Chapter 3- The Hunter and the Healer
Sable started pacing back and forth by the fireside, nervously, in front of Geralt.
Another ear-piercing screech sounded; this time somewhat closer.
'I can't go back… I don't want to go back….who knows how Lord Sarvon will punish me.' Sable began to panic, heading into the shallow cave to find her ornate tunic.
Like her smock, the tunic had been specially tailored to fit around her wings, with buttons to fasten it around her feathered limbs.
'I must go.. I can't let it find me.' Sable said as she quickly fastened the buttons and tightened the belt on her waist.
'Goodbye Witcher, I am glad to have met you. But I must move on.' Sable said as she began to unfold her wings, readying herself to flee.
Stepping towards her, Geralt grabbed her wrist, holding her firmly.
'No. You will do no such thing.' Geralt insisted, continuing.
'In fact, you will do the opposite.'
Not pleased at being manhandled or told what to do, Sable looked at Geralt's strong hand on her, then up to his face in confusion.
'You do not want to be on the run for the rest of your days.' Geralt said, continuing as he loosened his grip.
'Fly me to a clearing, let the beast find us easily. I know you can take my weight. We will draw it out, towards you, so I can kill it.' He explained.
Not keen on the idea of allowing the beast to find her, Sable nodded reluctantly as Geralt slung his sheathed sword over his shoulder.
Hooking her arms around his chest from behind, Sable unfolded her wings.
Geralt could feel the air flow around him as Sable lifted him off the rocky ledge.
He was in the air.
In her world now.
Geralt looked down in amazement as he seemingly floated over the forest, streams and valleys.
How different everything looked from above.
How beautiful the world was.
Eventually they reached cleared farmland on the outskirts of the village.
Sable lowered Geralt down to the grass below and landed to stand beside him, keeping her white wings unfolded to be easily spotted.
'Do you have a plan, Witcher?' Sable asked.
'I plan to kill the creature if it does not reliquish your capture.' Geralt said.
Having the knowledge that Geralt was an expert swordsman, Sable nodded nervously whilst looking towards the sky.
She took a deep breath in anticipation.
They did not need to wait long for the beast to come into view as it screeched again as it spotted it's target.
It was a hideous looking beast with the head and neck of a wolf and the wings and claws of an eagle, just as Sable had said.
It had set it's sights on her and was flying straight towards them.
Drawing his sword, it dawned on Geralt what he was missing.
'Fuck.' He said. 'My armor….' Realizing it was still in his room at the Inn.
As the beast drew closer, it made a direct line for Sable.
Geralt readied himself in an attack stance as he gripped his sword firmly.
The beast swooped and attempted to grasp hold of Sable with it's claws as she jumped out of the way.
'Get back.' Geralt yelled as he stepped in front of her and slashed it across the chest with his sword, drawing blood.
Not discouraged, the beast screeched again, turning its sights on the Witcher instead.
The hideous noise brought the farmer who resided on the land out of his humble log cabin style house to witness the altercation from afar.
Clawing at Geralt, in defence, the beast slashed through his black shirt with it's sharp nails, cutting the flesh on his arm.
Geralt responded by slicing off one of the beast's claws as it screeched loudly, in pain.
Clawing at Geralt once more, Geralt lunged back quickly but it slashed him across the chest.
Wide eyed, Sable had seen enough.
'I don't want anyone dying for me, Witcher.' She said as she took to the sky with a running take off.
Distracted, the beast followed her into the air.
Sable swooped and circled high and low.
The beast closely followed her every move.
Geralt watched as they played a game of cat and mouse for a while as he caught his breath, but it was clear that being larger, the beast was faster and more powerful through the air.
Being designed with one purpose only, the capture and return of Sable to their Lord and master, the beast seemed as though it was gaining on her.
Geralt watched helplessly from the ground.
Worried, Geralt shifted his weight.
If the beast caught Sable in the air, it would fly off with her in it's grasp and there would be nothing Geralt could do.
By now, the farmer's young son had also joined in watching the chaos unfold in the sky.
As Sable became desperate, tiring slightly, she had a lightbulb moment.
Turning sharply in the air, she began to fly directly towards Geralt, diving in a direct line as fast as she could.
Attempting to keep herself directly in the line of sight between the beast and Geralt, Sable headed closer to the ground.
Geralt knew what she was doing and readied himself in an attack stance as imminent danger approached.
At the last moment, Sable turned sharply out of the way, as the beast finally saw Geralt at close range.
With one swipe Geralt sliced the beast's throat from side to side.
It tumbled heavily across the earth and lay motionless in the grass, a distance behind him.
Sable swiftly looped back around in the air before coming to land gently in front of Geralt.
'That was good thinking on your part.' Geralt said lowering his sword as he stepped towards Sable.
Still in disbelief that her impromptu plan had worked, Sable nodded, bending over, breathing heavily as she looked towards the beast's lifeless carcass.
'Good teamwork,' Sable added as her new reality began to sink in.
'Im free.' Sable whispered.
'For the first time in my life I am truly free.' Sable said more loudly, happily as if a heavy burden had been lifted off her shoulders.
'Thank you Geralt. You have my eternal gratitude.'
Sable moved closer and without hesitation, she threw her arms around Geralt.
Relishing her closeness, Geralt dropped his sword and wrapped his arms around her small, belted waist.
It was the first time she had spoke his name.
It was not often he had a beautiful woman embrace him willingly.
In fact, it was never.
Usually there had to be an exchange of coin for a woman to want to be near a Witcher.
But, there was good reason for that.
Witchers led a life of travel, solitude and danger.
It was no place for a companion, a partner.
Witchers could die any time, it was not wise to form attachments.
Attempting to hide his discomfort from her to not distract from the moment, Geralt grimaced a little in pain, letting out a small groan.
Remembering that he had multiple injuries, Sable stepped back.
'Oh, I am sorry. Let me tend to that.' She said, hastily finding the small blade tucked into her belt.
Once again, Geralt watched Sable made a small cut and used her own blood to heal his wounds.
In healer mode, Sable carefully patted Geralt's arms and chest over for any additional injuries.
Geralt took hold of her shoulders to stop her fussing over him.
Sable paused with her palms still placed on his muscular chest.
'I am fine now Sable, truly, thanks to you.' He said in a low voice.
Sable finally raised her eyes to meet his.
Stepping closer, Geralt raised a hand to her cheek gently.
They were close, so close that they could feel each other's warm breath.
Sable remained still as Geralt slowly lowered his face closer to hers.
Sable had led a life of privledge and formality.
Of little love or contact with others.
She had never been this close to a man before.
But this wasn't just any man standing before her.
Like her, he wasn't human at all.
Their lips were close to touching.
She didn't really know what love was, but something about this felt right.
With him…
'Wow… that was amazing!' A young voice sounded in the distance interrupting the pair.
The farmer's son ran towards Sable and Geralt enthusiastically, out of breath.
As both of their heads turned simultaneously towards the distraction, Sable quickly took a step back from Geralt as he released her from his grasp.
'I have heard tales about your kind…' The young boy exclaimed to Geralt.
'You are a Witcher!' The boy said enthusiastically, puffing as he stood before them, excited as his gaze shifted to Sable.
'And… you are the angel everyone in the village has been talking about. I thought you were just a fairytale, a bedtime story, but you are real!' He said.
Sable smiled at the boy.
'Yes, I am… real.' She confirmed.
The farmer walked up to join his son, placing a weathered hand on his shoulder to calm the boy's enthusiasm.
'Good day to you both,' He spoke politely.
'Don't mind my boy,' the farmer went on, 'he has always dreamt of becoming a Witcher someday.'
Geralt huffed to himself.
'I wouldn't recommend it.' He said to the boy.
'Fortunately for you, Witchers can no longer be created. I did not choose this path.'
'But I am as brave as a Witcher!' The boy exclaimed, undeterred, as he whipped out of his father's grasp and ran over to the monster, inspecting it.
The boy preceded to dance around the beast with an imaginary sword.
'I will return with my horse and a cart to remove the beast from your land.' Geralt said to the farmer.
The farmer shook his head.
'Oh, don't worry about that. It may prove to be quite the attraction.'
'It looks like it already is,' Geralt replied, glancing to the boy imitating a Witcher, killing the beast with his pretend sword, enjoying himself.
Without warning, a muted screech sounded from the beast as it twitched it's clawed bird like foot.
Whether it was the beast's last dying breath or a final attempt at retailiation, alas, the boy was too close and felt the beast's claw run across his front.
The farmer, Sable and Geralt, watched as the boy stood motionless for a moment, before turning to face them.
'Father..?' The boy exclaimed shakily, as he revealed a deep wound across his belly, before collapsing to the ground.
Gasping in horror, the farmer dashed over to his son.
Crouching beside him, the farmer cradled his son in his arms as blood gushed from his son's wound.
'No, Jayan, no…my only son, why did you get so close?' The farmer wailed as Sable and Geralt quickly followed.
Geralt swiftly plunged his sword into the beast's head, to ensure it was dead, whilst Sable knelt at the boy's side.
Knowing that the boy had only moments left to live and not even she could bring someone back from the dead, Sable moved quickly.
Grasping her small blade, Sable rolled up her sleeve and made a larger cut on her forearm.
Having such a serious injury, the boy would require more of her blood to heal.
Geralt watched from the other side of the beast, whilst Sable held her forearm over the boy as dark red fluid dripped steadily onto the large wound.
Geralt noted that she was trying to conceal her own discomfort.
The farmer watched awestruck as the boy's gaping wound gradually closed before his eyes until it was no more.
Geralt moved closer to the two crouching over the boy, observing that the boy's pale belly now appeared as good as new.
The farmer wept in tears of happiness and thanked Sable many times over.
'I was… skeptical of the tales floating around the village, but now I have seen it with my very own eyes…'
Jayan blinked slowly, confused.
'Father…what…happened?' he spoke, not remembering anything.
'Hush now son, everything is alright.' He said gathering the boy into his arms.
'I must take him back to the house. But I thank you again with all my heart.' The farmer said, raising himself to his feet.
Sable nodded as she and Geralt watched the farmer hastily carry the dazed boy in the direction of their home.
Geralt turned his gaze to Sable, who remained kneeling on the ground, clutching her bloody arm tightly with her palm, waiting for the wound to gradually close itself.
He noted that she looked a little weary and pale.
'Are you alright?' Geralt asked.
Sable nodded unconvincingly.
'Perhaps I have let too much blood in too short a time.' She replied, attempting to stand.
Geralt watched as Sable raised herself slowly.
She appeared unsteady for a few moments, before collapsing back down to the earth.
xxxx
In the light of the morning sun, Geralt slowly made his way into the village carrying a limp Sable over his shoulder.
Although folded neatly at her back, Sable's feathered wings were on show for all to see as her arms dangled loosely behind Geralt as he walked.
Although their wounds were no more, much dried blood still remained on Sable's arm and hands, and on Geralt's ripped shirt and exposed skin, a clue to all that violence of some kind had taken place.
Beginning work for the day, many villagers were already out and about.
But whatever they were doing, they stopped and looked in awe at the monster hunter and the 'creature' slung over his shoulder.
Curious, some started trailing behind him as he made his way to the centre of the village.
As coincidence would have it, Geralt walked by two of the men that had witnessed the original encounter of the winged woman the previous night.
'Took your time Witcher, but you came through.' One of them said, now a little more sober.
'We suppose we owe you some coin for the dead sorcerer,' the other chimed in.
Stopping, Geralt turned to face the two.
'No.' Geralt stated firmly.
'No?' One echoed. 'Did you kill this one for free? Even better!' They laughed together.
'She is not dead.' Geralt explained, in an annoyed tone. 'And she is worth three of you.'
The men looked baffled, but Geralt didn't stay to find out which part had stumped them as he headed towards the Inn.
Almost at his destination, Geralt stopped and turned as he realized that a significant crowd had gathered behind him.
Well, that much attention can't be good.
Geralt scanned the crowd.
Villagers were curious, scared or fascinated about who or what Geralt was carrying.
Many had heard tales about the 'angel', but most didn't believe it was anymore than a fable.
The two men from earlier pushed their way to the front of the crowd.
'Are you stupid, Witcher? Why would you bring a live sorcerer into our village? Who knows what type of power it yields.' One said loudly for all to hear.
'It could still kill us all.' The other chimed in.
There was a murmur in the crowd.
Geralt grumbled to himself and contemplated if he should waste his breath on the men.
Geralt turned to continue walking, however a few men with crossed arms and hostile looks had gathered in front of the entrance to the Inn, blocking his path.
'You have no business bringing that creature into the Inn.' One of them said.
'Her name is Sable.' Geralt started, looking back towards the crowd.
'She is not a threat. In fact she has been helping you, without payment or thanks. Only because she could. The least you can do is allow her to rest in a bed whilst she gets her strength back.' Geralt said turning to the wall of men infront of the Inn entrance.
There was murmuring in the crowd both in favor and opposed, whilst the men at the Inn remained immovable.
Before Geralt had a chance to argue the point further, a voice sounded clearly from the back of the crowd.
'You will let the Witcher pass.' The voice spoke with authority…
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Author's notes- Thank you to His Rose bud 125 for the review.