"Well," he explains, walking back in and shutting the door behind him, "grandfather wants me to do some business deals while I'm here in Novigrad, just me alone, without his instruction. He was telling me, well," he pauses to think of how to phrase his next sentence, "that a merchant must surround himself in the finest things when doing a deal with someone more powerful, to be seen as an equal. He said that you should have the best things, from clothes and jewellery, to servants and, well...women. I think most would agree that the finest of women is you." Ashton looks his mother in the eye. "I'd like you to accompany me to my meeting, but not as my mother. I'd like you to pose as my mistress." Rapidly, he preempts her response. "I know it's a lot to ask, but this is my big chance to prove that I'm not a failure like father!" He looks more determined than she's ever seen him before.
"I just have enough of seeping on the ground. One night in the bed would be nice, before we return to that boring travel." Lutz answered as he observed the chase. He had no intention of intervening or getting involved - that was a problem he was not seeking for. But he wanted to be sure that the people will not come too close to him.
Gustav keeps playing aggresively, and so far the game is even. "Oh, I wouldn't say that. Sometimes you're made to work very hard to get your pleasure, but it's worth it in the end." He grins.
Abigail chuckles. "Why do you think so many witches live in swamps? Less people around trying to kill you. There are plenty of monsters trying to do the same thing, though, so it kind of evens out." She hums her agreement to Ard's suggestion, as the horse heads out. As the sun begins to get low, indicating that it's the late afternoon, Ard leads the horse aboard a raft ferry, and into the swampland, the horse's hooves sinking into the mud with each step and slowing their progress, but they're still able to get within sight of the village before dark. Around them, Ard can hear all manner of wildlife, much of it unnatural, and some of it growing rapidly closer.
Trista decided to give up these round, to save card for the next one. "Yes, yes ewen poor farmer who put all his hearth in his job, he can be great men." She said chuckling.
"Only a few seconds, but his attention must be undivided." Isabella answers. "As for the circle, I'm not entirely certain, but I believe that's some sort of altar to the god Veyopatis. The leshen's powers are greater when it stands within it. I think you're fine to enter it, but it might be worth trying to lure the beast away."
The dwarf begins leading Lutz to an inn. The thugs chasing the elf regain their stamina and walk away without giving the torturer a second look, but Lutz spots several other criminals and ne'er do wells eyeing him, and he gets a sense that he'll likely have to stay on his guard tonight.
Lutz steps closer to the dwarf. "We might need to keep our heads up during our stay here. That elf might have been a guest in one of the hotels." He said quietly. "And the way some of these people eye us-" He paused. "Let's just say I think we will have guests tonight."
Gustav continues his strategy, losing several cards. "Indeed. So, when do we start out 'distraction'?"
“So best to stay out of the circle. Alright then, I hope your spells are ready. Hide so it does not spot you and give me a few moments to draw his attention.” Varrin waited for his sister to take cover, then crouched and started sneaking towards the leshen. When the young man was close enough he intentionally stepped on a dry branch, causing a loud crack! to be heard. He expected the tree beast to hear it and spot him. If it did, then he would act as if stepping on the branch had been an accident and would pretend to to be trying to sneak around the beast – hopefully it would follow him, or at least focus on him, allowing his sister to launch a surprise attack.
Trista shrug her shoulders, making moans like of pleasure. "Ohhhh... I don't know my dear... Your huge sword is too massive for me... Please..." She acted voice like she was in the heat, when she still sitting in full armor.
Hearing his son's request, Mirellia's eyes widened in shock. "You want me to... what?" She asked, just as he gave his reasoning. "Haah. Well, I guess Gunther is correct." The sexy milf replied, taking a deep breath before giving her answer. "Very well. I will act as your mistress. Do know that this will be a one time deal." She said with a sigh, "So, when is this deal going to take place?"
The dwarf nods. "Aye, I get the impression as well." Together, they enter into a decently sized inn in a run down slum. An overweight, bald inkeep approaches them. "You want a room, a drink, or both?"
'You hear that?' Ard asked Abigail, 'Something's coming.' He dropped from the horse's saddle and drew his sword, looking in the direction he heard the noise drawing closer.
"Room." Lutz answered. Then he paused. "and a bottle of ale." He said putting coins on the bar, then grabbing the bottle and cup, then sitting with his companion by the table. He opened the bottle and purred both of them. "Maybe we will hear what is happening in Novigrad and what is the way. I wouldn't want to travel and by accident encounter bandit camp." He explained.
As expected, the leshen turns as it hears Varrin. With a strange roar, it moves forward faster than he expects, slashing with its claws, while the young man sees roots sprouting out of the ground in his peripheral vision. So far, the leshen is still within the circle.
Gustav begins to quietly laugh, before he composes himself and joins in, pressing down on the bed to make it squeak as he breathes out dirty talk. The witcher raises his hand to slap his own face, the sound reverberating the room, and no doubt being audible to the people below, who likely assume that the sound belongs to a more intimate action.
"Y-You will?" Ashton looks up in surprise, before his face takes a more businesslike expression. "Ahem, good. I've set up a deal for tomorrow, a little after midday."
"Yes, yes, I did say your reward is whatever you want... within reason. If this can help you gain experience as a merchant, I don't see any reason to refuse." Mirellia replied with a nod, "Very well. Where will the meeting take place? I still do have my red dress from when we departed for Novigrad, so I guess I can wear that."
“Stupid tree! You weren't supposed to see!” Varrin exclaimed, keeping the act of a failed sneaking attempt as he took a single step to his right to avoid the slash. The roots sprouting from the ground would make things difficult – especially since there were likely more behind him – but he needed to make the beast follow him. “And why are you so fast? Big dumb trees like you have no right to be so fast!” He exclaimed as he turned around as fast as he could and rushed away from the leshen, trying to avoid any roots in the way and to lure the beast away from the circle.
