The Battle of Wills || The Witcher

Chapter One

Author's Note: This one's been a long time in the making, but I finally finished it after two years floating around in my brain. It's basically an AU take on the Skellige questline, but omitting the Ciri plot. There's a looooot of whump in this one so be prepared, lol. But a lot of story too, I like to think. Please let me know what you think of it! Any comments/constructive criticism welcome and appreciated! I hope you enjoy it!

Chapter One

It was a calm, beautiful day. An excellent one for sailing, Geralt thought as his small ship sliced through the placid sea, a pleasant breeze filling his sails and lungs, the salt spray cooling his face. Geralt had always enjoyed sailing. The peace of it. The solitude.

His heading was southwest, to the island of Undvik. A place where he knew that peace would end, though perhaps not the solitude. The island had been abandoned long ago, courtesy of an ice giant that had decimated Clan Tordarroch that had once lived there.

Funnily enough, Geralt wasn't going to the island to kill the giant, at least not directly.

Several weeks ago, an old friend of Geralt's, Jarl Crach an Craite, had contacted Geralt, asking him to come to Skellige. King Bran had died and according to clan tradition, a new leader was to be elected. In the interim, Crach had been named acting ruler, as elections could go on for months at a time.

Until he had arrived, Geralt had assumed that Crach was seeking the permanent crown himself. He soon came to realize, however, that Crach had no interest in keeping the crown and it was his two children who were vying to be ruler. A fact that Geralt had come to learn only after a long, insufferable feast.

~~~

"Can't you just tell me why you called me here?" Geralt asked Crach when he turned up at Kaer Trolde, letting out an exasperated sigh, the festivities already kicking off around them.

Crach clapped Geralt on the back. "All in good time, my friend. Let us enjoy this feast while it lasts!"

"I was hoping to avoid that," Geralt muttered as Crach sauntered away. Grabbing himself a flagon of ale, Geralt wandered over to the extravagant buffet laid out across several tables. No point in letting such good food go to waste.

"Geralt!" said a voice behind him. "I thought I saw you arrive earlier."

Geralt turned to see Gudrik, one of Crach's captains of the guard and a man Geralt had become good friends with on his trips to Skellige. He was dressed in full plate armor, a halberd standing upright in his hand and an axe at his hip. He was clearly on duty.

Smiling and grasping the man's forearm, Geralt replied, "Gudrik! It's good to see you, my friend."

Gudrik leaned his halberd against his shoulder, shifting his weight to rest against it. "What brings you to Skellige? It's been a long time."

"Crach asked me to come. Though he won't tell me why until after the feast, apparently."

"Hah, I'm sure you're thrilled about that," Gudrik chuckled.

Geralt glared back. "You know how I feel about parties."

"Oh I remember. But just think about it this way. Free food and free ale! As much as you want. Surely that's worth braving the crowds?"

Geralt raised his flagon, giving half a smirk. "It certainly helps."

"Well at least you get to enjoy it. You're not on duty." Gudrik grabbed up his halberd and straightened. "Speaking of which, I better get back to it. I'm not really supposed to be talking."

"We'll talk some other time, then," Geralt answered, dipping his head.

Gudrik nodded in response. "I'm sure you have plenty of exciting tales to share." He looked up and a look of guilt and fear crossed his face. When Geralt followed his gaze, he saw that Crach was coming back around. "I'll see you soon, Geralt." Gudrik walked away, calling over his shoulder, "I know how you feel about feasts, but do try to enjoy yourself. For my sake."