up to you. But remember my advice. As we’re talking of the reward, there has been word recently about the second part of it. I mentioned it to you: the princess for a wife. I don’t know who made it up, but if the striga looks the way they say then it’s an exceptionally grim joke. Nevertheless there’s been no lack of fools racing to the palace for the chance of joining the royal family. Two apprentice shoemakers, to be precise. Why are shoemakers so foolish, Geralt?’
‘I don’t know. And witchers, castellan? Have they tried?’
‘There were a few. But when they heard the spell was to be lifted and the striga wasn’t to be killed they mostly shrugged and left. That’s one of the reasons why my esteem for witchers has grown, Geralt. And one came along, younger
than you – I forget his name, if he gave it at all. He tried.’
‘And?’
‘The fanged princess spread his entrails over a considerable distance.’
Geralt nodded. ‘That was all of them?’
‘There was one other.’
Velerad remained silent for a while, and the witcher didn’t urge him on.
‘Yes,’ the castellan said finally. ‘There was one more. At first, when Foltest threatened him with the noose if he killed or harmed the striga, he laughed and started packing his belongings. But then—’ Velerad leaned across the table, lowered his voice to almost a whisper. ‘—then he undertook the task. You see, Geralt, there are some wise men in Wyzim, in high positions, who’ve had enough of this whole affair. Rumour has it these men persuaded the witcher, in secret, not to fuss around with spells but to batter the striga to death and tell the king the spell had failed, that his dear daughter had been killed in self-defence – an accident at work. The king, of course, would be furious and refuse to pay an oren in reward. But that would be an end to it. The witty witcher replied we could chase strigas ourselves for nothing. Well, what could we do? We collected money, bargained… but nothing came of it.’
Geralt raised his eyebrows.
‘Nothing,’ repeated Velerad. ‘The witcher didn’t want to try that first night. He trudged around, lay in wait, wandered about the neighbourhood. Finally, they say, he saw the striga in action, as she does not clamber from her crypt just to stretch her legs. He saw her and scarpered that night. Without a word.’
Geralt’s expression changed a little, in what was probably supposed to be a smile.
‘Those wise men,’ he said, ‘they still have the money, no doubt? Witchers don’t take payment in advance.’
‘No doubt they still do,’ said Velerad.
‘Does the rumour say how much they offer?’
Velerad bared his teeth in a smile. ‘Some say eight hundred—’
Geralt shook his head.
‘Others,’ murmured the castellan, ‘talk of a thousand.’
‘Not much when you bear in mind that rumour likes to exaggerate. And the king is offering three thousand.’
‘Don’t forget about the betrothal,’ Velerad mocked. ‘What are you talking about? It’s obvious you won’t get the three thousand.’
‘How’s it obvious?’
Velerad thumped the table. ‘Geralt, do not spoil my impression of witchers! This has been going on for more than seven years! The striga is finishing off up to fifty people a year, fewer now people are avoiding the palace. Oh no, my friend, I believe in magic. I’ve seen a great deal and I believe, to a certain extent, in the abilities of wizards and witchers. But all this nonsense about lifting the spell was made up by a hunch-backed, snotty old man who’d lost his mind on his hermit’s diet. It’s nonsense which no one but Foltest believes. Adda gave birth to a striga because she slept with her brother. That is the truth, and no spell will help. Now the striga devours people – as strigas do – she has to be killed, and that is that. Listen: two years ago peasants from some God-forsaken hole near Mahakam were plagued by a dragon devouring their sheep. They set out together, battered the dragon to death with stanchions, and did not even think it worth boasting about. But we in Wyzim are waiting for a miracle and bolting our doors every full moon, or tying our criminals to a stake in front of the palace, praying the beast stuffs herself and returns to her sarcophagus.’
‘Not a bad method,’ the witcher smiled. ‘Are there fewer criminals?’
‘Not a bit of it.’
‘Which way to the palace, the new one?’
‘I will take you myself. And what about the wise men’s suggestion?’
‘Castellan,’ said Geralt, ‘why act in haste? After all, I really could have an accident at work, irrespective of my intentions. Just in case, the wise men should be thinking about how to save me from the king’s anger and get those fifteen hundred orens, of which rumour speaks, ready.’
‘It was to be a thousand.’
‘No, Lord Velerad,’ the witcher said categorically. ‘The witcher who was offered a thousand ran at the mere sight of the striga, without bargaining. So the risk is greater than a thousand. Whether it is greater than one and a half remains to be seen. Of course, I will say goodbye beforehand.’
‘Geralt?’ Velerad scratched his head. ‘One thousand two hundred ?’
‘No. This isn’t an easy task. The king is offering three, and sometimes it’s easier to lift a spell than to kill. But one of my predecessors would have done so, or killed the striga, if this were simple. You think they let themselves be devoured out of fear of the king?’
‘Then, witcher,’ Velerad nodded wistfully, ‘our agreement stands. But a word of advice – say nothing to the king about the danger of an accident at work.’
III
Foltest was slim and had a pretty – too pretty – face. He was under forty, the witcher thought. The king was sitting on a dwarf-armchair carved from black wood, his legs stretched out toward the hearth, where two dogs were warming themselves. Next to him on a chest sat an older, powerfully-built man with a beard. Behind the king stood another man, richly dressed and with a proud look on his face. A magnate.
‘A witcher from Rivia,’ said the king after the moment’s silence which fell after Velerad’s introduction.
‘Yes, your Majesty.’ Geralt lowered his head.
‘What made your hair so grey? Magic? I can see that you are not old. That was a joke. Say nothing. You’ve had a fair amount of experience, I dare presume?’
‘Yes, your Majesty.’
‘I would love to hear about it.’
Geralt bowed even lower. ‘Your Majesty, you know our code of practice forbids us to speak of our work.’
‘A convenient code, witcher, very convenient. But tell me, have you had anything to do with spriggans?’
‘Yes.’
‘Vampires, leshys?’
‘Those too.’
Foltest hesitated. ‘Strigas?’
Geralt raised his head, looking the king in the eyes. ‘Yes.’
Foltest turned his eyes away. ‘Velerad!’
‘Yes, Gracious Majesty?’
‘Have you given him the details?’
‘Yes, your Gracious Majesty. He says the spell cast on the princess can be reversed.’
‘I have known that for a long time. How, witcher ? Oh, of course, I forgot. Your code of practice. All right. I will make one small comment. Several witchers have been here already. Velerad, you have told him? Good. So I know that your speciality is to kill, rather than to reverse spells. This isn’t an option. If one hair falls from my daughter’s head, your head will be on the block. That is all. Ostrit, Lord Segelen, stay and give him all the information he requires. Witchers always ask a lot of questions. Feed him and let him stay in the palace. He is not to drift from tavern to tavern.’
The king rose, whistled to his dogs and made his way to the door, scattering the straw covering the chamber floor. At the door he paused.
‘If you succeed, witcher, the reward is yours. Maybe I will add something if you do well. Of course, the nonsense spread by common folk about marrying the princess carries not a word of truth. I’m sure you don’t believe I would give my daughter’s hand to a stranger?’
‘No, your Majesty. I don’t.’
‘Good. That shows you have some wisdom.’
Foltest left, closing the door behind him. Velerad and the magnate, who had been standing all the while, immediately sat at the table. The castellan finished the king’s half-full cup, peered into the jug and cursed. Ostrit, who took Foltest’s chair, scowled at the witcher while he stroked the carved armrests. Segelin, the bearded man, nodded at Geralt.
‘Do sit, witcher, do sit. Supper will soon be served. What would you like to know? Castellan Velerad has probably already told you everything. I know him, he has sooner told you too much than too little.’
‘Only a few questions.’
‘Ask.’
‘The castellan said that, after the striga’s appearance, the king called up many Knowing Ones.’
‘That’s right. But don’t say striga, say princess. It makes it easier to avoid making a mistake in the king’s presence – and any consequent unpleasantness.’
‘Was there anyone well-known among the Knowing Ones? Anyone famous?’
‘There were such, then and later. I don’t remember the names. Do you, Lord Ostrit?’
‘I don’t recall,’ said the magnate. ‘But I know some of them enjoyed fame and recognition. There was much talk of it.’
‘Were they in agreement that the spell can be lifted?’
‘They were far from any agreement,’ smiled Segelin, ‘on any subject. But such an opinion was expressed. It was supposed to be simple, not even requiring magical abilities. As I understand it, it would suffice for someone to spend the night – from sunset to the third crowing of the cock – by the sarcophagus.’
‘Simple indeed,’ snorted Velerad.
‘I would like to hear a description of the… the princess.’
Velerad leapt up from his chair. ‘The princess looks like a striga!’ he yelled. ‘Like the most strigish striga I have heard of! Her Royal Highness, the cursed royal bastard, is four cubits high, shaped like a barrel of beer, has a maw which stretches from ear to ear and is full of dagger-like teeth, has red eyes and a red mop of hair! Her paws, with claws like a wild cat’s, hang down to the ground ! I’m surprised we’ve yet to send her likeness to friendly courts! The princess, plague choke her, is already fourteen. Time to think of giving her hand to a prince in marriage!’
‘Hold on, Velerad,’ frowned Ostrit, glancing at the door. Segelin smiled faintly.
‘The description, although vivid, is reasonably accurate, and that’s what you wanted, isn’t it, witcher? Velerad didn’t mention that the princess moves with incredible speed and is far stronger for her height and build than one would expect. And she is fourteen years old, if that is of any importance.’
‘It is,’ said the witcher. ‘Do the attacks on people only occur during the full moon?’