Something Wild (Child of the Winter Moon Book 1)

21: Return to Crookback Bog

After a nice dinner and a game of hunt the hare, Geralt woke up on the shore near Kiera's home on the blanket they'd rolled around on, alone.

"Kiera?" he called. He rubbed his face. "Put me to sleep with a spell. She's up to something." He looked around for her before he spotted the tower on Fyke Isle across the water. "Fyke Isle. The tower. She fucking used me." He stormed off to find a boat in order to go to the Isle to see what she was up to that would require such an elaborate setup.

Geralt arrived at the tower just as Kiera was exiting, adjusting a fat satchel across her chest. She stopped once she noticed Geralt at the bottom of the stairs. She gave a smile and a toss of her head before descending them.

"Find what you were looking for?" Geralt asked, crossing his arms.

"Yes, thanks for asking," Kiera placed a hand on the satchel. "How are you feeling? Sleep well?"

Geralt glared at her. "You used me."

"Oh, please," she waved her hand. "I merely seized an opportunity."

"If I'd known you just wanted Alexander's notes, I'd never have helped you lift the curse from Fyke Isle."

"All right, perhaps I wasn't completely honest, didn't quite toe the line. But I knew you'd manage, you're so manly and all."

Geralt continued to glare at her.

"Geraltie-pooh... wipe that frown off your face or I might think you didn't like me anymore."

"Didn't come here to play games. I wanna know what you're up to."

"Naturally you suspect me of the worst. I don't deserve that. My intentions are pure, like a virgin's tears." When Geralt's expression didn't change, Kiera made a face before explaining. "Alexander was studying the Catriona plague. I'll use his notes to produce medication, perhaps a cure. Or at least a vaccine."

"Mhm. Strictly humanitarian motivations, is that it?"

"No, strictly selfish ones." Kiera walked past Geralt. "The mighty would pay willingly for such a remedy. Can you imagine how much? Take Radovid, for instance. Why, he might even consider forgetting my past associations with the Lodge."

"Radovid doesn't forget," Geralt argued. "And Radovid doesn't forgive. Especially when it comes to sorceresses."

"He'll make an exception for me. He'll have to. I have something he wants."

"Please, you don't believe that."

"Well, you believe Yennefer will stop treating you like a dog someday. You don't see me laughing."

Geralt sighed.

"I'm going to see Radovid, tell him of this research, whether you like it or not." She turned away from him again, raising her hand to summon a portal.

"This is suicide, Kiera." Kiera paused. "You'll wind up tied to a stake, burned to bolster the morals of the masses while entertaining them."

Kiera spun around. "Shut up for a moment and look at me!"

Geralt waited and when she didn't speak, he prompted her to continue.

She held her arm out. "See this? Bedbugs, Geralt. Bloody bedbugs!" She lowered her arm. "I, Kiera Metz, advisor to Foltest and member of the Lodge of Sorceresses, have bedbugs! Think what you will, but I'll not stay in this bloody swamp one day more! Not one day!" She turned away from him again and Geralt walked towards her. "I shall cross the Pontar and that means Radovid's men will find me sooner or later." Kiera turned towards Geralt, who was now standing next to her. "Don't you understand?! I don't have a choice! I will have to parley."