CHAPTER 7 – Destiny (Part 2)
Roni
"No way" Geralt laughs out loud at my story as we stand at the side of the dance floor, drinking casually while watching out for Jaski. Well, okay, there are more talking and enjoying each other's company than actually guarding our bard friend, but he will be fine. I made sure of that.
"I tell you, she did it on purpose." I insist that I'm right about Triss and her mission for me when I had to walk from village to village for two months to cure people. It might sound sublime, but in reality it was a nightmare. People came to me with various problems, from a simple cough to erectile dysfunctions. And let me not mention all the size-related cases... "She said it will help me to stay humble" I explain imitating Triss, making Geralt laugh harder. "Hey, not funny" I nudge him with an involuntary grin. His happy mood is truly contagious, making me wish that the night would never end. I never saw him this carefree before.
"And yet here you are, boasting around..." He teases me playfully.
I raise my brows threateningly as I poke his chest to emphasize my words.
"Listen to me, Geralt of Rivia..." I start lowering my voice, but a girl interrupts me, approaching us in a steady pace.
"Roni?" She calls me as I turn around to face her. She is young, dressed fancy. She looks cute with her chestnut hair in an elegant bun, I have to admit. She tries to sound confident, but her shaky breath and trebling voice betrays her. "I came here to negotiate" She starts as I frown, exchange a puzzled look with Geralt. What is she talking about? "I know that Jaskier is yours and you don't like to share, but I promise it would be only a night and I'd return him unharmed." She explains as I bit my lips to prevent laughing. She is dead serious though. "Anyway, you seem quite occupied with your withcher here. I thought you might let Jaskier free for tonight. I know you have insatiable appetite, but if he could..." She glances at Geralt for some help as the blush gets angry red on her cheeks.
"Don't worry" He decides to play along, wrapping his arms around my waist tightly, pulling me close to his hard chest and abdomen. "I won't rest til she's fully satisfied" He vows, placing a small kiss on my shoulder and suddenly I'm glad he's holding me securely, because my legs are not so trustworthy anymore after this statement. "I, myself, am not a great fan of sharing either." He lowers his voice to whisper into my ear, sending shivers down on my spine. Is it a confession or just the part of an act?
"Alright" I clear my throat, trying to get my shit together. "You can have Jaskier for the night. But only for the night" I warn her as she yelps in joy then hurries away to find her partner. Geralt's strong and warm arms stays around me though.
I turn around to face him, as he adjust his hug accordingly, but not releasing me, even though the girl is already gone for good. She has what she wants.
"Insatiable appetite?" He asks smirking as my arms get wrapped loosely around his neck unawares, to be comfortable.
"Not sharing?" I return the question knowingly as our eyes lock deeply into each other.
"Surprised?" He answers with a question suggestively and he is right. It isn't a surprise at all. It was enough to think of Jaskier. I shake my head humming.
"Afraid?" I ask him testing as he scoffs cockily.
"I like challenges" He says, caressing my cheek gently as I feel my pulse throbbing in my veins. He sends me an affectionate smile, leaving no questions about his feelings. I'm burning alive under his penetrating gaze and the whole world disappears in a second. Nothing matters just him, being this close to me.
Yet we are interrupted once more, but this time by two nobles fighting over some stupid adventure...
"You lie, you little shite! You never faced so much as a bad meal in your life, never mind a manticore."
"I've had manticores thrice as fat and ugly as you perish under my steel!"
They go on, almost bumping into us.
"Under your bullshit, more like."
"How many stings has it got, then?" He asks as I sigh, pressing my forehead against Geralt's chest, accepting the fact that the moment is utterly ruined.
"Two."
"Hah! Go away and shite!"
They continue to fight as Geralt rolls his eyes tiredly. I step next to him to give more room to the toffs, keeping one arm around his waist as he embraces me by my shoulders.
"It's five. I know."
"I've actually killed one."
"You..."
They almost start an actual fight when the Queen steps in too.
"Enough! We have a renowned guest here tonight." She looks at our direction, recognizing Geralt. "Perhaps he can declare which esteemed lord is telling the truth." She suggest and it is something which no one could refuse to answer. Yet Geralt seems unreasonably grumply.
"Neither." He says simply, tightening his arm around me. I know he hates to be called upon his profession. Especially when he enjoyed this much to be normal.
"Are you calling me a liar, old man?" One of the men asks taking a step closer.
"Aah! The Butcher of Blaviken bleats utter nonsense." The other added in unfamiliar unison.
My muscles tense at the nickname he uses. He so not deserved that one. What happened in Blaviken was nothing to do with Geralt. If he wasn't there, things would've got out of control even more.
An awkward silence settle as I feel the sparkles in my palms. I'm gonna teach them some good manner for sure!
"Roni" Geralt calls me softly, stroking my upper arm, reminding me of where we are. "Perhaps the lords encountered a subspecies of manticore." He offers peace, as the whole room get relived.
"Aye." The two men agrees at the same time as I can barely refrain myself from commenting.
"Perhaps our esteemed guest would like to entertain us with how he slayed the elves at the edge of the world?" The Queen continues, not leaving us alone and unnoticed. I feel Geralt taking a deep breath before replying, giving his best attitude possible.
"There was no slaying." He stated simply, telling the truth. "I had my arse kicked by a ragged band of elves." He explains without trying to look heroic. "I was about to have my throat cut when Filavandrel let me go." He adds as I look at him, admiring his ability to tell the truth without feeling embarrassed even a bit.
The crowed though doesn't seem too impressed. They boo and curse Geralt's name, and all witchers along him.
"At least when Filavandrel's blade kissed my throat, I didn't shit myself." He notes, taking a sip from his drink. "Which is all I can hope for you, good lords. At your final breath, a shitless death."
"Oh, I highly doubt it." I murmur, looking around. I could count on one hand the real men here. Geralt hums at my comment agreeing.
"How about skipping the rest of the night? I think Jaskier would survive now" I offer pleading. It has been only a few hours, but I already had enough of the court and its nobles. Even a little fresh air would do me great.
"I thought you'd never ask" Geralt accepts quickly, starting to guide me outside, when the Queen's voice stops us abruptly.
"Any man willing to paint himself in the shadow of his failures will make for far more interesting conversation this night." She says and I develop a horrible feeling about this. Company for tonight? Does she really think I'm gonna share Geralt when he finally opens up to me? "Come, Witcher. Take a seat by my side." She asks him, yet it's more like an order. I groan under my breath, being ready to dismiss her idea strongly but politely when she continues. "You too, Sorceress. I believe we have a few things to discuss. Please." She adds very cleverly. How can one refuse it?
"Oh, for god's sake" I sigh defeated as we head to the main table to take our new seats. So much for our little alone-time...
RRR
Geralt
"Tell me, how does a Witcher and a Mage find themselves at my daughter's wedding feast?" The Queen asks curiously, after a few minutes as we settle down. I sit next to her, while Roni takes a seat right beside me.
"We are protecting the bard from vengeful royal cuckolds." I answer honestly.
"Idiots, the lot of them." She agrees, rolling her eyes. "Still, I'm glad of your company, which could prove handy. I have no doubt blood will spill here tonight." She lowers her voice while Roni leans closer to me to hear her completely.
"We are not for hire as a bodyguards" I state it, before she gets any ideas.
"You were hired just so by the bard." She points out the fact as I'm about to correct her, but Roni beats me to it.
"That's different. He is a friend."
"We are only helping the idiot free of his coin." I note it, enjoying my glass of wine. At least the drink is good quality.
"And he's the idiot?" She chuckles at her own joke. "I'm simply saying, surely if all goes to hell here tonight, I can count on you to strategically remove certain irritants that may present themselves?" She suggests shamelessly. Sure, simple as that... "I'd do so myself, only I'm bound to uphold an artifice of decorum and fairness." She explains but she only makes it worse. This job has more than one red flag. No way we are taking it.
"Can't help you."
"So perilously direct. As Queen, I could command it." She sings now a different note. What the hell is going on that it is so important to her? It couldn't mean anything good...
"If we were your subjects." Roni retorts, getting impatient. She obviously doesn't like to be played and who could blame her?
"I could torture you so very slowly into compliance." She tells us with a small smile.
Roni scoffs next to me, ready to fight, but I just squeeze her hand to remind her where we are.
"Her Majesty will do as she wishes." I add only this, considering the topic done.
"Oh, come now. Everyone has their price." She continues more desperately. "What do you want? Money, power?" She guesses as I shake my head smirking. There is nothing she could offer. Yet she measures the both of us, searching for week points. "A new life with the Sorceress?" She speaks eventually as I snap my head to look at her in surprise. "Oh, yes, I can give you anything you need, even more to settle down and start a life together. A nice house, a fair-sized ground. Enough money not to ever think about slaying monsters again..." She continues sensing her opportunity. What she offers is more than I could ever ask for. But could it be true? Is there a chance for a normal life for us?
I shake my head, getting out of the trance. Even if there is, it's not through innocent blood.
"The answer is still no" Roni cuts it off determined. She probably got the same conclusion, yet the Lioness has no time to react, since the first suitor arrives.
"Lord Peregrine of Nilfgaard." His companions announce him.
"Queen Calanthe, my marriage to your daughter will unite the jewels of the north and south, forging an unbreakable alliance that none would dare cross." The lord starts with too much arrogance. I feel sick of these bastards. "And I am one of five brothers with no sisters. My potent seed inside Pavetta will produce the strongest of male heirs." He adds as Roni next to me hides a scornful scoff into cough, but it is too much for even the Queen too.
"Cintra is indeed the jewel of the north, yet Nilfgaard remains the shit rag of the south, and that's saying something!" She tells him off mercilessly. "Tell me, is it true you drink piss water and feast on your own young?" She adds as everyone in the room starts to laugh maliciously. "Nilfgaardian kings don't remain kings for long. Who will take the Usurper's crown? You? How long will you last? A year? A month? A day?" She continues the roasting til he leaves with tears in his eyes.
"Jaskier owes us so much" Roni whispers into my ear and I can hear in her voice that she's still shocked by the scene.
"I told you so" I answer quietly, earning a kick under the table.
Yet the rest of the night goes on smoothly. There are quite a few men asking for Pavetta's hand, but we all know who will be the winner. Everything else is a waste of time.
"Geralt" Roni calls me and I notice the disturbance right away. Someone in an armor broke into the hall, knocking the guards down easily. My muscles tenses up ready to fight too, but he slows down, stopping right in front of the Queen, raising his hands up slowly.
"Forgive my late intrusion, Your Majesty, and for the misunderstanding with your guards. Please!" He speaks quickly before more men could attack him. "I come in peace. I need but one moment of your time. I am Lord Urcheon of Erlenwald, and I have come to claim your daughter's hand in marriage." He announces it as the whole room falls into silence.
So he is the certain irritant the Queen mentioned...
