Something Wild (Child of the Winter Moon Book 1)

53: Catching Up

"Umamamamama!" Uma greeted when he saw Juray return with Vesemir.

The two Witchers joined Eskel at the table he was sitting at. Without saying a word, Eskel asked if she was alright. Juray nodded. Uma was entertaining himself by kicking his feet.

"Interesting creature," Eskel commented, indicating Uma. "Looks a monster and talks gibberish, but there's intelligence in his eyes. His reaction to seeing you just now makes me think that he knows about your rep for lifting curses."

"It's a complicated curse. I'm hoping we can lift it."

Yennefer joined them. "I'm confident we can."

"I'd be more comfortable knowing what your plan is for this."

"In due time."

Juray rolled her eyes as Geralt and Lambert arrived.

"Got you everything you need," Geralt said as he handed her the phylactery and Lambert sat on the other side of the table from Juray and Eskel.

"Splendid. Lambert, prepare the apparatuses. Eskel, go—"

"Last I heard, my dear," Vesemir said, crossing his arms. "I give the orders around here. Not you."

"I believe we made an agreement. To seek to cure Uma my way."

"I said we would help you. That's it. I don't know what you want to do with him – you haven't deigned to inform any of us, including the one that's supposed to do the lifting with you. But it's not safe, is it?"

Yennefer didn't answer, only glanced at Juray.

"Unlike you, I don't read minds," Juray said. "But judging by your silence, it obviously is."

"I think we should first try another, less invasive method."

"What's this method?

"Derives from folk traditions. I've used it many times, in 1211, to lift the curse that held the Swan of Poviss, for instance." He looked over at Juray. "James had success with the method as well. I'll take Uma into the mountains."

"What then?" Yennefer asked. "Will you howl at the moon together?"

"Yennefer!" Juray hissed.

"A bit of respect," Lambert said. "You're not talkin' to Geralt."

"No, we will not howl at the moon. I'll lay him down on a gravestone. Come midnight, I'll give him a tea made of hemlock harvested from... But I don't see that I need to explain this to you."

"In my opinion—" Yennefer started.

"I know your opinion. But I'm not asking anyone's permission. I'm saying what will happen. I'll be back at dawn. With Uma...or whoever hides inside him."

Juray stood. "I'll take him."

"Out of the question, Juray. You will not be able to do this one. It's near a Place of Power."

Juray sighed and sat again, not even bothering to argue. Everyone knew her sensitivity to magic made it near impossible to spend long periods of time near a Place of Power. She'd pushed herself during the Trial of the Medallion at the Circle of Elements. Berenger and the others knew something was off but didn't point it out, only encouraged her. Naturally, Vesemir found out about it, but kept it from Rennes.