Something Wilder (Child of the Winter Moon Book 2)

6: Following Leads

Geralt returned to the Chameleon and made a beeline to Zoltan.

"Zoltan," he greeted.

"Lose Ciri and Juray in the city?"

"They're on the edge of town in the circus camp. Yen found out they're holding Margarita in Deireadh. Got a plan to break her out, but we need your help."

"What should I do?"

"Load a wagon with as much Mahakaman as you can find and drive it to Oxenfurt. Yennefer'll give the signal, you'll drive through the gates and treat the guards."

"Ugh, these're terrible times... Since the mages left town, the hunters've taken to harassin' nonhumans. A dwarf lingerin' 'round the prison gates only stands to attract attention."

"Right, didn't think of that... I'll go straight to Yen, in that case. She went to find a way into the ruins beneath the city."

"Sorry, mate."

"Don't want to have to break you out too."

Geralt turned and headed to the door.

"Geralt!" The Witcher turned and saw that Aiden and one of the waitresses had followed him out of the inn.

"Aiden? What are you doing here? Your mother know you're here?"

"She knows. Not exactly happy about it, but she knows. Me and Gwen can get the Mahakaman to Oxenfurt."

Geralt opened his mouth to say no, but stopped. Aiden was human, so he wouldn't raise suspicion. "That's actually not a bad idea. As long as the two of you stay out of the way if it comes to fighting."

"Of course. Pretty sure Mum would kill us both if me and Gwen got caught in the middle."

"Pretty sure she'd murder me and stick me on a pike in the square."

Aiden nodded in agreement.

"Also, to be on the safe side, let's not mention this to Juray. She'll probably kill me on principle."

~~~

Aegar and Ciri kept watch as Juray snuck into the stable's upper window, her Witcher abilities keeping the guards from hearing her footfalls. Once inside the stable, she saw there was a lone guard sitting in a chair by the door.

That has to be the worst guard I've ever come across, she thought. Looking down at the guard, she could hear him snoring. Juray shook her head and dropped down, making no noise. The guard had lain the keys to the stable's smaller door on the nearby table. The guard didn't stir as she unlocked the door and opened it, motioning for Ciri and Aegar to come. As they approached, she placed a finger over her lips and indicated the sleeping guard. She kept an eye on him as Aegar selected four horses. They mounted three of them and they started to gallop toward the main doors, Juray using Aard to open them, the guard falling out of his chair with a scream. They galloped past the guards posted outside, the two attempting to chase them as they galloped through the streets toward the edge of town.

"Whooo-hooo!" Aegar cheered when they returned to the camp. "We did it!"

"Excellent work!" Ciri said with a grin. "Did you see the two fools who tried to chase us?"

Aegar laughed. "Almost tripped over their own boots!"

"Thanks, Juray, that was splendid!"