Farewell

"I still can't believe you, of all people, uses a xenovox."

I look at Triss, still giggling away into her hand. She did at least try to look a little guilty about laughing at me. "It's been a life saver for whenever Geralt and I split up."

"Still can't believe Keira parted with them. Those things are like hen's teeth."

"She figured we'd have more use for them than herself."

"I'll have words with her when we eventually get to Kaer Morhen. Using the old red hair trick is poor form. You would have slept with her anyway."

"Aye. Though there was something a little different this time…"

"Damsel in distress, Ragnar. You're a little old fashioned in that regard." I gave her another look, which provoked a smile. "I mean, think of all the times you've helped me when I'm in trouble. Ragnar Dragonborn, swooping in to the rescue."

Dandelion and Zoltan burst into laughter nearby. "Can't imagine Ragnar swooping," Dandelion stated.

"Aye, breaking down doors and being generally intimidating with just a stare is how I'd describe him. Gods help you if he's armed," Zoltan added.

"Okay, okay. That's enough. I do need to actually get in touch with the man, find out where he is and when he can get back here. Spending too many days locked up in here will cause cabin fever." I cleared my throat, speaking directly into the xenovox. "Geralt, are you there, my friend?"

There was a crackling sound at first. "For fuck's sake. Where is it? … the noise? It's this contraption I've got. What? No, it's not magical. It's… I don't fucking know what it is. Look, just let me answer the damned thing. It's important. And you'd better have my coin ready. Two of you bastards have already tried fleecing me." There was a cleared throat. "Hello, Ragnar. How are things in lovely Novigrad?"

"Everything is settled. We're now waiting for you to return. Triss and I have pooled our coin together. With whatever you have now, we should have enough for passage to Skellige. Where are you?"

"Far to the south. Down near Byways. Arse end of fucking nowhere. You're lucky that I've just settled up a contract. I'll start my return to Novigrad immediately. Give me a couple of days. Will have to sort out Roach as well. Can't take her across the sea."

"Okay, Triss and I will wait here until your return. Once you do, we'll head out towards the Kingfisher. Hopefully the ship is still in port."

"He's probably still drunk. I doubt they get many requests for passage over to Skellige. Most of the captain's I spoke to didn't want to hear about it. That's why he was asking for so much coin. Anyway, I'll settle up here and start riding north. See you soon."

I don't know if a xenovox switched off or anything, but I just placed it back in my pack as I turned to Triss. "Well, if he's going to be a couple of days, I should probably wrap up a couple of things here." Triss just smiled at me. "Yes, it's women. No, it doesn't mean I'm going to…"

"Wouldn't complain if you did. I'm still sore from last night, Ragnar."

"That's your fault. I was just lying there."

Zoltan cleared his throat, both of us looking at him. "Look, I'm glad you two are utterly loved up at the moment, but though I might joke, I don't actually need to hear the details."

"Sorry," we stated in unison.

"So you're going to head out then?" Triss asked.

"Aye. I can think of a few people I should probably visit. Rosa is one. Maria Louisa is another. Irina is still around, so I'll pop in to say goodbye to her. I know Priscilla is staying but I'm sure the troupe will move on eventually."

"Should I expect you home when visiting Rosa?" I gave her a look. "Ragnar, I really don't mind. I know how much you like her."

"You sure?"

She leaned in close. "I could probably do with a good night's sleep anyway. Haven't done much sleeping the past few nights." She was right, we'd barely left the room considering we were laying low after everything that happened. Though I considered myself a man of action, when I was next to her in bed, I didn't want to be anywhere else. And she could think of many ways to keep me occupied anyway, not all of them involving us being naked.

I headed out into Novigrad after lunch, the first time I'd left the Rosemary and Thyme since we had returned that night the mages had safely left. Left thinking my face would be well known by now, I covered my head with a hood and walked in the direction of Gildorf. I'm sure Triss would assume I would go straight to see Rosa, but I smiled to myself, thinking I'd go see her tomorrow… and maybe just spend the night with her, if she was open to the idea.

No, my first stop was the Baroness La Valette. The guards were not particularly friendly, but eventually announced my arrival. Invited in rather quickly, I couldn't help look around the manor again, my jaw probably hanging wide, and I eventually heard Maria Louisa giggling at the look on my face. "It's not that fancy, Ragnar."

"Fancier than the room I'm currently living in."

I strode towards her, taking her hand and brushing my lips against the back of it. Then she stepped forward and kissed me hard. I certainly wasn't expecting that, my brain taking a couple of seconds to catch up before I finally replied. Pulling her into my body, I had her walking backwards until pressing her against the wall, ensuring she felt my already erect cock pressing into her.

"What brought this on?" I had to ask once we needed to take a breath.

"It was always good, wasn't it?"

"It was. But…"

She put a finger on my lips. "That's all I wanted to hear Ragnar. Anything else doesn't matter anymore." She kissed my cheek before taking my hand, leading me to one of the sitting rooms. A servant quickly appeared, Maria Louisa asking for a bottle of wine and two glasses. We remained silent until assured privacy.

"So to what do I owe this pleasure, Ragnar?"

"I was actually here to say farewell. I'm heading off to Skeliige in a couple of days' time."

"Why ever are you heading there?"

"Maybe you should ask General Voorhis," I replied, glancing at her over the rim of my wine glass.

"Jealousy is an ugly trait, Ragnar," she stated with a grin, "But I'm not fucking him anyway."

"Never assumed you were. But if you spend time with Nilfgaardians…" I trailed off and just smiled. I didn't want to cause an argument.

"So why? Can you tell me?" she asked, enjoying the fact she was begging slightly. She'd been a notorious gossip, though naturally, had also been the subject due to her secret relationship with Foltest.

"We share something in common. Emperor Emhyr himself has given me a job. Had me in Velen a while back. Now in Novigrad. And it's why I'm off to Skellige."

"Is Triss with you?"

"Aye."

"Heard all the stories about the mages escaping. Apparently Radovid is in a rage. Wanted them all burned at the stake. Triss is at the top of the list of people he wants arrested, interrogated, tortured, then executed."

"She's obviously coming with me."

"Thought she would have escaped with the rest." Then she paused and grinned, "But I guess if she's with you, she's safe."

"So I hope. I've already failed her and others before. I don't aim to do that again."

"And you're here just to say farewell?" I gave her a look and smiled again. "I'm hoping the kiss may have suggested I'd like something a little more than just that, particularly if you are leaving…"

"Baroness La Valette, are you propositioning me?"

"I haven't been fucked in months, Ragnar."

I put my drink down immediately and stood up, offering my hand. She burst into giggles as I led her towards the stairs. "Time we rectified that," I stated.

Five minutes later, we were both naked, Maria Louisa on her back, her legs spread apart as I was buried inside her, gently thrusting away. The look on her face was one of utter bliss. While I'm fairly sure she would have been happy with any man, as we had previous, I'm sure it felt that little bit better. She was certainly complimentary of my cock, at least. "Forgot how big you were," she whispered.

"Still can't believe I used to fuck the mistress of a king."

She laughed. "You were so nervous the first time, Ragnar."

"I was worried about his guards bursting into find his mistress riding my cock!"

"Hmmm. I'd like to do that later too."

I ended up spending all afternoon bed with the baroness. And she did get the opportunity to ride me, just like she wanted, and I certainly appreciated her fine naked body on top of me. Part of me always wondered how she couldn't find a man she deserved. Certainly deserved someone better than me. Nothing would have ever come of our liaison. We were immediately attracted, and the fact we had ended up in bed together didn't surprise either of us, despite my concerns about being caught. But that's all it would ever have been.

Still, she ended up enjoying a couple of orgasms, and after I came inside her a second time, she relaxed on my chest, enjoying the feeling of my fingers caressing her back, whispering that the afternoon we'd just enjoyed would get her through another few lonely months. When she finally rolled off me, cuddling into my side, I had to ask, "Do you miss him?"

"I do. He gave me two wonderful children, Ragnar. And he was a good man. A decent man."

"He was. Never deserved his fate." I met her eyes. "Do you intend on remaining here?"

"Nowhere else to go, Ragnar. Heading to Nilfgaard wouldn't be a good look. And I'd be nothing but a pawn to any of the Northern Kingdoms. Novigrad is a… well, I hesitate to say free city, considering some of the awful things happening, but for the moment, I'm safe here."

I was invited to dinner, dressing myself but she just wrapped herself in a fine gown, wandering downstairs barefoot, without a care in the world. We ate in the dining room, but we sat side by side, chatting quietly about anything that came to mind, enjoying the food and a bottle of wine. I was left thinking she wanted to ask me to stay the night, but it was only when I was about to leave that she stopped me.

"Please stay," she said softly, my hand resting on the handle to open the door, "Please stay tonight. Just one night together."

I took my hand off the handle and took her by the hand instead. Leading her back upstairs, I took the gown from her body, laid her back, and used nothing but my mouth for at least an hour. By the time I was done, she'd enjoyed a couple of orgasms and had a little cry as well, confessing she hadn't been made to feel so good in far too long.

She helped undress me, and though willing to return the favour, we both wanted to make love. It was a little different to earlier that day, as I sensed she just needed that connection with someone, but the fact we had history certainly helped it just feel better. Though we liked each other, there were no deeper feelings being shared. A definite physical attraction and, sometimes, that was enough.

It was the first time she ever slept in my arms. Every other time in Vizima, or wherever we happened to meet and enjoy a little private time, it had been a stolen hour here, a stolen hour there. I'll admit she was perhaps only one of a couple of partners Triss didn't particularly approve, simply because of her relationship to Foltest and she was worried about him finding out and… it getting a lot more awkward. He never did, as we were always careful, and our stolen moments were infrequent at most.

After breakfast the next morning, she saw me off the door, not opening it until we'd finished our last hug and kiss. Wishing me the best, I returned one of those smiles I knew would provoke her own, and I was certainly in a good mood heading back to the Rosemary and Thyme. I still had to see Rosa, but couldn't just go see her without returning to see Triss first. If she wanted to do something first, she would certainly take priority.

Of course, she laughed at me walking in the door. "So much for just an afternoon visit."

"She asked me to stay the night."

"Well, I can certainly understand why she wanted that. So… what about Rosa?"

"I thought you might…"

She smiled at me like usual. "Ragnar, we'll be heading to Skellige within a couple of days. Sailing there will take time. And then I'll certainly have you all to myself… unless Cerys is keen."

"Hang on, we've never… she was too…"

"How old would she be now? Same age as Ciri?"

"If I remember correctly, she's a couple of years older than her."

"Oh, then you're definitely in for a good time if she's interested. I still remember her following you around all the time, ever the awkward teenager with a massive crush on someone."

"Gods, Ragnar, did your Divines give you some sort of special ability with women?" Zoltan wondered, "I thought Dandelion was bad."

"I take offence to that!" Dandelion shouted from the counter.

"So, anyway, Rosa?" Triss asked me, "Geralt should be back tomorrow, and I assume we'll be trying to leave as soon as possible after that." She rose from her bench and walked towards me, resting her hands on my chest as she looked up. "Now, I think you should have a wash, get changed, then go see your young lover."

"You're seriously telling me to go…"

"Yes, I am. Because I have no doubt the young woman has probably pined for you every day since, and you showing up on the doorstep will make her month. Then you can come home tomorrow night… and then I'll have you all to myself for a little while."

"Are you not interested in having fun with someone?"

"Anyone I might have considered left on the boat. And Lodge members are spread to the wind." She held up two fingers. "This will have to do for now. And there's always magic…"

"Ah…"

"I know you like to watch me do it too, Ragnar, so you'll just have to imagine it. Though I think you'll be rather busy to think about me."

"You're a tease."

She patted my butt. "Upstairs with you for a wash."

An hour later, I was washed and wearing some clean clothes. Putting on my hooded coat, I never left the tavern without my sword, and after a last brief kiss from Triss, I headed back out into Novigrad. I noticed a few curious glances as I passed by patrolling guards or witch hunters, but as I had a sword at my hip, and I was clearly a human, they had no real reason to stop me. But I still tried to take alleys and back streets when I could, though the patrols were now almost everywhere, and I knew that now that the mages had disappeared, the Eternal Fire would simply find a new enemy to focus on. I dreaded to think…

The guard captain outside the var Attre residence recognised me as I'd taken my hood off climbing the stairs, immediately opening the door for me, letting me know that Rosa was probably downstairs. Walking out into the practice area, her face lit up upon seeing me, going through sword drills by herself. She dropped the sword and practically leapt into my arms, covering my face in kisses.

Once she got a little bit of it out of her system, I gently placed her down on the ground, simply caressing her cheek for a moment. "I can stay the night," I said softly, "But I am leaving."

"Oh…" The smile disappeared for a moment, but it formed again quickly, "But you came to see me before leaving?"

"Of course. Got to get in some last minute training."

That made her giggle, letting me to go pick up her sword, placing that back in its slot and picking up a pair of wooden swords. She asked if perhaps I could at least go without a shirt and tunic on, something I could agree too, figuring I'd work up a sweat. And it was the same agreement. If she managed to hit me, she got a kiss.

I may have let her hit me a couple of times. But it was obvious she'd been practicing, taking on board some of the things I'd shown her last time, as she earned a couple of hits all by herself. She seemed to notice the difference, as that made her squeal with delight, making me laugh in return as she got rather excited and certainly wanted to kiss me for longer.

We spent far longer than I thought down there as a servant eventually arrived to announce dinner was ready, and it was obvious they knew of my presence, as a place had been set for me next to Rosa. Edna was friendlier this time, at least, the three of us chatting away as we savoured some very tasty food on offer, and we shared a bottle of local wine.

Edna did tease her sister through dinner, but it was surprisingly good natured, and the two must have talked about many things, as Rosa took the teasing in good humour. I couldn't help be surprised, as the last time I'd seen them talk, it had been rather bitter. Before she disappeared for the evening, Edna admitted she had started corresponding with a young man herself.

Rosa took me by the hand and led me upstairs to her bedroom. As soon as the door was closed and locked, she was all over me, ever so eager to get my clothes off. I certainly returned the favour, and once down to her underwear, I pretty much picked her up and threw her gently onto the bed. I took her bra off carefully but practically ripped off her panties, and wasted no time burying my head between her legs, eager to make her cum quickly and often.

She seemed to have no problem making plenty of noise this time, crying out loudly whenever I did something she really liked, and when she orgasmed, her language was pure filth, and that just excited me even more, eager to make her cum harder next time.

"Don't stop," she begged me, fingers and tongue now working in unison. She had her hands wrapped under her knees, keeping herself completely exposed, my eyes watching hers. The emotions on her face made my heart swell at the same time. She really liked me, though I'm sure the fact I was eating her out to one orgasm after another helped those feelings.

I couldn't keep going forever. She simply couldn't handle it and my jaw did start to get sore. Once she asked me to stop, sitting back on my knees, watching her relax though her body continued to shudder occasionally, I laid down on my side next to her, looking her up and down.

"Sure you have to go?" she asked, giggling to herself.

"Unfortunately, I do. Has you asked your father about me?"

She met my eyes and smirked. "Of course not. I like you, Ragnar, but I'm not sure father would approve. Well… I'm not sure he would care who I sleep with, but regarding a… relationship…"

"I'm just using you for your body, Rosa."

Her smirk turned into a loud laugh. "I'm definitely doing the same thing, Ragnar." She leaned in close. "Despite appearances, Edna is jealous," she whispered, "But as I'm sure you've figured out, we have talked about it."

"Is that why you were making a little bit of noise?"

"No, that's because it felt wonderful and I've never cum that hard in my life, Ragnar. I still need a few minutes… then you can fuck me." I raised my eyebrows at the term. "You were very gentle with me last time, which I still adore you for. This time, I want something… carnal. Know what I mean?"

"I know just what you mean. Sure you can handle it?"

"I trust you to know if it's too much."

We both smiled when I slid my cock inside her a few minutes later, and while she may have wanted something carnal, that was for later, when she demanded it from me. To start, it was as before, slow and gentle, and she loved every second of it. Having spent quite a long time eating her out, I was incredibly turned on and warned her I wouldn't last long to start with, but she remembered I had no problem staying hard, so wasn't worried about it.

After I did leave a load inside her, and took a couple of minutes just to catch my breath, she looped her arms around the back of my neck and felt her shuffle beneath me. "Fuck me, Dragonborn," she breathed. I met her eyes and I enjoyed the look in them. "Fuck me. Now."

I slammed one hand into the bed next to her, then did the same with the other. She immediately ran her hands up and down my arms as I hooked one of her knees around one of my arms, then did the same with her other. I let her get comfortable… then I fucked her. It felt fantastic, and she seemed to enjoy it immensely, begging for me to go faster.

We stayed in that position for a little while before I figured, if she really want to be fucked, so be it. When I stopped, she almost whimpered, running a hand down my back to keep me inside her. I pulled back, picked her up rather easily, and positioned her on her knees, gently forcing her head back onto her pillow as I positioned myself over her, sliding my cock back inside her.

"Ready?" I whispered into her ear. She nodded so eagerly, I couldn't help leave a soft kiss on her cheek. "I really like you, Rosa. Hope to see you again."

She just about managed to catch the sob, and I don't think trusted her voice to say anything except whisper, "Please."

Thankfully, I didn't hurt her at all. In fact, she seemed to thoroughly enjoy it. Loved it. It was hard and fast, but it wasn't… over the top like I could be with others. The most important thing was that she enjoyed it, and I was always going to cum regardless, but I certainly had fun fucking her in that position. I might have been really giving it to her, but I could see on her face that she appreciated the soft kisses I left on her. Her hair was too short for me to pull on, as I always liked doing that, but she preferred me crouching over her anyway, feeling me breathing on her neck.

"I'm close," I whispered, "And this might be it for now."

I certainly needed to pull out and relax on my back once I'd finished, because it was one hell of an orgasm for myself, the sort where I felt like I was going to pass out it was so good. Rosa immediately cuddled into me, then lifted herself up to lie on me. I didn't mind as she wasn't that heavy anyway, and it meant I could easily caress her back.

"Going to miss you," she whispered, "Are you coming back?"

"I'm not sure. I haven't thought that far ahead."

"Where are you going?"

"Skellige."

"For what?"

"We're trying to find someone important. But we don't know where she is. That's why I've been in Novigrad. Trying to find her, or at least information about her, has led my friend and I into some rather unique situations." I left a soft kiss on her forehead. "Gave me the opportunity to end up here with you though."

She lifted her head and smiled. "Sweet talker."

"I try."

Edna teased her sister again over breakfast, complaining about the noise coming from her room. "I particularly enjoyed the 'pound my pussy, Ragnar' being shouted at the top of your lungs." Edna then just gazed at me. I focused on eating my apple, not daring to meet her eyes for too long. "Good thing our neighbours don't live too close to hear such comments being made," she added.

Rosa bit back a little. "You'd be begging the same thing if his cock was inside you, Edna." Okay, I couldn't help look at little smug. "Can't remember how many times he made me cum either." That just made me choke on the piece of apple I was trying to swallow. "Are you okay, Ragnar?"

"Fine, Rosa. Just fine."

Edna was smart enough to leave it alone, moving the conversation on to other matters rather quickly. Rosa noticed, of course, but went along with it while I just ate my breakfast in peace, listening in and not really contributing anything. Once the meal was over, I grabbed my things and headed to the front door with Rosa. That last kiss and embrace was something else entirely, left thinking that it was only the second night I'd spent with her, but she rather liked me already.

"If you're ever in Novigrad again…"

"Trust me, I'll stop and visit."

Her face lit up before I kissed her a final time. Wishing her farewell, as I never said goodbye unless I knew I wouldn't see someone again, I whistled to myself, though quickly put my hood on, kept to the back streets, and wandered back into the Rosemary and Thyme a few minutes later. I must have seemed to be in a good mood, as Triss laughed as I took a seat on the bench next to her, Zoltan placing the customary tankard in front of me.

"Good night, Ragnar?" she asked.

"Aye."

And that's all she needed to know.

I knew she was suffering from a little cabin fever herself, and did suggest leaving for at least an hour or two ourselves, just to get some fresh air, but with Geralt hopefully arriving soon, she was okay with staying safe for the time being. The tavern slowly but surely filled with people, Zoltan ensuring no-one entered that could cause Triss any trouble, though once it got rather rowdy, we headed upstairs to our room, Dandelion having given us the key to the top floor where we could sit on the veranda and enjoy a couple of quiet drinks. The view wasn't spectacular but it was as close to outside as we could get.

Geralt walked into the tavern the middle of the next morning. He looked a little worn out but he was eager to get moving. Leaving Triss behind for the moment, we headed straight to the Golden Surgeon. Thankfully, the ship was needed was still in dock, and once we'd handed over the bag of coin, he suggested we would leave with the tide, which was later that afternoon.

Rushing back to the tavern, Triss and I packed the few supplies we had and prepared for the journey. Dandelion, Priscilla and Zoltan would have liked to see us off, but that would have resulted in them needing to close the tavern for a couple of hours, and as there were already guests inside, they simply bid us farewell at the door.

The ship was certainly impressive at first glance. The captain, who still appeared as drunk as the first time we'd met him, showed us to our quarters. We didn't expect anything grand, but having told him that there was Geralt, then myself and Triss, at least we did get a little privacy. We stayed on deck as the ship was prepared to cast off. Geralt and I had done plenty of sailing over the years, as we'd visited Skellige a number of times. Triss? Not so much, and she was worried about how she'd react to rough seas.

It took time for the ship to get moving, but once the sail was billowing thanks to a favourable wind, Geralt and I remained on deck as we watched Novigrad disappear behind us. "So everything went well?" he finally asked.

"Aye. Mages are safely on their way to Kovir."

"Triss ever think of going with them?" I just gave him a look that made him smirk. "I know you'd die to protect her, but even I was thinking you might send her away to keep her safe."

"She was never going to leave me. I don't really think either of us wanted to part after Loc Muinne, but it was needed after everything that happened."

"Forgiven her for it?"

"Nothing to forgive. It wasn't her fault. Told her that numerous times. Think she's slowly starting to believe me. Blames herself more than anyone though."

"Who do you blame?"

"No-one. It was a series of events that eventually spiralled out of control. Everyone had their own ambitions. But the reaction to it, the way mages are now being hunted down, I certainly see why Philippa and the Lodge were taking a stand to protect those with magic."

"Still believe that?"

"I know what you think of them, Geralt…"

"They can grab all the power they want, I don't care about that. You know I don't give a shit about politics and power. But when they start to mess with Ciri…"

"I honestly don't think they're going to be a problem now. Keira is at Kaer Morhen and probably still miserable. Philippa is on the run. Gods only know where the rest are. If not already burned at the stake, they're either in prison, in hiding or…"

"Triss hasn't heard anything?"

"No, like Keira, she wasn't maintaining contact with her sisters."

"And Yen was never close with most of them either," he added.

"What do you think we'll find on Skellige?"

"I have no idea, Ragnar. I think if Yen had found her, she'd have opened a portal and found me somehow. The fact we've heard nary a peep suggests her investigations have come to nought, or she'd barely been able to start."

"Guess they'd be suspicious of a sorceress turning up on her lonesome. Skelligers are suspicious of most outsiders."

The first two days were rather calm, though the three of us found life rather boring. The third day, though, was horrific, at least in regards to the weather. I was used to travelling boats by now, and enjoyed watching the waves rolling by, feeling the ship rise and fall, listening to the creaks and groans of the wood beneath our feet, Geralt and I eventually helping out man the sails.

Triss… didn't enjoy it. She'd been green at the grills when the ship was sailing relatively smoothly. Once we hit the storm, she spent most of her time either throwing up inside or throwing up over the side. When I wasn't busy helping out, I was helping her, generally holding her hair back, rubbing her back otherwise, as she was completely and utterly miserable. Sensing she was feeling rather weak after about the fifth time, I picked her up and carried her back to our cabin, managing to find a bucket so she didn't have to move.

It was morning of the fifth night, knowing we'd arrive later that day or early the next, depending on the weather, when the three of us were woken by screams and what was definitely the sound of steel upon steel. Dressed in only my trousers, I grabbed my sword and headed out, Geralt at my side, as we took in the scene.

"Why the fuck are they attacking?" I asked, "I thought the captain had an agreement."

"Can't see which clan is attacking, but I guess we should fight the off, right?"

Geralt and I jumped into the action, trying to figure out who was attacking us from the colour of their shields. I was left with a bad feeling it was Crach's colours and his men… Should have pissed me off, but if I was at anyone, it would be the captain. He clearly hadn't made a deal with them.

Skelligers are true warriors, real reminders of my kin back in Skyrim. Born with a weapon and shield already in place. They could be vicious fuckers, so Geralt and I were certainly circumspect, considering I was bare chested and he wore a thin shirt. Most of the ship's crew were easy prey to the Skellige warriors, Geralt and I managing to cut down most of those who came close.

"Where's the captain?" I asked.

"Probably dead already."

"Fucking absolute gobshite."

Another boat pulled up alongside, the ship now practically surrounded by a longboat to either side. Leaving him in place, I moved forward to meet the new boarders. I'd barely had time to put down three of them when the ship smashed itself into a rock. The longboat to our left disappeared, smashed to splinters on the rock, or so I hoped.

Then I heard a loud snap, glancing to see the mast falling… straight onto Geralt. "Fuck!"

Triss had managed to drag herself out of our cabin by now, glancing ahead to see our shop was now out of control and careering towards more rocks. "Ragnar!" she cried.

I wasn't worried about that yet. The mast was laying across Geralt, amazed he wasn't dead, though did worry that he could have all manner of injuries. It was fucking heavy, Triss wandering over to give some assistance in trying to lift it up. It took plenty of straining and groaning but I just about managed to lift it up, Triss grabbing the unconscious witcher by his armpits and dragging him out.

"What now?" she asked.

I ran to the front of the ship and gulped. We were fucked either way. Heading back to Geralt, I flung him over my shoulder and gestured to the side of the ship. "What about our stuff?"

"Ships going to smash itself into the reef. We'll get your things later."

"Should have just opened a portal," I heard her mutter. I didn't blame her. Wind. Rain. And now a ruined ship and needing to swim to shore.

I didn't like the idea of jumping into the water, particularly with an unconscious man over my shoulder, but we had no choice. Taking Triss by the hand, the three of us jumped into the water, managing to kick our way away from the ship as it slowly but surely headed towards the shore. I eventually put it out of my mind for the moment, focusing on keeping Geralt's head above water, Triss swimming alongside me, helping me drag him.

We were exhausted by the time we felt sand and rocks under our feet, and I'll admit I just dumped him on the ground once we walked onto the beach. I collapsed next to him, breathing heavily, Triss immediately lying close to me. "You must be cold," she whispered.

"Adrenaline is keeping me going for now."

We hadn't even heard the ship smash into the rocks nearby, sitting up to see bodies and luggage already starting to wash up on shore. I gave Geralt a gentle shake, but he had a nasty wound on his head, so we left him to sleep as we got up and headed towards the ship. I was glad I had at least put shoes on, but not having a shirt or jacket… I was soon freezing cold, the wind and rain starting to settle in, just adding to the misery.

Managing to climb onto the deck, I helped Triss up and we walked back into our cabin. It was a complete mess, of course, but thankfully her luggage was still there, and I could dress myself in a shirt and my coat, Triss hugging me immediately, stating I needed to warm up. When I wrapped my arms around her, she took a moment just to have a little weep. I knew what she needed then. A joke.

"So much for a pleasure cruise, eh?" She leaned back and gave me a look. "Don't say I never take you anywhere nice." A slight grin appeared. "You often talk about going to the beach for a swim."

"Where it's warm, Ragnar!" she retorted with a giggle.

Grabbing Geralt's things at the same time, we dragged everything to the beach where he was, thankful to see he was sitting up. What I didn't expect was the local who seemed to be busy questioning him. Seeing Triss and I approach had him reaching for a sword. I noticed his colours, no doubt Geralt having done the same.

"Ard Skellige?" I asked.

"Aye. Who are you?"

"Ragnar Dragonborn."

His hand moved immediately from his sword. "Ragnar?" Then he looked down. "So this must be Geralt?"

"Aye," I stated, "Your clan attacked us."

"Continental ship in our waters, Ragnar. You know they're not welcome in our waters."

I grumbled something but I wasn't going to argue. It was obvious the captain had been full of shit. "How far are we from Kaer Trolde?" Geralt wondered.

"You're looking at a bit of a walk. Few hours, at least."

I glanced at Triss. "Reckon you could make our lives easier?"

"I hate portals," Geralt muttered.

"Yes, yes, you hate portals, Geralt. But I'm not walking all the way to Kaer Trolde," Triss retorted, "And you're in no real state either."

"Good luck to you," the Skelliger stated as he walked back to his horse.

Once he'd mounted up and disappeared, I helped Geralt to his feet, not surprised he was still a little woozy. But he grabbed something from his pack, no doubt a health potion, and once he'd necked the entire thing, he wound on his head started to slowly heal and he looked much better within a matter of seconds. We gathered around Triss and, in the blink of an eye, we found ourselves in a completely different part of Ard Skellige.