Chapter 292: Young Men Have No Sense
Hearing the Witcher's words, the future head of Clan Drummond folded his arms and puffed out his chest, a confident expression on his face.
"That's right, you want to spar with me?"
"No, that's not it. I simply think that while you may know how to wield a battle-axe and a shield, I am curious..."
"What? Don't stop halfway through a sentence!"
Lynn smiled. "Can your axe cleave a foe with no physical form? Can your shield block an attack that passes through solid walls?"
Madman Lugo frowned. The answer was, of course, no. Not even Mordo, the ancestor of Clan Drummond, could manage such a feat.
"What in the blazes are you talking about?!"
"You don't know about wraiths?"
"Wraiths?"
Lynn spread his hands. "They are spirits, like mist, with no physical form. They hate the living, and their attacks can pass through walls, but swords and axes can't touch them."
"So, what do you think? Do you believe a place like the 'Haunted Castle,' where few living men have set foot, might have wraiths? Do you think you might need a Witcher as a helper?"
Madman Lugo gasped in surprise. Then, when the Witcher introduced himself, he exclaimed in shock.
"A Witcher? Are you the master Witcher who's been clearing out all the monsters on the island lately?" He looked Lynn up and down. "You're a bit more slender than I imagined. I thought you would be more... a muscle-bound brute."
Lynn wasn't exactly a twig, but he wasn't a slab of meat either. In the eyes of the Skelligers, a true warrior was supposed to be a thick, beefy brute.
After confirming Lynn's identity, Madman Lugo's attitude toward him did a complete one-eighty. He even warmly welcomed him.
Two days later, the fully equipped group left Kaer Myrdle Castle and set off for the Haunted Castle.
Accompanying Lynn and Madman Lugo on the expedition were Bjorn, Floki, and Judit. The three were soldiers of Clan Drummond, and all had voluntarily joined Madman Lugo's grand expedition.
On the journey, Lynn made a new discovery. Madman Lugo's nickname didn't come from his supposed madness, but from the fact that his father believed he was crazy for disagreeing with the values of Clan Drummond.
It was well known that every Jarl of Clan Drummond had sought to rule over Ard Skellig.
But Madman Lugo wanted to set aside the old rivalry with Clan an Craite and work together to develop Ard Skellig. He was even willing to cede disputed territories to Clan an Craite to mend the long-standing feud.
His father, of course, could not approve of such an idea.
To convince his father, Madman Lugo had conceived this expedition.
The Haunted Castle was located to the east of Clan Drummond's territory, blocking any expansion in that direction. Therefore, if Madman Lugo could destroy the wraiths in the castle, allowing Clan Drummond to claim the eastern lands of Ard Skellig, he felt that this territory would be enough to compensate for the lands given up to Clan an Craite.
Besides, Clan Drummond would gain far more from a partnership with Clan an Craite.
After talking with Madman Lugo, Lynn noted that he was a surprisingly reasonable man. So why, he wondered, would he become a bigot in The Witcher 3, one who would rather collude with Nilfgaard than accept Crach an Craite's leadership?
After two days of hard travel, the group finally arrived at the foot of the mountain where the Haunted Castle stood.
Looking up at the castle on the peak, they decided not to ascend immediately and instead found a suitable place to make camp.
While the others prepared for their overnight stay, Lynn went alone to observe the castle.
Soon, evening came. The expeditionary party sat around a roaring campfire. But the atmosphere was different than usual.
Skelligers usually filled their meals with loud chatter and ale, but tonight, both were absent. No one spoke a word, and the silence was eerie.
"Why is everyone so quiet?" Madman Lugo asked, tearing off a large chunk of meat and glancing at the others, who were eating their food in silence with peculiar expressions.
Floki looked up at him. "Lord, is this really the only way?"
"What are you trying to say?" Madman Lugo frowned, hearing the implied meaning in his subordinate's voice.
Floki exchanged glances with Bjorn and Judit, then gathered his courage and continued. "I just think there are other ways to convince your father than clearing the wraiths from this castle... like raiding the Nilfgaardian coastline."
Madman Lugo did not answer. His gaze turned to the other two.
"Do you both feel the same way?"
Judit lowered her head, not daring to meet his gaze.
But Bjorn nodded firmly.
"If you don't want to go, I won't force you. When morning comes, you can go back to the castle."
Floki and Bjorn were stunned. "Lord Lugo, what about you?"
Madman Lugo tore off another piece of meat fiercely. "I will not change my decision. If you want to go back, go back on your own."
The two men exchanged another look and lowered their heads.
"Then we won't go back... I take back my suggestion. Please allow us to stand and fight with you."
In a time where honor still held sway, many people valued things other than their own lives. For a Skelliger who revered battle, courage, and songs of glory, deserting a fight was a deep and unforgivable shame. To abandon their Jarl's son would be an especially dishonorable act.
If they were to truly do so, that disgrace would follow them for the rest of their lives, and they would never be able to wash it away. At that point, being beheaded would be a mercy.
On the Skellige Isles, there was a cruel and brutal punishment known as the "Blood Eagle." Any man condemned to the Blood Eagle would try any means to kill themselves before the execution, lest they die a slow, agonizing death.
Floki and Bjorn had never seen it with their own eyes, but even the stories were enough to give them nightmares for a long time. If fleeing meant facing the Blood Eagle, it was better to die fighting alongside their lord's son, where at least they would have honor.
"Hm, I allow it." Madman Lugo nodded, seeing that the two had come to their senses. This also signified that he had forgiven their earlier insolence.
Then, the silence returned.
(End of Chapter)
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