Mixing Things Up
Yennefer appeared before the trio, a smile on her face. "Skeir... You have guests..."
"Yeah. That's uh, that's why I contacted you." Jaskier's left hand was fidgeting, the pad of his thumb circling the tips of his fore and middle fingers.
"You need my help," the mage's eyes settled now on Geralt, "with your Child Surprise, I presume." Yennefer looked at the teen, scrutinizing her blonde hair and vibrant teal eyes. "So this is the Lion Club of Cintra."
"Who are you?" The girl shied closer to Jaskier.
"Ciri, this is Yennefer. She's a friend of mine and a mage. I know she seems intimidating, but she's not all that scary when you get to know her a little better... Well, a lot better..."
Yennefer offered a small smile. "Jaskier and I didn't have a great first impression." She chuckled at the memory.
"She saved my life and...had a...party." Jaskier didn't know how to word such things around a child.
"But you can help?" Ciri looked into Yen's purple eyes.
"That, Cub, depends on what it is you need help with."
"She has magic, Yen," Geralt finally spoke up. He still wouldn't meet her eyes. "I don't know what her abilities are, or where they came from, but if anyone can find out, it's you." Geralt stiffened, straining his ears. "Someone's coming. We need to move."
"Yen can you-"
"What about you?" She cut Jaskier short.
"I can hide and get away. Get them out of here. Please."
"Take Roach," Geralt suggested.
"I can't hide with a horse, Geralt," Jaskier shook his head. "How many are coming?" His words were faster. Jaskier knew they were coming quickly; Ciri had to get out of here and something in his gut told Jaskier Geralt had to be with her. Ciri's destiny was tied to Geralt's in some way; not his own.
"At least six."
Jaskier nodded. "I'll distract them and buy you time to get out of here." Jaskier adjusted the quiver on his back but didn't draw his bow.
Ciri's eyes were darting between him and Geralt. She knew they would trade places if she asked, but got the same feeling Jaskier did. It would be a little while until they saw each other again and for that time, she needed Geralt.
"I'll be alright, Ciri. I'll find my way back to you just as Geralt found us. Be brave." Jaskier kissed her forehead. "Now get out of here." He ordered Geralt and Yennefer.
Jaskier sprinted back the way they had come the night before as he rounded the corner of the path, his heart skipped a beat at the sight of the Nilfgaaurdian flag. "Well fuck." He straightened his back and ran again. He got just close enough for the patrol to see him, then swerved into the tree line.
The path Jaskier found was wide enough for a horse but not the six that the patrollers rode. He'd keep them focused on him but he figured he would be reasonably safe. However, he wasn't expecting one of them to have a crossbow.
The bolt entered his shoulder and the force of it sent him tumbling to the ground with a scream. He panted through the pain, trying to roll onto his unwounded side to push himself upon his left arm. Before he got the chance, a hand forcefully grabbed a fistful of his hair and pulled him up. He breathed deeply through clenched teeth, bringing his left hand up to grip his right shoulder around the wound where the bolt still protruded from his shoulder.
