Ведьмак: Кровь эльфов

           ButRiencedidnotseemtorequireconfirmation.

           "Itistobeunderstood,"hestated,"thatIwillknowimmediatelyifyouaretellingthetruth,ifyoutrytotrickmeIwillrealisestraightaway,andIwon’tbefooledbyanypoeticploysorvagueerudition.Thisisatrifleforme–justasparalysingyouonthestairswasatrifle.SoIadviseyoutoweigheachwordwithcare,youpieceofscum.So,let’sgetonwithitandstopwastingtime.Asyouknow,I’minterestedintheheroineofoneofyourbeautifulballads,QueenCalantheofCintra’sgranddaughter,PrincessCirilla,endearinglyknownasCiri.Accordingtoeye-witnessesthislittlepersondiedduringthesiegeofthetown,twoyearsago.Whereasinyourballadyousovividlyandtouchinglydescribedhermeetingastrange,almostlegendaryindividual,the...witcher...Geralt,orGerald.Leavingthepoeticdrivelaboutdestinyandthedecreesoffateaside,fromtherestoftheballaditseemsthechildsurvivedtheBattleofCintrainonepiece.Isthattrue?"

           "Idon’tknow..."moanedDandilion."Byallthegods,I’monlyapoet!I’veheardthisandthat,andtherest..."

           "Well?"

           "TherestIinvented.Madeitup!Idon’tknowanything!"ThebardhowledonseeingRiencegiveasigntothereekingmanandfeelingtheropetighten."I’mnotlying!"

           "True."Riencenodded."You’renotlyingoutright,Iwouldhavesensedit.Butyouarebeatingaboutthebush.Youwouldn’thavethoughttheballadupjustlikethat,notwithoutreason.