Chapter 57: Flight from Novigrad
POV: Adam
Dawn revealed witch hunter mobilization that exceeded their most pessimistic estimates, twenty mounted soldiers emerging from city gates with efficiency that spoke of resources and fanaticism capable of sustaining pursuit until targets were captured or confirmed eliminated.
Faster than expected. They mobilized faster than we expected.
The forest provided sanctuary from cavalry that open terrain couldn't offer, ancient trees creating obstacles that horses couldn't navigate while providing concealment that might disrupt tracking attempts by people whose profession involved following supernatural threats through hostile environments.
Blood Sensing advantage. Circulatory detection allows us to stay ahead.
Adam's expanded awareness revealed pursuit patterns that conventional observation couldn't map, heartbeat signatures painting tactical picture of hunter deployment while atmospheric monitoring detected emotional states that suggested determination rather than casual investigation.
Ciri's exhaustion. Her exhaustion is slowing the group.
The stress of maintaining Elder Blood concealment throughout their Novigrad stay had created fatigue that transcended physical tiredness, supernatural effort that depleted reserves needed for extended flight through terrain that demanded peak performance.
Can't outrun mounted pursuit indefinitely. Mathematics of endurance favor their pursuers.
Geralt's tactical assessment reflected professional understanding of pursuit dynamics—foot travel versus mounted opponents in terrain that provided temporary advantage rather than permanent sanctuary.
Ambush point. Must reduce their numbers through tactical engagement.
The narrow canyon Geralt selected for confrontation represented geography that transformed numerical disadvantage into tactical opportunity, confined space where superior numbers couldn't be brought to bear effectively while terrain favored defensive positioning.
Twenty enter, ten leave. Brutal mathematics of survival.
The combat that erupted tested everything winter training had taught about violence applied against organized opposition whose capabilities approached professional military standard, witch hunters operating as coordinated unit rather than individual threats.
Stream as weapon. Use water from stream for tactical advantage.
Adam's waterbending transformed natural feature into supernatural armament, ice barriers disrupting hunter formations while frozen ground created instability that conventional tactics couldn't address.
Drowning. One hunter drowns when he falls in stream during ice manipulation.
The death felt more personal than sword work—using elemental magic to create situation where hunter's own actions led to fatal outcome, indirect killing that carried different psychological weight than direct blade work.
Ciri kills three. Fighting desperately for survival.
Her sword work flowed with precision that months of training had developed, defensive techniques evolving into lethal applications when circumstances demanded protection through permanent threat elimination.
Geralt's weapons red. Both silver and steel bloody by combat's end.
The witcher's professional competence proved devastating against opponents whose training emphasized persecution of helpless targets rather than combat against supernatural predators.
Survivors flee. Report "witcher and demons" to church.
The description that surviving hunters would provide spoke of encounter with forces beyond normal understanding, religious authority receiving intelligence that would transform pursuit from routine investigation into holy war.
[Experience Gained: 350 XP]
[Level Progress: 27 (75% toward 28)]
The aftermath revealed cost that victory always demanded—wounds that required healing attention while magical energy needed for restoration competed with reserves required for continued flight.
All wounded. Sword cut across ribs, arrow in shoulder, multiple injuries.
Adam's healing addressed immediate medical needs while conserving MP for emergencies that extended pursuit might create, tactical medicine that prioritized function over complete restoration.
Unsustainable pattern. Constant flight, combat, healing cycles can't continue indefinitely.
The recognition that their current approach represented temporary expedient rather than long-term solution created strategic pressure that individual capability couldn't address through improved execution of existing methods.
Need permanent solution. Require strategic solution rather than tactical excellence.
"Old friend," Geralt said as evening shadows painted concealment that felt temporary rather than secure. "Someone who might offer different kind of sanctuary."
Different sanctuary. Not hiding, but something else.
The suggestion carried implications that went beyond simple refuge—possibility of assistance that addressed root causes rather than symptoms, allies whose capabilities might provide solutions that evasion couldn't achieve.
[Relationship: Geralt +5, Ciri +5]
[Eternal Fire: -25 (actively hostile faction)]
The camp that evening carried weight of people processing transition from reactive tactics toward strategic planning, understanding that survival required innovation rather than incremental improvement of existing approaches.
Can't keep running forever. Eventually must turn and face problems.
Adam's healing work on their injuries provided time for contemplation about alternatives that might exist beyond constant movement, restoration magic creating space for consideration of solutions that hadn't been explored.
Ten miles from ambush. Safe for now, but temporarily.
The distance felt inadequate against pursuit that could resume with daylight, geographical advantage that provided respite rather than resolution for conflicts that transcended normal territorial limitations.
Together. Whatever solutions exist, we discover them together.
Looking at Ciri's profile as firelight painted her features with warmth that contrasted sharply with circumstances that made normal comfort impossible, Adam understood that some partnerships transcended tactical convenience.
Face problems rather than flee. Eventually need to confront rather than evade.
The stars wheeled overhead in patterns that might conceal dimensional portals while three fugitives processed intelligence that suggested their situation required transformation rather than continuation of existing approaches.
Strategic solution needed. Individual capability insufficient for strategic-level problems.
Some battles couldn't be won through superior execution of familiar tactics.
+1 CHAPTER AFTER EVERY 4 REVIEWS
MORE POWER STONES == MORE CHAPTERS
To supporting Me in Pateron .
Love [ In The Witcher With Avatar Powers ]? Unlock More Chapters and Support the Story!
Dive deeper into the world of [ In The Witcher With Avatar Powers ] with exclusive access to 40+ min chapters (up to chapter 60 for other tiers+ 5 chapters every week ) on my Patreon, plus new fanfic every week! Your support starting at just $5/month helps me keep crafting the stories you love across epic universes like [ Game Of Throne ,MCU and Arrowverse, Breaking Bad , The Walking dead ,The Hobbit,Wednesday].
By joining, you're not just getting more chapters—you're helping me bring new worlds, twists, and adventures to life. Every pledge makes a huge difference!
👉 Join now at patreon.com/TheFinex5 and start reading today!