"Oaf" Little Rayanna said as the wind was knocked from her as she found herself sitting on the deck of the boat. Her father Geralt was teaching her hand-to-hand combat.
He was standing above her. "Again? He said.
"Again." Rayanna replied.
Geralt reached down, took her hand in his, and helped her up. They began again.
While father and daughter spared, Triss Merigold remained below deck, doing what she did best; healing.
A few passengers had fallen ill or sea sick on the voyage. Nothing serious, but all the same Triss didn't mind helping.
"That's it Rayanna, really use your witcher speed to out maneuver me." Geralt encouraged as they battled.
Rayanna leaned back, dodging her father's punch. A tiny victory before the still learning child got her legs swiped out from under her and, once again, landed on her ass.
"Alright you two," Triss called out, now above deck. "I think that's enough for now. Come Ray, I want to teach you a healing remedy for nausea."
"Coming mom!" Rayanna chimed. She picked herself off the deck and off she went.
"Mommy, mommy! Can I sleep with you and daddy tonight?! Oh please oh pleaseeee!" Rayanna begged her parents as the day grew into night.
Triss answered her daughter's plea with a nod and a smile.
"Yes! Yes! Yes!" Rayanna celebrated, before scampering off to wash up before bed.
"Ohhh why'd you tell her that for? Now we both have to wear underwear to bed." Geralt moaned.
"Oh Geralt, I think you can survive one night without sleeping in skin." Triss smirked.
Geralt sarcastically huffed, causing the sorceress to chuckle before placing a kiss on his lips. "Stop whining." She purred.
"Okay I'm ready for bed!" Rayanna spoke as she danced into the room.
"Did you brush your teeth?" Triss prodded.
"Yes mommm." Rayanna said. She leaped up onto the bed.
"Mhm, let me see." Triss nagged.
Ray opened her mouth wide to show her mother her clean pearly white teeth.
When Triss was satisfied with her daughter's hygen the three settled into bed. It wouldn't be long now till they were home.
"Daddy tell me a story." Rayanna requested as she snuggled between them.
"Alright, what do you wanna hear?" Geralt said.
Rayanna thought for a moment before her face lit up. "I know! Tell me about the time you defeated the taxidermy animals in Ermion's laboratory." She finished with a giggled.
Geralt's cat eyes widen. "How'd you know about that?"
A mischievous smile spread a crossed the young child's face. "Yen told me to ask you. She wouldn't give details but she said it was really funny."
"I've never heard this story." Triss said.
"And you're not going to. Nether one of you are going to." Geralt said. He let his head fall back on his pillow.
Ray giggled. "Well if you won't tell it, will you sing the lullaby of woe?" She asked.
"You know I'm not much of a singer." Geralt said.
"Pleaseeee." Rayanna begged. "You too mommy, sing please?"
"Geralt?" Triss prompted.
"Alright." Geralt fussed. "Wolves asleep amidst the trees."
Triss's voice chimed in. "Bats all assaying in the breeze."
"But one soul lies anxious, wide awake."
The sound of her parents' voices mixed together, full of warmth and sleep was music to Rayanna's ears.
"Fearing all manner of ghouls, hags, and wraiths."
"For your dolly, polly sleep has flown."
"Don't dare let her tremble alone."
"For the witcher heartless cold, paid in coin of gold."
"He comes, He'll go. Leave naught behind but heartache alone. Dee dee ohh."
"Birds are silent for the night."
"Cows turn in as daylight dies."
"But one soul lies anxious, wide awake."
"Fearing all manner of ghouls, hags, and wraiths."
"My dear dolly, polly shut your eyes."
"Lie still, lie silent until no cries."
"As the witcher, brave and bold, paid in coin of gold."
"He'll chop and slice you, gut and dice you, eat you up whole."
"Eat you whole."
"Hey you two, wake up. I got a surprise for you." Geralt said.
"What kind of surprise?" Rayanna asked as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes. She rolled over and looked at her mother who looked equally confused, before rolling back over towards her father.
"Well.. guess you two are just gonna have to come up on deck to see." Geralt replied with a devise grin. He then left the room, with his lover and daughter at his heels.
Rayanna was first on deck as she peered over the side. "I don't get it? Where are we?"
Triss gasped and her hands flew to her mouth, covering her smile that was spreading from ear to ear.
Rayanna looked at her mother questioningly.
Triss smiled down at her before turning to Geralt, still smiling as she said, "I know where we are sweetheart. And soon, you will too."
Where do you think they are? :) Let me hear your guesses! Sorry if this update was a bit short! R&R!
