A/N: Well, yellow! This is the fifth chapter for my story. Hope you guys enjoy it and leave a review if you could.

Chapter-5

"It's been a while, your imperial majesty."

A silvery-white haired man boldly stated out with his chest held out in front of a man sitting in front of a desk and chair. It was Geralt. The man who received his greeting was dressed in deep red checkered clothes that matched his long black hair, with a black imperial jacket on him, studded with beautiful baubles. The man was old, as evidenced by his complexion and graying hair on his sides. However, that did not undermine the regal look he imposed on his subjects who surrounded him. The man said,

"It has been Witcher. Seems you still haven't learnt any etiquette when greeting one such as myself."

Geralt responded in his usual stoic tone, "I'm a Witcher. Not an aristocrat. Etiquette is not necessary in killing monsters. Neither is bootlicking."

The other faces in the room looked displeased with what he said and did. After all, the one he spoke to was Emhyr var Emreis, the current ruler of Nilfgaard and yet he had the audacity to not bow before him, much less, even talk back to him! It was on grounds of lese-majesty!

'The nerve!' they thought.

However said ruler himself didn't make much of it. He didn't expose displeasure of any sort but yet maintained a serious look on his face. One that meant business. He announced in the Nilfgaardian tone,

"Avellain narm in. vattghern far vothe." (Everyone else but the Witcher leaves.)

As soon as he said that, his subjects who were present in the room left the room leaving only Geralt and Emhyr present inside. Geralt then looked at the Emperor and asked,

"So mind telling me what this is about? Take it you didn't summon me to reminisce about the good old days."

"Silence." said the Emperor hushing Geralt.

He then stood up from his chair and turned around to look at a portrait of a young girl with ashen hair, who was all too familiar to Geralt. Emhyr then said,

"She has returned Geralt. My daughter has returned….. And now she's being hunted by the Wild Hunt."

Geralt remained silent as he looked at Emhyr who then added,

"You have known about this for a while, have you not?"

Geralt looked at him grumpily and said, "I have."

Emhyr looked at him and then added, "You will bring her to me."

Geralt didn't back away from the glare and responded, "That depends. But first we need to find her."

Emhyr replied, "That wasn't a question, Geralt."

Geralt added, "No it wasn't, but it is my answer. You have no claim over Ciri. You forfeited that when you promised her on to me when I saved you from Calanthe's wrath."

Emhyr glared back at Geralt and said, "I have forgotten how insolent you can be."

Geralt replied, "Insolent those words may be, but they are facts."

Emhyr then sat back on his chair with his ever-so-serious face. He then looked at Geralt and said, "You merely have to bring her to me for which you will be rewarded. What Cirilla wishes to do after is her choice."

He then said, "Yennefer will bring you up to date with the details. Meredith will take you to her. Now leave, I have other things to attend to."

Geralt made a short nod and then proceeded to leave the room, but he stopped before he did so and asked, "One more thing, your majesty."

Emhyr looked at Geralt and said, "Speak."

Geralt asked, "What do you wish to do with Ciri if she comes to you?"

Emhyr looked at him and replied, "I shall simply give her what she deserves."

Geralt didn't know what that meant but he didn't want to know either. He gave a nod once again and the left the room leaving Emhyr to resume back to his work.

He was greeted with a familiar sight on the outside. Geralt scowled and said, "Why are you here?"

"Oh come now, are you going to be that arse-faced towards your lovable travelling companion?"

It was Fel who greeted Geralt with a cheery tone unlike the surrounding atmosphere they were in. He was wearing his signature fox mask.

"It was one day and that in itself was already insufferable."

"Your words wound me sir."

Geralt looked at Fel and continued to glare at him. He didn't know what was with this man but something about him annoyed to him to no ends and the man didn't help his case. He just couldn't stop teasing Geralt about his adventures or talk smack at him. This evolved into a banter that lasted for an entire day, wherein Geralt lost each battle. He just couldn't make a comeback. Their banter had been a peculiar sight to Vesemir who had travelled along with them to Vizima before parting ways. Geralt then said,

"Where's the chamberlain? Isn't he supposed to lead me to Yennefer?"

"I sent him away. He's a rather boorish one, that man. But Fear Not! For I shall escort you to your fair maiden so that you may rest your eyes upon her comely figure."

Geralt said, "Shut up and just lead me to her."

Fel replied, "Oh alright you bore! You should seriously develop a sense of humor. Any more of that dull personality and another man would be running off with your beloved's heart before you could even utter the word 'Yen'."

Geralt grit his teeth and held his urge to gut the insufferable fool in front of him. Even Dandelion wasn't this annoying.

'Just hold it in Geralt. You are not going to be seeing much of him from here on.'

As they moved along the many rooms that lay adjacent to the inner courtyard, Geralt spotted that the soldiers were expressing their displeasure at them, in particular at Crevan.

'Huh… wonder what he did to them.'

However Fel turned a blind eye to the looks as if they didn't matter a single bit, guiding Geralt to Yennefer. Geralt then acted on his curiosity and asked,

"The guards here don't seem to like you."

"An astute observation, my friend."

"Mind telling me what happened?"

Fel laughed awkwardly and then said, "I may have entered the Emperor's bed chambers and may have kept a knife at the Emperor's throat without knowing who he was. It was all just a very big misunderstanding you see."

Geralt stopped in surprise and had one of the dumbest looks he ever had. To threaten an emperor and still hang around his court like it was his own. It took big balls to do that. Ginormous ones. Geralt felt a newfound respect and his opinion of the masked character in front of him improved but it was just a tiny bit as he was still a little too annoying. Lead by Fel, they soon arrived in the room that Yennefer was staying and there she was, the black haired beauty was going through some notes and letters on the desk.

Geralt approached her while Fel took a position on the side and leaned against the walls. Yennefer said,

"Geralt, that tunic! You look positively smashing."

"Ugh dying to take it off."

"I would consider that as a proposition under different circumstances, one I might even take you up with-"

"Oooooh! Should I fetch some red wine for the lovebirds? Or just stand here like a dumb statue? Don't mind me, please continue! You wouldn't even know that I exist!"

Both Geralt and Yennefer glared at Fel who started to whistle. It was evident to Geralt that neither of them liked him one bit. The man was an asshole. But Geralt knew that Yennefer still had a use for him, just didn't know what it was. Yennefer then asked,

"I hope the audience went well?"

Geralt grumbled and said, "You know me…never liked him."

"Be that as it may, he's helping us in searching Ciri and right now we need that help more than ever. 'She' needs our help."

Geralt then asked, "Is it true then? She's really back?"

Yennefer then pointed at a sketching of a young lass and said, "Look, that's more or less what she looks like now or so our agents claim. Our little girl has grown into a young lady."

Geralt looked at the portrait and his gaze softened as he said, "How about that…..she's grown up."

"It's been years since you two trained together in Kaer Morhen. A great deal has changed." said Yennefer.

Geralt added, "You haven't, not a bit."

Yennefer smiled and said, "I missed those awkward compliment of yours."

"Pretty sure that's not all she missed."

The two once again glared at the fox masked man who insisted on playing the third wheel time and time again. Geralt asked,

"Tell me, why do you even have him by your side?"

Fel said, "Ah! Am I really that unwanted?"

'"YES!""

Fel dropped his shoulders. Geralt could have sworn that he had a pouting look on his face beneath that mask as he said,

"Bah! You two are no fun. Enjoy your evening, lovebirds! There are more than a handful of ladies begging me to have fun with them!"

Fel left the room as he said his piece leaving Geralt and Yennefer alone in the room. Geralt then asked, "Mind telling me who he is now?"

Yennefer turned silent before saying, "He's a friend, like I told you."

"Yes, but you never explained how though."

Yennefer looked away from him, towards the letters on the desk and replied, "It's….complicated Geralt, just leave it at that."

Geralt's curiosity was peaked but he refrained from asking Yennefer more questions about him. It was evident to him that she was hiding something from him for a while now, but Geralt understood that she had her circumstances and didn't pry. Trying to change the subject, he then hugged her from behind,

"How long has it been, since we last met?"

Yennefer replied, "Six months and three days now. You were caught for assassinating King Foltest and was thrown into a prison. I had to send in help for rescuing you."

"Yeah, but I never knew that you were under the service of Nilfgaard at the time."

Yennefer added, "No I wasn't. I was searching Ciri on my own. I just pulled in a few favors, a few which cost me dearly."

"Then I better repay you quickly."

Yennefer laughed and added, "Repay me? Do you want to add in the time that I died trying to save you as well?"

Geralt said, "I saved your life when you made that contract with the Djinn."

Yennefer added, "By binding my fate with yours."

Geralt said, "So we are even."

Yennefer turned back and kissed him, "Not even close."

The eyes of the two lovers sparked with something as their lips leaned it to touch again. They melded into the kiss not noticing the time going by. They may have been separated only for a handful of months but it felt like it was years to them. Yennefer was the one to break away from the kiss, the kiss that she initiated. She slowly said,

"We….can continue this later…. Ciri…she comes first."

Geralt understood the meaning of her words and said, "So where is she?"

Yennefer quickly regained her composure and said, "She was seen in two places. Velen and Novigrad. The trail in Velen looks more promising. You should make that your first stop. Ask for a merchant named Hendrik at the Inn at the Crossroads. He's one of the emperor's agents. He should get in touch with you."

"That's it? No passwords? No gestures? No secret handshakes?" asked Geralt

Yennefer replied, "None. Sorry to spoil fun, your boyhood fantasies about the crafts of the trade."

She then continued, "But moving back, all we have in Novigrad are unconfirmed reports. Rumors. But you can get some help from a mutual acquaintance of ours. Triss Merigold. Apparently she's got a flat on the main square."

Geralt nodded his head and asked, "And what about you? What will you do?"

Yennefer replied, "I shall sail to Skellige. There was a magic explosion there recently, blew half a forest down. I believe this had something to do with Ciri. I'll be in Kaer Trold. Join me there once you learn something useful."

Geralt nodded his head and said, "I will."

The two of them remained in silence before Yennefer added, "We must find her, Geralt."

"We will."

"It's been two years. Two long years since we started searching her."

"And yet the first solid lead we get on her comes from him."

Yennefer sighed and said, "I know what kind of man he is Geralt… I wouldn't have allowed him to even meet Ciri were it up to me, but we are under different circumstances, right now. I can use only so much of my resources and spells without the Wild Hunt releasing their hounds on me. We can only use the traditional methods of tracking her down now and that requires Emhyr's resources. We need him as much as he needs us."

Geralt grumbled in dissatisfaction. Yennefer knew that there was no reasoning with him in this state and remained silent. The two moved to the fireplace in the center of the room and stared at it while staying silent together for a while. Geralt sighed and said,

"Guess we need to split up again. Not my preference. But I understand. Clock's ticking."

"It is indeed. So why don't I teleport you to Velen. Get you there at once."

"Not gonna happen. I'll go on horseback. Soon as I get changed."

Yennefer nodded her head and said, "Have it your way. Oh! And you really look quite dashing in black velvet."

Geralt asked back with a chuckle, "Think so? Maybe I could have some of my armor lined with it…. Good luck Yen."

"To you as well. And Geralt, I know its war-time…..but try not to be a hero, alright? Just check those leads and come back to me. In one piece."

Geralt nodded as Yennefer left a soft kiss on his lips and went back to the desk to check on the reports. Geralt left the chamber and then looked at himself,

'Now…to go get my armor. It's going to be a long journey from here to Velen. Better check on supplies.'

(A day later)

Geralt grumbled while sitting on his horse, as if he was not in a good mood. His stoic face had gone and with it was replaced with a face of annoyance.

"Oh why do you look so glum, chum? Cheer up! I'm here, aren't I?"

"I'm not in the mood."

"Precisely! That's why it is my duty as a travelling companion to bring you back into the mood."

Geralt groaned as he thought, 'I need to check if I was cursed.'

Yes, he was once again on the road with Fel, on the way to Velen on horseback. He was surprised that very morning when he appeared as he prepared to leave Vizima, riding a horse. Geralt sighed and then said,

"Why are you even with me? Don't you have anything else to do?"

"Nope."

Geralt sighed and said, "Great."

"Oh don't worry, mate! I will do my very best to not annoy you to the core."

"That is exactly what I'm worried about."

Fel looked at him and said, "Oh my, it seems you do have a sense of humor. Wanna do a bit? I can hook us up on theatre if you like?"

"Fuck off."

"I would if I could."

He was annoying to no ends for Geralt. His attempts at riling up the white haired Witcher didn't go in vain as they seemed to do so. Fel then looked at the riding Geralt for a moment and then delved into his thoughts,

Flashback

Right after Geralt had left, Yennefer looked through the reports on the desk to see if she had missed any detail. While doing so she then spoke into seemingly nowhere,

"He has left. You can come out now."

As soon as she said that, a shadow of man emerged from one of the corners of the room before it revealed himself to be Fel. He asked in a chirpy tone,

"So how was it? Your reunion?"

Yennefer replied, "You saw it yourself didn't you? Why do you ask?"

"Still wanted to know how you felt though."

"That's private and none of your business. Besides, I don't think you stayed here for this long just to make small talk. Especially since you have some 'special' ladies waiting for you."

"What if I did though?"

"Get to the point" said Yennefer with a sigh. Fel held his hands up and waved,

"You two are a perfect fit for each other. Neither one of you could learn to appreciate a joke."

Yennefer still maintained the scowl on her face. Fel dropped his hands and then said in a serious tone,

"What would you have me do?"

Yennefer replied, "I want you to go along with Geralt. There is no doubt that Geralt can take care of himself but an assurance wouldn't hurt."

Fel replied, "I see…. You're worried that the Hunt may get to him."

Yennefer sighed and nodded, "Geralt may be strong but he would need help in case the Hunt sets their eyes on him."

Fel nodded and said, "Naturally. But I would be more worried about yourself than Geralt right now."

"?"

Fel added, "You made a mistake and left a trace of your magic when you performed the geomancy spell this morning. Luckily I erased it for you."

Yennefer replied, "I see…."

"Something has been eating at you, is it not? Otherwise you wouldn't have made a blunder like that."

Yennefer got up from her desk and then said, "It's just that….we're close, so close and yet she seems to slip away… I can't think…. Can't just think what would happen to her if the Wild Hunt got to her…"

Fel replied, "You're frustrated."

"Yes."

Fel sighed and said, "No words of comfort can help you. Only yourself. Know that you are not alone. You have others who can help you."

"I cannot say for sure if we can find Ciri in time but you can be sure that no harm shall come in Geralt's way. I'll make sure of it."

Yennefer released a sigh and relaxed her stiffened shoulders. She then said, "That's a relief at the very least."

Fel chuckled and said, "I suppose it is."

"How much have you recovered?" asked Yennefer in a concerned manner unlike her usual self.

Fel sighed and said, "Not much. It seems the damage of leaving the island is a bit lasting than I thought. It would take a bit more time for me to recover everything. I don't want to use my powers until then, it would be as bad if the Wild Hunt stopped hunting Ciri and laid their focus on me instead. I wouldn't fare well against them in my weak state. But don't worry, with Geralt, we have more than a fighting chance."

The two of them remained in silence before Yennefer said, "You know, I had half a mind to give you to the Wild Hunt in exchange for Ciri. With your Elder Blood, I doubt they would need Ciri anyway."

Fel looked surprised and yelled, "You would do that?!"

Yennefer smirked and said, "I just may, given the right circumstance."

"I never knew that you were this ungrateful."

"Then you don't know me."

Fel couldn't think of a response for that and went silent for the first time. Yennefer giggled a little and then said, "What? I was just joking. Do you honestly think that I would just hand you over to the Wild Hunt?"

Fel replied, "Like you said, I don't know you."

Yennefer chuckled and said, "True."

She turned serious and then added, "I may have been joking now but that plan did strike my mind before. To place the heat on you in exchange for Ciri so that we may have more time and possibly remove the Hunt's existence from our lives."

Fel fell silent as Yennefer continued, "However, I refrained from it because you were the only one that understood Ciri's powers best. We may be able to retrieve her but what about her life afterwards? Ciri needs to learn to control her powers. My understanding of her powers is only a little and what I taught her before when she was little girl will not be enough for her to face her destiny should Ithlinne's prophecy hold true."

Fel looked at her and said, "You've really thought this through, haven't you?"

Yennefer replied, "I'm not the young impulsive woman I was before, acting without thinking about the consequences. While that part of me still exist, true, but not as much as before."

Fel nodded and said, "I see."

The pair went into an uncomfortable silence before Yennefer then said, "Right, I shall head to Skellige now. Hope you have a safe journey ahead."

Fel nodded and said, "We'll meet you in Kaer Trold once we are done."

Yennefer nodded and said, "I'll hold you to that."

She then opened a portal and moved towards it, but before she could exit she turned around and asked,

"Oh and one more thing?"

Fel looked at Yennefer and as if to ask what she wanted to say. Yennefer just replied,

"Thank you, Crevan."

That sudden wave of gratitude caught Crevan or now dubbed Fel off guard who quickly regained his composure and said,

"You're welcome."

Yennefer then turned around and stepped into the portal vanishing from the room leaving Crevan all alone. He looked around for a while before his attention was caught by the sketching on the desk. He looked at it and muttered,

"To have so much people worrying about you, you really are loved I see….."

It was just a sketch but a kind of feeling arose in him. It was unusual but it only lasted for a second. He then kept the sketching on the desk and thought,

'Best get to work right away.'

Back to the Present

"I don't know why Yennefer even sent you along with me, but can you learn to be a bit more silent on this trip, please?"

Crevan smirked to himself and said, "Well, since you asked so nicely, I might just stop talking-"

"Good. Finally"

"-that is, if you can beat me in a round of gwent. I'll shut up if you win but if I win I get that pouch of coin hanging by your hip."

Geralt shook his head and said, "That's hardly a fair deal."

Crevan replied, "Those are the terms. You're denying me of the right to speak, you know. Besides, I heard that you were a master in games such as these, care to prove you're worth your salt? Or are you chickening out?"

His words irked Geralt of his competitive side as his gaze turned fiery. He smirked and said,

"You're on."

"Excellent! Let us have our match once we make camp for the evening."

"Fair enough."

"Mind you, our deal is not in effect until we make camp. So I'm allowed to talk as much as I want to."

"Ughhhhh."

(Five Days Later-Velen, Northern Temeria)

It was a bright morning near the Hanged Man's tree. The crows on the tree cawed while perched on the same branches where corpses and desiccating bodies lay hanged about. Our two riders were moving along while looking at the sight in distaste. Crevan who was now dubbed Fel sighed and said,

"I would never understand the vile nature of human beings and their methods, even if I researched all my life. This method is a sure fire way to attract necrophages to this place."

Geralt replied in a stoic tone, "That is the idea. What they want is to spread fear, in doing so, they would reign supreme control over them. The natives wouldn't listen otherwise."

Fel replied, "True. I don't know about you, but I want to leave this place out of my sight soon. It smells pretty bad here."

"Agreed."

The two then moved on as they rode past to the nearest village. The place was known as Mulbrydale. Geralt made a pit stop at the notice board and looked at some contracts before picking them off and while Fel went ahead and asked for directions. He thanked the people there and moved back to Geralt and said,

"Well, our destination isn't that far. We may be able to reach there in two or three hours. What you got there?"

Geralt said, "Nothing interesting. Got notice for a contract. The hunter in Blackbough's Wife has gone missing while venturing into the woods. Might look into it if we are in the area. Pay's alright."

"Never knew you were so out for coin."

"Gotta be, after you stiffed me of everything I had. How the hell did you win that many rounds anyway?"

"Ho ho ho, so eenie-little- widdle Witcher wants to know how I pway. Come here to mastah, I'll teach you." said Fel as if he was talking to a baby.

"Fuck off."

"Like I said before, I would if I could. I can't, so I shant!"

Geralt retorted, "Tell me, were you born with that ugly mug? Or did you make yourself that way?"

"Dunno, doesn't matter to you anyway does it? It's stuck with you either way." Said Fel in his usual chirpy tone.

Geralt grumbled and went silent. He knew it was hopeless arguing with the man. He was an enigma in his eyes, but something about him seemed amiss. The way he talks, acts and walks. All of it seemed familiar but he just couldn't place his finger on it. He just left it that way and the pair then moved on out of town and on their merry way to the inn at the crossroads.

They entered the nearly deserted village and into the inn. The pair became wary of the place, as it seemed strange that almost no one was outside their homes even though the sun shone high in the sky. The two looked at each other and nodded their heads slightly. They dismounted their horses and went inside the inn. The atmosphere seemed gloomy and dark, and if it weren't for the inn keep who was still inside, they would have assumed that it was empty.

The innkeep said, "What do ye want?"

Geralt said, "We're looking for a merchant. Goes by the name of Hendrik-"

However as they spoke neighs of horses could be heard outside along with a few men yelling. Geralt looked at the innkeep and asked,

"Trouble?"

Innkeep nodded and said, "Best get yerselves out. I've a backdoor-"

However before they could even leave, the door opened and a bunch of rough looking bandits entered. One of them yelled,

"Oy! Innkeep! Vodka!"

One of them then spotted Geralt and asked, "Who's these two?"

Another commented, "Brave warrior, looks like. Got two swords, see? And the other's got a funny mask."

The first bandit then said, "Oy! Grey boy! What's the point of havin two swords?"

The third bandit joked, "Wonder if he keeps an extra prick in his trousers, too."

The other two laughed at that before the third bandit asked, "And you, why do you have that mask under ya?"

Fel didn't respond and one of the bandits then said, "Maybe his face is so ugly that it may kill people who see it."

The others laughed while the two others remained silent. Geralt and Fel looked at the innkeep who signaled them with his head shaking.

"You two fuckin deaf? I asked you a question! Gonna say who you are, or do I need to loosen your tongue with me knife?-"

However before he could finish that sentence, a knife embedded into his neck, spilling out blood. The man caught his neck and gurgled out blood before falling onto the floor dead. Crevan who threw the knife even before anyone could see it then said,

"Ah, forgive me but my hands slipped. You must excuse it since it usually doesn't tolerate threats directed towards me for no reason, especially so if they are from a bunch of scum."

"Y-Y-Ye murdered Brim! Get im"

Tensions burst out as all the bandits immediately took out their weapons while the innkeep hid behind the counter in fear. Geralt stood up from his chair and unsheathed his steel sword.

"Give it a rest, will ya?"

Fel made an axii sign and casted it on all the bandits in the tavern. The fight was over before it began. Every last one of them was under his spell. He then commanded,

"Now here's what you're gonna do. You're not gonna remember what has happened here. You're gonna pay the nice inn keep what he is owed, remove yourselves and the body from the village, and explain to your boss that he had an accident while he was fiddling with a knife? Understood?"

The bandit said, "U-understood ser."

Fel nodded, "Good, now fuck off."

"Yes ser, fucking off."

The bandits took the body of the person called Brim and then walked out of the inn. They called in all the other bandits in the village who were harassing the villagers. The others looked confused as to what was happening but they didn't question their superior's orders. All of them left the village without extorting the village anything.

It was a miraculous sight to see for the villagers. The pair of witcher and masked mage came outside and watched the spectacle. Geralt sighed and said,

"This is my second time seeing this but it's still amazing what you did."

Fel chuckled and said, "All it takes is mere practice and fiddling that's all."

The innkeep said, "I don't know what kind of hocus pocus ye pulled off there but thanks to ye, we don hav to pay em for a while. Thank ye stranger."

Fel shook his head and said, "It's nothing, they were getting on my nerves anyway. Though I wonder what the noble lord who rules this area has to say about thugs entering his territory."

The innkeep shook his head and said, "The ones ye sent away are the Baron's men."

Geralt asked, "The Baron?"

"Aye, the Bloody Baron. That's what they call im. He's the one who governs this place."

Fel looked in surprise for a moment before it vanished, "Wonder how the person himself is if his men are already like that."

Geralt nodded his head. The innkeep said, "Nothing good about I'm afraid. Folk are scared to do anything about it though, but you are here on other matters aren't ya?"

Geralt added, "Yeah. Hendrik. He was supposed to be here."

The inn keep said, "Man lives in Heatherton."

Geralt shook his head and said, "Don't know where that is."

The innkeep said, "Other side of the hill. Looked thataway this morn and saw a strange glow. Imperials on the raid, perhaps but who knows…"

Geralt then said, "Thank you, we'll be on our way then."

Inn-keep nodded his head as the pair moved out of the inn, and mounted onto their horses. The two then made way towards the village as per the directions given by the inn keep. They rode fast, not wasting anytime and arrived. Only to find that the place was covered in white, and was desolate, as if a storm had passed through recently. Geralt dismounted from his horse and said,

"Snow?"

Fel replied, "The Hunt's already been here. Seems like they got to him before we did."

"Seems like it."

However snow is not the only thing that was present for there was also-

"Necrophages! Look out!"

Geralt immediately dodged an attack from a ghoul. Looking around, the pair saw that they were surrounded by three or so ghouls. They looked hungrily at them, with eyes that were looking at their next dinner. Geralt unsheathed his silver sword and kept it at the ready.

The three ghouls moved in a circle as they surrounded the pair, when one ghoul suddenly charged in towards Geralt. Geralt dodged the attack and then swung his sword at the ghoul striking it at the legs. The ghoul retreated before he could do any lasting damage and it began to slowly heal. The other two ghouls no longer underestimated their opponent and then moved in towards them together. However Geralt was able to handle them both quite easily. He was able to decapitate one of the ghouls by swinging down on it's neck, killing it effectively, while kicking away the other. Geralt then felt something on his back and immediately turned to find that the other ghoul had already charged in towards him.

'Shit I was careless!'

He was about to block the attack from the ghoul but it was hit by a ball of fire that blew it away, disintegrating it into ash. Geralt saw that it was Fel who had done it and gave a quick nod before turning around and swinging his sword on the last ghoul splitting it in half.

The battle was over. Geralt slowly sheathed his sword and released a sigh. He said, "The scent of the bodies must have attracted them."

"Better burn them soon or we might get more of them."

However it was then they heard a clatter from one of the huts. Fel looked at Geralt and nodded his head as they both moved in towards the hut. Geralt shouted,

"Is anyone in there? Hello?"

"Who? Begone! Leave me be, whoever you is! Get away!"

Fel said, "Calm down. The monsters are gone. It's over."

The door of the hut slowly opened as a villager popped his heads out and said, "A-are they truly gone then?"

"Yes."

"O-oh, t-thank ye, t-the others… I thought I might end up like them…"

Fel asked, "What happened here?"

The man sat went towards the well at the center and sat near it. He said, "The sun was waning see.. and the dusk went crimson like blood. Thought to myself, 'Strange. The toads- I cannot hear them.'"

"But instead I heard another sound, a sound of a horn blowing, everyone was going indoors, to hide… it was then I saw. Riders, wearing the armor of demons. Spectral riders who rode like the wind. Terrors."

Chilled and terrified he continued his frightening tale, "I know not what happened there, save terror through and through. Hendrik screamed, then he begged. By the end he could do naught but moan."

"His hut burned and the terrors killed whoever they say. The village froze like in the heart of winter…"

Geralt then said, "You in that hut when they rode off?"

"No. And I'll not set foot in there. Never."

Fel added, "Best you get outta here. It's not safe here. Go to another village."

"Aye.. I'm leaving here. My sister is living with her husband in Blackbough. Will go there once I'm done packing."

Fel nodded and said, "Farewell then, and peace of mind to you."

Geralt then went ahead along with Fel to check the hut. They arrived upon the body of the agent they were supposed to meet with cuts all over him. Geralt said,

"Tortured him."

"Evidently. Check if he has something that might help us."

Geralt then checked the body and soon found a key hidden within his boots. Fel said, "A key?"

Geralt added, "Gotta fit a keyhole. Somewhere nearby, hopefully."

They looked around the hut before Fel then said, "Over here!"

Geralt came over and saw that there was a trap door on the floor with a bear rug that was displaced from it. Fel said as he opened it,

"Let's see what he's left behind. Hopefully this can help track down Ciri."

The pair then went inside and found a cellar with a bunch of barrels. Fel then noticed a poster of a woman nailed on one of the support pillars. He looked at it for a while. Geralt said,

"Pretty neat in here."

"Left his valuables on display, almost as if he has lost his mind or-"

"-or if he doesn't want his unwanted guests to know that there is more to this place than it seems."

Fel then saw an odd looking sconce on the wall and pulled it, and the pair then saw a bookshelf moving outwards revealing a chest hidden within behind in a secret compartment.

"There."

Fel then pointed at the lock and said,

"See if it fits."

Geralt then placed the key inside the keyhole and-

"Voila. A perfect fit."

Geralt then opened the chest and looked at the contents within. Geralt said,

"A ledger… payment for sack of grain… amount due for a charcoal shipment…"

"He was masquerading as a merchant. It's to be expected that it's in code."

Geralt smirked and said, "Or it's not. He's made notes in between the ledger. Clever."

He then read out loud, "Missing and Wanted. Subject appeared in Skellige. Also sighted in Novigrad. Appearance unchanged. Scar on her face. Avoids contact with others."

Geralt looked at Fel who urged him to move on. Geralt said, "Subject landed in a swamp, encountered a witch. Conflict ensued. Reasons unknown. Find the witch. Talk to the peasantry. Village of Midcopse."

"So called baron hosted subject at his castle, or should I say, illegally appropriated fort… reason unknown. Talk to the Baron in Crow's Perch."

"I'm being observed. Don't know by whom or why. Unsettling signs. Dog ran off. Water in bucket frozen. Strange glow observed in sky. Ill omen, peasants say."

Geralt then closed the ledger. Fel said, "It seems our unfortunate spy was somehow caught by the Wild Hunt learning that he was looking for Ciri. Thus the torture."

Geralt nodded his head, "So we have two leads here. The Witch and the Baron."

Fel nodded his head and said, "It's best if we both split ways. Could cover more ground that way and spend less time. You go see if you can find this Witch, while I take care of this Baron. Find what I can from him."

Geralt nodded his head and said, "Alright."

Once they were out of the hut, Fel said, "Oh, you are gonna miss me dearly aren't you Geralt?"

"We just had a good thing going. Don't start getting goofy now."

"Goofy is what I exist for mate!"

Geralt sighed and said, "We meet in three days. In the At the Crossroads. Tell each other what we found."

Fel nodded, "Alright then."

Geralt then rode off quick enough while Fel stayed behind in the village. He then gathered up all the bodies to the center before he cast a spell on them, burning them away.

"I know that this might not be what you were hoping for, but it's the best I could do. May your souls rest and be at peace."

Once he was done with that. He then mounted on his horse and said,

"Alright Zeek, on ward and upwards. To Crow's Perch!"

END