Of Women and Wolves

Searching and Slaying PT 3

***A.N***  

Hi there, I know this has been mostly filler and even though I haven't gotten any feedback, I'm sure most readers want to continue with the actual plot so I should  be finished writing EP4 by the end of tonight. This smaller storyline is something I wanted to include so you all can get to know Fianna better when she is without Geralt. 

Anyway, here's the next installment of my little side plot.

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It didn't take Fianna long to harvest what she needed from the two beasts. She took a horn from the Chort and an antler from the Fiend. Knowing that she had a decent sizes walk back to the ravine she left Rolo, she didn't take much from the two. It didn't take half as long to reach her horse as it did the other way around since she could take a direct route.

Her ever-faithful companion was grazing lazily, still tied to the tree where she left him. Fianna flung her pack with the trophies over first, it would be just her luck to survive a fight with the Chort only to be impaled on its harvested horn. She made the jump again with a little bit more effort this time since she was tired from the hunt and was greeted with an affectionate bump of Rolo's nose to her forehead.

"Hy buddy" she greeted warmly, giving him a thorough pat on his neck and feeding him an apple she had kept in her saddlebag, Rolo was happily munching on the offered treat as Fianna attached the trophies securely to his saddle. She looked up at the waning sun before mounting.

"Hmm... We'll ride for an hour two before setting up camp for the night, we wouldn't want to damage those lovely hooves now would we?" Rolo snorted lightly as if he agreed with her statement, Fianna smiled at her friend and they took off into the night.

As promised, they camped after two hours of travel but she was back in the saddle by sunrise. They trot back into Hengfors by early evening, the journey not taking as long since she could follow a direct route rather than tracking as she had last time. Making her way to the Ealdorman's home, she ignored the disgusted whispers that followed her.

She was baffled by the small-mindedness of humans, people like them would not survive the winter without Witchers. They thought of them as cold-blooded killers, only taking contracts to be paid. Little did they know that most Witchers killed three times more monsters than what they got paid for, clearing out nests and infestations whenever they came across them.

She collected the agreed-upon price of 200 lintar from the elderly man. Much to her surprise, the Ealdorman told her that he had also bespoken her a room in one of the taverns while she was out on her hunt, paid for already including a meal. A kindness she did not look for or expect but lovely nonetheless.

She had thanked the kind man before he left and was now removing her armour. After removing the heaviest pieces of her armour and freshening up with a cloth and the last dregs of her waterskin, she made her way down to the bar. She may as well have a drink while she waits for her bath. The tavern was fairly bust and she was in no rush, Fianna fully intended to take advantage of the hospitality offered and pamper herself after so long on the road.

"Hello, love. Would you mind getting me a cup of wine, whatever you have handy?" She asked once she had caught the attention of a pretty serving girl. The girl scurried off to fulfil the order and Fianna took a seat at the bar. Taking off her gloves, she smiled kindly at the young girl who slid her wine across the bar, Fianna took a few extra coins than necessary out of her purse and handed them to the girl.

"Would you mind having a bath sent up to my room? There is no rush, just when you have the chance please." Picking up her cup to drink her wine, she was interrupted by two separate calls from either side of the tavern.

"Fianna!" "Silver Wolf!" She blinked in shock at the two voices before spotting a very familiar face running over to her. She smiled slightly at her friend.

"Jaskier! How have you been my friend?" She asked while embracing him, his answer was interrupted when she was ripped away from him and brought into a headlock from behind. Thinking she was being attacked, she grabbed the wrist at her neck and twisted with force until she was behind her attacker and kicking his knees out from behind.

"Melitele! Wolf, it's me!" The attacker shouted, her fight instincts calmed enough for her to recognise the mane of ginger hair.

"Lambert?" She asked bewildered. Releasing the hold she had on his arm she pulled her brother up at turned him around in shock.

"Gods woman! What was that for?" He cringed while rubbing his shoulder in pain.

"You should know better than to attack me, Lambchop." She scolded him, he laughed good-naturedly and pulled her in for a rib crushing hug. She pulled away with a beaming smile before she realised that Jaskier was still standing by the bar in complete shock.

"Come on, join me for a drink you two. Lambchop, this is Jaskier. Mine and Geralt's pet bard. Jaskier, this is Lambert, Witcher School of the Wolf and my younger brother." Lambert stared at Jaskier as if he was sizing the young man up before nodding slightly. Jaskier on the other hand was offended by Fianna's description of him.

"I am not your pet!" He sputtered in outrage, Fianna just raised a brow at him.

"You kind of are. You followed us home one day and never left. We protect you from getting killed and we feed you when you are thrown out of taverns for your offensive lyrics. How are you not a pet?" Jaskier blushed in embarrassment while Lambert guffawed loudly, attracting a few looks from the other patrons.

"Uhmm e- excuse me? Lady Witcher?" A small voice called from the other side of the bar. The pretty serving girl was trying to get her attention, she blushed sweetly as she looked at Lambert who threw her a roguish grin.

"Yes, love?"

"The bath you requested? It is ready in your room miss."

"Brilliant! Can I get a bottle of Erveluce and three glasses? I'll be out of your hair after that." The girl left again so Fianna turned back to her friends.

"Come up with me, we can catch up. Lambchop you can help me with my hair." She grinned when he groaned helplessly. She laughed and Jaskier grinned.

"I have a set starting in a few minutes, I'll be up after to see you," Jaskier informed her, she nodded in acceptance and grabbed Lambert's arm to drag him with.

"Bring another bottle of wine, I can guarantee this one will be gone by then." She laughed as she climbed to stairs, pulling a reluctant Lambert behind her.