PHILLIPA'S HOUSE - Oxenfurt
Geralt was looking at his son. He was training with his wooden sword. The witcher smiled. He was so proud of him as he was proud to be his father. He would never let anyone to harm his little son. Never. That's why he had to find out who is responsible for those murders. Because if Rience is in Oxenfurt, he will do anything for revenge and to harm his family. He couldn't let that happen. It passed five days since Phillipa visited them. She gave them all the information which her spies has found out. But he still couldn't sleep well these days. He was feeling uneasy. Just imagination of losing one of his loved ones.. this was his biggest fear. He never understood why people has a fear. Why would someone be scared about someone. But now he understood it. Now he gets it. Love can't exist without the fear. And he was scared too. So scared that he even couldn't sleep well. Because his greatest fear was losing someone he loves..
"Dad? Did I do it right?" Jahve interrupted him from his thoughts.
Gerlat smiled at him. "Almost. Try to move your left leg more further."
Jahve changed his position. "Like that?"
"Exactly. Now try a sally."
Jahve did the attack with pirouette and indicated the sally. He turned to his father with smile. "Did I do it right now?"
"You did it great." The witcher told him proudly. Jahve in that moment ran towards him and hugged him.
Geralt caressed his back. "I'm proud of you Jahve."
"Thank you dad." He gave him a big smile.
"You should go inside and find Lambert and Eskel. I will need to go on the meeting now."
"I thought we will have a third fight with swords." Jahve answered with disappointment.
"Next time. I will make it up to you." Geralt told him kindly.
"Fine, but we will have a four fights with swords, not just two."
"Then we have a deal." the witcher winked at him.
"But dad, I wanted to ask you something.."
"What do you need?"
"Yesterday.." Jahve paused. "Yesterday I saw Ciri how she kissed Matt.. But why she did it? I thought only married people like you and mommy can kiss." he lowered his eyes.
Geralt got surprised. He didn't expect this kind of question from his son. At least not in this age.
The witcher knelt down on his knee. His face was now in the same high as Jahve's.
"If you want to marry someone, you need to fall in love first. And the kiss is one of the proofs of love to someone." He explained.
Jahve started thinking then he looked into witcher's eyes. "Will I have also someone like my mummy? Like you have?" Jahve's eyes flashed.
Geralt smiled at him. "One day you will meet someone and that will be love." Geralt caressed his hair. "And I promise you, it will be worth it."
Geralt was walking around the ships in the port. He was going to the main square. He should have meet there with Yennefer. He noticed one ship from Aedirn. The court jesters were currently taking out their things. They had to come here because of today's Wakes. It's an old Oxenfurt's tradition to celebrate the end of Spring. There will be many performers with different kind of art and theatre. The program will be varied with lot of serving of alcohol.
The witcher then turned to the left and passed by Fish street. He shorten his way around Bear Tavern. He saw there was happening a fist fight. He came closer to have a better look. He remembered on his old times when he would joined every fist tournament just for fun. He stood up next to the people watching the fight already. Some elf gave a knock out to his opponent. Then another pair replaced them. For Geralt surprise he quite quickly recognized one of the fighters. He waited when the fight will end and as he predicted Gabriel has won. He decided to wait and watched another pair of fighters. He not gonna lie, but he sometimes missed this kind of recklessness.
Gabriel was sitting to table for competitors and drinking the bottle with vodka. His mind was racing when shadow covered his face.
He raised his head. "You want to release a steam?"
"No. Do you?" Geralt said calmly and sat down to the table.
"Maybe." the young witcher drank.
"How many do you need to beat?"
"Just one elf and I'll win."
"Nice wound." the old witcher looked at his bruised eye.
Gabriel smiled a bit. "I got carry away and that sailor hit my face."
Geralt was analyzing his face. "That's your hobby when you disappear?"
"It has to be a reason for disappearing?"
"No, it hasn't. But you have a reason." Geralt relaxed on his chair.
"That's true, I have. My reason is the money." Gabriel answered without emotions.
Geralt knew that the young witcher didn't tell him everything but he didn't want to ask more, at least not now. He looked at the bottle in his hands and raised his eyebrow.
Gabriel noticed it. "It calms my mind."
"Hmm.."
"Everybody has their own methods."
"I don't judge you."
"You're probably the only one."
Geralt looked straight into his eyes. "People will always find a way how to destroy you Gabriel. Sooner than you accept it, it will solve you lot of disappointment."
Gabriel's eyes got darker. "Than I need to destroy them first."
Geralt's face changed. "Hatred, anger or revenge. It's like standing over the abyss. That feeling which you have inside you.. you won't stop it even by thousand deaths." he told him honestly.
The young witcher was silent.
Geralt stood up from his chair. "Ciri and Matthew are going on Spring Wakes this evening. You can join them if you want."
The young witcher was still silent.
"And that elf.. Try to hit him into his left side of ribs. I noticed he is crippling." Geralt winked at him and then left from him.
Gabriel's mouth shivered in smile. Then he drank vodka.
PHILLIPA'S HOUSE - Oxenfurt
They returned back after two hours.
They came to dining room. They found Eskel sitting to the table and eating his dinner.
"Hello Rivias. I'm glad you're back so soon." He smiled at them.
"Good to see you as well Eskel." Geralt looked at him happily. "How was your day?" They came towards him.
Eskel looked at them seriously. "You should go after Triss, she's in Jahve's room."
"What happened to him?" Yennefer started to be worried.
"The dreams again. Triss took him to sleep because he was tired and.."
Yennefer interrupted him. "Don't talk anymore Eskel. I'm going after him immediately." She turned to Geralt with the fear in her eyes. "Tell him what we found out and then come after me."
"Alright." Geralt kissed her forehead. Yennefer didn't wait any longer and almost ran towards the stairs.
Geralt sat down to the table and then looked at Eskel. "How bad is it?"
"Everything was fine first. He was sleeping peacefully, then we heard a scream. Triss and I got scared because we thought someone raid us. We came into his room and found him unconscious. His whole body was sweating and he had high a temperature. Triss immediately stabilized him with her magic. Jahve then woke up after two hours. He was a bit disoriented, but he managed to tell us he had a nightmare.." Eskel gave him sad look.
"I've already talked with many people about it and nobody couldn't tell me what is causing that nightmares." Geralt answered with frustration.
"Yen didn't find anything?"
"She tried lot of things but nothing has worked."
"Maybe Vesemir will know what to do. He has a experience with the young witchers who he was preparing for Trail of Grasses."
"Vesemir is already coming here?" Geralt was a bit surprised.
"Yes, he's coming with Leo. The messenger boy brought the letter after you left on the meeting with Yen. Vesemir wrote that they are already on their way here from Kaer Morhen." Eskel explained.
"That's finally some great news with all this mess happening around." Geralt sighed.
"We will beat him Geralt. Do not worry."
"It's easy to say, but I hope you're right Eskel. I really hope.."
"Does your pessimistic mood have something to do with what you found out with Yennefer?" Eskel raised his eyebrow
Geralt looked at him thoughtfully. "Have you ever heard something about Raven?"
"Yeah, I've heard some rumors about him." Eskel admitted.
"I think it's him who is behind those murders."
Eskel got surprised. "Why do you think that?"
"This murder about Philippa told me to investigate happened exactly five days ago. The victims were old man and his wife, not rich. They weren't killed brutally, just stabbed. But I do recognize this style of killing, because I already have a pleasure to investigate his murders. He never leaves almost any clues, that's why has nobody ever caught him or proved him those murders, neither do I. His killing is very precise but at the same time quick, sometimes also hurtful. That's changing by his current mood." Geralt was serious.
"Wait, that's that Raven? From School of Cat?"
Geralt nodded.
"I thought he stopped with killing. I haven't heard anything about him almost a year and half." Eskel said with confusion.
"Well, he's clearly back." Geralt's eyes were full of anger.
"Do you think he's working for Rience?"
"I don't know. He could just returned to his old manners, but we can't underestimate this situation. If he's working for Rience, then we had a another strong opponent against us.." Geralt's eyes were full of anger.
Eskel cursed.
Geralt opened the door quietly and entered inside. Yennefer was sitting on the bed next to sleeping Jahve. Geralt went towards bed and sat down next to Yennefer.
"How is he?"
"Before a while he had another dream and shaking, but I calmed him down by a spell. Now he fell asleep quite normally."
Geralt noticed worry in her voice.
"Vesemir is coming here. Maybe he could help us. He has a experience with deliriums and hallucinations after Trail of Grasses." He caressed her face with his hand.
Yennefer squeezed the witcher's hand. "I think he's our only hope now, because I've almost tried everything what I know and I'm running out of ideas." She sounded sadly.
"We will find what is causing those dreams. Do not worry Yen." He was trying to calm her down.
"I know we will eventually, but I'm tired of everything Geralt. There is still something. Still some threats we have to face, some silly problem we have to deal with and I can't do this anymore.." The tear rolled down her face. "I just can't.."
"Hey, no tears. Okay?" He swiped away the tear from her cheek. "Any solutions has never stopped us before and it won't stop us even now."
She looked at him with sad eyes."How you're doing it Geralt? How can you always be so positive?"
"Because you give me the strength my love. Without you I would be lost." the witcher kissed her forehead. He stood up from the bed. "Come here." He raised her into her arms. She immediately hugged him.
"We will fight through this. We have to Yen. For our children." Geralt looked at her with love. Their looks locked.
"I love you." She caressed his face with her hand.
He pressed his lips on hers. She snuggled closer to him and put her head on his chest.
He smiled. "You know I can't hold you like that forever?"
"Just a little longer.." She purred.
"For you I would do anything." He kissed her hair. "Anything Yen.." He almost whispered.
The witcher got surprised she didn't answer him. Then he noticed she fell asleep in his arms.
He smiled.
The sun didn't even go down but he understood. She was tired. Not physically, but mentally. She needed this rest more than anytime and he was glad he could calm her down on some time.
He went on the other side of bed and softly put her body to the middle of the bed next to Jahve. Then he lay down next to her and covered her with the blanket. He leaned over her and softly caressed Jahve face and kissed his forehead. Then he wrapped his arms around Yennefer and snuggled closer to her. He kissed her cheek.
The witcher then peacefully closed his eyes. He needed this rest too. Even if he knew he won't sleep, he was glad he could at least close his eyes.
STREETS OF OXENFURT
"What exactly are we looking for?" Matthew asked her a bit confused.
"Geralt told me we should look for something suspicious or weird. He didn't tell me more." Ciri explained. They just arrived on Oxenfurt's Wakes. They were going around artists doing their performance.
"But almost everything here is weird.." Matthew smirked.
Ciri looked at him. "Matt, can you focus please?"
"Sorry, I will."
"Thanks."
They stopped in front of stall which was selling also a slipslop.
"Two times." Ciri told the trader kindly.
"Five coins."
Ciri gave him the money. "Thanks." She took two glasses of slipslop. Then she gave one glass to Matthew. They went to sat down to nearest the tables. Ciri sat down opposite to Matthew.
They both started drinking..
"Maybe I live in Novigrad, but I've never tasted Oxenfurt's slipslop. What a mistake I made, it's delicious!" Matthew said with excitement.
Ciri laughed. "With your tempo of drinking it, I will need to buy you another one soon."
Matthew looked at her longingly. "I love when you're laughing."
"Well, the laugh is always needed." she admitted.
"I'm sorry Ciri." He told her honestly.
She laughed a bit. "For what?"
"I'm sorry how I behaved to you. I'm sorry for what I told you back then.." he lowered his eyes.
Her face changed. "Matty, we already solved this issue between us, we don't have to.."
Matthew interrupted her. "No, I want you to know this, that I'm sorry. I let my emotions to blind my mind." He paused. "I was jealous.."
Ciri got surprised but she didn't show it on herself. He didn't admitted it before. He told her this but in totally different way.
"It's alright. We both forgave each other." She grabbed his hand on the table and squeezed it.
He caressed her hand. "I'm glad we're okay." He smiled at her. Suddenly his face changed. "What is he doing here?"
Ciri gave him confused look. She wanted to turn around but the person behind her answered.
"Geralt invited me." Gabriel smirked.
Ciri in that moment turned around and opened her mouth to say something but Matthew was faster.
"Suddenly you're friend with everyone.." he told him with disgust.
"Do you have a problem with me?" Gabriel went closer to him.
Matthew stood up. "Yes, I have." His face didn't move.
"You should have rather stay silent.." The young witcher said with warning in his voice and moved further.
Ciri caught Gabriel's hand and pulled him back. "Hey, you both stop what you're doing right now."
Gabriel calmed down a bit, but Matthew wanted to kill him with his eyes in that moment. Talking to him was one thing but holding his hand was totally different..
Ciri let the witcher's hand and stood up. She looked at the witcher.
"What happened to your face again?"
"I've joined the fist fight." Gabriel told her calmly.
"Fine." Ciri accepted his explanation this time. She looked also at Mathew. "We should try a crossbow shooting. It's not far away from here.
"If his head will be a target, then I'm in."
"Gabriel.." Ciri warned him.
The witcher rolled his eyes.
Matthew faked his smile. "Let's go then, I can't wait to shoot something too." He grabbed Ciri's hand and they started leaving away.
Gabriel followed them without a word.
They were standing in front of shooting areal with crossbows. Ciri waited till Matthew started shooting, then she turned to him.
She hit him into his chest. "What the hell got into you?"
"Me? I didn't start it." Gabriel was defending himself.
She crossed her arms. "Really Gabriel? His head like a target?"
"I was kidding. I didn't mean it like that.."
"You shouldn't have say it at all. He is my boyfriend." Ciri told him strictly.
The witcher looked straight into her eyes. "He is the one who hates me already. Or I'm wrong about it?"
Ciri hesitated first, then she looked at him angrily. "This doesn't apologize your behavior."
"Then why do you apologize his behavior?" Now he crossed his arms.
"Gabriel.." she turned her head on the side. She didn't want to face his sharp look. Because she knew he was right in something.
And he knew it too.
He softly turned her face with his hand back. "You saw it. You know it's not okay."
She pulled away his hand from her face. "It's not your thing Gabriel." She stated.
"Isn't it?" He laughed sarcastically. "Matthew hates me for something and I want to know why."
She started panicking inside. She didn't know what to say to him. She couldn't tell him about their argument.
Gabriel noticed she is searching for the words, but he didn't want to wait for her reaction for a decade. "Tell me, is it something what I should know?" His face was serious.
"I don't have to tell you anything."
He narrowed his eyes on her. "You know something, don't you?"
She shakes her head. "I don't recognize you.."
He stepped closer to her. "You don't recognize me?" I don't recognize you Cirilla. You're willingly denying the truth." He told her bit frustrated.
She started feeling uneasy. "I'm not denying anything. I.. You should not.."
Suddenly Matthew hugged her from behind. "Did you see it? I shot all the targets." He kissed her cheek.
She turned to him with the smile. She pretend like he didn't interrupted them in serious talk. "You did great." She caressed his face.
"I did it for you." He kissed her on her lips.
"Thank you." She smiled at him again.
Gabriel got a weird feeling inside in that moment. He cleared his throat. "I'm on the turn.." He paused, then he left to the shooting areal.
Ciri was staring at his back while he was leaving.
Gabriel returned back to them. He wasn't smiling.
"One missed target. I think I won." Matthew was proud on himself.
Gabriel smirked. "Congratulations."
"This deserve another slipslot. Come on." Matthew started walking to the stall.
Gabriel was standing there in silence.
Ciri looked at him a bit suspicious. "Why did you miss?"
"What?" Gabriel gave her confused look.
"You heard me." Her face didn't move.
He leaned closer to her. "I missed that target because you distracted me." He told her without emotions. Then he followed Matthew.
Ciri was now totally confused because he sounded like he was honest. What game he was playing with her? She buried this thought and went after them.
"Three times slipslot." Matthew told the seller kindly.
"Only two times and one beer." Gabriel appeared behind his back and gave the money to seller. The seller didn't protest. Matthew was a bit surprised but he didn't say anything.
They left to the tables with drinks in their hands and sat down to the table. Matthew and Ciri were next to each other and the witcher was sitting opposite to them.
Matthew drank and then looked at Gabriel. "What were you doing before?"
"It's quite big time period.. You have to be more specific soldier." he drank his beer.
Matthew frowned. "Then I meant before you joined the Wolves.."
Gabriel suddenly got uneasy but he tried to answer calmly. "I was traveling the Continent and killing monsters."
Ciri noticed his distract reaction. She wondered what he wasn't telling them.
Matthew raised his eyebrow. "That's all?"
"Yes, that's all. If you expected life like from fairytale then I must let you down." Gabriel faked his smile.
"No, that's exactly what I would expect from you." Matthew stated.
"Matt, stop it." She looked at him a bit angrily.
"What? I'm not doing anything." Matthew said with calm face.
Gabriel drank the beer and then looked at him without interest. "Look, if you have problem with me, you can tell me this face to face finally."
"Do you want to hear what is my problem?" Matthew changed his tone of speaking.
"I can't wait to hear it." Their looks locked.
"Boys, both calm down now. I think one disagreement is enough for today." Ciri told them strictly.
Gabriel relaxed on the chair. "I'm calm as ocean's level."
"Of course.." he said with sarcasm.
Ciri kicked Matthew under the table. He gave her confused look. She indicated him with her face to stop what he's doing.
Matthew gave him faked smile. "I'm sorry Gabriel, my mistake.."
"It doesn't matter now. Enjoy the rest of evening." Gabriel finished his beer and stood up from the table.
Ciri recuperated. "Wait, you're leaving?"
He looked at her. "I need to go."
"But.."
The bard's voice interrupted her. "My favorite duo and a singer!" He greeted them with the beer in his hand and lute on his back.
Ciri got surprised to see him. "Jaskier, what are you doing here?"
"Ciri, my lovely girl. Do you think I would miss this special occasion and a cheap alcohol?" He told her with laughing.
She laughed. "Well, to be honest. I wondered why you didn't show up sooner."
"Where do you think you're going young witcher?" Jaskier put arm around Gabriel's neck.
Gabriel was trying to escape. "I was leaving."
Jaskier stopped him. "But I think I might use your help."
Gabriel stopped with escaping and gave him confused look. "What kind of help?"
"Will you sing while I will play?" Jaskier told him with excitement.
Gabriel this time succeed and escaped from the bard's arms. "I don't think it's good idea.."
"On the contrary. It's a great idea!" the bard laughed.
Ciri was watching them with raised eyebrows. She didn't see it coming.
"I don't know bard.."
"I will buy you a beer." Jaskier winked at him.
"Three beers, plus cup of vodka." Gabriel stated.
The bard smiled. "We have a deal then." He took his lute and he was ready to play. "What do you want to sing?"
"Just play G, A, H chords."
The bard smiled again. "Alright, the stage is yours young witcher."
Gabriel then sat down on the table next to Ciri and Matthew.
Jaskier started playing the melody. The crowd got quieter in that moment.
Gabriel felt Ciri's look on himself. He turned his head to her and looked at her longingly. Then he looked at the crowd of people in front him and started singing:
ð¶
She'll only come out at night. The lean and hungry type.
Nothing is new, I've seen her here before, watching and waiting.
She's sitting with you but her eyes are on the door.
So many have paid to see. What you think you're getting for free.
The woman is wild, a she-cat tamed by the purr of a jaguar.
If you're in it for love you ain't gonna get too far.
Oh-oh, here she comes, watch out boy she'll chew you up.
Oh-oh, here she comes, she's a maneater.
Oh-oh, here she comes, watch out boy she'll chew you up.
Oh-oh, here she comes, she's a maneater.
I wouldn't if I were you, I know what she can do.
She's deadly, man, she could really rip your world apart.
Mind over matter.
Ooh, the beauty is there but a beast is in the heart.
ð¶
Gabriel then found Ciri's eyes and continued in singing:
ð¶
Oh-oh, here she comes, watch out, she'll only come out at night.
Oh-oh, here she comes, here she comes, she's a maneater.
Oh-oh, here she comes, she's a maneater, the woman is wild.
Oh-oh, here she comes, here she comes, watch out boy, watch out.
Oh-oh, here she comes, oh, watch out, watch out, watch out.
Oh-oh, here she comes, yeah, yeah, she's a maneater.
Oh-oh, here she comes, she's watching and waiting.
Oh-oh, here she comes, oh, she's a maneater..
ð¶
Gabriel looked away from her and then stopped singing. The crowd curious people which got there while the song was going on started clapping.
"Good job witcher." Jaskier nodded with smile on his face.
"Isn't he amazing?" some woman standing next to Ciri said with admiration.
Ciri gave her confused look. "What?"
"Gabriel!" the woman called at him and then almost ran towards him.
Ciri rolled her eyes.
The woman jumped into his arms.
Gabriel was surprised. "Emilia?"
"You sing in public and you didn't even invite me?" She looked at him.
"This wasn't planned." He pulled away from her.
"I was waiting on you in the Tavern and you didn't show up in there.." She told him sadly.
"I had different things to do." He answered calmly.
"And are you free now?" she said with flirting voice.
Gabriel looked at Ciri standing next to Matthew. "Yes, I'm free."
Their looks suddenly met. Gabriel after couple of seconds looked away.
"We should go." He stood up and grabbed Emilia's arm and left with her.
Ciri was again staring at Gabriel's back. She didn't know if he was doing it on purpose or just for fun. But she knew for sure that witcher was playing with her. He was playing with her emotions like no one before. He talks, then he stay silent. He cares, then he disregard. He feels something, then he doesn't feel anything. She didn't understand him at all. But at the end he always runs away. He disappears without explanation. He runs away from everything like he always does..
But she still didn't know which type of twisted game he was playing with her. Was it the game of hurt or game of tease?
But now it was really getting her frustrated..
PHILLIPA'S HOUSE - Oxenfurt
Geralt went downstairs. It was almost midnight but he got thirsty. He also needed to clear his mind on some time. He couldn't sleep again. It was too much on him now. Still something.. The truth was that without Yennefer he would give up everything. He would run away from his problems just like before.. But he knew he can't. Now he had to be strong even if everything was against them. He had to be strong. For her. For his family.
He can't let them down. He won't let them down..
He entered into kitchen.
Geralt got surprised. "Jaskier? What are you doing here?" he went closer to him.
The bard was sitting to the table. "Geralt! I'm so happy to see you!"
"Where have you been?"
"I was singing in Novigrad couple of days, but now I returned from Oxenfurt Wakes." The bard was smiling.
"And how was there? Did you meet Ciri and Matthew?" Geralt raised his eyebrow.
"I met them, even Gabriel. But you can regret." Jaskier yawned. "You can regret that you wasn't there Geralt. It was pretty dense there.." the bard smiled. "And lot of alcohol."
"I do regret that." the witcher grumbled. "But you know, I couldn't.. Yennefer.." he sighed. "You know it best yourself."
"Of course I know it best myself." Jaskier admitted. "That's why I'm not getting married."
Geralt frowned.
"Here, drink it." the bard offered him a beer. "You will feel better then."
The witcher sat down next to him. "I don't know Jaskier. Yennefer has warned me that if she will smell alcohol from me.."
The bard interrupted him. "You will chew parsley." He gave him jug with the beer. "Drink my friend."
Geralt then drank.
They were sitting without a word couple of minutes and drinking the beer.
The bard sighed. "Everything is bad.. Isn't it?"
"Hmm.."
"I thought so. Listen, Geralt.."
The witcher interrupted him. "Don't talk, Jaskier. Not now."