Chapter 342: Return to Novigrad
Eithné seemed lost in thought. "That direction was occupied by Dagon's cultists. My children were not patrolling there, which allowed the humans to exploit that weakness."
She looked at Lynn again. "Don't misunderstand, I have no intention of dragging you into this. This is a conflict between Brokilon and humanity."
"Since you have done what you promised, I will fulfill my end of the bargain. I will send Agläis with you to Kaer Morhen. Do you have a magical item with an expansion charm on it? You can fill it with as much Water of Brokilon as it will hold."
"I don't know how much Agläis can help, but at the very least, during the Trial of the Grasses, immersing your apprentices in a tub full of the Water of Brokilon will give you the best chance to save their lives."
Eithné was even more accommodating than Lynn had expected. He immediately bowed in a gesture of respect.
"I will not forget your generosity and kindness."
He then added, "Lady Eithné, once the Witcher order has grown, I will send some Witchers to fight for Brokilon."
Eithné nodded, her expression serene. She didn't seem to believe that Lynn's plan would make much of a difference. Lynn didn't blame her. After all, throughout the centuries of the Witchers' existence, the founders of the various schools that splintered from the original order had failed to make the Witchers truly flourish. At Eithné's age, her sensitivity to hope, the future, and ideals had waned. She no longer believed in others' grand promises. She was helping Lynn not because she thought he could repay her, but simply out of gratitude for his past efforts and contributions to Brokilon.
Lynn wasn't offended. Actions spoke louder than words. Eithné would have a chance to witness it herself in the future.
Just as Lynn was about to leave, he stopped, as if he had just remembered something. "Lady Eithné, I have one last proposal, if you would be so kind as to hear it."
Eithné was patient. "Speak."
Lynn sighed. "Next time... if a human civilian wanders into Brokilon, please have your children give them one more warning. And make sure the warning arrow is shot into the ground in front of the person, not behind them. That's the only way it will feel like a warning."
...
When Lynn found Agläis, she was playing with his little griffon. The griffon was just a chick and couldn't be of much help, so Lynn had left it in Duén Canell under Agläis's care while he went to clear the polluted lake of cultists.
It was clear that the little griffon loved the vital energy that emanated from Agläis. It lay on her lap, its eyes half-closed, obediently letting her groom its feathers.
That was until it sensed a familiar presence. The little griffon's eyes snapped open. It stood up, flapped its wings, and flew in circles around Lynn, letting out chirps of both joy and concern.
"It's all right, it's all right. I'm fine, see?" Lynn raised his arm, and the little griffon landed on it.
He walked up to the Head Physician, a smile on his face. "Miss Agläis, we meet again."
Agläis curtsied. "Lord Lynn, thank you for saving my sisters and Brokilon."
"Don't mention it. We're helping each other out," Lynn said, positioning the little griffon on his shoulder. "Lady Eithné has already spoken to you, hasn't she?"
Agläis nodded. "Yes. Her Majesty the Queen told me to accompany you to Kaer Morhen upon your return. Lord Lynn, the Queen also told me about your purpose. I will assist you in any way I can."
The Witcher thanked her. "I am deeply grateful. We can stay in Brokilon for a few more days, to give you enough time to say your farewells. We'll leave when you're ready."
Agläis thanked him again, then suddenly asked, "Lord Lynn, this might be rude, but do you know how to raise a griffon?"
Lynn nodded. He repeated the advice Triss had given him. "That is a very scientific way of raising one, but..." Agläis smiled. "Did you know there's another way to accelerate a griffon's growth, strengthen its body, and make the little one grow even more attached to you?"
"You're not going to say magic, are you?"
"Of course not," Agläis said, dropping the mystique. "I'm talking about the Water of Brokilon. It's also known as the Water of Life. If you mix a certain proportion of it into the water the little one drinks, it will achieve all the effects I mentioned."
...
In a chapel in Novigrad's Lower Quarter, Drek, Roche, Schapelle, and Letho sat around a round table. All four of them looked worried, clearly troubled by something.
Roche looked at the other three. "So, where is Dudu now?"
Schapelle looked at Letho. "You'll have to ask Master Letho."
Letho spoke in a raspy voice. "Don't worry, I've hidden Dudu for now. He's still in Novigrad and he's safe. He can show up at any time if we need him." The others all nodded.
Drek was both angry and confused. "How dare King Whoreson I make a move on Dudu? Doesn't he know Dudu is managing the assets of Baron Brandon of Toussaint?"
Baron Brandon was one of Lynn's aliases. The core members of Lynn's team were all aware of this identity.
Schapelle said, "Of course he knows. But Toussaint is too far from Novigrad. Besides, Dudu has developed Lord Lynn's assets so quickly and so well over the past year that it's made Whoreson I green with envy. So he thinks he can take a risk."
Drek said, "But we can't just keep hiding, can we? This isn't a solution. How much money are we losing every day we're out of business? Do we have to stay idle like this? Whoreson I might not care, but our losses are going to be massive."
Roche said, "But if our people get involved with Whoreson I's men, we'll be exposed. The worst-case scenario is an all-out war with Whoreson I, isn't it?"
He paused, then continued, "Do you know why Whoreson I is so arrogant? It's because if we go to war with him, it's like going to war with all three of the major gangs. They'll see us as outsiders. No matter how much they fight among themselves, they'll unite immediately when they face an outside enemy."
Schapelle also added, "Even the power of the Eternal Fire won't be enough. After a year of development, the Eternal Fire has finally cleaned up internal instability and threats, but it doesn't have the power to quickly defeat the three major gangs and take control of the entire city just yet."
"And war would cause a bloodbath, and could even lead to a worse outcome."
"Redania has been coveting Novigrad for a while now. If the city falls into chaos, Redania might very well send in troops to occupy Novigrad under the pretext of 'maintaining order'."
(End of Chapter)
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