"Here we are." The girl spoke softly to the Witcher beside her, the two of them now stood outside a massive brick building, a large wooden arch door closing it off to the rest of the residents in Blaviken.
Geralt took a moment to survey the door, he turned around, passing the reigns to the girl. "Hold Roach." He mumbled deeply, his hood was now down, long white hair flowing down his back. The girl smiled immediately at the order and took the reigns, her other hand gently reaching up to grab the reigns under Roach's head. He snorted and Geralt looked at him. "Be nice." He said to Roach as he looked him in the eyes and turned around, heading towards the door in front of him, leaving Marilka behind to greet Roach.
Geralt paused in front of the door, studying it for a moment, he didn't like magic users much and he was skeptical to say the least, but he needed coin. He stated at the large stone knocker attached to the front of the wooden door and reached out with his gloved hand to grab it. Before his fingers could touch it, the air rippled around his hand, vibrating all the way to his wrist and he paused, a resonating hum filling the air. He lowered his hand, turning his body slightly to the left to glance back at Marilka, he turned back making sure she wasn't watching before he stepped through the door, he didn't even need to open it. The hard wood materialised around him, letting him pass through instantly to the other side. His cloak also disappeared as he reached the other side.
He was met with a peculiar sight, some sort of inside garden before him, small trees and bushes filling the space with it's leaves and fruit, a stone fountain in the centre of it all, gathering water from the dripping hanging tree roots above it. What was more peculiar perhaps, were the naked women that he could see, fully unclothed, walking around the plants and gathering the fruits in baskets, one walking past with a full platter of fresh green grapes.
"Greetings."
Geralt drew his eyes to the right, turning only his head, the silver studs in his black armour now shining in the golden atmosphere of the Wizards place. He turned to see the wizard walking towards him, a short grey beard adorned his chin and matching wisps of hair were on his head. He dressed in a black Mage's robe, adorned with golden buttons down the centre halfway down his chest, and the outer layer had intricate golden patterns all down the front. He also had in his right hand a large wooden staff, twisting and spiraling at the top to entrap a crystal ball.
"I am Stregobor. Master Stregobor. Sorcerer." He informed him as he stopped beside Geralt. "I have a Kikimora for Master Irion." Geralt replied, not giving a damn about the man's titles. "Yes, well, forgive the confusion." Stregobor started, lowering his head briefly, he didn't sound very apologetic. "Irion created this tower, but he's been dead 200 years. So, in order to honour him, I've taken his name as my...personal sobriquet." Stregobor replied. Geralt looked at him, he didn't expect much less from a sorcerer. "Hm." He grunted before cocking his head slightly behind him, never breaking eye contact with the mage. "He create this illusion, too?"
Stregobor was eager to reply, turning his head to look towards the centre of the room where the girls were. "No, this is, uh...this is...my own creation." He stated, a sparkle in his eyes as he observed the surroundings. "Helps pass time more delightfully." He said. Geralt nodded, the sword attached to his back shone in the light, the end of the handle reaching the same height as his head. "Because you're in hiding, Stregobor."
"How very clever of you...Witcher." Stregobor replied back, his eyes slightly narrowed and his tone one more of caution. Stregobor watched him, knowing he wasn't going to reply so an awkward silence pursued the men as they held eye contact, Stregobor's lips pressed together in a thin line. He turned, holding his staff to the side slightly letting the Witcher know to follow him. Geralt broke eye contact first, turning his gaze forward, letting his tongue lick his lower lip for a brief moment, he didn't have time to piss around.
"Not often do we see your likeness here in Blaviken." Stregobor spoke, keeping his gaze forward as well. Geralt's head tilted slightly to the side and he quickly raised his eyebrows. "Not many of my likeness left." He spoke. "Hm, I'd offer you my condolences, but...I seem to remember that Witcher's don't feel... anything." Stregobor stated flatly. Geralt's jaw which was already tight, tensed some more as he turned to look at the mage. He didn't say a word, just stared at him for a moment, everyone always had the same perception of them. He looked away and continued walking through the building. "I'm grateful destiny brought you to me." Stregobor pressed on, the bottom of his staff making a small clink against the stone everytime it touched the floor as he walked.
"Marilka brought me to you." Geralt said quickly, he didn't believe in destiny. "Oh, Marilka. Marilka works for me." Stregobor said and stepped in front of the Witcher, stopping beside a stone archway at the other side of the indoor garden, the fountain now doing it's job and shooting water up into the air close to the tree roots. "Now and then. On matters of great import." He said to the Witcher with a slight smirk. "A reclusive sorcerer who uses an alias and hires a young girl to procure him a Witcher." Geralt replied, a hint of amusement in his voice, he was a smart man, and he knew what Stregobor wanted, and from Stregobor's reaction, he knew he knew it too. "You don't want my monster. You want me to kill yours." Geralt stated obviously.
"Very clever." Stregobor said, his eyes narrowed once again as he studied the Witcher. He took a deep internal breath before giving a small nod. "Indeed." He said. "What kind?" Geralt asked with a small sigh. "The worst kind. The human kind." Stregobor said as he leaned forward slightly.
"It's name is Renfri."