The Witcher: My Own Path

Before we moved on, I noticed something disturbing, the gates were not guarded by any human guards, had the older races living here always had to deal with everything on their own?

Together with Mirim and Orik I crossed the gates leading to the slums where only the older races lived, the game didn't even show a tenth of how unpleasant it was. In the game the Scoia'tael battles with the Order of the Burning Rose were fought here, there were many dead lying on the ground, the roads were blocked with everything they could get their hands on and the buildings were on fire, but it was still a better sight than what was now before my eyes, and the stench? The stench was unbearable. I'm surprised there hasn't been an outbreak here yet, I don't know if it's down to luck or the stronger immune systems of the older races. I felt like covering my nose with my sleeve, not allowing the smell to pass through my respiratory system, but I couldn't do it. I am now the Administrator of this place, it is my job to take care of all the inhabitants living here. I could not show any weakness. I looked at Mirim and Orik surprised that they didn't even half describe this place as it is. I could only guess that they had known the place for many years and were used to the sight and the fetor floating in the air.

We headed towards my tower and my office from where I would be managing the place, the former leader, spiritual leader and my predecessor Isarim would also be waiting for me there. I looked around to best survey the state of not only the people living here, but the entire infrastructure. The roads were almost non-existent, every other house had collapsed, everyone was walking around dirty and starved. Everything was quiet, the children were quiet. They were looking at me, I was expecting curious looks from them, or concern, or the relief that Mirim was talking about, I saw in their eyes.... nothing! Indifference. Damn it, this place is dying, now I'm starting to see clearly why Scoia'tael had so many followers around the world. If this continues, the humans and the older races will be mired in perpetual hatred and strife. I must deal with the non-humans across the Wyzim, and then work to reconcile and improve their relationship with the humans not only here, but across Temeria, even before the First War with Nilfgaard, because after that it will be too late.

The Order of the First Reconciliation will play a key role in this grand plan, but first I need money, a lot of money and then people who will be willing to follow me and my dream of a peaceful existence together. Only with power and strength will I be able to fulfil this desire, and if all goes well, here, in this place, will be our next milestone.

As we reached, the tower and Isarim itself, a plan began to form in my mind. First and foremost, I will need food to feed these people, how are they supposed to work for me if they can't lift anything for lack of strength, starved. Then I will need to bring the healers from the Temple of Melitele here, by the way instilling faith in the goddess in these people, I will certainly build a small shrine dedicated to her. When the matter of hunger and health has been dealt with, and the people are in better shape, we will take care of cleaning the place to get rid of the all-pervading stench and then.... Then we'll think about what to do next, there's no point in looking so far ahead.

" Mirim, if I remember correctly, at the last gathering of the Order, Albert mentioned that one of our warehouses still holds grain that we haven't sold. Rally your men and bring it here, we need to feed these people or they will starve to death before our eyes. Then go to the hospital of Lebiody and speak to the Chief Priestess and ask her on my behalf to send some acolytes and nurses who could help heal the sick and needy, tell her verbatim these words "these poor souls need the care of our Lady Melitele to guard their bodies and minds from the treacherous fire" she will know what I mean, now go, these people need our help and we cannot delay any further".

I didn't have to tell her twice as she grinned from ear to ear and shot off like a slingshot to carry out the task given to her.

When we arrived, Isarim immediately approached me and dropped to his knees, shouting out my titles.

"Greetings my Venerable Lord, Knight of the Warm Morning, Slayer of The Striga....

I knelt before him and grabbed his frail shoulders gently and helped the elderly elf up, smiling at him. Just as my true master had taught me.

" I am no Venerable or any of those buffoons, I am Tyr, son of a blacksmith from Suburb. That is where my roots are and I will not change just because fate smiled upon me".

His eyes widened in amazement. But I am not done with my performance yet, this man and everyone living here whether elf, dwarf, Lowlander or other non-human will eventually serve me and they will do so, giving their lives for me, with a smile on their lips, so I must show him and the rest, this heart, pure as crystal, that everyone talks about.

I put my hand on his shoulder, made the saddest face I could and said to him.

"You did a great job taking care of all the Isarim here, you did everything in your power to make sure as many of these people survived as possible...."

The former leader hung his head and tears streamed down his cheeks and dripped onto the muddy ground. Finally someone appreciated him and now he will take this burden resting on his shoulders from him, killing him slowly.

"... you're a real hero, but it's going to be all right now, I'm already here, I'm going to take over this huge burden from you ...."

I noticed out of the corner of my eye that more and more men and women were beginning to gather to listen to what I had to say.

"... ... and like you, I will do everything in my power to save the people of Old Wyzima and I apologise to you...."

This time it was me that the tears started to flow and my voice broke down. Orik began to cry too, watching his beloved leader shaking the old elf's spirits, proud of his choice of the Master he follows and the Order he joined.

"...For having had to suffer so much and go through this struggle alone, I apologise not only to you but to all the people of the Old Wyzima that I am only coming now, but I apologise most for not being able to see you off, as someone of your spirit, pure and gentle heart and sharp mind must stay by my side to advise me. There is much work to be done to bring hope to this place, but I cannot do it alone, I do not know if I could, Isarim!

I extend my right hand to him and stand, in front of dozens of elves and dwarves in a dramatic pose offering him a place at my side as my right hand.

" Would you be willing to support me and give a little more of your own strength so that together we can create a new, brighter future for all?"

His red and tired eyes, now showed joy, and his wide smile was irrefutable proof of these feelings. He reached out his skinny hand and shook mine, with a surprisingly strong hug.

" Here's to the future!" I said out loud.

"To the future!" He replied.

The crowd of gathered onlookers and Orik himself began to cheer, clapping, and their eyes finally began to betray some emotion. Hope!

Ahhh... The Master would be proud of me!!!