Gerard's voice carried Viktor's name through the distance, a call that initially held the intention of visiting Lord Eric to inquire about the ongoing battle in Ipsich. However, the moment Viktor emerged from the gate, Gerard's purpose shifted abruptly. He recognized the urgency, understanding that this was the opportune moment to confide in his best friend about the unsettling scene he had witnessed involving Viktor's beautiful wife on the outskirts of town.
In swift determination, Gerard hastened towards Viktor, who, despite a noticeable limp, moved with surprising speed. Closing the gap between them, Gerard reached Viktor's side, gasping for breath, the weight of his revelation pressing on him. With breathless urgency, he began, "There's something I need to tell you." Drawing even closer, Gerard hesitated for a moment, sensing the gravity of his words. Finally, he uttered, "You might not like it, but you have to know." The words hung in the air, a heavy disclosure awaiting release.
Emerging from Lord Eric's Castle that evening, Viktor wore the weight of recent events. He had just petitioned for his son to undergo sorcery testing, fully aware of the harrowing process he himself had enforced upon others suspected of wielding magic. As the Castle's imposing structure loomed behind him, a cascade of thoughts cascaded through Viktor's mind.
In the midst of his contemplation, Gerard, a friend with a disheveled mane of golden blonde hair resembling a tempest's aftermath, approached with an urgency that intrigued Viktor. "Go on, Gerard," Viktor prompted, his own mind racing through a myriad of possibilities. He understood that when Gerard expressed something with such gravity, it warranted serious consideration.
The air hung with anticipation as Gerard, a beacon of disquiet, began to articulate the matter weighing on him. Viktor's gaze remained fixed on his friend, the frizzy tendrils of golden blonde hair capturing the evening's fading light. An unspoken understanding passed between them – whatever Gerard was about to disclose held significance beyond the ordinary.
"Tell me what has you so rattled," Viktor urged, his voice steady but laced with the anticipation of impending revelation. The echoes of his recent dealings at the Castle reverberated, merging with the impending disclosure from Gerard.
Gerard stood before Viktor, the weight of what he had witnessed pressing on his conscience. In the quietude of the moment, he grappled with the moral dilemma – was unveiling the truth the righteous course of action? Isabella, after all, had been a gracious host on numerous occasions, casting a shadow of doubt on the integrity of the revelation he harbored.
Viktor's patience wore thin, frustration coloring his tone as he demanded, "Gerard, I don't have all day. It's already night, and I need to rest. So get on with it." The urgency in Viktor's voice heightened Gerard's inner turmoil, but he steeled himself for the revelation that loomed.
Summoning courage, Gerard uttered the words that lingered heavily in the air, "Your wife is cheating on you." His gaze remained fixed on Viktor's face, a silent observer of the storm he had just unleashed.
Seconds stretched into an eternity as Viktor absorbed the weight of Gerard's words. Then, unexpectedly, laughter erupted from Viktor's lips. "Jesus, it hurts to laugh, but man, you're very funny. Maybe if you ever feel like retiring from hunting, you should try your hand at comedy."
Shock and confusion etched across Gerard's face. This was no jest; it was a grave truth he bore witness to. Viktor's laughter, however, persisted, a disconcerting soundtrack to Gerard's revelation. Doubt gnawed at Gerard, wondering if he had misjudged the situation or if Viktor was merely masking his pain with humor.
"Viktor, this is not a joke," Gerard interjected, his voice unwavering. "I saw her today, this afternoon to be exact, leaving a cabin at the outskirts of town after kissing Gabriel the trader."
The air grew heavy with the gravity of Gerard's revelation. Viktor's laughter, once boisterous, dwindled into a contemplative silence. The flicker of amusement in his eyes faded, replaced by a storm of conflicting emotions. Gerard watched Viktor closely, searching for any sign of acknowledgment or denial.
In the ensuing quietude, Gerard's conscience wrestled with the fallout of his revelation.
Viktor's response came sharply, "My friend, you are either lying or seeing things that aren't there." Gerard, stung by the insinuation, replied with an air of offense, "I am not lying, Viktor. You've known me for a very long time now, and you should recognize that I am not capable of lying, especially not about something as important as this."
Viktor's countenance shifted to seriousness as he retorted, "I know you're not capable of lying, but I can't fathom what you just said about my wife. She might be many things – stubborn, annoying, often very dramatic – but a cheater? I find it hard to believe. Unless I witness it for myself, I can't take only your word. I have to see it."
Gerard, initially perplexed by his friend's reaction, delved into contemplation and grasped the depth of Viktor's standpoint. After all, Viktor and Isabella had shared over 23 years of marriage, and it would be peculiar if he accepted such a grave accusation without tangible proof. The gravity of the situation sank in as Gerard recognized the need for Viktor to ascertain the truth with his own eyes.
After a few minutes of silence, Viktor broke the quiet as they trekked toward his house. "Who did you say you saw my wife with again?" he inquired, his voice laced with a subtle tension.
Gerard met Viktor's gaze and replied, "Gabriel, Gabriel the trader."
A quizzical expression settled on Viktor's face. "You mean the one you were so sure was a werewolf, but to this day has never transformed? That one?" His tone held a hint of mockery, testing the waters.
Gerard, quick to detect the sarcasm, affirmed with unwavering conviction, "Yes, it's the same Gabriel. And I am still not convinced he is not a werewolf. I keep my eyes on him and his mother. You know she barely ever comes outside, many people don't know what she looks like, that alone is suspicious."
Viktor, unable to contain himself, burst into laughter, even though it hurt him to laugh, he just couldn't help himself. His amusement resonated through the air, much to Gerard's chagrin. The tension lingered, hanging in the space between them like an unspoken challenge, the skepticism regarding Gabriel's true nature bridging the gap between belief and disbelief.