Geralt of Rivia (
bialy_wilk) wrote2023-03-15 08:58 am
"Come on, Roach."
Things have worked out for the Baron – mostly – but not so for the witcher. It's a long and weary trek back toward Crow's Perch from the Crones' village in the middle of the swamps, and it'll be a longer and wearier ride to Novigrad from there.
And still no Ciri. Glimpses of her; stories of her. But not the woman herself.
If he didn't have to ride to Crow's Perch for the blacksmith and supplies there, he'd be able to save some time. Cut across the country toward the bridges that lead into the heart of the city. Geralt considers his options, then makes up his mind.
A few moments later, the steady rhythm of Roach's steps falls into the Milliways air, as witcher and mare ride out of the woods together, making for the stables.
And still no Ciri. Glimpses of her; stories of her. But not the woman herself.
If he didn't have to ride to Crow's Perch for the blacksmith and supplies there, he'd be able to save some time. Cut across the country toward the bridges that lead into the heart of the city. Geralt considers his options, then makes up his mind.
A few moments later, the steady rhythm of Roach's steps falls into the Milliways air, as witcher and mare ride out of the woods together, making for the stables.

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She sets the pitchfork to the side and comes toward them, careful not to approach too fast in case the horse is skittish. "Is this yer Roach? Oh, she's a lovely one, she is."
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The chestnut mare, anything but skittish, watches the girl approach with calm eyes. Geralt looks about for a tie-up hook, then slings the reins over one nearby. "She does well enough. Came because we've just had a long, tough fight and have a long, tough journey ahead. Roach's gear could use some attention. So could mine, for that matter, if there's an armorer here."
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"There is, aye," she confirms. "Sai Gimli, Gimli son of Gloin. He's incredibly skilled."
"There now, thee beauty," she adds to the horse, as she draws near and begins to examine her. Susan glances up at Geralt. "I'd suggest stabling her for at least a day, if ye can't stay longer, with grain and grooming, and let me look over her tack for ye and see what needs repair and what needs replacing entire."
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And he won't lose any time by taking that rest here. "Gives me time to find this Gimli."
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The delighted smile she gives Geralt is bright indeed, oh aye. "Besides, if ye bide here for a bit, ye might see Ciri when she returns. She's found her way here."
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"She were here for a few days, just a short while ago. She's well, and were oh, so glad to hear news of ye."
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If she'd left him a message and Susan had known, she no doubt would have mentioned it already, so he puts that thought out of his mind.
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Susan looks at him to see if the name means anything to him.
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He unbuckles his swords and sets them aside to lean back against the stable wall. "I just left the Baron, myself."
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"Or at the least mayhap ye'll be able to see her again here. Ye were right, she's very dear."
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"Maybe," he allows, watching as she works over Roach. The mare shakes out her mane, clearly enjoying as dried mud is curried from her coat.
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(years - five or six, now)
"She misses ye too, she said," Susan begins. "Very much. And she's still following in yer footsteps, with the monsters and the like, do'ee ken? She said she'd just come from a fight with a - a basilisk," she pronounces, carefully. "And that she'd taken not a scratch."
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He leans forward, elbows on his thighs, and considers her. "Bloody Baron told me a little of that fight. Sounded like quite a tussle."
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"She didn't tell me much of how it were she fought it, only what kind of creature it was and that she'd caught it by surprise and not been harmed." She shoves her braid back over her shoulder and bends to check Roach's hooves, one after the other, with a glance up at Geralt. "It seems an awful monster, say true."
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"They're nasty ones," Geralt agrees. "Huge, with talons as long as your forearm and venom in their saliva. Even a seasoned witcher might have trouble with one of those."
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Susan looks at her forearm, imagines a claw that long, and makes a face. "And she fought it alone?" She considers. "Mayhap? Either way, what a thing to face!"
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Her amazement probably warmed Ciri's heart. "Mostly, from what I heard," he says. "Did she happen to tell you where she was headed next?"
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It's more than possible Ciri doesn't want to be found, with the Hunt after her. But now he has something to go on, at least. He nods to the mare. "How's she look to you?"
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She pats the horse on the side, then steps across to an empty stall and pulls the door open to show it to him. "Here's where I'd put her, if ye'd want to inspect."
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