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TWL Chapter 326: Blood in the Snow, Steel in the Heart
🕑 Added 2025-03-20 20:32:54 +0000 UTCKolgrim frowned, trying to recall the nuances of the conversation between Lann and Elder. A few breaths later, he gave up. Thinking about all this was starting to make his head ache, so instead, he turned his attention to checking his poison vials.
Geralt, however, remained deep in thought, his brows furrowed. "So… if these clans send heavy infantry to fight alongside us, won’t that be seen as direct defiance of the Elder in chief? Will they even be allowed to return to Mahakam after that?"
Lann smirked. "And if they don’t return, so what? Didn’t I already tell you how dwarves operate?" He leaned back casually. "Every year, a number of dwarves come of age and leave Mahakam for good. This is just another version of that. And what better place for them to settle than Cintra—right at the gateway to the North?"
A glint of amusement flickered in his eyes. "For the dwarves, it’s a win-win situation."
“Lann, you…”
“Cintra needs this dwarven heavy infantry,” Lann cut in, his lion-like eyes gleaming. “No matter how difficult or complicated the process, we have to make it happen. And…”
A confident smirk tugged at his lips. “I have both the means and the resolve. Once this dwarven battalion settles in my kingdom, Cintra will replace Mahakam entirely as their new spiritual homeland.”
When it came to political decisions, Lann’s word was final. Since he had already made up his mind, the witchers had no objections.
Not that they had any better ideas anyway…
Besides, what came next was the part the witchers actually enjoyed.
Furthermore, when the Chief Elder had ended the conversation with Lann, the system showed him a new task notification.
[New Quest Discovered - Great Cleaning: Every spring, Mahakam carries out a large-scale monster culling to ensure a peaceful year ahead. But this year, something went wrong. And that ‘something’… was you. Fortunately, this unexpected turn of events has created an opportunity. Hunt down the monsters and fulfill your dual role as a witcher and Cintra’s guardian. After all, this is what you and your team do best.]
…
The Elder had pointed out the Ferenc, Fuchs, Chivay, and Zigrin clans. Aside from the Hoog clan, of which the Elder in Chief himself is a member, the others were practically the largest and most influential clans in Mahakam.
Dwarves, by nature, had plenty of experience hunting monsters. Manpower wasn’t the issue. The problem was that, compared to Lann’s team, they lacked the specialized knowledge needed to handle specific creatures. They also had no magic to aid them.
Yes, dwarves had always rejected magic as part of their power structure. Their focus was on steel—swords, armor, and, at most, a bit of alchemy. Against various monsters, they relied purely on brute force and an assortment of exotic weapons.
But compared to witchers, their efficiency left much to be desired.
Which was precisely why Lann, and his team were indispensable.
Coming to Mahakam wasn’t a sightseeing trip—it was a mission to secure reinforcements. The sooner they wrapped things up, the sooner they could return with weapons, armor, and soldiers to begin coordinated training.
To save time, Lann followed Gabor’s suggestion and split the group into three teams:
Kolgrim would take Milva along with a third of Cintra’s guards to the Ferenc clan.
Coën would lead Bill and another third of the Cintrans guards to the Chivay clan.
House and a few others would remain in Mount Carbon to negotiate for resources and weaponry.
As for Lann himself, he would travel to the Zigrin clan with Geralt and the remaining Cintrans—after all, this was Yarpen and Gabor’s home. It warranted a personal visit.
“I’ll lead the way,” Gabor said with a hearty laugh. “When our clan elders see the reinforcements I’ve brought, they’ll be so thrilled they’ll crack open an extra barrel of ale tonight!”
Lann chuckled but then suddenly thought of something. “And what about the Fuchs clan?”
Gabor’s smile faded instantly. He let out a long sigh. “The Fuchs live alongside us Zigrin, but… things between us aren’t exactly friendly. Clearing out the monsters near our lands means we’ll be solving their problems too. But I don’t know if they’re more focused on fighting monsters… or keeping an eye on us.”
From what Lann had seen so far, Gabor Zigrin was one of the rare dwarves who could think independently and rationally. He had returned to Mahakam after his travels—not because he couldn’t handle the hardships of the outside world like many others, but because he genuinely wanted to rebuild his homeland.
Even among dwarves, that kind of thinking was rare. He wasn’t just looking out for his own clan—he cared about all of Mahakam.
But no matter how noble his intentions, no one could truly escape their roots. The tension between the Zigrin and Fuchs clans clearly weighed on him.
“You’ve taken good care of Yarpen, Lord Lannister,” Gabor hesitated before adding, “That’s why I’m telling you this. If you’re looking for support… you might have to choose between the Zigrin and the Fuchs.”
Lann fell silent, deep in thought, before nodding. “I appreciate the warning, Gabor. I’ll give it serious thought.”
Gabor sighed again, his shoulders heavy with unspoken concerns, and stepped away, lost in thought.
…..
Apart from the Cintrans troops, there were still a few individuals whose roles needed to be determined.
Saskia had only recently joined the group, and given her hidden identity, Lann preferred to keep her close. She didn’t mind in the least—it gave her a chance to discuss her views on racial equality with him. Besides, with Geralt traveling alongside them—a figure she had often heard about in her father’s stories—her decision was an easy one.
And then, there was one last person.
“Captain Rayla, what are your plans?” Lann asked. “I can speak with Elder and arrange for your early return to Aedirn if you prefer.”
Rayla considered her words for a moment before bowing slightly. “His Majesty originally ordered me to use the lead ring to facilitate your visit, but in the end, it proved useless. I regret my failure.”
“However, I would like to request permission to remain with your party until the conclusion of your stay in Mahakam. I need to report the final agreements between Cintra and Mahakam to Aedirn and help His Majesty assess the current state of the North.”
Lann mulled it over before giving a nod. Rayla was one of Aedirn’s most formidable warriors, highly skilled in military strategy. When the time came to strike back against Nilfgaard, she would likely play a role in the campaign. Keeping close ties with her might prove beneficial.
He might even find a way to use her to feed Demavend some misleading intelligence.
“Then let’s move out. We’ll regroup in Mount Carbon once the mission is complete.”
Mount Carbon was the capital, but the various dwarven clans were scattered throughout the Mahakam mountain range. That meant more travel—crossing peaks and valleys.
Fortunately, the terrain wasn’t completely untouched. The dwarves had long since carved roads into the mountains, sparing the group the worst of the journey.
Even though it was early spring, a thick layer of snow still covered Mahakam. The lakes nestled between the mountains remained frozen, and from time to time, they passed dwarven fishermen chiseling holes into the ice, hoping for a catch.
This kind of rugged terrain and icy landscape was no place for cavalry. In fact, aside from Black Wind, no other horse in their company could hope to make the journey.
Gabor had initially suggested leaving the valuable steed on Mount Carbon, but after realizing that Black Wind could probably navigate the trail better than he could, he dropped the matter.
Gabor moved quickly, clearly eager to return and help his clan deal with the monster threat.
But before they even caught sight of the dwarven settlement, the distant echoes of monstrous roars and the clash of battle reached their ears.
…
“Raaaagh!”
“Hisss-kaaa!”
“Damn it! Hold the line! No retreat! Our home is right behind us!”
“Aaahh—!”
…..
Gabor's face twisted in shock. He didn't spare a glance at the others behind him—he simply drew his axe and charged forward.
Rounding a rocky outcrop that had been blocking their view, they were met with a battlefield drenched in blood and carnage.
The fight was raging at the entrance of a mining tunnel. The dwarves had likely assembled a team to clear out the mines, ensuring that no lingering monsters would disrupt their work for the rest of the year.
But the creatures underground had other plans. Instead of waiting to be hunted, they poured out from the depths in overwhelming numbers. The dwarves had barely engaged them before their formation shattered, forcing them to retreat into the open.
Shaelmaar. More Shaelmaars. These massive, rolling beasts plowed through ranks like war chariots. Even a troll would think twice before standing in their way.
But the dwarves' troubles weren’t over. The chaos had drawn the attention of more than just the creatures below—monsters from the surface and even the skies had joined the fray.
The harpies circled in the sky, scattering their feathers as they screeched and swooped. Where there were mountains, there were harpies. Their thick wings allowed them to hunt even in the harshest snowstorms.
But now, they weren’t the hunters—they were the hunted. Blood streamed from their torn bodies. One harpy, its wing already broken, spiraled out of control and crashed directly into the dwarven ranks, knocking over several shield-bearers before being hacked apart by a storm of axes.
The remaining harpies had no intention of avenging their fallen kin. They beat their wings in a frantic retreat, vanishing into the storm. Their pursuer, however, didn’t follow.
It had found something far more enticing.
“Raaaagh—!”
The dwarves, already struggling to hold their front line, had no way to defend against an attack from above—especially from a monster powerful enough to hunt multiple harpies on its own.
The airborne predator dove into their rear ranks, throwing them into further disarray. And then—
“FWOOOSH!”
Fire rained from the sky!
