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Ward of Kaer Morhen – Chapter 4
Nym stirred in the light of the early morning and sighed into her pillow. She stretched in bed and took a peek at her still healing shoulder. Although the room was simply decorated and rustic, the bed felt like clouds after a few days of sleeping in the woods. Hell, after years of sleeping on a wooden pallet in an attic. She was a little thirsty and her head was aching from the wine, but her growing hunger forced her up and out of bed.
"Morning Nym," said Lise, her voice slightly hoarse from the previous night's excitement. Her and Tomas had put out an easy spread of toasted bread and soft boiled eggs. Nym poured herself some water and sat down, famished.
"Sleep well?" Asked Tomas.
Nym nodded and smiled, cutting into an egg. She motioned to the deck of cards and then to Tomas.
"Oh, I let him win." He laughed. Lise raised her eyebrows at Nym in disbelief.
Nym made quick work of the food, and helped the couple clear up, putting together a plate for Geralt as well.
"If you're interested in riding or going for a stroll, there's a little creek just down there. You might enjoy it, the water is nice." Tomas pointed at a part of the river, behind a cluster of trees. It sounded perfect. She fed both the horses, untied Beast and made her way to the nearby creek. It was another sunny day, and Nym squinted in the light as they ambled towards the thatch of trees. Last night's events were a little foggy, but she definitely remembered poking fun at Geralt a bit before they went to sleep. He deserved it, she thought, for trying to seduce her into going to bed. His ploy hadn't exactly failed, but he didn't need to know that.
The jade, sun-dappled waters of the creek were beautiful, and surrounded by different shrubs, trees and vegetation. She crouched down to identify a plant with yellow flowers and a thick parsnip-like root, referred to as oyster plant or salsify. That might be good to bring back for Lise and Tomas, the roots were tasty when grilled in a pan with some butter. Nym left the horse to wander around the rocky fringe and removed her boots so she could feel the water around her feet. She wiggled her toes, enjoying the feel of the smooth pebbles. The creek was quiet, save for some birds flitting around in the canopy above. The water was quite clear, and at a nice temperature for a dip. Beast had begun testing it already, splashing around in the knee deep waters. Nym scanned the entirety of the little creek and then removed her trousers and belt, tossing them onto dry rocks. The men's shirt was thankfully long enough to reach her thighs. She waded in, using a large boulder for balance. The water swirled around Nym and the horse, she squealed silently as she stepped on a slimy rock, laughing to herself. Grabbing Beast's back to keep her still-healing shoulder dry, Nym and the horse floated around the creek in the sunlight.
Geralt finally stirred, his head pounding from last night's revelry. He stretched, groaned, and got up to splash water on his face in the basin. There was no sign of anyone upstairs, he must have slept in too long. He slipped on a white shirt, his trousers and boots and headed downstairs to the kitchen. Lise was wearing a slightly muddied canvas apron and holding a pair of gardening shears.
"Morning. Not a restful sleep?" She inquired, taking in his dark circles.
"Ah… I stayed up a little too long. Maybe tonight, if you'll still have us." He asked, a hand behind his head.
"We'll have to go into Ard Carraigh to visit my mother in a two days, but you're absolutely welcome to stay until then." She said reassuringly. "Tomas told me that you were looking for a place for Nym. If she's willing, we can take her into the capital with us to see my sister Deidre about work."
"I'll ask her. Thank you, for everything." Geralt nodded.
"Nonsense… Anyway, when you're finished you'll find her on that side of the river," Lise motioned to the trees where the creek was located, a smile on her lips as she turned away from the Witcher towards the window.
"Saved you some breakfast too. I'll be out in the garden if you need me." She gestured to a plate of food and some water that they'd kept aside for him.
Geralt took his time with breakfast, left alone with his thoughts for the first time in a while. Tomas could be seen from the window, out repairing fences. Regardless of last night's merriment, it was a harsh life on the Continent, and the upcoming winter meant brutal temperatures and a scarcity of food for most common folk without livestock in the area. Lise and Tomas were much better off than most, but it still meant working through the day to survive and prepare the homestead for winter. He bit into some egg, fighting another urge to ride immediately down to the river creek to check on Nym. The girl really ought to be taught some basic self-defence if she was going to be alone in Ard-Carraigh. Perhaps this afternoon.
He took his time saddling up, and slowly rode towards the area Lise had pointed out to him. He could see Beast quite clearly from beyond the trees, grazing at the perimeter of the creek. He dismounted Roach and left her to join the stallion, walking with silent steps into the brook.
Nym stretched out on the large flat boulder, her eyes closed. Her clothes were damp on her body, but were beginning to dry quickly in the hot sun. She covered her eyes with one hand against the sun.
"Took a quick dip?" Came Geralt's telltale low voice from above her.
She peeped out from behind her hand and then scrambled up, tying up the front of her shirt quickly. Good thing she had slipped on her trousers back on a moment ago. Geralt was without his armor again, his arms crossed. The wolf amulet was clearly visible against the skin of his broad chest. He was frowning, but his lips still held the hint of a smile. She neatened herself and nodded.
"Good, I hope your head isn't pounding as much as mine is." She smiled, shaking her head. Geralt nodded and looked into the distance, contemplating something.
"Lise and Tomas are heading to Ard Carraigh in two days. Lise has a sister there who runs a tavern, the Boar and Basilisk. They're happy to take you with them if you'd like a job there, perhaps in the kitchen. Is that something you'd be interested in?"
Nym felt a sudden sharp pang - was that something she'd be interested in? She was accustomed to hard work, and if she could have a room to herself and a place to stable Beast, it would be an ideal situation for the time being. She wouldn't earn much, but it'd be her own money and a chance for a new life, away from everything she grew up knowing. She bit her lip, looking into Geralt's piercing amber eyes. She had anticipated this, and had already made up her mind to accept it. She nodded slowly, she was interested. His eyes hardened a little, boring into hers.
"I'll let them know then." Geralt turned around, trying to hide his surprise at her willingness to accept the offer. He cursed at himself internally for having any reaction whatsoever. Something had changed over the last day or two, which had only worked him up into further frustration. Regardless, she had made a decision, and he would honour it.
"I'll accompany you to Ard Carraigh, and make sure you're settled."
She nodded, looking fixedly at a spot on the grass.
"Have you ever been taught to defend yourself?" He asked. She shook her head.
"I'll teach you, if you wish. The capital isn't always the safest place for a young woman all alone." He turned to face her, studying her lean frame. She nodded again.
She'd forgotten that part, about being alone. She'd been left alone more times than she could count over the course of her life. Father refused to bring her on his merchant's voyages or meetings. Teruin and Ryffon would never deign to bring a woman out with their hunting parties. The neighbouring families avoided them like the plague, knowing full well how hostile her family could be to outsiders. Being alone mostly meant working, washing clothes, mending things, cooking and reading books. This would likely be no different, but why did it seem worse suddenly?
They arrived back at the homestead after a silent, pensive ride. Nym immediately buried herself in helping Lise with the garden, then with lunch and then with the daily household chores. Geralt tended to the horses, then offered Tomas his assistance with the fences.
"So, it's decided then! You'll ride with us to Ard Carraigh to see about a job with Deidre?" Tomas asked as Nym emerged from the house with a basket of laundry. She smiled and nodded.
"You'll like the Capital. Always something going on there. Before you know it, you'll have all manner of friends and suitors." He continued.
"I'm sure Tomas has a cousin or two he could introduce you to once you get your bearings…" Interrupted Lise, taking the basket from Nym.
Geralt stood still by the fenced paddock, his sharp ears having picked up every word. Too bad they didn't help pick up Nym's reaction to hearing about her new friends and suitors. He marched over to the courtyard.
"Right, it's time. Tomas has been kind enough to lend us his weapons. Come to the courtyard and I'll show you a few things."
Lise rubbed Nym's shoulder encouragingly before she followed him to the open area by the front of the house. He had laid out his own weapons, and then Tomas' sword, bow and daggers. She eyed the bow, which looked sturdy but slightly worn.
"You've used a bow and arrow?" Geralt asked.
She nodded. For hunting small game.
"Let's start with a dagger then, something you've already tried to attack me with…" He said, mirthfully. She grinned. He picked up one of the daggers, leaving the protective guard on.
"If you're unarmed, you can still throw an assailant off balance. Block my cut with your forearm, then grab my neck. Ready?" He asked. She nodded.
He moved in to slash at her with the dagger in his right hand. She blocked it with her left forearm, then grabbed his throat with her right. Her movements were quick and fluid, catching Geralt off guard as she closed her hand around his neck. Her hazel eyes glinted in concentration.
"Good, now use your left arm to hook around my right elbow, and throw me, if you can."
She obliged, and threw Geralt off of balance. He straightened out.
"Well done. Let's try that a few more times."
By the end of the repeated practice, Nym had begun throwing him off balance in earnest, and with some force. She was enjoying it too, grinning determinedly between tries.
"Now, I want you to attack. Pick up a dagger, hook it around my wrist when I strike and use your other arm to force it away while taking the opportunity to stab."
Nym picked up a dagger. He brought his own blade down from a height at her slowly, she hooked the hilt around his wrist and pushed it away with her other hand, then lifted her dagger hand and stopped short of stabbing him in the shoulder. Geralt smirked, her face was rather close to hers now. His neck, shoulders and arms all felt like they were aflame with where she'd touched his skin.
"Faster this time.."
They repeated the practice. She repeated the motion quickly. Then once again, both adding more force into the movement. Before he realized it, she was fighting off actual attacks.
"You haven't done this before, have you?" He asked, slightly out of breath from trying to counter her. He was much stronger, but she was faster, and moved more nimbly with the weapon. She shook her head, wiping her brow.
"You won't always be able to predict the situation so this time, do what feels right. I'll strike when you're ready." He gripped the dagger firmly. Nym hadn't noticed, but Tomas had come out to watch them spar. She pulled up her sleeves and nodded.
Geralt readied himself, then slashed sideways at Nym. She jumped back in time to evade the slash, then quickly slashed her own dagger out towards him. He leapt aside quickly, then held his dagger high and brought it down in a stabbing motion. She hooked her own dagger behind his wrist swiftly, wrenched downwards till his upper body was bowed, kneed him in the chest and stabbed into the back of his neck.
"That's you done then, Geralt…" Tomas, letting out a whistle from the sidelines.
Geralt stood upright and rubbed his chest, raising his eyebrow at her in disbelief.
"Where did you learn to fight like that, lass?" Tomas asked, in awe. She stood still and shook her head.
"She's never learned…" Geralt replied.
"Must just be a natural! Don't be a sore loser Geralt…"
"That was very impressive, Nym. You countered well. I accept defeat. " Geralt bowed at his opponent, who started flushing at the ears.
Tomas patted Geralt on the shoulder and left the two of them to it. Nym looked away, cringing a little at the compliment. She was a little surprised herself, especially at how much she'd enjoyed the training. The sun would start its descent in the next few hours, which meant that they had been at it since early afternoon. She puffed hair out of her face and wiped her brow again, trying to cool herself down. Geralt's golden eyes found hers.
"Is there something you know that I don't?"
Her eyes looked right back into his, clear and steadfast. The rosy blush from the physical activity had started to become obvious in her cheekbones and ears. She shook her head. She was being truthful, of that he was sure. It just didn't explain her natural sense for fighting, or even her horsemanship, now that he considered it. He had no doubt that she'd be a quick study with the sword tomorrow as well.
"Hmm.. Don't have any targets. Would you like to hunt with the bow instead?" He asked. She hesitated for a second, then nodded.
They picked up their weapons and headed into the thicket between the Aird property and their neighbours. Nym walked almost as quietly as Geralt between the trees, spots of orange sunlight glowing through the canopy. Geralt spotted movement in the underbrush almost immediately, but kept back to watch her. She was breathing quietly, trying to focus on sounds around her. Her brow furrowed as she nocked an arrow. Geralt stood still as she picked out the sounds around her. She honed in on a small shrub, rustling a little more than it should. She drew the bow and pointed it towards the shrub. Geralt could tell that the hare was preparing to scamper off. It would take a skilled hunter to down a hare mid-sprint with a bow and arrow, especially if they were unpracticed. The hare emerged from the shrub, took one look at the two of them and bolted. Nym followed it with her bow for half a second, then fired an arrow.
She missed. She looked back at Geralt and shrugged, laughing. He crossed his arms.
"Hmm… You missed on purpose."
She put her hand on her hips and raised an eyebrow. How could he know if she'd missed on purpose?
"Your heartbeat. Clear as a bell."
She rolled her eyes dismissively and gestured to him and the short distance between them.
"I distracted you by standing too close by?"
She nodded earnestly.
"You're lying." He moved in even closer, his eyes narrowing. "I know what your heartbeat sounds like when I'm too close to you."
She lowered her bow arm, looking directly at him and trying her best not to redden. Lying about being able to hunt and ride well might have flown with Father, but it wouldn't work with Geralt. She wasn't sure what he meant earlier, she didn't know anything about fighting with a dagger or sword. All she knew was that lying a little bit about other things had kept her from being watched too closely at home. They had trusted her to be left alone with the horse, with the house and hunting equipment until she had started running away. If they had ever seen her practicing for hours alone, or riding until her legs ached, those things would have been taken away. Her father insisted that all her free time should be spent reading otherwise.
"Come on, we're not leaving empty handed." Geralt said, walking deeper into the thicket.
After some time, the pair emerged from the woods, the sun setting in the clear sky above them. The bow and quiver were slung across Nym's back, and in her hands were the two hares she'd hunted and killed. With a fair bit of precision.. thought Geralt to himself. After the initial farce, Nym's arrows had struck true. Still, she had lied to him about her ability with a bow. Why? He wanted to turn and ask her himself, but it seemed too complex a topic for her to discuss. He was sure that she had been honest earlier in the day when sparring, but why lie now, and with him? He clenched his jaw, pushing back the stinging thought that he might not have earned her trust just yet. It had only been a few days, after all.
Nym took steady strides with her head down, feeling slightly awkward in the silence. Geralt seemed tense, which meant that her minor decision to avoid a fuss had had larger consequences. She wished she could explain, but it would sound stupid even if she had a voice. It was stupid, she decided. Geralt wasn't her family, he wasn't going to punish her for her skills, or ability to learn quickly. She had been caught off guard with the way Tomas and Geralt had reacted to the dagger practice, and didn't want to make more of a scene. It was best if she didn't draw attention, as it had always been throughout her life. She glanced over at Geralt for the tenth time while they walked. He sighed.
"I trust that you had your reasons for lying…" He stated. She nodded, still looking at the ground.
"Did it help you survive?" He asked softly, turning to face her. She stopped, standing stock still.
It had helped her. Keeping to herself had been her only defence against constant jibes, insults and sometimes physical violence. She had learned to conduct her tasks efficiently and quietly, to analyze the sounds of different footsteps, to stay upstairs when her family had company or meetings. Yes, lying and hiding had permitted her her freedoms. It was best that no one knew what she did with her time, whether it was reading or riding or practicing with her bow. It had served her well to be a ghost in that house, until she started running away in earnest. There was no going back to that life now, unless she was forced. She was determined to never return. Living a little life as a cook in a tavern would be paradise in contrast. Ah, damn it - she was starting to cry. She let out an embarrassed laugh and wiped away her tears, continuing her walk to the house. Geralt grabbed her by the wrist as she did so, pulling her back towards him gently. He placed his hands on her shoulders and bent down to study her expression.
"That part is over now. You never have to go back unless you want to." Geralt growled, a steady fire burning in his eyes. She blinked through tears and nodded. The sky had darkened steadily into hues of dark blue and pink. His eyes and hair stood out all the more against the dusky sky. The exertion of the day had kicked in, and the moment was slightly dizzying. She reached up to grasp his forearm, steadying herself. He flinched and dropped his hands.
"Here, let me help." He donned the bow and quiver, taking the hares from her as well. They continued their walk to the house, the air clearer between them.
Nym helped Lise skin and prepare the game for dinner, serving it with a light gravy, pan roasted root vegetables and salsify from the riverbed. Dinner was a brief and relaxed affair, Lise and Tomas had plenty to do around the house in preparation for their trip. The night air was balmy and quiet around the homestead as Geralt excused himself to sit out on the porch with a goblet of wine. He heard the door, Tomas would likely be coming out to join him.
"Mind some company?" Tomas asked Geralt, who shook his head and gestured to the chair opposite him.
"No, please."
"Something on your mind? You're not yourself since the afternoon…" Tomas asked cautiously, sipping his wine. Geralt massaged his forehead.
"The girl?" Tomas asked. "Well, Deidre will take her off your hands soon enough. Nothing to worry about there."
"It's not that," Geralt shook his head. "There's something wrong. She's a skilled rider and archer, and too quick of a study."
"Do you think she's lying about who she is?" Tomas frowned.
"I don't think so."
"What's her father's name? Sorkin?"
"Salskin," Geralt corrected.
"Deidre knows many of the merchants who operate around Kaedwen, she might have heard the name. Anyone you can write to in the meantime?" Tomas rubbed his forehead.
Geralt nodded. He could think of one person who might be able to help him understand the unspeaking girl.
Before retiring for the night, he borrowed some ink and parchment from Tomas and began to pen a letter to an old friend. It would be a good time to see her again, and perhaps enjoy her company during the winter. She'd come when she was called, of that Geralt was sure.