Chapter 7 Triss Merigold

They arrived in Teimera well before sunrise. Both Jaskier and Eira were able to catch up on the witcher who had left well before them. Eira knew Geralt was holding his pace so they both were able to follow him. He didn't even look surprised or angry that the bard had joined them.

Although the early hour, there was commotion heard on the streets and it led them to the castle. Geralt had given Eira a short introduction to Temeria and she knew that's where King Foltest must live. Castles always got her attention, there was something dreamy about them. Something that made her fantasise how it would be to live in one of them.

Her reverie was disturbed by Geralt suddenly coming to a full stop. The Witcher silently pulled his cloak over his head and when Eira looked next to her, she noticed the bard doing the same. He flashed her a smile from underneath his burgundy coloured cape and Eira swiftly looked away.

Her gracious fingers pulled her own cloak over her head and she followed the lead of the Witcher. Staying close to the wall, a bit away from the horde that was protesting just outside the castle's walls. They could easily hear the shouts. A bit too loud even for Eira who had to hold herself back to not cover her ears.

The mob was angry and Jaskier murmured something about killings happening since a few years.

"I heard the tales of the killings," he told her and Eira turned her head to him.

His big blue eyes locked with hers and for the first time in her existence, Eira felt a slight flutter in her stomach. Which made her frown and she rubbed her fingers over her stomach.

Jaskier ignored or hadn't seen the frown nor movement, and just continued.

"Every full moon a beast kills someone in an outrageous manner. Bloody and ...," he noticed the look on Eira's face, one of disgust, by the way she pulled up her nose. "Well, just gore. They say it's King Foltest's sister. The Beast, I mean."

"It isn't," Geralt murmured and shifted his weight a bit.

"How did you know where to go?"

"The red head at the Inn," the Witcher said, "she told me another Witcher took the job of killing the Beast. She said he ran off with the gold. I knew Remus, it strikes me as odd he would just take the coin and leave."

Apparently, Geralt had heard enough and revealed himself to the men. Eira and Jaskier stayed behind, following from a distance. The Witcher offered to take care of the animal for them. Even said to only take the coin after he killed it and apologised for his Witcher friend.

Eira followed the conversation closely and thought about how to shake off the bard. Geralt had been clear about one thing : no one was to know about her origins. Not even Jaskier.

She jumped up when his hand touched hers. It was an accident but it felt like he had burned her. A curse rolled of her lips and Jaskier silently took a step back. Eira shook her head with a laugh. Waved the incident off.

"Sorry, I'm jumpy," she apologised.

Jaskier just nodded, his gaze on Geralt again and didn't seem to think any of it.

"You know, this is going to be a great song," he whispered, bending his head to whisper in her ear.

Her eyes grew wide when Eira felt his warm breath against her skin and she chuckled nervously.

"I have no doubt," she replied and took a very small step away from him. Not knowing what was going on, only that she suddenly started to feel ill.

The Witcher was about to close the deal with the people when the loud groan of metal was heard through the darkness. The gates of the castle opened, lowered the bridge and revealed the King's Army. All carried heavy weaponry and Eira felt the magic inside her come to life.

She balled her fists to keep control on it.

"If you all leave," the man at the front spoke loudly, "I shall not charge you for treason! Vengeance will not ease your pain..."

There was some rumours in the crowd, but they eventually left slowly. A few spit on the ground before the man, who was called Ostrit, before they turned to leave.

Ostrit then turned to face Geralt before he turned his head towards Eira and Jaskier.

"King Foltest has no need for a Witcher," he said.

Geralt tried again to bargain for coin and to kill the beast. But it was to no avail. With an escort of soldiers, they were all guided out of Temeria and back onto the path that lead them through the woods.

Eira could practically feel the agitation radiating of Geralt and went to walk next to him.

"You tried," she started. "It seems like they don't want any help."

"Hmm," he said and glanced at her. "I wanted to know what happened with Remus."

"We can track him...," she started, but suddenly felt a string of magic that pulled on her.

Geralt must have felt it too because both of them came to a sudden stop. A movement that made Jaskier bump against her back. Eira was about to turn around, vaguely saw the silhouette of a woman behind them when everything went dark.

Waking up was the hardest part ; the magic used to knock her out was only used by well trained sorceresses or druids. Eira's head felt heavy and painful, but she sat up immediately when her eyes shot open.

"Stay still, your head will feel chaotic for some minutes," the soft voice of a woman floated through the dark room to meet the Elemental. "You're awake earlier then I imagined. Your bard's still snoring."

Eira stretched her fingers and balled her fists.

"Show yourself."

"I'm here. Don't worry, I don't mean any harm."

A beautiful young woman appeared into her vision and Eira stood up. Dizzy and shaky on her legs, glanced at Jaskier who seemed sound asleep next to where she lied.

"Where's Geralt?"

The frown on the woman's face grew while she took in Eira's appearance.

"What are you?"

Eira turned to face the sorceress and felt anxious because Geralt was nowhere to be seen. The golden thread they shared tugged inside her and Eira shook her head angrily.

"Where is he, Sorceress?"

Her voice strict and demanding while Eira felt the magic Geralt and she shared urge her to find him.

"He is fighting the Striga," the woman spoke and took a step closer to the Elemental. "You're not human," she stated.

"Where," Eira gritted her teeth, "is he fighting the monster?! I need to know!"

She held herself back to not use her powers, but ice formed in the palms of her hands. Ready to strike when necessary.

"At the Cathedral. The old one to the North. Not far from her," the sorceress said, her voice still calm. "I already stated I mean you no harm."

"Then watch Jaskier," Eira told her and passed her by. "Let nothing happen to him."

Eira ran out of the room, through the long corridor and outside. The moon was high in the sky, telling her she slept through the day and explained why Eira was hungry. In the distance Eira heard the loud wail of the Striga and her feet moved even faster. Cursing her slow pace because of her human body.

The loose rocks on the path she ran on, started floating when she passed and Eira opened her hands again. The Earth trembled underneath her and a grin appeared on her lips when Eira entered the Old Cathedral.

Geralt saw her come and grunted. He was wounded, she could see it and a growl escaped her lips.

"Where," she asked, and Geralt gestured above him.

Eira's gaze travelled from the witcher to the upper floor of the large room they were in. She kept her eyes above her while Eira made her way to Geralt who was still kneeled on the floor. Her hand came to rest on his shoulder and Eira could hear the light sigh that left his lips.

To her surprise, the Witcher laid his hand on hers for a second before he grunted and stood up.

"Eyes open," he told her, and Eira's eyes flicker to him.

"The Sorceress bound a spell on me," she said.

"Yes, Triss told me."

The rumbling sound came from behind them instead from above and both Eira and Geralt turned on their heels. The rocks floating around them sped up in a circling movement making both their hair play in the breeze.

"Don't kill it, I want to safe the daughter," Geralt said.

"Daughter?"

"Explain later," he urged when the Striga landed before them in one swift movement.

The scream got stuck in her throat by the sight of the monster and Eira quickly moved her hands forward. Throwing all her power towards the beast that growled angrily when the bundle of rocks hit her.

"She needs to stay out of her crypt," Geralt hurriedly spoke, his silver sword in his hand.

The Striga was caught of guard by the rocks, clawed wildly around her to shield the non-stoping rain of stones of hitting her.

"Leave," Geralt ordered Eira. "I will finish this."

"You're hurt!"

He grabbed her by the shoulders to make Eira face him.

"I said go," he murmured impatiently. "Go to Triss. Wait for me."

He let go of her and turned to start running towards the crypt.

"Geralt," she yelled and he glanced over his shoulder to her. "Stay alive, okay?"

He nodded once before disappearing into the darkness. Eira quickly made her way out of the old ruin before the Striga had time to come after her.

Somewhere in the distance, a rooster was heard.