Something Wild (Child of the Winter Moon Book 1)

7: Griffins and Squirrels

After diving into the river to retrieve the buckthorn, Geralt headed back to the inn to find Vesemir. It was dark when he returned to their meeting place.

Vesemir was standing outside the inn speaking with a local. "Whose field is that on the other side of the river?"

"By the wood? Boyan Klimmick. Good lad, Master Witcher, though he..."

"Yes, yes,"

Geralt dismounted.

"This Boyan, will he venture to inspect his grain any time soon?"

"What for? Harvest is a long way off yet."

"Good. Thank you."

The villager walked off as Geralt joined Vesemir.

"What was that about?"

"Take you this long to talk to the commander about where Yennefer is?"

"Got good news and bad news. Good news first, captain of the Nilfgaardian garrison knows where Yennefer went."

"And the bad is we gotta kill the griffin for him. What else could he want from two Witchers? What do you know? Since I know you've been figuring out what we're dealing with."

"Griffin's abandoned its lair. Gotta make a lure, set a trap."

"And how's that going?"

"Learned some things. Griffin's male, had its nest in the Vulpine Woods. The Nilfgaardians burned the woods, killed its mate, smashed their eggs. Thought they fixed things." Geralt was pretty sure Vesemir rolled his eyes so hard he saw his own brain.

"It's always the same. Instead of sending for a professional, they try to do it themselves, only end up making matters worse. Hell, Juray was just here. They could have asked her to take care of it."

Geralt shrugged. "Got buckthorn."

"Outta work like a charm. Powerful scent."

"More like stench."

"City boy. Rotting meat, manure, piss, standard smells of the countryside." Vesemir smirked. "Remember Tretogor, hunting that zeugl in the trash heap? You spent half the next day bathing, scrubbing yourself."

Geralt sighed. Vesemir seemed to love bringing that Contract up. More so when the younger Witcher had amnesia.

"How can I forget? You ever gonna stop bringing that up?"

Vesemir snorted, remembering that Geralt had regained those memories and his fun with that was over. "Fine, if everything's ready, say the word and we'll get to work."

"No point in waiting. Let's find a good spot to ambush it."

"Picked one out already. Other side of the steam there's a field and a grove. Plenty of room and far enough so no one will get in our way."

"Good. Let's go."

Vesemir and Geralt rode to the field Vesemir had scouted, a hastily made wooden sheep in the middle.

"A stream, amber waves of grain... charming place," Geralt commented. "Perfect for an ambush."

"I know how to pick 'em," Vesemir responded with an annoyed tone. "So, ready?"