Chapter 29

"Cock-a-doodle-doo!"

Finishing my preparations, we stood on the brink of a new day. Getting up to head towards the barracks, I only took my weapons and potions. Descending the inn's stairs, I approached the innkeeper who, upon seeing me, called out.

"Good morning, witcher. Breakfast?"

"No, thank you. Could you tell me where to find the barracks?"

"As soon as you leave the inn, turn left and continue straight until you reach a square with a fountain. You'll see signs that will guide you."

"Thanks."

As I started to leave the inn and followed the innkeeper's directions, I arrived in an alley. Observing the people, I noticed individuals dead from cold or hunger, others begging for food, only to end up beaten due to their persistence. While lost in my thoughts, something pulled my tunic. Turning around, I saw a little girl, skin and bones.

"Sire, please, do you have any food for me and my brother?"

Squatting down to her level, I handed her my apple and some leftover meat, slipping five crowns in the process.

"Here, it's not much, but I hope it'll be enough."

"Thank you."

The little girl went into an alley resembling a dump where garbage was discarded. As I was about to leave, people ran towards that alley, screams echoed. Running towards the cries, I saw people fighting for scraps, licking the ground for crumbs, and some even beating others to death for a share. Nearby was the little girl, holding her motionless brother, a sign of his death.

Biting my lip, I pulled up my hood before heading towards the barracks, leaving the people to fight to the death.

"Why didn't I think of it? Hunger drives people mad. Yet, I was in the same situation as them, and without the queen, I would have ended up like them. I was too complacent from being at Kaer Morhen; I forgot that the world isn't rosy."

Swearing one last time and praying for the souls of the two children to find peace, I arrived at the square, already filled with passersby. Looking around, I saw the sign for the barracks. Heading towards it, I glimpsed a wooden building in the distance and heard the clashing of swords.

Reaching the door where two guards were stationed, they questioned me.

"Halt, what do you want with the guard!"

"I'm here for the monster contract."

A silence fell as the guard squinted, seemingly not believing me. However, as soon as he saw my eyes, his demeanor changed drastically.

"Apologies, Master Witcher. The captain is in the tower, expecting you. We were informed by a guard that a witcher had arrived."

"Enter, Master Witcher."

Opening the door, I arrived on the soldiers' training ground. Although I assumed that soldiers, being important, would be better nourished, I was wrong. Some were on the brink of collapse. Arriving at the entrance of a tower, the soldier accompanying me knocked on the door.

"Captain, the witcher is here."

"Enter!"

Entering, I saw an older man, white beard, scars on his face. At a glance, one could see the wisdom of old age and the experience of a veteran.

"Thank you, John."

"You're welcome, Commander."

Closing the door behind him, only the commander and I remained in the room.

"Sit, witcher."

"You can call me Aiden."

"Very well, care for a drink?"

"No, thank you."

Sitting on the chair, I waited for him to sit opposite me so we could begin.

"Well, you must be here for the monster?"

"Yes, I've received some information, but if you have more, I wouldn't say no."

"To be honest, you might think I'm crazy, but I believe the monster comes from one of our oldest legends."

"Commander, I won't take you for a madman. We live in times when new monsters appear, but I need more information."

Nodding, the commander looked out a window leading to the outside.

"When I was a child, my grandmother told me the story of the shark god who would come to eat naughty little children. At first, I was afraid, but my curiosity prevailed. I managed to convince my grandmother to tell me where the legend came from."

"Apparently, the early inhabitants of this city praised a shark-monster as a protector. There used to be a festival in its honor, with animal sacrifices. This shark brought us protection from the seas and luck for fishing and hunting. But over the years, the festival disappeared, and we haven't had any sign of any shark. Although the elders told us to continue paying homage, none was done, and here's the result, an unleashed monster."

Clasping his fist on his desk, he turned his gaze back to me.

"Aiden, do you know what it's like to see your men die? Each one in this courtyard, I've known them since they were children. Their parents entrusted their lives to me, only to see them die because of my decisions. Whether it's a god or just a simple monster, it has crossed the limits by killing my men and slowly killing my city."

A silence followed before I spoke.

"Sorry, Commander, but I don't know what it's like to lose those men. I've never led, so it would be a lie to say I understand you. However, I can tell you that I will do my best to kill this monster."

"Forgive me for my outburst."

"No, it's okay."

"Did my story help you?"

Actually, yes, because now I know that this monster is old, so much more dangerous. And if you say it was celebrated and received homage, it means it's accustomed to humans, even if it's evident in its attacks."

"What do you mean?"

"Ambush, retreat with dispersion. No monster would do that, except those with a minimum of reflection, showing an almost human-like mind, complicating the task."

"I know it's not a pleasant atmosphere, but what's my payment for this monster?"

"600 crowns. That's the maximum we can give you."

A bit surprised at the price, but thinking about the impending danger, I think the price is reasonable. I got up.

"Thank you, I'll start investigating."

"Very well, if you need help, don't hesitate."

As I was about to leave, the commander stopped me.

"Aiden."

"Yes?"

"Bring me its head, avenge my men, and save this city. Otherwise, it will be the end for all of us."

"I'll do my best."

Closing the door, I left the hope of a man in that room.

(Aiden's outfit, except the hood is black instead of white, and he has a sword.)