As we headed for the Castle walking up the hill. Calanthe led us through the front. The guards and workers greeted Calanthe and Callum with smiles.
"It is good to see you again little lady, and my young sir." The older gate guard said. When he looked a me he gave a acknowledging nod.
"Friend of yours?"
Callum nodded. Yes his name is Cain he is my fellow Witcher. We trained together the past few years."
The older man nodded. "Nice to meet you Cain. I am Wem. One of the guards of the castle. Welcome to castle Holic."
"Holic?" I asked confused.
"Yes that is the name of the lord of this castle and this village. Carter Holic. I will let the twins fill you in on the rest considering, from your expression they didn't do that."
I nodded "Thank you, Mr. Wem"
"Just Wem lad. I am no sir or mr. Just a sell sword that settled down here in this little village."
I nodded. "Well I hope to hear of your stories and maybe learn a thing a or two from you when you have time."
Wem smirked. "I like this one. Callum you have a good brother in arms here. Please make sure these two don't get into anything to stupid."
I smiled. "With our current professions that might be a little hard, but I will do my best."
The twins just stare at us in conversation. "We're right here you know." They said in unison.
Then Wem gestured us towards the castle front door.
Calanthe led us toward the entrance. The keep was modest by noble standards, built more for tax collecting and displays of entitlement than practicality. In my opinion it was a lot more greener then I expected it would be, and not as tacky. Their were pockets of well maintained gardens in the outside areas.
"Mother has been adjusting the castle over the years. She wanted to feel a little more nature a little more here." Calanthe said.
"Calanthe can you please say what's going on. Why is mom living in the castle is she dads doctor again?"
Calanthe nodded. "No actually but you will find out soon enough."
She then turned around and waved her hand between me and Callum.
"What was that?" I asked.
"It was a form of a cleaning spell. You both reek of days of travel, that spell cleans you up." She then pulled out a bottle of oil. She rubbed some on her hands, then placed it on my neck and face.
The scent was not subtle for someone like me with my enhanced Witcher senses. "Mint?" I asked.
Calanthe nodded. "Yes" then she tossed the bottle to Callum. "Apply sum to your self. Only a drop is needed. Anymore would burn your noses worse and would burn the noses mildly for the people around you."
"Why does Cain get the special treatment?"
"Cain is a guest in our home village, so we shall treat him accordingly."
"Try not to glare too hard at my father," Calanthe said, adjusting my collar. "He won't like you anyway because you are a elven."
"I know," I said simply. "He's a noble. And I'm half-elf, a Witcher, and better dressed. Also better looking then him."
Calanthe smiled. "Good keep that positive disposition, and remember mother will deal with him."
What does she mean their mother will deal with him?
As walked to the main chamber, the guards let us pass without question, Calanthe's and Callum's presences clearly carried weight here. Inside, the stone corridors were warm, if unwelcoming. Oil paintings lined the walls. Ancestral pride bled from every corner.
We entered the sitting room to find a woman waiting. She was slender, her hair red like her children's, but her eyes were soft and kind. She rose at once.
"Callum. Calanthe."
"Mother," they both said at once. But Callum ran to her side almost immediately.
She embraced them, She was the size of Calanthe, but Callum stood over them by a few inches.
"My boy it is so good to see you again after so long. You are so tall and thin," She said feeling his body. "At least you have some muscle on you now, but you still need to eat."
"Yes mom. It's good to see you again after so long. You look even more beautiful then when I last saw you."
The woman blushed. "Always still a sweet talker. I'm glad you haven't changed that much. I can tell my oils are working well. You smell good."
The she looked towards me. Her eyes were very piercing like they were analyzing me deeply. "And who's this handsome young man?"
I bowed slightly, reaching for her hand and kissing it. " Hello my lady. I am Cain. I trained with your son these past years to be a Witcher. It is a true honor and pleasure to meet you."
She studied me with quiet observant eyes. "Oh my another charming young man. Thank you for watching over him. Cain you have my grateful love I am Lady Meressa. I am the twins mother."
As she says this her subtle chest that wasn't modest but very exposed was pointed at me with clear intent to get my attention. I also noticed Calanthe's cold expression and for some reason Callum just had that cheerful smile on her face. Did they notice me staring?
Before I could say something. "Are we quite done here with the displays of family affections and flirtation. I looked to where Meressa was seating to see a tall man standing. Broad shoulders. A thick trimmed-beard. He had a stern and stoic face. His eyes were a piercing hazel. This was the twins father and the Lord of Hillstead. Carter Holic.
"Callum. you look strong and healthy. Well for a Witcher at least. Your tall as well good. Calanthe it's good to see your back from the sanctuary."
Callum's smile vanished. He then bowed slightly "Lord Holic, I hope you have been well."
Calanthe slightly bowed as well. "Lord Holic."
The lord ignored and walked right past them, with his hands behind his back. He walked towards me, until he was standing right Infront of me standing at the same height as me. His sharp eyes were analyzing me .
Then he spoke. "A half-elf Witcher. Can't say that's a common thing around these parts. Especially one with your skin color. Tell me Witcher are you here to recruit more to your order?"
I didn't react. "No I 'am not. I am here for Callum. And I personally am heading to Dol Blathanna."
"And what are you looking for in there? Are you perhaps heading to Cintra? Are you going to fight the queen and retrieve you homeland?"
"No I'm looking for a magic teacher and I plan on building connections in the political world."
Carters eyes widen in slight confusion. "Excuse me?"
"I said. I'm looking for a magical instructor. I find that my abilities in magic are better then the average Witcher. Since the school of the griffin is basically under a mountain. I decided to find some elven sorceresses. Does that answer your questions Holic?" I said coldly.
"That's Lord Holic. But why should I expect a Witcher like you to know proper manners."
"Oh I have manners but I show respect to those that show me respect. You disrespected Callum and Calanthe. You will correct your self and I will do the same after that."
Carter's eyes narrowed. "You know I could have you killed for your disrespect?"
I stepped closer with the air between us becoming tense. "You can try, but I can guarantee you would be the first one dying with me."
The silence was immediate.
Callum blinked. Calanthe grinned.
Lady Meressa sighed and snapped her finger. "Please, not here boys. Both of you put your cocks away. Lord Holic will you please."
Lord Holic growled. Then turned to Callum and Calanthe. "I apologize for my disrespectful attitude and remarks. "It is good to have you two home." That made the twins eyes open wide with surprise, but they said nothing.
Then he looked towards me. " Witcher make yourself useful. Help my people, and make some coin doing it. If you impress me I can promise a decent reward. What do you say?"
My eyes widen and I met his. That's when the system notification pinged:
[Epic Quest Received: "Hillstead Nobility"] Objective: Help the people of Hillstead and impress the Nobility of Hillstead. Get your reputation to 100%. Current Reputation: 0%
Rewards: +2 Random stat point. 1 Epic Equipment Chest.
[Accept/Decline]
A epic rank quest? Why are these quest getting ranked now, and this reputation seems like a good way to get close to nobility. I mentally clicked [Accept].
I nodded "Consider it done. I was gonna help the villagers anyway."
Carter nodded. "Then be on with it. There are worker quarters in the back of the castle. You three may stay there for the time."
That's when Callum spoke. "Won't your wife and her children have a problem with this?"
The lord turn his back to Callum . "Ask your mother about that if you want answers, about meaningless people."
That made Callum eyes widen slightly in surprise. "What happened?" he said looking at his mother.
"I will tell you later son. Go get settled and rest up."
Callum nodded. "Your right mother. What about you Cain? you wanna rest first or get a head start on those commissions?"
"I will work on these commissions, I still have some energy. Plus I didn't like the smug look on your fathers face."
Calanthe nodded. "That's a normal feeling. Be lucky you didn't have to see it almost everyday growing up."
I gave my bag to Callum and grab my swords Vesemir gave us. "I will be back"
By nightfall, I stood at the edge of the old cemetery. Moonlight filtered through drifting clouds, casting long shadows between weather-worn gravestones. The whispering had already begun, a low, cold murmur that carried no clear words, only dread.
I knelt beside a grave marked with half-erased runes and drew a simple sign in the snow. Yrden. The rune circle shimmered, and the air grew colder.
From the earth, a shade emerged, a faintly glowing wraith, twisted by regret and bound to the soil. I didn't hesitate. Another quick Yrden staggered the spirit. It glowed purple and it's form was more solid then before. I equipped my shadow moon blade. It glowed in the moon light. I sliced through its form. It hissed, dissipated into frost and dust.
I exhaled. That was one. From what I can tell there our three more. What the hell is going on in this village?
I then finished.
[Common Quest Complete: "Cemetery Whispers"]
Rewards: +1 Random stat point. 1 Common Equipment Chest.
Reputation: + 20
I then approached the livestock barn under torchlight. Mangled remains of goats lay in the mud. A low snarl echoed from the rafters.
"Come out," I said evenly, drawing my blade.
The beast dropped. Not a wolf. Not quite a ghoul. Some hybrid, likely mutated by leftover necromantic residue. It looked Quick, feral, and angry. Not to mention ugly.
I blocked the first lunge, rolling beneath its claws, each swipe was slow but strong. I in a quick and flawless motion casted Quen mid-motion and got into a ready stance. After a back and forth of me analyzing the creatures movements. I realized this thing wasn't intelligent or cursed. My blade found the creature's heart and cut it's head not after to long.
[Common Quest Completed: "Beast in the Barn"]
Rewards: 1 Common Equipment Chest.
Reputation: +10
I returned not to long after that. My cloak was wet and my boots heavy with dirt. Calanthe waited at the hearth of the local tavern, arms crossed. She nodded when she saw me, her green eyes catching the firelight.
"It's late. Your hunts going well? Or do you want a drink before heading back?"
I shook my head." I don't drink, well not this stuff anyway. I still need to visit the eastern creek. Then I'm gonna check the bored for more contracts."
Calanthe nodded. "How much money did you make?
I pulled out the small bag full of coins. "About 150 Orens.
Calanthe just stared. "You could have charged more."
"I know but that doesn't help me getting liked by them." I said.
"It doesn't help you getting taken advantage of either. They will respect your skills when you show them your worth. So please know yours as well." Calanthe said.
I nodded.
Callum arrived shortly after, covered in sweat and claw marks.
"Eastern creek is cleared. it was a Bruxa. And she was a biter."
I then received a notification ping:
[Common Quest Complete: "Shadows in The Creek"]
Rewards: +1 Random stat point. 1 Common Equipment Chest
Reputation: +15
Wait so if I get if I accept the, quest but someone like Callum completes it, I still get the rewards? This is a amazing discovery. I can definitely take advantage of this. I just need to make sure I accept the quests first.
Calanthe smiled "You both move fast," Calanthe noted. "And you," she nodded toward Callum, "I thought you were gonna call it a night?"
"I was but I was hungry and remember Cain had our money, So I went and took one of the Jobs and got paid so I can get some food.
I raised a brow. "That was a smart idea."
I then received more system notifications
[New Regional Quest Unlocked: Hillstead Province]
Available Quests:
Roots Beneath the Orchard (Epic)
Missing Child: Donovan (Common)
Fog Over Lake Drelnor (Rare)
Things are getting interesting here.
"Alright Callum let's head back, I will make you a nice meal. And we can call it a day."
"Yes I'm starving."
I smirked "What about you?"
I looked towards Calanthe.
"And miss out on your cooking no thank you".
She put some coins down on the table and left with us.