Chapter 8 -- The Baron
*****
"Geralt?"
I had to wait a couple of minutes before there was a reply on the xenovox. "
Morning, Ragnar. Where are you?"
"Still at Keira's house. I'll explain everything when I get there. You still at Crow's Perch?"
"Aye. There's a lot going on here. Baron is being an uncooperative bastard."
"Need my help?"
"Probably not,"
he stated bluntly, "
I was thinking about asking if you wanted to just go to Novigrad, but I've got a bad feeling about all of this here."
"I'll be there by lunchtime."
"Okay, I'll see you soon, Ragnar."
I didn't lock up Keria's home but at least shut the door and made it look like someone was living if they happened to look through the window, but I doubted either of us would ever return to it. I did think about just torching the place, but gave it some thought. It was in good condition and certainly suitable for a family, so headed to the nearby village, asking to speak to whoever was in charge. Pointed towards someone called the 'village leader', an elderly man likely given the position because he'd lived there all his life, I told him about the home now available. Asking where the witch had gone, I said she had left the region, assuring him he wasn't dead nor captured by any witch hunters. He thanked me and said it would be used to house those who needed a warm place to rest.
The ride to Crow's Perch took a little longer than expected, even when putting the horse through its paces. The fort was based on what looked like some sort of island as only a wooden bridge allowed access onto it. Stopped by a couple of henchmen, they asked why I was visiting Crow's Perch.
"Did you allow a witcher to pass by recently?"
"Aye, what of it?"
"He's a friend and we work together."
"What's his name?"
"Geralt of Rivia." I took the xenovox from my pack. "If you don't believe me, ask him yourself."
"What the fuck is that?"
"Something magical. You want to ask him? Or do you want to let me through?"
The two shared a glance before looking at me. "Fine. You can pass, but we'll be watching."
"Fair enough. Don't intend on getting on your bad side."
The log wall around the fort seemed to offer some protection, but it was the fact there was only the one bridge across that meant the peasants were safe. Burn the bridge, and an army would never get across, not without having to rebuild it, and perhaps come under fire when doing so. Of course, it meant the peasants and those defending would be stuck too, but I had no doubt they would be prepared for some sort of siege.
Dismounting my horse, I walked through the village before climbing the hill towards the small fort itself. I received a few curious glances, and another henchman did stop and ask why I was there, repeating what I'd told the earlier henchman. Thankfully, he let me past after only a couple of questions, his opinion of Geralt already particularly low, though considering how many people disliked witchers on principle, it wasn't a real surprise.
I found Roach tied up to a nearby fence, so tied my still nameless horse next to it and wandered inside. Asking where the baron was, I was pointed to a door, flanked by two small shields on which laid a symbol I didn't recognise, but was perhaps the symbol of Velen. Knocking and opening the door, I walked in to see a heavy set man sat behind a desk, Geralt sat opposite him. Both looked at me.
"This him?" the other man asked. I assumed he was the one called 'The Bloody Baron'.
"Yes, this is who I've mentioned," Geralt replied as I walked over, "Ragnar, this is Phillip Strenger, otherwise known as the Bloody Baron."
I leaned over and offered my hand. He looked at it a moment before grasping it. "Geralt has been telling me a little about you, Ragnar." Releasing my hand, he gestured to the seat next to Geralt. Once I was sat down, he looked at me again. "Geralt tells me you're assisting him with his enquiries into his missing daughter?"
"Aye. It's a matter close to his heart. And as I now have nothing better to do... So what are you two discussing?"
The baron gestured at Geralt. "We were just discussing what I need from Geralt in return for the information he requires from me. Tit for tat, as they say."
"Sounds like blackmail."
The baron shrugged. "If you want to call it that. His daughter is important to him. My family is important to me. Geralt can fill you in on the details. As you were not here, I'll put it simply. Find my family, you get the information you need, you can move on. But, rest assured, while you are here, you are under my protection. Might not seem like much, but as you've been around the area, I'm sure you know that my word is law."
"Aye, the peasants certainly seem terrified," I muttered before turning to Geralt, "Okay, so what are we doing?"
"I'll leave it to Geralt to explain whatever his plan is." He leaned forward, no doubt trying to intimidate us with his large frame and his reputation for violence using it. "Find my family, witcher, and you will have the information you want."
We stood up and walked out, heading straight for the door leading outside. Moving away from any of his henchmen, the first question he asked me was what happened with Keira. It took a little explaining, and he admitted that, if it had been him, he'd probably have put a sword through her gut. "She used you. I'm sure you know that already, too busy thinking with your cock rather than your brain."
"And she changed her hair colour."
He caught the laugh that was ready to escape. "So predictable."
