04 Velen 1226
Redania, named after Roeden, is a wealthy kingdom that profits from trade and agriculture and is one of the Four Kingdoms. The capital of Redania is Tretogor. Other important cities are Oxenfurt, the largest university in the Northern Kingdoms, and the free city of Novigrad. The kingdom's neighbors are Kovir, Caingorn, Kaedwen, Aedirn, and Temeria. Redania was first colonised by the Dauk and Wozgor peoples before the first landings, more specifically the Gelibol region and the Nimnar valley, according to a classification by the historian Arnelius Grock.
The social structure of this country is quite specific - the cult of the nobility is strong in Redania, and the upper classes here enjoy more privileges than in any neighboring kingdom. Significant differences in wealth exist among the nobility, but Redanian law is concerned with birth rather than property, making a well-born beggar the legal equal of the wealthiest magnate. Those of high birth and great wealth derived their wealth primarily from the grain trade and the breeding of pedigree horses. Because of the privileged position of the nobility, the peasantry is treated worse here than in any neighboring state, and only the iron fist of the king prevents them from rebelling. The government of Redania is also heavily influenced by the witches.
The kingdom makes vast profits from trade with Novigrad, as well as from grain exports. The monarchy is arguably the breadbasket of the entire continent and other parts of the world. As a result, Redania's dominant landscape is made up of vast, undulating grain fields. Au, the state's economy is seriously threatened by the flow of cheap goods to and from the country, which constitutes serious competition for local craftsmen. In addition, there are very few factories.
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Tretogor has been the capital of Redania since King Vestibor and the location of the royal court. It is located less than 300 miles from Oxenfurt, close to copper deposits. Ironically, although Redania is a powerful kingdom, the capital is relatively small. Apart from the majestic royal palace and government building, Tretogor is not particularly impressive. Most people here work for the government, and the shopping center is relatively modest due to its proximity to Novigrad. It's not all boring here though - the town is known for its annual horse racing event, the Grand Tretorian, its lively inns and the nearby town or district of Coppertown where the famous Dwarven Miners Brass Band performs.
On the outskirts of this town, in a village, Robert and Saibus meet once again.
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In a village called "Bois le Près", a garrison of around fifty soldiers in armour with esbodas and crossbows in hand are forming. In front of them are three people talking. One in full armor with his helmet in his hand is questioning the other two, who are dressed in much simpler clothes, one with a bow on his back.
"Thank you for coming, Mr. Cert. According to Mr Lard, the mayor of your village, you are the only living civilian who has been able to enter and leave the forest alive for the last month," says the man in armour.
"Yes, my lord Robert, I am the village huntsman. I hunt so that the village can get meat. But I haven't been back since last month, and all I do is drive the soldiers who come to the edge of the forest." replied Cert.
"Well, according to our information from the previous soldiers who have been able to return, the monster is a Leshen, an evil monster from the forest. Tell me what you've seen to confirm what my colleagues have said," asks Robert.
"Yes, Sir. A month ago, I was in the forest hunting as usual. I was exploring the forest, searching for tracks of a stag, doe, or any other game. I walked through the forest until I came to a tree with a wooden ornament. The ornament was embedded in the bark of the oak. Not paying any attention, I continued the track I'd made earlier. I'd only gone about a hundred meters when brambles attacked me. I don't know how I got out of the brambles' grip. But as soon as I was free again, I ran backward with the brambles after me. I ran without stopping until I fell over from exhaustion at the forest entrance, " Cert replied with fear in his voice.
"I want you to know, Sir, that I will not return to the forest until this creature is killed. So I can't feed the village," the hunter finally said.
"Yes, my lord, you really must help us. The previous soldiers who came were only a dozen or so, and I took three groups of them with me. I hope that this time you'll be able to defeat this monster so our village can live," the mayor continues.
"Don't worry, I, knight Robert de Sablé, am going to slay this creature with my soldiers," says Robert confidently as he puts on his helmet.
(image Robert)
A man then approached Robert. "My lord, we are ready to leave at any moment when he returns."
"Let's not waste his time. Let's go. The sooner we go, the sooner that monster will die."
The soldiers set off towards the forest with Robert at their head and Cert to lead them to the entrance.
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POV Soldier
Join up, they said. You will save people, they said. You'll be heroes, they said—liar Liar Liar Liar. I'm just DYING.' my thoughts full of rage against my superiors, the nobles, the army, who led me to the state I'm in. At death's door, a scarlet tree branch, the color of my blood, springs from my chest.
Here I am, with my brothers in arms, being exterminated by a monster that we had initially come to exterminate. In my last moments before dying, I visualize the miserable life I've had. I was born in Trétogor to a soldier father and a prostitute. Strangely enough, my father took me in when I was born. According to him, he'd always wanted a son but couldn't find a match, or rather a hole to fill, other than my mother. My father wasn't gentle during my childhood. He wanted someone to vent his anger on instead of his captain.
An alcoholic father who hits his son pretty hard and a son with anger issues, well, I didn't grow up in a lovely environment. Paradoxically, my mother, a joy girl, loved me the most and her colleagues at the brothel. When I think about it, having a brothel as a home, especially when you'd rather be there than in a traditional house, is extremely strange. Trained by my father in the army, I quickly proved myself. Unlike a simple soldier like him, I have, or instead I had, a talent for handling swords—enough to be spotted by the guard's commander. As a promising young soldier, the commander appointed me to a post under the direct command of an army captain—a captain known for his martial prowess.
Under his command, I experienced fraternity, friendship, pain, and love. I befriended my entire squad. I drank with them, I played with them. I killed them. I protected them. I even found my love among them. Cathya, a true warrior. A strong, fierce, direct woman. She was an excellent warrior who used a sword and a shield. Intense, with a toned, muscular body, yet with a feminine shape. She was the secret love of many men in the squad, including mine. We got close, but life is never merciful. She died decapitated. Dead by my blade. This whore worked for a group of bandits. She'd infiltrated the army to help her group. We're getting close to their hideouts. She then betrayed us, and her group killed my squad. However, her group of bandits died, too. He was the only survivor of this bloody battle.
A slight snigger escapes my lips. It's a very slight snigger, but it hurts like hell. When I think about it, all the women I've known have been whores. Whores by trade or whores by attitude.
I then became a soldier under the orders of Chevalier Robert de Sablé. I undertook several missions under his orders—missions for the glory of Redania.
It was going to be a risky mission, but affordable with the information we had. We were to kill a Leshen, a tree monster that lives in the forest next to the village of "Bois le Près," a town near Trétogor. Several squads had already been sent out under orders from the commanding officers, but none had more than ten members, and there were only two survivors. Thanks to these two survivors, we know about the monster we faced. However, we didn't realize one detail: the age of the monster. We thought we were up against a young Leshen who had just formed, but we were far from the truth. We faced an adult Leshen who decimated our squad as if he were killing cattle. It let us penetrate deep into its territory before attacking us. Its roots, brambles, and branches turned me and my weapons into scarecrows.
My shitty life is over. It's just as well, anyway. One less son of a bitch in this shitty world. My blood drips slowly from my chest. Sliding down the branch that holds me aloft. Staining its bark a scarlet color and an iron smell. Drop by drop, it fell to the ground. My eyes slowly close. I close my eyes to the death of my colleagues and Sir Robert de Sablé's losing battle.
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Robert de Sablé, the noble knight of Redania, is in the wrong way. The bodies of his dead soldiers surround him. He is likely to die today. To die failing his duty. Dying with honour in battle to protect the population and but dying with a stain on his Majesty's honour. He has several cuts on his body. Bruises. He feels he must have broken one or more bones. He can hardly stand. In front of him, Leshen stares at him. Roots burst the ground around the monster. Flying through the air. The Leshen roars. His cry echoes through the forest, shaking the trees. And he gets a response—an answer in the form of a sea of flame and a yellow glow above him.
An answer that ends this battle. An answer that is the last thing Robert de Sablé sees.