The Witcher: A School of the Leshen

 [ Having played the Witcher 3 wild hunt game as well as greatly enjoying the Netflix series starring Henry Cavill, I found myself looking into Witcher lore videos on Youtube and I found the best in my opinion in being a chap called Witcher George. Who goes into detail on the lore of the games and reviews the series. 

In one video he went into the lore of an idea he had called the School of the Leshen. And I found myself inspired to start a new brand of short stories, based on a version of this idea.

My story is a blend of the Games and the Netflix series, based after the end of the second season of the Netflix series, so I imagine the characters by the actors in the show not the games.]

Prologue:

In ages past the many spheres of the universe collided and a range of beasts, creatures, beings and monsters flooded a single world of existence, this was the conjunction of the spheres. Upon the the lands known only as the continent, many a race existed in some harmony, Dwarves, Elves, Gnomes and Humans alongside many others survived.

But then one day Humans decided to rule alone and formed many kingdoms, fiefs, realms and states. Yet it was not the resistance of the Elves that made men fear the world, no it was the many monsters that lived beyond the walls of their cities, it was becoming as men were the cattle as hundreds if not thousands died before the winters cold drove the monsters to sleep. In desperation the world turned to a creation of warrior sorcerers known as the Witchers, it was they who drove back the monsters, it was they that turned the tide. Yet the Witchers soon found themselves judged for what they were, to the world around them a Witcher was nothing more than a killer, a mutant who is just as dangerous as the monsters they hunt for coin.

Before their fall from grace there were hundreds of Witchers roaming the lands of the Northern Kingdoms and sovereignties to the south. Whilst everyone knows of those who bare Wolf medallions, from the most infamous Witcher Keep of Kaer Morhen, very few know that at one time there were others, whilst not as well known or numerous as their Kaer Morhen brethren, they still regarded themselves as Witchers. 

To the North in Kovir, once nestled in the Dragon mountains was once the keep of the Griffin, Witchers that regarded themselves more knightly than their Cousins. To the far east the mysterious School of the Manticore used to winter and train, mysterious warriors that roamed the world beyond the Fiery Mountains. From the deep and tall Amell Mountains the School of the Bear nursed their strength and independence from their icy stronghold, Further south were the more political Witchers, the School of the Cat once held their stronghold on the coast in Ebbing yet they soon became nomads. Even further south the School of the Viper took refuge in their keep near the now powerful and feared city of Nilfgaard, where they practiced their skills in assassination and experimented their poisons.

Yet all these strongholds, keeps and schools followed the path of their greater cousin of Kaer Morhen, fear, hatred and greed turned the world around against them. One by one they were all abandoned and those who survived scattered to the winds in search of a new purpose beyond "The Path". Until only Kaer Morhen in its weakened state remained with the few remaining Witchers returning in the Winter to the ruined Keep.

Chapter 1: The Hooded man in the corner?

The village had no name, those who lived in it often questioned if they really was one as not many ever ventured beyond the "Borders" of village and the forest that surrounded it. Thatch cottages and small cattle corrals interwoven with the few market stands and shops, most notably the smithy and the only Inn for a hundred miles.

To even call it an Inn is a name that must be taken with a extensive grain of salt, although it was the largest building in the entirety of the Village, the Inn was a mix of converted barns that had been joined together. The "rooms" that were available to be rented for any travellers were converted lofts and side rooms that had been built up to closely resemble bedrooms, the bar was the largest room of the "Inn" the long stretch of wood separating the barkeep and the patrons was similar to a capital L, with one section facing the door that were the entrance.

Here travellers would usually hang their soaking clothes or items that were of no importance, or could ask the tavern workers for a room to rent for a while so they may recuperate. Whilst the rest was for the pure purpose of sitting or standing so a person may drink their purchase of ale or other chosen beverage, all the while the entire room remained a ruckus of shouts, laughter, calls, cries and occasional brawl.

As was the usual day for people in this village and the Inn, but one day the Door of the Inn flung open standing clear as day in its open wake, were three hooded and cloaked figures, two feminine one slightly shorter than the other, the taller wearing all dark clothing with long dark hair. The other looked younger with whitish hair and pale skin. But all eyes were on the one with them, a tall strong male with white hair and yellow eyes. Everyone instantly knew who that person was, a Witcher, but not just any Witcher, it was none other than the Butcher of Blaviken, Geralt of Rivia.

The trio entered slowly, with Geralt constantly looking around at the surrounding populace judging whether or not he'll be needing his swords readied and close to hand, as in the past whenever he has seen such observers it usually means someone causing trouble over their hatred of Witchers. But as the two women he was with took a seat and lowered their hoods revealing those he knew as Cirilla of Cintra and Yennefer of Vengerburg the crowd began to divide again on their individual focus, returning to their own conversations and their own drinks.

"Wait here" Geralt grunted as he wandered off in the direction of the barkeep, Yennefer on the other flagged down a maid working the tables "Can we get some Bread and soup alongside some water to drink".

"Sure love" the Maid muttered as she scarpered off to fulfil the order, all the while Ciri looked around the world she was in, she had survived the sacking of Cintra, survived being hunted by Nilfgaard, endured the training of the Witchers in Kaer Morhen and escaped being completely possessed by a demonic witch. yet she had never been in a place such as this, where the noise was often just random banter and drunken cussing. Often she would catch a glimpse of people looking at her observing what she was doing but turning away when she looked directly at them.

This concerned her and Yennefer both, there had been rumours of a contract on the life of Cirilla of Cintra by unknown benefactors, nothing as of yet had even been proven if such a contract was real or just a fairy tale. But neither of them wanted to take the risk, as many of those looking at them were ruffian looking men with scars from battle. Yennefer kept her hands low under the table ready to call on her magic to protect them, but when one of the ruffians stood up, he instantly sat back down as he looked around and seemed to show a sense of fear as another who had also stood up with intent looked to his left towards the furthest corner. Curious as to what he had seen to make him pause, Ciri peaked over out of the corner of her eye, there she saw the answer a strange man sat alone by in the corner close to a warm crackling fire, wearing a hooded cloak that concealed his face in shadow a black crow or raven sat upon his shoulder, a short spear leaned up against the wall alongside a bow and a quiver of arrows.

His right foot was raised, still in its worn leather boot, the soul of the boot resting on the rim of a foot stool, yet none of which mattered as she noted that it was clear from the way he was sitting and the manner of his posture, made it clear that whomever this hooded man in the corner is. He was clearly watching them with intent, "The man in the corner is watching us" She whispered over to Yennefer.

"I know... " she replied in the same whispered tone observing the hooded figure take a piece of food from his table with his right hand and offering to the bird on his shoulder, "He's been watching us since we arrived" just then the maid returned and gave to them wooden plates with a small loaf of bread on and two small bowls of still steaming soup, Curious, just as the maid was about to walk away Ciri asked a question.

"Excuse me" she asked reaching for the maid "The hooded man in the corner... who is he?" yet as she turned back to the corner to look at the man who she was asking of to see him gone, along with all his items and weapons, almost as if he was never there.

The maid chuckled "Bow and arrow" she questioned "Loner with a crow on his shoulder" the two both nodded their heads in disbelief, "He's one of those Witchers... dangerous folk wandering the wilds.... who is really is I don't know but the barmen refers to him as Crow"

Just then Geralt returned the maid turned to look and turned from her chuckling self to one of utter caution and even fear as she saw the Witcher up close "Anything for you love" she muttered under her breath. Geralt just shook his head and sat down.

"Eat quick, I want to get where we're going before its gets dark" he uttered in his usual deep gravely voice.

"You still haven't told us where we're going" Yennefer argued

Geralt looked to her and gave the smallest detail possible "Somewhere safe"

The only thing to break the tension was Ciri interjecting into the conversation and shifting it away from the issue of trust between the two which still was not entirely positive. "Geralt... there might have been a Witcher here... sat over there in the corner"

Geralt smiled in the slight way possible, almost giving a small laugh through his closed mouth, "They were watching us Geralt"

"I'm not surprised if it is who I think it is" he replied "Come on eat up, We need to find Johnny"

Yennefer quipped back "And he is?"

Geralt being Geralt gave the most basic answer without truly answering "A Friend" 

Upon finishing their meagre lunch the trio made their way back in the direction of the entrance, as they did Geralt and Yennefer stopped at the barkeep to give payment for the food. "How much do we owe you good sir?" she asked with a certain modicum of sarcasm over what she had eaten.

Yet the barkeep, a grizzly looking man with strong side burns that stretched down his cheek bones then across his face to join his unkept moustache, he looked at them with distain as he did with every stranger "Yours has been paid" he muttered under his voice "Some hooded Crow paid in full". This was a surprise to them both but more was to come "You wouldn't happen to be called Geralt? ...Witcher" 

"Why?" Geralt asked in a firm and disgruntled tone, the Barkeep just reached for something under the bar and passed it over, a small parchment of paper. A note that read: 

"So you claimed your child surprise after all White Wolf".

Chapter 2: Johnny the Door... Man? of the Valley

The trio did not spend much time in the small village that had no name, as Geralt made clear they needed to go where he believed they would be safest. 

Their path lead them to a small dirt track like road that lead into the Fiery Mountains, the trio had travelled a great deal since leaving the ruins of the Witcher school at Kaer Morhen, moving clandestinely through the kingdoms of Kaedwen, Aedirn and Lyria. Now they were passing borders that none truly knew off.

As they carefully rode their horses up the tighter and tighter paths with the woods and rocks getting close and closer on either side. Geralt kept close attention of the surroundings apparently looking for something, often for the other two they were nothing at all simple rocks or a branch that looked just like any other. But he continued to press them on leading the way even as the rains began to pour down on them.

But then he stopped as the path ahead of them split into two left and right, one leading up the mountain whilst the other into a deep valley. Geralt appeared to not know which way he needed to go, so much so that finally Yennefer had enough and rode up to question him intently. All the while Ciri remained behind on his horse shivering from the cold rain, having to listen to another random argument between the two over something that doesn't matter.

What finally got her out of slump was a greeting "'Ello there" the voice went, shaken out of her daze, Ciri looked around rapidly looking for the source of the sound. "Up 'ere". She looked and saw the answer, sitting up on a branch high up an oak tree that sat along the path was what looked to her a young child, a boy she judged him to be no more than 10 at best. He was odd though, his eyes seemed rather large when compared to other features of his face and his skin was a relatively Grey, he was wearing a set of tattered shorts but nothing on his torso nor his feet despite the weather.

"You seem lost" he spoke aloud.

Not sure what to do, Ciri responded "We're looking for somewhere safe" 

This made the young boy smile "I know somewhere safe.... its a secret" he waved hand over ushering Ciri to come closer. Curious and cautious she pulled the reins of her horse around to be closer "The Hidden Valley" the boy whispered. 

No longer believing what the boy was saying Ciri decided to make her mind up and find out what was happening "Why are you all the way out here?" 

"I live up 'ere" the Boy replied.

"Ciri!" a shout came as Yennefer came riding back with a sudden fury, with Geralt close behind shouting as well.

"Yennefer stop!" he cried "He's who we're looking for"

This caught them both off guard, they were told that he was leading them to a place where it would be safe to stay awhile not someone the age of ten. But the answer seemed almost to follow as the boy climbed down from his perch upon seeing the two riders. "White Wolf!" he cried "Been a long while since I've seen you 'round these parts"

"Hello Johnny" Geralt greeted as he got down from his horse "Roach", after which he offered his hand and the boy now recognised to the other two as Johnny merely slapped it like a child giving a low five.

"This is Johnny?" Ciri asked with a pondering look on her face with one eyebrow raised, she had met one of Geralts' friends before but this was still unexpected.

"Johnny's the name.... Godlings the Game" the Small one replied extending his arms out as if to offer a hug. Yet Ciri and Yennefer were at a loss, their faces remained glued with the expression of false understanding, like they knew exactly what Johnny was talking about, it only cleared as Geralt explained what a Godling was.

"Their Woodland creatures that look and behave like children often enjoying mischief" He explained in detail "But are rooted in their home territory often performing acts of care to those who dwell nearby and are usually shy by nature" Looking down at Johnny Geralt gave a crooked smile "But you could say Johnny is an exemption"

"Ain't that the truth White Wolf" Johnny chuckled holding his hands around his mouth to keep back the laughter. "And who are you lot?" he questioned after his breathing had calmed from the difficulty in holding back his laugh.

Geralt answered for them with the plain answer he gives to everyone "This is Yennefer" as he twitched his head at the pair of ladies accompanying him "And Ciri", Johnny came forward and offered both his hands to the pair of ladies.

"Pleasure t'meet ya both" He declared his head raised proudly, slowly the two shook his hand "Don't worry I'm not dangerous.... now how can I help White Wolf?"

Geralt stepped up "We need to get to the School", that singular word, school, caught Yennefer and Ciri, throughout the journey Geralt had not given any detail of where they were going.

Johnny seemed to shift his stance from pleasant to excitement "you seek the School... you want to go to the School of the Leshen" again Ciri and Yennfer were lost at these words, what was the school of the Leshen and what was it a school of or for. But before they could answer, Johnny shot off like a bird in flite, shouting "Come on then". Geralt twitched his head as an indication for them to follow him, they did so cautiously, Ciri most of all after all she had met one of Geralts friends before and it did not end well for them.

They almost had done a complete 180 degree turn, going back the way they had come up the path, yet it was clear that now the path they were on would quickly change. Johnny still running suddenly shifted from two legs to down onto his hands and knees, with a swift change of direction he disappeared into what could only be described as a Burrow hidden beneath the roots of a Pine tree. For a moment the trio stood beside their horses holding the reins tight, hearing only the constant down pour of the rain upon them, the broken branches above, the stone and rock all around.

When upon a sudden a clear and distinct sound sprang out from the hole that Johnny had scurried down, it was a loud clunk like noise followed by the greater sound of what could only be regarded as rock and stone being dragged across itself. It would be many seconds until the answer was revealed to them all, as the stone wall of the cliff began to shift and change, a portion of what was originally solid rock began to swivel and pull away from them revealing a shadowy cavern like tunnel through the mountain. Neither Yennefer nor Ciri were willing to enter until Johnny reappeared in the "Doorway", "Well come on then!" he shouted to them, waving his arm as he turned away and made his way into the dark tunnel.

Geralt lead the way with Roach, followed soon by Ciri and finally Yennefer, yet the two ladies were more cautious than Geralt, caution as they still did not know where it was they were being taken too, all Geralt had told them specifically was that it would be safe there. Yet beyond this all they had gathered was what they had listened from when Geralt introduced Johnny, a place called the School of the Leshen. What ever that was. Johnny passed a torch to Geralt who lit it using his Witcher signs a small form of light allowing those unlike Johnny to see in the darkness of the passage ahead.

The tunnel they were being lead through was a strange combination, on the one hand the passage was wide and high enough for them to stand tall alongside their respective mounts. But at the same time some portions required them to squeeze tightly ahead of the horses reins in hand, it was odd the passage was clearly carved by the hands of people not formed by the natural world. This made Ciri question who would build such a passage, yet the answer came quick from Johnny himself.

"This passage was dug eons ago..." he said his voice echoing through the empty rock "Long before I ever found it" He took a turn as the passage curved to the left then the right "Bunch of Miners apparently.... looking for things most like". That much was very clear as they traversed the route through the rock, as markings covered the walls, straight lines carved into the sides by the makings of pick axe of some kind. Yet soon they began to realise a small flicker in the distance as a final turn became visible, their eyes were slowly becoming less and less reliant on the fiery torches in their hands to see as a slither of light illuminated ever carefully the path ahead.

One by one they made the final turn, low and behold the sudden surge of light shone into their faces nearly blinding them utterly to what lay before them. Ciri and Yennefer were forced to cover their eyes as the light was too much for them, only Geralt and Johnny refused to stop, continuing to move forward. Once the two ladies had grown used to the blinding light, they then open their eyes and removed the covering of their hands to see where it was they were going all this time.

Ahead of them was the exit to the cave and beyond under the light of a warm sun, was what Ciri could only believe to be an enchanted forest. She and Yennefer were almost hypnotised by the beauty of the forest ahead of them as they moved from the darkness of the cave to the open air of the world. Everything the trees, their branches, their leaves, the flowers and bushes beneath them were almost unseen elsewhere in the world even Yennefer in all her travels had never seen a forest like this. One that could only be understood as untouched by any hand, their concentration was only broken as Johnny's voice no longer echoed but seemed cheerful as he extended his arms out in greeting, running out into the grass beyond the rocks, performing a strange dance as he jumped up and down "Welcome my friends... to the Hidden valley!".

Chapter 3: The School of the Leshen

The trio continued to follow Johnny as he led through the near endless forest, Geralt almost seemed to be lesser than his usual self. As he observed Ciri and Yennefer laugh and smile as they took the lead behind Johnny and Geralt bringing up the rear, the two ladies were marvelled at the world around them, the birds flying around them, the butterflies fluttering in front of their faces as they traversed the path through the forest. Slowly though they began to see that the simple dirt path they were following was becoming more and more refined, small stones started to become visible lining the sides of the path ahead starting small and obscure but one by one showing themselves more and more clear. 

Finally the reality of this enchanted forest became clear as the sun in the sky, the birds in the trees and the squirrels along the branches and the deer on the forest floor. Ahead of them was a stream of crystal clear water, so perfect that every detail of what lay at the bottom could be seen in absolutes as well as the fish swimming in its waters. But what was their focus however wasn't the stream but the ruins on the other side, built into a giant grass covered hill, the stone blocks of its walls were decayed and layered with moss and vines across every oraphis. It resembled a stone carved entrance of yet another mine that went into the hill.  Nearby along the stream were a collection of beehives all perfectly aligned, the same kind a person would find being worked by beekeepers across the world. On the opposite side of the doorway entrance, were several horses hitched under a proper covering all gnawing of straw and grain in peace. Geralt took Roach plus the other two horses and took them under the cover, tying them properly to the post so they didn't wander off.

Johnny led them on again across a simple wooden bridge over the stream and into the doorway what they had expected was proven wrong. While indeed the exterior appeared to have been a broken down abandoned mine from eons past, the inside was meticulous and clean, candles illuminated their way perfectly, all of them properly latched onto the walls on proper candle holders. For Yennefer the question was still present who lit them? and where are they?.

Despite the perfection and cleanliness, the entire place was completely empty and silent not even rats running along the length of the hallways into cracks and holes. This made her feel uneasy, Ciri too, but Geralt was a cool as a cucumber as he walked alongside them, he knew they weren't alone and they just had to wait until they got to where they going. Despite already passing a number of wooden doors all closed and possibly locked into place.

Soon the answer was clear as to why Geralt was so calm as they all began to make out laughter and calls coming from up ahead of them through a giant double set of doors. Ciri remembered something very much like it on her first time arrival at Kaer Morhen, she half expected to see Lambert, Coen and Vesemir to on the other side joking and drinking. Yet when Johnny pushed hard with all his strength, not with his arms but with his left shoulder and all the power his small legs could give him, the doors flung open sending Johnny falling to the floor. Beyond was a great hall, with long tables and benches for sitting, a roaring fire at the heart of the giant room its flames raging hard as a giant boar turned on a spit. In the far right corner were a number of huge barrels clearly for holding the ale and beers for everyone to drink, a table next to it covered in tankards and mugs of all sizes and shapes. On the far side however opposite the giant doors they had just entered through was the long and thick trunk of an old decaying tree with various pieces of metal hanging from it on small chains, Ciri made the comparison of the tree in Kaer Morhen where the Witcher hung the medallions of the fallen. Yet the trio were focused more on the people in the room, they were seeing people of all kinds and types.

There were a number of humans and non humans intermingling together without a problem or argument, Yennefer recognised a number of them as monsters, there were three succubi with their distinct goat like legs and cloven hooves, long tails and small horns upon their heads, all beautiful and seductively dressed. There was another Godling like Johnny only it was a girl, with long reddish hair and a green coloured dress, walking among the tables were small stunted people one or two were very clearly dwarves with mugs in their hands but the others had some small pointed ears marking them out to be dopplers, otherwise known as Shapeshifters. Geralt however didn't really notice them, he was focused on the five men who were lounging around on the benches enjoying food and drink, four of them were grouped together and were laughing amongst themselves, but one was sat further away eating his food in silence. But what caught Ciri and Yennefer was not just their difference in appearence by clothing and armour but also the medallions around their necks and more importantly for Yennefer their eyes.

The clothing of each of the five was different, one a tall and clearly strong intimidating man with long ginger red hair who appeared to be enjoying the largest mug of his choice beverage was wearing very heavy armour, with thick chain mail, plates of solid steel along his shoulder and upper arm, plated steel gauntlets on both hands, with his upper torsos layer of chain mail covered by a leather vest with various circular links that would have allowed him to carry his equipment and pack, whilst around his neck just as Geralt had his wolf medallion, this hulking figure of a man had something similar, only instead of a snarling wolf it was the image of raging bear, his eyes also were different, they were a solid brown and reminded Yennefer of those seen in bears.

Another was wearing barely any armour at all he was wearing a mix of leather and cloth trousers, a white cloth or woollen shirt underneath a protective leather vest over his torso. He had nothing on his upper arms, but had padded gauntlets on each forearm and simple fingerless gloves on his hands. It was clear that this man was somewhat younger and thinner than the rest, he brown hair was short and combed back across his head, he was clean shaven and compared to the rest of them was not as well focused on his muscles. Just as with the other tall man, this younger man also had a medallion hanging from his neck, yet it was no wolf not was it a bear, his was of a roaring cat. As for his eyes they were odd as the rest of him, they were a pale green but instead of common pupils his were long like those of a cat.

The Third was more eloquently assorted in his appearance, his light brown hair was properly combed and clean when compared to the hair of all the other, it was neat and tidy, properly tied back into a tail behind his head. His face was clean and dirt free with his facial hair neatly trimmed to a short length. His armour was very proper and refined, unlike the hap hazard armour of the rest of the group his was more knightly, a properly made layer of chain mail beneath a well crafted chest plate and shoulder guards resembling an eagles head. With studded pieces extending down below his belt and long leather and wool cloth gloves and gauntlets all in one protecting his hands. As with his comrades the eloquent man held a medallion from his neck but whilst the others were crude or simple, his was more polished and well crafted, it appeared to be an eagle with jewels in the eyes. And speaking of eyes, his were just as strange as the others, his were a mix of gold in the darkness with large pupils but when in the light of the candles they appeared almost yellow.

Fourth was a different man, his appearance was one very different, his face was somewhat clean but without any true care for appearance, his hair was short along the back and sides but carefully cut along the top so it stayed out of his face. His armour was a blend of the second and third, it was protective with chain mail interlinked with leather and cloth, everything was dark though as it was almost as if he thrived in darkness. From the cloth trousers, leather boots, leather and chainmail interwoven on his shoulder, chest, arms and lower torso to the gloves he was wearing. His medallion was the most recognisable from each of the men gathered in the room, for from around his neck was the head of a snake its mouth agape and long fangs showing. His eyes fit this snake like mentality to a tee, they were a blend of brown and gold with long pupils, the kind that one would see in a venomous snake.

The final man, the loner in the corner on his own was a stranger, his skin was a darker colour when compared to all the others, his skin was a light brown, his hair was non existent his head from scalp to chin being utterly devoid of hair. His clothing and armour were all light, he had some semblance of chain mail but it was not as with the others, covering him from head to toe, arm to arm. His was a chain mail shirt that was short along the sleeves, a white thin cloth shirt beneath that. Thin cloth trousers that met simple leather boots that unlike those of others that went up high to beneath the knees and were tight for comfort, his were more loose and "baggy". His medallion was the one that neither Yennefer nor Ciri could properly identify as what animal was it meant to be, it showed what looked like a male lion but it had what looked like bats or dragon wings on either side. Of all the men however his eyes seemed the least unusual, they were a dark golden like colour with small pupils like a normal person would have.

A sudden thump echoed through the hall as the trio stood firm at the entrance.

Chapter 4: The Cousins of the Wolf

Yennefer and Ciri were given a sudden shock at this sudden thump as before them, one of the men they had been observing had slammed his wooden mug onto the long table they were mostly gathered around. "Well....Well.... Well" A voice went.

Geralt focused his eyes on the men before him as he slowly poddeled towards them, "Its looks like a wolf pup has come into our home" the voice continued finally showing the young, thinner man with the cat medallion walking up, until he stood directly in front of Geralts path "Still licking ya balls wolf".

"Only when you admit you lick your arse Cat" was Geralts mockery reply. 

A sudden silence eclipsed the hall as the rest of the men began to step up and stand alongside their friend, Yennefer was somewhat worried as it seemed that these men clearly knew Geralt from the way they were acting but she couldn't be sure in what manner. As the tension only continued to rise from the silence, it was broken as swiftly as it arose, as the Cat medallion suddenly broke out a smile and laugh.

"Cousin!" he shouted as he opened his arms and embraced Geralt who in turn did the same. After the Cat medallion released him the others began to greet him in the same way, Ciri felt a moment of Deja Vu for it was almost a carbon copy of when the witchers of Kaer Morhen had greeted Geralt only they called him brother.

Geralt broke the moment when he surprised the two ladies again by greeting the various other people, from giving kisses on the cheeks of the Succubi to the shaking the hands of the dwarves and dopplers and godlings as if they were all old friends. Their attention is suddenly taken back when the man with the Eagle Medallion approaches them slowly but with confidence. When he finally stands before them he introduces himself, "Welcome my dear ladies, My name is Remille" he offers his open hand as a knight would offer his, Ciri takes it and the now named Remille places a kiss upon it before doing the same with Yennefer.

"Please come join us" he invites extending his right arm in the direction of the central long table, the pair do just that but still with some form of caution, they were still strangers to them and wanted to be certain in their movements before making any decision, for Ciri it mattered less so as Geralt seemed confident with them and she had little reason to doubt him. When they came to the table they took their seats upon the long bench and were soon joined by Geralt and the other men.

Once they were all sitting comfortably with food and drink before them and were pleasantly enjoying themselves, Ciri finally made the connection "Your witchers aren't you?". All of them went silent.

"That we are missy" the tall strong man with the bear Medallion answered.

"But your not from Kaer Morhen" 

"No" the Cat stated "you wouldn't believe it missy that there were once more Witcher strongholds"

Geralt took over the conversation and introduced them all "You have Bayard" pointing the bear, "Caine" now to the Cat as the now named witcher gave a smirk "Remille you've met" Remille nodded his head ever politely, "Emrys on the end" The now named man flicked his head back in recognition "And the loner back there" turning to look at the still lone man sat alone at his own table "is Omar" the witcher merely gave a simple wave of his free hand as he took another piece of meat to his mouth.

Remille was quick to take over, "In ages past Kaer Morhen may have been the founding place of the Witchers, but soon things became clear....." 

"Witchers returning to Kaer Morhen each year makes it harder to travel further" Bayard muttered after he took a big swig of his beer allowing it to run down his cheek and chin without a care. "So some witchers and sorcerers went out further to establish new homes".

"Soon these became whole new schools" Caine interrupted "My predecessors the Cats went to near Ebbing and founded the School of the Cat"

"Don't you mean they were kicked out" Remille mocked

"Fuck off Griffin" Caine replied presenting two fingers on one hand "Not our fault we can't control our emotions

Remille just chuckled "That's actually completely your fault.... never mind him, My predecessors went further north from Kaer Morhen, to Kovir and Poviss"

"Where you played at being knights in shining armour" Bayard mocked in return "The bears took to Skellige, where we became strong"

"Was that before or after you froze ya balls off" Emrys quipped to which Bayard threw a piece of chicken at him "The vipers little one went even further south... where we founded our school in Niflgaard" This caught Ciri and Yennefer off guard "Relax I don't do politics.... not anymore anyway"

"And him" Ciri asked turning to look at the lone witcher.

This made them all go quiet until Remille answered "That's Omar.... from the School of the Manticore.... a school of Witchers from far to the east..."

"He's a bit of a loner though" Caine included "for good reason as well"

Yennefer finally began to ask her own question "So where are these schools now" Everyone went silent, looking to their food and drink, until Emrys gave an answer that was as clear as day.

"Take a guess" as he took a big gulp of his drink.

Another slam shook everyone back from the moment of pause and silence, as everyone looked back to the double doors into the hall, standing in the opening was the same person that Yennefer and Ciri had seen in the Inn the same hooded and cloaked figure in poor tattered, torn and patched clothing with simple leather armour across his chest, a long dark cloak across his shoulders and down his back with a hood upon his head, a quiver of arrows and long bow upon his back. A short spear in one hand, a short sword and small knives upon his belt.

"Lesh" Caine shouted "Looks whose 'ere!" the figure didn't answer, but only walked forward as a crow flew into the room and perched itself on one of the branches of the great tree. He walked forward without any pause not even looking at the three new comers but instead at one of the other witchers.

Those same witchers began to stand up, suspecting something was wrong, it wasn't until the hooded figure stood before Emrys, lowering his hood to show a dirty man who looked close to 30 years with short scruffy dark brown hair and a stubble for facial hair. "I'm sorry Emrys" he muttered with sincerity as he reached with his free hand under his cloak and brought forth a medallion with a snake interwoven in its own coils. Emrys took into his hand and Ciri was almost surprised as she could almost see the faintest of tears slide along the Witchers cheek at the sight.

At the sight of this the other Witcher moved from their places as did the other people in the room, they all began to grab a series of smaller and more polished cups that were clearly not meant for the use of beer and ale but something better. The man that Caine called Lesh walked over to the barrels and grabbed a large pot like flagon, whilst Ciri was surprised to see even Geralt going to join the group in forming a single line looking at the tree with the cups in their hands. Ciri looked closer and found the tree to be just like the one that once sat at Kaer Morhen, covering it were the medallions similar to all those that the Witcher were wearing except Geralts, she couldn't see a single Wolf medallion on the tree.

The cloaked man came along the line pouring the contents of the flagon into each and every single cup with care and respect. Once he reached the end of the line, he filled his own cup and placed the flagon down carefully on the floor, as he grasped his cup he turned his eyes to look at Ciri and Yennefer who had not moved. He then took his place along the line and the whole hall went silent with not even the crow making a sound, as Emrys walked forward with the greatest care and respect hung the medallion onto the tree before turning back to the group cup in hand, raising it up he muttered.

"To our fallen"

To which the group responded "Forever our Brothers"

Chapter 5: A Schools Founder

The entire room was a hive of activity for the remainder of the night, as all who called the place home held a celebration for a Witcher that none of them had never even known. Yet they celebrated as a farewell to a "Fallen Brother", drinking down mug after mug of ale again and again until finally Yennefer and Ciri decided to retire for the night. Johnny the Godling was one of the only ones not indulging in the festivities, so he guided them to a room for the night.

Come morning everything had changed again, the great hall was a place of solace as Ciri came in, with the hopes of finding some form of breakfast. What she found was an almost identical copy of the previous evening, it seemed that none of them had gone to bed at all during the night, though she assumed they must have done. She found Remille taking great care by the great fire where instead of a great boar on a spit, there was now a large pot brewing with something inside. Caine was sat on the left side table with the the Succubi around him all enjoying some bread and what looked like soup, Bayard further along with the Dwarves and Dopplers. Whilst alone again on the right hand table was Emrys and Omar sat in silence tucking into their food in relative peace.

As she walked forward Remille turned to see her and with a smile "Good morning Cirilla" he greeted with open arms "Would you like some breakfast?" he queried gesturing to the large brewing pot on the fire. 

"Yes please" She answered with the same curtersy she had been shown, Remille smiled again and took a bowl from one of the tables before with utmost care used a ladle scoop to take one then two takings from the pot and into the bowl 

"There you are..." he offered the bowl with care "Still nice and hot... there's some bread on there if you want".

"Thank you" Ciri took a portion of bread and a wooden spoon before taking a seat at the main table in the middle of the room. As she sat down and readied herself to take her first sip of the soup, she pondered around her, noticing something out of place.

Her attention was caught again when Remille sat down opposite her "Your looking for Lazarus aren't you" She looked to him with a questioned look, "Hood, bow and Arrow"

Smiling again she admitted it "Yes... I've met you all now but him.... I'd thought he would've been down here to eat"

A call from behind her made her swivel "Leshen is a different Witcher child" It was Omar speaking to her, the first time she had heard him speaking at all without the prompt of the others. "he tends to keep to himself so he can cope with himself"

Understanding that she would never meet the man himself at that exact time she made another topic open up to the floor "How exactly are you all together?"

A chuckle came from Bayard "Dumb Humans girl"

Remille was quick to respond "That's no way to speak to a lady Bear" Bayard raised his hands in surrender not wanting to argue the point, "What he means Cirilla is that we all ended up with the same contract but didn't know it"

"Aye" Caine called out "Separate contracts but same beasts.... a big old pack of Wyverns"

Remille took hold again "I was hired by a rich merchant wanting to clear some route through the forests of Wyverns that were harassing his caravans" He took a sip from his soup bowl though not with a spoon "I tracked them down to a large cavern bigger than this very hall..... thought I had found the creature and had blinded it with Igni but then...."

"Another came snapping at his arse" Bayard came up behind Remille jokingly nuggying his head "A beast nearly took a chunk of his arse until I took my axe to its skull"

"Yes...yes... yes, we teamed up to face the rest of them but even then we were outnumbered, when suddenly"

"I along jumping from big bears shoulders to slash at another" Caine took over smiling and laughing as he jumped onto the table. "Together we three took down another of the mighty beasts, as the third came up on us.... Viper over their suddenly drops down with his daggers and almost starts riding it, stabbing again and again until the beast came down"

"As the fourth came forward" Emrys stated "A sudden slash from a Gung Dao nearly took one of its legs off" He started to laugh as he pointed to Omar he gave a slight smile "As a team we took down the rest of the pack with ease"

"But then an alpha came up from the cavern depths" Caine regaled with a sense of wonder "A huge Wyvern... its head, big enough to swallow a man whole" he clapped his hands to give a sense of dread to young Ciri who didn't react but listened intently. "Just as it was about to strike, it head twitched and it released a great roar.... a spear impaling its side"

"The beast saw the writing on the wall and chose to flee into the open air" Bayard continued, "It was then they we saw him, the hooded Witcher taking his bow from his back.... we followed close behind as the Wyvern Alpha took to the skies, performing a great swoop around to face us again"

"Lazarus took his bow and nocked an arrow, but he didn't shoot" Emrys retorted "he waited... and waited even when the rest of us were all shouting at him to release his arrow and kill the bloody thing.... but no he waited until this thing was literally no further than that door..... when"

A loud bang echoed as Caine slammed his empty palm onto the table before taking over the tale again "He released and sent his arrow flying straight into the Alpha's eye.... the beast struck the floor and lay motionless.... Leshen's arrow had pierced the eye and straight to the brain"

The story soon calmed as the witchers took a proper seat around Ciri to continue with relative peace rather than flaring the drama. "Later that night we all met again in this tavern, drinking down mug after mug of ale and mead" Remille recounted "Until these two" pointing at Bayard and Caine "Decided to have a little competition... which lead them both going outside with bare knuckles"

"Caine got a few punches in, moving around with his acrobatics" Bayard joked "But all it took was one hit... puff" mockingly placing his clenched fist to his cheek. "Leshen invited us all here and we've been friends ever since"

"Why do you call him Leshen? I mean I guess his name is Lazarus and I understand you call yourselves by your schools but why is he Leshen?" She asked, it took a moment before she began to notice and realised her mistake "Its just that since he arrived... you all seem to behave differently"

"Lazarus is... Complicated" Emrys admitted "We all know who we are.... he doesn't"

Ciri looked at them with a questionable face as if she didn't understand what Emrys meant, "Long ago" Omar continued "Before we all had met each other.... Leshen was facing a Fiend, a giant monster that very nearly killed him"

"Killed Him?" Ciri muttered

Remille took a long breath "Ripped his arm off" he paused as Ciri's face turned from shock to disbelief "As he lay dying... a Leshen came along and found him.... he expected to be finished off but"

"It healed him and brought him here" Caine uttered under his voice slowly "Reattached his arm and gave him a new life.... but at the cost of his memory"

"So" Bayard declared "He founded this school.... with the idea of rebuilding the Witchers in a new light.... one that recognises that not all monsters are Evil.... some just want to be left alone"

Chapter 6: Man and Beast

The whole time that the group had been retelling the story of their meeting and the story behind Lazarus of the Leshen, Yennefer had allowed her curiosity to get the better of her and decided to forgo breakfast. She instead ended up wandering the different halls of the School to find anything that she might find of use in her plans. Yet as she tried door after door, she either found them to be locked or leading into empty rooms with only cobwebs growing within.

Eventually she found a room different than the others, it appeared to be the makings of a library, the room was shaped like an octagon with bookshelves along the walls and between columns dividing the rooms inner and outer. Curious she decided to peak at the books to see if any were some she had not read before, as she followed the shelves around the room.  A number of the books weren't books at all but scrolls dating back thousands of years if not more, she grabbed one to see that the writing upon it were in words that she could not understand as if it was a language never before seen.

Again she continued looking with a smile on her face as the different scrolls and books again proved again and again that she had never seen any such writings. Books on monsters and beasts that the Witchers had encountered over the generations, scrolls of different magics, potions and elixirs, accounts from sorcerers, Witchers and even the detailed histories of the fallen Witcher Schools.

When a sound caught her ear, the distinct echo of foot steps and the cawing of a crow coming from the open door. Not wishing to be seen in a place that one could assume was private, Yennefer hurried to hide behind the door itself, yet she needn't fear as the footsteps went by without stopping for a moment, as she peaked she witnessed the hooded figure from before, the man who she had seen in the Inn and had given the Medallion to Emrys. Now with a closer look, Yennefer began to notice something about the man, she noted that his left arm seemed to be slightly more solidly built. She even saw a strange colouring coming from his hand, what appeared to be a black vein as a blood vessel, curious once again she decided to follow.

With utmost caution she followed trying desperately to not be heard or seen as the hall way twisted and turned, finally her query turned towards a door and with little effort pushed the old oak door open and entered the room. Waiting a moment, Yennefer paused wanting to give time for her target to feel at ease, then with silence and care she pushed on the door to peak through.

What she saw shook her to the core, she had heard of powerful magics before but what she was seeing was almost impossible. She saw the clear body of a veteran Witcher, with the mans back covered in various scars, but her eyes were gripped on the left arm, where she could see the same black veins running along the length of his forearm and a little past the elbow.

But where the veins stopped, the skin changed, turning from the distinct colouring that flesh usually is found within, to dark brown. The relative smoothness of the skin went away to resemble what she could only describe as Tree bark all the way up to the shoulder joint. Though her continued curiosity demanded she learn more, this would have to wait as she could tell he would soon turn and see her, so she made quick her escape.

Lazarus himself merely walked out without a care in the world, having changed his clothing and redon his armour and cloak he walked without a care through the halls and back into the open air of the Forest. Going to a usual spot he enjoyed, he dropped everything but his bow, he placed his quiver however leaned up on a set of large tree stumps smoothed out and cleaned to be seats. Leaning over he gripped an arrow from the quiver nocked, draw and released in relative speed, his target was a practice dummy that they all used, a simple collection of sacks stuffed with straw, sand, leaves etc.

"Why is it whenever everyone enjoys themselves your out here" A voice went grizzled and crusty, Lazarus knew who it was instantly.

"I find it calming white wolf" he replied, turning to see Geralt standing close by without his armour and weapons in his dark cloth shirt trousers and leather boots.  "I have questions of you wolf" Geralt knew where this was going so he moved up and took a seat on one of the stumps. "The last time I visited Kaer Morhen... you told me you had claimed the law of surprise..... what was it that old codger say"

Geralt understanding that he meant Vesemir "Big Mistake" he muttered before continuing with clearer words "he also said big mistake when I said I wouldn't claim her"

"Yet" Lazarus continued readying another arrow and letting it fly "Here you are with a child of surprise and a wanted sorceress"

"Wanted?" Geralt exclaimed

Lazarus pointed a new arrow towards his quiver and pouch, reaching inside Geralt found a wanted flyer with Yennefer on it "She's wanted by the Brotherhood and the Northern Kings.... as well as that there's more" Geralt looked back up "Emir Var Emrys is in Cintra", this made Geralts eyes squint "Emrys he has come to personally oversee the hunt for Princess Cirilla of Cintra"

"Why do they want her?" Geralt uttered beneath his breath

"That I cannot answer Wolf.... but he isn't alone...." Geralt switched his head back up to be face to face "many of the northern Crowns have put a bounty on her.... to keep her out of Redania's hands"

"What of you?" Geralt asked "Where do you stand?"

Lazarus had readied another arrow to fly, but paused, he didn't release but instead lowered his bow and hooked a finger over the arrow to deny it flying "You are one of us wolf.... that child is yours so she is safe here with us"

"I wasn't asking you" he declared standing up to stand before his fellow witcher "I was asking him" stretching out his arm and pointing to the forest. Lazarus turned his head slightly knowing what he meant, his eyes catching through the trees the distinct branches and twigs that resembled a large hand around a great tree trunk before moving around and out of sight.

His head lowered, his eyes turned to his left shoulder, the shoulder that is more tree than human, "your here aren't you"

Chapter 7: The Forest comes Alive

A thud came from the trees, Geralt turned to see nothing but then a voice came out again "Geralt!", swivelling round he glanced at Ciri coming out from the "School". She had come running out to see what the two were doing out here but he was concerned, Ciri was someone he cared deeply about and knowing what was in the forest worried him despite what Lazarus had said.

Yet Ciri came bounding out, but then paused when she was standing in front of "The father she never had", seeing his face she realised she shouldn't be there, but slowly Geralts eyes turned from her to something else, they moved in their sockets up above her. Ciri understood the face he had, something was wrong and she knew it, a feeling came over her and she felt small leaves fall onto her despite there being no branches above her head. Slowly turning, fearing what she might find behind she took careful movements readying herself should the need to run come. 

And there standing before her was a monster unlike any other she had ever seen, she had seen a Leshy but this was different. This creature was incredibly tall, she had to tilt her head to truly see it all, its arms and legs seems to be a blend of human and tree, covered in bark with long branch like fingers, its torso was covered in what looked like brown, tattered leather or cloth. But what scared her the most was the head, which resembled that of a skull of a huge deer with long antlers stretching out, there was no eyes to look upon but she knew this creature was looking at her, because she could feel it.

The creature standing before her though towering leaned forward slightly to get a better look at the young girl before it, Ciri feeling fear felt a small tear begin to run from her eye. The tall creature seemed to lean down and with its twig like finger catch the tear upon her cheek.

And to a shock to nearly all present from its skull like head came words "Do not cry little one".