The bells of Novigrad were ringing and Sebastian heard them first as a distant murmur, a faint tremor in the air that seemed to vibrate through the very stones of the city. But within minutes, the murmur had become something serious. It rolled across the rooftops and echoed through the narrow streets. The bells of the Great Temple, the bells of the smaller shrines, they rang with alarm, with the unmistakable sound of a city that had been shaken awake.
'It is as if they are being attacked by an army...' Sebastian said to himself, his face filled with confusion.. And he moved through the shadows like a ghost, the box tucked securely under his arm, his hood pulled low, his body pressed against the walls of buildings that leaned toward each other. The streets were alive with the sound of running feet, the clash of armor, the shouted commands of Temple Guard who had been roused from their posts and sent into the night.
"Find him!" a voice shouted from somewhere behind him. "Spread out! Check every alley, every doorway!"
Sebastian slipped into a narrow passage between two buildings, pressing himself into the darkness. He held his breath as a squad of Temple Guard rushed past, their torches casting dancing shadows across the cobblestones.
"What are we even looking for?" one of them grumbled, his voice carrying the unmistakable tone of a man who had been dragged from his bed. "Do we have some sort of description for this cunt?"
Another voice answered, sharp and impatient. "No. Only that he's probably a mage. The Redanian said he saw flames, fire coming from the man's feet, that's mage work or his eyes need some inspection."
"Mages," the first guard spat. "Fucking abominations. I tell you, we should have burned them all years ago. Would have saved us a lot of trouble."
"Save the preaching for the temple," the second guard said. "We have a job to do, now move."
Sebastian watched them disappear around a corner, their torches fading into the night. He exhaled slowly.
"Well," he murmured, "this isn't going to help the mages of Novigrad."
He glanced at the box in his hands. Whatever was inside, it had caused quite a stir. The Temple Guard was mobilized, the city was in chaos, and somewhere in the depths of the warehouse district, a fire was still burning.
Sebastian made a decision. He moved toward a familiar grate set into the cobblestones, an entrance to the sewers that he had memorized during his time in the city. He pried it open with a grunt of effort and lowered himself into the darkness below.
"Ugh," he muttered, his boots splashing in the foul water. "Always has to be the sewers."
The tunnels were dark and cold, their walls slick with moisture and age. Sebastian moved through them, his enhanced senses guiding him through the labyrinth of passages and chambers. The smell was familiar now, almost comforting in its predictability, sewage, rot.
He made his way through the tunnels, following the path that led to the Bathhouse or rather under it, emerging finally into a chamber that led to one of the bathhouse's grates.
Sebastian pushed it open and climbed into the warm, steam-filled corridor.
Djikstra was waiting for him.
The spymaster stood there with his hands clasped behind his back, his face split by a grin that was so wide it seemed to threaten the structural integrity of his cheeks.
"Well done," Djikstra said, extending both hands in a theatrical gesture of welcome. "Well done, Sebastian. I could hear the bells even in my sleep right now. The city is in chaos, and from what my boys have told me, a couple of warehouses are in flames." He laughed "Beautifully done!"
Sebastian handed over the box. "You had people following me?"
Djikstra's smile did not waver. He took the box like he received a holy relic. "Don't get the wrong idea, Sebastian. It's not that I don't trust you." He paused. "I simply need to keep an eye on everyone. Including myself, sometimes."
Sebastian's expression did not change. "Mhm.."
Djikstra looked at the box, turning it over in his hands. His smile widened. "I could kiss you, Sebastian. You have no idea what you've done for me."
Sebastian crossed his arms. "It's true, I don't. What's in that box? I didn't open it, as you can see."
Djikstra's eyes gleamed. "Valuable documents. Information. And some precious jewels as payment." He shrugged. "The kind of things that can change the balance of power in a city like this."
Sebastian nodded slowly. "Yeah. Well. Kinda figured it would have documents. Now, I don't care really."
He met Djikstra's gaze. "I want what you promised me."
Djikstra's smile was smug. "Already done. The moment I received news of the flames in the warehouses, I set things in motion. Dandelion and the dwarf will be released tomorrow morning. They'll be guided by two of my men, and you can meet them at the Passiflora."
Sebastian nodded. "Thanks."
Djikstra tilted his head. "I trust you didn't kill the Redanian spy?"
Sebastian shook his head. "I didn't kill anyone, I simply took the box without being noticed."
Djikstra's smile returned. "Good. See, Sebastian? That's why I said I needed a witcher for the job. This work would have been too messy, too bloody for me to pull off." He paused. "I believe I owe you some answers as well. Since you don't want coin as payment."
Sebastian's expression grew serious. "Yes. But we need to sit down for this one. In your office. Preferably alone."
Djikstra's eyebrows rose. "It's that important?" He studied Sebastian's face with his eyes sharp. "Oh My, now I'm interested. Very well. Follow me. I also need to place this box in a safe place."
He led Sebastian through the bathhouse, past the steaming pools, into the office beyond. The fire crackled in the hearth, the books on the shelves gleamed in the candlelight, the heavy desk dominated the center of the room.
Djikstra placed the box in a hidden compartment behind a painting, he closed the panel and turned to face Sebastian.
"Alright," Djikstra said, lowering himself into his chair. "Now ask away."
Sebastian took a seat across from him.
"Two requests," Sebastian said. "One, there is a dwarf by the name of Gundar, a merchant or a smith, I really don't know.. His knowledge of magical artifacts is so great it rivals that of a sage, and he's here in Novigrad, working at the Gilded Anvil." He leaned forward. "I want you to do a background check on him. Find out anything you can."
Djikstra's brow furrowed. "A dwarf with that kind of knowledge?" He was silent for a moment, thinking. "I know the person, some of my men deal with him from time to time. Never thought he would know so much about magic though..." He looked at Sebastian. "Are you sure we're talking about the same dwarf?"
Sebastian nodded. "Yes. This is important. Please, find out anything about him, as much as you can."
Djikstra considered it. "Not an impossible task. Very well, and your second request? Or question?"
Sebastian was silent for a moment. He chose his words carefully, knowing that every syllable would be weighed and measured by the man across from him.
"Geralt," Sebastian said. "Recently, he was involved in political mess down south, with Nilfgaard, to be specific."
Djikstra laughed. "Of course, I would expect nothing less from the White Wolf."
Sebastian continued. "I've heard rumors that the Emperor has sent out assassins, trackers, people like that, to find him and capture him, possibly kill him." He paused. "How true are these rumors?"
Djikstra's eyes narrowed. The amusement faded from his face.
"And where did you possibly hear these rumors?" Djikstra asked.
Sebastian's expression did not change. "In Kaedwen, Vesemir warned me, and I'm trying to warn Geralt or help him."
Djikstra studied him for a long moment. The fire crackled and the weight of the spymaster's gaze was like a physical presence in the room.
"Well," Djikstra said slowly, "I've heard different rumors about Geralt, yes. But more about what he took from Emhyr."
Sebastian's heart quickened. He kept his face neutral, his voice steady. "What do you mean?"
Djikstra leaned forward, his hands folded on the desk, his eyes boring into Sebastian's. "I mean, my young friend, that you are not as good at hiding your intentions as you think you are. You are not here for Vesemir's warnings. You are here for something else. Or rather Someone else."
Sebastian said nothing.
"The girl," Djikstra said softly. "The one Geralt is protecting, the one everyone is looking for in Nilfgaard, it is no secret." He paused. "She is his heir and the emperor already married a fake one, and tried to trick everyone, but he claimed that he was tricked..."
Sebastian's jaw tightened. He had not expected this, he had underestimated Djikstra.
The spymaster smiled. "Do not worry, Sebastian. I have no interest in the girl and she is too valuable, too dangerous, it is better than Emhyr never finds her, it benefits us. And I have enough problems already. But I know of her and I know that you know of her."
He leaned back in his chair.
"So let me tell you what I know," Djikstra said. "The rumors you heard, they are true. The Emperor has sent out his best Hunters, trackers, even mages and assassins. They are looking for the girl, and they will not stop until they find her." He paused. "But they are also looking for Geralt, because Geralt is the one who took her and Emhyr does not forgive, I hear he hired some very messed up people for that sort of work."
Sebastian's voice was barely a whisper. "Thank you."
Djikstra waved a hand. "It is nothing. A free piece of information, I wish I could provide you more, but I have no idea where they could be, I'll keep an eye out for anyone asking about Geralt or the girl, as for the dwarf I'll see what I can do."
He stood, signaling that the conversation was over.
"Now," Djikstra said, "I have a box to secure and a city to manage. You have a bard to collect, I suggest we both get to work."
Sebastian rose from his chair. He looked at Djikstra, his yellow eyes unreadable then he nodded and he turned and walked out of the office without a word.
/-\
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