"Long time no see, Wayne." Keinster's complexion was much improved since they last met. It seemed that living in the forest had been beneficial to the druid. His once gaunt face had filled out. Delighted to see Wayne, the old man enthusiastically invited him and Geralt to sit on some tree stumps. He brought out a jug of acorn wine he had brewed himself and offered them some foraged fruits and wild vegetables as a simple repast.
The acorn wine was surprisingly good. Beyond the unique, slightly bitter acorn flavor, there was a subtle warmth that lingered on the palate, imparting a sense of peace. After a sip, Wayne offered a customary greeting: "Long time no see, Elder Keinster, how have you fared this past year?"
Keinster stroked his snow-white beard and patted his well-worn robes, stained with leaves, soil, and other remnants of forest life. He replied with a contented smile, "I've been living well. The natural energy in Brokilon Forest is quite strong, which is ideal for us druids."
"Now, my druid circle has been established, and the sacred oak tree has taken root and flourished." "As long as I tend to it, one day, this sacred tree will protect this forest and make it a haven of peace and tranquility."
Though the old man was smiling and appeared to have gained weight, Wayne saw that the Druid elder lived a meager existence. The so-called Druid Circle and Sacred Oak consisted of a single, albeit magnificent, oak tree. Beneath its canopy, wild animals thrived amidst a profusion of flowers and plants, all coexisting harmoniously.
However, the old man lacked even a simple wooden shelter. He slept on a bed of straw and animal skins in a hollow next to the oak, and a nearby fire pit served as his kitchen. A few battered iron pots hung over the flames, stirred only with a charred stick. This was less a life close to nature, and more akin to that of a wild animal.
Still, everyone chooses their own path, and it was not Wayne's place to judge. After a bit of small talk, he broached the subject of the upcoming battle against the underwater Dagonian city, hoping to gauge Keinster's stance.
Unfortunately, the old man shook his head. "I'm sorry, Wayne. While you may see these Dagonian half-fish folk as evil, our druidic teachings emphasize the natural order and balance of all things. We cannot interfere excessively."
"Though I sincerely wish you victory, participating in this battle would go against our way of life."
Wayne had long been aware of druidic teachings and had only held out a sliver of hope that Keinster would join the fight. Since their views didn't align, he moved on to other requests.
"Elder, I'd like to purchase some potions for treating injuries. As you know, our witcher potions are highly toxic and unsuitable for ordinary people." He added, "Of course, it would be even better if you could teach me how to brew such healing potions."
Keinster was generous, immediately offering Wayne over a dozen of his own healing potions. However, regarding the formula, he shook his head regretfully. "The recipes are simple enough, but they require druidic magic to brew. Even if I shared the formula, you wouldn't be able to replicate them."
This was another disappointment, though Wayne quickly moved on to his third request. Upon hearing it, Keinster paused, then asked, "You mean, a potion to enhance a woman's stamina during intimacy?"
Wayne nodded, a bit embarrassed. Triss's magical sensitivity often meant their encounters ended prematurely, much to his frustration. Remembering her allergies to magical elixirs, he added, "Yes, elder. Ideally, it would be purely herbal, enhancing physical endurance without any magical properties."
Elder Keinster seemed a bit taken aback by Wayne's request. He scratched his tangled hair, closed his eyes in thought, then suddenly clapped his hands. "I seem to recall such a potion mentioned in an ancient text. It utilizes the power of natural harmony to gradually infuse the effects of the herbs into the bodies of both partners."
"Taken over time, it not only increases stamina but also improves the chances of conception and the likelihood of bearing strong children."
Wayne was stunned, then asked excitedly, "Elder, does this potion only work on humans, or is it effective for other races as well? And how noticeable are the effects?"
The old man shook his head, then replied, "It should be very effective and applicable to all races. This is a precious note left by my mentor, the result of his years of meticulous research."
"Unfortunately, he passed away in an accident before he could publish his findings." Keinster shook his head with regret, but Wayne was overcome with astonishment, almost forgetting his previous requests.
Increasing fertility rates could be a disaster for humans and other races, not just a benefit. However, as a half-elf, he knew that if this potion was truly effective, it would be nothing short of a miracle for elves – a treasure that could alter the destiny of their race.
Another thought struck him. Druids were skilled in natural methods, excelling in medicine, agriculture, breeding, planting, and various life sciences. They were essentially masters of advanced agricultural techniques.
The potential was clear: if he could recruit a group of druids to work for him, they'd not only be formidable fighters but also invaluable in numerous other ways. It was a win-win scenario.
"Elder Keinster," he began, "please prioritize the research into the fertility potion. It's of great importance to me."
"I can see that your Druid circle must keep you quite busy on your own." He continued, "If you need it, I can help recruit apprentices so your knowledge can be passed on and your circle can expand. It would also provide you with more assistance in developing your community."
The kind-hearted druid elder, touched by Wayne's trust in him, immediately promised to retrieve his mentor's research data and share the fertility potion formula as soon as possible.
Keinster was enthusiastic about the idea of recruiting apprentices. Imprisoned by the Wild Hunt for three years, the establishment of his Druid Circle had been delayed. Now that he had finally settled, he was eager to pass on his knowledge. With more apprentices, perhaps he could even establish a powerful Druid organization from this small circle – the dream of all druids.
Wayne spent the afternoon conversing with Keinster, learning the complete art of animal taming and gaining insights into herbalism and potion brewing. In return, he promised to help the elder expand his circle. While he also harbored the idea of cultivating his own druids under Keinster's guidance, this was a mutually beneficial arrangement that quickly earned the elder's approval.
By the time Wayne returned to Vizima the next morning, laden with potions from the druid, the battle for the underwater city had already begun.