Something Wild (Child of the Winter Moon Book 1)

15: Crow's Perch

Geralt and Juray took the road to Crow's Perch, bantering back and forth. Soon the fort appeared on the horizon and they urged their horses into a canter. Until a man hailed them from the side of the road.

"Halt!" he cried, looking at Geralt. "Stand and duel! I challenge you!"

"Is he serious?" Juray asked.

"Seems like it." The man regarded Geralt with his fists on his hips. "Boots a bit big, maybe? Careful not to trip." He started to turn Roach away.

"Halt, I say!"

"Persistent bastard, isn't he?" Juray remarked.

"I am Ronvid of the Small Marsh, bound by a sacred oath."

"Oh, boy..."

"That's rough," Geralt said, annoyance coloring his sarcasm. "My sympathies."

Juray snorted a laugh.

Ronvid ignored their comments. "To honor Maid Bilberry, fairest of all maids I know, by dueling a hundred knights to the death. Now draw your sword posthaste, for I have ninety-nine after you."

"You've been challenged by an amateur and an idiot," Juray commented. "Knock some sense into him and let's go."

Geralt shot her a look and she grinned before he dismounted. "At your service," Geralt drew his sword. "Let's get this over with."

Ronvid attacked and Geralt easily blocked. He toyed with Ronvid a bit before landing several blows that the man barely blocked.

"I yield!" he cried.

"Had enough?"

"Yes, luck stood with you! B-but the next time we meet..."

"I just might kill you. Get lost. Before I change my mind and break your bones."

"We shall meet again!" Ronvid stormed off and Geralt turned to mount Roach.

"What are you laughing at?"

"He sure showed you. Maid Bilberry would be so proud of him."

They crossed the rickety bridge and into the small town around the castle.

"I'm pretty sure that bridge has seen better days," Juray commented.

Geralt only shook his head. They were largely ignored by the people, but the guards seemed to be keeping a close eye on them. As they approached the gate to the castle, one of the guards stopped them.

"Halt! Who goes there?"

"Baron home?" Geralt asked.

"Depends who's asking."

"Witchers," Juray replied. "We need to talk to him."

The guard snorted, looking Juray up and down. "Yeah. And I wanna plough the lovely Queen Cerro."

"I'm pretty sure necrophilia is frowned on."

"You look familiar, Master Witcher," the second guard said. "Inn at the Crossroads. You bought us a round. As I recall, you were to go your separate way."

"It led me here," Geralt said. "Gotta talk to the Baron."

"Aye? What about?" the first asked.