Deciding that it's not worth burning the bodies they manage to move around the fallen tree and continue on their Journey.
A couple of days pass peacefully, it seems having a dried blood covered Witcher will put off any would be thieves.
The hills start becoming larger as they travel until they come across a huge bridge, leading to a large keep surrounded by walls, it sits high upon a hill and overlooks everything for miles. They slowly traverse the bridge and attempt to enter the open gate, before being stopped by a guardsman.
Guard "Halt, what is your business and do you have any prohibited items to declare?"
Tarkson "Just, grain good sir."
The guard nods before checking a random bag, finding nothing but grain he lets them through into the large sprawling city.
Stores are bustling with people, poor and rich. Market stalls serve street snacks and town criers shout the latest news.
They reach the stable where Tarkson rests the horses.
Tarkson "I guess this is farewell Witcher, I don't suppose I can have you escort me back aswell?"
Reima shakes his head, "Sorry, I'm going to be quite busy from here on."
Tarkson nods and they shake hands, before leaving Reima asks for the location of the Garrison commander and is told that he generally resides near the guard house which sits atop the prison.
Reima thanks Tarkson one last time before leaving to claim the bounties.
He finds the guard house and requests to meet with the commander to claim some bounties. The guard shrugs and brings him to a lavish hallway with an equally expensive looking thick wooden door sitting at the end of it. The guardsman uses the knocker and taps three times, before saying loudly. "A Witcher wishes to claim bounties commander."
"Send him in" A voice calls behind the door.
Reima opens the door and looks around, it's an office with gold, gems and artwork scattered around like they were common items. In the middle of the room is a grand black desk with a tall bald man sitting behind it. His face has many scars covering it and his trimmed beard shows signs of grey hairs.
Reima gives a slight bow and introduces himself, "I am Reima Ludvig, Witcher."
The commander nods, "I am Indit Sazi, the Garrison commander of Ard Carriagh. You seem to have some bounties you wish to claim..."
Reima nods and places the heads on the desk with a squelch.
Indit Sazi "While I appreciate when I said "Bring me their heads"... I did not mean it quite so literally."
Reima "Well, I was told to bring them to you so, here they are. Some of these are the three fanged viper group, I have no idea on the others though." He says pointing at the heads dirtying the previously immaculate desk.
Indit Sazi points at the other heads "These seem to be deserters of the recently destroyed Carpenter gang."
Reima "Forgive me for being blunt, but what is the reward for these bandits?" He says crossing his arms. Indit Sazi opens a draw and pulls out some parchment before looking through them. He lays it down and points to it, "Here 200 Ducats for the Vipers and 80 for the Ex-Carpenters."
Reima is unsure of how much that is and voices his concern. "Forgive me Sir Sazi but I have just recently left my school and have no idea how much that is worth."
Indit Sazi "Yes.. I had thought you were young but do they not teach basic economics to Witchers Nowadays?" Reima replies briefly with an apology.
Indit shakes his head in irritation and pulls out 10 Ducats, "10 Ducats should be enough to rent a room at an average Inn food included."
Reima "How much would an average horse cost?"
Indit thinks for a moment before replying "Anywhere from 400 Ducats to 700... Depending on their stance on non-humans such as yourself."
Reima thanks Indit before taking the 280 Ducats and leaving.
The guard follows him out of the room and Reima asks where the nearest Inn is, he describes the building that's called Cud of Harpies... A rather disgusting name but he doesn't feel the need of the energy to voice his opinion.
He enters the Inn receiving similar glares to the ones back in Mirfield but strides to the Inn keeper regardless... The Inn keeper is a pale women with a... Large personality. Dragging his eyes away from her magnetising... Presence he requests a room with food and access to a bath. It costs 20 Ducats but having a warm bath to scrub off the dried blood is almost required for Reima at this point. He walks to where the tubs are located and is propositioned by some bath wench to wash his body for him... As much as Reima wants to he refuses and saves the money before undressing and climbing into the steaming bath and starts scrubbing himself clean. He doesn't leave the tub until it's dyed a pale red and heads up to his room.
He sits down at the chair and table tucked into the corner and thinks about his game plan. He needs money but decides he can take it slow as to keep up with his training, his skill with Armament and Observation Haki is almost laughable considering the amount of time hes spent on it. Reima comes to the conclusion that those in the One Piece universe have much more powerful souls than Reima's average human one, while he does have some idea on how to change that, he doesn't have the skills or time to attempt it at this time. So overall Reima intends to take contracts until he can afford a horse and supplies while training in his room in his free time. Things like trying to levitate objects with the Elder Blood powers or finally being able to perform that sword swarm attack that Ciri manages in the game. He also intends to try and use Observation Haki to sense the other occupants of the Inn and possible cover objects in Armament Haki.
Forgive me if the currency is wrong, it's very hard trying to figure out what things are worth and the exchange rate between Ducats, Crowns, Florens and Orens...
As always, if I missed anything please let me know.