Shifting Shadows

Leaping into Freedom

*The son of a gun did it. He got Geralt off my tail. I needed to thank him somehow. The question was. How?*

He was gone, well and truly gone I saw him chase after the servant girl dressed in my clothes. A sigh of relief left me as i felt the tenseness in my shoulders begin to melt away- I had some time to think up a plan on how to start a new life. Now that Geralt was out of the picture. I shook myself off and made my way downstairs to Stregner, the old wooden stairs creaking loudly with each one of my hasty steps. At the bottom of the stairs i practially fell inot his arms, eyes hot with tears.

"Thank you so much" I managed to whimper out as I felt his arms somewhat awkwardly pull me into a hug

"Hey Y/N, its my pleasure" he paused as though to think "I know how pesky that witcher can get, he just doesnt stop does he, theres aways something" 

The silence was broken with his heartly laughter, his large round belly bouncing up and down with each inhale. I have to say his lighthearted approach to this aboslute shit show of a situation put me at ease. I knew I could rely on him. We spent the next few minutes laughing as the Bloody Baron recounted stories of the past where Geralt would pester him for hours at a time regarding some stupid matters or something or another. Knowing I wasnt the only one Geralt was unbearably annoying to made me smile. My cheeks hurt from laughing, and whislt we were both in a good mood I decided now would be the best time to ask him waht I could do in return for him being so generous to me,

"I gotta ask, is there anything I can do to repay you..." and awkward silence fell between the two of us, not because of the premise f the question, more so he was trying to formulate an answer, "...Youve hepled me out a lot and I feel its only fair" and after a moment of thought a smile spread across his face.

"Ill tell you what Y/N-" he said giving his pockets a proper dig around "Take this, set off to Oxenfurt Harbour and buy some clothes, new shoes, and for crying out loud sort that birds nest of a haircut out. I want you to be unrecognisable to the witcher at first glance... you get me?" he said pushing a leather bag of coins into my hands and ruffling my so called 'birds nest'.

I nodded sheepishly, I coudnt help but think that there was always more that could be done for him and the hospitality he showed me. I would conjure up a plan on my way, for now my next destination was Oxenfurt. I thanked him once more and with one final hug, I was off. Ready as I would ever be to start my life again forgetting about Geralt. My shoes squelched in the mud of Crow's Perch as I left through the front gates of the town, looking back once more it was time to set off again. I really had a nack for not staying put in one place for long periods of time didnt I? The road was muddy from last nights rain, my boots sinking stupidly deep into it, a great start to my newfound freedom, but there was nothing that could be done I had to keep going. With any luck I would make it to Oxenfurt in a few days time depening on how fast I walked and how many breaks I took. Rolling up my sleeves and checking the signposts one more time it was time to hit the road. 

A/N: Slightly shorter chapter than normally I know, and im sorry just trying to guage a story line from here so that its not just rinse and repeat of the same cat and mouse. Thank you for being patient with me! Love you all- Milk