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Geralt, Lorelay and Roach nearly made it to the end of the forest. Probably two days from now, they will leave the trees and thickets behind. It is around midday and the two took to walk alongside each other with Roach following behind, Lorelay holding his reigns. The horse acts like a lamp, trotting behind her, waiting for her to pet him with her delicate hands. This is where two of her remaining knights find them. At first, they are ready to fight Geralt as they think that their lady is his captive. They agree to travel together, taking Lorelay to the castle of King Arvgor where his son, the Prince Jalen, will be waiting for his bride. Her parents and the king will know about the attack by now and search for her as well. Geralt keeps his distance from the two men that flank Lorelay like a cage. That is when he understands her sadness. She never answered his question as to why she does not seem happy about her life. Now, the question answered itself. She isn't free; she is like a pretty little bird sitting in a golden cage. A good cage but still a cage. His heart does react awkwardly to the thought of her marrying that prince.
Lorelay notices his distance and acts on it. She stops short in her tracks while the knights walk on, they, too, have only one horse left. Until they notice her absence, she already walks with Geralt, smiling and laughing at something he said. He looks satisfied and a little triumphant about those two tin cans. But he respects them as they are friends and protectors of his...of Lorelay.
As night falls, they stop to rest. Geralt expects Lorelay to abandon him and not sleep next to him anymore, but she does exactly that, laying down in his arm.
"Milady..." the younger knight says but she ignores him. Mikael is his name, and he was friends with the lady since they were children. He, too, is from a noble house. Less noble as hers but still enough noble that the children could play together and, later on, learn together. The other one is older than Mikael but still much younger than the knight whom Geralt watched dying. His name is Derano, and he is a silent, broody type...like Geralt. It seems that the only topic he finds worthy talking about are strategics.
In the morning, Geralt wakes. Derano is up, walking around camp. Geralt joins him, leaving Lorelay under the pile of blankets.
"We should scout the way ahead," Derano suggests,
"They surely expect that we leave the forest soon. I don't want to be met with any surprises." Geralt nods once, looking the two knights over. They probably won't leave the lady's side again. Still, Derano is right, the attackers could be waiting for them, and he doesn't want Lorelay near them. Although everything in him screams at the thought of leaving her side until she is safe in that castle, he agrees to go and scout along the way ahead. However, he expresses the thought that they could scout later, when they reach the end of the forest. Derano won't have it, he wants the safest pathway for the lady. Geralt narrows his eyes, but he already agreed, and he doesn't want to discuss this further as the other two are waking up.
"Good morning, milady," Mikael greets her and smiles brightly at Lorelay who sits up on her bed. Even dishevelled like this, she still looks beautiful.
"How often do I need to say it, Mik," she says, rubbing the sleep from her eyes,
"Milady isn't my name." Mikael rises and rights his armor.
"But it's your title," he counters,
"Well, for now at least. It's only proper for me to address you so." That comment lets Geralt become still for a moment, his heart aches and somehow, he is alright with scouting ahead now. He will have a little time to himself and think. Jaskier would say, he is off to brood again. Oh, the bard would have loved Lorelay just as Geralt does. He would put together new songs and, of course, sing the Witcher's ballade.
"But you're my friend, you should call me Lorelay," the lady insists. Mikael smiles at her playfully. Derano clears his throat and the two turn their attention to him.
"The Witcher will scout our way," he announces,
"We'll pack up in the meantime and prepare for the last part of our travel." A smile flickers over his lips but it is gone quickly.
Lorelay looks at Geralt with a raised eyebrow, she tries to hold her composure. Yet, her eyes tell a different story. She doesn't want to see him leave, even though there is no reason to, fear reaches for her heart. Not that she doesn't feel safe with her knights, she got so used to him and he is important to her. Geralt steps towards her, brushing her hand with his.
"I'll be back before you know it," he assures.
"Be careful," she pleads, respecting his decision to go scouting, refraining from asking him to stay. She probably knows that he would do as she asks, and he does know that too. What he knows, too, is; she means to say more but doesn't for it is not the right time. So, he gifts her a half-hearted smile and turns around to head further into the forest. Lorelay is left standing there, watching him leaving. She keeps her eyes trained on his back until he disappears between the trees and from her view.
"Come, let's have breakfast," Mikael suggests and offers her a leave with some berries. He looks a little guilty.
"I'm sorry, mil- Lorelay, it's not much but better than the frozen bread," he apologizes. She shakes her head, telling him that it is alright and thanking him, taking the berries. She trusts him as he liked to study botany as a kid, popping a berry in her mouth. Derano shuffles around the camp, packing up the horses. Apparently, Roach feels a little uneasy as his master went away. However, the lady is still here so the master will surely return. It is probably his turn to look out for her. Derano has his difficulties with saddling the brown steed and tying the pack on its back.
"It's alright, I'll do it," Lorelay says and Derano bows his head. He sets down the pack and the water hose. He turns to Mikael.
"They need to be refilled," he orders. The younger knight nods and hastily gets to his feet. Lorelay's voice stops him.
"Let me, you didn't finish your breakfast," she says, thrusting her berries into his hands. She ate just a little to leave enough for the men. She knows that he would probably starve himself to let her have enough, but she won't let it come to that. Ignoring Derano's slight protest at his lady working, she picks up the water satchels and walks to the gurgling stream just behind a few trees.
Meanwhile, Geralt walks on, carefully listening for any uncommon sounds and watching like a hawk for any black clad figures. He doesn't want them near Lorelay again. Lorelay, at the thought of her eyes clearly telling him not to go, he suddenly slows in his tracks. Somehow, she melted his heart to the point where he is fond of her. Yes, feeling more than fondness for the lady, he must give in. But she could never return those feelings, could she now? She is a noble, engaged to a prince, destined to become a queen. He can't offer her a life like that. Sure, his job brings good coin but also the need to travel. She seems to adjust to that, right? He comes to a full stop as he realizes something. She did become still as well at Mikael's comment about her name. Was she irritated by it or...? He probably has two or three days left to figure that out. Derano misjudged the way. Geralt has never been to that castle, but he is pretty good in judging time. Then it hits him like a force...what if Derano didn't mean the castle to be the last part of their travel? He turns on his heels, finding himself running, sprinting even, back to the camp. Hopefully, he is wrong but if he is not...he can't be too late!
