Chapter Text
“I overheard you two talking about…certain things behind the stable,” Vesemir began once he and fourteen year old Eskel and Geralt were seated at the table. “And I know you thought you two were alone, but every boy has to to learn about it sometime.”
“Please, I swear we’ll never talk about it again.” Geralt said, knowing he’d be blushing furiously if the physical ability to do so hadn’t been mutated out of him five months ago.
“No, no, it’s only natural for a young Witcher to wonder about these things.” Vesemir said, settling back in his chair.
“You really don’t have to talk to us about it, we already know-“
“It’s only natural to wonder.” Vesemir plowed on past Eskel’s plea. “But it’s equally important for your mentors to explain things to you before you face this kind of dilemma when you’re grown up and alone out on the path.”
“Sir I’m literally begging you, we weren’t going to actually do anything I promise!” Geralt tried desperately.
“There will come a day when you will find yourself faced with certain urges, but you must be the master of yourself and take the more difficult path, to fall prey to your own base desires will lead to ruin for yourself and your school.”
Both boys gave up, hiding their faces in their hands as their mentor droned on.
“No matter how tempting, no matter how enticing.” Vesemir continued, leaning forward and jabbing his finger against the tabletop for emphasis. “You. Must. Never. Take. Assassination. Contracts. Ever.”
“We knowwww!” Eskel wailed miserably, steeped in embarrassment. “We weren’t going to, we were just talking about-“
“Not even once!” Vesemir glowered. “It will seem like easy money and a quick payout, but next thing you know you’ll have bounties on your head, you’ll be pulled apart by different sides of all manner of politics, you’ll be making permanent choices you’ll regret later, and you’ll forever darken the name of your school. Am I clear?”
“Yes, Master Vesemir.” The boys said gloomily, apparently finding the stone floor very interesting to look at suddenly.
“Good. Now if you don’t have any questions go back to your chores." Vesemir said, smirking as the boys were already up and nearly out of the hall before he'd finished. "And if you have questions in the future you can always talk to me about it!" He shouted after them.