Something Wild (Child of the Winter Moon Book 1)

29: Menge

The Witch Hunter poked his head over the walls, looking down at who was banging at the gate to see a Witcher and a hooded woman.

"Whaddaya want?"

"Here for my reward!" the Witcher called.

"What the hell for?"

"For a witch! Recognize who I got?" The Witcher pulled the woman's hood down, revealing a mane of red hair. "It's Triss Merigold!"

"Merigold?! Come in, then!"

Geralt knew that it was too late to back out now and stepped into the compound with Triss, where they were met by several Witch Hunters.

"Well, well..." one said. "Triss Merigold." He looked at Geralt. "Given up drowners for sorceresses?"

"Pay's better," Geralt said with a shrug.

"It's 'cause they do more harm," another Hunter said. "What's a drowner do? Pull the odd fisherman from his boat? But the witches, they murder kings. Scheme. Start wars."

"Don't forget turning your cows' milk sour straight out of the udder," Triss smarted off, earning her a backhand from the Hunter.

Geralt's clinched his fist, wanting to punch the man but stopping himself, knowing he had to stick to the plan.

"You're done jesting, Merigold," the first Hunter said. "For good. Put her in a cell."

"Not so fast," Geralt said. "I hand her over to Menge himself." He narrowed his eyes at the Hunter, his voice darkening. "Or not at all."

"You reckon we don't what to do with this witch?" a third said, grabbing Triss' arm roughly.

"Let go, you bastard," Triss said.

"Vulgar tongue's got no place bein' in such a pretty mouth. I guess we'll have to rip it out."

Geralt managed to keep his sarcasm in check. "Try to loosen it, if I were you. Might learn something interesting."

"For instance?"

"For instance, where Philippa Eilhart's hiding."

"I'll get you for this, you...," Triss' curse was cut off.

"Shut your gob, ginger whore!" the second said, testing Geralt's resolve, and promise, once again. "And you spit it out, where's Eilhart?!"

"Thought I made myself clear: I'll only talk to Menge."

"Menge don't talk to the likes of you."

"Well, then you be sure and tell him I came by. With my friend Merigold." He took Triss' arm and started to pull her back towards him.

"Fine... Grab her and come with me. But be sure to stay right close."

The Hunters led them through the fortress, stopping outside Menge's office.

"Here's where we split up. Go meet Menge. Merigold'll be next door."

"You can't have her until I get —"

"You don't set the terms here!" the Hunter snapped. "Dirk! You know what to do."

Dirk, a large man that looked to be a torturer stepped forward.

"You won't get a word out of me," Triss said definitely. "Not you, not him."