The wind howled low across the trail that curved toward a valley, A large village came into view. Callum pulled his cloak tighter, not from cold, but to shelter the medallion hidden beneath his scarf. His first time coming home since leaving when he was a child. He was returning this time not as boy, but as a Witcher.
Beside him, I matched his stride, our packs were light but their pace steady. The snow was melting in places, revealing the jagged wet earth below.
We said little for the first few days. There was no need. Silence between us had become comfortable.
Eventually, Callum broke it. "We'll need to pass through this valley and we will be at the border of Dol Blathanna. It's a decent sized village under my father's rule. It's nestled between two hills leading into the surrounding mountains."
I nodded. "Think your sister might be mad we took so long to get here?"
"Yeah. Calanthe tends to be one for punctuality. But something tells me she will have been to distracted with her research. She's always been like that. She will want others to be on time, but the moment she get's interested in something she loses track of time for days if not weeks and months."
I smirked. "So that's the other twins character flaw. Your always positive, and she hyper focuses on something. Sounds about right. I wonder what your mom is like?"
Callum grinned but didn't deny it.
"Our mother is different. She is always kind, and very smart. You can say Calanthe and I inherited that from her."
I nodded. "So will I be okay in the village? I know you say their are some elves that reside there, but I know none of them are like me and plus I'm a Witcher."
"The people there aren't bad," Callum continued, more subdued now. "But they know who I am. And my mother…she made sure they knew what I was becoming. Just do right by them and they should do the same. I will say give them time to warm up to you."
I glanced sideways at Callum. "Will your father or his family cause any trouble?"
Callum shook his head. "No. He won't start anything. He wouldn't dare. He only gave my mother coin and silence. I can't have kids so I can't challenge the claim of his wife's children. So we should be fine, but there aren't any guarantees with nobles and politics."
I nodded and let the silence return. I could already imagine the layout: a castle atop a hill and a surrounding village at the bottom. A disapproving noble and his family, villagers who watched from behind curtained windows, the only welcoming faces Calanthe and their mom.
This was good. At least Callum had a place to call home. The closest thing I had to that was Kaer Morhen. I wonder if will I ever find a place to call home again. Or even would I make it back home. Do I even want to go home?
If I master my Elder Blood, I can travel the multiverse to almost anywhere. But will there be anything left for me when if return there?
I guess those are questions for later.
Right now I need to focus on the now. If I could win over Callum's sister Calanthe, a trained sorceress, I'd gain not just magical instructor, but a potential ally when the brotherhood eventually fractured. And if their father had political influence, even a sliver of nobility would be useful to have on my side.
I need connections in this world. So this will be a good start.
By midday, we crested a hill, and we saw it.
The village of Hilltstead.
A modest valley town, nestled in between sharp hills and a forest. Wooden rooftops, smoke from chimneys, narrow dirt roads turning to mud. Beyond it, on the eastern ridge, up top a hill overlooking the village was a castle. Callum's father's home obviously.
Callum exhaled. "Still smells the same. Pine and mint."
I took it in slowly. my medallion vibrated faintly, just from approaching the gate. I could feel in the earth the old magic that lingered faintly nearby somewhere. I wonder what secrets this place holds?
"Do we head to a inn or search for your mother and sister?"
"No need. Just follow me, I know the way." Callum said. "If Calanthe's here, she's with our mother."
We made our way down the winding trail into the village. The people recognized Callum immediately. Eyes widened, whispers and cheers followed us. Some offered polite nods and greetings, others crossed themselves. A few children and adults looked at me with mixed gazes. Some had narrowed eyes while others had wide eyes of confusion.
A elven woman waved us over near the well. A young woman with short raven hair. Her eyes were green, and she had a bright smile on her face. "Callum, lad! It's so good to see you again after all these years. Look at you, your all grown up. An now your a Witcher."
Callum smiled. "Hello Ms. Tilda How have you been? You still look young as ever."
The elven woman smiled. "I'm glad to see your still the kind boy you always been.
She then looked at me with a sense of confusion. "Who is your friend? I can tell he is elven, but I never seen one like him before."
I gave a small bow, with a slight smile. "Hello Ms. Tilda, I am Cain. Callum's fellow Witcher. He and I spent the past few years training to become Witcher's together. I am also half elven."
Tilda nodded. "It's nice to meet you Cain and welcome to Hillstead. Callum, your sister Calanthe has been here for a few days now. She came through just a few hours ago. Said she'd be at the northern sanctuary."
Callum smiled. "Thank you, always as ever Ms. Tilda. I will be by the bakery later for some of your sweets."
The elven woman waved us off. Her eyes stuck to me longer then just a few seconds.
By the northern shrine was a half-hour walk from the village's edge, tucked beneath a circle of the evergreens. The snow here had melted into soft earth, and the wind carried the scent of herbs and mint.
Sitting cross-legged on a stone bench, surrounded by floating orbs of light, was a young woman with short red hair. It was Calanthe. She had a book in her hand. It looked like she was sketching the plants, and writing notes.
Callum smiled. "There she is."
I immediately sensed it, the power in the air, restrained, but humming. My medallion was vibrating slightly more.
Can she feel the magic around here as well?
She looked up.
"Callum. Cain. Your both here already? I expected you two to be a few days late." Her voice rang out, bright and sharp.
Callum stepped forward. "Calanthe were about a week late. You got caught up in your research again."
Her expression softened with a smirk. "I guess I did, good for you then since your both so late."
I chuckled quietly. "What are you doing here? Do you feel the magic in the air"
Calanthe turned her emerald eyes towards me. "Yes I been feeling a weird rise in magic in the area, but I can't locate where it's coming from. But that's not the only reason. This sanctuary is good for herbal materials. The local Alchemist and Druid use it. I'm just updating my book on the herbs here since some new plants started sprouting over the years. Probably our mothers doing."
I stepped forward looking at the plants. "What do you mean your moms doing?"
She smiled. "Didn't Callum tell you? Our mother is the villages local Druid and one of the two Alchemist in the village. She also does other jobs too, but those were her main specialties."
I said nothing. So that's what Callum meant when he said he learned a thing or two from a druid and alchemist in his village. He meant his mother.
I then looked towards Callum.
Callum just smirked. "Yeah I guess I forgot to share that important tidbit. To me it's not a big deal mom is mom. She just happens to know a thing or to and can use a little magic. Speaking of which how is mom Calanthe?"
Calanthe closed her book and stood. "She is good and somethings have change."
Callum raised a eye brow. "Changed how?"
Calanthe just smiled. "Instead of me telling you. I will show you. She can't wait to see you again and your Witcher friend as well."
Callum and I looked at each other wondering what she meant.
Later that day, as we walked through the village, I noticed the stares. Narrowed eyes, sideways glances. A few muttered words under breath.
"Half-elf... and a mutant?" From not only the humans, but the few elves I saw as well.
"Brown skin? Where does he hail from?"
I said nothing. I expected this and I'm use to it at this point. I have to thank my Cold Blooded trait, for keeping me so calm and indifferent. I kept my eyes steady to the front I could tell we were heading toward the castle at the top of the hill.
But Callum and Calanthe heard the murmurs.
"Enough," Callum snapped at a pair of villagers. "He's my friend and brother. If you respect me then you will give him that same respect, regardless if he is a elf, human, or Witcher. He has saved my life so watch your tongues."
Calanthe just watched with a cold and composed expression. She paused and added, "Your fear makes you fools. But Callum your not the same little boy anymore. Don't get so emotional, the people already fear you, don't give them more reason to."
Callum recomposed himself, and gave a quiet nod of appreciation to his sister and remained quiet.
We then approached the local notice board.
Several papers flapped lazily in the wind.
"Chimney smoke at night in the cemetery. Whispering voices."
"Foul beasts devouring livestock. Claw marks like daggers."
"Miner's son vanished by the eastern creek. Only blood left behind."
I plucked the first two.
Callum raised a brow. "Good eye we could investigate these, and earn some coin."
"It may also be the best way to earn trust." I said.
Then a system notification ping.
System Update: Hillstead Series Quest Unlocked
[Common Quest Received: "Cemetery Whispers"] Objective: Investigate the Hillstead cemetery for any unusual supernatural activity
Rewards: +1 Random stat point. 1 Common Equipment Chest.
[Accept/Decline]
[Common Quest Received: "The Beast in the Barn"] Objective: Investigate the Hillstead local farming fields and track livestock attacks, and Eliminate threats.
Rewards: 1 Common Equipment Chest.
[Accept/Decline]
[Common Quest Received: "Shadows in The Creek"] Objective: Investigate the Hillstead eastern Creek, for any supernatural activity.
Rewards: +1 Random stat point. 1 Common Equipment Chest.
[Accept/Decline]
Effect: By completing quest connected to a certain location, your local reputation will increase. This will allow certain bonuses such as better pricing for purchasing and selling goods. Special Quests will be unlocked when certain conditions are met.
Okay this is interesting. Quests having to do with the certain locations offer better price deals, and unlock special quests. I wonder what's so special about them, and what conditions need to be met?
I turned to Callum and Calanthe. "We can tackle these task later tonight and tomorrow, but first let's go see your mother."
Callum nodded. "Good idea, I'm starving and I would like to rest before getting straight to work. Speaking of which. Calanthe. Why are we heading to the Lords Castle, and not moms home over there?" Callum gestured to the well designed home, at the bottom of the hill leading to the Castle.
"Oh forgot to mention mom doesn't live there anymore."
"What do you mean she doesn't live there anymore?"
"She lives in the castle Callum."
Callum's eyes widen in surprise. "Since when, and why?"
Calanthe just sighed. "Come now brother, stop making such a scene. It's so unbecoming of someone with your profession. If you want answers let's go to the Castle so mother and the lord can give you them yourself."
Callum paused for a moment and then recomposed himself. Then with small smile he spoke. "Looks like moms been busy, while we were gone. Okay lets go give a warm greeting to mom and the Lord of Hillstead."
I wonder what was going on, but something told me I was about to be thrown into a bunch of family drama. Well hopefully it's nothing too big.