Uncle O'Neill was the sheriff of the small village outside Odinburg where Dick had first hunted a Drowner.
He had watched Kebi grow up, which was why the young man had asked.
"Everything's been taken care of, everything. Don't worry, he's safe," Fisher said hastily.
"Oh, and Dick and I brought back all those horses. Without that witcher, I could never have managed it myself.
"Once this war is over," Kebi said after a moment's thought, "give Dick a large sum of money. This counts as a military achievement for him too. Make sure it's recorded, understood?"
"Understood. Then, young master, shall we start setting up the defenses now?"
"Yes. I'll give the orders now." Kebi shook off his dejected look, straightened his back, and spoke in a deep voice.
Orders were soon passed down one after another, and the hundred soldiers carried out Kebi's instructions in an orderly fashion.
Several catapults were slowly moved onto the platforms above the corner towers, dozens of quivers were filled with freshly made, sharp arrows that still smelled of wood, and some breaches in the walls were repaired in time...
Fisher felt deeply reassured. It seemed Young Master Kebi was still very capable and had not been affected at all.
The witcher and the apprentice sorceress walked onto the market street. The sun had yet to set, and the evening glow bathed the buildings on either side, lending the whole scene an incomparable softness.
But the usual bustling crowds had vanished. Every shop and house along the street had its doors tightly shut. Everything was utterly quiet, with only the occasional chirping of sparrows in the trees on either side.
It seemed the residents had already learned that the Jatu army was coming to attack the castle.
Xiya tilted her head. "Dick, it looks like dinner's off. I'll just have to go back and make something simple to eat."
"No need," Dick said. "Come with me."
The apprentice sorceress asked no further questions and walked alongside him with a smile.
The two soon reached a shop-the very place where Dick usually ate.
With his keen hunter's senses, Dick had already heard someone's heartbeat inside.
He knocked on the door. "Boss, it's Dick. Could you open up? We'll leave after a meal."
No response came from inside.
But with his Witcher Senses active, Dick could hear the shopkeeper's heart beating even harder.
Not wanting to force the matter, Dick could only tell the apprentice sorceress somewhat helplessly, "Looks like you really will have to settle for something simple."
Xiya looked unbothered, and Dick was just about to turn and head home.
A creak sounded behind them. Dick stopped and saw the shop door open a crack, revealing the shopkeeper's head.
Rather than look at them first, the shopkeeper darted his eyes around, surveying their surroundings before shrinking back in fear.
Then the door opened a little wider, and the shopkeeper lowered his voice. "Master Dick, Lady Xiya, hurry inside. The Jatu will be here soon."
At that, the two exchanged a smile and slipped sideways into the shop.
The shopkeeper promptly shut the door tightly and slid the bolt into place before patting his chest and taking a deep breath.
Turning around and seeing Dick's half-smiling expression, he hastily explained, "Master Dick, please don't take offense. Those Jatu Demons are just too terrifying. Now, whenever there's the slightest rustle outside, I think they've arrived. Honestly, I'm about to wet my pants from fright."
Beside him, Xiya covered her mouth and laughed.
"Boss, would it be convenient to prepare some dinner for Miss Xiya and me?"
"Of course, of course. Please, have a seat."
The two found a table in a corner and sat down.
With the shop tightly shut and even the windows covered with protective boards on the outside, the interior was rather dim.
The shopkeeper thoughtfully lit two candles and placed them on their table. Orange light spread out, its pale yellow glow covering the area around the table and falling over them both.
For some reason, Dick felt warm and at ease.
He noticed that the apprentice sorceress across from him was no longer holding her body tense either.
Then the shopkeeper brought over two steaming steaks.
"Lady Xiya, Master Dick, will these do?"
"Of course. And steak, at that. Did another cow nearby die of old age?" Dick asked.
"No. A lot of people came from the surrounding villages this afternoon. They've all been put up in other residents' homes now.
"Some brought plow oxen with them. One farmer said the Jatu might take his anyway, so he might as well slaughter it and treat himself.
"The noble lord didn't object either, so I bought some too. This is fresh beef from an animal in its prime!"
"Then we've picked a good time to come." Dick made a joking remark. "Could you get the lady across from me something to drink next?"
"How about wild grape juice, Lady Xiya?" The shopkeeper looked at the apprentice sorceress.
"That would be fine."
"What would you like to drink, Master Dick?"
"I'll have a glass of wild grape juice too. Let's see just how wild it is."
"Certainly! You've come to the right place, then. Please wait a moment." Confidence rose on the shopkeeper's face, and he headed back to the kitchen to get to work.
Xiya was indeed hungry. She cut off a small piece of beef with her knife and fork, put it in her mouth, and chewed quickly with her lips tightly closed.
Then she slowly swallowed and nodded in satisfaction.
In that same half minute, Dick had wolfed down half his steak.
"You really do eat fast," Xiya said with a smile.
"I'm used to it. Witchers are always like this. We have to hurry to hunt monsters and earn crowns." Dick casually wiped the corner of his mouth.
"Dick, I'm truly grateful that you saved me this time. I never even thought anyone would come to rescue me." Xiya set down her knife and fork and spoke with a solemn expression.
Seeing this, Dick quickly said, "You're someone important to me. Of course I couldn't leave you in danger."
That's right. This girl hunted Drowners with me before, and we researched potions and blade oils together.
How could such a useful tool person be allowed to die just like that?
At his words, a faint blush actually spread across Xiya's face, and a light flashed in her eyes. "Dick, what do you mean by someone important to you?"
Seeing how serious the sorceress before him was, Dick felt an inexplicable flicker of panic:
Am I supposed to say you're a useful tool person?
Wouldn't that make you furious?
But why did I insist on saving you back then, regardless of anything else?
Just because you could help me?
But this illogical inner voice was not easy to explain. Just as he was considering how to phrase it tactfully, the shopkeeper's voice came from beside them. "Sorry for the wait, you two. Your fresh wild grape juice is ready."
"Thank you." Xiya accepted her glass with a slight smile.
"You're welcome, you're welcome. Please enjoy. This grape juice cuts through the richness, so sip it slowly with your steak."
With that, the shopkeeper found a seat far away from the pair and sat down, clearly not wanting to disturb his customers.
Xiya raised the glass to her lips. Her nose could already pick up the distinctive fruity fragrance of fresh grapes. She took a light sip with her thin lips, then frowned slightly.
Then she set down the wineglass and looked at Dick without a word.
She finally understood why the shopkeeper had said to have the grape juice with the steak.
Dick had no idea why she was looking at him. Without giving it much thought, he gripped the handle of his glass, tipped up his chin, and gulped down a large mouthful. Then he quickly set the glass down, his face twisting into a mask of pain.