Hello lovelies! Been so long since I've posted a fanfic, but I hope you guys like it. I must warn you, I have absolutely no idea about where this fic will go or what the pairings will be yet. It will probably start out with some GeraltxYennefer, but it may progress to GeraltxCiri or stay GeraltxYen... I don't know yet. Either way, if you are not comfortable with GeraltxCiri, then please don't read. I don't want any flames. I also do not know much about the Witcher world or even the storyline, so this may be AU. Warning you now. This is just a for-fun fic, so don't take it too seriously. Thanks guys. Enjoy! :)
Chapter One: Toss a Coin to Your Witcher
"When a humble bard, graced a ride along, with Geralt of Rivia, along came this song. From when the White Wolf fought a silver tongued devil, his army of elves, at his hooves did they revel."
The words travelled on the breeze, so quiet they were almost impossible to hear to the average human ear. However, Geralt could pick up the words easy enough with his enhanced hearing. The girl behind him remained oblivious.
"They came after me with masterful deceit, broke down my lute and they kicked in my teeth. While the devil's horns minced our tender meat, and so cried the Witcher, he can't be bleat."
As Geralt moved silently down the worn forest path, sitting on top of his trusted mare Roach, he would deny to anybody that the corners of his lips tilted upwards in a slight smile as the singing grew louder. He turned, his stoic expression returned, to face the ashen blonde girl on her bay mount behind him and gestured with his finger for her to remain quiet. She nodded in understanding, as the singing finally met her ears, her curls bouncing from the movement.
"Toss a coin to your Witcher, O' Valley of Plenty, O' Valley of Plenty, O'… Toss a coin to your Witcher, O' Valley of Plenty. At the edge of the world fight the mighty horde, that bashes and breaks you and brings you to mourn. He thrust every elf far back on the shelf, high up on the mountain from whence it came."
Geralt slowed his horse's brisk walk to a slow, lumbering pace as he spotted a man dressed in simple red clothes, seated upon a stump and strumming his fingers along the chords of his lute.
"He wiped out your pest, got kicked in his chest, he's a friend of humanity so give him the rest. That's my epic tail, our champion prevailed, defeated the villain, now pour him some ale. Toss a coin to your Witcher, O' Valley of Plenty, O' Valley of Plenty, O'… Toss a coin to your Witcher, and friend of humanity."
The Bards voice trailed off as he caught the sound of hoof beats approaching close by. Geralt raised a brow when the Bard looked up, clearly shocked to see him. "For the love of the Gods," Jaskier snapped, eyes wide as he stood up in a hurry, nearly tripping over the very stump he'd just been seated on. "Look who it is; if it isn't our mighty Witcher!"
Jaskier bent down in a half, mocking bow before turning his gaze upon the Witcher. "Found a new lady to keep you company? Awfully young, wouldn't you think?" he asked, his eyes turning to glance at the dirt covered kid.
"Easy now," Geralt grumbled. "Jaskier, this is Cirilla, Princess of Cinatra." The young girl stared at the Bard with wide, curious eyes, but said nothing.
The Bard's jaw dropped. "This is the child born from the Law-of-Surprise? So you finally found her? My that must be quite the tale…" his voice trailed off as he smirked up at the Witcher, suddenly losing his sarcastic and bitter tone. After all, they hadn't departed on good circumstances.
"I found her in the woods," Geralt stated bluntly. "We must keep moving, come if you'd like Jaskier." He urged Roach back to his brisk walk, Ciri's mount following close behind.
"Well, I shan't turn down the offer of protection during these dangerous times," the Bard smirked, walking behind Roach, but staying slightly in front of Ciri's horse. "Might be time to pick myself up a horse one of these days. Where are you guys off to anyways?"
"We must find Yennefer," was all Geralt said.
"How would you track down a mage? She could be anywhere!" Jaskier scoffed. "I'm sure there's a few dozen other ladies you could bed who would be much easier to find!"
Ciri's head shot around to look at the Bard in shock. "He has bedded her?" she asked, her first time speaking since they stumbled upon Jaskier.
"Oh yes, those two are like a pair of wild dogs in heat," the Bard chuckled. He was silenced by Geralt's large hand smacking him in the back of the head.
"Watch your tongue," the Witcher snapped. "Cirilla is a child and doesn't need to hear your ramblings about adult matters. Yennefer is part of our destiny, we will find her just by continuing forward."
Jaskier rubbed the back of his head indignantly, grumbling to himself. After a moment, he dropped his arm and looked up at Ciri. "You know Yennefer?"
"I saw her in a vision where Geralt was calling for her. She seems important," Ciri answered quietly.
"Oh yeah, importantly dangerous," the Bard grimaced. "She's as crazy as she is beautiful."
"That she is," Geralt smirked, still looking forward at the path ahead.
The conversation died out after that, and they continued along the forest floor in silence. Ciri's mind wandered to everything that had happened over the last few months. So much had went wrong, and she had lost so much, and learned that very few could be trusted. She found it hard to believe how safe she felt with the Witcher in front of her. They had hardly spoken, just travelled together in companionship and comfort. She felt like she'd known him all her life. Apparently that was the power of Destiny.
Her powers however, concerned her. She did not know what she was capable of, but Ciri did know that she was the one who had killed her ex-friends that awful day not long ago. Plus, then there was the power of her scream, which seemed to cause others great pain in their heads and ears. A strong feeling told her that Yennefer would be able to help her understand what she could do, and why. Maybe even Geralt would have some idea.
They travelled for the remainder of the day, until they came upon a stronghold, mightily structured with thirty-feet high stone walls. This was Yarrin, Ciri believed. She had read about it in her studies. It was an independent stronghold, and was ruled by the King Reimund. They walked through the gates with no trouble, though Geralt did tell her to keep her hood up.
People stared at Geralt in disgust or terror. Mothers grabbed their children and ushered them inside, while men glared at him. A few looked upon him in awe, and lust in the case of some women. Ciri was surprised; how could a man whom she felt this unearthly trust and connection towards, be looked at in such cruel ways by people? When the gazes turned to her, but a child upon a large horse, she cowered, scrunching down further under her hood and scooting her horse closer to Geralts'.
Geralt led them up to a large inn with a stables attached to the side. He dismounted Roach, and passed him to the Bard, and indicated for Ciri to do the same. She quickly passed her horse to Jaskier, and followed Geralt inside.
The front room of the inn was a large room, filled with tables lined with men drinking mugs of ale and ladies in tight corsets passing the thirsty men their next drinks. Geralt walked up to the front desk, where a masculine-looking woman stood, with her thin wispy grey hair stuck out in every which direction. Her clothes were dirty and old, worn full of holes.
"We'll need two rooms," Geralt grumbled to the woman, placing a small bag of coins on the desk, which the woman grabbed quickly. She counted them out silently in front of them, her eyes glancing at Ciri in curiosity between the counting of the coins. Without saying a word, she passed two keys to Geralt.
Jaskier entered the inn just then. "Horses are taken care of for the night," he said, as he stepped up beside Geralt and took one of the keys from him.
Ciri followed the two men as they sat down at one of the tables. She kept her hood up to cover her face, and sat next to Geralt. A voluptuous woman slammed two mugs overflowing with strong-smelling ale in front of Geralt and Jaskier, before handing her a glass of water. She thanked the woman, bringing the glass to her parched, dry lips. It had been so long since she had a drink in a proper glass, and she was grateful for the chance.
Geralt and Jaskier were speaking quietly about a rumor of some monster lingering around this town, but she paid little attention. Her eyes looked at Geralt, finally being able to study him. He definitely was a handsome man, with his almost white hair and golden eyes. The thick muscles that lined his scarred arms proved that he was a dangerous foe. She had yet to see him in combat, but with the huge sword strapped to his back, she knew he would be a terrifying opponent.
Ciri remained silent for the hour they sat there, the two men drinking their ale, as she nibbled on some bread and cheese Geralt had one of the women bring over for her. Not long after she had finished, Geralt stood up. Ciri followed him closely, as the three of them went up the stairs. Jaskier bade them goodnight, before heading into one of the rooms.
Geralt unlocked one of the other room doors, and gestured for her to enter after he gave it a quick once over. She walked inside and looked around. The room was simple, with an old bed, a couple of chairs, and a small table. A large window covered by thick black drapes was on the adjacent wall, backlit by the moonlight sneaking through.
Reaching up, she untied her cloak and placed it on a hook near the door, while Geralt moved over to the chairs, which faced a fireplace with a small flame, barely ignited. He added another log onto it from the wood box before sitting down. His golden eyes turned to look at her, and she fidgeted under his intense gaze. "Get some sleep. I have been hired for a job tomorrow and you will have to come along too."
Ciri nodded and moved over silently to the bed. She almost asked him where he was going to sleep, but something in her told her that he was going to be either spending the night on the floor or in that wooden chair. A bit of guilt nudged at her, but she pushed it down. Looking at him to make sure his back was to her, she pulled off her dress and folded it up before placing it on the tiny night table. She pulled back the musty smelling bed covers and crawled into bed, the sound of the roaring fire and the feeling of finally being safe lulling her into a peaceful sleep.