Something Wild (Child of the Winter Moon Book 1)

33: The Elven Ruins

Juray and Geralt arrived at the ruins to find Witch Hunters arguing amongst themselves.

"March back in there!" the commander said.

"But, commander! It's full of monsters and traps! We've dragged out four wounded, and there's near a dozen corpses still down there!"

"I don't give a shit! We've orders to search this cave and that's what we'll do!"

"Seems like the big bad Hunters are having trouble," Juray said, earning a glare from the commander.

"One ploughing trouble after the other!" another Hunter said.

"But what's it to you? Who are you?"

"Only the Witchers Radovid sent to help you."

"Oh, you. Been waiting for you."

"Don't strain yourself with enthusiasm."

"Word was you hadn't been able to get inside," Geralt said, keeping the Hunter from snapping at Juray.

"Till yesterday. When we found this." He motioned to another Hunter, who showed Geralt an unassuming tile. "Doesn't look like much, but it's got power of some sort. Opens the entrance."

"Good work. Saved us some time."

"We're thrilled." The Hunter handed the tile to Geralt.

"What can I expect to find inside?"

"Everything. Anything. It's an old elven temple. The witch Eilhart turned into her hideout." He motioned to the other Hunters. "Look at 'em. Fell into some magic trap, then monsters attacked 'em. Barely got out alive."

"Any of your men still down there?" Juray asked.

"Dozen or so went in, they's all that came out. Rest're probably dead."

"Think Philippa's still inside?" Geralt asked.

"That we don't know. Only certain thing is she was there at some point."

"Certain?" Juray asked. "How's that?"

"We've been after her since Loc Muinne. Pokin' out her eyes weren't enough. Radovid should've gutted her there and then. As it is, she turned into an owl and fled. Flew across Kaedwen and Redania, then tucked herself away here."

"Well, we should get to work then."

Geralt nodded in agreement and the two headed towards the entrance.

"Don't count on anyone goin' in to retrieve your corpses."

"Witchers or not," a Witch Hunter said as they approached the entrance. "They'll be dead before you can say two prayers."

Juray only rolled her eyes as the two Witchers disappeared into the ruins to find the entrance.

"Please tell me that's not a portal," Geralt said when they approached the purple glowing doorway.

"That's a barrier, you dolt." Juray examined the area around the barrier and found a missing tile. "Gimme the tile."

Geralt handed it over and she fitted it into place. The barrier winked out and the two descended into the darkness, the slits in their eyes widening to compensate for the lack of light. Their night vision was unparalleled and they could see perfectly the vines dangling over the expanse just past the entrance.