The Path: A witcher's tale

Chapter 24

     Finally, after weeks on the road, Karadine and I arrived at Toussaint. Now, instead of going to a bar, like Karadine suggested, I just wanted to stay at my vineyard house and relax, sharpening my blades, looking out over the grape vines. I cast off my armor, brought a chair outside, grabbed a whetstone and got to work.
     Things were now strangely serene. After spending all of my life so far on the road, hunting monsters, it's very rare that I get a moment to just relax. Karadine decided that she wasn't all for relaxing like me and decided to go and get drunk for a while. There I was, alone with my blades, my thoughts, and my vines. I was very uneasy hearing the calmness of the area, the occasional bird call breaking the monotonous rustling of the bushes.
     The situation just seemed unnatural, as a Witcher, it becomes second nature to constantly be risking life and death, it's just part of the job. One thought led to another and Karadine's proposal came back to me of just settling down here at Toussaint and hanging our silver and steel above the mantle. I then realized that I just can't do it, as tantalizing as it sounded, I'm still young and yearning for adventure, not for retirement. But there was sense in her words, monsters just aren't as common as they once were and work for us is getting a little tough to come by.
     I was so absorbed in my thoughts that by no time, night had fallen and I heard Karadine going in the house. I decided that I was time for me to do so as well. I walked in and headed right to the bedchamber, where, to my astoudnment, Karadine was lying there half naked waiting for me. I decided, "why not" and had a good time with her. Later that night, there was a boom outside, like a clap of thunder, even though the night sky was clear. We both woke up and I looked over to her and said, "What the hell do you think that was? For fuck's sake, I can't just rest for a day?" Karadine caressed me and responded, "Don't worry Andrezej, I'll go with you to see what it was and tomorrow we'll do what you want to do."
     I got out of bed, donned some hunting trousers and a shirt as I fastened my blades to my back. I walked outside and heard a rustling in the vines in front of me. Given by the sound of the rustling, the creature must've been bipedal and humanoid. I drew my steel and and rushed towards the silhouette shuffling towards me in the dark. I heard a scream and expected my blade to strike true and slice through the entity as if it were warm butter, but I was stopped cold, as if I were frozen in place. I then looked around and saw that the creature was just Anna, who had teleported to my vineyard.
     I also saw Karadine nearly bursting out in laughter as I had looked like a confused child in an awkward position. When I was able to move again, I fell on my face. After a good round of laughs at my expense, we all went inside, as Anna said she had matters to discuss with me. We all sat down and refrained from bringing out the alcohol as Anna insisted that we remained sober.
-"Soon, within a weeks time, delegates and ambassadors will be visiting the neutral and wealthy kingdom of Kovir to discuss the political state of the North, whether yet another Nordling-Nilfgaardian was it to be fought. Since I myself am in a high place in Koviri politics, I will be sent on Thyssen's behalf." Anna explained to me and Karadine.
-"Alright, so what's that got to do with me, I've got no plans for visiting Kovir anytime soon, if that's what you're wondering." I said, still a little confused of what was going on.
-"I'm getting there," Anna said with a tone of slight frustration, "Because I am representing Kovir and its interests, and because I am a sorceress, I am a prime target for the assassins of whomsoever wishes to manipulate Kovir. To avoid this, I will need a bodyguard, someone who is not afraid to kill, that's where you come in, Andrezej."
-"So you want me to be your muscle, to scare off any would be assassins. Why don't you just take Karadine as well, two armed witchers are quite a fearsome sight."
-"I cannot take both of you as that would arouse too much suspicion, and besides you will not be armed in the presence of the ambassadors and delegates, so Karadine, because she is a woman, would not instill that much fear to begin with. That's why I need you, what do you say?"
     After some thought, I looked at her and said, "Fine, I'll go, but how the hell are we supposed to get to Kovir from Toussaint in a week?" "Teleportation, of course, we shall leave immediately, so gather your things."
     As I was getting ready to go, Karadine came up to me and said that she wishes nothing bad to happen to me, she also asked that I refrain from having sex with Anna. I agreed, and stated my disdain for politics and portals, but I'm only going to help a friend. Before I left, Karadine looked deeply into my eyes and said, "Try not to get killed, witcher" as she kissed me goodbye. I responded with, "I'll try, don't worry" as I walked through the portal to Kovir.