Adventures with the Witcher(s): A Multi Witcher Story

Chapter 1 (Eskel): Journey Down South

"De ole hen she cackled, she cackled on de fence. De ole hen she cackled, she ain't cackled sence." 

You look at Eskel, surprised at his singing. Not so much that he actually was a decent singer, though that part was a pleasant surprise at best, but you didn't expect something like that from the witcher at all.

You and Eskel have been on the road for nearly four days now, and you hadn't really heard so much as a peep from the man during that time. Sure, you and him would talk a little bit when setting up camp for the night, but Eskel for the most part was rather reserved even when in conversation.
You had noticed that seemed to be a common trait among the other witchers, except for Lambert who almost always spoke his mind with absolutely no filter, and you wondered if this was just the way they were raised...or maybe if the mutations they've underwent had anything to do with it. 

Whatever the reason, having been on the road long enough, you didn't expect Eskel to just randomly burst into song while on the road like this was a musical or something.

"What's that song?" you ask Eskel, curious about the tune.
"Just some old hill-folk tune," Eskel answers, "perfect for hiking or for being on the road. Just something my mom used to sing to me when I was a kid."
"You...remember much else about your mother?" you ask. "Just that silly song, not much else," Eskel shrugs. "Ah...that's sad," you honestly say, "...my mother used to sing songs to me too."
"That so?" Eskel asks, "remember any by heart?"

"I know a few, I guess," you admit, "not sure you'd understand them though." "Try me," Eskel challenges.
You think about it for a moment. You remember your mother being a particular fan of rock an' roll. Most of the greatest hits from various bands such as Queen, Kiss, Black Sabbath, and so forth, you memorized by heart. 

"Okay, I got one," you say and start the tune from Rolling Stone's 'Play with Fire':

Well you've got your diamonds
And you've got your pretty clothes
And the chauffeur drives your car
You let everybody know

But don't play with me
'Cause you're playing with fire

Your mother she's an heiress
Owns a block in Saint John's Wood
And your father'd be there with her
If he only could

But don't play with me
'Cause you're playing with fire
Your old man took her diamond's
And tiaras by the score
Now she gets her kicks in Stepney
Not in Knightsbridge anymore

"Whoa, whoa, hold up," Eskel stops you, "Saint John's Wood? Stepney? Knightsbridge? What does any of that mean?" "No idea," you shrug, "it's a song my mother used to pl-, uh, sing on the road."

"Well, what exactly is a car, can you tell me that?" Eskel asks. "It's...kinda like a carriage you can ride around in that doesn't requite a horse," you explain. "A horseless carriage?" "Yeah, pretty much," you nod, "costs a lot to buy one, but you don't need to feed and water it everyday like you do a horse." "You still have a horse though," Eskel points out, nodding at Midnight. "In my part of the world, horses are mostly seen these days as pets," you explain, "if you have the time, money, and energy to keep and maintain one that is." "You said this ranch you live in, it's a horse ranch?" Eskel asks. "Yes," you nod, "it's a little more affordable to rent a horse for an hour or so to go riding on trails or just learning how to ride a horse too."
"Why would people want to do that when they have these carriages to take them?" "It's a luxury," you answer, "one that allows people to get fresh and connect with nature in a way. Kinda hard to do that when trapped in a metal box."
"Hmm, interesting," was all Eskel said.

You and Eskel finally stop at a nearby stream to give the horses a chance to rest and drink some water. The two of you dismount so as to stretch your legs some.
You notice the way the witcher would tend to his horse, giving him a few pat the stallion on the head and stroke his nose. 

"You and Scorpion really seem to have a strong bond there," you state. "Oh yeah, Scorpion and I go way back," Eskel says, smile on his face just thinking about it, "Don't think I ever told you that story before." "No, I don't think you have," you agree, "Must be exciting." "Eh not so much," Eskel shrugs, "saved this lost knight once. Dark woods, wolves. The standard. For payment I told him to give me what he found at home. When he did make back his mare had just foaled, and the rest is history."
"Wow, that really is quite a story," you say impressed, "what kind of horse is Scorpion exactly?" "A warhorse," Eskel answers, "purebred Kaedweni."
"Huh, yeah I'm not familiar with that breed," you admit. "Well since Kaedwen isn't part of your world, I wouldn't think so," Eskel points out, "what about Midnight, what's his breed?"

"Midnight is a Missouri fox trotter," you tell him. "A what?" the witcher frowned in confusion. "Missouri Fox Trotter," you repeat, "Missouri after the state, and fox trot as in the dance." "So your horse can dance?" Eskel asks. "Not quite," you laugh a little, "though he does have a special gait, well technically it's the trot, but it's a special trot. Really smooth, won't feel any bumps on the road from this horse. Makes Midnight perfect for trail rides and first choice for beginner riders."
"That so?" "You can take him out for a test run if you want," you offer. "Nah, I couldn't do that to Scorpion," Eskel says, patting his horse on the neck, "I think these two have had enough. We better keep going." "I agree," you say as you and Eskel both mount your steeds and continue on your trek.

A couple more miles down the road, Eskel decided to speak up again, "hey," he gets your attention, "We'll be approaching Vizima in a days time." "That's the capital of Temeria right?" you ask. "It is," Eskel nods, "at least it was before Nilfgaard took over some time back." "Ah, guess the history books I picked up at Kaer Morhen haven't been revised about that," you say, "any villages on the way there." "Just a one about a couple miles from our spot," Eskel says after taking a quick look at the map, "I could take up a quick contract job before we resume our trek. We're low on supplies, and getting those supplies requires coin."
"How much coin we got exactly?" you ask.
"Enough for one night at the local inn," Eskel answers, "after that...well the sooner I find a job the better."

"How will you do that?" you ask. "Well villages like the one we're heading to, there should a notice board with plenty of flyers posted," Eskel explains, "more often than not, they'll probably have one for a monster. The kind of monster that requires a witcher. You won't mind will you? This delay?"

"Well, like you said, we need money if we're going to continue our trip," you shrug, "Alright, so be it. What's one more extra day." "I know you want to get back to your family," Eskel says, "I promise we'll get this done as soon as possible." "It's not just that," you admit, "my aunt and uncle are probably worried about me. Okay, they're definitely worried about. I've been gone for months now. I just vanished without a trace, there's a good chance they've both lost at least ten years of their lives from all that worry. It's similar to how my mother disappeared."

Eskel wasn't sure what to say to bring some comfort. He looked at you, then he looked at the horses, and he got an idea.
"Hey," he gets your attention again, "which of these two you think is the faster horse? Midnight or Scorpion? Or more accurately, who's the better rider?" "Midnight is not a race horse," you tell him. "Neither is Scorpion," Eskel points out, "Come on," he urges, "a little race to the village. What do you say?"
"I doubt it would be much of a challenge," you say, "Unlike you, I don't have to worry about hitting bumps on the road thanks to Midnight's fox trot gait." "Bumps on the road won't stop me" Eskel scoffs, "I was able to beat Geralt racing to Kaer Morhen. And he said he could beat me riding a lame sow. So, what do you say that, Miss fox trotter?"

"I'd say I'm already half way there!" you shout back, Eskel blinks twice to see you already had ridden in full gallop.
"Hey!" Eskel calls out, getting Scorpion to gallop in order to catch up with you.