“The people won’t take to us kindly, boy,” Letho reminded. “But don’t flip them off. We’re on their turf, after all.”

“Yeah, I know. I’m not an idiot,” Roy grumbled. “When in Temeria, do as the Temerians do.”

“Good.” Letho nodded. “But if they get on your nerves, try to see them as dogs.” Letho gave weird advice. “Every time they bark at you, throw them a bone or something. Not literal ones, of course, but you know what I mean. They’ll wag their tails once their ego is satisfied —  especially those knights.”

“I-I see.” Roy shot him a look of surprise. He never expected a straight man like Letho to come up with such a quirky idea.

A short while later, a pair of knights came to the clearing near the gates, where the duo was waiting. Letho and Roy bowed and observed them. The one on the left was in white armor and wore a red cape, a white rose engraved on his left shoulder piece. Every step he took made his armor creak.

He was young, but he had a scar running down from his forehead to his nose. He could have been a handsome man, but instead he looked sinister. The knight’s gaze was set on Letho, but there was only rage within him.

Standing beside him was a short and sturdy dwarf who was wearing a jacket made of fox pelts and chainmail armor. He was looking at the duo sternly with his arms crossed.

“Shit,” Roy cursed silently. “Damn you, Murphy’s law.” He knew the scarred man was the same knight Geralt had defeated, and judging by the look on his face, he was a tough one to handle.

“State your name, witcher. And that goes for your companion too,” the scarred knight ordered them imperiously.

“We’re only nameless peasants, noble knights. Our names are nothing but an insult to you.” Letho bowed humbly, but he was scanning his surroundings for any high ground he could take. At the same time, the spearmen around the gates were watching them closely.

The scarred knight’s face fell, and he went closer to the duo. When he was only ten feet away from them, he looked up arrogantly, not unlike a swan that was craning its neck. “I am Arthur Tailles, firstborn of the Tailles family, knight of the fourth corps of the Order of the White Rose, and a loyal servant of King Hereward. Witcher, now that I have stated my name, I demand the same from you. Any defiance will be seen as an insult to the order!”

Roy arched his eyebrow. Still as arrogant as ever. Left with no choice, Letho answered, “I’m Letho, a witcher from the School of the Viper. This is my disciple, Roy.”

“How can you prove it? Where’s your crest? And why are you trying to get into Ellander City?” Tailles asked a lot of questions, and his hand was already on his blade. If Letho showed even an ounce of hesitation, he would cut him down. His teammate’s lip twitched, and the dwarf took a deep breath.

“I think you know why we’re trying to get into Ellander. We got into a few fights before this and wrecked our equipment. Most of our supplies are gone, so we need to restock in the city. And my leg’s lame too. Here’s my insignia. Please show mercy to us, sir. Let us pass through Ellander.”

“I see.” Arthur looked at the necklace and nodded. When he confirmed that Letho was unarmed and lame, his eyes gleamed. “Letho from the Viper School, I, Arthur Tailles, from the Order of the White Rose, challenge you to a duel!” He unsheathed his sword and held it with both hands, pointing it at Letho.

“But Mr. Tailles, you’re a noble knight. Don’t you think it’s too much of an honor for me? I’m just a witcher. Not even a knight. I don’t think I’m worthy of this.”

“Yes,” Roy added. “We’re not worthy of the honor of a knight’s duel,” he scorned himself.

Tailles stopped them. “We have a creed here. If you were the ones challenging me, then I’d have the right to refuse, but since I’m challenging you, you must accept, or you’re nothing but a piece of worthless trash. I see you as my equal, but of course, it is just temporary.”

“Um…” Roy was shocked by the ridiculous declaration. Crazy arrogant bastard. “That’s… quite the logical explanation you got there. I guess you must be a fan of philosophy too.” The highest stat he has is seven. Damn, he’s stupid. I could probably take him down if it weren’t a duel of swords. If he doesn’t wear his armor, of course.

The sarcasm flew past Tailles’ head, and Letho asked, “What will happen if I refuse, then? Aside from being seen as trash?”

“Then you must leave Ellander. Our city doesn’t welcome cowards.”

The dwarf chuckled. “Ah, shut up,” he said gruffly. “You’re a knight. Remember the creed. This is just shameful.”

“No, you shut up, Cranmer!” Tailles’ face was flushed. “This is personal! I must defeat a witcher to regain my honor! I don’t mind you tagging along, but if you’re butting in, then I’m smashing your head in!”

“Try me. I ain’t letting you do whatever you want,” the dwarf retorted.

Arthur gnashed his teeth. “Go back to your troops or I’m telling on you.”

Cranmer? Dennis Cranmer? Roy’s eyes gleamed. Cranmer’s a dwarf with a sense of justice and equality. He’s going to join the army of the Mahakams in the second war to resist Nilfgaard’s invasion. This guy’s important to Mount Carbon. I think I’ll take this. “Dennis Cranmer? Are you the Dennis Cranmer?” Roy went up and feigned surprise.

“You know me?” Dennis looked at him with doubt.

“Reagan told me about you back in Mount Carbon.”

“Reagan? Reagan Dahlberg?” Dennis rubbed his nose for a while, and then he remembered who Reagan was. “Oh, that boy’s all grown up now, huh? He was still a snotty little dwarf thirty years back. So, is he doing fine? As a dwarf, I mean.”

“He’s a master crossbowman now. And a reigning champion, too.”

“I see he’s even more of a troublemaker than his brother is.” Dennis gave him a friendly look. “So how do you know him?”

“I learned how to shoot from him for a bit.” Roy stared down awkwardly. “But I’m stupid, so I didn’t get a lot of his teachings.”

Dennis was excited to see someone who just came from his hometown, so he talked with Roy about Mount Carbon, leaving Arthur alone. Roy made a new friend out of him after they talked. He even spoke about the time he and Letho took out the leshen and the nekkers in the tunnels, effectively helping the dwarves.

The dwarf patted his shoulder. “Ah, I see. Now that you’re my friend…” He turned around to Arthur. “This is no longer personal. Roy’s a part of my family now, so his mentor is my friend. You are forbidden from venting your anger on them.”

Tailles glowered at Dennis. “How dare you, Dennis Cranmer?”

“Ah, shut up.” Dennis snorted. “Count Falwick’s not even here. You have no one to rely on, and dwarves always stand up for their friends. You want to get them? Then face me first. Or you can tell King Hereward about this. Let him decide.”

Arthur’s veins popped, but he couldn’t do anything. He glared at the three of them and threatened, “Just you wait. You’d better not pull anything in the city, or I’ll rip a new one.”

“You’d better not harass them, Tailles, or you’re getting it.”

***

After Arthur was gone, Dennis turned to the duo. “Don’t worry, you two. That bastard gets on everybody’s nerves. He ruined his reputation himself. If you run into any trouble, come to the castle and tell them I sent you. I’ll help you out.”

“Thank you for your help.” Roy bowed sincerely.

“Ah, what are friends for? Let’s drink when we have the time. Not good to let the guests go without some wine.”

“I’ll take one request for free,” Letho offered.

“Ellander does have its own share of problems, but most of them aren’t really big.” Dennis smiled. “It’s fine, Letho, but I’ll take you up on the offer.”