Of Women and Wolves

Exposure

"Never thought I would be sitting at this table again" Fianna muttered to herself, but of course, Geralt heard her. He graced her with an encouraging half-smile. Hoping to keep her interactions with Calanthe to an absolute minimum, she was grateful that Geralt had pulled the seat beside his own out for her and sat directly next to the throne.

He made a very handsome meat shield.

Alas, her hopes were dashed when the Queen returned and demanded that she move to sit at her other side. Reluctantly, The Witcheress took the seat between the Queen and Princess.

This is where she would have sat if things had turned out differently. Heir to the Throne of Cintra. She did wonder why Pavetta was not sitting there instead, but judging by the curt conversation she caught the Queen and Princess having earlier, she imagined it was by choice that she had moved over.

Fianna was unable to wallow in her idle thoughts for long because the Princess pulled her into a conversation.

"It is wonderful to meet you, Lady Fianna. I have heard tales of your fierce battles against monsters across the Continent." Fianna couldn't hide her slight blush at the admiration she could detect in the Princess' voice.

"Just Fianna, Princess. There's no need for formalities, I am certainly no Lady." She seemed delighted to be on a first-name basis with Fianna, which the Witcheress found baffling.

"As for the tales of my 'glorious battles,' I can assure you that a great many of them have been exaggerated. The Bard likes to embellish quite a bit." Fianna continued self-depreciatingly.

"I still find them quite thrilling. My mother never allowed me to train with a sword, even though she fights with her own army proudly. I have great admiration for your abilities and infamy, I'm sure you deserve the praise, even if your deeds have been exaggerated."

"Well, I thank you for the praise, Princess. It is far from the most glamorous profession but I couldn't imagine doing anything else. Travelling the Continent and exploring with Geralt is wonderful. I never yearned for anything different." She informed the Princess succinctly. Glancing at Geralt, she could see the way his jaw was clenched as the Queen questioned him.

"I do wish that we did not receive as much revulsion and distrust. Geralt especially does not deserve it. I can blend better than him but his entire presence screams 'Witcher' and the common folk are ridiculously brave when gathered together."

Her eyes were drawn to her partner, he really did not deserve the things said about him. Neither of them could claim to be saints by any means but sometimes she wished that people could see just how wonderful he really was behind all of that rolling muscle and grunting.

"Is he your husband?" The Princess questioned innocently. Fianna had just taken a sip of her wine and struggled not to choke on the mouthful of rich liquid.

"No, Princess. Witchers typically do not marry. He is my partner in all things and we do love one another dearly, but no, he is not my husband."

"Why do Witchers not marry?" Her naivety was precious. Fianna imagined that she was quite sheltered by her mother and would not know the amount of derision and scorn all Witchers faced day-to-day.

"All Witchers except myself are male. What woman would marry a semi-immortal mutant who could not give her children and had to leave for nine months of the year to hunt?" She asked rhetorically, failing to hide the hint of bitterness in her voice.

"What about you?"

"What about me? I am also semi-immortal and infertile." Fianna asked, not understanding the question.