Something Wild (Child of the Winter Moon Book 1)

34: Escape from Novigrad

"Pardon me?"

The two turned towards the man wearing an apron as he approached them as they were retrieving their horses to leave Oxenfurt.

"Witcher Geralt? Of Rivia?"

"Yeah. What do you want?"

"I've a message." He held out a sealed parchment. "For you."

"Hang on. Who from?"

"Read it. You'll know." Geralt took the parchment and the man went on his way.

We need to talk as soon as possible. It's important

TM

The letter was simple and smelled of Triss' perfume.

"It's from Triss," Geralt said. "Has to be."

"Sounds important. We should see her as soon as we get back to Novigrad."

Geralt nodded in agreement as he mounted Roach.

~~~

As they approached the house Triss had been hiding in, Juray suddenly held her arm out to stop Geralt's advance.

"What?"

In response, Juray jerked her head towards the Witch Hunter and two Temple Guard. They were close enough to hear their conversation.

"Butcher swore he saw her here," the Hunter said

"Maybe he lied," one of the Guard said.

"He lied when I cut off his first finger. They all grow very honest after I take a second. The ginger bitch hides behind her witchcraft... But we'll find her. Matter of time." They went about their way and the Witchers headed into the house, where they heard arguing upstairs.

"But I paid in advance!" Triss complained. "The entire month!"

"You did," the woman said. "But you paid the old price. The risks are greater now and so should the rewards be."

"I'm out of coin..."

"But you've got somethin' else, dear," the man said and Juray scowled, not liking what he was suggesting. Triss looked at him with a shocked look on her face.

"Give us the necklace and get out of here!"

"Hands off, or I'll cut 'em off," Geralt growled and all eyes turned towards him and Juray, whom none of them had heard come up the stairs.

Juray put a hand on his chest to keep him from advancing onto the couple.

"Geralt," Triss said. "You don't need to."

"I wanna. Grab your things and let's go."

"Get out. Now!" The couple retreated and Triss turned towards Geralt as he approached her.

"When I need your help, I'll ask for it," she said harshly.

"What? Are you angry?"

Triss gave a frustrated grunt. "Angry? No. But they deserved the necklace. They risked a lot just by sheltering me."

"They took the risk because of the coin they were getting," Juray said.