Of Women and Wolves

Culmination

They rode side by side in silence, Jaskiers moans of pain were the only sound to be heard as they pushed their horses as fast as they could.

Fianna was jumping between feeling worried for Jaskier and fury at Geralt's audacity. She had put up with his deteriorating mood for long enough, she knew that he was suffering without sleep and she was the closest person to him when it got too overwhelming so he lashed out but honestly, she was getting tired of it.

Geralt on the other hand was a mess of emotions. He not only felt guilty for how he had spoken to Jaskier but also for how he had been treating his Lya over the last three years, she had rarely spoken out at his sour mood and he had been so busy wallowing in his own misery to notice how it was affecting her until she had exploded at him a short while ago.

Looking over at her as she galloped beside him, he could now see the dark bruising under her eyes from lack of sleep and how thin her face looked. He was horrified to realise that she had lost a significant amount of weight.

His Lya had always been all curves and hardened muscle, now though, she was just compacted muscle. There was little meat to be found on her bones. Her corset was pulled as tight as it could be and there was still a gap between it and her blouse. Her usually molten gold eyes were sunken into her skull and her pillowy lips were etched in an immovable thin line.

Even her hair had suffered. The side of her head that had been scarred by the Striga all those years ago had grown out unevenly. He had been the one who shaved around the scars for her and by the looks of things, he had not done so in many moons.

How could he have let it get this bad?

—-------

They arrived at the Mayor's home by nightfall, Fianna could not help the small quirk of her lips when Geralt knocked the guard out with his coin purse. He must have put a tremendous amount of force into the swing because Fianna knew he was broke. That's what happens when you spend all your money on fake sleep aids.

They managed to drag a weak and limp Jaskier between them as they searched the Mayor's home for the mage. Fianna was too worried for her friend to try and make conversation so they walked in silence.

Geralt was just being petty.

They arrived at the kitchens only to find the mayor stark naked and intoxicated.

"You're the Mayor of Rinde? Not exactly what I was expecting." Geralt grumbled. Jaskier was gasping in surprise while Fianna just stared impatiently at the swaying man.

"Oi! Is there a mage here? We need their help" Fianna snapped, she had seen plenty of naked men over the course of her long life but this one was as unpleasant as he was unimpressive.

"Ah. The apple juice! She wants some. And she always gets... what she wants..." The mayor slurred before collapsing unconscious on a chair by the basement door.

"I don't understand. Does he want me to get him the apple juice?" Geralt asked Jaskier, the bard wheezed a reply and Fianna just glared at Geralt's stupidity.

She pulled Jaskier over to the door and started down the steps, the air was thick with the smell of enchantment. Magic had a unique scent by itself but Fianna could also detect some kind of perfume on the air. Incense perhaps? It was overly sweet and flowery with a subtle tangy undertone. She was not a fan.

Fianna had seen many odd things in her life, so the sight that greeted her upon opening the door should not have shocked her as much as it had.

Dozens of men and women of all shapes and sizes were writhing together on every surface of the room before her. It was like she had walked into a fever dream, as soon as she inhaled the fumes, her vision swam slightly and her magic was immediately on edge.