Jaskier and Ciri have a heart to heart and get a surprise visitor.
It's been two weeks since I seduced Geralt into finally claiming me. I shift on Roach and discreetly rub my bum. He hasn't had any problem taking me since, wearing me out night after night with his addicting touch. My body aches, not yet accustomed to the rigorous lovemaking. Geralt hums quietly in front of me. his hand gripping my knee, and Yennefer and Ciri bicker about who took the last chocolate strudel cake. Ciri's been snippy lately, snapping at the smallest provocation and I suspect she's gotten her womanly time. Geralt likes to pretend Ciri isn't growing up, wanting her to still be the little girl he found in the woods all those years ago so he stays clear of their arguments. Ciri tosses her hands up in exasperation and throws herself from their horse. Yennefer pulls it to a stop and glowers at Ciri.
"You get back here Cirilla. I'm not done talking to you." Geralt sighs softly and rubs his nose, his expression pinched.
"Women." He mutters softly, scrubbing his hands down his face when Ciri screams for Yennefer to leave her alone. He slides off Roach, pulling me down gently beside him, his lips thin with worry. My body aches but in the best of ways. It shows the possession of Geralt and nothing would make me give that up. I yawn and cover my mouth, my limbs sluggish. I've had vivid flashes of nightmares lately and they always wake me up. Ciri grabs her satchel and stomps away, her movements jerky with anger. Yennefer pinches her nose and growls.
"I'll go with her Yen, maybe I can talk to her." Geralt snorts and pulls our bags from Roach's saddle. I scowl at him and he looks away, trying to hide his grin.
"Better you than me. I love that girl but she is wearing on my patience. I don't ever remember being that insufferable." She flounces off to start a fire and I share an amused look with Geralt. Pretty sure she was probably worse than Ciri. I shied my eyes from the sun and look for Ciri. She is clearing the treeline, her silhouette slowly disappearing. I kiss Geralt quickly before dashing after her.
..
The sun has started to set, the day turning to dusk. Ciri sits beside me on a log, stabbing her knife in the dirt. She glares at her boots, her nose crinkled. I play a soft melody, hoping to dispel some of the tension lingering in the air. Ciri raged and complained about how Yennefer treats her like a child, doesn't let her make her own decisions, ect. I let her blow off some steam, hoping it would help lighten her heart. Instead she stopped talking and chose to dig up the dirt as if it will somehow make everything better.
"Is this really only about a cake? It seems awfully silly." Ciri crosses her arms and turns away from me, her shoulders stiff. I bump her with my thigh and she huffs.
"It's not about a cake. It's about Yennefer treating me like a child all the time." My fingers move over the strings, a soft melody like a bubble around us.
"Ah. So you running off in the middle of an argument is something an adult would do." Ciri glares at me over her shoulder, her eyes narrowed. I cock my head, waiting for her to disagree with me but her shoulders sag, the fight leaving her.
"I just want her to see me as a partner, not someone she has to baby. I can do magic, I can fight and I'm strong but she refuses to teach me more advanced magic." She kicks a rock, her boot clinking against the hard stone.
"Yennefer see's you as a daughter Ciri. She just wants to protect you." Ciri pushes off the log, twisting her hair into a knot.
"I can protect myself if she will just show me how! I'm destined for this great path but how am I supposed to do what I need to if she won't train me!" She throws her dagger into a nearby tree, the thunk scaring some birds from their nests. She pants, her chest rising and falling with her irritation. I can't help but smile when she pulls her blade free. She looks at me like I'm crazy and I shrug.
"You just reminded me of Geralt is all. I see a lot of him in you." Her face softens, her eyes losing some of their fire. I pat the spot next to me and she plops down, hugging her knees to her chest. I slide my arm around her shoulders and give her a side hug. She leans her head on my shoulder and I rub her arm.
"Just be patient with Yennefer. Talk to her and tell her how your feeling. I'll even talk to Geralt and we can both talk to Yen. Don't worry, I'm sure everything will work out." Ciri is quiet beside me, her head slumping. I pinch her arm but instead of squealing and elbowing me, she is motionless.
"Ciri?" I shake her and she falls forward, unconscious. I scramble to grab her before she falls to the ground. I look up and scan the trees, trying to figure out what happened. A dart sticks out of Ciri's neck, the tip smelling rancid. I pull it out and hold my fingers under her nose, my heart slowing when I feel the tickle of her breath. I hold her close and open my mouth to scream for Geralt when I feel a piercing sting in my neck. I reach up and pull the dart free, my body already growing numb. A group of men spill from the trees, their cloaks vibrant against the growing darkness surrounding us. I reach for Ciri and try to pull her away, willing my body to listen to me. I fall to my knees in the dirt, my arms falling uselessly beside me. My head grows heavy and I slump motionless beside Ciri.
"Ah little bard. It's lovely to see you again." A handsome man glowers down at me, his smile cruel. My heart thuds loudly in my ears, the blood in my veins turning to ice.
"I see you remember me. I certainly remember you." It's the knight from the inn, the one who almost raped me. He caresses my cheek, his fingers cold. He strikes fast, his knuckles splitting my lip with the force of his hit. My head snaps to the side and I taste blood. I close my eyes to keep the tears at bay. I'll be damned if I let this bastard see me cry.
"I've come to collect what is owed little bard. I've also hired some skilled mercenaries to kill that damned Witcher." I look at Ciri but she is deathly still in the dirt, her chest rising slowly.
"Take me, let her go." I force my lips to move, my words barely more than a whisper. The knight grins at me and grips my hair.
"I'm taking you both little bard. After all these men will need some company." He leers at Ciri and my stomach sinks. I gather the last of my strength and scream.
"GERALT!" The knight smashes his fist to my temple and everything goes black.
..
Geralt's POV:
My skin tingles and I look up from the rabbit I'm skinning. I scan the treeline, trying to find whatever caused this unease swirling inside me. Yennefer stirs the pot, dumping in raw vegetables and hums quietly to herself. The sun is setting, the animals that come out at night, hooting and screeching. I hand Yennefer the meat and rinse my hands from the canteen.
"I'm going to bring back Jaskier and Ciri. I'll be back soon." Yennefer waves me off and tells me to hurry back with them. I slide my sword over my shoulder and follow their tracks into the woods. I find a small clearing, logs of various sizes spread out. A lone satchel sits by a log and I kneel beside it. I lift the bag and take a deep smell. It reeks of Ciri's spiced potions and my nose itches from the overwhelming scents. Numerous boot prints litter the ground where the satchel was and I look around me, searching for Jaskier and Ciri .
"Jaskier? Ciri?" I cup my hands and yell. A single bird screeching is the only answer I get and my spine tingles. The boot prints lead up to two trails of what looks to be like marks of someone being dragged. I toss away Ciri's satchel and step forward, drawing in fresh air. I detect the faint traces of them but also the scent of unwashed bodies and leather. One smell in particular stands out and my blood runs cold. I grab Ciri's satchel and dash into the woods, searching frantically for my missing companions. I can see the faint traces of their tracks and can still smell them on the wind. I want nothing more than to give chase but I know it would be easier with Yennefer and on horseback. I force myself to turn away, and take off running back to camp. I have to find them and soon.