Shifting Shadows

False Hope

*"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...*

*Geralt's POV*

Eventually, the large doors open slowly with a creek, my heart was racing with both fury and uncertainty as to who would appear on the other side of the door. As the door creaked open a small boy, probably one of Strenger's servants stood sheepishly at the door, his small terrified frame almost trembling. I composed myself with a quick breath and wiped my brow from its frustration before saying,

"I need to see Strenger-" I needed to state my business and the only words that could come out of me where, "Its a matter of great importance I need to see him as quickly as i can"

Hoping that the boy was not discouraged by my earlier tantrum and screaming by the door i waited for his reply. After a few moments he replied in a quiet voice that he will inform The Bloody Baron that i wanted to see him and asked me if i could patiently wait outside. I nodded still slighlty annoyed but there was nothing i could do but wait now. The door closed quickly with a loud creak and was bolted shut. What followed were the hasty footsteps of the servant boy which soon dissapeard further into the building. Pacing around the courtyard I waited for my audience with him my eyes kept glacing at the large doors with every little sound i heard. I was getting impatient and it showed.

*Y/N POV*

I was woken up by loud bangin, I couldnt quite make out where it was coming from but it sounded angry- almost desparate. I groggily wiped the sleep from my eyes and got changed into the clothes that Stregner had given me the night before. The definitely were not what i would have chosen for myself but at this point anything was better than the dirt and sweat soaked once i had on before. The banging continiued, curiosity got me and i peered round the door of my room to see what was going on. I could see a young boy opening the main door to the building, and what came after shook me to my core. 

That voice.

I felt my heartbeat pick up as I heard Geralt's voice booming throuhg the corridor and in my ears. He found me. Of course he did I knew i couldnt hide from him for too long. My mind began racing trying to figure out how to throw him off my scent or what i could do. My *Y/C/H* hair fell onto my face as i stared at the ground trying to come up with something. Nay, anything to get him away from me. I could feel my heart in my throat as the door of the building closed, was the boy going to lead Geralt staright to me? God please no. My worries howevr were unfounded as the only footsteps heard in the vast corridor were the hasty little ones, not any heavy ones. A sigh of relief left me and i now knew what i had to do. I took a deep deep breath and headed to the one person in this building i knew i could trust. Strenger. 

My rapid footsteps echoed down the corridor as i pushed my way through the doors to what seemed to be his office. clearly distressed and out of breath and seeing the servant boy talking to him i couldnt help but scream out,

"Geralts here! please help me" 

The desparation in my voice growing hoping he wouldnt believe whatver Geralt had told the boy. I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes thinking i would be sold out and taken again. My breathing was shallow and hitched every so often but looking up at Stregner gave me some relief. He seemed worried for me as his gaze softened seeing me in such a state. Asking the boy to leave, we were along in th office now as he pointed to the chair opposite him,

"Please child sit, whats gotten you in such a state, the witcher just wants to talk to me?" His voice remained soft same as the night before when he spoke to me

Through my teary sniffles and raspy breaths i managed to utter out, "Hes looking for me, hes been chasing me down ever since i left the witcher's keep" I sniffled some more "you have to help me- please" 

A single hot tear ran down my rosied cheeks as he leaned over his desk to hand me a napkin reassuring me that he would do anything in his power to potect me if what i was saying was indeed true. I couldnt help but thank him profusely and break down crying even more, for some reason i really felt like i could trust him unlike a certain sorceress who told Geralt everything behind my back like a snake. We left the office and i was instructed to head to the left tower, which i did. He reasuured me once again that he would sort everything out. The steps to the top of the tower were old and worn with little windows in the brick walls. I sat on one of the steps with the window overlooking the courtyard and watched, my hands still trembling heavily from the fear that Geralt would find me. 

My heart stopped when i heard the large wooden doors open, i could faintly hear the conversation the two men were having. It was about me. As i has expected, but just as quickly as the conversation started it was over. What did he tell him? Looking out the window i saw someone dressed in my old grubby clothes and wearing a dark cloak galloping away through the courtyard with Geralt in persuit. I could physically feel my fear being lifted an soon enough i heard Stregner's voice calling out to me from the bottom of the stairs. The son of a gun did it. He got Geralt off my tail. I needed to thank him somehow. The question was. How?