div class="chapter preface group" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.5em 3em; padding: 0.643em 0.643em 0px; float: none; color: #2a2a2a; border-style: solid initial initial initial;" role="complementary"
h3 class="title" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: 400; font-style: inherit; font-size: 1.286em; font-family: Georgia, serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0.5375em 0px; padding: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; line-height: 1; background: transparent; text-align: center;"Old Friends and New Ones/h3
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div class="userstuff module" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; width: 1088.64px; float: none; overflow-wrap: break-word; color: #2a2a2a;" role="article"
h3 id="work" class="landmark heading" style="border-width: 0px 0px 0.25em; border-image: initial; outline: 0px; font-weight: 500; font-style: inherit; font-size: 0px; font-family: Georgia, serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0.125em; overflow-wrap: break-word; line-height: 0; opacity: 0; height: 0px; clear: both; color: transparent; border-color: initial initial #333333 initial; border-style: initial initial double initial;"Chapter Text/h3
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"'Gods I hate swamps' she thought to herself, rather aggressively. The air surrounding her was thick with misty rain and fog. The small hairs that had escaped her mess of braids were now sticking to her face uncomfortably with sweat. One of the things she detested most in her line of work was swamps and bogs. 'Yet here I am… In a bog…again'. She had read the flyer for a contract on a Kikimore and would have ignored it due to its location if she wasn't in desperate need of a new pair of gloves having lost hers to a fight with a Basilisk four days /"Fuckin Draconid piece of shit" she mumbled and continued following the track through the swamp./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"After spending hours tracking the beast through mist and marshlands she was about ready to give up on account of her foul humour when she caught an oh-so familiar scent of the /"Mint, pine and sword oil… hmm" she murmured to herself and with a wicked glint in her eye, she dismounted and set out on silent feet towards where the scent originated from. A few minutes later she could see the glowing embers of a campfire and his head of white hair contrasted against the thick darkness of the bog. In complete silence she unsheathed one of the daggers strapped to her thigh and snuck up behind him. So deep in his meditative state he failed to hear the whisper of her footsteps on the grass so when her blade kissed his throat, he /"My of my, what big teeth you have" she whispered in his ear. He let out a rare bark of laughter, grabbed the wrist holding the dagger to his neck and flipped her over his shoulder and onto her back but before he could celebrate her defeat, she twisted her waist, wrapped her thighs around his head and rolled. When his head stopped spinning he looked up to see a pair of golden eyes so like his own, twinkling at him from where she sat astride his chest. With a wicked smile on her lips, she moved her ass down to sit on his /"Sixty-five years we have known each other, one would think you'd know by now that you cannot beat me Wolf." she teased. He raised himself up to his elbows and rolled his eyes at her triumphant /A short while later they were both sitting by the fire, sharing an unfortunate deer in content /"What brings you near Blaviken Lya? I thought you hated swamps?" Geralt asked in his gravelly tone of /"First job I came across, Winter is nearing and I lost another pair of gloves to a Basilisk in Aedirn about a week ago. Figured I would finish the job, get the coin and start towards home before the heavy snows hit Kaedwen" she explained while picking venison from the /"Home? You're actually spending Winter in Kaer Morhen this year? Haven't seen you back there in two? Three years maybe?" she could hear the shock in his voice and she didn't blame him. She hadn't made the journey back for winter in a /"Spent the last two winters on Undvik with Clan Tordarroch in their forges, learning"br /"Hmm"br /"Oh come on Wolf, you couldn't have missed me that much?" she joked. He kept silent and she realized that he must have actually missed her during the Winters more than she expected. She was about to say something in her defense when he cut her off with a small /"You know Vesemir's rules, we can't bring whores for the winter. You weren't there and my bed got cold." He said in complete deadpan but his eyes held a glint of mischief. She barked a laugh and slapped his /"Words hurt Geralt! Tell me, is that all you missed about me?"br /"Well it wasn't your sparkling personality" he snarked while setting up his whetstone and /"Excuse you ya taciturn bastard! I am a constant delight!". He just turned his head to look at her with a straight face and she smiled innocently back. They both laughed together and set about caring for their weapons in comfortable silence. Fianna decided to take watch while Geralt got some sleep after his fight with the Kikimore. She spent the hours until the sun rose in meditation./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"It was about an hour after the sun had risen when she came out of her trance and woke Geralt. They packed up the small camp and mounted their horses./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Are you coming to collect this bounty with me?"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""May as well tag along, I want to see if I can find a cheap pair of gloves for warmth if not for armor." So they set off towards Blaviken./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"It was mid afternoon when they rode into the town. Blaviken was as unimpressive and dull as most cities are this far from the region's capital and the people weren't any better. She ignored the looks or suspicion and distaste on the locals faces and pretended that she didn't hear the whispers that followed her and Geralt to where they dismounted outside the Inn. She assumed that they would do as they used to while travelling together. To avoid conflict, Fianna would glamour her eyes for a short while and deal with the humans and hide her medallion. So when she turned around and Geralt was nowhere to be found, she cursed. Rounding the corner to the entrance she could hear the fireworks inside already./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Fuck that. Kill him with your bare hands if you have to" is what she heard just before entering. Letting out a frustrated sigh she slammed the door open and all eyes present turned to her./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""You've always been good at making friends, Wolf" she said with a sweet smile, trying to look as innocent as one could when over six foot tall and armed to the teeth. Who she assumed was the leader of the band of thugs scoffed./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Whos this then mutant? I didn't know you could take whores to go. How much for a go of her?" He laughed with his men at his own joke and in-turn missed the resignation in Geralts expression. Faster than the human brain could comprehend, Fianna had dropped the glamour on her eyes and pressed her dagger to the mans throat. Snapping out of their revelry, his friends took a step closer ready to strike./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Can you not leave it alone for a moment?" Fianna turned to look at who asked the question and saw a beautiful young girl with curled brown hair and wide doe eyes standing from her seat at the bar./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Witchers cant be trusted!" the Innkeep spat./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""I am not speaking to you!" she snapped back without even looking at him. She looked at Fianna where she still had the blade pressed to her mans throat and nodded at her to release him. Fianna, unable to resist herself, bent down to whisper in the shorter mans ear./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""You could never hope to afford me" then pushed him away from her before joining Geralt at the bar./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""I apologize for my mans rude comments and interference in your day. Hopefully, he can improve his behavior by tomorrow's market." she sneered, the last part directed at the cowed man./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Sorry Renfri '' the man muttered after snapping out of the daze Fianna had left him in. The two Witchers shared an amused look and turned to the bar./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Two beers for my friends here and one for me!" the previously named Renfri said to the barman as she retook her seat. He ignored the womans request and continued to glare at the Witchers./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""I am speaking to you now, good sir!" she snapped at him and with a huff he poured their drinks and slammed them on the counter. Geralt glared. Fianna removed her hood and sent the balding man a bright smile just to rile him up further, as is her way. The two Witchers looked on impressed as Renfri knocked back her full beer in one go. She must have caught the incredulous look on Geralt's face as she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""My Mother, gods rest her, would be mortified"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""I'm just surprised there is another woman on the continent who can drink like Fianna here."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Oh he has jokes now does he? Don't be jealous love, it's not my fault you're a lightweight" she scoffed/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Not all of us can unhinge their jaws like a snake at the scent of Mahakam spirit" Geralt joked. Fia narrowed her eyes at him as they held an intense stare down before huffing out laughter and returned to drinking. Renfri just looked at the interaction bewildered. She had always heard that Witchers were emotionless monsters but if she ignored the dual swords and cat-like eyes, this pair could just be a normal set of friends grabbing a drink./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Are the two of you siblings?" she asked and in a show of emotions you would be hard pressed to see any other day, Geralt choked on his drink with wide eyes, shocked at the insinuation./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Thank the Gods no!" Fianna gasped through a fit of laughter./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""That would have made for some very awkward teen years!"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""You both look so alike though?" Renfri asked with an inquisitive tilt of her head. After finally pulling himself together, Geralt replied./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""We looked nothing alike before the mutations" he informed her before finishing his ale./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Well then, what brings you to Blaviken Witchers?"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Was travelling by the swamp-"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Well that was your mistake then. Why not stick to the main roads? It would certainly be safer." asked Renfri./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Safety and monster hunting don't really go hand in hand" Fianna stated./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Hmm... She's right. Plus, it's hard to find work on main roads."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""And you both desperately need money for new clothes" Geralt seemed amused at her cheek while Fianna leaned back in her chair with a laugh./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Ha! She's not wrong. I need my armor repaired and another new set of gloves. I swear I go through them faster than a girl at the Passiflora does knickers."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""You wouldn't need a new pair if you didn't lose the last ones to a Basilisk of all things"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""It was either the gloves or my arm Geralt! What kind of Witcher would I make missing an arm?" His no doubt snarky reply was interrupted when a young blonde girl popped up beside him./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""How much for your Kikimore then?" she asked with a too innocent smile on her face. Geralt didn't notice when Renfri's eyes narrowed at the child, but Fianna did. Geralt stood to leave, he glanced at Fianna in silent question but she shook her head. He nodded at Renfri and followed the girl out of the bar. Fianna leaned back on her chair slowly finishing her drink, she wanted to relax her bones for a moment before heading out to peruse the market./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Why didn't you follow him?" she was snapped out of her pondering by the brunette who had moved to sit directly to her left./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Geralts a big boy, he can collect some coin by himself. I need to see if there is an armorer in this town and possibly visit the Herbalist."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Making a magic potion?" the brunette asked with a wry grin pulling at her lips./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Something like that"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Well I wouldn't bother looking for a decent smith in Blaviken. Tridam is only a day or so ride east from here, there's an Armorer there by the name of Adom. If you give him my name, he'll sort you out for a decent price." Fianna couldn't help but look at the woman in suspicion. She prided herself on usually flawless instincts and they were currently telling her that there was something no right about the woman beside her./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Thank you for the advice, I will be sure to visit him if I am ever in Tridam." Renfri nodded at her and Fianna decided to leave it at that./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""I best be off, Thank you for the drinks and the company Renfri. It was a pleasure." And with that, she finished her drink and left the Inn without a backward glance and an uneasy feeling in her stomach./p
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h3 class="title" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: 400; font-style: inherit; font-size: 1.286em; font-family: Georgia, serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0.5375em 0px; padding: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; line-height: 1; background: transparent; text-align: center;"Old Friends and New Ones/h3
/div
div class="userstuff module" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; width: 1088.64px; float: none; overflow-wrap: break-word; color: #2a2a2a;" role="article"
h3 id="work" class="landmark heading" style="border-width: 0px 0px 0.25em; border-image: initial; outline: 0px; font-weight: 500; font-style: inherit; font-size: 0px; font-family: Georgia, serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0.125em; overflow-wrap: break-word; line-height: 0; opacity: 0; height: 0px; clear: both; color: transparent; border-color: initial initial #333333 initial; border-style: initial initial double initial;"Chapter Text/h3
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"'Gods I hate swamps' she thought to herself, rather aggressively. The air surrounding her was thick with misty rain and fog. The small hairs that had escaped her mess of braids were now sticking to her face uncomfortably with sweat. One of the things she detested most in her line of work was swamps and bogs. 'Yet here I am… In a bog…again'. She had read the flyer for a contract on a Kikimore and would have ignored it due to its location if she wasn't in desperate need of a new pair of gloves having lost hers to a fight with a Basilisk four days /"Fuckin Draconid piece of shit" she mumbled and continued following the track through the swamp./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"After spending hours tracking the beast through mist and marshlands she was about ready to give up on account of her foul humour when she caught an oh-so familiar scent of the /"Mint, pine and sword oil… hmm" she murmured to herself and with a wicked glint in her eye, she dismounted and set out on silent feet towards where the scent originated from. A few minutes later she could see the glowing embers of a campfire and his head of white hair contrasted against the thick darkness of the bog. In complete silence she unsheathed one of the daggers strapped to her thigh and snuck up behind him. So deep in his meditative state he failed to hear the whisper of her footsteps on the grass so when her blade kissed his throat, he /"My of my, what big teeth you have" she whispered in his ear. He let out a rare bark of laughter, grabbed the wrist holding the dagger to his neck and flipped her over his shoulder and onto her back but before he could celebrate her defeat, she twisted her waist, wrapped her thighs around his head and rolled. When his head stopped spinning he looked up to see a pair of golden eyes so like his own, twinkling at him from where she sat astride his chest. With a wicked smile on her lips, she moved her ass down to sit on his /"Sixty-five years we have known each other, one would think you'd know by now that you cannot beat me Wolf." she teased. He raised himself up to his elbows and rolled his eyes at her triumphant /A short while later they were both sitting by the fire, sharing an unfortunate deer in content /"What brings you near Blaviken Lya? I thought you hated swamps?" Geralt asked in his gravelly tone of /"First job I came across, Winter is nearing and I lost another pair of gloves to a Basilisk in Aedirn about a week ago. Figured I would finish the job, get the coin and start towards home before the heavy snows hit Kaedwen" she explained while picking venison from the /"Home? You're actually spending Winter in Kaer Morhen this year? Haven't seen you back there in two? Three years maybe?" she could hear the shock in his voice and she didn't blame him. She hadn't made the journey back for winter in a /"Spent the last two winters on Undvik with Clan Tordarroch in their forges, learning"br /"Hmm"br /"Oh come on Wolf, you couldn't have missed me that much?" she joked. He kept silent and she realized that he must have actually missed her during the Winters more than she expected. She was about to say something in her defense when he cut her off with a small /"You know Vesemir's rules, we can't bring whores for the winter. You weren't there and my bed got cold." He said in complete deadpan but his eyes held a glint of mischief. She barked a laugh and slapped his /"Words hurt Geralt! Tell me, is that all you missed about me?"br /"Well it wasn't your sparkling personality" he snarked while setting up his whetstone and /"Excuse you ya taciturn bastard! I am a constant delight!". He just turned his head to look at her with a straight face and she smiled innocently back. They both laughed together and set about caring for their weapons in comfortable silence. Fianna decided to take watch while Geralt got some sleep after his fight with the Kikimore. She spent the hours until the sun rose in meditation./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"It was about an hour after the sun had risen when she came out of her trance and woke Geralt. They packed up the small camp and mounted their horses./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Are you coming to collect this bounty with me?"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""May as well tag along, I want to see if I can find a cheap pair of gloves for warmth if not for armor." So they set off towards Blaviken./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"It was mid afternoon when they rode into the town. Blaviken was as unimpressive and dull as most cities are this far from the region's capital and the people weren't any better. She ignored the looks or suspicion and distaste on the locals faces and pretended that she didn't hear the whispers that followed her and Geralt to where they dismounted outside the Inn. She assumed that they would do as they used to while travelling together. To avoid conflict, Fianna would glamour her eyes for a short while and deal with the humans and hide her medallion. So when she turned around and Geralt was nowhere to be found, she cursed. Rounding the corner to the entrance she could hear the fireworks inside already./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Fuck that. Kill him with your bare hands if you have to" is what she heard just before entering. Letting out a frustrated sigh she slammed the door open and all eyes present turned to her./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""You've always been good at making friends, Wolf" she said with a sweet smile, trying to look as innocent as one could when over six foot tall and armed to the teeth. Who she assumed was the leader of the band of thugs scoffed./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Whos this then mutant? I didn't know you could take whores to go. How much for a go of her?" He laughed with his men at his own joke and in-turn missed the resignation in Geralts expression. Faster than the human brain could comprehend, Fianna had dropped the glamour on her eyes and pressed her dagger to the mans throat. Snapping out of their revelry, his friends took a step closer ready to strike./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Can you not leave it alone for a moment?" Fianna turned to look at who asked the question and saw a beautiful young girl with curled brown hair and wide doe eyes standing from her seat at the bar./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Witchers cant be trusted!" the Innkeep spat./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""I am not speaking to you!" she snapped back without even looking at him. She looked at Fianna where she still had the blade pressed to her mans throat and nodded at her to release him. Fianna, unable to resist herself, bent down to whisper in the shorter mans ear./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""You could never hope to afford me" then pushed him away from her before joining Geralt at the bar./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""I apologize for my mans rude comments and interference in your day. Hopefully, he can improve his behavior by tomorrow's market." she sneered, the last part directed at the cowed man./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Sorry Renfri '' the man muttered after snapping out of the daze Fianna had left him in. The two Witchers shared an amused look and turned to the bar./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Two beers for my friends here and one for me!" the previously named Renfri said to the barman as she retook her seat. He ignored the womans request and continued to glare at the Witchers./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""I am speaking to you now, good sir!" she snapped at him and with a huff he poured their drinks and slammed them on the counter. Geralt glared. Fianna removed her hood and sent the balding man a bright smile just to rile him up further, as is her way. The two Witchers looked on impressed as Renfri knocked back her full beer in one go. She must have caught the incredulous look on Geralt's face as she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""My Mother, gods rest her, would be mortified"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""I'm just surprised there is another woman on the continent who can drink like Fianna here."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Oh he has jokes now does he? Don't be jealous love, it's not my fault you're a lightweight" she scoffed/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Not all of us can unhinge their jaws like a snake at the scent of Mahakam spirit" Geralt joked. Fia narrowed her eyes at him as they held an intense stare down before huffing out laughter and returned to drinking. Renfri just looked at the interaction bewildered. She had always heard that Witchers were emotionless monsters but if she ignored the dual swords and cat-like eyes, this pair could just be a normal set of friends grabbing a drink./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Are the two of you siblings?" she asked and in a show of emotions you would be hard pressed to see any other day, Geralt choked on his drink with wide eyes, shocked at the insinuation./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Thank the Gods no!" Fianna gasped through a fit of laughter./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""That would have made for some very awkward teen years!"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""You both look so alike though?" Renfri asked with an inquisitive tilt of her head. After finally pulling himself together, Geralt replied./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""We looked nothing alike before the mutations" he informed her before finishing his ale./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Well then, what brings you to Blaviken Witchers?"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Was travelling by the swamp-"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Well that was your mistake then. Why not stick to the main roads? It would certainly be safer." asked Renfri./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Safety and monster hunting don't really go hand in hand" Fianna stated./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Hmm... She's right. Plus, it's hard to find work on main roads."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""And you both desperately need money for new clothes" Geralt seemed amused at her cheek while Fianna leaned back in her chair with a laugh./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Ha! She's not wrong. I need my armor repaired and another new set of gloves. I swear I go through them faster than a girl at the Passiflora does knickers."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""You wouldn't need a new pair if you didn't lose the last ones to a Basilisk of all things"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""It was either the gloves or my arm Geralt! What kind of Witcher would I make missing an arm?" His no doubt snarky reply was interrupted when a young blonde girl popped up beside him./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""How much for your Kikimore then?" she asked with a too innocent smile on her face. Geralt didn't notice when Renfri's eyes narrowed at the child, but Fianna did. Geralt stood to leave, he glanced at Fianna in silent question but she shook her head. He nodded at Renfri and followed the girl out of the bar. Fianna leaned back on her chair slowly finishing her drink, she wanted to relax her bones for a moment before heading out to peruse the market./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Why didn't you follow him?" she was snapped out of her pondering by the brunette who had moved to sit directly to her left./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Geralts a big boy, he can collect some coin by himself. I need to see if there is an armorer in this town and possibly visit the Herbalist."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Making a magic potion?" the brunette asked with a wry grin pulling at her lips./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Something like that"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Well I wouldn't bother looking for a decent smith in Blaviken. Tridam is only a day or so ride east from here, there's an Armorer there by the name of Adom. If you give him my name, he'll sort you out for a decent price." Fianna couldn't help but look at the woman in suspicion. She prided herself on usually flawless instincts and they were currently telling her that there was something no right about the woman beside her./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Thank you for the advice, I will be sure to visit him if I am ever in Tridam." Renfri nodded at her and Fianna decided to leave it at that./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""I best be off, Thank you for the drinks and the company Renfri. It was a pleasure." And with that, she finished her drink and left the Inn without a backward glance and an uneasy feeling in her stomach./p
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