The next morning...
Gretchen's eyes slowly fluttered open. For a mere moment she thought she was back sleeping in the hay down in the cellar of the whorehouse. Then after another second, feeling the warmth of another body against hers, she thought she was back in her shared chambers with her husband. It wasn't until her eyes adjusted to the thin sunlight drifting in through the cave that she knew exactly where she was. No, instead of Cahir's thin body taunt against her, she felt the massive form of Geralt, his heavy arms still holding her. It all seemed to hit her at once. For just a second she thought she had been dreaming...
The images of Cahir's family and the people of Nilfgaardian holding torches last night overcame her. She forced those thoughts away, before she heard Geralt's deep gruff voice.
"Morning."
Gretchen continued laying there, feeling completely out of place.
Last night she had been frightened, not only had she been informed that she wasn't human, she also saw that her new home now sought out to slaughter her if she ever returned. Sighing, she gulped before Geralt's heavy arm lifted. Freed, Gretchen slowly sat up still wearing Cahir's clothes. Staring down, she saw the piece of mirror still laying beside her. Taking it, she prayed the reflection she would be greeted to would be her own. Instead she saw in the cracked dirty glass terrible looking red demon eyes. Lowering her head, she refused to cry again. She had survived living in that Hell at the whore house ever since she could remember. So many beatings and broken bones she had lost count. Now that for one split second when there was a glimmering hope she would be rescued and taken away from that terrible life, finding a man who truly loved her and treated her like a real lady...she was turning into some sort of creature. She wanted nothing more than to see her husband and explain that she was frightened and meant his kingdom and family no harm.
Thinking of the shouting and torches, she knew that was useless. Destiny was cruel, it had briefly teased her with the possibility of a real life before violently yanking it away. Now she found herself cold, scared, and sitting next to a Witcher. Gretchen sighed before placing the mirror back. She heard Geralt sit up behind her.
"Thought the image might change over night?"
Gretchen sighed staring down at it.
"I guess I did...foolish."
She then felt the comforting weight of Geralt's hand on her shoulder.
"We should move, these forest aren't safe."
Nodding. Gretchen stood up, looking across at Geralt's horse.
"What's your horse's name?"
"Roach."
Gretchen found a small smile come across her face, something she didn't think would ever be possible to do again. That's when she felt Geralt lift the back of her shirt. Yelping, she jumped back and spun around staring at him.
"What are you doing?!"
Geralt held his hands out to show he meant no harm.
"Just checking your wounds."
Gretchen hesitated for a moment before nodding and turning. She tensed when she felt his hands lift her shirt again, and stared forward, thinking back on her wedding night when she showed her scars to Cahir and couldn't quite remember where she had gotten the large marks on her back. Geralt sensing her discomfort dropped her shirt.
"Come..."
Sighing, Gretchen turned and followed him to Roach, when Geralt reached into one of his bags and took out a black cloak.
"Here."
Gretchen stared at it puzzled.
"What will you wear?"
"I have another, you need to stay warm."'
Nodding, Gretchen took the dark material and lifted her eyes up at Geralt. Instead of seeing fear or disgust, she was greeted with what she sensed was compassion.
"Thank you..."
She said barley above a whisper. Geralt gave her a small smile and nodded before turning. Draping the cloak around her, she helped Geralt collect his things before walking side by side with him leading Roach out of the cave.
Elsewhere...
Cahir was furious.
Flipping a table over in his family's home, his mother gasped in surprise, standing against the wall as plates and goblets clattered loudly to the floor. Turning, Cahir breathed deeply, his light eyes wide like a caged animal. He had arrived shortly before dawn after receiving the urgent message from Nilfgarrdian, regarding his bride. When he arrived, he demanded to speak to his parents. His mother told him everything that happened, ending with his father telling him about the men searching for her.
"She had red eyes like the devil. You brought a beast into our home son."
"SHE IS NOT!"
Cahir screamed, his face becoming flush. His mother and father both stood back stunned for a moment before Cahir began to franticly pace, pulling at his hair, his eyes darting about. Shaking his head, his father stepped forward.
"You couldn't have married a proper lady from our very own kingdom. No, you needed to bring in some gutter rat who is God knows what! What if your seed all ready has started to grow in her animal womb?! She is a disgrace to our family and crest! I will hire a hundred men with bounty to find and kill her!"
Cahir leaned down, snatching a dinner knife from the floor before charging at his father with full speed. He heard his mother scream, as he slammed his father's body against the wall, causing it to shake. Pressing the blade against his father's throat, he leaned in close and spoke, nearly hissing.
"My bride has been through Hell, she is no beast. She's been cursed. If I find any of your men searching for her I'll slit both of your throats while you sleep. I can promise you that."
He saw the fear in his father's eyes as he continued to stare. Leaning in even closer, almost touching his forehead, Cahir growled like a crazed animal.
"I will find her myself...and bring her home."
With that, he released the knife, throwing it to the floor. His mother who stood across the room cried out in relief and fell to the floor weeping. His father stood back frozen as Cahir glared at him once last time before turning. Before he walked out, he heard his father shout after him...
"She's gone and bewitched you son! Your soul will burn in Hell if you stand by her side!"
Ignoring his father's shouts, he continued to walk out.
Elsewhere...
Geralt and Gretchen arrived to a village almost at sunset that same day. They had mostly ridden in silence, and as he entered the city limits, he directed Roach down the tiny side streets towards a small tavern.
"Where are we going?"
Gretchen asked. She had wanted to ask so many times today, even twice when they stopped to relieve themselves and eat some bread that Geralt had in his bag. Instead, she kept silent. She didn't truly know what his intentions were, but one thing was certain, if he was in fact a Witcher, perhaps he knew a way to fix whatever was happening to her. He had mentioned a sorcerer or a healer, but she wasn't completely sure.
"A sorcerer I know. I saved his life a few years back. He can be trusted."
Gretchen turned slightly, keeping her hood down enough so her red eyes were hidden.
"Can he help me?"
"I'm not sure."
Gretchen turned back, feeling her heart sink. The entire ride her back had ached so badly twice she had gripped her legs to restrain from crying out. Almost as if he sensed her discomfort, Geralt had moved closer, allowing her to lay her back against his chest as they rode. This only helped a little, but made the ride somewhat better. Listening to the clops of Roach's feet, she waited until Geralt directed them to a stable, where he instructed her to stay close. He helped her down, before he paid the stable keep a few coins to store Roach. Without so much as another word, Geralt took Gretchen's hand and held it as they began to walk.
"Stay close."
The sky was darkening now that the sun had set. Walking beside him, thankful for the cloak she looked around, trying to keep her eyes down low in case anyone passed them. Finally they arrived at a back door where Geralt knocked with his other hand. After a moment, a man with a graying beard and glasses answered. It took him a second, squinting in the darkness before a large smile spread across his face.
"Is that 'the' Geralt of Rivia?! How long has it been?!"
Geralt smirked, still tightly holding onto Gretchen's hand.
"Not long enough Alda. I'm afraid I'm in need of some help."
The sorcerer blinked before nodding and nodding.
"Yes of course, please come in. I just put on a nice pot of tea. My bones do ache durning this terrible cold. Please, come in!"
Geralt grunted, and together Gretchen and him walked inside.
Later...
Gretchen sat on a wooden table by the fire of the sorcerer's shop. Her head lowered down with shame. Geralt stood by, watching closely. The sorcerer didn't seem the slightest bit phased at her eyes, or even the marks on her back. Finally he nodded standing back, rubbing his temples.
"You say you're an orphan dear?"
Lifting her eyes, Gretchen slowly nodded.
"Yes, I was left on a madam's doorstep. She used to tell me stories that I was covered in blood and feathers...just like the ones Geralt showed you."
"Just like the ones you've been vomiting?"
She nodded again. The sorcerer sighed before nodding, walking over, he placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"I'm afraid if I had to guess...you are half human. It appears more than likely your mother was raped by a skin walker..."
"What does that mean?"
"It means...by just a few month's pass...you'll be of true age and complete transforming. Durning this time, you may be able to change back and forth...that's your human side. It will be very painful before finally...you'll feel as if your insides are being turn inside out, and your bones are breaking...you'll transform into a raven...and that will be the story of you."
Gretchen's jaw dropped, her eye eyes glimmering with stunned tears. Geralt grunted, and stared at her.
"Isn't there something we can do? Something to slow it down or stop it?"
The sorcerer turned and shook his head.
"Sadly no...even the greatest magic can't stop nature from taking its course. That's why there aren't many skin walkers left. They are mostly wolves and larger animals...but I've only come across maybe two other half breeds."
"What happened to them?"
Gretchen asked. The sorcerer stared and sighed.
"They didn't live long. It was too much for their bodies. I'm sorry dear but you'll be lucky to see next year at this rate. By then you'll fully transform."
Gretchen dropped her eyes before Geralt sighed again, stepping forward.
"There's nothing you can do?"
The sorcerer shook his head.
"Even if I contacted the council, I'm afraid not. Besides, half breeds are so rare they would want her...experiment on her. I'm afraid my dear whatever beast raped your mother sealed your fate."
"A...raven raped my mother? How is that possible?"
"Skin walkers who were born of full blood line can turn to man durning a full moon. You're mother must have just been very unlucky."
"I thought...if someone...changes it's durning the full moon to a beast."
The sorcerer gave a humorless chuckle that showed sadness in his eyes.
"Sadly things are very backwards for your breed. I'm so sorry."
Gretchen stared down at her hands, staring down at them, truly empty and too stunned to talk. Geralt sensing her defeat sighed.
"There must be something for her eyes and wounds..."
The sorcerer nodded.
"Yes, I can at least do that much. I'll give you enough to tide you over but my best advice dear is to lay low. Many men would pay high coin to capture a creature much like yourself."
"She's not a creature."
Geralt said deeply. Gretchen lifted her eyes, slightly surprised by this. The sorcerer seemed embarrassed and nodded.
"Of course forgive me. I'll mix everything up and make sure you aren't in pain...but I have to be honest with you. You will eventually turn...your mind will remain, but you will be trapped in a bird's body. The change will make you feel as if you are dying, and whatever is left of your life will be a sad painful one."
Geralt grunted again.
"Enough, mix up the potions."
The sorcerer nodded before walking away. Geralt sighed staring down, his amber eyes catching the light of the flickering flames from the fireplace. He seemed to know how scared she was, and instead of his intense serious stone set face, he actually looked more human than Witcher. He gently patted her arm.
"Lay back..."
Gretchen did so, laying flat on the wooden table before Geralt sighed, and gently brushed her fallen hair out of her eyes. Both stared at each other, before the sorcerer returned with a bowl he was mixing.
"I can fix your eyes until the transformation is complete. What color were your eyes before?"
Before Gretchen could answer, Geralt never breaking away from her gaze softly said...
"Green, light green."
The sorcerer gave a quick puzzled expression that Gretchen caught for a moment before nodding and turning away, finishing his mixing. Geralt sighed, before his gloved hand found hers. Lacing his much larger fingers against her thin ones, he gently squeezed her hand for comfort before the sorcerer returned.
"Just two drops in your eyes love, then we'll need to turn you over for your back. I'll pack you with enough supplies if the pain becomes unbearable, but it won't stop anything. Do you understand?"
Gretchen nodded before she tried her hardest to relax. Some tiny part of her wondered if she could make her eyes go back to normal, maybe just maybe she could find Cahir and somehow make him understand. Even if she did only have a few months to live until she became this monster, she could be with her one true love. She knew this was foolish thinking after last night, but she so desperately wanted to see her husband's face again her chest ached. She knew she would take her own life before she became whatever this creature was. She wouldn't allow herself to let this happen.
"Shhhh now, just relax. It won't hurt."
She opened her eyes and the sorcerer dropped a liquid into her eyes twice. Once he was finished, she laid back for a second before she turned her head towards Geralt. He smiled warmly back to her and nodded, showing her it was okay. Reaching into his pocket, he produced the small broken piece of mirror from this morning and showed her the reflection. She blinked and saw her eyes had returned back to normal. Holding back a cry of relief, she smiled and nodded before Geralt put the mirror back. The sorcerer motioned to him.
"Help me get her on her back. This my dear will hurt but you must lay still and sleep an hour before you can stand. Understood?"
Nodding, Gretchen turned herself over with help from Geralt and laid there as she felt the sorcerer lift her shirt. The moment whatever liquid was dribbled onto her back, she heard the hissing and bubbling of her own flesh as she cried out and went to move. Firmly the sorcerer held her down and continued pouring.
"Have a care young lady! Lay still!"
Gretchen snapped her eyes shut, before she felt her flesh bubble again. The pain washing up and down her muscles like a blade slicing through flesh. Suddenly she went to whip her head up and cry when the sorcerer firmly held her head down, preventing her form moving.
"You're hurting her!"
Geralt said through gritted teeth. The sorcerer mumbled something before demanding he make himself useful and hold her down. Feeling his storm arm hands at her arms, Gretchen bit down on her lip as the pain seemed to continue to build. Then finally went numb. A silence washed over the shop, before the sorcerer stepped back.
"Now don't move until we say. You have to heal."
Gretchen nodded, too exhausted to argue. Laying there, drained of any energy, she sniffled before she felt the back of Geralt's gloved fingers gently sweep over her cheeks, wiping her tears away.
"Rest."
He softly said. Laying there still, Gretchen sighed with pure exhaustion, before the sorcerer gave a look to Geralt and nudged at his arm.
"May I speak with you?"
Geralt continued staring down concerned at Gretchen, before the sorcerer nudged him again, causing him to snap out of it.
"Yeah, sure."
Gretchen heard them walk out of the other room, and begin to talk in low whispers. She closed her eyes, and listened.
"Last time I checked...a Witcher can't feel love."
"What are you saying?"
"I'm saying I can see a smitten man when I see one, even a Witcher."
"Don't be stupid..."
"I may be old, but I'm not stupid. Why are you so concerned with this young girl?"
"She was in trouble, she was married to a solider of Nifgaardian when she began to turn.
They chased her out...she had nowhere to go."
"So you just happened to find her?"
"No, I met her in the village she lived in before she was married off. I was mauled and visiting the local sorcerer there when I first met her."
"Did she work for the sorcerer?"
"No, she came in to sell something...I was in too much pain to fucking think. She helped him with my wounds and..."
Gretchen heard Geralt's voice trail off before the sorcerer snapped back sounding impatient.
"And?!"
"And...she broke a bottle by accident and cut her hand."
"Did she bleed onto you."
"Yes but..."
"I think your sorcerer you had mixed up his potions...or that young girl somehow managed to do it herself, but after hearing her speak about her husband it's highly unlikely. I think there was either a love or binding spell, sealed with mixed blood."
"That's horse shit."
"Is it Geralt? I stand for your kind...and I know you all claim magic doesn't always work on you nor spells...but magic is what continues you to live and find your strength. But I can see it in your eyes...you're drawn to her like a magnet. You need to be close to her."
"Nonsense..."
"Is it? Then leave. I'll make sure she's safe...you can go and continue with your monster hunting, leave her."
"I can't..."
"Why?"
"Because...because...she isn't fucking safe!"
Gretchen continued keeping her eyes shut, before she faintly heard the sorcerer curse at Geralt and hush him as he lowered his voice.
"I can't...she's all alone..."
"She's a married woman Geralt."
"To a man from a dangerous kingdom who is now hunting her."
"Then what say you?"
"If there is a spell...then break it."
"I can't. There's only one way to break it."
"And that is?"
"For one of you to die."
Gretchen's now light green eyes opened as she waited for Geralt's response. Instead all she heard was stunned silence.
Elsewhere...
Cahir rode with several of his men through the forest. It was lightly snowing and they had been searching for hours. Desperate for any sign of her, he had even sent several men to the village she was originally from since Gretchen claimed that was the only place she had ever known since she was an infant. Any thoughts of his darling young new bride being some sort of creature were forced out of his mind. No, Gretchen wasn't a monster. Some witch or ghoul had cursed her. He would find his bride, get a mage and lift it for whatever cost. Those few brief days he had spent with her he had absolutely become smitten with her. From the very moment he saw her fall inside that filty whore house, he knew somehting about her was special.
He no longer cared about anything else, but to find her.
Once he located her, he would reassure her that whatever curse or spell this was, he would find a way to fix it. That nothing could change his love for her. He would wrap his arms around her, kiss those sweet full lips of hers, and protect her. '
He ached for a son so badly and knew Gretchen could provide him with one. His father's words earlier had haunted him that prehaphs he had all ready gotten her pregnant.
He thought of their wedding night, the sensation once he entered inside her warm tight body, feeling his manhood pulse as he took her. He remembered how many times the building came to an explosive climax over and over again, emptying out the warmth of his seed, muffling an exhausted cry against her neck as his body laid taunt against hers. Perhaps during those two nights of countless passion they had conceived a child? The very thought of his beautiful Gretchen somewhere out there frightened and scared, and maybe even carrying his child absolutely destroyed him. He would ride all night, and search every village, every kingdom, every farm house, every cave, and every shack until he found her and brought her home.
He swore his life on it.