The Giant's Accord
However, even with Maisie's assistance, the two women couldn't withstand Wayne's monstrous endurance, eventually succumbing to exhaustion before the first light of dawn.
Throughout the night, Keira's persistent questioning made it difficult for Wayne to deflect entirely. Although he didn't divulge all the specifics, he let slip that Triss had joined him in a certain mysterious organization—a job with substantial pay and significant responsibilities. While this piqued Keira's curiosity, her attention soon shifted as Wayne's fervor and intensity pulled her into the moment, leaving her thoughts of Triss and mysterious organizations behind.
The following morning, Wayne employed another strategy—this time a culinary one—preparing a lavish breakfast that even Maisie was invited to share. The meal restored Keira's spirits, and she dropped her earlier suspicions regarding Triss and Wayne's activities.
After breakfast, Keira, her earlier concerns now forgotten, helped Wayne contact Triss using a magical telescope. Following a brief long-distance communication, the red-haired sorceress agreed to return to Vizima by noon to assist Wayne and those he planned to bring with him in quickly reaching Kaer Morhen.
But before they left, Wayne didn't waste his time in Keira's home. He took the opportunity to visit her study, where he used Kael'thas's magic book to copy all of her texts.
The High Elf Prince's magic book proved to be an extraordinarily convenient tool. By simply placing another book on top of it, the magic book could, in just thirty seconds, absorb all the knowledge within—no need to even open the pages. Keira's study, well-stocked with hundreds of tomes, became a goldmine for Wayne's growing library of magical knowledge. By the time he finished copying, it was nearly noon.
True to her word, Triss arrived at Keira's home right on time, using the telescope as a precise anchor point for her portal. Despite only a few days apart, Triss seemed to have missed him dearly. She launched herself into his arms like an eager, affectionate rabbit, aiming for a passionate kiss. But just as she was about to close the distance, Triss paused, wrinkling her nose in suspicion.
"Wait a minute," she said, her eyes narrowing as she caught the scent lingering on him. "You were with that little fox Keira last night, weren't you?"
She leaned in closer, sniffing again before adding, "And Maisie too, right? I can smell something different. Go wash up—you reek of her rose perfume."
Wayne, looking slightly embarrassed, sniffed his own arm. Indeed, there was a faint trace of the rose perfume that Keira favored, though he hadn't noticed Maisie's scent, even with his heightened Witcher senses.
Gently, he brushed a hand through Triss's long, fiery hair and kissed her forehead. "You haven't been home in days, Triss. Don't you have some things to take care of? Let's meet at my place tonight. We'll leave for Kaer Morhen afterward. I've got a few supplies to gather before we head out."
Triss, still pouting a bit, accepted Wayne's suggestion. She had left in a hurry after Francesca contacted her, not having the chance to wrap up her own affairs properly. Now, with the responsibilities at Kaer Morhen piling up, she knew she'd be spending a lot of time in the Blue Mountains in the coming months, and there were indeed matters that needed addressing before she could leave again.
Wayne, too, had much to do. First on his list was informing Berengar of the upcoming departure, giving the old Witcher time to prepare. It seemed that Alex, the boy Wayne had taken under his wing, would be coming along as well. Although Alex was reluctant to leave his friends at the orphanage, his bond with Wayne and his desire to continue his training outweighed those ties.
Moreover, two beautiful maidens would be accompanying Wayne this time. It was somewhat embarrassing that after bringing them to the Kingdom of Temeria, he had left them on Black Tern Island for half a year. Now, they would be making the journey to the cold, unforgiving Blue Mountains.
Before setting out, Wayne visited a tailor to purchase several sets of warm clothing for them. In the harsh mountain climate, their usual state of undress wouldn't be sufficient, and Wayne wasn't keen on the idea of the women he'd been intimate with baring themselves in front of other men.
This shopping trip was just one part of a larger preparation effort. Knowing they'd be staying in Kaer Morhen for an extended period, Wayne needed to stock up on all manner of supplies. Fortunately, his space bracelet and magical tent offered ample storage capacity, allowing him to transport enough goods to match a small caravan's worth.
By nightfall, everything was in place. When Triss saw the two green-skinned women following Wayne, she shot him a sharp, accusatory glare. However, being a woman of purpose and pragmatism, Triss didn't dwell on the matter. She quickly opened the portal and led the group back to Kaer Morhen.
The night passed quietly and without incident. Through his own efforts, Wayne managed to convince Triss to put aside any lingering jealousy regarding the dryads. After all, they were of a different race with vastly different beliefs and ways of living. It was a matter of understanding that some differences could not be bridged or judged by the same standards.
The most important factor was that Triss understood these two seemingly naïve dryads posed no real threat to her place in Wayne's heart. This realization allowed her to be more generous and less concerned with their presence.
Upon returning to Kaer Morhen, Wayne's days of relaxation quickly ended as the weight of his responsibilities came crashing down. There was much to be done, and Wayne wasted no time getting started.
His first task was to take Berengar to the mountain peak where the giants had settled.
Thanks to the efforts of these mighty beings, a vast area of forest had already been cleared within a few days. Dozens of simple wooden houses were under construction under the guidance of a few giant leaders. The giants, with their immense strength, worked at a pace several times faster than humans could manage. Massive tree trunks, weighing hundreds of kilograms or even tons, were handled with ease, lifted and placed as though they were mere twigs.
Though Berengar had been briefed beforehand, nothing could have fully prepared him for the sight of hundreds of giants working together. The sheer scale of their presence left him momentarily awestruck.
Wayne noticed Berengar's reaction and patted him on the shoulder before blowing a sharp whistle. Responding to the signal, Giant General Glass, along with several of his leaders, quickly ran to Wayne's side. With a display of humility, they knelt before him, causing a cloud of dust to rise from the ground as they declared in unison:
"Master, Glass is at your command."
Wayne, ever calm and composed, addressed the giants before him. "Glass, are your people satisfied with living in these mountains?"
The towering giant general bowed his head even lower, his voice carrying a note of reverence as he replied, "Master, we are very pleased here. The environment of this world is ideal for our giant kin. As you mentioned, the magic in this land seems to be restoring our women's fertility. This has brought great joy to our people."
Wayne nodded, then gestured to Berengar, who stood beside him. "This is Berengar. From now on, he will act as my envoy and will manage your clan alongside you."
"From today forward, he is your consul. You will plan your territory and conduct your work according to his guidance. He represents my will, and you must follow his instructions."
Without hesitation, Glass and his subordinates immediately bowed to Berengar, pledging their loyalty. "As you command, Master. We shall complete all tasks as directed by Lord Berengar."
Satisfied with their obedience, Wayne knew that the loyalty of the giants, whether genuine or born of necessity, was crucial. Once the Magic Array was operational, the giants would be bound to the orders of the Witcher Order, leaving no room for rebellion or defiance.
Wayne turned to Berengar and spoke firmly, "I'm leaving the management of these giants to you, Berengar. Your knowledge and experience make you well-suited to help them settle and plan their territory here."
"If you run into any issues, use the communicator I provided. It works throughout this area, so you can reach me anytime."
Berengar nodded, taking a deep breath to steady himself before approaching Glass. Though the giants' immense size was daunting, Berengar suppressed his fear, placing a hand on Glass's massive shoulder. In a gentle tone, he said, "Glass, from today, we are not just superior and subordinate; we are allies."
"I know much about this world, and I will help you integrate into it more smoothly. In return, I hope you will sincerely support our efforts."
Glass, taken aback by Berengar's kindness, hesitated only for a moment before replying with deep respect, "You honor us, Lord Berengar. As the envoy of our master, we will carry out your suggestions with all our strength."
Seeing the rapport building between Berengar and Glass, Wayne felt reassured. Berengar was a reliable friend and ally, someone Wayne had grown to trust deeply over the years. Their shared vision for rebuilding the Witcher Order had strengthened this bond, as both had witnessed the hardships faced by their kind and were committed to forging a better future for all Witchers.
After Berengar and Glass had spoken for a while, Wayne suddenly issued a new command, his tone decisive and authoritative:
"Glass, take your consul on a tour of your territory. He'll provide you with more specialized guidance."
With that, Wayne turned his gaze to a giant with a distinctive big nose, pointing directly at him. "Your name is Red, right? Head back to the camp and select twenty of your strongest giants. I have a task for you."
The giant, initially taken aback by Wayne's directness, felt a familiar wave of fear wash over him. The giants had developed an instinctive wariness around Wayne, who wielded power far beyond their own.
But Red, a particularly shrewd giant, quickly recovered from his surprise. Realizing the importance of Wayne's request, he forced a wide, ingratiating smile onto his face, dropping to his knees in a show of obedience. "As you command, Master. I will gather them right away."