Chapter 44: Brouver (1/4)

Taking away his prize from the poor creature Gnome, who was able to convince August on taking his already made swords, instead of making him forge new ones.

August had no mercy on the creature, picking one sword made of dark steel which is rumoured to be one of the best materials to be used for the steel swords. It will never lose its sharpness and in addition to that, it is also extra durable.

Leaving behind broke a dwarf and crying a gnome, August made his way towards the area where the owner of this city lives. Mahakam was no more an independent country since the tyranny of humans even got to the oldest to arrive on the continent.

They were given no place to live until they became one of the vassals to the Tymeria. They became a vassal to Tymeria, leaving their independency forever, but still having authority over their country.

August made his way towards the biggest house in the area, which had a lot of decorations around the entrance. A lot of golden sculptures things are only at the entrance. There was no doubt there lived one that is in charge of the city.

August approached a big house that was engraved in the mountain and was spotted by the guard that was guarding the place.

"State your purpose," said the guard.

"I'm in search of a job," replied August

That earned him surprised eyes from the guards.

"I don't think leader Brouver needs a Witchers' help at the moment. There better be a godly power that will help our leader," said the guard with a heavy voice.

"What's the matter?" inquired August

The other guard sighed, saying,

" I think you should talk to the leader in person. It is up to him to take you in or not"

"Just wait here for a moment, while I will ask him for an allowance," said the guard and went inside the house.

Not much time passed before he walked out with a smile on his face and said, "You can go in and talk to the leader"

August, saying nothing else, went inside, closely following behind the guard.

Within a minute of going past a lot of different room doors, they entered an enormous hall.

All the walls were made of stone, while the decoration inside was very rich. Red carpets were laying on the floor, while a big crystal chandelier was hanging above the head. A lot of stands were all around the room displaying the finest and most expensive works of Gnomes.

In the middle stood a fine wooden table, made of one of the most expensive woods, elegantly decorated. Painted in red and served with polished cutlery and dishes.

In the centre of the table sat a wide man with a long beard. Long and white-greyish hair was tied in a long tail that almost was the height of the Dwarf himself. Brown-piercing eyes that could look right inside your soul.

From the first glance at the man, you could guess that he is wise beyond his looks. In fact, this man in front of August, whose name is 'Brouver Hoog' is rumoured to be older than 300 years old.

The guards that brought August here saying nothing else left them alone.

August remained silent while the old man observed him from the chair while sipping glass after glass of alcohol.

"So what brought you here today kid?" asked the old dwarf

August ignored how a man referred to him as a kid and replied, "I'm in search of a job"

"I think you seek your job opportunities in the wrong place. We hardly require any help of the one of your kind," said the man with a disappointed voice.

"I offer a wide variety of jobs I can complete," calmly said August.

"Huh? What kind?" asked the old man.

"Any I deem possible," with a small smirk replied August.

With a smirk on his face, Brouver said, "So now Witchers offer more than killing others and slaying monsters. Hmm Interesting"

"Do you need anything I can help with?" inquired August once more.

Brouver strokes his beard, staying silent for a while.

"Unless you are a healer, that is better than our Gnomes that are said to be the best alchemist," said Brouver

"I have such a knowledge" replied August coldly

"Huh, alright kid, let's see if it is worth it," said Brouver, slightly surprised.

"Follow me," said Dwarf, gesturing for August to follow him.

August followed him to where they arrived close to one of the closed doors, taking a key that was hanging on his neck. Dwarf opened the door revealing a bedroom, that unlike other things that August had seen in this house looked modestly.

They walked inside, inside the room. On the big bed slept a small woman. Her 'Beautiful appearance' could kill a man. Her eyes were closed and her very long beard that reached the length of August was all over the place.

August patiently waited for the explanation of the task before making any judgement, but from the rough look of it, there was something wrong with this woman.

Brouver walked close to the girl and kissed her forehead, stroking her head with slow and gentle motions. You could see that he valued her a lot.

"This is my heart, this is my treasure. Reolwa, my dear wife, for reasons unknown to me, once fell asleep and nothing could wake her up again. I tried everything I could lay my hands on to help her, but nothing worked."

He looked at August with eyes full of sadness. Now he didn't look like someone very powerful and wise. Instead, he looked just like a kid that lost all of his hope for the rescue of the one he loves.

"Tell me, Witcher, can you solve this? Can you help my dear Reolwa? If you can do that, ask for anything and I will try to fulfil one of your wishes if you succeeded in bringing her back."

"I can try, but I will require you to leave" replied August

Old Dwarf stood and slowly left the room. Before closing the door he said.

"But be aware Witcher, I have my own rules, and I always say 'Trust a man, give him somethin' o' value… an' he'll go 'n' give it away easy as a street whore gives away nubs!'. Only if you do succeed, I will grant what promised or more, but I won't move my finger before I can see results. And don't you dare to injure her, or I will make ghouls eat you alive slowly and painfully. "

"Fine by me," replied August and gestured him to walk outside of the room, leaving August and the sleeping 'Beauty' alone.

When the man was gone, August examined his wife, trying to see how she reacts to different things such as potions that are targeted for healing. August tried to influence her using all known means that could cause a reaction even in those that are in a coma, but nothing showed any kind of reaction.

August walked out of the room seeing Dwarf waiting for him there with a worrying face and slightly trembling hands.

"I think you were wrong," calmly said August

Confusion enveloped the old dwarf's face and later showed anger that was caused by August's words.

"What do you mean whelp?" said Brouver in a loud voice, getting a grip on August's neck.

Without fear on his face August, who was held by the throat, said "On your side, I would remain silent or it might cause unwanted results that you don't expect"

"What do you mean?" shouted a man

Just then he felt something resting against his belly. Looking down, he spotted a knife that was a few millimetres from piercing his flesh. With wide eyes, he released a grip from August's neck, who in return put his weapon back into the sheath.

"Stories didn't lie about your kind," said Brouver, before inquiring, "So what do you mean?"

"She is not sick the way you think it is. She is cursed by something, but this is quite good for you," explained August, without fear or hesitation.

"Huh," furrowed Brouver. "What do you mean it is quite good, SHE IS CURSED? What could be worse?" Brouversaid in an aggressive voice.

August's brows raised. "I thought you would be informed better about the curses since you are rumoured to be over 300 years"

With a slightly annoyed expression, "I had no time learning about something like that. I had responsibilities that I have to fulfil"

"Well, she is just sleeping. She didn't turn into a monster. She lost nothing, but just fell asleep. I can only assume that this curse was directed to you, not her," explained August.

Brouver confirmed, "So those that cursed my wife were someone that wished to hurt me?"

In approval, August nodded his head and inquired, "Do you know anyone that could be responsible for that?"

Brouver just snorted. "There are countless people that can be displeased with me. Most of the kings from human kingdoms always want to take full control of the Mahakam, but I will never let the lives sacrificed in the wars that we fought to keep this very ground as ours be taken and managed by greedy humans."

August released a tired sigh. "I will have to investigate this, while you will have to wait"

"Take your time, Witcher, but you are the first one to give me even the slightest hope, so I expect results from you," said Brouver with a small smile on his lips.

For long years, his wife remained sleeping without reaction to anything happening outside. He tried everything he could think of, but nothing worked. At this point, he thought it is impossible to help his dear wife, but when he heard that this was a curse, there was a slight chance of him being able to see his dear wife alive and happy. That brought him a bit of happiness, however, until he could see results. Nothing could make him jump in enjoyment.

August was about to walk away, to see what he could figure out about this case when the old Dwarf called him out "Witcher! What is your name?"

August simply said, "August" walking away, leaving old Dwarf to wonder about the results that could be good and bad at the same time.

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