Of Women and Wolves

Before the Storm

The two Witchers stood still in the shallows of the lake, silver blades gleaming in the sunlight, waiting.

They had arrived in Brugge early this morning and left Jaskier behind for their hunt. She did not like how easy it had been to get him to agree on staying in town.

His azure coloured eyes had a mischievous twinkle that she did not trust when he said 'I have some shopping to do anyway'. But she let it go because this contract was too dangerous to have him with them.

"You know, depending on the size of this thing we may have to pull a Lambert." Geralt laughed quietly at the figure of speech she used. It was one of her favourite stories to tell when the redheaded Witcher needed to be knocked down a peg or two.

"I just hope it's not hun-" He was interrupted as the previously still lake had started bubbling rapidly about six feet from where they stood.

Both Witchers took a steadying breath and sent each other reassuring looks in time for the Selkiemore to come shooting out of the lake to tower over them. Standing in the monsters imposing shadows, the two large Witchers looked like mice as the beast opened its mouth to swallow them whole.

Fianna looked to Geralt in resignation.

"You just had to say it didn't you" He rolled his eyes at her and they readied themselves.

The beast lunged.

_____

"Fifteen minutes inside that fucker and I just know that this shit is never coming out of my hair." The silver-haired Witcheress cursed. She had rinsed the worst of it off in the lake so she was not covered in chunks like Geralt but she was by no means clean.

Geralt just grunted in response to her moaning, he had decided not to wash off and was sorely regretting it now. He also knew that he would be helping her do her hair so he gave a token complaint but they both knew that he actually enjoyed it.

"Gods above. I smell like shit," she grumbled as they entered the Inn to get their payment. All sound inside stopped as Geralt loomed in the entryway.

"See?" Jaskier said as everyone gasped at their arrival, not in any mood to be dealing with crowds or enthusiasm of any kind. Fianna stepped around Geralt's slightly larger form and walked over to the bar.

"Oi, what's that stench?"

"Roses" , "Selkiemore guts." The two monster hunters said simultaneously.

"Had to get it from the inside, I'll take what we're owed."

Fianna ordered two drinks for herself and Geralt while he collected their payment. The tavern started to sing along with Jaskier, while Fianna took the pouch from Geralt and started counting their coin.

Taking a swig of her ale, she gagged at the taste of the swill that had been offered to her. She grabbed Geralt's wrist to save him the experience. He hadn't paid attention to her reaction because Jaskier had joined them and was currently waffling his ears off about repaying debts.

She was hardly listening, she just wanted a bath. Scooping their coin back into her purse, she stood and made halfway across the tavern when she heard Jaskiers shout.

"Food, women and wine, Geralt!

Her lover stopped in place from where he was following her and tilted his head in consideration.

Fianna glared.

_______

After taking a well-deserved bath, changing the water twice before she was fully clean - thank you, magic lessons - Fianna sat at the small vanity in their shared room.