Chapter 5

(warning attempted rape)

Let me know if you'd like more chapters to this story * Lack of viewer response has me doubting its any good. Thats why this chapter took so long.

Enjoy!

As they travelled back toward the main road Geralt sensed something odd coming from the tree line. It was a familiar feeling, smell. He tuned Jaskier out as he thought to himself, Roach's steps taking the path slowly stride by stride. It was the medallion… It's magic pulsed as it did along the edge of the Oak Pond and calling out to something amidst the bushes, something Geralt couldn't see. Faint, wavering chaos. Geralt wasn't sure he could trust it. The pair continued forward – a gutt wrenching scream burst through the forest scape and birds fled the thicket into the summer sky. Jaskier froze, his heart skipping a beat. "Did you?"

"Yes." Geralt said gruffly, of course he heard it; it nearly shook the ground beneath them.

"Should we?"

"Hmm." Geralt kicked in his heels and guided Roach toward the woman's cry.

"Yes, lets follow the banshee shriek into the depths of the forest. Why not?" Jaskier mumbled to himself, forlornly over their adventuring for the day. He held back a few feet like Geralt always insisted, tucking his lute into its carrying case for safe keeping.

The man-made path lead down a spiraling thicket and toward a babbling brook, the trickling of water did nothing to cover the voices that could be heard echoing up the creek. 3 men, Geralt noted, they were laughing to themselves with excitement. Roach approached the waters edge and Geralt tugged on his bridle, halting him. It was hard to tell what they were bent over, until a woman cried out in pain. The one man had his hand around his trousers and another up her shirt grasping her breast tightly, he scratched at her flesh with his dirty hands ripping and tugging without remorse. The two other men held her down by the arms trying to stop her from struggling against their companion before moving one hand each to her trousers and unstrapping her belt with intent. The girl was struggling with a certain ferocity that made it more difficult for them to control her and kicked out at her assailant catching him in the groin. The man flinched, but already beaten and bloody he turned to her and with knuckles reared and punched her in the jaw. With a deafening blow her movements began to slow, and she slumped down appearing to lose her fight.

Her body was limp now, all the more ready for their assault. The man eagerly tore at her shirt as Geralt dismounted his horse. Without a word he grabbed the man by his collar and pulled him backward, tossing him into the water. The bandit skimmed against the creeks surface and rocks carelessly like a skipping rock. With cold eyes Geralt turned back to the other men and unsheathed his sword slicing it down across one bandits' hands and chopping them both from his forearms in one clean movement. The man screamed in shock and agony and his friend released the girl, looking dead at his companion's stump hands bursting with blood before he turned to run. Geralt tossed the sword up into the air from one hand and repositioned it within the other, throwing it forward like a spear and stabbing the man clean through the chest as he fled, pinning his twitching body to the tree which stood in front of him. That left stumpy, still screaming in pain, and writhing on the ground, Geralt took his second sword from the pack on his back and wrapped both hands around the hilt stabbing it down at the man and through his raging boner. The bandit cried out in pain once, and then twice as Geralt removed the blade allowing him to bleed out onto the earth. The last bandit had already picked himself up from the cold wet rocks of the creek and found Geralt's companion hiding behind his horse. Jaskier was panicked, as the man bloody and damp, held a knife to his neck and watched his friends perish. In anger he dug the blade deeper into Jaskiers unprotected throat.

"Geralt?" Jaskier choked.

The Witcher turned and sighed heavily at the sight, slumping his shoulders when he realized Jaskier was captive.

Jaskier could feel the bandit trembling against him. "What have you done?" The bandit held the bard tightly opposed to his frame.

Geralt was calm but frustrated, he looked to the ground and then up to the assailant with a shrug. "Simply having a penis doesn't give you the right to a woman's body."

The bandit pressed the knife tighter to Jaskiers neck and the bard flinched, his foot sliding from beneath him and his neck deeper into the blade. A trickle of blood dripped down his neck, but the assailants' wounds did more to destroy his tailored coat. "Who are you to decide for me?"

"Let him go, and there will be no further discussion." Geralt was a man of his word.

The bandit seemed to think a moment, eyeing his dead brethren. "And why should I trust you?"

Geralt shrugged, "You can't. But know if you kill him…" Geralt pointed to Jaskier with his sword, "you will join him." Geralt was normally remarkable at talking his way out of these situations but for some reason Jaskier felt weary he wasn't trying.

The bandit released his grip on Jaskier, holding his collar and blocking the Witcher from seeing him, the two backed up into the bush until he felt a safe enough distance from the Witcher, Geralt followed the two only slightly as not to startle the criminal. Jaskier was stumbling and unsure, breathing hoarsely until the bandit pushed him forward toward the Witcher and escaped into the forest. Jaskier tripped beneath the force and fell forward face first into the ground with a thud. Geralt watched only for a moment making sure his friend was unharmed before turning back to the girl in the tall grass. The demon slayer kneeled next to her motionless body and tucked his hand under her chin turning her face upward. "Kira." He stated, coldly as her hair slid from her face.

Jaskier was busy picking himself up off the ground, he clapped his hands together removing flakes of dirt and mud, "Oh no, you're joking." Stabling himself with a sensible huff he walked toward the two, "I just risked my life, for her?"

Geralt shook his head and took her half-torn shirt, covering what had been revealed. Her blue cloak was nestled beneath her body, Geralt grasped the corners and wrapped it around her torso like swaddling an infant before sliding two strong arms beneath her motionless frame. He couldn't leave her here. If her assailant returned, she would surely be killed. Picking her up and clutching her body to his like a parent would their child Geralt turned back to Jaskier, "collect some wood, we will make up a camp here until she wakes."

Jaskier motioned to protest, but when Geralt turned to him, and in seeing the bright red bruises adorning the thieves gentle face the words caught in his chest. "Of course, we are." Despite his agreement Jaskier still seem annoyed by the circumstances, he had nearly died for the woman who robbed him. Fuck it.

(later)

Geralt recalled his first kill as he pressed some healing herbs into a clay mortar. "Did I tell you about the first monster, I ever killed? It was outside of Kaer Morhen. He was bald with rotten teeth. I came across him on the highway where, he had stopped a peasant's cart and pulled out a little girl, maybe thirteen years old. His companions held her father while the bald man tore off her dress, He said it was time for her to meet a real man…" Jaskier listened intently as he stoked the fire, placing bands of cloth into boiling water to clean them. The bard glanced at the unconscious thief with trepidation. She was curled up in her night blue cloak and resting against the edge of the fire. Jaskier was getting the sense that Geralt was explaining his actions in keeping her safe and tending her wounds. Chivalry. Geralt could tell by the look on Jaskier's face that his mind was wandering back to the events at Oxenfurt, "He released the girl and came at me with an axe. I told him it was time for him to meet a real man." Geralt stated, almost smiling. "I hit him twice, they weren't clean cuts." Jaskier stopped what he was doing, unsure if he should respond. Geralt made eye contact with the bard in his pause, and he felt as though it was the first truth about himself, he had ever shared with someone. "Sometimes the monsters are simpler than bog beasts, and serpents…" Jaskier's conscious tugged at him callously, he looked down at Kira and saw her looking rather innocent in her sleep. Jaskier was questioning if he felt anything against her… The fact was she had not hurt him. Used him, damaged his pride? Maybe, but not his body. Not in the way the bandits would have…

"Ugh." Jaskier shook his head and returned to stoking the fire. He'd rather not think long on the subject. Geralt had made his point.

The water finished boiling the cloth and Jaskier picked it out of the pan handing it to Geralt. Geralt took the fabric and slathered on a thick layer of crushed herbs letting it cool in the air before he got up to stand over Kira. He pulled back the fabric of her cloak careful not to expose her and placed the warm cloth on her bruises and open wounds. Kira shivered as Geralt adjusted her but relaxed when the warm cloth stuck moist to her flesh. "This will help her wounds heal." Geralt then tucked the thief back into her cloak, ensuring she would keep warm while she slept.

It was hours before Kai blinked into a wakeful state, her surroundings were blurred, and her body ached. There was a pounding in her head that was sharp and unpleasant. The sensation was loud in her ears and blinded her, affecting all her senses at once. Slowly as her body and mind woke the pounding began to subside. Eventually it was enough that Kai could open her eyes and her vision did not stir wildly. As her thoughts returned to her Kai-lynn tried to concentrate and listen to her surroundings. Deaf in her pain there was a warmth that could be felt tickling her body and Kira dared not move, less she grow cold. Over her cloak she could make out smoke rising from a crackling fire, dancing into the treetops and through rustling branches. There was fabric wrapped tight around her frame, so tightly bound that for a moment she thought she was restrained. As her consciousness reclaimed itself memories began to flood back to her, the hyena like laughter of the bandits, rotten teeth biting her, sharp nails thick with dirt grasping at her clean body, holding her down. Kai jolted upward in fear that she was captive.

"Easy." Witcher? Geralt raised his hand slowly.

Kai felt her clothing slip loosely off her torso exposing her bare shoulders to the cold air. Quickly realizing she wasn't restrained, and half nude Kai-lynn grasped the cloak and held it tight over her chest. Her blue eyes were wild with confusion.

"You've been out for the better part of a day." Geralt said pointedly, "Eat." Pouring stew that had been cooking above the fire into a bowl he outstretched his hand.

Kai looked at the bowl a moment, then to Geralt in distrust, what the hell is happening? Kai did not take the bowl from his hand right away, instead she turned from the Witcher and took in their surroundings. The creek was still trickling away a few feet from their camp a recognisable location. On the side opposite the stream were two dead bodies slumped carelessly atop one another. The bandits, Kai furrowed her brows curiously while she examined the motionless corpses, flies already making homes of them. With meager relief Kai turned back to the Witcher and thankfully took the bowl of stew from his hand, grasping the spoon eagerly and filling her mouth. Her cloak was tucked under her armpits, held up only by their grip. The cold evening elements felt good against her tired body and for some reason she felt, safe.

"Smells good." Jaskier stated as he appeared from the nearby bush with a bundle of branches in his arms, he was struggling over a tree stump before he noticed that Kira was awake. The bard paused and the smile on his face sunk into somewhat of a weary grimace. "Hi." He stated with very little emotion before he tossed the wood down onto the ground by the campfire.

Kai's mouth was full of hot stew, and she only stared back at Jaskier, glancing once to Geralt and then back to the bard. Kai paused a moment thinking to herself before swallowing the mound of food in her mouth and placing the bowl on a rock by the fire. "I should go." She stated, untucking her cloak from her armpit and looking down at the entanglement of her clothes. Kai tried her best to keep the cloak covering her while sliding her weak arms back into to remnants of her coat.

"Eat." Geralt insisted. "You supplied the meal for us after all." He smirked at her, and Kai stuck her head out from behind her cloak perturbed. Geralt indicated to her pouch of food and Kai rolled her eyes. Of course, I did.

Kai sighed aggressively and dived back into her cloak, wincing as she struggled to redress herself. "Ow." The mound of fabric stopped moving and beneath the covers Kai's eyes welled with tears. Kai-lynn paused only a moment before removing her head from the cloak and wrapping it back under her armpits. "I can't." Closing her eyes tightly she licked her lips in frustration refusing to finish the sentence.

Geralt was no idiot, he quickly picked up what she was trying to communicate. "Perhaps Jaskier can help you, he is…" Geralt smirked up at the troubadour, "more familiar." Jaskier rolled his eyes at the idea.

Kai opened her eyes and looked at Jaskier spitefully, "I'd rather run through the woods naked."

Jask huffed and shook his head wildly. "Well, I refuse. Even if you did want help." Sitting down by the fire he stubbornly crossed his arms over his chest.

"Have it your way." Geralt cooed and poured his own bowl of stew. Disinterested in their quarrel.

Kai was only being stubborn; she needed a moment to collect herself. It was horribly embarrassing being rescued by the men that she had once considered victims of her own betrayals. After a moment of glaring between the Witcher and his bard, Kai felt her stomach growl in a knot of protest. Giving in to herself she reached for the bowl of stew and started eating again. Kai and her new companions were silent over dinner until her spoon scraped the bottom of the bowl, finishing her meal. "Thank you." Kai was staring at a point on the ground and would not make eye contact. "For - "

"Its fine." Geralt took her empty bowl from her hand and tucked it beneath his own. "You should let us check your dressings."

Kai finally allowed herself to look up at Geralt and nodded. "Alright."

Geralt looked to Jaskier, who rolled his eyes dramatically before standing with a snap. "Fine." He drawled and walked over to Kai-lynn who also looked unimpressed. Jaskier sat down next to her and began pulling back the herb-soaked bandages. Beneath the bandages were raw and crude lesions and discolored plum skin developing bruises where the thief had been restrained, Kai flinched beneath his touch. Jaskier pulled his hand back with a hiss of his breath, "Sorry."

Kai paid no mind, "It's fine, just do it." She was stronger than that, she had to be.

Jaskier peeled back the bandages which had almost adhered to her skin. They were soaked red with blood and smelt spoiled of plasma. Kai looked Jaskier in the eyes and felt her body stiffen, she did not want his help, but here he was. He was kind enough not to talk when she pulled her cloak back and revealed her chest to him. Her skin was ripe and swollen with bitterness, and it burnt to the touch. Jaskier tended to her wounds and pretended not to look, although she could see him catch a glance or two. Kai made no mention of it and preferred not to look. Each contusion bringing back a violent memory and a vehement face to go right along with it. "Thank you." Kai said truthfully as Jaskier helped her back into her armoured coat and gloves, tying the binds loose as not to cause her any further pain. He was gentle with her, and she did not deserve his kindness.

Kai looked back to the dead bodies of the bandits, as if to make sure they were absolutely dead. Their bodies stunk of lifelessness and their blood which once ran red from fresh wounds, now turned brown in waste. "Where is the third bandit?" Kai felt her chest tighten apprehensively.

"He uh," Geralt did not want to tell the girl that he had let the third bandit go. "He got away." Geralt shot daggers at Jaskier as he opened his mouth to protest, the bard felt his frigid glare and quickly shut his mouth in understanding.

"He won't be coming back here that's for sure." Jaskier chimed in, not liking the tumulate circumstances. "You should have seen Geralt, barely seconds and the bandits were slain." Jaskier motioned downwards as though he were holding a sword, re-enacting the majesty of Geralts swordsmanship like a child might. "Sliced clean through his hands." Jaskier added offhandedly and uncomfortable.

Kai looked at him, unimpressed by his impish interpretation. "And why did you stop to help me?"

"I didn't stop." Jaskier said pointedly. Catching Kai off guard. Good, she thought sarcastically to herself.

"You'd be little help anyway…" Kai suddenly felt annoyed and defensive.

"I'll have you know I was a catalyst in your rescue." Jaskier said offendedly. Untruthfully.

"I did not help you just to have the two of you bicker like children." Geralt commented. "I -" There was a humming coming from his saddlebag, a familiar vibration. Geralt trailed off and stared intently down at the bag as the two continued to bicker by the fire. Kira harping, she didn't need the help and had the situation under control, while Jaskier insisted she did and should be thankful he came along. Why did Geralt help her? He suddenly recalled the sensation that had pulled him into the woods. A call that felt all too familiar to him. The medallion pulsed in its chaos, a low hum slowly becoming a tumultuous tremor, but it wasn't calling to Geralt. Geralt looked back at Kai who was standing now, eyes seeming to glow as she stared down at the saddlebag expressionless. "Kira?" Kai's mind appeared as though it were miles away. Jaskier looked from the thief to Geralt in confusion and stood up from the fire. The troubadour stumbled backward a few steps as though it would put him out of harms way.

"Geralt?" The bard questioned fearfully. "What's is she doing?"

The Witcher hesitated. "I don't know." Geralt waited a second, that second turned into a minute. "KIRA?"

Kai turned back to Jaskier as though nothing had happened, "Well you probably just stood their gawking with your hands on your lute…" She paused a moment in their blank stare and realized she was standing now. "What?"