Chapter 36

"I win again." Carduin said smugly as I knocked over my king piece for what felt like the dozenth time.

"I said I knew the rules, not that I played much or that I was any good. You are basically beating a man who can't even defend himself." I pointed out with a frown.

Carduin simply chuckled as he reset the board and as I took in his look it made me realize something. Female sorceresses dressed sexy while males dressed weird and eccentric. I mean really, what is the point of having unreadable script over a weird orange robe while having a built-in graduation cap and book? ...and now I'm imagining Carduin writing insults against everyone on his robes in a language only he knows, and constantly laughing at his private joke against the world.

Mages really liked subtle jokes like that that both insulted others and stated how smarter they were than everyone else.

"So, having thoroughly shown me how chess is not my game, is there a reason you called me here? I have to be honest, getting tired of running into mages lately." I stated as I leaned back into my chair and took in my surroundings.

The Oxenfurt Chess Club was both humble and weirdly high class, with everything from peasants to nobles playing around us. The walls were also lined in bookshelves with books and there were even comfy chairs for people to hang out and talk in. When Radovid isn't reserving the whole building it is actually pretty nice.

Speaking of which…

"I'd hope we could enjoy our games a bit more before business but I suppose Witchers aren't ones for enjoying the simple things in life." Carduin signed while putting one pawn forward. "I heard of your most recent exploit of slaying a manticore when you came into town - very impressive by the way - and my liege had asked me to seek out a Witcher that is willing to become a permanent retainer in his court to serve as a bodyguard and representative to assist the King in monster-related issues. Considering the fact his bride-to-be, Adda the White of Temeria, was cured of her terrible curse by one of your order he considers having one on hand a worthy investment should something… unexpected occur. Given your obvious skills, you seem like an excellent choice for the position. Would it be something that you would consider?

'Fuck you, Radovid, and the horse you both rode in on.' Was what I wanted to say, oh so very much. Sadly, the last thing I wanted is to have Rado have me on his very long personal shit list for no reason… yet.

I was still debating if I should look into subtly offing him before the events of Witcher 3 could come to pass. I get he has issues due to his upbringing, but the guy was still mad as a shop full of hatters.

"I'll tell you the same thing I told the last guy. As a Witcher my guild takes neutrality and not binding ourselves to any group besides ourselves very seriously. Nothing personal, just business. Be sure to tell your king though that I will not turn down a legit job should he require my expertise, it simply wouldn't be a long-term relationship. Not everyone is willing to be his pet after all." I couldn't help but conclude.

Huh, I think I actually saw Carduin tense a bit around his king piece.

"I see… I am sorry that you are not interested and I hope that the Path finds you well, Master Witcher." Carduin said, pretty much saying there wasn't anything more to discuss, which there really wasn't in the end.

Huh. He moved his piece there? Carduin must have been more rattled than I thought. If I move my pawn here…

"Hope whatever business you got here goes well, and maybe you can find a much better opponent than me. Although at least that's one game for me." I said as I idly put his king into checkmate with my rook.

Carduin looked down at the chessboard and blinked. Then blinked again. Slowly, a smile spread across his face. Reaching out with one hand, he tipped over his king. "Shah Mat," he said with a wry expression.

Yeah, he totally just said stuff in other languages to get the last laugh. I'll admit, I am curious. "What does that mean?" I asked him.

"It's Zerrikanian," he responded. "It means 'The King is Dead'. The original name of this game, in fact."

"Fitting." was my final reply as I left the club.

---

Professor Brandon's voice rose and fell in a rhythmic cadence as he presented his lecture on the history of Aedirn. It was pretty obvious that he not only had a lot of experience as a lecturer, but had studied rhetoric to better improve his delivery of said lectures. He was way, way more engaging and interesting that 90% of my own professors had been back in college!

"With the establishment of the dwarf mine in Vergen, the region developed far closer ties with Mahakam than almost any other kingdom in the Northern Realms. You can see this - if you got there personally, at least - in the architecture of the city: the robustness of the walls and gates, the buildings carved from the local stone, and the maze-like quality that makes it a nightmare for any potential attackers while simultaneously aiding defenders. Anyone who wants to control the Pontar must first take Vergen - a harder task than most, since doing so would undoubtedly upset the kingdom of Mahakam. The local native dwarf population, the majority in fact compared to humans, also possess the stubbornness that is common among the race and as the Nilfgaardians learned during the last two wars a dwarf warrior is a mighty threat indeed. Knowing King Henselt's position on non-humans, even the dwarfs who do not approve of Demavend will at least fight for their own lives." Brandon explained with certainty.

I suppose with current events as they are it only made sense to bring up the conflict in the region, which hasn't yet dealt with sudden firestorms yet according to rumors. More both sides sitting on either side of the river and waiting it out till their "perfect time".

Which made it more and more likely that I was walking into a warzone, though hopefully I could avoid it as long as I stayed in Vergen and nowhere near the battlefield.

Other than Brandon's history class I tried to at least check out lots of the various faculties to just get a feel for them, along with offering guest lecturing as well of course. During that time I heard the story of how Dandelion was himself a professor of liberal arts for less than a year before he ran off and was unofficially exiled from Oxenfurt due to sleeping with the daughter of a rather influential patron of the academy. His protests of "it was music lessons! I was teaching her how to hit the higher pitches!" were ignored. Yet the man still was able to give guest lectures from time to time whenever he passed through.

Dandelion, for all that he acted the fool, was a genius in his own right and charming enough to turn even Geralt of all people into a friend. The guy had even managed to graduate summa cum laude while studying all seven classical liberal arts!

Other than history lectures I spent the most time in the chemistry and alchemy faculty, of which the professors and students there were very impressed by my applied knowledge if not the more theoretical stuff. When not in classes there were the libraries which were informative, even if it was hard at times finding actually decent books at times that weren't full of nonsense or bias. Ivar was certainly useful during the whole time by being my assistant, teacher, guide, and friend, and I was glad he was enjoying himself in a setting he was familiar with.

All told the short week at Oxenfurt had been quite productive and a worthy detour in the end. Of course, that also meant it was time to move on.

---

Ivar, Dogmeat, the horses, and I were standing on Oxenfurt's docks while waiting for the river barge we hired to ferry us to at least Flotsam to finish prepping and loading other cargo they planned to drop off along various settlements as we sailed up the Pontar. The ship was much flatter looking than a sea-going vessel and had a number of oars alongside it's sails to help push it upriver, something which could make the journey longer than traveling a similar distance by sea if the wind wasn't with us.

We had already done all our pre-travel errands to make sure we were all set: me with money, gear, newly made improved oils, traps, etc, Ivar with his various scholarly materials and new set of half-leather armor that he had commissioned at the Steel Bulwark, a local armorshop. He'd taken my advice on the importance of protective gear to heart, and had used a part of his research stipend to pay for a set of leather armor that covered his chest, shoulders, back, and upper thighs. It wouldn't stop a manticore stinger or anything, but it might slow down a ghoul that was trying to gnaw on him.

For all that he complained how uncomfortable it was at least it made me feel better, and it kinda made me want to make something similar to Dogmeat, despite how silly it sounded since ideally she would never be in a conflict. Same with Griffin really, though at least horse barding was a thing.

Of course, our sendoff wasn't particularly boring…

"Early testing of the new drug, Markadine my alchemist friend is calling it, is proving very promising! The few test cases we have done with those suffering various infections have drastically reduced their symptoms and if it continues they will be all cured! The drug isn't difficult to make either as long as one knows the process and has the right ingredients so there is the potential for it to become rather widespread relatively soon! Furthermore-!" Shani's excited babbling had to be forcibly stopped by me shoving an apple slice in her mouth from our bag of provisions.

"Shani, relax. I'm glad that the formula I gave you is showing promise thus far and I hope it stays that way. Although that is a remarkably interesting name you chose for it." Shani giggled, but was unrepentant. "Just… keep doing what you are doing and you will be one of the best physicians the world has ever known." I encouraged her with a smile.

Shani took the slice out of her mouth, trying to look annoyed but instead blushed a little at the praise. Whatever she was about to say in response however was interrupted by another familiar voice.

"Oh my poor maiden heart. Have you already moved to someone else, Markus? If nothing else I cannot say you lack in taste." Síle's mock hurt and teasing tone broke the mood rather suddenly as she walked onto the docks, gathering the attention of a notable number of the men in the process.

I just sigh at her words. "Shani is just a friend I repaid a favor towards and is telling me of the progress of a drug formula I gave her."

"Oh? A drug formula? Markus, have you been holding back on me? I thought we were closer than that." Síle said as her eyes narrowed slightly.

"You are welcome to have a look at it since I doubt Shani or the Faculty has any plans to hide it. It's just a new kind of medicine that helps with infections; I didn't think it relevant to your own research priorities. Then again, you are a mage so I'm sure you'll find something interesting about it." I pointed out.

"Miss Shani! Might we discuss some other matter someplace over there?" Ivar said suddenly.

"Uh, I guess?" Shani answered back in confusion as she was dragged off by Ivar alongside Dogmeat and even the horses, leaving me alone with the woman who I had an odd relationship with. I'm not sure if that made Ivar a good wingman or not to be totally honest.

"So, you are off then? Do take care since I'm sure you have heard by now that the region you are passing through is having yet another territorial dispute. I'd be a shame if you died and we did not meet up again, for various reasons." Síle smiled seductively at the last part. "And if you do learn anything interesting about the kayran while you pass by its feeding grounds please be sure to let me know. I'll be sure to reward you quite well."

Goddammit. Was it normal to be this equally attracted and intimidated by powerful women? I'm honestly feeling very conflicted emotionally.

"I'll try not to get killed and maybe find a way to satisfy your curiosity." I grumbled lightly before continuing in a more even tone. "Síle, it's been… honestly I'm not sure. Enjoyable, absolutely, but also kinda weird. That's me though, not you. I do hope to see you again in the future and I hope you take care of yourself. I have no doubt a mage of your power and influence will be fine of course, it's just that recent personal events have made it clear even beings of our age and ability can be surprised."

"Oh… well… I will take that to heart." Síle actually looked surprised at someone else worrying about her wellbeing for a second there before it was quickly covered up. "You are correct, however. I have very little to fear and time will unlikely be a hindrance in meeting again one day. We shall encounter each other again, fear not." She glanced down, and - was that a blush?!? Naw, must have been imagining it. "Here. I'd like you to have this xenovox. Should you ever need to contact me regarding a contract, or simply want to talk, infusing this with your own magic will enable you to send me a short message." She explained as he handed me a snuff-box looking item with stylized metal lips on it, something I knew from the games was basically a magical cellphone. "It has the lovely side benefit of sending me your coordinates and therefore I will be able to make a portal to your location if needed, assuming there is no interference. Please try not to break it, it is near impossible to replace."

Before I could process what she said, she leaned in and brushed my lips with her own. It was far more gentle than I had grown accustomed to from her, and I raised one questioning brow.

She smirked. "Something to keep you wanting more. Until next time, fair Witcher."

I kinda just stood there like an idiot as she turned away and sashayed her way off the docks, knowing exactly what she was doing all the while. God damn.

"Wow, is this a Witcher thing? I know... knew a Witcher who was really into a sorceress as well." Shani's slightly down voice knocked me out of my stupor.

"I actually have a theory on that, but I will of course need more data to support my hypothesis, which will require seeing more Witchers and mages courting each other. I have no doubt traveling with Markus will provide that in due time." Ivar jumped in.

I just turned around to glare at the two for a few seconds before pocketing the xenovox and silently walking over to the boat.

I was dealing with too many emotions right now to deal with them, though I would say bye to Shani before we actually set off so as not to be rude.

Confusing personal feelings were no reason to be a dick towards good friends.