Something Wild (Child of the Winter Moon Book 1)

20: Forefather's Eve

Juray dodged the cockatrice as it flew towards her, talons extended. As it missed her, she threw her hand out, casting Aard. The Sign hit the monster directly in the side, throwing it off balance and sending it crashing to the ground. Juray then leapt at it while it was stunned, plunging her silver blade through its back. The rooster-looking creature gave a final shriek as it died, Juray wincing from the sheer volume of its vocal defense, hence the reason cockatrices were called shriekers. Juray claimed her trophy before heading over to Shadowmount to head back to Crow's Perch.

Chet was sitting outside his house when Juray arrived with her trophy. He looked wide-eyed between her and the cockatrice head.

"Shrieker won't bother you anymore," she said, matter-of-factly.

"Thank you, Mistress Witcher," he replied. "Your reward," he held out a coin purse. "'Tain't much, but as they say, 'take care of the pennies.'"

Juray looked over at Symko, the orphan boy who Chet had taken in after his father was killed by the cockatrice and she closed Chet's hand around the purse. "Keep the coin. You took in an orphan. You need it more than I do."

Chet blinked in surprise, his mouth working for a moment when Juray took her hand away. "And they call Witchers unfeelin' and inhuman. I thank you. From the bottom of my heart."

Juray smiled. "He'll always have the image of his father's body haunt him. You just take care of him and over time it won't haunt him as much."

Chet nodded and turned to Symko. "Come on, boy. Let's get some supper in you."

~~~

Juray headed toward Lindenvale to wait for Geralt when she came upon a familiar face.

"White Demon! Snow Demon! May the pellar have a word with you?"

"How did you even know where to find me?" Juray asked, dismounting. The question was genuine. She was pretty much in the middle of nowhere.

"The spirits told me where you would appear."

"Of course they did. What do you need?"

"A service of the Witchers the pellar must ask."

"And what service would that be?"

"A Witcherly service. A service for those that fear no evil. Forefathers' Eve is nigh and we've rites to conduct. We've wandering souls to help pass on, but the circle we must protect from the damned souls."

"Does sound like a Witcher's job. Where are you conducting the rite?"

"Fyke Isle. In the circle of stones. Tonight at midnight."

"Fyke Isle is cursed."

"Nay, no longer. The White Wolf has lifted it."

"That must have been the favor he was doing for Kiera. I'll meet you there, then."

"The pellar knew the Winter Demon would not refuse."

Juray turned and mounted Shadowmount, turning back towards the pellar. To find he was already gone. "How does a crazy old man move so fast?"

~~~

Geralt had informed Kiera that Graham had been able to lift the curse with his love for Annabelle, although that love had cost him his life. Kiera then asked if Geralt could find out what happened to a courier that was supposed to deliver a package for her. Geralt agreed with a sigh before leaving Kiera's hut and being met by the pellar that helped them search for Anna and Tamara.