Chapter 35 The Pontar River
The Pontar River, also known as the Pontar River, is called by the elves Avion e Pont al Gwennelon, which means the river of alabaster bridges. This is the northern border. One of the largest rivers.
Like the Yaruga River in the south, they all originate from the Blue Mountains, flow from east to west, run through the entire Northern Kingdom, and join the sea near Oxenfurt and Novigrad.
The Pontar River flows through four countries, serving as the northern border of the two countries of Temeria and Aedirn in the south, and the southern border of Redania and Kaedweni. The area where these four countries meet is called the Pontal Valley, or simply "Pontal".
At the same time, this river is also the most prosperous canal for transportation and trade in the Northern Kingdom.
Many scholars believe that if a country can completely occupy this river, it can become the richest country in the entire north just relying on the trade tax revenue from the Pondar River.
Therefore, the struggle for control of this river has almost become a daily task among the northern kings of the past dynasties.
Every few years, there will be some disputes and even bloody conflicts over the ownership of the Pontal River.
After leaving the inhuman race stronghold in Toluvel, Wayne and Geralt headed south, accepting commissions and traveling at the same time. They had money on them and didn't have to worry about food and drink, so they lived quite comfortably.
In order to travel smoothly, the two deliberately avoided large human towns that were prone to trouble, and only accepted monster hunting commissions and purchased supplies in the small villages around the towns, trying not to get into trouble with the Kaedwen people.
However, even if they were so careful, the two of them were attacked and tricked several times by the brutal Kaedwen thugs.
Although these hooligans with dung forks and wooden sticks could not possibly cause any harm to the two sword masters who could use magic.
But after each battle, they must leave the scene of the incident as soon as possible to prevent them from being entangled by the arriving soldiers and causing a bigger dispute.
Such an encounter is undoubtedly very annoying.
Therefore, neither Wayne nor Geralt wanted to stay in the Kingdom of Kaedwen any longer.
They rode horses to a port town near the banks of the Pontar River, found a merchant ship bound for Novigrad, and prepared to take the boat directly to the floating port town of Temeria.
Fortunately, after being rejected by some businessmen who clearly had biased ideas, they met a captain who was willing to carry them.
This is a huge merchant ship. The captain is a Skellige man named Wesker. He has a strong build like a bear, a bald head, and a rough appearance, but his eyes are smart and energetic. He is not a naive warrior.
The most impressive thing is the thick, weed-like black beard on his chin, which is as distinctive as his nickname, Black Beard.
Regarding Geralt and Wayne's request to take a merchant ship, he only thought about it for more than ten seconds before agreeing.
However, he also required Geralt and Wayne to not only help the crew protect the ship in the event of a battle, but also to pay one hundred and fifty ducats each for their passage.
After all, two people and two horses require not only a lot of food and fodder, but also a large room. The price is already very generous.
While chatting, the two of them figured out why the captain of Skellig treated them so favorably.
Blackbeard Wesker drank a large glass of dwarf beer generously, wiped the alcohol on his beard nonchalantly, and said in a rough voice: "I know there are many fools and farmers on the mainland, and they are not interested in the witcher.
" They are very hostile, thinking that they are thieves and freaks, and even shamelessly blame them for the disappearance of many children." "But in our Skellig Islands, witchers are very respected figures
. "
They are all brave warriors, fearless warriors. They have killed many powerful monsters and saved many islanders. Their stories have been spread in many poems." Wesker's eyes were blurred and he touched
himself The bearded man said sadly:
"When I was a teenager, I once met a master demon hunter. At that time, my family and I went out to sea for fishing. We were attacked by a group of human-faced monster birds on the beach. My brother and father were both killed by the monsters. , in order to protect my mother, I had no choice but to flee for my life." "When we were at our most desperate, it was the master who came to help, so that my mother and I could survive." "That was
a man with a gryphon-like badge on his chest. Demon hunter."
"I don't know his name. After killing the monster, he left silently without talking to us or asking for payment." "
But I know that he is a good man, and he is different from those hypocritical people. Compared with despicable noble knights and the like, he is the one who truly has the spirit of chivalry."
After listening to the words of the bearded Wesker, although Geralt's face had no expression, Wayne could see from his eyes that Showing his complicated mood.
Yes, there may be many people in the world who have misunderstood impressions of witchers and have malicious intentions, but at least those who have been helped by witchers will remember the kindness of witchers.
Just like Misha who was helped by them not long ago, this old woman will definitely remember who helped her find her two sons and continue the destiny of their family for a small fee.
The journey on the Pontar River was quite smooth. Apart from some blind water ghosts who always liked to follow ships and wanted to attack the bottom deck of the ship, they encountered no other threats along the way.
They sailed westward along the river, passing through the two large towns of Vergen and Haji Fortress. Finally, on the afternoon of the eighth day, they arrived at the port of Temeria's Floating Port Town.
During these days on the ship, an interesting thing happened.
As serious Gwent patients, Wayne and Geralt accidentally discovered that Captain Blackbeard and many sailors on the ship were all Gwent fans while resting on the ship.
According to Wesker, this interesting method of gambling is now well-known in the Free City of Novigrad.
The dwarf bankers there are vigorously promoting Gwent, hoping to use this new form of gambling to replace the past dice gambling, and even spent money to hold several small Gwent gambling games.
And sailors like them who travel north and south are naturally more receptive to new things than ordinary people who stay in one place without moving, let alone this kind of interesting game to kill time.
The bearded Wesker patted his chest and boasted that even in Novigrad, he was still a well-known Gwent master and was not afraid of any challenge.
Unfortunately, what they met this time was a demon hunter blessed with luck and very proficient in Gwent.
In just one night, Wayne easily won back the money for his and Geralt's ship tickets through the Gwent card in his hand, and even had an extra three hundred gold coins and a few more cards in his pocket. Rare cards.
If it weren't for the fact that Wayne didn't want Captain Bearded, a good guy, to lose his pants, he would be merciful.
Maybe as long as he gambles for a few more days, this merchant ship will become his property.
And Geralt, who also lost more than two hundred ducats to Wayne, even swore publicly.
I will never play cards with this lucky junior again until I have collected a powerful enough deck.
In response, Wayne just shrugged. After winning so many people in a row, his Gwent level has been raised to two levels, and he has received two lucky blessings.
In the long life to come, his Gwent skills will only get better and better, his luck will get stronger and stronger, and the decks he collects will become more and more powerful.
It is estimated that unless he is willing to let go, Geralt will never be able to beat him at the gambling table.
(End of chapter)