"Come on, Roach."

[bialy_wilk]

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.

Comments

[sai_delgado]

Susan nods. "That which lies beyond the end. We call it the clearing at the end of the path."

As they reach the stable, she walks in ahead of him and goes to retrieve her pitchfork before waving him to a nearby workspace. "Ye can clean yer armor there, an'ye like. There's water, even, and it drains off well." She points out the clever hose attached to the spigot that they'd made sure to install for her so that she wouldn't have to haul water from the lake.

[bialy_wilk]

"Thanks."

He draws out a small bundle of items, then unbuckles his swords and begins the process of shrugging out of his leathers and mail. It'll be far easier to clean if he's not wearing it.

[sai_delgado]

"Let me know if there's aught I can do to help," Susan tells him, before she goes to finish mucking out the stall she'd been working on when he arrived. Pat Delgado's daughter were never one to shirk her duty, say true.

[bialy_wilk]

It's a cool autumn day here, and steam rises lightly from him as he strips off the various pieces of his armor, leaving him in light undershirt and trousers. As much care as she takes with the stables, he takes with his equipment, wiping it down and oiling it where needed, making note of areas that will need patching or repair. He sets it to dry in a safely out-of-the-way corner, then straps his swords across his back and heads off to find Susan once more.

[sai_delgado]

She'd finished with the last stall and headed outside to the training ring some time before. Rake in hand, Susan's moving in an increasing spiral from the center, raking and evening the surface and checking it as she goes.

Movement catches her eye as Geralt comes outside, and she waves a greeting to him.

[bialy_wilk]

The witcher leans on the fence, watching her work. Everything she does, she leaves neat and precise. He hasn't seen this level of care for a stable outside Nilfgaard or Toussaint, but then, most of the villagers he runs across don't have the resources this place has.

[sai_delgado]

She comes around the far side of the ring in her widening spiral, which brings her right up by the fence on her last circuit, as she circles around to where he stands.

"Did'ee find all ye needed?" She wipes the back of her hand across her brow, leaving a slight smudge of dust, and smiles up at him.

[bialy_wilk]

"More than," he tells her. "You run a tight place. Figured I'd head in for some supper and that drink."

[sai_delgado]

"Thankee-sai." Susan beams, pleased to hear it. "It's kind of ye to say so."

He could have gone in without waiting to let her know, of course, but that he has means he's as polite and kind as she'd already been convinced - or so she thinks, anyway. Or else mayhap he'd like the company, as he'd allowed before, or both.

Either way, she makes her decision in the instant. "I'll walk up with ye. I've only to put the rake away first."

[bialy_wilk]

He nods at her. "Buy you a drink for your help," he tells her. "If you want."

[sai_delgado]

"That's very kind of ye," she tells him. "I'll accept, and say thankya for it."

Susan ducks through the fence and takes the rake inside to hang it neatly from its peg with the rest of the tools, then comes back out to join him.

[bialy_wilk]

He waits for her to come back, then walks easily at her side, measuring his strides so she can keep pace with him.

"I'm glad you met Ciri," he says, after a moment. "You're a good person for her to know."

[sai_delgado]

“I’m glad too. I liked her,” she says, frank and open. “I think we’re going to be friends, say true, and I’ll hope she comes back while ye’re here.”

[bialy_wilk]

"So do I. And I hope you will be. She needs all the friends she can find."

And better friends than the ones she'd had before.

[sai_delgado]

“There’s many I’ve found here,” she says. “Mayhap she will, too. I’ll have her meet Lilly, and that’ll help.”

Susan moves to pull the door open for them both as they reach it. “And Meg, and Anthy, and Elaine - oh, there’s so many, sai Geralt.”

[bialy_wilk]

"I know you'd do it for her sake, regardless," he tells her, following her inside. "But I'd take it as a favor, anyway. She's been alone for too long."

[sai_delgado]

"It's not a favor, and ye needn't think of it as such." She looks a little startled by the very idea. "I like her."

Susan waves him in the direction of the couch by the fireplace. "If ye would, I'll meet ye there," she tells him. "I'd just wish to brush the straw and dust from my hair first, do'ee ken? I'll only be a few moments."

[bialy_wilk]

"Sure."

He waves over a waitrat and takes a seat, sinking gratefully into the soft couch after the long day of fighting and travel. "Take your time."

[sai_delgado]

She beams a quick smile at him and vanishes down the staff hallway, careful not to start hurrying until she's out of sight. He means it, she's sure, but she'd not want to be so rude as to leave him waiting longer than needful.

As a result, it really is only a very few minutes before Susan comes dashing back, wearing a dark green blouse and a long split skirt of soft denim, her golden hair brushed out into long waves that float around her like a cloud.

[bialy_wilk]

She's an exceptionally pretty girl, even smudged with dust and with her hair braided, but clean and fresh like this and he can't blame that young gunslinger even a little.

He's nursing a glass of wine, with a bottle and another glass set nearby, and as she comes near he tips his head in invitation. "Wine?"

[sai_delgado]

"Thankee-sai," she agrees, settling lightly on the couch. "That'd be lovely, say true."

It's just as well Eddie's not tending tonight, mayhap, for she's well aware of his views and most times content enough to abide by them, but she'll not insult Geralt's thoughtfulness by refusing his glass - nor does she wish to.

[bialy_wilk]

Geralt pours a glass for her and hands it over. Whatever it is, it tastes enough like Erveluce to be enjoyable, a light, cool red wine.

"Thanks for all the help."

[sai_delgado]

"Ye're more than welcome, sai Geralt. I were glad to help," she assures him.

Susan reaches over to touch her glass lightly to his before she takes a sip. "Oh, that's nice, so it is. Is it from yer world?"

[bialy_wilk]

"No, but it's a little like one I'm familiar with."

He takes a swallow of his own wine. "Toussaint, the country with the knights I told you about, is famous for its wines. Most of the wines available around Velen are from Toussaint."

[sai_delgado]

“It sounds like a nice country,” she muses. “From what ye’ve said of it. Is it near yer Rivia?”