Chapter 17

As the Wave Rider came into Blaviken's long pier that jutted out into the Great Sea not far from the river Buina I couldn't help but feel a little nervous and contemplated simply staying on the boat for the two days we would be in port. I mean, this was Blaviken after all. I highly doubt that the local population had much love for Witcher's ever since Geralt passed through it.

In the end though the temptation was too great to at least check out one location before returning on my journey.

"You want to visit a mage's tower?" Ivar asked curious as Dogmeat was fast asleep on his lap and he had no issue petting her sleeping form.

"Well… not inside it since I don't think the current owner would like my barging in unless I had business with them. Mages can be very private individuals, especially in their magical towers since it is where they do and hoard all their research into anything that might interest them. Just call it curiosity since this place has a very famous story behind it." I tried to explain my reasoning without giving away meta knowledge.

"Say no more, I too understand the drive to at least gaze upon something once after only hearing tales of it. You now have me curious as well." Ivar said with a supportive smile.

"You are free to join me… but I should give a fair warning that unlike Kovir I don't think the locals will give me a warm welcome. They'll probably give a cold one to you just for associating with me. Another Witcher passed through here at least a few decades ago and did something to really negatively paint his image despite the fact he actually did an honorable thing. Best case they might just spit at you, worst case… just be prepared if we have to run from an angry mob, alright?" I said honestly, wanting to lay all the cards on the table for him.

"I see… would it not be easier to take steps to hide your identity then?" Ivar asked.

"Maybe that would be the smart move… but at the same time as a member of my guild and as a person I shouldn't feel the need to really hide myself from ignorant masses. Besides, like said we won't be here long so if they got a problem with me I will just leave after done and defend myself if they push things." I stated in a serious tone, I had no desire to let a bunch of paranoid peasants scare me into hiding what I now was.

It was already a massive shock to have a new body and identity, I was not hiding in a closet about it thank you very much!

"Fair enough, I would not wish to hide the fact that I am scholar when I am proud of it just to assure the ignorant and foolish. You will have my support on how you wish to do this." Ivar said with confidence.

Something which made me smile at and made me hope I could find some way to pay him back.

Dogmeat yawning cutely also washed away any lingering doubts.

---

It felt so good to stretch my legs on solid ground after some time at sea, and it was also a reminder to exercise Griffin and Ivar's horse as well later to make sure they weren't cooped up the whole time during the journey. That would be for later though.

Walking down the dock, past the various curious looks of local fishermen and traders, and to the town proper didn't have us encounter any raving mobs yet so that was progress. From what I saw before their modest stone walls, while Blaviken was most certainly a major step down from Pont Vanis in every way it wasn't some little dirty village in the countryside since it's status as a port town next to the sea and a major river gave it a good amount of wealth and influence. I could see more than a few rooftops poking out from above walls surrounding the town and I had no doubt the tallest one with a crown-like top was Irion's tower somewhere in the center.

Ivar, Dogmeat and I were moving up the dirt road from the docks to the town gate facing the sea when we were stopped by the local guards.

"Halt there Witcher." One guy said with an impressive sneer. He looked to be in his late forties to fifties so chances are he was alive when Geralt passed through, lovely.

"Yes, guardsmen." I said politely as I stopped to speak with him. Said guardmen's being one of about a half dozen guarding the gate, though before I showed up it looked like all they were doing was standing around.

"What is your business here in Blaviken, freak? This is a good town that has already had one of your kind disrupt greatly it in my lifetime." he asked, sneer still in place.

"I wasn't aware that I had to share why I wanted to enter town, but to answer your question, I simply wanted to tour the place. I have no impeding business within it beyond maybe partaking in some quality food and drink before I set sail again in two days." I said calmly.

Eww, he just spit at my feet. I honestly found that more gross than insulting to be totally honest. Made me want to reach for hand sanitizer despite it not being a thing here and that Witcher's don't need it.

"You just be knowing that I have my eye on you, mutant scum. You step a toe out of line and I'll have you run through with so many spears you'll look like a stuck pig. I dare ye, make my day. Till then, welcome to Blaviken." he finished and stepped to the side with a scowl.

"And you have a nice day as well." I said with a nod as we passed by him and through the gates into town.

"Well then, you weren't kidding about the hostility. Strange how the other guards didn't join in though." Ivar noticed as we moved away from guards.

"They all seemed pretty young compared to that guy, sure you can grow up on stories on big bad Witchers but guess the hate of the experience doesn't come right away after seeing one for the first time." I stated as we walked into Blaviken proper.

Had to admit, not the worst looking place.

It mainly had dirt roads compared to the cobblestone of Pont Vanis but at the same time the homes looked decently made from wood and plaster. In all honesty it looked a lot like it did in the NetFlix show I saw before coming here if only much more of it than I naturally saw through a screen. Lots of people in various quality of dress were moving about going about their lives, most wearing basic peasant fashion, and I even saw some nonhumans walking around without issue who sadly would most likely be prosecuted under Radovid's reign only a few short years from now.

Of course, I didn't pay that much mind as I went through town with only one location in mind. I dutifully ignored looks I was getting from the population when they noticed the two blades I carried and then my cat eyes, ranging from curiosity to hostility. I didn't want any trouble and wasn't going to seek out any.

About thirty minutes of walking later, simply moving in the direction of the tower which was tall enough to see literally towering over everything in town, through the various streets eventually lead me to the town's center and to the tower itself.

I wasn't a good judge to guess how high something was… but the tower was certainly more impressive in height than even the richer looking homes in town I passed and certainly well made totally out of stone. Once the home of a mage it was made by and named after, and then taken over by another, I had no doubt the tower itself was prime mage real estate simply due to being in the middle of a port town and likely other magical shit involved. Which made the group of knights and armsmen standing outside of it's main entrance ring some alarm bells.

The footmen seemed to have a defensive perimeter set around the tower and was passively keeping people away while the more heavily armored knights stood closely to the main door. Not far away I could even see a few large tents I assume belonged to group.

The thing that made me worry was their heraldry they proudly wore and flew on a flag about tends, a red rose on fire. The Order of the Flaming Rose.

Well shit.

What the fuck was the Order doing here locking down a mage's tower?! Something super evil involving making mutants and shit?! Some other crazy magical experiments I can't even guess at?!

Calm down Markus and think!

… Okay, not all the members of the Order are evil. Siegfried is a perfect example of a good and honorable man among zealots and xenophobes. Maybe I will luck out and the knights here will have nothing to do with their Grandmaster's crazy plans since the organization is likely too large for everyone to be involved in real evil stuff.

I am also still really curious why they are here guarding a magic tower in the first place. Best course of action would be to just ask in the end… but let's use Quen beforehand just in case.

With my magical shield now in place I walked up to one of the footmen standing guard, this one slightly more armored than his fellows, and gave the warmest smile I could.

"Good day, sir. You wouldn't mind terribly if I asked you something, would you?" I asked with as much politeness as I could.

"Not at all, Master Witcher. How might the Order of the Flaming Rose assist you today?" the most likely head footman responded equally politely, seemingly not caring that I was a "dirty mutant" or any other insults, which was a good sign.

"I am just passing through the area and had heard tales of this mage tower so wanted to see it. However it seems that your order has it locked down, so might I ask why? Does this tower belong to the Order perhaps? It seems a strange location if you don't have a mage among your ranks."

"Nothing so mundane I am afraid to say. We are not so much guarding what is inside the tower but guarding the town itself from it." the footman explained.

Huh, that was new. Then again, the Order does see itself as protectors of the innocent and all that.

"Guarding the town from what specifically? Has the new owner of the tower made themselves your enemy?" I asked curiously since it wouldn't be the first time a mage has gone off the deep end.

"Worse than a rogue mage I'm afraid. Rather the tower has been haunted for upwards of thirty years. Full of malevolent spectors that kill all those that try to enter and no matter what we do they always return. We have cut down their forms with blades soaked in holy water, had priests attempt to put their spirits to rest, and even hired several mages to use their power to turn them away to no avail. Since the spectors cannot be removed the Order has seen fit to have an attachment guard the area to make sure none leave or anyone is foolish enough to enter seeking any riches that may remain inside." He explained sorrowfully.

To my side I could see Ivar's barely contained joy and it was only his professionalism that kept him from squeeing.

Well now, this was certainly an interesting development. Thirty years though, could it be…

"This haunting, did it occur not long after a major event in this town and the previous owner of the tower left?"

"Why yes indeed, it happened after a rather infamous day when another Witcher butchered many people before this tower itself. I know not the details of the incident beyond that however."

Well fuck me. I mean, it made sense… but that would mean I also have a pretty good idea of who was haunting the place. There was also an opportunity here to rid the town of a vengeful ghost-filled tower, which likely they can't make money off of if no mage comes to buy it and offer services to locals, earn some pay in the process.and maybe slightly improve the image of Witchers in general here.

"Do you think that the local alderman would be interested in hiring a Witcher's services to deal with this issue?"

"Hmmm, if you can get it done I am sure many here would appreciate it since it has been a worry for this town for a generation. However, from what I hear you will not have the best luck dealing with the alderman, not because he is an unreasonable man mind you… but his wife is noted to be quite hostile to the idea of Witchers in Blaviken in general. I hear she tears down all notices that involve possibly hiring one out." he explained with a grimace.

Oh dear, that does sound like trouble. The alderman's wife… could it be?

"Do you happen to know the alderman's wife's name by any chance?"

"Indeed, she goes by the name Marilka. She was the daughter of the old alderman and married the one who the people were likely to vote for. Apparently she was but a girl when the other Witcher came to Blaviken years ago."

Well damn, that means I have to talk my way through a woman who has been nursing a grudge for decades if I want to solve a haunting that has been an issue for the same amount of time most likely built upon the natural grievances of someone unfairly persecuted.

So just a regular Tuesday on the Continent.