"The Medallion"

Chapter 3

* I have edited the contents of this chapter. Enjoy *

(OOC) Kai-lynn was her true name. God I'm good. Her snicker was thick with certainty. She was long from the inn and making her way up a dirt path on the outside of Oxenfurt. Kai would stop by the grocer in the morning and purchase some food that would last her on her journey. Potatoes, bread, barley, and oats consisted of her typical diet, but with this payout she might be able to afford some poultry and vegetables allowing her to round out a full meal with all the necessary nutrients a growing girl needed… Honestly, she could have taken more if she wanted, his horse, his pride. Never take more than you need, she reminded or else she would see them come for her, never again.

Women were not long for this world. Their rights and freedoms stripped from them at every turn. Kailynn had to make a life for herself, at any cost. What was a little coin here and there? Taken from the rich, the upper-class, the bountiful and fortuitous. Fuck them, she thought to herself sickened by their exuberant privileges. Kai's heart had grown cold over the years, destitute, impoverished. The maiden had suffered many indecencies and would no longer stand for it. She was responsible only for herself, otherwise she would succumb to the aristocracy classes. A part of her hated Jaskier and his nobility, she could admit that she enjoyed his torment. Let his hereditary wealth satiate him, she chided. Kai would have his gratuity. He will be fine without it. Kailynn tossed Jaskier's purse into the air and caught it with the opposing hand, she felt vigorous, as she always did after a hunt. Tilting her head with a grin she unclipped the pocket to reveal what doubloon the bard had made this evening; it would get her through the next few weeks at least. Time well spent.

"What the?" Kai's eyes furrowed curiously as her fingers recognized something out of the ordinary. It was hard to tell in the dark of the night, but her eyes adjusted. Not coin, but… a Medallion? "What the fuck is this?" It looked of silver and sapphire. "Hmm." Kai's immediate thought was that it might fetch a coin or two if it was made of silver or gold. However, there was something about it, something enchanting. Her blue eyes shimmered iridescence, and she felt her body freeze in place. Kai stared deeper into the intricacy of the emblem and her mind began to cloud as though she were entranced by it. Her subconscious threw her into a dizzy and Kailynn began to feel faint, suddenly the thief was torn from the present. A rush of colour around her blurred her vision as it lifted and tugged on her very soul almost transporting her.

Kai's mind was open, accessible… susceptible. "Ugh." She coughed as her body fell back into itself abruptly. Kai felt nauseous as her mind collected itself and her body quaked in the aftershock. Her eyes soon adjusted into the night. A dark figure stood over an infant's crib. Long barbed fingernails at the end of shriveled hands reached forward as the baby cried out in fear. Where were the child's parents? The room was dark, cold. Kai could feel it. She could feel… everything. A distant fire flickered from the open window creating ominous shadows across the empty nursery. The cloaked figure approached the infant's cradle with dangerous intent. Kai was suddenly sick with fear, she gasped. The figure stiffened as though it was suddenly alerted to a presence behind it. The vailed individual turned quickly, and looked Kai dead in the eyes, his pale face was sunken, sullen as though his life, his youth had been drained from the flesh. Dark hostile eyes gazed back at her as though they were looking right through her, his skin hung loosely as though it were barely gathered about his skeleton. In her state of shock Kai froze, her fingers lax dropped the medallion. A knot in her chest began rising through her esophagus as the same dizzying sensation returned her to the present. Kai choked as though her gullet were ready to burst open. The deep pressure within her continued to increase and rise even as she gasped for air, stretching her throat into unimaginable breadth. Kai's head bent backward in agony, veins turning cold and eyes eclipsing as black bile erupted from her mouth. Kailynn grasped at the protrusion rooted in her neck with one hand and fell forward into the ground, barely able to hold herself up with the other. Her entire body wretched forward, puking what looked and felt like hot tar into the grass as she attempted to steady herself. This lasted moments, but it felt like hours. Kai's eyes watered as she could barely breath through the thick black sludge. She had no idea what had overtaken her. Eventually Kai regained herself whatever it was, it was fleeting. "What the fuck." She gasped wildly, spitting up what was left of the blood and mucus in her mouth onto the ground. With one hand she whipped the mud from her face and curiously rolled it between her two fingers. It steamed from the ground into the air around her, purple like the night itself. Cold to the touch now that it wasn't choking her from inside.

The medallion had toppled only a few feet ahead of Kailynn and glinted in the moonlight, as though it were calling out to her. Kai's icy blue eyes shimmered again like lighting, and she felt herself compulsively reaching out to it. Kai's hand shook with uncertainty.

(Beorn) Past

(OOC) Beorn, a practitioner of magic had lived for many years. He had obtained many objectives and acquired a wealth-full of knowledge throughout the realms. His wisdom of supernatural means was not to be questioned. Invincible, they called him. Impregnable, Beorn could not be overcome or conquered. Armies had tried, and all had failed. Beorn himself would not accept anything less than invincible.

The mage grasped a ruby studded dagger, freshly sharpened, he delicately and with great precision sliced open the forearm of his king exposing the muscle underneath. "Just one bite." He calmed the angry and benevolent ruler and placed the chunk of flesh on a silver tray beside them. "Tend to his wounds." He instructed the medic.

The medic rushed to the king's side and began their work, cleaning and addressing his arm with fresh warm bandages as he hissed back in defiance. "And?"

"Patience," Beorn cooed as long sharp nails picked up the skin between two tapering fingertips. There was a pale monk awaiting him adorned in clean robes, Beorn instructed that he open his mouth and lean backward to receive the king's flesh. The monk did not hesitate and opened his mouth wide, swallowing the meat whole. This was his purpose; Beorn had convinced him. The mage mumbled an incantation and the monks' eyes glazed over, translucent in the dim light of the castle peak. The monk's body began to convulse within the chaos. Beorn took the dagger by the hilt and with a sweeping motion sliced his stomach agape, intestines pooling onto the floor. "A child." Beorn read, "The oldest Aen Seidhe legends speak of another tribe of elves- the Aen Elle. Their paths are said to have diverged ages ago, when the Conjunction of the Spheres gave birth to dozens of other worlds. The lord of the Aen Elle was supposedly Auberon Muircetach, known as the king of the Alders. Legends speak of a king with the power to travel through space and time, who plunderers, rape and pillage our world and kidnap humans to use in the hunt." Beorn drawled on, having given enough of this history lesson/exposition. "The Alder Folk have born a child, a dryad. Sensitive to the primordial chaos of both worlds."

The medics finished tending to the king and he stood, attempting an air of intimidation. "Elves are lesser beings, what type of torment could they cause? They have lived their days in slums, in ghettos with fear of humans for centuries…" The king scoffed.

"The child will see your demise, by her own hand." Beorn turned, seemingly unfazed by the news of his Kings death.

"Who?"

Beorn was careful not to show his concern, he had not only seen the Kings death but his own. Blue embers crackling, dancing on his flesh, burning pandemonium. Beorn had never felt chaos so pure. This child of conflict would bring about a war between humans and elves that would be inherited over several generations. "It will take me time, but I will find her…" And find her he did.

(Jaskier/Geralt)

Geralt had waited long enough, he angrily wrapped Roach's bridle over the post outside the inn steadying the horse and clumping up the wooden stairs to the door. Jaskier knew that he wanted to leave early that morning and Geralt would not leave the medallion with him whether he would join Geralt on his journey or not. Boots cracking against the floorboard the Witcher raised his fist and slammed it against the bard's door, rapping 3 times before he waited. The troubadour had, had long enough with his... fancy. "Jaskier." Geralt commanded, knocking again with a closed fist. There was a thump on the other side. The couple were most likely regaining their virtues and making themselves decent.

He waited…

And waited…

"JASKIER!" Geralt had no patience for the fool and cared little about chastity. Grasping the doors handle he pushed it open with force. "I've been -" A pause. The room was empty. Then what was that thud he had heard moments earlier? "Jaskier?" The wood in the firepit had burnt down to nothing but ash and coal like no one had been here all night to stoke it.

There was a muffled moan from the side of the bed nearest the wall. Geralt stepped further into the room, placing his hand on his sword in anticipation. "Geralt?" Jaskier managed to muster from his position on the floor. His body was finally starting to respond to him. Geralt relaxed himself before tilting his head curiously.

"Jaskier, what happened?"

"A vixen." Jaskier whined as his muscles clicked and snapped, he could barely move. His body was stiff and ached from a night of sitting upright against a wall. The least she could have done was offer him a pillow for his troubles.

"The girl…" Geralt recalled the fair blonde maiden that Jaskier had whisked away from the pub. He smiled at the thought of the bard being overpowered by such a small, indefensible woman.

Jaskier could feel his judging expression, his eyes on his back and the smirk on his face. "Don't. Don't you dare. You have no idea!" Jaskier's shoulder clicked and strengthened itself as he tried to push himself off the floor. With one awkward push Jaskier was able to prop his limp listless body along the wall. When Jaskier had started to regain his movement, he fell right off the edge of bed and onto the floor face first. The wood smelt of moisture and dirt, he could barely breath through the binding of his body. His everything. How intrusive. Jaskier's appendages were weak and languishing. He had never felt more vulnerable than in this moment, and of course Geralt was there to mock him. "That temptress. That…" Jaskier's expression was one of sickening anger and confusion, "bitch." In this moment he could not trust his senses, let alone his wearied and exhausted mind.

Geralt walked forward and took in the rest of the room; he released the grip he had on his sword assuming that the maiden was long gone by now. "What happened?" He tried not to laugh but could not help himself to stare as he watched Jaskier struggle in the corner of the room. The bard was face first on the floor and arse in the air.

"She made a cuckold of me Geralt." Jaskier's arms started to respond to him. He placed his hands on the ground and pushed himself off the floor. "I've been taken advantage of!" He finally twisted himself and turned against the wall with a thud. He quickly collapsed; his body tired. "Why is it that this world is so unfair? We are blissfully unaware until its cruelty has us by the throat!" Jaskier coughed as his body finally started to respond to his brain. He was spiraling as he recalled the evening and had never felt more betrayed. "She took everything."

Geralt was amused up until now. "Everything?" he looked around the room. Jaskier's clothing was bundled up in the corner and Geralt had his lute, but where was the… "Damnit Jaskier." The Medallion.

"What?" Jaskier sneered with a roll of his eyes, caring very little about any of Geralts problems in this moment.

"The Medallion?" Geralt spoke between gritted teeth.

"Oh right, I'm fine Geralt. Don't worry about me." Jaskier scoffed. "I've only be exploited and abused." Jaskier might have been exaggerating. "Left at the mercy of a succubus." The bard gathered himself and stood up from the floor, his legs weak and shaky. Kira had tapped into Jaskiers carnal flaw… women. "I have drunken off the vine of a demon and lived," Jaskier brushed his hands down his chest dramatically.

"And?" Geralt inquired.

"Yes." Jaskier dismissed Geralt with his hand, "She took the medallion. She took all my orens. That vile cock-thirsty vampire."

Fuck. Geralt groaned. "Did she give you any information as to where she might have gone?"

"What?" Jaskier glared. "Did you not see," he indicated to himself, "What she did to me?"

Looking over Jaskier, "You seem fine." Geralt commented.

"OH!?" For once, Jaskier had no comment. He paused, almost choking on his thoughts and words as his arms flailed by his side, his mouth agape. "THANK YOU, for your deep concern." His blue eyes glared coldly at the Witcher before he shrugged and pursed his lips with irritation. "She didn't say anything, just that she would be far away from here by the time the Nightshade wore off." The blood was finally starting to rush back into his limbs and Jaskier felt his skin tingle and sting. He was cold and numb and hadn't slept a wink.

"She most likely headed outside of Oxenfurt." Geralt took a moment to consider their options. Jaskier's heart stopped in his chest at the thought of going after her. "We can retrieve your coin." Kira might have been cold and calculating but would be no match for a Witcher, her only advantage was her act of deception.

"Oh no, no, no, no, nooo. You're not serious." He never wanted to see that woman again. Shaking his fingers Jaskier stepped toward Geralt tripping on his own feet and stumbling before regaining himself. He pointed bitterly at the Witcher. "Absolutely not. Leave the very voluptuous pick pocket to her kleptomaniacal downfall." Jaskier was fighting a losing battle.

"You're frightened?" Geralt mused, tempting Jaskier into bravery.

The bard shook his head, "How dare you." Jaskier's arms folded together. "Of her?" He barely paused as his face flushed red with hate and embarrassment, he had obviously lost this battle. "Absolutely!"

(Kailynn)

Kailynn placed a grape in her mouth triumphantly, it had been weeks since she had tasted the finer fruit. "Oh gods." Her voice purred with pleasure, "Mhmm." She placed another grape between her teeth, and it burst with flavour as she bit down into it. Beneath her a small harmless fire crackled away in the daylight white smoke rising and dispersing in the fresh morning air. A motionless lake sat before her, quiet save for some dancing dragonflies catching mosquitos above the water. A fish would breach here and there but Kai was content for now. Normally she would be up to fish in such a perfect climate, but she already had a feast of fresh food from the grocer. It was so peaceful deep in the woods; Kai would stay here overnight, away and hidden from the main trail where travelers typically crossed. The warmth of the fire was warm against her weary flesh, Kai felt herself creep closer to the edge of the nipping flames to ensure optimal heat distribution. Her eyes closed as she leaned into the heat and savoured this moment. Peace, quiet. She had relieved herself of the cumbersome dress and replaced it with a black leather chausses pant and matching armour top. Kai still looked delicate but was prepared to face the elements, amongst other things. She pulled her blue cloak tighter as she relaxed into the moment, blissfully unaware and pretending like she didn't give a damn about the medallion. Despite the wicked vision it had given her.

The medallions energy ebbed and flowed. When Kai closed her eyes, she could feel it call out to her. As though it were speaking directly to her. Kai felt her head dizzy and her body become light as the jewel urged her to reach for it. Touch it. When she finally managed to open her heavy eyes, the lake almost disappeared as a dark blue fog rolled in from her peripheral. The daylight turned quickly into night and blackness threatened to overtake her. Kailynn. Was it calling her name? "Hello?" She called back.

A noise in the distance startled her. Kai turned toward the sound and refocused to her natural surroundings. Crickets chirped, and the field flowers smelt faint as her senses regained themselves. Kai paid no mind to the medallion and instead trained her ear to the disrupting noise. Horse feet and faint chatter. Kai rolled her eyes as if nothing had happened and kicked out the flame, patting the coals and ash down with the heel of her boot until there was barely any heat left. Scarcely a smolder. It had to look as though the fire was ancient, like whoever had utilized it was long gone from here. As quietly as possible Kai gathered her pouch and tucked it into the taller grass out of sight, creeping down the side of the lake and hiding behind a large rock formation out of the sight of the road. The noise grew closer, and Kai kept her silence.

The Witcher ignored Jaskier as he protested through the brush. Geralt could sense the medallion and was keeping an eye on the treeline for any faint emblem of magic. There had been no indication of life or magic for hours yet and Geralt was beginning to suspect they had gone the wrong direction. Certainly, the thief would be long gone by now. Jaskier's incessant complaining was starting to get on Geralts nerves, and if it wasn't bad enough the bard was strumming his lute and singing to himself working on what seemed to be a new ballad. The song was obviously incomplete, and he was repeating lines to himself as any artist might.

It steals all my reason

Commits every treason

Of logic with not but a look

"Stop." Geralt raised his hand and Jaskier stood stiff with fear.

"What is it? A basilisk? A Harpee?" The hair raised on the back of the bard's head as his mind wandered rapidly through all the devilish possibilities. He almost looked excited. "Geralt?" He questioned when the Witcher neglected to answer.

"Jaskier." Geralt insisted and with one swift movement swung his leg over Roach and stepped off the horse. Roach was calm, there was no immediate threat. "We will stop for some water." Geralt said calmly. He did not admit that there was a presence near the lakeside, but it would be in their best interest to stop for a drink. As they approached the lake edge a warmth tickled him, Geralt turned to see an empty fire pit barely a simmer. "Someone was here."

"Probably just some boorish travelers." Jaskier commented with disinterest leaning up against a tree, tickling the strings of his lute.

The fire had been pretty stamped out; it was hard to tell how long ago the camp had been left behind. A familiar feeling, smell overtook him, and he turned back to Jaskier who had already made himself comfortable. "Stay here." Geralt walked Roach to the lakeside and let him drink from the still waters. As calmly as they had arrived Geralt removed some of his bulky armour, strap by strap. He placed it on the ground by the fire pit as though they were going to be a while and dug into Roach's sadle bags. Geralt fished out a hunting knife which he buckled to his belt. Geralt could sense magic nearby the camp. The Witcher had already found the medallion once before, so he recognized the chaotic essence emerging from the bush. But where was she? Had she left it behind? To any untrained eye the Medallion looked expensive, and even the worst thief could sell it for its worth in silver. It did not seem possible to Geralt that Kira had left it behind. The fire was still warm. Warm enough that she could be hiding in the forest nearby, waiting. Geralt knew one thing about the thief, she could be rather cunning. Had they walked into a trap? Geralt remained calm, still, and attentive. He was tuned into their surroundings listening for any crack of a twig, rustle of bushes or steps in the grass… Then he heard it. Got you.

"Hellooo?" Jaskier noticed Geralts blank look and watched him remove his gear, "Don't leave me." Geralt looked back and placed his finger against his lips, silencing the bard.

Kai breathed deeply when she realized who had approached her makeshift camp. Fuck. Kai held herself against the rock and watched out of sight, waiting for them to leave. The cold surface of the stone could be felt through her armour. She sighed with frustration, they seemed to be making themselves comfortable, fuck, fuck, fuck. How long was she going to be able to hide from a demon slayer? Jaskier is harmless, she thought to herself as she watched him taunt Geralt. But where did he… Geralt was gone almost as quickly as he had arrived. Kai furrowed her eyebrows curiously, holding her breath now in case – "There you are." A strong muscular arm wrapped itself around her throat. The Witcher tugged the thief back hard and into his chest locking her in place. Kai choked and grasped at the Witcher's strong arm, unable to defend herself against the sudden assault. Geralt held his knife to her throat and dragged her back toward the camp out of her terrible hiding place. Kai struggled a bit but was no match for a man twice her height and quadruple her strength. Her legs unceremoniously kicking out from beneath her, heals digging into the dirt. Geralt steadied her body and using the arm he had around her neck grasped Kai's shoulder and turn her abruptly, pushing her forcefully into a nearby tree and holding her there with ease.

"FFFFF…" Kai hissed out in pain as her body collided gainst the tree, she felt her shoulder pop like it was being pushed out of its socket. Geralt held his knife to her neck, and Kai stopped struggling as it dug into her skin. "Please." The blade of the knife pierced her, and she felt a trickle of warm blood trailed down her shoulder. Kailynn had learnt a thing or two about begging for her life. "I'm unarmed." That was a lie.

"You!" Jaskier huffed with disdain. "Geralt! Do your… Witchering," He insisted, stepping forward and setting his lute on the ground. "I'm unarmed." Jaskier scoffed at the succubus' plea, "That's a lie." His head shook fiercely. Flashing back to Kira's bare thigh inches away from his face, the knife steady in her hand and death in her eyes. Jaskier apprehensively stepped back.

Geralt angrily looked back to Jaskier, he had no interest in killing a defenceless woman. His piercing yellow eyes looked down on Kai and she felt the weight of his presence against her. Intimidation was obviously his strong suit. "Kira?" He questioned plainly. "Jaskier tells me you stole from him."

"Are you serious?" Jaskier was in a fit. Any browbeating by the Witcher was almost aphonic after the bard spoke.

Kai looked into the Witchers eyes; they were penetrating. She did not want to reveal her true name, so she nodded. "He looks familiar." It was just like Kailynn to joke in the face of danger. Idiot. "You sure it was me?" She sneered at Jaskier who vibrated with disdain for the thief.

"Oh, you devilish whore." Jaskier grew colder, "Smite her Geralt. Get to the smiting."

"Where is the oren?" Geralt almost smiled down at her, clearly bemused by the troubadour's anguish. Geralt obviously didn't think Kira was much of a threat.

"Can't blame a girl for trying." Kai looked up innocently at Geralt. "You clearly have the upper hand here." She batted her entrancing blue eyes up at him and his grip softened.

"I don't want to hurt you; we just want our coin." Geralt would not mention the importance of the medallion.

Jaskier kicked, "Really Geralt? This woman almost killed me. Where is your sense of camaraderie? Are you perhaps short of a - "

"I didn't hurt you." Kailynn interrupted him before he could come up with more poetically devastating insults. "Your pride maybe." Kai looked at Jaskier who had been avoiding her gaze, she laughed at the thought of the bard's body stiff against the bed frame, helpless. "A girl's got to eat." Kai looked back up at Geralt, who towered over her. She raised one arm, wrapping her small hand around his masculine wrist, and squeezing desperately. Her eyes shimmered blue.

Geralt felt his resolve weaken. "Give us the oren." Geralt released the knife from her throat but still held her against the tree. Kai sighed with relief and pointed toward the bush where she had tucked away her belongings. Geralt followed the direction Kai pointed before looking back at her, his expression becoming more serious, "If you're lying to me." He need not say more, the look of fear in the maidens' eyes was enough confirmation, Kai understood his power over her. With that knowing look Geralt let her go. Kailynn slumped against the tree, her shoulder cracking as anxiety began to overtake her. Her breathing increased, and she felt her chest tighten but she would not allow them to see her fear. Kai straightened herself and held her tongue, she did not know that Geralt could smell the fear seeping out of her pores like a cooked pig.

Geralt stepped into the bush and dug out a black bag, inside it was food that the thief had purchased and a few leftover coins. Beneath everything and seemingly tucked away out of sight was the medallion. Geralt removed the medallion from the bag and carelessly tossed it back onto the ground glaring at the girl, who hadn't dared to move. "Keep it." She was clearly starving.

"Excuse me!" Jaskier insisted.

"I will not leave someone out here to starve to death, Jaskier." Geralt immediately quelled the bard's protest. The demon slayer had what he came for, and plenty of oren between the two of them. "Where we are going, we won't need the coin." The Witchers generosity took Kailynn by surprise, and she finally felt her body relax. Kai placed her hand against her neck to stop the bleeding. Examining her hand she noted that there was not much blood, but she would need a bath before nightfall lest her body become a feast for the nocturnal insects and predators that made this lake their home. Kai who had slumped against the tree pushed herself from the stump and stumbled forward, knees weak. She picked up her pouch and smiled smugly at Jaskier who remained in a fluster as he and his companion gathered their belongings and began to embark.

"I had heard stories of you Witcher." Kai chimed with a genuine smile, "Doesn't seem they're all true!"

With that they left, the bard heard bellyaching far into the distance.