Chapter two
Home sweet Home

It was perhaps an hour of a ride, or one just long enough to have Kiko sleeping against Yennefer's stomach until they arrived outside their large home decorated with a lush flower garden that even had herbs among the colorful flowers of purple, blue and even a few pink. Yen softly patted the girl's head making her wake and give a yawn, rubbing her red hue eye. When she looked around she was delighted to see all the wonderful colors and the house that was her new home with Yennefer and Geralt. The Witcher had gotten off of his horse first and helped Kiko down off of the mare so it was easier for Yen to join them.

"Welcome to your new home Kiko," the girl heard Geralt say while he went to the door opening it. Kiko glanced at Yen who gave a simple nod telling her to head inside. So Kiko did, and walking inside she was greeted with the sight of many expensive and unique items. From fine oak wood furniture to handmade and painted ceramic vases holding beautiful fresh flowers giving the home a floral scent so subtle yet so sweet. Silk curtains were covering over the windows and the fireplace was clean, not a bit of soot could be seen but then again it was the hotter months and there was no need for fire in the home just yet.

She walked around curiously glancing about from the paintings on the wall to the magically trinkets, expensive decorations and the fully stocked bookshelf. Staring at the books the girl tilted her head trying to sound out the words in her head for she was not yet taught how to read. She didn't know it but all the books were about different monsters or spells, potions and curses; she had yet to learn that her new mother was a sorceress and father a Witcher.

"Something caught your eye?" said Yennefer's voice as she walked inside, spotting Kiko staring at the books. The sorceress placed the basket she carried on the medium sized table while Geralt sat down in one of the two chairs cushioned with fine pillows; must be a comfy seat. Kiko looked over at the Sorceress and nodded pointing to the books.

"What are all the books for?" she asked, curiously.

"Those are books Geralt and I have collected for information, you see I'm a Sorceress, a woman who can use magic and Geralt is a Witcher, a Monster hunter for hire. We are mostly retired but he hunts occasionally not for coin just out of habit or kindness of his heart," She replied with the truthful explanation. "Now then, we should see to any cuts you have and you'll need a bath to get cleaned up,"

Kiko undid the bandaging around her wrist, showing a thick cut one she got from when she fell just hours earlier before meeting the pair today. She had at least washed it in the clean river near the city, for she dare not do so in the sewer water; gross. Yennefer's violet eyes caught sight of the cut and she knelt down taking Kiko's hand to examine the injury.

"A bath and then I will have Geralt get a few herbs for me to place over it so it will heal better and faster," she said before heading to ready a warm bath for the girl. Kiko left aside her tattered and dirty clothing getting into the water, the warmth of the clean water made her smile and the fact Yennefer put a bit of lavender soap in made it relaxing. Geralt had gone out to get the herbs while Yennefer used a bit of magic to some cloth and silk to make a new outfit for Kiko while she bathed.

"Yennefer?" the girl set her chin on the tub side watching the Sorceress at work. She glanced over her shoulder at the girl and smiled wordlessly responding to her with a simple 'hmm'. Kiko cleared her throat and spoke. "Does this mean I can call you mum now?" She saw Yen's smile widen as she also finished the new clothing.

"I am your mother by choice now, it's your decision if you want to or not," she placed the clothing by the bathing tub along with a fresh towel, seating herself on the bench crossing one leg over the other and resting her arms upon her knees. Kiko gave a joyous giggle.

"Then mum it is," she went back to bathing herself, feeling the dirt and dried blood wash away, cleaning her hair and soon she was spotless getting out while Yennefer held the towel open wrapping it around her little shoulders. "That feels better,"

"A bath is something many value when they can take one," Kiko stood with her back to the sorceress as she was brushing her short wet dark brown hair. Geralt returned with the herbal mixture for the girl's injury which Yennefer quickly got to doing. Applying a bit of the herbal mix on and applying new bandaging to the wound.

"Thank you," Kiko quickly dried off and got dressed meeting Yennefer and Geralt out in the living room. When she entered the room her nose was greeted with the smell she missed, a hot meal being cooked. Sure Yennefer had a cookbook floating beside her and she was making a pork stew with nearly everything she bought, but the smell of food cooking made Kiko smile before climbing into and sitting in the other chair. "That smells good,"

"Usually our servant cooks but I gave her the day off today," Yen responded adding a few spices into the pot.

"That's why Yen has the book beside her; she's a Sorceress not a chef,"

"Oh ha-ha, Geralt," She placed the lid on the pot and walked over, picking Kiko up sitting down herself and setting the girl on her lap. Kiko rested her head on Yennefer's chest, letting the smell of her perfume seemingly calm her as well as the feeling of a motherly embrace make her feel safe.

"Seems Kiko's getting used to having a new family, wonder what Ciri's reaction will be?"

"Knowing her she'll like the idea of having a little sister," Yennefer said just before the sound of a horse rode up with the clanking of metal, perhaps a sword or saddle bags of some sort. "Speak of the Witcheress and she appears," When the Sorceress stood, she easily held Kiko with one arm acting like a seat and the other; a soft hand on her back while Geralt walked to the door and opened it. Kiko saw that on the black mare was a woman perhaps in her twenties with ashen hair and a scar on her left cheek. Her eyes were like blazing emeralds and on her back were two swords. She got off the horse and dusted off her hands checking the rope tightness on this Griffin's head.

"Ciri, I see you have a new contract on your mare," Geralt said, but Ciri's eyes moved from him to Yennefer and Kiko.

"I see we've a new member to the crazy little family of ours, and who might the cute one be?"

"Her name is Kiko, she was an abandoned orphan—,"

"Until Yennefer couldn't dare to leave a child alone starving," Geralt finished for her. Ciri smiled and stepped over to meet Kiko, who turned her head so that the ashen haired girl could see her two colored eyes.

"Those are unique eyes she has," she held her hand out to Kiko with a wide grin. "Hi there Kiko, I'm Cirilla or Ciri for short, guess since these two adopted you it makes you my little sister now!" She said cheerfully. Kiko shook her hand but wasn't sure what to say exactly. "Not much of a talker,"

"Probably a bit shy, she'll open up in time. How long do you plan to stay?"

"Few days, maybe three then I'll be off to see if I can find another contract," Geralt headed back inside before Yen and Ciri did with Yennefer setting Kiko down so she could check on their cooking food. "Well that smells delicious," She said putting her swords against a wall and when she turned around she noticed that Kiko was staring at them curiously.

"Why do you have two swords?"

"All Witchers do, see the one with the guard bending downward is a silver sword for hunting monsters and the other is made of Steel for humans and nonhumans who might attack me," She smiled putting her cloak on a hook then crouched down taking the silver sword and unsheathing it to show the runes on the blade. "Geralt had this one made for me when I decided to become a witcher,"

"Careful not to let her get cut on that Ciri," Yennefer said from over her shoulder.

"Don't worry I won't," She clicked the sword shut and set it aside, picking Kiko up walking over to Yen. "So what are you making anyway?"

"Stew and yes I have the bread rolls to go with it," she said with a smile on her face.

"Ah good I love bread with my stew," Ciri said giving a smile to Kiko, who rested her head on her new big sister's shoulder…

Hour Later

Later, when dinner was ready everyone was seated at the table, even Kiko after Yennefer magically made a chair to have her sit high enough. Each had a bowl of the stew and in the table center were a bowl of fist sized rolls and even a pitcher of raspberry juice as well as one of apple juice. As everyone was eating Geralt broke the semi silence.

"So Ciri what was the griffin contract about?" Ciri wiped her lips and took a drink of juice.

"A man lost his son to the Griffin when he was heading to trade, I found the horse dead and his son's body was in the Griffin's nest, so I hunted, defeated it and took the head back for my pay, sad I couldn't find the son alive," she shrugged.

"We can only solve problems and avenge the fallen," Geralt said before dipping a roll into the stew and taking a bite.

"I know, but you're mostly retired now," Kiko remained mostly silent during the meal eating her stew and two rolls with a cup of apple juice. When dinner was over, Yennefer placed the dishes in the washing tub outside and returned to finish magically setting up a bed for Kiko while Geralt relaxed by the fireplace and Ciri took a bath. Kiko snuck outside though and looked up at the three horses there. One brown, one white and Ciri's was a midnight black. The black mare lowered her head down to the child as she reached up petting her snout.

"You're a pretty horse," she said, feeling the mare snort which tickled. Then the mare playfully nudged her and lipped her cheek as if she was saying thank you for the comment. Kiko had her attention so much on the mare that she didn't realize that Geralt was behind her at the doorway with Yennefer peering around him. He smiled down at his love that rested her dark head on his arm. Kiko seemed lost in her own world until the haunting sound of a wolf howl made her run to her new parents fearfully, well more like for her to cling right to Yennefer's leg and hide behind her.

"It's just a wolf," Geralt said as Kiko clung tighter to Yen's leg until she was picked up and held close.

"I don't like wolves…" Yennefer rubbed the girl's back trying to soothe her as they walked inside closing and locking the front door. Kiko held onto Yennefer trying not to cry, but she had had a frightening run in with a wolf that almost attacked her once. It's been her fear ever since.

"Shh, don't worry they won't hurt you here,"

"We won't let them," Ciri spoke out as she walked out fixing her clothing after the bath. "No wolf will hurt my little sister," Kiko gave a soft smile hugging onto Yennefer tight, letting the scent of her perfume calm her into a slow drifting sleep…