It was impossible for Roy to take Toya with him to Cintra and then Aretuza. It was unrealistic, and Letho wouldnt agree to bring more deadweight with him on the way to the trial. I need help from someone else.

The only powerful people he knew in Aldersberg were Seville Hoger, the wine dealer, and Cardell, the principal of the House of Cardell, as well as a member of the revolution. If he wanted to send Toya to Aretuza, which was a thousand mile away, they were his only hope.

***

The sun shone brightly that day. Seville was enjoying the sun on his recliner in his residence. It had almost been a month since the exorcism, and life had been well since then. His circles were almost gone, hed gained more weight, and his hair and beard were looking slick.

Been a while, Roy. Youve been living well in Aldersberg. Seville beckoned a freckled, bearded maid who came with a bottle of honeyed wine. She filled the glasses and left quickly. You seem taller and stronger now, though you still dont have a beard. Ah, but youre a lot more manly now. Been having dwarven liquor every day?

Roy was sitting on the cane chair beside Seville. He sipped the honeyed wine, and the sweet taste spread gently within his mouth. He replied, Of course, Mr. Seville. Dwarven liquor is on a whole other level compared to the fake, crude wine. How are you doing? Are the nightmares still haunting you after the hym was destroyed?

The nightmares are gone, thanks to you and Letho. He roared in laughter. Now Im once again the strong and lively squirrel of Mahakam. He clumsily turned around and held his chin with one hand while looking at Roy. But I think about my poor friend, Ken, at night sometimes. Hes still in the barrel, and then there goes my appetite. He paused, then Seville hinted something at him. I wonder when Kens body will be returned to its rightful place. He needs to rest in peace. Oh, right, Roy. I didnt see Letho today.

Hes out for business. Still hasnt come back. Roy asked, Why dont I help you settle the matter, Mr. Seville?

Roy, if Im guessing this right Seville rubbed his beard, his gaze doubtful. Youre saying youd hand Kens body back to the revolutionists alone, and nobody would see you?

Yes, Mr. Seville. Roys eyes gleamed, but he didnt panic, looking reassured. Will you let me handle this?

Half an hour later, a pale mans body lay on the ground, his eyes closed, his limbs twisted in unnatural angles. At the same time, the strong scent of alcohol and the faint stench of the body assailed Roy. His eyes widened, and he stared unblinkingly at the famous man, the leader of the revolutionists Vernon Ryan. He was also Ken, Sevilles brother, the thinker who never drank a drop of wine, but died because of it.

The body was wearing a grey shirt that was standard to peasants and people who did manual labor, as well as a pair of tight, black pants. His limbs were slender, and so was his body. His ears were pointed at the tips, his nose was hooked, and his lower jawline was sharp. The cheekbones that jutted out spoke of his elven bloodline.

There was a hint of terror on his face, perhaps from the fear he felt before his death. His arms were limp by his sides. It was as if hed tried to grab onto something, but had failed. The body was wrinkled from being soaked for so long, and disgusting patches were seen on his torso. It was just like a specimen that had been soaked in formalin, like they did in his past life. No, this ones creepier, and Im here to witness it.

Seville looked pained, but also melancholic, and he covered his nose. Ive taken him out as you asked, Roy. What will you do next? Smuggling him out at night is impossible. I heard the revolutionists are going for a second march before Saovine, and the barons men are watching us.

Want to see a trick, Mr. Seville? Roy went up to the body and observed the limbs. He tugged at the bodys pants and noticed a peculiar tattoo on the right heel. It was in the shape of a handful of thick, curled fur. Wait, thats a squirrels tail. He frowned, then had a guess, but he didnt tell the dwarf. Instead, he touched the body, and Vernon Ryan was nowhere to be found.

What? Sevilles jaw dropped. How did you do it, Roy? Are you a sorcerer on top of a witchers disciple? Do you know how to cast teleportation spells?

This is a secret. Ill need you to keep this a secret for me, Mr. Seville, Roy requested.

Very well then. Dwarves are very respectful of our friends secrets, Seville assured. And please take this as my token of apology. I shouldnt have doubted you. The barons lackeys couldnt imagine you to possess this skill. So, will the reward be the same as how weve negotiated?

Why dont we leave it until after Ive finished the request?

No problem, Seville answered. Youll be my buddy if you finish this. And I always treat my buddies well.

***

It had been harrowing for Cardell over the last few days. Her stomach was heavily injured in the fight against the childhunter, and it was still throbbing. Then the revolutionists brought bad news. The second march wasnt going too well. The barons bloody counter scared off the opportunists who were weak in their conviction. Even though it was nearly the day of the march, they only managed to rally fifty people. With that amount of people, they would only be seen as a joke.

Cardell sighed. Itd be great if everyone was like Roy. Hes smart, brave, knows how to fight, and isnt afraid of monsters. Its a pity hes a witchers disciple. Hes not going to stay long. Cardell went back to her office, feeling crestfallen, but the moment she went in, the strong smell of alcohol wafted across her. She frowned, but still she followed the trace to her desk. And then her eyes widened in horror.

There was a body under her table. The face was bloated and pale, but she would recognize it even if it turned to ash, and she felt her soul leave her. The great leader and my mentor, Vernon, is dead?

Roy was in the yard, caressing the hornbeam. He saw Cardell going into her office, then she came out with a letter, looking furious, and he sighed. I didnt want to scare you, but youre the only revolutionist I know. Im sorry. Take it as the meal you owe me.

***

So the House of Cardells principal is the revolutionists top brass. Seville nodded in approval after listening to the report. My sources had known that something was wrong with the school, and I had my own suspicions, but there was no evidence. Good work, Roy. The barons lackeys didnt notice you, and my friend, Ken, is finally back to the place he wanted.

Seville extended his hand and said, A promise is a promise. I told you you were my buddy if you settled this matter for me. No need to be formal, Roy. What do you need? Money, wine, or weapons? Seville knew Roy mustve had something to ask from him the moment he took the request. Or do you need my help? Ill do it if I can.

Roy hadnt expected the request theyd set aside when theyd come to Aldersberg to help him to this extent. He hadnt gone through much for it, since itd just been a delivery request. Mr. Seville

Call me Seville, Roy. Itd be rude if you kept the honorific.

Oh, um Seville, Roy said, correcting himself, though he couldnt imagine being buddies with a septuagenarian. Formalities, I guess. Do you know any sorcerers? Someone who lives near Aldersberg, and itd be best if they were a sorceress from Aretuza.

Seville pinched his beard and gave it some thought. Sorry, Roy. As far as Im concerned, no sorcerer lives near Aldersberg. Theres a black-haired one in Vengerberg, but thats too far away. Why are you looking for one though? he asked. If you trust me, why dont you spill the beans? Maybe theres another way to settle this. I dont mean to brag, but I call some shots in this city.

Roy thought about it and told him about Toya. Nothing to lose here.

Seville had a weird look on his face once he was done listening, and he looked at Roy as if he were an exotic animal. Roy, if Im correct, youre a witchers disciple, and youre going to be a witcher. Why are you helping an ugly country girl by sending her to Aretuza? She might not even remember you after her training. Just because you pity her?

He told Seville what he thought. Dont you think witchers and sorcerers are alike, Seville? They have a tragic childhood and are forced to make choices they dont want. I think she should have a chance to choose, and I hope someone will give me a chance if I somehow get into a compromising position someday.

Seville felt something stir within him after hearing the story. He thought that Roy was interesting, though he wasnt as handsome as a dwarf, and he laughed. Youre an interesting guy, Roy. Most witchers I know wouldnt interfere, but you did. Ill help you because of the things you said alone. Ill send a carriage and some dwarves to escort the girl to Thanedd Island. She should have a chance to choose, just like what you said. But whether she can get into Aretuza, well, that depends on her own effort and luck.

But itll have to wait for a few days. Seville stood on his tiptoes and grabbed Roys shoulder. Its nearly Saovine, and I think the coachman has a right to celebrate it. I hope the revolutionists can stop though. I wonder if theyll pull something crazy, since they did receive their leaders body out of nowhere.

I left a letter for Miss Cardell too, Roy answered. Its a threat letter written la Sparrow Triad. She might not be fooled, but at least itll distract the revolutionists from blindly protesting against the baron. That way, they might not be used for any scheme.