Jaskier followed Geralt inside, even though he didn't like the guard at all. He trusted the witcher to make the right decisions. If Geralt agreed to speak, it meant that there was no immediate danger. This guard was probably the only one in this tavern.

It was difficult to get embedded in the conversation when he had to write to be understood. Writing took a time that neither of these two had. He still wanted to participate, so he put himself on the side, at a reasonable distance between the witcher and the guard. It looked like he was ready to jump between the pair at any time. Their guest spoke first.

"Alright, first thing first. As you guessed, I am a guard hired by the Pankratz. I have a small garrison under my responsibility. My name is Amaury."

Jaskier recognized the name and nodded. He had heard his father telling him about an Amaury at some point.

"It means that I know where Mr Pankratz is going to send his men next."

Jaskier was starting to understand what this was really about. With the way Geralt listened carefully, it looked like the witcher had come to the same conclusion as him. Amaury spoke again.

"I came alone because I told the rest that I would go on a reconnaissance mission. I was not supposed to wear my armor tonight."

"But you did," Geralt explained, "so we could recognize you more easily."

"Indeed. I needed you to take me seriously. Here is my proposition. I could send the troupes away. I could tell them that I found nothing here, and distract them long enough for you two to hit the road far away from here. "

Jaskier mulled it over. He couldn't decide if this proposition was believable or not. Why would this man offer them such an arrangement? At his side, Geralt folded his arms and was waiting for more, just like he always did in times like this. Usually, it would be Jaskier's turn to talk. The witcher was already falling back into old habits. He was standing there, arms crossed, not breaking off his stance. It was almost like nothing had happened between the moment when Geralt had yelled at him on this mountain and now. It felt good... in a way.

Jaskier took a step in the middle of the room to catch the guard's attention. He started writing.

"Why would you do that? What's your aim?"

Amaury did not even think twice about his answer. He looked at Jaskier and spoke like what he said was the most sensible thing anyone would say if they were him.

"Easy, for fame. If I could somehow prove my strength, I could live the rest of my days without lifting a finger..."

His eyes looked around the room and fell on the witcher.

"That nice medallion you got there."

If it was possible, Geralt seemed to tense even more. The witcher moved as if he wanted to hurt the man, but Jaskier interrupted him before the scene would turn at their disadvantage. Amaury wasn't trying to attack them yet, maybe they could talk this out. Geralt was easily stopped by Jaskier putting a hand on his chest. The bard looked at him with firmness, and Geralt receded. Or tried to, at least. It was not in his nature to retreat when someone asked for his medallion. But Jaskier was clever, witty, and had gotten himself out of worse situations before. He would let Jaskier talk. If there was a chance for them to get out of this without a fight, it would be thanks to his friend.

"What do you want it for?" Jaskier wrote.

"Why, for the glory of course! It is a sign of power. With it, I can tell anything I want without people doubting my words!"

Right away, Geralt knew it was not a good plan. His medallion did not have any kind of charm, special power or anything. It was just pretty rare and known to be the sign of a witcher. Ah, well, maybe that was the problem. Did this man want to pretend to be a witcher?

"I can see the appeal, but I should warn you about it. This is the medallion that stole my voice."

Geralt vaguely wondered what the hell the bard was playing at, but whatever it was, it was already working. The guard had wide eyes and was listening to Jaskier with interest. Geralt could already smell the faintest scent of fear raising from him.

"They said you became mute because of a sorceress."

Jaskier was a good actor. His face always reflected the feelings he wanted to show and not the ones he was feeling. He was intelligent enough to be able to use any kind of situation to his advantage. Not a lot of people knew not to believe in his theatrics, or that Jaskier could fake interest in a subject just for the sake of the conversation. He could play off something that hurt him if it meant making the situation better. Somehow Geralt sensed that, even after all the time Jaskier had spent at home, not a lot of people got to see past his theatrics.

"That is what I told my parents, yes. Who would believe a medallion to be the cause of the downfall of Jaskier the bard?"

"I heard all about you, bard. The stories indeed seemed to say that you were afraid of nothing. What happened?"

If stories said that Jaskier was brave, they were probably written by him. Better not say that aloud, though. Jaskier looked away and feigned stress. He was definetely a good actor.

"Would you still help us if I tell you?"

"Yes, I just want to know. We'll find something else to settle on. Now tell me!"

Geralt realised that Jaskier had managed to save his medallion, but they were still in a dire situation. Jaskier knew the witcher would never have accepted a trade like this. But now, he was stuck with the obligation to make a credible lie without any proof. This task was near impossible. Amaury was gullible but not stupid. And he wanted proof too.

"A while ago, the witcher and I had an argument."

Geralt remembered, and wondered were Jaskier was going. Was he trying to make him remorseful? Now that Jaskier was the center of attention, he was taking his time for writing. The guard was drinking his words. The only reason why Jaskier would take his time would be to play on the guard's stress over this whole thing. Geralt didn't know enough about humans to guess how this would work out, but it was working already, and he decided not to interrupt Jaskier's tale.

"You know how witchers can be, right? They are dangerous."

"You can't expect me to believe that coming from you! You followed one around for a good 20 years!"

Seems like the guard was not taking it. Geralt didn't want to interrupt, but if the situation turned around, he would have to step in. But Jaskier didn't look discouraged by this. On the contrary, he used this example to relate to Amaury.

"Yes! Like you, I was attracted by glory."

"So... Our situations are similar. Is that why you wanted to warn me?"

Jaskier nodded vividly.

"Is that how you lost your voice?"

The hurt that showed on Jaskier's face was not a pretence like the rest had been. It was a sore subject but this time it was necessary. Jaskier took a minute. He started by staring at the medallion until Amaury followed his look. Jaskier's theatrics always made Geralt want to roll his eyes, but he decided not to. He didn't want to ruin Jaskier's play.

"The medallion?"

"The medallion is a curse. It stole my voice."

Slowly, Jaskier walked to Geralt. The witcher let him do it. Jaskier seemed genuinely afraid, as if what he said was the truth somehow. Geralt didn't know what to do so he kept as still as possible. Finally, Jaskier touched the medallion and he shivered. The bard then gulped, closed his eyes for a second, and took the time to regain control of his breathing. Then, he turned to Amaury and said:

"I am cursed to walk in silence unless I touch this medallion."

It was like Geralt's world had switched right before his eyes. He had to stop himself from recoiling. How was Jaskier able to talk? Wasn't he cursed? Jaskier was the only one calmabout this. He seemed bothered by this, yes, and it was more than just acting, but Geralt didn't know if Jaskier was playing around or not. The bard looked like he was used to this curse, but Geralt could feel the heaviness of his words. There was some truth that he didn't know.

The smell of fear increased just enough for Geralt to remember that there was someone else with them. Amaury looked absolutely appaled. At least this was working in their favour.

"I was cursed," Jaskier said, "robbed of what was most important in my eyes unless I followed this witcher forever. To that, I said no, which is why I came back to the mansion."

"Y... Yes, I remember... This makes sense now... why you didn't speak."

Jaskier sighed.

"Dear Amaury, I am truly sorry that we can't give you this medallion. Perhaps we can sort this out with something else? I have money from the mansion."

The story had completely enthralled Amaury. He was devastated. He didn't even think before accepting Jaskier's offer. When the bard took his hand off the medallion, they shared a moment full of meanings that Geralt didn't get, but it got Amaury to accept Jaskier's offer. They counted the money and settled down on the agreements. Geralt and Jaskier would have two days before the Pankratz' forces came searching this place. Amaury packed quickly, ready to leave, but before he could do so, Jaskier grabbed him and shyly showed him something written.

Amaury looked at it and turned back to Jaskier with an apologetic look on his face.

"I can't do that." The man said after a moment. "I would be wanted by sight."

Jaskier looked devastated. So much, that Amaury took his shoulder and tried to reassure him.

"If it makes you feel better, they didn't want you dead. Madame just wanted lineage. She said it was time to marry her son."

That seemed to lift Jaskier's spirit enough for Amaury. He said his goodbyes, bid them farewell and left quickly.