Triss's playful question, laced with a hint of flirtation, flustered Wayne. He wasn't entirely accustomed to the sorceress's bold approach. True, they hadn't interacted one-on-one in the past year, but Keira had orchestrated several group encounters. He'd even endured the ordeal of teaching them Gwent, their enthusiasm leaving him mildly traumatized. Several shared meals later, filled with his delicious cooking, surely solidified their friendship.
Dropping the pretense of formality, he asked directly, "Well, Triss, I was about to grab lunch. Any recommendations? Perhaps you'd like to join?"
Triss's smile remained, though she pivoted the conversation. "Why not come to my place, Wayne? I have a peculiar commission I'm debating. Perhaps you could offer some insight. Besides," she added with a playful wink, "it's been a while since I've savored your culinary creations. The mere thought has my mouth watering."
Wayne's brow furrowed at the mention of a commission that troubled even a sorceress. However, a flicker of excitement ignited within him. Triss's hesitation hinted at a high-level task, potentially one offering hefty rewards.
Another factor weighed on Wayne's mind. While he wouldn't hesitate to enlist Keira's help with the underwater city, his bond with Triss wasn't yet strong enough to make such a request. Yet, if he could secure a favor from her now, come March, he'd have a formidable force for the battle: seven witchers and two sorceresses. A united front could definitively purge this lurking threat from Vizima's shores. In a way, it would be a token of gratitude to the Lady of the Lake for her past assistance, potentially smoothing the path for future requests.
A grin stretched across his face. "How could I, as a gentleman, refuse a beautiful lady's invitation?" he offered gallantly. "But first, a stop at the grocer's is in order. Since it's just you today, the menu is entirely up to you. Consider it a culinary adventure – I'll whip up anything your heart desires."
Triss's eyes sparkled, her smile blooming wider. A playful lick of her lips preceded a subtle sway of her hips as she approached Wayne. The faint scent of roses wafted from her. "Excellent choice, Wayne! Lead the way, I can barely contain my hunger."
Triss's manor, nestled within the city's affluent district bordering the royal city, exuded a more intimate warmth compared to Keira's opulent residence. Her household staff differed as well. Gone was the youthful exuberance of Maizie, replaced by a mature maid in her thirties. According to Triss, this was a family heirloom, so to speak. The woman's mother had cared for Triss as a child, and the maid herself, seven or eight years Triss's junior, had practically grown up alongside the sorceress. This stark contrast between their lifespans made Triss acutely aware of the brevity of mortal existence. Notably, the Merigold family's current head, a man in his fifties, was actually Triss's cousin.
Tragically, Triss's parents had succumbed to the inevitable march of time, making her something of a family elder despite her youthful appearance. The sorceress's influence had elevated the Merigold family from merchants to minor nobility. Though lacking a landed estate, they had transcended their commoner roots.
Wayne's culinary talents continued to impress. Based on Triss's requests, he crafted a delectable spread: a dessert, a decadent cake, and a centerpiece of succulent roast suckling pig. Thankfully, Triss's kitchen was well-stocked, with ample stores of honey and candy, allowing Wayne to showcase his skills without fear of culinary disaster.
Each dish boasted unique characteristics, elevated by Wayne's distinctive approach. The sorceress savored every bite, a genuine smile gracing her lips. Wine-induced warmth flushed her cheeks, and with a satisfied sigh after devouring a morsel of crispy-skinned, succulent pork, she closed her eyes, her head swaying slightly in delight. "Exquisite, Wayne," she breathed, her voice laced with a hint of playful possessiveness. "Truly, I'm tempted to ensnare you as my personal chef, indulging in these culinary masterpieces daily."
Wayne maintained a courteous smile, suppressing the surge of pride within him. He recognized his culinary prowess. Keira's unwavering loyalty undoubtedly stemmed, in part, from his exceptional cooking. After a few more effusive compliments, Triss skillfully steered the conversation towards the matter at hand.
"This commission wasn't something I actively sought, Wayne," Triss began. "It's a family affair. My cousin approached me with a problem plaguing our hometown, Maribor. There's a silver mine operated jointly by our family and the Duke – a rather unpleasant man, to be honest. Since last month, brutal murders have claimed nine miners, forcing the mine to shut down. The Duke sent his guards to scour the surrounding forest, but they only managed to injure a handful of people and came back empty-handed. The mine's operations are on hold indefinitely. Thankfully, our family's stake is minimal, so the financial losses are negligible.
"News of my abilities reached the Duke, and he, through my family, has requested my help in resolving this situation. Now, the reward offered by such nobles is a pittance – a few measly gold coins. Do they truly believe a sorceress of my caliber is swayed by such trinkets? However, Maribor is my birthplace, and my family resides there. Refusing the Duke could bring them undue hardship."
Wayne heard this and asked strangely: "Then why don't you solve this matter quickly? You are a sorceress with outstanding abilities. If there are only one or two monsters, it shouldn't be too difficult for you". Triss looked at Wayne, snorted slightly, and said:
"Easy for you to say, Wayne," Triss countered with a huff. "A gifted sorceress like me dealing with one or two monsters? Child's play. But things are far from straightforward. Based on information from my family and further investigation, the culprit behind these murders appears to be a powerful Leshen lurking in the forest. You, as a witcher – a monster expert – know all too well the dangers these creatures pose."
Wayne's brow furrowed at the mention of a Leshen. While ordinary folk might be clueless, witchers like him, trained to combat monstrosities, were acutely aware of Leshen's might. These hulking beasts weren't just enormous and brutally strong; they wielded control over the forest itself, manipulating vines and commanding nearby animals to become their savage pawns. Worse yet, their bodies shrugged off blows from steel swords or any ordinary weapon. Only specially crafted silver blades could pierce their hide. And to top it all off, Leshens boasted a cunning intellect and a repertoire of potent, arcane abilities that defied easy categorization. Their cruelty was legendary, and within the dense heart of a primeval forest, they reigned as undisputed kings. Lions and tigers paled in comparison to these formidable predators. No wonder Triss hesitated. Facing a Leshen was no trivial task, even for a skilled sorceress.
Even seasoned witchers face a daunting challenge when confronting a Leshen. The Wolf School badge Wayne wore was a grim reminder – a memento from his teacher, Vesemir, gifted by a friend who fell victim to one of these monstrous creatures.
The weight of the decision settled on Wayne's shoulders. Should he take the risk and accept this dangerous mission?
###
You can read advance chapters on my P@treon page.
patreon.com/Lil674