WELCOME TO THE FREE CITIES!

[abraxasmods]

WELCOME TO THE FREE CITIES!

Welcome to The Free Cities! The portal exits outside the capital city of Cadens. The first impression of the city is its sheer size. It sprawls out across the landscape like a great hulking beast at rest. The wall that encircles it barely contains it, the buildings of Cadens practically bulging against its restraint.

The air here seems thicker somehow, tinged with a scent that’s acrid and smoky. Smog hangs high over the city, belched out by smokestacks that tower over the industrial district. The desert stretches out behind it, dotted with towers and dust clouds that disappear into the horizon. Multiple gates lead inside and each is staffed by soldiers in unfamiliar uniforms that wave a steady stream of people through without appearing to pay much attention. People are coming and going almost all of the time, to and from the outposts and areas of activity around the city proper. It’s difficult to tell just what’s out there beyond the impression of tall metal structures and a great deal of labor. Wagons carrying travelers to Libertas and Aquila roll out from the Travel Post outside the city wall.

Anyone who can sense magic will notice a much lower concentration here. No one will be stopped or questioned at the gate, even if the soldiers seem to take note of the fugitives from Thorne.

The activity and sheer number of citizens can be overwhelming. It’s crowded and loud and feels constantly in motion with everyone talking and yelling over each other. It’s easy to get swept up in the ever-moving throng or find oneself ducking into the mouth of a narrow alley just to breathe.

Anyone who’s willing to make their way to the northern part of the city and Portham Hall will find Prime Minister Marlo Reiner available to receive them.

Comments

Drinks

[petcromancer]

[Hector takes a seat beside Geralt, just two silver haired social outcasts in a bar. He has a stein in each hand, and sets one in front of the witcher with a clunk.]

To your freedom.

[Hector had planned to pay his debt off in a more spectacular fashion, but since he didn't get to help spring Geralt from prison, a few rounds of ale will have to do.]

[gynvael]

[ Well. That's new. Geralt raises an eyebrow, but he accepts the ale. It's not occurred to him Hector means to fulfill his debt from within the Horizon. In all honesty, Geralt's forgotten about it—pushed down with his other memories of that time, ones he's buried deep.

He's torn it down. The cabin, the...everything. That place he shared with the girl who never was. ]

And yours.

[ He tips the stein. They were all trapped there, at the end of the day. Inside Thorne. Now they're simply trapped inside the continent as a whole. Trading up their cages, one size at a time. ]

You're here with the vampire?

[petcromancer]

[Well, Hector's still got one upcycled rabbit, and for all his other crimes, he's no thief. So he's upholding his end of the bargain whether Geralt actually cares about it or not.]

Not a vampire. He's only half of one. But yes, I'm here with Alucard until he gets himself laid to rest.

[He tries a sip of his drink. It's not great, but he's had worse. Hector's not planning on drinking enough of it to inebriate himself, so it'll do.]

[gynvael]

[ The unchanging expression on Geralt's face suggests that information is known to him; he just doesn't care enough to mark the difference in his vocabulary. Teeth like a vampire; hisses like a vampire. Or maybe it doesn't, given his expression is permanently unchanged.

Well. Until Hector says laid to rest. He tilts his head. That's. Mm. Something. ]

Laid to rest. [ Why the fuck. ] Not planning on raising him out of the ground at a later date, I trust.

[petcromancer]

Oh, you couldn't pay me enough to wake young lord Tepes before he's finished with his sulk-nap.

[Hector's not concerned about it. He's talked to Alucard about not walking down his father's path, and the dhampir entombing himself and sleeping it off seems entirely more reasonable.]

He's being dramatic, but it could be far worse.

[gynvael]

[ His lips quirk upwards. Is that what it is? A sulk-nap? Like a child refusing to get out of bed? ]

Him? Dramatic? Can't imagine. [ He tips back his drink. ] What's he to you?

[ Call it professional curiosity. He wants to know why a necromancer Alucard holds so much mistrust towards is still here—still seemingly looking after this vampire. Speaks of him as if they've known each other a good while.

Not that Geralt has any intention of getting involved with Alucard further now that they aren't crammed in a cell together. He doesn't consider Alucard much of a threat—for the moment—but Alucard clearly sees him as one. No reason to provoke. ]

[petcromancer]

[Basically yes. Life sucks, better lock myself in a crypt and try again next century. It's good to be able to commiserate with someone else who's had to deal with Alucard's moods. He raises his glass in salute before taking a sip.]

Oh, I worked for his father for a time. He, uh, went mad after he lost his wife. He and Alucard weren't on speaking terms by then. It's complicated.

[Hector could probably leave Alucard to his devices at this point, but beyond the guilt of his role in Dracula's downfall, Hector also feels a connection to Alucard. They are from the same world, share aspects of the same history. Hector... doesn't have many people he's close with. So he's sticking around until Alucard goes to sleep, because where else does he have to go?]

[gynvael]

[ That's—

More of an informative answer than Geralt intended to receive. He'd anticipated a We're friends, maybe "associates" or "it isn't anything." Not his father went mad and his mother died, which caused a rift in their relationship.

He blinks once. Decides it's not his place to prod too far. Some things, he isn't certain he needs to know. But it tells him enough. ]

Complicated seems a common theme. [ Amongst all of them. Except Jaskier, apparently. Speaking of— ] A certain bard tells me you had plans.

[ Plans that included him. It'd been startling to hear—but then, maybe not, if Jaskier has been courting the man. ]

[petcromancer]

[Hector doesn't mind blabbing some of Alucard's secrets. He plays his own involvement a little closer to the chest.

He shrugs.]

Yes, fat lot of good our planning did. But who could have predicted mages popping in to interfere?

[He's still a little grumpy about it. If he'd known that was coming, he'd have spent the time he'd used preparing magic barrier stones and learning the guard rotations doing odd jobs to build up more funds to use post escape.]

The portals did save us some walking, I suppose. I'm guessing it wouldn't have bothered you, having to rough it for a few weeks in the wilds. You seemed pretty capable in the Horizon.

[gynvael]

[ Who fucking indeed. Geralt's trust in the whole thing is close to zero. It's gotten them out and that's the only upside he has to say about it. He doesn't like how suddenly they appeared, how easily they broke through Thorne's wards. How their magic had protected its citizens.

A flicker of amusement crosses his face at how annoyed Hector sounds. Can't blame him. If he put thought into a plan, he'd have been irritated to have it interrupted, too. ]

I can manage. [ He takes a drink. ] Doesn't mean I don't appreciate the shortcut. I don't normally take a trip across the wilds in sandals and nothing else.

[ He has gear when he travels. A horse. The last time he'd been dumped into the middle of nowhere with nothing but his feet, he'd been a boy. And it isn't an especially fond memory. ]

[petcromancer]

[Hector winces, having a sudden flashback to a forced march across Wallachia in bare feet. Ok, so maybe he should be a little more grateful for the portal.]

Well, dunno if I'll be staying here in Cadens, but there are wagons that go to the other cities, so it should be an easier trip.

[Which would be ideal, because while Hector likes nature, he is not a fan of camping.]

Have you thought where you'll settle? [Where the bard who follows you around will settle, more specifically.]

[gynvael]

[ His head tilts. Hector's reaction catches him, though he decides not to ask. They don't know each other well enough—or at all—but the interest there is clear. ]

Cadens. For now. [ It's close. Near to the border in case anything happens. Plenty of cheap inns and cheaper beer. Beyond that, Geralt hasn't given it thought. Less to do with the fact that he doesn't know much about this place and more with the fact that the concept of settling is not on his mind. That's not something he does. Not really something any of them do. ]

I'll go where the coin takes me. Same as always. [ Jaskier may or may not do the same, in time. He and the bard have separated before, here and there—in the winters, always, and sometimes in the summer or spring if Jaskier has some bardic festival or other, or Geralt goes into some backwater town for work that Jaskier decides he doesn't care for. At the moment, though, he feels better having both Jaskier and Ciri close by. Until he has a better sense of where they stand here. ]

[petcromancer]

I've heard interesting things about Libertas, but it's a bit of a trip to get there, so if I go, it won't be for a while.

[Geralt didn't ask, but Hector floats the idea in the air. Libertas was a place for outcasts who didn't belong anywhere else, from what he'd heard.]

What is it that you do for coin, by the way?

[gynvael]

Over the hills? [ Geralt raises an eyebrow. He definitely didn't ask, which makes him curious why Hector is mentioning it at all. He can't imagine the man takes too much interest in where he'll be staying. This is the first time they've exchanged more than a few words, aside from the Horizon.

He pauses. Hector smells human. Just a mage, practiced in necromancy. Not that Geralt had especially hesitated to inform Alucard, either. ]

I kill monsters. I don't tend to settle anywhere.

[ That he has to remain in these borders is restricting enough. The Cities is larger than most city-states, though. At least he can still travel between points, and feel as if he were roaming. ]

[petcromancer]

Yes. Apparently there is a large community of artists and musicians there. I thought Jaskier might want to explore it.

[Just casually tossing his metaphorical cards on the table...

...and then immediately regretting it.]

You kill monsters. [Did he just buy drinks for another world's equivalent of a Belmont? Hector takes a long drink, wondering how quickly he can make his excuses. Given how little interest Geralt shows in socializing, it probably wouldn't be long.]

[gynvael]

[ Ah. Jaskier. That's why he's asking. Geralt should've put two and two together, frankly, but he'd presumed the man would've just asked Jaskier himself. They're not exactly attached at the hip. (Well. They are here, but that's by necessity). He's about to say something to that effect when he catches the drop in the air.

His expression suggests this is as expected. ]

Alucard hasn't told you? [ As in: Yeah. The vampire knows. Has known for awhile. He sets down his cup. ] He's not my concern, if that's your concern.

[ Unless he makes himself one, but. Geralt can't see that happening for the time being. They spent three months locked together. Alucard is forlorn, occasionally prone to sulking, and seems more interested in lurking by himself in the dark than anything else. If the vampire is meant to be a threat, he does a poor fucking job of doing so. ]

[petcromancer]

[Hector gives Geralt the flattest stare.]

If you've managed to get Alucard to freely volunteer anything, I applaud you. But no, I'm not worried about him.

[For all he's been trying to help Alucard, the dhampir can take care of himself. At least, he can now that his supernatural powers have returned.]

I'm more concerned for my pets. They're never safe with men of your profession around.

[Yes, some of his more abstract works are 100% monsters, but Hector treasures them all the same.]

And usually, neither is their creator.

[gynvael]

[ He actually has, which is possibly due to the fact that Geralt is even more tight-lipped than Alucard. He's not thought about it, in those terms—as far as he's concerned, he doesn't want to know anything about Alucard.

Or Hector, for that matter. It's knowing of things that shouldn't concern him that gets him dragged into everyone's bullshit.

He doesn't quite roll his eyes, but there's exasperation visible. A sense that Geralt's been over this more than once and that he's not interested in circling the topic again. ]

Hunters in your world do so on principle. I do it for money. [ In theory. But Geralt is not here to discuss what always ends up happening despite how he's meant to operate. He just hasn't any desire to be lumped in with those who kill monsters of any and every kind out of some fucking notion of justice or duty. ] Don't get a worthwhile bounty put out on your pets, and we won't have a problem.

[petcromancer]

Huh. That's... surprisingly sensible.

[If only the Belmonts would get a clue and do the same.]

For what it's worth, I don't plan to cause any trouble with them. My army-raising days are past me.

[gynvael]

[ Geralt lifts an eyebrow. He did—what? No. He isn't about to ask. If they're over, they're over, and unless he sees a sign of more...corpse-beast armies, he'll leave it alone.

(Why the fuck do people tell him these things unprompted?)

He sighs, returning to Hector's entire point for prodding about where Geralt will wind up. Which, ultimately, seems to be the more relevant point here. ]

If you want to know where the bard is going, ask him yourself.

[petcromancer]

[Geralt is so quiet, other people end up filling the silence. Hector shrugs a shoulder.]

Alright, I'll talk to him. [He hadn't been as subtle as he'd planned, it seems. He stands and waves for the bartender to refill Geralt's glass.]

I did owe you for taking your dinner.

[gynvael]

He's fond of you.

[ This is the one and only comment Geralt will make on the matter of Jaskier and Hector. He doesn't especially care who the bard decides to woo, so long as trouble doesn't wind up at his doorstep as a result. But he can tell, with Jaskier, when someone is a mere fancy and when Jaskier has found reason to take interest beyond his desire to court nearly everyone he lays eyes upon.

Whatever Jaskier has seen, whatever Jaskier has learned, about this necromancer, he has found it merits his attention. In return, Geralt finds that...worth noting. That's all.

He accepts the drink, without further remark. Hector can consider the debt paid. ]

[petcromancer]

I'm fond of him too.

[Hector is used to playing feelings close to his chest, but he's not ashamed of Jaskier. If Geralt knows one side of it, he might as well know the other as well.

He slips a few coins to the barkeep as he heads for the door.]

Enjoy your drink.