SOMEWHERE IN NOVIGRAD - Redania
"Are you gonna avoid me for the rest of your life?" Geralt told her when he appeared behind her back. She stopped walking and slowly turned to him.
"You did it on purpose. Admit it." she split it to his face.
"Yeah, because I knew who hired you.. obviously.." he said sarcastically.
"Do you think it's funny?" her face was serious.
"Well, I'm not laughing, so.." he was trying to be calm.
"You always have to be at the right place at the right time.. Don't you?" she laughed ironically.
"What?" he didn't understand.
"Why this don't surprise me at all.." she shaked her head.
"I think you're overacting right now." he stated.
"Overacting? You don't get it right? If I would throw you through out the door you will come back through the window.. because that's who you are. You always have to save everyone.." Yennefer said without emotions.
"Still better than leave and never come back." he looked straight to her eyes. The blow was clear. Geralt knew it. She knew it. It's easier to leave than face something where she is losing control. He somehow knew her and she couldn't understand how. She started feeling uncomfortable but she won't let him play with her feelings.
"I warned you witcher and I won't do it again. Do not play with me because you will lose and very badly. You will wish to never meet me again." she was threatening to him.
"I can live with that." he said confidently. But he quickly understood he put oil into fire.
"Who do the hell you think you are?!" her eyes were full of anger.
"A witcher." he answered without hesitation.
"Gosh.. Have you ever not take everything literally?" she rolled her eyes.
"You asked a question, I answered." he explained. She frowned.
"I don't really have my mind ready on your bullshits.. Can we do it another time?" she sighed.
"And let you disappear to another town?" he raised his eyebrow and crossed his arms.
"I won't disappear to another town.. OK. I will disappear to another town. But you have to understand it's not because of you.." she said calmly.
"Not because of me?" he was staring at her face.
"For fuck sake.. Just leave me alone.." she took a deep breath. She was so mad at him. She wanted some space to think but at the same time she wanted to slap him. He upset her again but still that was something about him. Something which was making him special.
"Yen, we should talk about it." he suggested. He was trying to get her back.
"Talk about what? That you betrayed me?" Yennefer raised her eyebrow. She was strict. "You know If I killed everybody who betrayed me there would be nobody left.." she smiled sarcastically.
"I did not betray you. Betrayal looks very differently." Geralt was defending himself. Her eyes changed.
"What the hell you were thinking? That you will save me with your kind words?" she started to be irritated.
"Why are you making this so difficult? Why is hard for you to understand that I did it for you?" Geralt was trying to be calm. He knew he can't let her provoke him.
"Oh, please.. Do not play a hero again.. because I have enough of it.." she smirked. "But before I will leave because you're clearly not able to do it, I wanna be sure in one thing.. Tell me, are you with me or against me?" her face was serious. Those words surprised him.
"Of course I am with you." he answered honestly. This situation was getting harder than he expected.
"Oh really? Because it didn't seem to me.. You fooled me!" she raised her voice. She was angry.
"I was only trying to protect you." he was trying to calm her down.
"Fuck! I don't need your protection! I don't need anybody.. neither you. I can take care of myself!" she started yelling.
"Everybody needs somebody.. Somebody who gonna remind you that you're not alone." he said honestly.
"But I am not somebody!" she yelled at him.
"Why are you keep yelling on me?" Geralt looked at her confused.
"Because everybody always lets me down!" she said full of emotions. She started to be vulnerable. Geralt frozed.
"I..." he didn't know what to say. He was so shocked. She's never told him this.
"I'm really tired of it.. being someone's puppet.." she sighed. Geralt was speechless. She looked straight into his eyes.
"They look at me and at that moment I know what they want.. It's always the same. First everyone wants to sleep with me and no matter if they succeed or not, then they betray me or use me.. I thought you might be different than the rest but I guess you're all the same.." Yennefer looked at him disappointed.
Geralt saw it. He saw how she was suffering because of this. She never shows her real emotions to anyone but sometimes she isn't able to hide them anymore. Sometimes her own feelings fail her. He wanted to comfort her, but if he would touch her right now he would definitely just end up with the scars on his face. He decided to not do anything, just talk.
"I'm not the same as them, I've never was. I've never wanted to use you and I would never hurt you, you can let go all your worries.. I was only trying to protect you." he was totally honest with her. He came closer to her. She felt it. She knew that he was speaking the truth but she was fighting with it. He was still a stranger for her and it meant that he was dangerous even if her feelings was telling her otherwise. She couldn't let her heart win, not now. She had to be sure. Then she put her confident look again.
"Why are lying to me?" Yennefer crossed her arms. She wanted to act strong but she was still confused because of him.
"I meant every word what I said Yennefer." he stated.
"Bullshit.." she smirked.
"Fine. Then tell me why are you also lying to me?" his face was serious.
"Why on earth would you ask me that?" she was surprised.
"Well, the same reason you asked me. Because we don't trust each other." Geralt answered calmly.
"Should I.. trust you?" she narrowed her eyes on him.
"No. None of us are should be trusted." he was analyzing her face.
"This is ridiculous.." she shaked her head.
"No. It's not. I've never do useless things and when I tell you something important then you should listen to me. You don't know Bonhart. He is perfect killing machine. That's all he's there for. That's all he knows and I know what is he capable of.. Especially now, you have to know you're not safe. He found you for a reason, he wanted you dead and he won't stop until he won't succeed. He will go after you.." Geralt explained.
"Oh.. I am trembling with fear.." she said sarcastically.
"Yennefer." he looked at her seriously. She rolled her eyes.
"I will be fine. You don't have to worry.." she faked her smile.
"You think you're in control, but you're not." Geralt warned her.
"And you think I'm going to listen to you after everything that you did?" she told him angrily.
"It's clever thing to do." he answered calmly.
"Fuck being clever! You won't save the world if you're clever. You have to be much more that.." she said strictly.
"Then be just yourself and listen to me." he said honestly.
"I should be myself?" she laughed. "Alright then.." she stood up closer to him. Their faces almost met. "Smell me." she commanded him.
"What?" he was confused. He didn't know what she wanted to do.
"Smell me." Yennefer caught his chin with her hand and pushed him to her neck. "What do I smell of? What am I wearing?" she was speaking confidently.
"I don't know.." he hesitated. He didn't know what to say. But the truth was that he knew this scent very well. Lilac and Gooseberries. He would be never able to forget this scent.
"Power." she stated. Then she pushed his face away and stepped back from him. "I'm wearing power and to keep power you need knowledge. That's what I have.." she was determined. She was looking straight into his eyes and waiting on his answer. Geralt was thinking what to say.
"So you've showed me that you're not scared of anything.. but this is different. Bonhart is a different player. Let me help you. I don't want anything to happened to you." Geralt was worried about her. Her face changed.
"How I have to tell you that I don't need your stupid protection!" she sighed.
"Sometimes you do. You don't have to always take care of yourself." he didn't want to give up.
"Damn it.. you know what? I also saved you today.. from getting murdered.." she faked her smile.
"How?" he didn't understand again.
"Self - control." her face was serious.
"Why are you so angry on me?" Geralt asked her a bit sadly.
"I'm not angry, just disappointed." Yennefer said without emotions.
"I've told you I'm sorry. Many times." he was trying. He looked at her longingly. "You know I care about you." he said kindly.
"Dont know. Don't care." she stated.
"Why you always have to be so stubborn?" Geralt sighed. He was helpless.
"Why you always want to solve everything?" she looked at him strictly.
"Because I care." he said honestly and touched her face with his hand. She stiffened. They were facing each other.
"How he found you?" he wanted to know.
"When you will finally stop keep asking questions? It's really annoying." she frowned. Their faces were so close. They could feel each other breaths.
"If you will finally answer me." Geralt stated and caressed her cheek with his thumb. Her whole body reacted on him. She couldn't focus on anything.
"I.. He came to me. That's all.." she murmured. He didn't say anything. He was just staring at her. She couldn't hold his look anymore.
"I think you should leave." she lowered her eyes. She slowly took his hand and started pulling it away from her cheek.
"Yen.." he stopped her hand. "Just think before you'll do any reckless move.." he begged her. She slowly raised her eyes on him and then she stepped back from him.
"If this is what you wish.." she didn't protest.
"Yes, it is." he stated.
"Fine.. then look at me. Look at me properly." her face was very calm. He gave her confused look.
"Now turnd around and face the other way." Yennefer commanded him and then she turned around. "I will turn this way.." she was speaking calmly.
"What?" he was confused. He didn't know what is going on.
"Have you turned? I can't see you." she was waiting. He then slowly turned around too.
"Now what?" he started to be worried.
"Now we walk and we never look back.." she said confidently but at the same time her heart was aching. This was the best way. Leave everything like she always does. Forget on her problems. Even on him.
"But.." he wanted to protest.
"Don't turn. Just walk." she interrupted him. She started going away. Geralt started thinking quickly.
"Wait!" he turned around and stopped her. She turned to him and looked straight into his eyes.
"You don't have to do this. We don't have to this.. Please Yen.." he was trying to persuade her.
"Don't please me, Geralt. I know you think I am heartless but I do care in my own way.. and I'm telling you're not longer welcome in my life." she looked at him without emotions.
"Look, I know that you mad at me.. but if I leave now it won't solve anything.." he said sadly. He was so close. He felt it. He almost broke her walls around her heart and feelings.
"Leave. Now." she said strictly. He saw her eyes, they were still angry. He knew it was over. At least for now.
"Fine." he didn't protest anymore. He was very sad about it. He needed her more than anything. But sometimes is less more and he knew it very well.
STREETS IN NOVIGRAD - Redania
Geralt came to the countryside behind Jaskier's Tavern and he was surprised by what he saw.
"Hey! Look who finally showed himself! Where have you been so long?" Jaskier said with excitement when he came to Geralt. The
witcher ignored his question.
"What's that?" Geralt raised his eyebrow. He was still sad about what happened between him and Yen but he didn't show him on himself.
"They needed some practise and I showed them this place." Jaskier said proudly.
"Good." Geralt smiled.
"You're not angry?" the bard was confused.
"Why would I? It's important for them to stay in good condition." Geralt said calmly.
"You're really has changed Geralt.." Jaskier admitted.
"Haven't we all?" Geralt looked at him and laughed a bit.
"No.. I haven't changed." Jaskier laughed. "But the good thing is that you can finally see what is Matthew capable of with sword.." Jaskier was smiling.
"I won't take that as a favor." Geralt said with laughing.
"Alright, because it's not.." Jaskier laughed. "Well, I would like to stay with you but I have to leave now. I have some business things to solve. " he said with laughing.
"Just don't lose your Tavern in Gwent.." Geralt was teasing him.
"Then you don't know Julian Pankratz.." the witcher interrupted him.
"Shut up and leave." Geralt shaked his head.
"See you!" Jaskier bowed with his hat and left.
Geralt was watching them almost five minutes when Ciri noticed him. She immediately started running towards him. When she was close enough to him she hugged him tightly. He snuggled her closer to him.
"I was worried about you." she told him honestly.
"I'm fine, you don't have to worry." Geralt smiled at her. She pulled away from the hug.
"How is she?" Ciri was hoping.
"Unsure.. I'm trying but she is pushing me away.." Geralt said sadly. Ciri's face changed.
"Do you think she will.." she hesitated. "That she will remember on us.. one day?" Ciri looked at him sadly.
"You know I will do everything to bring her back.. but I can't promise it to you. I can't promise something what I can ensure.." he sighed. "Because I don't know.." Ciri interrupted him.
"You've already done for her more than anyone.." she squeezed his hand. She looked straight into his eyes.
"We will fight for her. We won't leave her alone. No matter what." she stated. Then she hugged him again. Geralt caressed her back.
"We will fight for her till the end.." he said confidently.
"And talking about fighting.. Matthew is waiting on you there." Ciri raised her eyes on him and smiled.
"I thought he will never ask.." Geralt smiled. They pulled away from the hug.
"I hope your sword isn't very sharp.. I don't want him to be a cripple." Ciri laughed a bit.
"Then he shouldn't have challenge a witcher on the fight." Geralt laughed.
"He is very good swordsman.. maybe better than me.." Ciri was teasing him.
"So am I.." he said proudly.
"You prig.. Come, because pride will kill you.." Ciri laughed and then they both went to Matthew.
"It was good fight." Geralt admitted and offered his hand to him. Matthew shaked it.
"Agree. Your technique is brilliant." Matthew said with excitement.
"I must admit that I really didn't expect you to be so good." Geralt told him honestly and smiled at him.
"It's an honor for me to listen this words from you master Witcher." Matthew said proudly.
"Please, just Geralt. I'm not that old." Geralt laughed.
"I told you he is very good with sword." Ciri was proud. She smiled at Matt. Geralt noticed that smile. She was never smiling like this on anyone. Neither on him. He wondered why.
"Well, I'm glad that the good swordsmen haven't died yet." Geralt laughed. "But it doesn't mean that you can't be even better.. you have still a lot of training before you." Geralt looked at him.
"If I will train with you or Ciri, I think that all people in Novigrad should start to be afraid of me." Matthew was joking.
"Yeah, they should, but you have to train very hard to be on that level and hard means every free hour.." Geralt was teasing him.
"No problem. Second run then?" Matthew said confidently and laughed. Geralt got surprised. He started liking this determined young guy.
"I know what I said that I'm not that old but right now I think I'll really need some rest.." Geralt was trying to smile.
"That's alright." Matthew nodded. Ciri understood why Geralt said this. He could fight with ten skilled men and then have still enough power to kill Bruxa. But this exhaustion was different. Only one person could exhaust him like this and that person now even didn't remember him.
"So, for what are you two still waiting for? Life too short to waste your time." Geralt said with laughing. Matt looked at Ciri.
"Shall we?" Matthew said with excitement.
"If you're ready on your own defeat.." Ciri's eyes started shining.
"I've never been so ready.. Come on." Matthew caught her hand and started pulling her with himself. Ciri couldn't resist to him. She loved the swords, but right know she loved this swordsman more.
Geralt smiled. He was happy to see Ciri in that way. Shining from happiness. It will help her to distract her worries about Yennefer. At least he was hoping for it. He sighed and then he went to sat down on the wall.
Almost an half of hour passed when well known voice surprised him nicely.
"It suits her." Triss said kindly when she sat down next to him.
"What do you mean?" Geralt smiled at her.
"Being in love." she laughed a bit. Geralt looked at Ciri. She was fighting with Matthew and they were laughing all the time.
"How do you know she fell in love?" he raised his eyebrow.
"Oh, C'mon Geralt. It's obvios.. and you looked the same when you met Yennefer." Triss was teasing him.
"No, I didn't." he laughed. He was defending himself.
"Come on.. you're not a good liar." Triss laughed.
"Well, I'm not." Geralt laughed.
"Anyway... I was with Yennefer.. What have you done to her? She's like a bomb which will explode in any second.." Triss was joking. Geralt's face got serious.
"I met Bonhart. He was the one who hired her.. I was trying to protect her because he is dangerous.. but she's not use to it and she didn't get it very well." Geralt explained.
"You did a right thing. She will once understand why you did that." she smiled.
"Wish she would forgive me." he said thoughtfully.
"That's not good that Bonhart was so close to her.." Triss said seriously.
"Tell me about it.." Geralt said angrily.
"Do you think he is working alone?" Triss was suspicious.
"I don't know, it is possible that someone is giving him ordres. But if it is true that he is working with someone else than we have a bigger problem than we thought." he said honestly.
"Then we have to create a perfect plan how to kill him or them, but first we have to deal with Yennefer because we are running of time." her face was serious.
"Did you find anything?" Geralt was hoping.
"Yes, I have a good news. We finally found out how to end the curse.. but.. it won't be easy." she admitted.
"Tell me. I think anything can't surprise me more today.. ." Geralt said calmly.
"The person who is cursed has to experience very strong emotional moment with the person who she already knows very well. So it means it have to be you because we want her to remember everything, not just some parts of her life." Triss explained.
"Triss, you know I'm not a good actor." he looked at her hopelessly.
"I know. Then we have to figure it something." she was trying to smile.
"I hope it will work.." Geralt sighed. Triss saw how he was fighting with this. With this whole situation.
"So.. and how is going with her? Any progress? Does she like you already?" she was trying to change the topic.
"Really Triss? Right now she would rather see me dead." he frowned.
"Yeah, that's because you upset her. I haven't seen her so angry for such a long time." Triss laughed a bit. "But you know her, she just needs some time to calm down. Then she will be fine." Triss smiled at him. "But what I meant, has she showed you some empathy or at least that she cares about you?" she said kindly.
"I mean.. yes. I think she was worried about me in some moments.." Geralt said honestly.
"That's a good sign. You have to be her friend whom she trust, only then we will succeed." she said calmly.
"I will try my best." he smiled.
"You will handle it. Nothing scares you Geralt.." Triss wanted to comfort him.
"Huh.. then you don't know Yennefer of Vengerberg very well.." he laughed a bit. He sighed. "Sometimes I don't know if I love how much I fear her or if I fear how much I love her." he said thoughtfully. He was honest. Triss got surprised about what he told her.
"Well.. I think she is that kind of person. When you look at her, you have no other choice than respect her and fear her at the same time." Triss admitted. Geralt didn't answered.
"What's wrong?" she looked at him worriedly.
"I.. I.." he didn't know what to say. He lowered his head.
"You worry if you blink you'll never see her again.." Triss said sadly. Geralt sighed.
"You know that she was like a tornado when I met her for the first time.. Yeah, she behave like this sometimes even now, but you know what I mean." he raised her eyes on her.
"You can't control her too long.." Triss said honestly.
"Exactly.. and now she's even angry on me.. but at least she's not cursing my name yet.." Geralt frowned. Triss sighed.
"We should give her some space now. I will try to hold her in Novigrad as long as possible.. but then you have to get her back Geralt. I think we don't have much more chances." Triss looked at him seriously.
"I know." Geralt admitted.