Chapter 52

It was with a great deal of relief that hours after they had left for the battlefield the army returned to Vergen in high spirits. Soldiers laughing and thumping each other on the back at their victory instead of coming back as broken shells after surviving a living hell on earth like canon would have it. Seltkirk himself was unsurprisingly the hero of the day due to his successful duel against Vandergrift that broke enemy morale and forced the Kaedweni to retreat back across the Pontar like whipped dogs.

Very hungry whipped dogs as well since their camp was in flames so they would have to make the journey home with more than a few empty bellies due to the lack of supplies.

Many troops had to be tended to by the medics, Seltikirk among them for the injuries he sustained during his duel, but even they were in good spirits as the local dwarves brought out barrels of ale in celebration of the victory.

The celebrations lasted well into the night, something which Ivar and I got sucked into just because we were around, and the sun had well and truly set by time we were called to the Castle of the Three Fathers once more.

Prince Stennis met us near the entrance alongside a group of guards and other nobles, Tybalt among them, a smile on his sour face for once.

"Congratulations on your victory, your highness." I bowed slightly to the man, something which Ivar did as well with more grace. "I assume your lord father the king will be quite happy to hear the news."

"For once," Stennis jested. "It will be good to return with favorable news. My father does not like losing. I will be leading most of the army back to Vengerburg in victory while Ser Seltkirk remains behind to heal, clean up the battlefield, and make sure Henselt doesn't try to cross the Pontar once more. I know we have you partly to thank for our victory by allowing our forces to burn his camp to the ground and encourage that retreat. For that you have my thanks."

"Just doing my job," I brushed it off.

Stennis shook his head. "No. You weren't. You did more than your job. I've never met a Witcher, but I know of their reputation. 'Unscrupulously neutral' I believe were the words my father used to describe your guild. You could have burned that report with the necrophage nests, but didn't. And in doing so, may well have saved many lives."

"To be fair I was paid to return anything I found over the course of my job by Seltkirk, doesn't matter what it was."

Tybalt, surprisingly enough, spoke up. "Enough, Witcher. Just accept the bloody compliment."

"Very well, thank you your majesty." I relented. "I assume Seltkirk is calling me in for something. My expertise on making sure the battlefield doesn't become a feast for necrophages perhaps?" I asked.

"Perhaps. Most armies have learned how to mitigate the issue, but having a Witcher consulting on hand would make the process easier and help restore order to the region faster if people don't have to worry about corpse-eaters prowling around for a while." Stennis said. "However, I believe the good Ser had different thoughts foremost in mind for the work you did on behalf of Aedirn."

"Already paid me, not sure what else he would have in mind."

"Then why don't you come in and find out instead of standing in the entrance." Stennis replied a little smugly before he and his entourage moved back inside.

Huh, I guess victory made the guy a bit of a smartass.

We followed him inside to find that that council chamber had been converted into a feast hall, the large circular table covered in lavish food and drink that everyone of high standing was taking part in. I saw Barclay, Cecil, Master Baltimore, the prince, Tybalt, many different nobles and high level military personnel and of course Seltkirk himself, who had traded out his armor for more simple if still fine clothes. From the way he moved in greeting said clothes must have hid bandages from his fight, though nothing too serious if he was walking around and feasting. He looked like he was favoring one of his legs, and he didn't use his left arm too much if he could avoid it.

He caught sight of me, and a rare smile split his features. "Ah, Master Witcher!" he shouted, drawing people's attention to me. He moved towards the center of the room, in front of the table. "So glad you could come and join us!"

I moved forward and shook his proffered hand. "I could hardly say no, could I?" I joked.

"You can always say no - and should, if what is being asked of you goes against your honor. But today, we are here and celebrating because you said 'yes' to the demands of honor." He pitched his voice so that it carried all over the room. Man, how does he do that? "Would the Witcher Markus of Kovir, the scholar Ivar Hollin, Silgrat of Gulet, and the Witcher Hound Dogmeat step forward?"

Silgrat? Who was… oh wait, wasn't that Seltkirk's fame chasing little brother that Geralt beat the shit out of during the various fistfighting minigames in the second game? He was a little forgettable, but - wait, why does he want all of us up here? Including Dogmeat?

The crowd around us quieted down and looked on with interest as the four of us stepped forward a little tentatively. Seltkirk drew his sword, and… oh goodness gracious.

"Silgrat of Gulet. Kneel." Seltkirk commanded and his little brother did so eagerly, looking equal parts wide-eyed and excited. Seltkirk tapped him on either shoulder. "For valor shown in battle, I, Seltkirk, by the grace of God, Champion of King Demavend of Aedirn, hereby do knight thee. Silgrat of Gulet, you fought with honor and valor, and in doing so saved countless lives in addition to my own. Rise a knight of Aedirn." Silgrat - Ser Silgrat - did so, his eyes suspiciously shiny as he did so. Seltkirk drew him into a one-armed hug, and I could hear him whisper, "I'm proud of you, little brother. Well done." Releasing him, Silgrat nodded firmly, then stepped back.

The crowd around us cheered and clapped a great deal, apparently happy to see another knight of Seltkirk's family join the ranks.

Seltkirk turned to Ivar, Dogmeat, and I, who were still standing. "Markus of Kovir. Ivar Hollin. I would not ask you to swear an oath to Aedirn, for I know that your Path takes you far from here. Still, it is within my power to dub you Knight Simples. You would be a Knight-Errant, owing fealty to no lord, with few of the rights more established knights enjoy. Yet I find it to be one of the few honors within my ability to grant you. Markus of Kovir. Kneel." The sheer authority in his voice saw me halfway to my knees before I realized I was moving.

Unseen by the rest of the crowd, Seltkirk - William - winked at me. He raised the sword in his right hand, but didn't bring it down on my shoulder yet. "Markus of Kovir. Be without fear in the face of your enemies. Be brave and upright that God might love thee. Speak the truth always, even if it leads to your death. Safeguard the helpless and do no wrong - that is your oath. Do you so swear?"

I mean… I like to think I would do those things normally. Plus I think it would be insulting not to do so in front of a crowd like this.

"I swear." I said simply.

He brought the sword down to each shoulder, lightly touching each one. Then he backhanded me across the face.

"And that is so you remember it." Seltkirk nodded towards me. "Rise a knight."

Goddam that hurt! Most so for how unexpected it was. At least the crowd seemed to get a kick out of it judging by the laughter, despite the few giving unsure looks at knighting a Witcher I suppose, but liked Seltkirk too much to say otherwise.

I did rise though, rubbing my jaw in the process.

"Ivar Hollin of Kovir. Kneel."

He repeated the process with Ivar; I noticed a quizzical expression on his face at the oath, but Ivar swore to uphold it. He took the backhand well, even if it rocked him a bit.

"Dogmeat of Kovir. I cannot knight you, but I understand that the Witcher can make you understand the spoken word. Ser Markus, if you would translate for me." Seltkirk nodded towards me. A few whispers arose from the crowd at the oddity.

He was knighting Dogmeat? Well… I guess that is his right and all. I Signed Xiil at Dogmeat and nodded at Seltkirk to go ahead, who repeated the oath and waited for Dogmeat's reply. She only tilted her head to side since she had no idea what was going on.

"Just bark if you want the ability to brag to people how you are a good girl." I translated mentally.

"I best girl!" Dogmeat said mentally before barking with a great deal of seriousness to Seltkirk.

"She says she swears." More or less.

He gave Dogmeat a serious nod. "Then I hereby dub thee squire to Ser Markus and Ser Ivar. May you serve them well. Squire Dogmeat." He knelt down and scratched her behind the ears. "Good girl."

I still don't think Dogmeat knew what was going on, but I think people were quite impressed when she jumped up into the air on her back legs and barked in happiness.

"You don't suppose I could pay him to ask him how my mount is feeling? He has seemed grumpy the last few days." I heard a nearby noble ask a fellow next to him.

Oh great, now I was gonna be sought out by people with more money than sense to talk to their pets. What was I, Dr. Dolittle? Well, maybe a little bit.

"Let us celebrate four new honorable warriors into the world, and to our victory as well!" Seltkirk cheered out, something which the crowd happily followed and went back into the party.

Ivar came up behind me. "Markus?" he said softly. "Did you recognize that oath he made us swear?"

"You mean you didn't?" I asked him. "I just thought it was the oath for Knights Simples here."

Ivar shook his head. "No, it wasn't. I've never even heard of it before."

"That's because it's not from here." We both jumped; Seltkirk had sneaked up on us while we were distracted. We both whipped around to face the knight.

"It's an oath from home," he continued before focusing on me. "Our home."

Ivar's brows shot up, and he whistled softly. "Oh, my," he exclaimed. Quietly.

"It's an honor, thank you. We still do knighting ceremonies back home, the Queen of England still does it in fact. Granted it is more an honorary title for great deeds and service but it's still a big deal." I thanked him.

"T'was no trouble at all. You more than earned it by saving my life, and the lives of three thousand Aedirnian and Kaedweni soldiers from a hellish fate." He patted me on the shoulder. "Now, you are the heroes of the hour. You should go and enjoy your accolades."

"Pretty sure that is mostly you, but I won't say no to good food and drink." I said.

"Agreed! It has been quite some time since I saw a feast this lavish." Ivar said with excitement and eagerly walked over to the main table to partake. Dogmeat not far behind likely hoping to get table scraps.

Silgrat came up behind us, having heard the end of our conversation. "Ha! My brother doesn't need any more accolades. I think he could make a little fort from all of the medals he's received for bravery." He smiled at Seltkirk, and the bitterness that I recall from the game was absent. "But I will admit, after that duel with Vandergrift, you've more than earned another. What was that thing you called him? Draco? He didn't like being called that, for sure. Does it mean anything?" he asked.

"It's… another name for vampire or blood drinker. Mighty big insult I'm sure." I pointed out.

"Heh. Not as if he didn't earn it, given how bloodthirsty he was. Still, I couldn't help but feel a little sorry for him. I know it was either you or him, brother, but he had a lot riding on the line today. To have victory in his grasp and lose it; it must have been maddening." Silgrat mused.

"There will always be losers in war. Nothing will change that." I said. "But I like to think that his loss would have been better in the long term."

"So what will you do next?" Seltkirk asked me. "I understand you have goals of your own to achieve."

"I plan to head into Kaedwen before winter, but I will of course wait until the army is up the road a bit and not deal with angry retreating soldiers. I'll stick around for a week or so. Want any help cleaning up the battlefield and limiting the amount of necrophages looking for a free meal? I'm always willing to work for coin when monsters are involved after all." I offered.

"I shall be glad to have your expertise on hand, my friend. But that grisly work is for tomorrow. Tonight we enjoy our hard-wrought victory and rest. Come! I have some of the finest wine in Aedirn here with us!" Seltkirk said while guiding me to the table.

"I'm more of a cider man myself, but I don't mind trying it out." I accepted easily, happy to know that as long as I don't hit too much of heavy stuff I shouldn't have to worry about getting sloshed. Pretty sure Geralt and other Wolves needed to drink alcoholic bases of like 99% purity to get really drunk after all.

So it was that I wined and dined alongside some of the highest members of Aedirnian society alongside my friend, my hound, and a displaced man from my world's distant past who I hoped I could call a friend as well.

---

The next week, despite being full of busy work of collecting dead bodies to be properly disposed of and fighting off various flavours of necrophages, was oddly peaceful. Prince Stennis had taken most of the troops home to report success to his father but a detachment remained behind to handle the vital clean up of the battlefield. Thanks to my advice and Seltikirk's word I helped direct many soldiers to not make it easy for ghouls to get their fill.

Corpses were buried at least six feet deep - a lot of extra work to be sure considering the amount of dead on both sides - but since Seltkirk refused to burn them it was necessary to keep necrophages from getting to them easily. Before the soil was put on top of them, lime was poured over the bodies to accelerate decomposition. The local dwarves were only too happy to sell the stuff to the Aedirn army for a decent price.

Most of the bodies, Kaedweni and Aedirnians, were piled into mass graves while noble corpses were either collected to be brought home or even ransomed back to the enemy side. Which was rather disturbing to say the least.

A Kaedweni priest from Henselt's army, named Chrest, had stayed behind after the retreat, and during the immediate aftermath could be seen walking around the battlefield giving last rites to dead and dying soldiers. Once they were all gone, he commenced sanctifying the mass graves alongside priests and priestesses of the various gods here in the North. His prayers could be heard throughout the day, asking that the gods of Kaedwen would grant the peace in death that the soldiers had lacked in life. He gave me a wide berth, looking at my Witcher's eyes with suspicion, but was never outright hostile.

I couldn't help but respect him. It took guts to stick around after a battle and try to help the dead and dying of your enemies as well as your own. Especially after your own army had long since fled.

The only time I really got directly involved was when a pack of ghouls needed to be dealt with, something which the soldiers on corpse detail were glad not to have to fight. Couldn't blame them considering how creepy and gross necrophages in general were.

It was dirty and hard work, but thankfully it was done relatively quickly and so once most of the work was finished I made my final report to Seltkirk who in turn paid me for my work.

It was my last night in Vergen, having already stocked up on needed supplies for the trip north, and Seltkirk had asked Ivar and myself to join him in his room for one last discussion.

"So, what more can I expect of the future? How does the rest of this story go?" Seltkirk asked as he nursed a mug of ale.

"To be totally honest recent events have changed up a lot. I couldn't tell you anything that would be immediately useful as far as I know at least. Only broad strokes like how Nilfgaard will invade again in a few years, to no one's surprise. There might be a assassination attempt against your king on their behalf, though details of that are likely to change so I can't give you much more than that. There is also the coming of the White Frost, but that will be covered… hopefully." I listed the big events that came to mind for him.

William's jaw had dropped by the end of it. "That… sounds like quite a few very, very terrible things that are going to happen. Nilfgaard will assassinate King Demavend? While not out of character for them, it is astonishingly quick, so short after their defeat at Brenna not even a year ago."

"Not just him, the plan is to kill most of the kings of the North to make their third invasion easier. In the story they exploited a couple of Witchers to do that dirty deed for them, but I will be on top of that so the same ones won't do it now." I reassured him.

He shook his head. "I hope you're correct, Markus. Nevertheless, I will be increasing security measures around King Demavend. Now - what is this about the White Frost? Ithlinne's Prophecy? I never put much stock in it, considering it to be the ravings of a madwoman, but you seem to take it seriously."

"It's real alright. Thankfully there is a powerful young woman who has the power to stop it. I will ideally meet up with her in a few years to help make sure that happens." I said, deciding not to name drop Ciri for the moment.

"Yes, the lady Ciri possesses the Elder Blood," said Ivar excitedly, "and with it the power to banish the White Frost! As long as she lives, there is hope!"

Goddammit Ivar!

"Cirilla Fiona Elen Riannon? The Heiress of Cintra? The Emperor of Nilfgaard's wife?" William said in astonishment. "I… I have no words. The end of the world? 'Elder Blood'? And she seemed like such a waif when I met her. Hardly someone capable of such feats as you describe."

"That… isn't the real Ciri," I grumbled. "It's just a body double who looks like her and who apparently the Emperor actually loves. He needed to make it seem like she was the real deal to maintain political stability in Nilfgaard. The Elder Blood is something that gives those who have it incredibly strong and unique magic, who sometimes become what mages referred to as Sources. Gives her the ability to travel through space and time. I have no idea why that is the answer to stopping the end of the world, the end of countless worlds, but it is."

"The power to cross time and space?" William said. He looked at me. Then himself. Then back to me. An odd expression crossed his face. "Markus… you and I are both displaced across time and space. Could she have had something to do with it?"

"While I doubt she is personally responsible for our situation, a power similar to hers might. It isn't totally unique to her after all. Heck, unicorns have the power naturally."

"Hmm," William mused. Ivar had taken out his pencil and notebook and was scribbling notes yet again. "I wonder… Markus, can you tell me about any other people with the power to do this?"

I cast my memory back to what I knew of the Witcher universe. "Well… assuming it's something native to here, and not from another universe, off the top of my head I can think of four entities that can cross time and space. Ciri and unicorns, like I just mentioned, Gaunter O'Dimm, and the Wild Hunt." 'Also the Grandmaster of the Flaming Rose, but I think I should keep that to myself for now.' I paused for a moment. "And mages have the power to create portals, but I'm not sure if they can cross through time as well."

Ivar, who had been mostly silent up until this point, raised his voice. "The Wild Hunt? I saw reports in the Oxenfurt Quarterly that they had been sighted lately. What are they? And what interest would they have in our world?"

"For one they aren't wraiths like most people assume, but elves from another world who used to enslave unicorns in order to raid other worlds. While they have the ability to transverse other worlds they are after those with the Elder Blood and Sources since I don't believe their method is as efficient and easy as Sources have it. They want Ciri badly, specifically because of her power."

William nodded. "That would make sense… but I sense there's something else I'm missing here. I don't suppose you've met any other people in a situation similar to our own?"

"Other than you and Vlad? No one I am aware of at least. Could be many more for all I know though. It never came up in the story."

---

Somewhere in Blaviken, Ser Roland sneezed.

"Damn allergies."

---

William sighed. "Hopefully the truth of the matter will come out one day. Now!" His eyes sparkled with excitement. "Tell me all about England! You said it was eight centuries between my time and yours. So much must have changed! Do we still possess the Holy Land? Is there a King as well as the Queen you mentioned? You mentioned that there are still knights - have they performed great deeds of service and valor to earn their rank?"

I winced. "Yeeeaahhh… About all of that…."

---

"They did WHAT to the Holy Land?!?"

---

"Men and women are knighted… for being performers and actors?!?"

---

"England left the Catholic Church?!?"

---

William looked as if someone had just killed his dog. And his cat. And burned his house down. And… well, suffice to say he was pretty depressed judging by the three empty ale mugs by his side we had to call up from the kitchen. "The King - or Queen, now - is the head of the Christian Church in England, which is no longer Catholic. The Holy Land is overrun by heathens and pagans. Bards are made knights, just for being bards."

Jeez, I was expecting culture shock, sure. But I felt like I nearly drove William into a coma with the revelations.

"If it makes you feel any better the United Kingdom is still one of the most powerful countries in the world, it just… changed over time. Surely the England you knew wasn't the same one a few centuries before, right?" I asked.

William shook his head slowly. "No… but you must understand. I spent my life in service to my nation. I loved my kingdom. I served her kings faithfully and well. And to see all of that, not only be forgotten, but to have fallen to naught - granted, over a period of nearly a millennium… Well. It is disheartening to say the least." He looked at me glumly. "Was the Scottish question resolved, at least?"

"That what?" I asked, confused.

"The Scottish question," he repeated. "The debate about who would command the throne of Scotland. It was never resolved in my lifetime."

"Oh yeah, Scotland went bankrupt trying to fund their own colony for their 'empire' and had to submit to England's rule, so yeah?" I explained.

He sighed in relief. "At least that went well."

Spoiler: A.N.

"The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the Name of the Lord." William murmured, almost like a prayer. He raised his eyes back up to meet mine. "All things must come to an end. And so it has happened to my own accomplishments, and the kingdom to which I devoted my life."

"It's not all bad, lots of strides and accomplishments as well after all and I'm sure you are well remembered in your home country. I'm from a different one after all so naturally I wouldn't know you as well. Would you ever like to visit the modern world? Assuming Ciri could take you there I mean? Or would you ask her to send you back to around the time you died on a world very similar to your own? You seem to have built a good life here after all." I offered curiously.

I mean Ciri could go anywhere in the multiverse after all, even if her aim was not great unless she had an idea where she was going. Some more training would not be amiss either.

"That is a very difficult question, young man. You don't know what you are asking of me." He said somberly.

"Don't answer now then. Won't be coming up for years at least. Pray on it."

"I most certainly will do that, Markus." William seemed to turn inwards, and Ivar and I, sensing that he was done, moved to get up.

"One final question, Markus." William stopped us.

I raised a brow. "Yes?"

He looked me in the eyes, not flinching at their cat-like appearance. "You have done me more service than you know. And your tales of the future, as difficult as they were to hear, were nonetheless enlightening. I have dubbed thee, I have paid thee. Yet it feels insufficient. Is there anything else that I can do to aid you in these coming times of trouble?"

Huh, that was a good question. Having a favor owed to me by Seltkirk/William Marshal himself could be super useful in the future if used right.

"I'll let you know. Lots of things could come up between now and the future."

William chuckled mirthlessly. "Too true. Well, should you ever find yourself in need of assistance, let me know. If it is within my power to do so, and does not run against my own code of honor, I will do it."

I thought about a new Battle of Kaer Morhen, one with the Invincible White Knight helping cut down dozens of Wild Huntsmen back to back with Witchers and other allies.

"Trust me, if I call upon you it will only be for the most honorable of tasks I could think of." I assured him.

"Then I will trust your judgement. May you find what you seek on the Path, Ser Markus." William grabbed me by the forearm.

"And may Aedirn be safe under your watch, Ser William." I answered back with a smile.

"And let there be plenty of monsters to record for my books!" Ivar shouted out, ruining the moment. We both stared at him. "What? Can't I have my own dreams?" Ivar looked a little put out.

William paused for a moment before speaking up again. "Huh. You know, I never once asked your real name, Markus."

"Oh, that?" I laughed. "It's not a big deal. My name is-"