Chapter 35

The Pontar River, also known as the Pont, is called *Aevon y Pont ar Gwennelen* by the elves, meaning "River of the Alabaster Bridge," and is one of the largest rivers in the North.

Like the Yaruga River to the south, it originates in the Blue Mountains and flows from east to west, traversing the entire Northern Kingdoms before emptying into the sea near Oxenfurt and Novigrad.

The Pontar flows through four countries, serving as the northern border between the southern kingdoms of Temeria and Aedirn, as well as the southern border between Redania and Kaedwen. The region where these four countries meet is known as the Pontar Valley, or simply "the Pontar."

At the same time, this river is the most prosperous waterway for transport and trade among the Northern Kingdoms.

Many scholars believe that if any nation could fully occupy this river, it would become the wealthiest country in the entire North, relying solely on the trade taxes from the Pontar.

Therefore, the struggle for control over this river is almost a daily task for the successive kings of the North.

Every few years, disputes arise over the ownership of the Pontar, sometimes even leading to bloody conflicts.

After leaving Toruviel's non-human stronghold, Wayne and Geralt traveled south, taking on contracts as they went; they had money and were not worried about food or drink, so they lived quite freely.

To ensure a smooth journey, the two deliberately avoided large human towns that were prone to trouble, only accepting witcher contracts and buying supplies in small villages around the towns, trying their best to avoid disputes with the Kaedweni.

Yet even with such caution, the two still encountered several ambushes and harassment from barbaric Kaedweni peasants.

Although these thugs armed with manure forks and wooden clubs could never cause any harm to two master swordsmen who could use magic.

But after every fight, they had to leave the scene as quickly as possible to avoid being entangled by arriving soldiers and causing greater disputes.

Such encounters were undoubtedly very annoying.

Therefore, neither Wayne nor Geralt wanted to stay in the Kingdom of Kaedwen for long.

They rode their horses to a small port town near the banks of the Pontar, found a merchant ship heading to Novigrad, and prepared to sail directly to the town of Flotsam in Temeria.

Fortunately, after being rejected by some merchants with obvious prejudices, they met a captain willing to take them on board.

This was a huge merchant ship, and the captain was a Skelligan named Visk, who had a build as strong as a bear, a shaved head, and rough features, but his eyes were sharp and lively; he was not the kind of dim-witted brute.

The most impressive thing about him was the thick, weed-like black beard on his chin, which, just like his nickname "Blackbeard," was a distinctive feature.

As for Geralt and Wayne's request to board the merchant ship, he only considered it for a dozen seconds before agreeing.

However, he also required that in addition to helping the crew protect the ship in the event of a battle, Geralt and Wayne must each pay a fare of one hundred and fifty Ducats.

After all, for two people and two horses, besides needing a lot of food and fodder, they also had to be given a room that was not small; this price was already very generous.

During a casual chat, the two finally understood why this Skelligan captain treated them so well.

Blackbeard Visk heartily downed a large mug of dwarven ale, wiped the alcohol from his beard without a care, and said in a gruff voice: "I know there are many fools and farmers on the continent who are very hostile to witchers, thinking they are thieves, freaks, and even shamelessly blaming them for the disappearance of many children."

"But in our Skellige Isles, witchers are highly respected figures."

"They are all heroic warriors, fearless champions who have killed many powerful monsters and saved many islanders; their stories have been passed down in many poems."

Visk's eyes grew misty as he stroked his big beard and said with a sigh:

"When I was a boy, I once met a master witcher. At that time, my family and I went out to sea to fish, and we were attacked by a group of harpies on the shore. My brother and father were killed by the monsters, and to protect my mother, I could only wander and flee." "At our most desperate moment, it was that master who stepped in to help, and my mother and I were able to survive."

"That was a witcher with a griffin-shaped medallion hanging on his chest."

"I don't know his name. After killing the monsters, he left silently without talking to us or asking for any reward."

"But I know he was a good man. Compared to those hypocritical and despicable noble knights, he was the one who truly possessed knightly spirit."

After hearing Blackbeard Visk's words, although there was no expression on Geralt's face, Wayne could see his complex mood from his eyes.

Yes, perhaps there are many people in the world who have misunderstandings and malice toward witchers, but at least those who have been helped by witchers will remember their kindness.

Just like Misha, whom they helped not long ago; this old woman will surely remember who accepted a meager reward to help her find her two sons and continue the fate of their family.

The journey on the Pontar River was quite smooth. Along the way, except for some blind drowners who always liked to follow the ship and try to attack the bottom deck, there were no other threats.

They sailed west along the river, passed through the two large towns of Vergen and Hagge, and finally arrived at the port of Flotsam, which belonged to Temeria, on the afternoon of the eighth day.

And during these days on the ship, an interesting thing happened.

As heavy Gwent addicts, Wayne and Geralt discovered by chance while resting on the ship that many of the sailors, including Captain Blackbeard, were Gwent enthusiasts.

According to Visk, this interesting way of gambling is now quite famous in the Free City of Novigrad.

The dwarven bankers there are vigorously promoting Gwent, wanting to use this new form of gambling to replace the old dice games, and have even spent money to host a few small Gwent tournaments.

And these sailors who travel north and south are naturally more willing to accept new things than ordinary people who stay in one place, not to mention such an interesting game to pass the time.

Blackbeard Visk patted his chest and boasted that even in Novigrad, he was a Gwent master with some fame, unafraid of any challenge.

Unfortunately, what they encountered this time was a witcher who had the blessing of luck and was also very proficient in the game of Gwent.

In just one night, Wayne easily won back the fare for himself and Geralt through the Gwent cards in his hand, and even ended up with three hundred gold coins and a few rare cards in his pocket.

If it weren't for the fact that Wayne didn't want to make the good-hearted Blackbeard captain lose his pants, he would have shown mercy.

Perhaps if they had gambled for a few more days, this merchant ship would have become his property.

And Geralt, who also lost more than two hundred Ducats to Wayne, even publicly swore.

That until he collected a sufficiently powerful deck, he would never play cards with this lucky junior again.

To this, Wayne just shrugged. After winning against so many people in a row, his Gwent level had already risen to level two, gaining two points of luck blessing.

And in the long life ahead, his Gwent skills would only get better, his luck would get stronger, and the decks he collected would become more and more powerful.

It is estimated that unless he is willing to throw the game, Geralt will never be able to beat him at the gambling table.

(End of chapter)