Geralt had gone backstage where he left his script. The set designers had already finished their adjustments and the smell of fresh paint lingered faintly on the air. His costume hung nearby, the new crown atop the hanger. It looked much more regal than expected. Jirihm had really outdone himself. The cold grey steel polished to a shine with a green gem embedded in it. Geralt started reading over the script, word for word committing it to memory. Caught up in his study, he began to pace back and forth between the set pieces reciting his lines, correcting himself when he forgot a word or fumbled his execution. Geralt heard light, delicate footsteps approaching and quickly looked up from the papers in his hand. Much to his surprise, Pricilla had come backstage to get ready.
"I thought you weren't performing," Geralt said. Pricilla looked at him with narrowed eyes.
"I decided I can not let the patrons of the arts down. They did nothing wrong," she said, haughtily. Geralt could not help but wonder if the letter from Lucifer had anything to do with her decision to perform. As the crew, one by one started to arrive the rush of getting ready was in full swing. Ladies darting across the stage warming up to dance before getting into their tights. One very beautiful dancer showing off her flexibility to the enjoyment of all those watching.
When Jaskier got backstage he was all ready for the show, his makeup thicker than most nights but impeccable all the same. The first thing he did was walk up to Pricilla with his puppet in hand and bowed to her.
"Thank you for doing the show." He said and immediately walked away to his first position.
When Geralt looked out the curtain, there the King sat at Jaskier's private table alongside two beautiful women. One had long violet hair, obscuring her features. Dressed in light fabrics with leather accessories and a buckler strapped to her left arm. The other a ginger-haired monk with long elvhan ears and rippling muscles. Their robes are decorated with Silverite Templar pauldrons but no chest plate.
Geralt watched the table for a moment listening to the others surrounding the king talk trying to see if he could glean who they were. A dancer tapped him on the shoulder.
"Sorry, but could you move your costume, it's blocking some of the practice space." The dancer asked politely. Geralt looked away from Lucifer and his company.
"Sure…" he muttered and went to retrieve his costume. Geralt found a secluded space and started to undress. He undid the toggles of his tunic and pulled it up and over his head exposing his chest. His attention, still on the movement and conversations happening in the audience.
"Hello." The silvery voice of King Radovid was uncomfortably close, and when Geralt turned around. There he stood with a lecherous smirk on his face. "I wasn't expecting the show." He said.
"Neither was I," Geralt grunted, aggression in his voice. His posture straightened and became defensive. "How did you get here?"
"Don't be so surprised, I have a favour to ask of you, witcher. Before the show of course." Radovid put his hands behind his back and paced around the room. He was trying to sound tough, but his constant shuffling about showed his nerves. Geralt watched him like a hawk. Radovid's every step, every twitch, every breath.
"I need the truth about Lucifer, I hear the rumours and I have seen him myself. Can he be trusted?" Radovid asked. "You helped me before Witcher. You still owe me." His flimsy argument was laughable.
"Why would I know anything about Lord La'Croix?" Geralt asked. He looked back to see the table and Lucifer and the monk were missing.
"You were seen fraternizing with him don't play dumb with me witcher. If he is truly a monster I need to know the truth." Radovid demanded.
"If he were a monster do you think I'd let him live?" Geralt asked. He put his costume top on. He could feel Radovid's eyes on him, it felt uncomfortable.
"My ears are burning, did someone says my name." Lucifer's voice was just beyond the curtain. "I love these set pieces. What a spectacular artist you have working on these." Lucifer complimented loudly.
Radovid shrunk slightly but immediately tried to shake it off. Radovid took one last look at the Witcher and marched off into the backstage area.
The actors and dancers who were preparing gave way for the king and found other places to get ready.
"My lord! Come to inspect this piss poor house in detail?" Radovid asked.
"Ah there you are, I thought you didn't want to come to go to the theatre," Lucifer said and smiled warmly at the bald man. "I'm always a sucker for a good comedy, how about you?" Lucifer asked.
"This is foolishness parading to soften these weak bellied city folk." Radovid sounded bitter. Geralt lingered behind and leaned against the wall. His glare never left Radovid but his ear never left Lucifer.
"Oh, I love a bit of foolishness, nothing like a good laugh at yourself. Why do you not find bald jokes funny?" Lucifer asked.
"What are you insinuating," Radovid asked with a glare.
"That you lighten up and relax, skinhead." Lucifer joker.
"How dare you!" Radovid spat.
"Oh no-no-no. You're supposed to take a jab at me. Come on, I wear eyeliner, that's an easy one. Go on make a joke." Lucifer stood closer to Radovid and put a hand on his shoulder. Lucifer's friendly smile and carefree attitude were concerning, but Radovid wasn't overreacting. It looked like he was thinking.
"You actually have to be funny to make a joke," Geralt said intruding in on the conversation.
"Quiet Witcher." Radovid spat and looked at his costume. "You remind me of Emhyr with that crown." He said with a scowl. Which turned into a smirk.
"Did you not see it?" Lucifer asked.
"I see it now." Radovid began to snicker. Geralt rolled his eyes and said nothing.
"Let's go sit at my table, I need to be excused to the little boys' room first. Meet me there." Lucifer said and walked away towards the foyer. Radovid eyes Geralt once again as they stood in a standoff. Geralt glared, unmoving and grimacing.
"Oh Geralt, you're such a sour tart. I look forward to your performance, little puppet." Radovid sneered before walking away to Lucifer's table, which was empty.
Geralt turned to walk away but the ginger elf at Lucifer's table was talking to Jaskier. Their hushed conversation looked more worrisome than joyful. Jaskier looked to Geralt, the two sharing an awkward gaze before Lucifer emerged from the curtain walking with a quickened pace.
"Sorry to cancel the show like this, but it's time we left," Lucifer said and put his hand on Geralt's shoulder to lead him away. "Lyra and Illia here have already informed your friends to leave. The south marches tonight, we leave now while Radovid and his men flounder under their might." Lucifer said rather heartlessly. Geralt quickly scanned the room and focused. He could hear their approach on the air. Distant but encroaching.
"No time to change then?" Geralt grunted and gestured to the performance tights and spangled robe adorning him.
"I'm afraid not," Lucifer stated as he drew a blade from under his cloak. Geralt grabbed his swords from against the wall and equipped them. "I hope you have armour on the boat. Lead the way."
"Geralt!" Jaskier ran over holding the frog puppet desperately. "Soldiers are marching on the City."
"Come! No time to grab anything, let's go!" Lucifer shouted and took off into a sprint once they reached the lobby. Outside Roach was already loose and packed with Geralt's things. Lyra, the violet haired elf standing next to him.
"I have taken the liberty and prepared your belongings." She said sweetly. Jaskier lute among the haul.
"Your majesty! They march from the south-east. If we run through the blacksmith district we can avoid the first lines and make it to the ship undetected." The monk, Illia met up with Lucifer outside the front doors. Geralt thanked Lyra and mounted Roach. Lyra regrouped herself with Illia.
"Geralt! What's going on! What about my theatre" Jaskier ran up next to the horse and looked up at Geralt completely confused. The fear in his eyes grows as the sounds of war echoes in the distance. Smoke began to billow up from the other side of the square. Lucifer mounted his horse and as Lyra ran up and climbed onto the back with him. Illia ran off on foot ahead.
"If you leave now, you're not coming back are you?" Jaskier asked.
"That's right." Geralt replied coldly as he looked down from his mount.
"I can save you one last time, or you can stay here. Either way, I don't not involved with your games." Geralt waited for Jaskier to make a choice. Jaskier just stood there confused. There was a loud bang and Roach was spooked and jolted forward. Jaskier jumped into the back of the horse before he could runoff.
"I'm coming with you, wherever you want to go," Jaskier said and hugged Geralt tight. Keeping his puppet tucked under his arm. Geralt tried his best to ignore Jaskier and focus on following Lucifer but he felt a small tug at his heart as Jaskier held him tightly. Geralt could not shrug the feelings off and stay silent.
Lucifer led Geralt down the stairs of the city as they cut across the urban districts. Lucifer demolished a fruit stand to avoid a cluster of battling guards and invading forces. As they reached the pier Ferelden soldiers defended the dock.
"HIS MAJESTY HAS RETURNED! EVACUATE!" Illia was there and commanded the forces to slowly retreat as they crossed the barricade. A warship was docked but the sailors were ready at the lines. The soldiers waited for Lucifer and the Witcher to board the boat. Their horses climbing the gangplank and onto the main deck.
"DOUBLE TIME PEOPLE!" Illia shouted from the dock.
"All hands! Ready to Set sail on my mark!" A blonde man shouted from the wheelhouse. A sturdy sailor wearing a yellow coat who saluted Lucifer as he boarded. "Nice to have you back aboard your Majesty."
"Thank you, Captain Jones. As soon as my men are on board, get us as far away from this city as possible." Lucifer ordered.
"Roger that, did you find everything you required to return home." The Captain asked.
"I hope so," Lucifer said and turned around to look at Geralt and Jaskier.
"Welcome aboard the Leviathan's Horn," Edward shouted before Lucifer could speak.
"Introductions after we are safely on the sea. Battle stations everyone." Lucifer stayed on horseback, able to see over the edge of the ship. Lyra dismounted from behind Lucifer.
"Stay up here with his Majesty and keep him covered, please." She said politely to Geralt and ran off to meet the soldiers. Geralt nodded, surprised by the woman giving orders. A few of Lucifer's Soldiers were injured, but Illia boarded the ship last carrying the body of a single fallen soldier like the rest of the enemies laid dead on the dock.
"One casualty sir," Illia said as the gangplank was brought up and the ship started to float away from the dock. The sails caught the winds as they began to drift for the shore. Lyra took the injured away and started healing them. Geralt could hear the enemy drawing back as they reached the docks to find their fallen comrades. He heard no official orders to fall back but the distance between the boat and the shore grew rapidly and the danger became lesser.
"You know how to steal a show," he said as he dismounted Roach. Giving the tired beast a heavy pat on the shoulder as he looked as Jaskier curiously.
"Well, I do love a bit of Drama with my theatre." Lucifer jokes before dismounting his stallion and walking over to the Geralt. "Jaskier, it's good to see you with us."
Jaskier was stunned, sitting on the horse with confusion painted across his face. How on earth did the day end up like this? Lucifer looked at him concerned and poked his leg.
"Uh, Geralt? Is he alright?" Lucifer asked.
"Give him a minute." Geralt said and raised his hand. Counting down his fingers three, two, one. Jaskier let out a holler.
"Whhhhhaaaaatttt am I doing!? I had a theatre! I had everything and now what. I've voluntarily boarded a vampires ship!?" Jaskier said bluntly. The many crewmen surrounding them gasped in shock. There was hardly a pause for silence before Lucifer laughed boisterously.
"Oh calm down, I may be a King of the Undead Isles, but I am still human enough to understand you've lost a lot today. Come down from there." Lucifer tried to ease him down. Geralt narrowed his eyes at Lucifer and looked for the reaction of the crew at the open proclamation of the bard who could not keep a secret.
"Back off! I can get down myself." Jaskier jumped off the horse on the opposite side of the King and approached Geralt. "What are we doing on his ship?" He asked.
"Where did you think we were going? I need to work too. Come on, I need to get changed." Geralt said and grabbed his things from Roach.
"You two will be staying in the guest-chamber. I had clothes prepared for you both for our trip. I hope you don't mind the heat." Lucifer said and escorted them up the stairs to the officers' deck. Where the Captain was waiting.
"You're Grace, what is this about a vampire on board?" Captain Edward asked curiously looking at the bard.
"Did I Say, Vampire? Oh no no no! It's just a slang thing I picked up. You know Novigrade is all for monsters and bloodsuckers." Jaskier laughed nervously.
"Captain, I must have a word with you in private. Please follow me as I escort out new friends to their room." Lucifer said and ushered the captain along into the belly of the ship.
"You know you didn't have to come if it was going to be such a hardship for you," Geralt said coldly, shooting a nasty glare at Jaskier as the two followed behind Lucifer and the Captain. Geralt huffed but a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. Before they descended the stairs, Jaskier stopped Geralt for a moment.
"I'm with you, from here to wherever, but I'm scared," Jaskier said honestly.
"You're always scared," Geralt rebutted.
"Geralt?" Lucifer's velvety voice echoed in the darkness which sent an awful chill down Jaskier's spine.
"Just behind you. Keep going," Geralt replied.
"There's something up with him, he has an ulterior motive, I know it," Jaskier said in a whisper next to Geralt's ear. "I hear him in my head." Jaskier wavered to go inside the ship. Geralt took his arm and dragged the bard into the ship with him.
"He wants someone to fight for him and help his kingdom, I was willing to leave. I wanted to get away from you," Geralt admitted. "But now that's a hopeless endeavour."
"Get away from me?" Jaskier asked shocked but paused. "Oh…"
Jaskier pushed past Geralt and pulled his arm free.
"Captain! Is there a different room for me on this ship?" Jaskier said loudly.
Lucifer and Edward stopped and looked at each other. Before they laughed in unison.
"You two don't get a shared room, there isn't anything that big on this ship other than the Captain's quarters," Lucifer explained
"Which you constantly try to steal from me…" Edward said unimpressed.
"Well, you could just share." Lucifer huffed.
"As much as the thought of that is adorable. I really need some space to clear my head because I just sold my entire life away to be here and I regret it immediately." Jaskier interjected.
Lucifer glanced at Geralt curiously and stepped back as Edward approached.
"It seems there is a bit of turmoil aboard, come with me. Let's get some fresh air and we can find you somewhere to unwind." Edward offered and escorted Jaskier away back up the stairs.
"Geralt, come with me," Lucifer said and they kept moving forward. They emerged in the guests quarters which was just a box of tiny rooms barely big enough to fit them.
"It's rather tight, but you won't need all that armour on-board. We have the greatest sailors taking us across the sea. So you can relax, save yourself for… I should stop talking. Are you alright?" Lucifer asked with concern.
"I'm fine," Geralt grunted.
"I'm angry. Why would that idiot bard throw away his life to follow me? He already made his choice. His theatre and relationship with Pricilla are the most important things for him." Geralt said bitingly.
"Well, I highly doubt he would have left it all if it was. It's none of my business however what goes on in your personal life. You are both welcome aboard my ship. Get some rest, think and don't forget to get some dinner." Lucifer said and left the little room. Geralt nodded and looked around his lodgings.
"Oh! One more thing." Lucifer rubbed his chin to fluff his beard.
"Yes?" Geralt asked.
"Try to relax," Lucifer said and closed the door for him to have some privacy.
Meanwhile, Edward had taken Jaskier on a tour of the ship. Headed for stern where there was a magnificent view of the harbour behind them, though the billows of smoke were unnerving.
"Yesh, A bad day for Novigrad, such a shame. I got my best supply of illicit drugs there." Edward commented finally breaking the awkward silence.
"Wait what? There are drugs on this boat?" Jaskier asked shocked.
"Of course not, just trying to get something out of you. I've been asking questions, but your head is somewhere else isn't it." The Captain stopped and leaned against the railing of the ship.
"Forgive me, I'm not in a mood to chat." Jaskier sighed.
"Such a shame, the great Dandelion had a voice that made sirens weep. I am saddened that tonight I will have to suffer the squawking of Vickers again." Edward sighed, loosening the top few buttons of his jacket to release some heat.
"Sing? You want me to sing? What possibly could put me in the mood to sing, I'm basically a captive on here." Jaskier groaned, his eyes falling upon a flask that Edward had revealed from his pocket.
"Would you rather be back there?" Edward asked, taking a drink while pointing over his shoulder.
"No…" Jaskier replied.
"Well, you're safe for now," Edward said and shared a charming chuckle that was off-putting.
"What does that mean?" Jaskier asked.
"It means this world is full of scary crap that makes it impossible to relax. Hunters lurking around every corner. Hiding in plain sight" Edward said, eyeing the bard intently and handed the flask to Jaskier.
"Surprisingly, that doesn't make me feel better," Jaskier said as he quickly grabbed the flask and took a swig.
"Drink more of that and watch the water for a bit. The ocean winds have been known to enchant the loneliest of hearts" Edward said and moved so Jaksier could take his place at the bannister. The bard looked out over the ocean as the Captain eased him to step forward then began to walk away.
"Wait! W-what am I supposed to do now? Geralt hates me, I have lost my wealth and…" Jaskier looked like he was ready to burst.
"Hey! Calm down. Nothing is happening right now, nothing needs to happen right now. It's okay to just be blank." Edward said and put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Besides, I ordered you to relax. I am the Captain after all" Edward said and smirked.
"I… oh, I uh… I'm sorry, I shouldn't be taking up your time like this." Jaskier said, suddenly very awkward.
"It's alright. I got two hundred people on board. It would be nice to bolster some of the others who might be sympathizing with your sorrow." Edward suggested. Jaskier nodded and handed the flask back to him.
"You can finish it, there's not much left. Return it to me later." Edward said and waved him off. Leaving the bard to look over the waters with an air of gloom over his head.