Elder Blood Witcher

Reima had just gotten word that Arie was ready for the trial, it was surprising since he was only able to do it for a month or two... Hopefully he hadn't rushed his training and pestered Eskel into agreeing with this. Reima was now 11 and puberty had hit him like a truck to a brick wall, standing 5'6 feet tall and a body that was slowly becoming more masculine as testosterone is introduced into his hormonal profile, broader shoulders and larger arms included.

Vesemir had just called them to meet him in the study to discuss their soon to be trial, he meets with Arie who is around 3 inches taller but seems to be retaining his thin form and sit down across from Vesemir in the study.

Vesemir "There you two are, I heard from Geralt and Eskel that you two are ready to retrieve you medallions... Do you have anything you want to ask before I explain what the trial is?"

Reima raises his voice "Err, yes Master Vesemir. Weren't we supposed to receive our medallions are the trial of the grasses?"

Vesemir smiles and nods "Yes that would be the case if we still had the medallions stored at Kaer Morhen. There is a forge where they used to be created in the mountains north of here, no one alive currently knows the method they used to enchant the medallions but we know there are some medallions that remain in the forge. Actually this brings me right to where I needed, as the trial needs you to retrieve your medallion from the Forge."

Arie "How do we get there? I doubt we will be given a guide and travelling around the mountains for months in search of some cave without food or water seems rather extreme... Master."

Vesemir "Well, the route requires you to just head straight north from Kaer Morhen and you will eventually reach the cave where the forge resides, to assist you I had Frank mark trees in the direction you should be going. Now, I won't stop you from asking advice from the other Witchers but it is up to them to answer or not. You are very valuable to us, not only because you are the last Witchers that will ever be created but because of the relationships we have all forged. For that reason I must request you to make sure you are absolutely ready for this task."

"We are ready" They both intone.

Vesemir "Very good, you should know that you will not be allowed to bring anything apart from clothes and a steel dagger."

Arie "Why not allow us to take swords?"

Vesemir "Tradition states that you shouldn't be allowed any weapons at all, we are being lenient allowing you to take daggers as they do not completely count as weapons."

They both nod and thank Vesemir before they start preparing for the trial the next day.

Reima goes to talk to Geralt to ask for advice on how he should proceed as Arie does the same with Eskel.

He finds him meditating at the same balcony they had previously talked at which overlooks the courtyard, as the matter he needs to talk about is rather important he decides to interrupt his deep focus.

Reima "Master Geralt" he says quietly.

Geralt with his eyes still closed replies, "Yes, Reima?"

Reima "We just talked with Vesemir about the trial, he said something about asking you for advice?"

He opens his eyes and looks at Reima "Yeah, while I haven't done this particular trial I can tell you the safest way of completing it."

Reima sits beside him to listen.

Geralt "The route I would personally take would be to swim over the river itself, the shore lines are covered in Water Hags and Drowners but they only seem to be dragging prey from land into the water to drown them. They will not bother you if you steer well clear of them, the forests around the river that you would otherwise have to travel through have had increased incidents of wild animals attacking other creatures, in my opinion it is likely there is a young Leshen taking up residence deep in the forests. You should also keep in mind that there are no villages anywhere close to your destination, so if you see or hear something or someone, ignore it as it is likely a Foglet."

Reima sits on his knees memorising Geralts words, "Anything else?"

Geralt "You should collect enough ingredients for a cat eye's potion, we haven't checked the cave the forge is in for years... Anything could have taken up residence inside and you would do well not to get caught out"

Reima "But we can't bring anything to create the potion with, no alchemical tools or even bottles to hold it..."

Geralt "Have I taught you nothing over the years? Cat eye's is the easiest potion to create, just mash the materials into a paste and hold it in your gums, while this would be seriously toxic for a normal person and more toxic than usual for the potion, you will be fine."

Reima nods in understanding "Thank you Master, when I get back I want to spar with you one last time before I leave on the path."

Geralt smiles and pats his back "Don't worry about it Kid, just makesure not to lose focus and you'll be fine."

Reima gets up to prepare for the trial but as he is leaving Geralt adds one last thing.

Geralt "Keep an eye on Arie while your out there, He is definitely ready but could do with a couple more months of training... Trust me, having him die senselessly would weigh on you..." He almost whispers the last part.

Reima nods and continues on his way.