Ведьмак: Кровь эльфов

           Beautiful,long,loosehairwasararity,anindicationofawoman’sposition,herstatus,thesignofafreewoman,awomanwhobelongedtoherself.Thesignofanunusualwoman–because"normal"maidensworetheirhairinplaits,"normal"marriedwomenhidtheirsbeneathacauloracoif.Womenofhighbirth,includingqueens,curledtheirhairandstyledit.Warriorscutitshort.Onlydruidsandmagicians–andwhores–woretheirhairnaturallysoastoemphasisetheirindependenceandfreedom.

           Thewitchersappearedunexpectedlyandsilently,asusual,and,alsoasusual,fromnowhere.Theystoodbeforeher,tall,slim,theirarmscrossed,theweightoftheirbodiesontheirleftlegs–apositionfromwhich,sheknew,theycouldattackinasplitsecond.Ciristoodnexttothem,inanidenticalposition.Inherludicrousclothes,shelookedveryfunny.

           "WelcometoKaerMorhern,Triss."

           "Greetings,Geralt."

           Hehadchanged.Hegavetheimpressionofhavingaged.Trissknewthat,biologically,thiswasimpossible–witchersaged,certainly,buttooslowlyforanordinarymortal,oramagicianasyoungasher,tonoticethechanges.Butoneglancewasenoughforhertorealisethatalthoughmutationcouldholdbackthephysicalprocessofageing,itdidnotalterthemental.Geralt’sface,slashedbywrinkles,wasthebestevidenceofthis.WithasenseofdeepsorrowTrisstorehergazeawayfromthewhite-hairedwitcher’seyes.Eyeswhichhadevidentlyseentoomuch.What’smore,shesawnothingofwhatshehadexpectedinthoseeyes.