Roni
By the law of surprise -The mysterious man's words ring in my ear for surreally long. The sentence which after shit really hit the fan.
I know that phrase though. Tris thought me. An agreement after a debt, yet it's a risky bargain. One can't possibly know what he will get. It could be nothing. A pup, maybe. But sometimes a child, even a future wife.
It's true. Words has their power. Once they are said it can't be taken back.
Roni... - I hear my name very faintly, barely audible from behind then a sudden shiver runs down on my spine as a cold breeze caress over my shoulder. I turn around abruptly, to look for the person who spoke, but there's no one, just the window, slightly open.
I frown, confused, but I have no time to think about it as the fight between the Lord and the Queen's men escalate quickly. The stranger appears to be a skilled warrior and injures a lot of soldiers, yet he can't be enough alone. Soon he is cornered and disarmed. The Queen's sentence is already on its rightful way when I can't stand it anymore. If Lord Urcheon of Erlenwald is telling the truth, it has to be honored. And it is worth to get to the bottom of this.
With a pointed focus and the right words I break the sword in its momentum which is about to finish our uninvited guest in a matter of seconds. I gain just enough time for Geralt to arrive and stand beside him. He seems he decided to give Urcheon a fighting change too. With him at his side, soon, the odds are better than ever before.
"Stop!" The Queen yells loud and clear next to me after a moment of consideration, grabbing my hand, preventing me from casting another charm. As sudden as the fight broke out it stops. Everyone's attention is on the Queen as they are waiting for what to do next. She looks broken and exhausted for a second.
"Duny! Oh! I told you to stay away." Pavetta, using the momentary peace, cries out and runs to her lord who closes her into a tight hug. For a second I see the girl's face and I understand immediately. She loves him. From all her heart.
My stomach clenches at the thought of true love and even in this unbelievable situation I can't help but envy them. Right now they have more than I ever wished for.
Roni... - I hear it again, this time a bit louder and closer. I almost jump out of my skin, but as I look around I can't spot anyone who would mess with me.
Stupid imagination. I must be exhausted.
I shake it off and walks closer to the couple with the Queen by my side.
"Your Majesty the Witcher spoke the truth." Duny says reminding the Queen of our previous conversation. "I was cursed as a young boy. My whole life a living misery until the day that I saved your husband, King Roegner, from a certain death. By tradition, I chose the Law of Surprise as payment. Whatever windfall he came home to find would be mine." The lord starts to explain, but my thoughts wander further away, not being able to forget that sweet reunion.
"Ron" Then I hear Geralt's quiet, calm voice from next to me and I ease up to him immediately. He took advantage of the confusion and stepped close to me. "Are you alright?" He asks genuinely worried. "You are cold" He notices as he holds my hand in his, enclosing it in his, securely, filling me with warmth right away. "You used too much of your power." He whispers to me pulling me closer, supporting my back with a gentle embrace.
Yeah, maybe he is right. Just a little fatigue.
I let myself a few quick moments and rest my chin on his shoulder to calm my nerves while releasing a tense, held breath.
"I'm fine, don't worry." I murmur into his ear, before releasing him to send him an encouraging smile. He is right though at some part at least. This little intervein took more out from me than I'd like to admit.
"Who are we to challenge destiny?" Eist, the Queen's new partner's sharp question brings me back to the present. "Life was saved, debt must be paid, or the whole order of the world falls apart."
"Honor destiny's wish, or unleash its wrath upon us." Mousack adds wisely.
Destiny. A strange theory. Tris believes in it. And honestly it does make sense in a way. But during these years I've learnt that people tend to give more credit to it than it actually has.
"There is no us! I bow to no law made by men who never bore a child! Is there not a man amongst you who does not cower before destiny?" The Queen retorts self consciously. "You, Witcher who has known monsters of every fang and claw, are you afraid too?" She addresses her inquiry to Geralt directly, who shifts uncomfortably for a second then starts speaking, still holding my hand protectively.
"No. I've seen mothers lash themselves raw over the death of a child, believing they crossed destiny, ignoring the stench of the fifty other children in the plague cart outside." He declears confidentially. "Destiny helps people believe there's an order to this horseshit. There isn't. But a promise made must be honored. As true for a commoner as it is for a queen."
"I love Duny, Mother." Pavetta confirms her will more confidently. "I will marry him. I will finally be free." She says the words gaining more and more courage from them.
Could this be the end? Is it really possible for them to find happiness within these walls?
The Queen smiles, and steps closer to Duny just like a mother would welcome her new son, but something is off. I can feel the tingling sensation of danger, then Pavetta screams loudly and powerfully.
"NOO!"
A sudden windblast knocks the dagger out of the Queen's hand and pushes us all behind. Oh, no, it's not a good sign. Whatever Pavetta's doing she's clearly not in control.
I try to struggle my way closer to her as she and Duny slowly rises up from the ground levitating, holding each other's tight, but this wind is making it impossible for me to gain ground. Even breathing is getting harder and harder. This will be all of our doom if we won't do anything.
Damn, Jaskier, I'm gonna kill you personally if we die because of your stupid ideas!
I grunt, losing my ground finally, getting pushed hard against a pillar. The landing knocks the air out of my lungs painfully.
Shit!
The whole palace is about to fall into pieces. Pavetta's show will tear all us apart.
I close my eyes, searching for some remained power that could help me out, but I feel rather empty.
Then a warm, sudden sensation runs through my body, along my spine. Like a jolt of energy, that fills up my every cell. I feel stronger than ever. Yet it doesn't stop. It bulks up slowly but surly up to the point where I'm not sure I'll be able to contain it.
What the hell is happening to me? I'm losing control too! No, that can't happen now. One lose witch is more than enough for a night!
I try to fight it, but I'm failing miserably. It's going to break out!
Remember...
The voice calls me once more before I hear my own agonizing scream and everything turns black.
Dark. Everything is dark. And empty. Senseless. Just like a void would've swallowed me completely, then slowly, painfully slowly I start to feel things again. Cold. Freezing cold. Then a skull splitting headache. Blood throbbing in my veins as my heart pumps fast. I come back with a small yelp, inhaling deep, being thirsty for air.
"Ron!" Someone calls my name rather relieved. "Careful there" I feel warm, strong arms supporting me as I sit up. Geralt! I recognize him gratefully though my vision clears out seconds later. I'm in a bed in a fancy room. They must've taken me here to rest.
"What happened?" I ask clearing my throat, shaking my head trying to chase away the dizziness.
Silence. Heavy silence settles between us, while he caresses over my arm wanting to take away the seriousness of the situation, but it only draws a deeper contrast. What the hell?
"Geralt?" I ask him again a bit more concerned, locking eyes with him, yet for the first time, he seems clueless.
"You saved us" He speaks eventually as I frown confused. Great, not vague at all... "You broke Pavetta's curse, keeping everyone in one piece." He added with a forced light smile as I slowly nodded. Well, at least it's good news. "Roni, are you sure-" He starts but stops immediately not knowing what to say. He is battling with himself, that is clear. "Are you sure your father was a simple human?"
I lean back to get some distance between us. His question hits a soft spot whether I like to admit or not.
"He could've been the bloody devil himself as long as I care" I say coldly, folding my arms around my chest. My father fled when I was too little. I guess he couldn't handle the constant crying of the baby and decided to run after different skirts. At least that's what my mother said.
Geralt says nothing, but places his warm palm on my knee, knowingly, squeezing it gently, letting me know I'm not alone.
"I don't really remember him. I only know what I've been told" I shrug a bit more calmly.
"The power you showcased today was the strongest I've ever seen." He starts to explain eventually. "Pavetta has Elder Blood in her and you just disarmed her magic rather fast. Not me, nor Mousack was able to do anything."
"Which makes me what?" I question impatiently.
"I'm not sure yet." He admits it genuinely. "We have to get to Kaer Morhen as soon as possible."
"Just great." I murmur, massaging my temple. I hated being a freak and now I felt like I'm that again.
"Hey, it will be alright. We will figure it out together" Geralt ensures me, leaving no doubt he's truly meaning it. We lock eyes as he sends me a small smile of encouragement. "I won't let anything happen to you." He adds confidently but his voice betrays his state of mind. There's something very wrong going on which he doesn't want to talk about until he is absolutely sure. What are you suspecting, Geralt?
"I know" I nod slightly, finding strength in his amber eyes. I know I can trust him with my life. Just like I did before quite a few times.
"Oh, my god, Roni, you are alright and awake!" Jaskier burst into the room without a warning, breaking our delicate moment completely. "I was worried sick" He adds, crouching down next to the bed, ignoring Geralt. "I'm sorry I dragged you here"
"I bring something to eat and drink" Geralt stands up beckoning to me kindly as my eyes widen in surprise. No mean comments to Jaskier to know his place, no ushering him out, nothing? Well he really must be pre-occupied with his thoughts...
"How are you feeling?" Jaski's concerned question brings me back to the present moment. "Everything is a mess outside, you have no idea-"
He keeps on telling me what I missed but I can't stop wondering what answer we will find in Kaer Morhen once we arrive.
