Something Wild (Child of the Winter Moon Book 1)

36: The Rescue

It was nearing dusk when the play opened. Juray and Zoltan sat towards the back, Juray looking over the crowd, sensing that their plan had worked. She could sense a magical creature among the crowd.

A man came out onto stage. "Ladies and gentlemen!" he began. "Most honorable citizens of the Hallowed City of Novigrad! Welcome! We have for you a tale moving and heartbreaking... Its title: The Doppler's Salvation..."

Juray soon spotted a Temple Guard making his way through the crowd, a large and ugly scar over his right eye.

"The players: Witcher Geralt as Himself."

The guard stopped, surprise on his face.

"Catarina as the Queen, Leo Ribe as the 'Umble Servant! Appearing as the Prince a veteran of the Novigrad stage, Abelard Rizza! And as the Princess the lovely trobairitz with the voice of a nightingale, Priscilla!"

The guard stopped to stand a few paces away from Juray. As far as she knew, Dudu was unaware of her ability to sense him. The announcer left the stage and the play began.

~~~

Juray didn't think Geralt was doing half bad. He'd delivered his lines perfectly so far. Juray had moved closer to Dudu, having given up her seat to an old man. The play was now in its third act, a feast scene very much like the one where Pavetta had revealed her Power to save Duny as he was being attacked. Abelard and Priscilla sat together at a table situated at stage right, Catarina sat in an elaborate chair meant to be a throne on stage left. Geralt stood near Catarina. He noticed Dudu earlier in the play and in the Witcher way Juray had confirmed that he was indeed who they sought. Leo was currently standing at the back of the stage, awaiting his cue.

"My dear!" Abelard delivered his lines perfectly, if slightly stiff. "Long have we hid our love's tender fires. In stealth, we'd meet, in deceit, like liars. Tonight shall it end!" He stood, his motions overly dramatic. "Be my wife, that's my plea! Our hearts' torment over, we shall love for centuries!"

"Oh, darling," Priscilla's acting was a bit more natural. "I will, I will, I will!"

"Wait!" Leo cried, stepping forward. "With wine must we toast this moment joyful. If not, a foul curse shall rend your lives woeful."

Abelard and Priscilla turned up the wineglasses before them, Abelard still standing before he exaggerated a cough.

"Treason!" he cried. "'Tis not wine, but a brew spiked with silver! Soon all shall see my true monstrous figure!" He placed his hands over his face.

Geralt then stepped forward. "Hark! Hark!" he said. "'Tis no prince, but a doppler impostor!"

Abelard dropped his hands, having stealthily placed a gold and blue mask upon his face. The crowd gasped.

"Seems men's hearts can love for changelings foster!"

"Behold, Witcher," Catarina motioned towards Abelard. "The beast of which I spoke! Unleash your sword! Let fly the killing stroke!"

Priscilla jumped up, placing herself between Abelard and Geralt. "Stop! Stop! Beast or man, 'tis my love, my betrothed!"

"Sheathe your blades! Fear a doppler? 'Tis a thing most foolish." Geralt moved to the center of the stage. "Changing one's shape does not make one ghoulish." He looked over the crowd. "Remember! 'Tis not flesh a monster makes, but a heart that is base," He motioned towards Leo. "Such as in this knave aches!"