Shifting Shadows

A Wolf's Tears

*Slipping into the warm clean bed I placed my head in the mountain of pillows. I felt myself slipping into the world of sleep and dreams. It would be downhill from here I told myself as I drifted off...*

*Geralt's POV*
It has been weeks since Y/N left the keep. For the longest time none us knew where they went to, disappeared without a trace. Whatever tracks they left had been erased away by the elements before we could get to them. It was no use. Y/N could be anywhere at this point. With each passing day my hopes of finding them diminished, each day was just another fight with my own thoughts,
"What if they got themselves killed?"
"What if they are in trouble"
What if ...
What if ...
All the what ifs bombarding my brain. I couldn't help but blame myself for all the pain and suffering i caused Y/N.

Frustrating as it was I knew not much could be done at this point. Rubbing the frustration off my brow i slowly, leisurely made my way towards the tower, the sight was as beautiful as ever the mountains hugging the horizon cutting the clouds like serrated blades of rock, the sky like an oil painting, the colours blending and bleeding like never before. I smiled gently letting out an exasperated sigh, my attention however was caught by the small message portal which opened up behind me. Triss. What did she want at this time? It was unusual for her to pop in like this out of the blue, considering she had just visited a good few weeks ago. Turning around i answered her calls.

She was in her house, which wasn't unusual. She spoke in a soft, almost cautious tone with a slight tremble in her voice.
"Geralt they're here with me, Ill try to keep them put for as long as i can but you need to get here quickly"
My eyes lit up. Finally. We knew where Y/N was, after all these weeks of fruitless search. New destination location: Novigrad. Nodding at the message, replying hastily half grabbing my coat and swords again,
"Give us 4 days, we'll take Y/N off your hands"
With a small nod of Triss' head the call ended.

Joy. Indisputable joy sparked through me.

Practically jumping down the stairs and sprinting across the great hall calling out to whoever was listening:
"Grab your swords boys, destination Novigrad"
With those last words I was out the door headed towards Roach. Her excited whinnies could be heard from across the keep, she could sense the adventure. With a smile from ear to ear, saddling up Roach, Scorpion and Rosemary. I must have been dreaming right? There was no way we actually managed to find where Y/N was. Triss was taking care of looking after them, all we had to do now was get to Novigrad, and knowing the horses and their pace it would take around 3 days at best. For once luck was on our side. Soon after my exclamation the three of us had set off towards The Free City in search of our lycanthrope.

*Time skip: 3.5 days*

The walls of Novigrad came into view, the sun was still high up in the sky, we arrived later than planned but that wasnt a problem. The clattering of heavy hooves on the stone pavements of the streets filled my head. All i wanted now was to see Y/N again, i messed up. Messed up bad and needed to apologise for everything, get us back on track. Develop trust again. Triss' humble abode came into view, with a few knocks the heavy doors opened uncovering a teary and snotty Triss. She fell into my arms apologising frantically. Did something happen?

It took a while for her to calm down, but once she caught her breath she told us that Y/N must have heard our conversation, they ran away this morning, showing us the "Ode to Traitors" written in blood on the wall. That smell. Kikimora blood. If Y/N got any on the clothes they were wearing, i could sus them out. Kikimora blood was a particularly pungent and long lasting scent, if they had left this morning the scent should still be fresh and strong. Reassuring Triss everything was okay and that we would find Y/N i walked around to the docks for a moment of silence away from the boys and the crowd.

What was this feeling, a burning hole in my chest, a tightness in my throat. Looking down into the canal, my head in my hands my vision got cloudy and two stray tears fell and dropped neatly into the canal, one after the other, rippling the water in pretty circles which soon disappeared. What a sight to see. A Wolf's Tears. Who said witchers had no feelings. We were so close, but Y/N had always been just out of reach, just at the tips of my fingers. Wiping my eyes I convinced myself this wasnt a lost cause.

Returning to Roach and the boys i closed my eyes and inhaled slowly and deeply. The scent of Kikimora blood was strong. A path leading straight to our elusive Y/N. This fight wasnt over yet.

A straightforward trail, through the town lingering in a tavern, and finally led us to Crows Perch. If that fat bastard had done anything to MY Y/N i would take his head off. I must have been steaming with fury, Eskel and Lambert would often question whether or not I was fine, but my mind was occupied with only one thing... Y/N. Crow's Perch was busy with life just as always, steadying the horses by the stables I needed a moment to compose myself. I couldn't help but be protective over Y/N. After all i was the one who shot them down, nursed them back to health only to betray the trust. At the least i wanted to get the chance to say goodbye and apologise. My heavy steps resonated through the pebbled courtyard and up the old wooden stairs. This was soon replaced with my impatient knocks on the heavy oak doors
"STRENGER OPEN THIS DOOR BEFORE I OPEN YOUR SKULL. I KNOW YOU HAVE Y/N I SWEAR IF YOUVE TOUCHED THEM I WILL-"
I was cut off by the bolts of the door clicking open...