Chapter 5

           "Didyousaysomething?"

           Theboysniffedandpushedhisover-sizedvelvethat,apheasant’sfeatherhangingrakishlytotheside,backfromhisforehead.

           "Areyouaknight?"herepeated,gazingatGeraltwithwideeyesasblueasthesky.

           "No,"repliedthewitcher,surprisedthathefeltlikeanswering."I’mnot."

           "Butyou’vegotasword!Mydaddy’soneofKingFoltest’sknights.He’sgotasword,too.Biggerthanyours!"

           Geraltleanedhiselbowsontherailingandspatintothewatereddyingatthebarge’swake.

           "Youcarryitonyourback,"thelittlesnotpersisted.Thehatslippeddownoverhiseyesagain.

           "What?"

           "Thesword.Onyourback.Whyhaveyougottheswordonyourback?"

           "Becausesomeonestolemyoar."

           Thelittlesnotopenedhismouth,demandingthattheimpressivegapsleftbymilkteethbeadmired.

           "Moveawayfromtheside,"saidthewitcher."Andshutyourmouthorflieswillgetin."

           Theboyopenedhismouthevenwider.

           "Grey-hairedyetstupid!"snarledthelittlesnot’smother,arichlyattirednoblewoman,pullingheroffspringawaybythebeavercollarofhiscloak."Comehere,Everett!I’vetoldyousomanytimesnottobefamiliarwiththepassingrabble!"

           Geraltsighed,gazingattheoutlineofislandsandisletsloomingthroughthemorningmist.