A little over twenty hours earlier, in Rhundurin Square, several hundred rioters armed with blades and pitchforks had gathered.
"Vergen isn't a cesspit where anyone can shit as they please. This place has laws, and Skalen Burdon's duty is to uphold them," Geralt declared calmly.
An armored nobleman stepped forward as well. "There is no law anywhere in this world that allows serfs to threaten a king's heir! I am Silgrat, brother of Seltkirk, the greatest knight in all Aedirn, and I say there is no such law!"
The White Wolf glanced at the man beside him, who seemed intent on adding fuel to the fire. He might not have been a gifted speaker, but he certainly had courage. Skalen's guard force numbered barely more than thirty, while the hostile mob surrounding Prince Stennis's residence outnumbered them dozens of times over.
"What difference does it make whether someone was born in a castle or a pigsty?" Geralt raised his voice. "Any fool can pass judgment and condemn someone. Never forget that accusing someone of a crime is far easier than proving it."
Silgrat of Gulet said, "Gentlemen, you have gathered here solely because a common servant claimed Prince Stennis might have tried to murder Saskia. Think about it! Why would the prince commit such a despicable act? Do not forget that he comes from an illustrious royal bloodline!"
"That's exactly why!" shouted Kalten, the people's representative. "The bastard wants the crown so badly that he's lost his mind!"
Silgrat was, after all, the brother of Seltkirk, commander during the Second War for Upper Aedirn. Protected by his brother's reputation, even the most radical commoners were willing to let him speak.
"Have you forgotten how bravely he stood beside Saskia during the negotiations with Henselt?"
"He's a sly fox! He only pretended to support Saskia so he could deceive ordinary folk like us! But commoners aren't as stupid as you nobles think!"
"Your mouths overflow with foul excrement. You have chosen to hate the prince, spitting venom like snakes while weaving stories and inventing crimes to smear his name."
"We didn't invent anything! Saskia's servant said it!"
"Then may I ask where that servant is? If he has something to say, why is he hiding like a thief?
"The reason is simple. He's a fraud!"
"No! He's hiding from people like you! Nobles are all bastards! He was afraid you would murder him, so he had no choice but to seek protection in the Scoia'tael camp!"
"Then let me ask another question. How could the prince have poisoned Saskia? Everyone knows the servants tasted the wine directly from the barrels before it ever touched the Virgin's lips!"
When the commoners were temporarily left speechless, the white-haired witcher explained what his investigation had uncovered.
"There was no need to poison the wine. Smearing poison inside the chalice would have been enough."
"I have never heard of anyone poisoning a chalice," Silgrat of Gulet objected.
"Then your knowledge is lacking. An emperor once died after tasting lamb. He was always terrified of being poisoned, so he insisted on dining with his cook.
"The murderer eventually coated only one side of a knife with poison. When the meat was cut, only one small piece became poisoned."
"The witcher is right! Hand Stennis over!" the crowd clamored.
The nobleman hurriedly shouted over them, "Wait, Saskia has her own personal chalice!"
"It was specially commissioned from a dwarf and bears distinctive engravings," Geralt explained calmly.
Silgrat objected again. "Even so, can you determine where the poison came from?"
"That is a very good question. I cannot be certain that the prince was responsible." The witcher took a slight step back.
"Everyone knows Stennis constantly blows hot and cold!" Kalten cursed.
"You're supposed to prove his guilt, not insult him, you vulgar lout!" Silgrat retorted.
"Then tell me who else would do such a thing! Would commoners want to harm her? Impossible! It's because of her that you noble dogs finally started paying attention to us!
"Even a pig isn't stupid enough to kill itself, and commoners aren't stupid enough to turn against their savior!"
"Perhaps a commoner wasn't responsible. But regardless, no one can prove the prince did it, you fool!"
Seeing that Silgrat had no intention of backing down only made Kalten angrier.
"Then answer my questions. Was Stennis's room beside Saskia's? Did the wine come from his filthy cellar? Could he send people in and out of the kitchen adjoining the meeting hall?"
The commoners immediately shouted their agreement.
"Yes, His Noble Highness could! Curse him!"
"No one in Vergen would want to murder Saskia! Even if someone did, Stennis is the only one who could have managed it!"
The neutral white-haired witcher interrupted their growing momentum.
"You're being biased, Kalten. We know only that Reverend Olcan wanted to get rid of Saskia because he believed she was a beast at heart. That does not necessarily implicate the prince."
"Of course it does! That prissy weakling Olcan was always kept on Stennis's leash like a dog."
"How dare you!" Silgrat shouted. "By your reasoning, if a man sits beside a married woman, he must intend to bed her!"
"The priest tried to persuade Prince Stennis to join the conspiracy. It was also the prince who granted the priest permission to enter the kitchen," Geralt stated, presenting the results of his investigation.
Kalten said, "Is Stennis an idiot? Did he simply dance to that rotten priest's tune? So he didn't personally poison the Virgin, but he stood aside and allowed it to happen. Olcan deserved to die in the spectral mist, and now it's Stennis's turn!"
"There is no evidence that the prince agreed to anything!" Silgrat said. "Those are nothing but empty words. Too much conjecture and too little evidence. You cannot convict anyone on that basis."
At that moment, Prince Stennis emerged from his cavern residence. His golden armor gleamed as he stood proudly before the crowd.
Silgrat hurried forward and bowed.
"Your Highness, it is dangerous here..."
Stennis waved him aside.
"I am not afraid. Fear is a commoner's privilege, not something that belongs to a man of royal blood like me."
The prince then faced Kalten and berated him in a thunderous voice.
"What do you want? To judge me? Is a prince some common thief who steals eggs from the marketplace?
"You stand before royalty, yet you dare defy me?
"In this world, there are crimes that can be forgiven, and there are crimes that can never be forgiven!
"A mother who murders her infant cannot be forgiven. Nor can a man who cuts his own brother's throat.
"Likewise, crimes committed against one chosen by the gods cannot be pardoned. Those who rebel against divine power are unworthy of walking this world.
"Lower your head and bow! You stand before a prince. I am the king of the Aedirnians, a man favored by the gods, the leader of the Pontar Valley, and the son of Demavend and Virfuril!"
Intimidated by his regal denunciation, the people's representative immediately lost his nerve and retreated. Bent at the waist, he barely managed to ask in return, "And what about the person who poisoned the Virgin of Aedirn?"
The prince answered methodically.
"Firstly, Saskia is still alive, so no one can convict me of causing her death. Secondly, you possess no evidence that I attempted to murder her. Thirdly, I assure everyone present that I will not place myself above the law. However, only she, the Virgin of Aedirn herself, has the right to judge me."
"How cunning!" Kalten shouted again. "If Saskia never recovers, who will judge you?"
Confronting the accusation, Prince Stennis spread his arms.
"I believe she will be cured. But should the gods decide otherwise, we will convene a council of wise elders to pass judgment. I am not your enemy. I am the one you should revere. Let my deeds be a flame that illuminates your darkness!"
"Behold!" Silgrat shouted. "Such is the bearing of a true sovereign!"
The square fell briefly silent. The pitchfork-bearing commoners looked uncertainly at one another until Geralt of Rivia broke the silence.
"Everyone, hear me out. Whether the prince is guilty or innocent, he has the right to a fair trial. We cannot deprive him of that right.
"What will happen if we hand the prince over to the people? Will they give him a chance to speak and defend himself?
"No. They'll hang him from a tree or tear him limb from limb.
"What will happen if we allow a lynching? What if what people believe they saw isn't the truth?
"Who can guarantee they won't seek revenge for every past wrong?
"Real or imagined, who will protect innocent nobles from an enraged mob simply because of their birth? Where will all of this lead?
"One thing is certain. If blood is spilled in this square, the man happiest about it will be Henselt, across the river!"
...
...
"The old man made a good argument. Both the commoners and nobles accepted it, so Stennis was placed under house arrest."
After recounting the riot that had taken place in Rhundurin Square, Angoulême handed Victor a letter.
"The Scoia'tael found this on Olcan. The suspected poisoner died while delivering it. Iorveth said that if the letter became public, Shit-ennis would definitely die and the army would split apart. He told me to keep it safe until you returned and let you decide what to do with it."
Victor accepted the letter and read it. Henselt had written it to Stennis. Most of its contents consisted of crude, vulgar threats demanding that the prince surrender Saskia and Vergen. Otherwise, Henselt promised to become intimately acquainted with the prince's mother and inflict many other consequences Stennis could not afford to bear.
There was nothing particularly incriminating in the contents themselves.
The problem was that an enraged mob would never forgive him. They would inevitably shout, "Why are you conspiring against us, Prince?" before hanging Stennis.
...
After carefully considering the chain of events, Victor took Angoulême with him and passed the elven guards by presenting an official warrant.
He once again visited the cavern residence.
The King's Glory, a masterpiece promoting the eternal legitimacy of royal power, still hung on the wall. It portrayed Raffard the White refusing to accept the crown.
When Victor once again saw the prince of Aedirn, his glittering golden armor remained unchanged, but his smooth, bald head and facial features appeared even gloomier than before.
Broghan stood behind Stennis as his bodyguard, while Angoulême stood behind Victor as a member of his company.
The same firelight illuminated the sides of their faces. As host and guest sat opposite each other, both men's features appeared half illuminated and half concealed in darkness.
The witcher placed a hand over his chest in greeting.
"Your Highness, I never expected so much to happen after our last meeting."
"Have you come to kill me, monster slayer?" the prince asked mockingly.
"No. Witchers shouldn't kill people. But Your Highness, can you honestly tell me whether you instructed Olcan to poison Saskia?"
"Of course I didn't. Even if I had, do you think I would admit it? Don't be an idiot."
"I'm trying to help. Your Highness, I'm not only helping Saskia. I'm helping you as well. If necessary, I will defend you."
"I will not bow to a mob! Never! They surrounded my residence, vented their vile anger, and slandered me with malicious rumors! Do you sincerely believe that every time some idiotic villager shouts, 'The prince did it!' I must emerge and explain my innocence? Or should I go outside and beg for their forgiveness? Impossible!"
"You only need to convince them that you're innocent. Prove you weren't responsible, and no one will be able to condemn you unjustly."
"How is that any different from what that filthy white-haired witcher said yesterday? What if I am innocent but lack the evidence needed to prove it?
"You say you came to help me, so do it! I know you're acquainted with that butcher Iorveth. Persuade his men to release me. Convince the people to believe me. You won't regret it. I promise you a generous reward."
"If I'm not mistaken, you are attempting to bribe me."
"No. I merely wish to make a transaction with you. Consider it carefully. A king's friendship is both rare and valuable."
Victor patted his knees.
"Rather than bribery, I actually have a better proposal. Do you remember the favor I asked of you last time? You can donate some blood to save Saskia. Once she recovers from the poison, her authority among the commoners will make it easy to prove your innocence. As soon as they learn she has been saved, they will quickly forget their suspicions."
"You weren't here yesterday. Didn't you hear what they said? They want my head! They place the words of some village idiot on the same level as mine. I am heir to the throne of Aedirn, the rightful ruler of this land, and a descendant of Demavend and Virfuril."
"Don't become agitated, Your Highness. If you help me heal Saskia, the people will forget this incident..."
"If? So if I refuse to help you, you'll allow them to imprison me, murder me... This is blackmail, you bastard! A king does not submit to blackmail!"
"Your Highness, you are not a king yet, and I would prefer to call it a transaction."
"Are you mocking me? Say what you want again, if you dare."
"Certainly. I need your blood, royal blood, to brew a potion that will save Saskia."
In contrast to Stennis's agitation, Victor's expression remained perfectly calm.
"You owe Saskia your life, and you owe me yours. Don't forget that she and I rescued you from the spectral mist, while Reverend Olcan, the man responsible for everything, merely stood to the side shrieking like an old crone."
The prince roared, "That was her duty, just as it would have been the duty of any Aedirnian! Furthermore, she bears responsibility for the disintegration of my kingdom.
"If Saskia and her rebels had not defeated the royal army at Gulet and on the banks of the Dyphne, effectively leaving Upper Aedirn without a regular army, Henselt would never have dared violate the Peace of Cintra!"
"The rebels may have defeated your army, but they are also your last hope of stopping Henselt."
"And what happens if we win? A swineherd becomes king and appoints a bootblack as his secretary of state?"
"Your Highness, there is no need to think that far ahead. A few drops of your blood will heal Saskia. With her commanding the defense, Vergen will be able to protect itself."
"I have already told you that I owe that girl nothing. Even if it costs me my life, I will not submit to blackmail. I will face my despicable murderers with my head held high. I will never surrender a single drop of royal blood to save a peasant girl."
Prince Stennis's gaze was cold and resolute.
"Guards! Escort the witcher out."
"Wait, Prince. Please, Prince Stennis, reconsider. Will you reconsider?"
"Get out, you mongrel son of a bitch!"
The prince's bodyguard, Broghan, stepped forward to drive them away.
Victor covered his face with one hand.
The next instant, a blade flashed.
Angoulême's Golden Eagle sliced directly through Broghan's throat, spraying blood against the ceiling of the cavern.
Stennis sprang from his chair. The sudden, bloody spectacle startled him so badly that he knocked the chair over. His limbs went weak and his teeth chattered uncontrollably.
"What... What are you doing? Are you trying to commit regicide?!"
Victor planted both elbows on the table and interlaced his fingers before his face.
"Shh. Calm down. I informed the guards before coming in, so screaming won't help. You know I am Iorveth's friend. You could scream until your throat bled, and no one would come to save you.
"Let us speak frankly. We both know that your three hundred soldiers will not split apart as long as you remain alive. Therefore, please do not resist while we extract the royal blood.
"If you resist, I won't mind injuring you, up to and including cutting off one of your limbs.
"Do not attempt to bluff me, my dear prince. Your face is deathly pale, and your hands and feet are trembling.
"I investigated the nobles of Vengerberg. Your father departed this world far too suddenly, and a wave of unrest is sweeping across the kingdom. Saskia has disrupted the serfs' way of thinking, while the burghers are demanding greater rights.
"Influential nobles are attempting to undermine the legitimacy of your claim to the throne.
"The Umraut family, for example, is not only wealthy and powerful but closely related to the royal bloodline. They are gathering support to halt your coronation and put forward their own candidate.
"If you were to lose one of your limbs at a time like this, I believe every family that remains undecided would immediately change sides. After all... who would support a crippled prince?
"Your Highness, think carefully. Now, will you reconsider?"
...
Some time later, a minor disturbance occurred at Prince Stennis's residence.
The wicked Henselt had dispatched an assassin in an attempt to murder the prince. Fortunately, the fearless Phantom Troupe happened to be present. Victor led Angoulême in courageously thwarting the attacker.
The only regrettable outcome was that the prince's bodyguard, Broghan, was killed at the scene.
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