Chapter 366: The Manticore School
"Good girl, have some water."
Kassia took out a bowl and poured in Brokilon Water mixed with plain water in a specific ratio. The little griffin fluttered its wings, landed on the girl's shoulder, rubbed against her cheek, then hopped down onto the ground in quick steps and began to drink the Brokilon Water.
Kassia squatted nearby, resting her pale cheek on one hand while gently stroking the fur on the griffin's back with the other.
Since Lynn was told by Eithné in Brokilon that feeding the little griffin Brokilon Water would speed up its growth, strengthen its body, and make it more affectionate, Lynn had followed the instructions. After returning to Kaer Morhen, Kassia naturally took on the duty of feeding the little furball. By the look on the girl's face, she didn't consider it a chore at all but was delighted to do it.
Perhaps because the griffin was still so small, Lynn couldn't tell how much its size had changed, but he did notice the little creature was growing livelier and more energetic. Even with the growth-accelerating Brokilon Water, it probably still needed some time.
During this period, whenever Kassia wasn't in her special training with Yennefer, she would come to find Lynn. And whenever Lynn was free, he would take Kassia out to play.
The climate in the Blue Mountains was different from the outside. As winter approached, the sunny days grew fewer, and the sky became increasingly overcast even during the day. As the year drew to a close, the weather would get colder, but Yennefer had given Kassia a beautiful, warming bracelet. Beyond its appearance, the bracelet's main purpose was to keep the wearer feeling warm at all times.
Kassia and the little griffin grew closer and closer. Although griffins are beasts, they are among the most intelligent of all wild creatures. When the griffin first arrived at Kaer Morhen, the strange place and new people frightened it. But after just a few days at the castle, it quickly understood that the people here were Lynn's companions, allies, and brothers, and would not harm it. It stopped being afraid.
Seeing the two little ones having so much fun, Lynn didn't disturb them. He stood on the castle roof terrace, which offered an expansive view of the surrounding landscape. After watching the distant scenery for a while, Lynn pulled out an exquisitely crafted horn from his runic leather pouch.
This was the Dragon Horn gifted to him by Borch during their dragon hunt, with instructions to blow it when needed. Reflecting now, it felt like the dragon hunt had happened a very long time ago.
Setting aside his nostalgic thoughts, Lynn sounded the Dragon Horn. The sound carried far, echoing among the mountains.
Suddenly, a violent gust of wind swept up from nowhere. Kassia tightly hugged the little griffin and crouched down. The griffin peered fearfully out from the crook of Kassia's arm. The swirling air currents coalesced into a figure before Lynn: Borch.
"Ah, my dearest friend."
"Lord Borch, or should I call you the esteemed Golden Dragon Villentretenmerth?"
Borch gave a charming smile. "Few can pronounce my name flawlessly. Truly, you are my dearest friend. But why did it take you so long to contact me?"
"I've just been busy," Lynn said with a laugh. "Besides, this horn is quite precious. I was worried it might be a single-use consumable, and I didn't want to waste it just chatting."
Borch chuckled. "Haha, my mistake, my mistake. Actually, the principle of this horn is similar to that... what do sorcerers call that magical item? Yes, a speaking-box. It works the same way. So don't worry about it; use it whenever you need to."
Lynn nodded. "Mm, next time, definitely."
"Speaking of which, is the work of a witcher very busy? Well, I suppose so." Borch seemed to understand something and winked. "How about it? Why don't you come to Zerrikania? I could get you a position as a Queen's Guard with a single word. What do you say? It's a lucrative post that people are practically tripping over themselves to get."
The Queen's Guard was the elite unit dedicated to protecting the Zerrikanian monarchy, consisting of eighteen of the bravest and most skilled warriors, often referred to as the "Eighteen Riders of Zerrikania."
In Zerrikania, becoming a Queen's Guard was the only way for a commoner to attain nobility, and every member automatically held a status similar to an Earl (though without a landed title). For a wandering, impoverished witcher, becoming a Queen's Guard would be a dream come true.
But Lynn chose to refuse. "I think I'll pass. Working for the Zerrikanian royalty is too likely to breed resentment."
He knew that Imad Asma, the founder of the Manticore School, had once left the original witcher order along with Ivar Evil-Eye (Viper School founder) and Anahad (Bear School founder). However, Imad disagreed with Anahad's overly cold philosophy, so when a conflict erupted between Anahad and Ivar Evil-Eye, Imad unhesitatingly left the Bear School base at Haern Caduch with Ivar.
But Imad also disagreed with Ivar Evil-Eye's wish to defeat the Wild Hunt, finding the goal too ethereal. Finally, Imad Asma took his followers and migrated alone to the Askad Pass, bordering the Tir Tochair Mountains and the Korath Desert. There, they found a way to survive: providing protection for passing merchant caravans.
The Korath Desert, which people living on its edge called the "Frying Pan," was a savage and hostile land, too dangerous even for the Zerrikanians themselves. The Manticore School was perfectly positioned to profit from this.
Their subsequent development seemed to prove Imad Asma right. The Manticore School later rescued a sorceress, who happened to be the court sorceress of Zerrikania. After Imad and his brothers escorted the sorceress to the capital, the reigning Queen of Zerrikania showed immense interest in them.
The Queen held no prejudice or discrimination against witchers and instead invited them to serve the royal family. From then on, the Manticore School specialized in protecting the royalty, and Imad himself became the Queen's personal witcher.
The Manticore School's status skyrocketed. Everything seemed wonderful.
Until the year 1146 arrived.
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