Changed the term dagon worshippers to acolytes.
----
The task activated, presenting itself as an expert-level challenge. Wayne, driven by instinct, felt the inclination to accept it. However, his immediate enthusiasm waned as he considered the circumstances. Lala was a devoted follower of the lake goddess. Her elder brother had been captured by dagon worshippers, agents of the malevolent sea god Dagon.
Uncertainty clouded Wayne's decision. Was this a routine kidnapping, or did it involve a clash between two deities?
Caught in a moment of hesitation, Wayne observed Lala, whose appearance, despite its peculiar charm, carried a plea for assistance. She blinked her ugly yet endearing eyes, reaching out to grasp Wayne's trouser legs. Looking up at him, she implored, "Can you help me rescue my brother, Wayne? I don't know where else to seek aid."
Confronted with Lala's pitiful plea, Wayne pondered the situation. Reflecting on the events from the original book, where Geralt aided the Goddess of the Lake in defeating the evil god Dagon, Wayne considered the potential benefits. Geralt had emerged victorious and even gained recognition as the Knight of the Goddess of the Lake, bestowed with the Sword of the Lady of the Lake.
Reasoning that if Geralt, despite his perceived vulnerabilities, could defeat this so-called evil god, Dagon might not be as formidable as the task's expert difficulty suggested. Wayne concluded that the danger might not be overwhelming. Instead, he saw an opportunity to draw closer to the lake goddess.
In this world, the Goddess of the Lake was a mysterious being named Nymph, an elf born of nature, often appearing as a beautiful girl with magical powers akin to Djinn, capable of granting wishes.
Not only in lakes but also in mountains, forests, wilderness, and springs, one may find these beautiful mythical beings. Among them, the Goddess of the Lake stands out as the most powerful and renowned.
In the past, numerous noble knights devoutly believed in the Goddess of the Lake. To promote the five virtues of knighthood imparted by the goddess, they acted chivalrously across the entire continent, undertaking many noble deeds. Whether motivated by future benefits or a quest for justice in the world, assisting the Goddess of the Lake was considered a commendable choice.
With these considerations in mind, Wayne silently accepted the task. He then directed his attention to Lala, looking down at her and inquiring, "No problem, Lala. I will help you. But before we proceed, you must share all the information you have. Describe your brother's appearance, identify the captor, and provide details on where they took him. It would be even more helpful if you knew why the acolytes targeted your brother."
Relieved that Wayne was willing to help, Lala recalled stories she had read where Witchers proved to be formidable adversaries, triumphing over various monsters.
In response to Wayne's queries, Lala furrowed her brow, crossed her arms in contemplation, and as if recollecting something important. She began to explain, "A few days ago, my brother mentioned that he stole something valuable from an acolyte and hid it in our house. Today, while fishing in the lake, he was suddenly surrounded by a group of acolytes. They demanded that he should hand over the thing that he stole, but my brother refused, leading to his capture."
Lala continued, "Being small, I managed to escape their notice by hiding in the aquatic plants. Later, I overheard the acolytes discussing their intention to take my brother to Black Tern Island and offer him as a sacrifice to their god."
"There are too many of them, and I don't know what to do, so I came to you," Lala explained.
Upon hearing this, Wayne grasped the situation, but he soon found himself a bit distressed. Black Tern Island, situated in the central area of Lake Vizima, teemed with vitality and remained untouched by humans. It harbored various animals and monsters, contributing to its mysterious ambiance.
However, reaching the island required a boat, and ordinary boatmen were reluctant to venture there. Witchers, unlike acolytes, couldn't swim such a long distance and reach the small island in the center of the lake.
Facing this challenge, Wayne, with a tentative tone, asked Lala, "Black Tern Island is in the middle of the lake. I can't reach it without a boat. Is there anything you can do?"
Frowning in distress, Lala contemplated the predicament. After a brief pause, her eyes suddenly lit up, and she exclaimed, "I've got it, Wayne! In the swamp village lives the Fisherman King. He is also a believer of the goddess, and he sails to Black Tern Island to meet the goddess occasionally. If we ask him for help, he should be able to take us to the island by boat."
Wayne nodded in agreement, recalling the existence of the Fisher King. This mysterious character appeared to be one of the lovers of the Goddess of the Lake. Trusting him seemed reasonable.
Observing the dusk settling in and the sun gradually descending, Wayne wondered if the acolytes could see in the dark as he could. However, the urgency of the situation pushed such considerations aside. Despite the strength of the acolytes not being much greater than that of drowners, Wayne believed that with caution, there shouldn't be any significant problems.
As a witcher, Wayne possessed considerable energy, and even after a night or two without rest, he wouldn't feel overly tired. He gently touched Lala's head and assured her, "Okay, Lala, I've got a good grasp of the situation. Head home now, retrieve the item your brother brought back and meet me by the lake outside the city. We'll head to the Fisher King overnight and attempt to rescue your brother before dawn."
Lala nodded in agreement, taking a few steps toward the door with her short legs. Before leaving, she glanced back at Wayne, expressing her gratitude, "Thank you, Wayne. You're such a nice guy."
Watching Lala leave, Wayne sighed with relief. Realizing he didn't have time for a bath, he quickly changed back into his witcher equipment, securing both swords on his belt. Retrieving a bottle of Red Bull and some chocolate from a hidden compartment, he consumed them swiftly. Now prepared fully, he walked out of the house, mounted Lucifer, and headed towards the city outskirts.
Equipped with a magic storage bag, Wayne had all the necessary supplies on with him in the bag. There was no need for extensive preparations like other Witchers. Riding Lucifer, he left Vizima City before the gates closed. Following a brief search, he found Lala at the designated spot in the grass by the lake.
Dispensing with formalities, Wayne hugged Lala and mounted his horse, swiftly riding towards the swamp village. Lala, being a local resident for many years, guided him through shortcuts, circling around Lake Vizima, and eventually reaching the swamp village before nightfall.
Known as the Dark Water Village, this settlement was constructed in the swamp. Home to over a hundred inhabitants, the villagers had thrived for generations on the unique soil in the swamp, crafting earthen pots and roof tiles.
Wayne arrived at the village when everyone had already fallen asleep, with only a few houses showing faint lights. This matter didn't concern the villagers, and Wayne, guided by Lala, reached a nondescript wooden house by the lake. The house appeared quite ordinary, lacking any distinctive features. Had it not been situated by the lake, quite a distance from the village, it might have gone unnoticed.
Upon dismounting, Wayne reached out to lift Lala, a small and lively creature, off the horse. Despite her brother's kidnapping, Lala, while riding, seemed to forget the distress. Her small hands couldn't resist stroking Lucifer's mane, displaying curiosity and affection.
Arriving outside the Fisher King's house, Lala abruptly remembered their mission, and her face once again showed anxiety. After dismounting, she hurriedly ran to the main door of the wooden house and knocked with her short legs.
About ten seconds later, a faint light emanated from the hut, followed by the creaking sound of the door opening. An old man, looking quite aged, emerged with an oil lamp, wearing worn-out linen clothes and carrying a hatchet.
The old man's cloudy gaze first fell on Wayne, seven or eight meters away, lingering on the two swords hanging at his waist. Then, he shifted his attention to Lala, the diminutive Godling standing at his feet. His expression remained unchanged as he hoarsely inquired, "What's the matter?"
Holding the colorful conch from the goddess of the lake, Lala anxiously spoke to the Fisher King, "My brother was captured by the acolytes. I'll take the Witcher to rescue him. Please take us to Seatern Island by boat, Fisher King."
The Fisherman King, maintaining his stoic expression, squatted down to listen to the Godling. After over a minute of deliberation, he stood up, glanced at a wooden boat nearby, and said, "Well, let's go."