Millis P.O.V
The next couple of days went by with the same routine:
In the morning Lambert would check on Millis wounds and renew the bandages and ointment. Then they would eat the rest of the meat the Witcher had hunted the evening prior. During the ride, they would talk about a few things to get to know each other, also Lambert kept much to himself, that much was clear for the woman.
She was interested in the world she was living in now.
Lambert introduced her to the work a Witcher does and to some of the most common enemies and monsters.
Milli was sure she did not want to cross paths with any of them. But she knew she was save with her companion.
She learned that silver was most effective against monsters and that there are more than one school of witchers.
Lambert was a student of the "school of the wolf" that was placed at Kaer Morhen, their long-time destination. Were they would meet with Vesemir and if lucky (or unlucky) with Gerald and Eskel, the few witchers he could stand.
She learned about the weaknesses and strengths of some monsters.
When they were not talking, the young woman looked at the scenery.
The forest was beautiful and the last five days went by without any disruptions. Once, she thought she could hear a wolf howl, but Lambert did not react, so she was sure there was no thread to them.
They reached the little settlement the Witcher had talked about.
It was at least four times the size of the last village and had, what seemed to be a market, that's where the Witcher stopped.
"Stay on the horse. I will see if there are any contracts for me. If that's the case, we will stay here. Maybe at the tavern or somewhere else."
After Milli nodded in understanding, Lambert got of the horse and took a step towards an information board.
In the meantime, the blue haired woman tried not to ignore the stares the villagers send towards her.
In and Out. Don´t stop breathing. Hurry up Lambert!
A sight escaped her lips, when she saw him ripping a piece of paper off and return to her.
The Horse started to move towards the Witcher, as following an unspoken command, who grabbed the reigns and guided the horse and the woman towards a bigger house.
"I believe that means we will stay here?" She asked him.
"There are four contracts I can do." He handed her the papers for her to read.
"We will rest at the inn for a few hours. It´s owned by the leader of this village. Should the payment be considerate the work, we will look for a place to stay. We will stick with the story. Stay near me at all times and if you something bothers you, say it!" He informed her straight.
"Will do."
In front of the inn Lambert stopped the horse and helped the woman getting down from it.
Inside there were different sized tables with candles for light on them. In one corner of the room, was a bar with a cooking place, an elderly woman was behind it.
Lambert guided her towards the back to an empty table with a wall behind it.
He motioned her to sit down and put their (or better his) bags next to her and returned towards the bar.
FOOD!
Milli used the time to survey the other visitors of the inn. There were the typical ones and some that looked like travellers.
All their eyes followed Lambert, before some of them lingered on her.
Some with interest, some with distain and others with curiosity.
Don´t know if I like these looks.
He returned with two tankards and placed one of them in front of her, before taking a seat next to the woman.
He was followed by the elderly woman, who was carrying two bowls of warm stew.
"I will bring you some bread as well." She said after putting down the bowls.
"Thought you might want something warm to eat. Be careful, the beer is strong. If you don´t like it, order water. They have a spring right behind the house, so it´s clean."
The blue haired woman took a sip from her tankard. It wasn´t too strong, a bit bitter, but she was used stronger beers from her home world.
"It's a bit bitter."
She answered his questioning gaze earning a little laugh.
"Here is your bread. Are those the contracts we placed at the board? Do you want to do them? I would get my husband for you to speak to."
"I intend to. But first we will eat in peace."
She nodded eagerly and left the two travellers alone.
"Eat."
Milli enjoyed the soup (even the meat) and slowly drank her beer.
Lambert was a fast eater and quickly emptied his bowl.
"So, you will be hunting some ghouls, some type of insects, a griffin and a chort. Whatever that is."
"If the gold´s good and the villagers are not too big assholes."
"Where will I stay, or what will I do in the meantime?"
"Get the things we need and be careful. We will probably stay here at the inn, unless they offer us an own hut."
"Sharing?"
"Yes. Safer for you and cheaper for me. Problem with that?"
"Nope, just asking."
"Good, but probably I won´t be there all times. When I need to hunt at night I will not be there. Remind me to give you a small weapon."
There was a small pause.
"Hey Lambert- You told me to remember you to give me a weapon."
His look was like ´Really woman? ´.
"Sorry. Had to do it."
The Witcher had a neutral but annoyed look on his face.
Shit. Is he angry again?
"Sorry- Just a habit I brought with me from home. "
He shook his head with a little sight and took a big gulp.
She was lost in her thoughts, when she felt the Witcher tensing besides her.
Worried, her eyes followed his glance and saw four armed men standing at the bar staring at her.
"What´s up?" Milli asked with a whisper.
"Don´t like how they stare, stay clear of them." He answered even quieter.
"Don´t worry. They make me uneasy."
He nodded in response.
"I will talk to the Eldest about the contracts. Then we get as fast out of here as possible."
He motioned towards the older woman, who hurried outside and entered a few seconds later with a man in tow.
They joined them at their table.
"Master Witcher, it is so nice to see you. We were about to lost hope. Those monsters block important routes to our village. Our village is not very rich, as you know, but we are willing to pay you as much as possible. You can stay at the inn, without charge. Including the food and drink." The eldest rambled.
"Your companions stay will be as well." His wife added quick, fearing the Witcher would leave the village otherwise.
"Sounds good. How much are you able to pay?"
"We can pay you 300 crowns in coin and are willing to pay anything else to pay in items. As long as it doesn´t risk our survival."
Lambert thought about the offer. It was less, than he normally would demand. But they needed the coin and his offer to pay them in items could come in handy.
"Repair of my weapons and armour are included in the payment as well?"
"Of course."
"I will do the contracts. We need a room, were I can prepare in peace. My companion and I will share the room. While I will take care of the contracts, she will gather supplies and items we need. If any harm comes to her while I am gone, I will make you all pay for it."
"Of course. My wife will help her, and our maidservant will oversee the inn in the meantime."
"We will rest for the night and I will start the hunt in the morning."
"Thank you Master Witcher. My wife Rina will take care of you and your companion in the meantime. Rest well Master Witcher. Miss."
Wow. I thought he might hug Lambert.
Milli and Lambert followed Rina to a room at the far end of the inn.
"This is your room. It has his own separate chamber with a basin that has a connection to our spring, night- pot and fire place. Here is your key. If you need anything just come to me. Your horse is taken care of in the stable."
She informed them, before walking off.
The Witcher put his bags down next to the door and looked around, with his hand hovering above his swords, before motioning for her to enter as well.
Great just one bed. Seems like we really must share
"Looks cosy." Mumbled the young woman and sat down on the bed. "
"I am going to lock the door. Then I will check on your back."
"Ok. I it possible for me to take a warm bath? I would kill to be able to wash with hot water again." She asked her Companion hopefully.
"Maybe. Depends mostly on your back." He answered her.
While he spoke, Lambert moved towards the window and closed it. Shutting out the warm evening light.
With a short sign of his hand, the Witcher ignited the candles and fireplace, and took of the armour.
Standing up from the bed, the young woman stood up and went towards the little bathroom.
On one side of the room stood a little pump with a big kettle under it and a fire to heat it.
Can´t do that on my own. Maybe the pumping, but there is no way I can get the water into the basin.
When she returned into the main-room, her eyes instantly felt on Lambert.
Who stood in nothing but his trousers in the middle of the room, his bare back towards her.
Milli could see different kind of scars covering his body. His muscles worked under his skin and she could keep her thoughts to wander and eyes to linger.
"See something you like?" He asked with a husky voice.
"Yeah, could be more though." She repeated his words from a few days ago, earning a smirk in return.
What was that girl? Why did you say that?
"Umm. You want to see my back now?"
He nodded in return and motioned towards the bed.
She loosened the belt and pulled her dress over the head.
The uneasiness she felt the first few times was gone, Lambert had seen her so often in her underwear (and he was professional at all times) that it almost felt natural.
His fingertips brushed over the scratches, that now had started to become scars, it didn´t hurt, it almost tickled.
The bruises were mostly gone.
"Back´s looking good. Scratches are heeling good. Shouldn´t reopen now, that means we won´t need to put ointments on them anymore."
Does that mean I can take a bath?
It was almost as Lambert could hear her thoughts, because he nodded towards the basin.
"Can you help me with the water? I mean. I can pump it, and maybe start the fire, but there is no way in hell I am able to get the water to the basin." She asked quietly.
"Yeah. Hurry up."
"Yes."
Not needed to be told twice, the young woman sprinted to the pump and began pumping water into cattle. She started the fire and waited for the water to boil.
She didn´t care that she was only wearing her underwear, while her male companion was in the other room.
They are worn out. I need get new underwear soon. And I need to wash that dress, it´s starting to smell.
When Milli returned to her companion, he was only left wearing his long johns and medallion, his swords in arms reach.
Now she started to feel uneasy again.
"Here."
Lambert threw her the shirt, she had used before to cover her up and she eagerly pulled it over her head.
"Thanks."
The young woman thought half an hour had passed, when Lambert went into the little room and the splashing of water could be heard.
"Your baths is ready, don´t take too long. You´re not the only one who could kill for warm water. There is soap next to the basin." He told her.
"Will do."
She relaxed for a few minutes into the warm water, before she began to wash the grime of the last days away. Milli had used cold water before, so the warm water wouldn´t get to filthy.
She used the soap to wash her hair, before she noticed how long the hair in her armpits and on her legs had become.
When she was living with Sapra and her husband, she had used a small knife to shave them.
"Lambert?" She asked a bit louder then usual, she new he was able to hear her with his witcher senses.
"Mrph." Was his response.
"Do you have a small knife I could use?"
"For what?"
"To shave?"
No answer. No noise.
Maybe not.
She was getting ready to get out of her bath, when she heard someone clearing his throat.
Milli looked over her shoulder and saw Lambert standing in the doorway, holding something in his hands.
"What do you need to shave?"
"Legs and armpits." Answered the woman, blushing a bit in the process.
"Be careful, it´s sharp. Don´t need you to stich you up again."
He handed her a small knife, that looked like a razor, over her shoulder and left the room.
Don´t intent to.
As carful as possible she started to shave, not wanting to cut herself in the process.
When she finished, she got out of the water, dried herself and pulled the shirt over her head. Then Milli grabbed a small bowl and put a bit of warm water in it, together with some soap.
Seemed like Lambert had put some water for his bath over the fire.
Quickly she washed her underwear in that bowl and put the clothes near the fire, but she made sure they weren´t to obvious.
Don´t need Lambert to know I am not wearing anything under his shirt.
The thought alone made her feel strange and blushed.
"I am finished."
Lambert was inside the bath almost as soon as she said that.