The Witcher

A SHARD OF ICE VI

Although it seemed to him that he wandered the alleys aimlessly and with no destination in mind, he suddenly found himself near the south wall, at the excavation, amongst a network of trenches that wound chaotically and exposed parts of the ancient foundations, intersecting at the ruins of a stone wall.

Istredd was there. With rolled up shirt sleeves and tall boots, he shouted something to the servants who were using hoes to dig the wall of a trench striped with layers of different colours of earth, clay and charcoal. On some planks arranged to the side lay blackened bones, broken pieces of pots and other objects; unrecognisable, corroded and covered with rust.

The magician noticed him immediately. After he gave some muttered command to those digging, he jumped out of the trench and walked towards Geralt, wiping his hands on his trousers.

"What do you want?" he asked abruptly.

The witcher, standing motionless before him, did not reply. The men, pretending to work, watched them closely, whispering amongst themselves.

"Hatred shines in your eyes," Istredd frowned. "What do you want, I ask you? Have you made a decision? Where is Yenna? I hope..."

"Don't hold out too much hope, Istredd."

"Oh," said the magician. "What's this I hear in your voice? Do I understand you correctly?"

"What is it that you understand?"

Istredd placed his hands on his hips and glared defiantly at the witcher.

"Let's not deceive each other," he said. "You hate me and I hate you, too. You insulted me with what you said about Yennefer... you know what. I insulted you in a similar way. You offend me and I offend you. Let's settle this like men. I see no other solution. That's why you came here, right?"

"Yes," Geralt said, rubbing his forehead. "You're right, Istredd. That's why I'm here. Without a doubt."

"Perfect. It cannot go on. Only today I learned that, for a few years, Yennefer has been back and forth between us like a rag ball. First she's with me, then she's with you. She'll run away from me to look for you and vice versa. The others that came in between don't count. Only the two of us matter. This can't go on. Out of the two of us, there must be only one."

"Yes," Geralt said, without removing his hand from his forehead. "Yes... you're right."

"In our arrogance," continued the magician, "we thought that Yenna wouldn't hesitate to choose the better of us. As for who was the better, neither of us had any doubt. We came to the point where, like a pair of urchins, we bragged about the regard she has shown us and, like inexperienced boys, we even divulged the nature of that regard and what it meant. I imagine that, like myself, you've been thinking about it and have realised just how wrong we were. Yenna doesn't want to choose between us, even if we were to accept that choice. Well, we'll have to decide for her. I'm not going to share Yenna with anyone, and the fact that you've come here says the same about you. We know this all too well. As long as there are two of us, neither of us can be sure of her feelings. There must be only one. You understand, right?"

"True." the witcher said, barely moving his tense lips. "The truth is a shard of ice..."

"What?"

"Nothing."

"What's wrong with you? Are you sick or drunk? Or maybe full of witcher's herbs?"

"I'm fine. Something... I have something in my eye. Istredd, there must be only one. Yes, that's why I've come here. Without a doubt."

"I knew it," said the magician. "I knew that you'd come. Anyway, I'll be honest with you.

You anticipated my intentions."

"A ball of lightning?" the witcher smiled wanly.

Istredd frowned.

"Maybe," he said. "Maybe a ball of lightning. But certainly not in the back. Honourably, face to face. You are a witcher, it evens things out. Well, let's decide where and when."

Geralt thought about it. And made a decision.

"The square..." he indicated with his hand. "I passed through it..."

"I know. There's a well there, called the Green Key."

"So, near to the well. Yes. At the well... tomorrow, two hours after sunrise."

"Okay. I'll be punctual."

They stood motionless for a moment, not looking at each other. Finally, the magician muttered something under his breath. He kicked at a block of clay then crushed it with a blow from his heel.

"Geralt?"

"What?"

"Don't you feel stupid?"

"I feel stupid," the witcher admitted reluctantly. 

"I'm relieved," muttered Istredd, "because I feel like the ultimate i***t. I never imagined that one day I'd have a fight to the death with a witcher over a woman."

"I know how you feel Istredd."

"Well..." the magician forced a smile. "The fact that this has occurred, that I have decided to do something so completely contrary to my nature, is testament to the fact that... it is necessary."

"I know, Istredd."

"Of course you also know, whichever of us survives will have to immediately flee to the ends of the earth to hide from Yenna?"

"I know."

"And of course you are aware of the fact that, after her rage has cooled off, you will be able to return to her?"

"Of course."

"Well, that's settled," the magician gestured as though he was about the turn away, but after a moment's hesitation he extended his hand. "Until tomorrow, Geralt."

"Until tomorrow," the witcher shook his proffered hand. "Until tomorrow, Istredd."