The Witcher: My Own Path

A strand of fiery-red hair and a green eye were all I managed to through the small gap between the door and its frame.

''Hello? Have I found Loona, perchance? I am an apprentice of hers; my name is Tyr. Two months ago, she stopped coming and giving me lessons, so I started to worry, is she okay?'' I asked.

''My mother mentioned you. I'm sorry, but my mom got sick and that's why she couldn't continue coming to you.''

She was telling the truth, I could sense it, I could also feel a great sadness, despair and hopelessness floating in power like a shroud, but I wasn't sure if it was from her or the people around me or maybe all of them at once. However, I could feel something else, not by power, but by my heightened sense of smell, the stench coming from the house, it was the stench of decaying flesh, of disease in a very advanced stage. The situation was worse than I had anticipated, if Loona is to be one of my people, I must save her somehow. One other thing puzzles me, however, is her daughter. Five years Loona was my teacher, we talked about countless topics, of course only those that a child would want to talk about, but Loona never, during that time, mentioned her daughter, not once, why?! Most parents want to talk about their children, praise them in front of others and find different playmates for them, so why? Especially as mine and my father's social status increases, which can be beneficial when he is in acquaintance with us. If I think about it more deeply, it could be because I am many years younger than her daughter, which would make it impossible for us to get along, but I am not, given what I see and hear, the girl could be fifteen at most. Maybe because she is insignificant to her…? So, it's not worth mentioning her, which also seems far from the truth to me. sensing in the power of the love that envelops the young woman when she mentions her mother, and that wouldn't be possible if they didn't share that feeling. A third explanation might be... no, it would be... or maybe I'm overthinking it after all. A third explanation would be that she didn't mention her daughter because she doesn't trust me! Why would she not trust a five-year-old…? Unless... she discovered something! She has discovered me! Suddenly I am dazzled, she has discovered me! ''Hahaha!'' I laugh in spirit. What a wonderful woman. Recruiting her now seems like an even better idea, I wonder if she has said anything to her daughter. Well, I will find everything out soon, they have to rescue her first though. I end my internal monologue and turn to the stranger.

''May I see her?''

''NO!'' She snaps swiftly and firmly. She tries to close the door, which I block with my foot.

Now she was frightened… all in all, not surprising. You can be sick and not leave the house, however, in time people will start asking questions, and they will, because I bet Loona is quite popular in the area… If they find out she has syphilis or any other disease in that category which manifests itself in pustules and abscesses then the uneducated plebs will think it is some kind of plague and they will burn down her house with her inside. Not knowing that this disease is not spread by mere touch or even by being in the same room. Her daughter was proof of this, I sensed no abnormality in her.

I knew I wouldn't be able to convince her, just by talking, to let me in. I was a child, at least in appearance, the son of a blacksmith who can only write a few sentences on parchment. A little wealthier than the common plebeian, however, it made no difference. According to her, I couldn't help them, so there was no point in letting me in.

She holds out her hand and I draw an arch with it in front of her half-covered face behind the door.

''You want to let me in. I'm your mother's apprentice.''

Her eyes turn glassy and her tone of voice changes.

''I want to let you in, you are my mother's apprentice.''

She opens the door, just enough for me to fit in.

''Please, come in quickly!''

I cross the doorstep and head deeper into the house, looking around.

''Mother is upstairs, she says.''

I turn to her and smile, still heading for the stairs, but when I reach the first step, I stop and ask.

''I'm sorry, but I didn't catch your name.''

''Hela.'' she replies.

So, this is Hela, AKA Carmen in the future, I wonder if it was her mother's death that prompted her to follow the same career path. I wouldn't be surprised; one doesn't have a lot of future prospects in a poor neighborhood.

''It's a beautiful name.'' I say, and continue climbing the flight of stairs.

With each step I could sense a greater stench in the air, now that I'm closer to its source I can make out a whole range of smells. Rotting flesh, the metallicity of blood, and faeces. I immediately created a power bubble surrounding my head and isolating the disgusting smells, I can hear Hela, behind me trying to hold her breath. I could also not breathe, but how long can I go with this? With power at most an hour no more, not at my current ability. The bubble was a more practical solution. I climb the last step and see a large room. A fireplace, a table with two chairs, a chest of drawers, a window and a wooden screen and behind it probably a bed with Loona on it.

I bypass the screen and approach her bed. This time, I don't have to pretend, to play, because her condition makes me feel very sorry for her. I frown at what she must be going through right now. She was lying with her upper body slightly raised, propped up. She was deathly pale and her once fiery-red hair was now greyer. All covered in pimples, cracked and festering. I sit down beside her, immediately grabbing her hand and placing it between mine. She turns her head towards me, her still seconds ago blurry gaze coming into focus. When she realises who has sat down next to her, her eyes widen in surprise and she automatically tries to pull her hand out from between mine. She was afraid of infecting me, I could feel it. Hela, who was standing behind me and watching us, got sick with this morose air. Stunned by my behaviour, she covered her mouth and nose with her hands.

''I missed you teacher.'' I said, still smiling softly at her. Because of you, I am deficient in the material we studied.

''Ty... Tyr!'' I hear her still stunned voice, but suddenly she tries again to break free from my grasp, but in vain.

''Go away Tyr, go away at once! You could get infected!'' She shouts. 

''Why did you come here?!''

''Please, teacher, calm down…''

''How am I supposed to calm down?!'' She cries out. 

''Look at me, it's too late for me, but you, you don't have to die! Please go away Tyr, it's enough that my stupid daughter doesn't want to go away, I don't want you to die too.''

''Hela!'' She turns her head towards her daughter.

''Why did you let him in?!'' She shouts, her eyes suddenly lighting up, as if she had come up with a brilliant idea.

''Tyr, Tyr!'' She grabs my arm with her other ulcerated hand and looks deeply into my eyes.

''You have to get Hela out of here and run, get my daughter out of here, I'm begging you!''

''No, I'm not going anywhere.'' behind my back I hear Hela's strong voice firmly protesting,

''I won't leave you mom, even if I have to die with you!''

''Stupid girl!'' Loona looks at her and at me and tears start streaming down her face.

''Why don't you listen to me! She shrieks.

''I beg you, go away!''

I have known this woman for five years, she comes from the lowest of the low in society, yet she cares for her daughter with all her love, not one person would abandon her just to have a little better life. Even in this tragic situation, she still worries about others. ''I have decided, Loona, you will not be my pawn, but you will be my family. I will take care of you and your daughter.'' I have decided in my heart.

I put my hand on her emaciated, pale and ulcerated cheek, at which she flinches violently.

''It's syphilis! I shout. ''You have syphilis, I won't get infected through air or touch.''

''W... what? She asks, stunned.

Specifically, the second stage. Ulcers and pustules on the body, papular lesions around the intimate areas of the body. Bleeding when defecating. I look at her with sadness; ''you have suffered a lot.'' I announce.

She sits up, her eyes almost jutting out of their sockets.

In the blink of an eye, Hela grabs my arm and turns me in her direction.

''Do you know what it is? Can you cure it?!'' She shouts.

I can feel the flame of hope igniting in her with renewed strength.

''Calm down, Hela.'' I say. She grabs the hands that were shaking me a moment ago and gently pulls them off my body.

She directs her gaze to Loona.

- Syphilis is a venereal disease, which means that you can be infected through sexual intercourse and through saliva.

I pause briefly and continue.

Your profession is highly exposed to this disease. It can run from two to five years, if left untreated, which only a powerful magician could do in this day and age and with today's medical developments, it will kill you, slowly and very painfully.

Both women take a deep breath, Loona, although she thought she had already come to terms with death, still held a small hope in her heart that a miracle would occur. Hela, on the other hand, looks at me with pleading eyes.

I sigh loudly and look at the women.

''I can cure you, but…'' An impenetrable silence falls in the room.

''but you have to trust me and...''

''I will do anything for you, if only you cure my mother! I beg you Tyr!'' Hela squeals.

''No, I disagree! I will not sell my soul to you, nor will I sell my daughter to you!'' Loona looks at me menacingly, almost warily.

''I'd rather die!''

''That is not what I want!'' I declare, raising my voice, with a stern look I confirm my own assertion. ''Please Loona!'' I look at her pleadingly, ''Trust me, just this once!''

Her serious face and strong, focused gaze collided with her decaying living body.

''Okay, Tyr. I will trust you. But afterwards, I will want to have a serious talk with you.''

I nod my head in agreement.