Shadow

5

We slowed the mares to a walk and I rode with one hand. We came to the courtyard and we both dismounted at the same time almost as if in unison. He took our horses reins and tied them to a pole, I kept right behind Geralt since I was nervous. There were market stalls everywhere, people were walking everywhere and Geralt and I had to watch our backs and belongings.

There was music playing, children running around and I noticed there were many beggars walking around and when they saw us they backed off as if they were scared of us. Women began to glance at Geralt but I just grabbed his hand and laced my fingers around his. Geralt looked down, then only looked over his shoulder and smiled at me.
I noticed we were heading to the palace and as we reached the gates the guards stopped us. "If you are to enter you hand us your weapons and the servants will take care of you two" The guard said.

I looked at Geralt for reassurance and he nodded. So we gave our weapons up and we were escorted into the palace. Maids took me away and servants took Geralt away. I was given a bath before slipping in to an ebony dress, and a leather cloak to match. My hair was pulled up at the sides and fastened with pins. I was escorted into the main hall where I saw Geralt just joining me.

He looked handsome and a little stubble really complimented him more than his beard. He joined me and stood next to me. "The King is ready to see you" The servant said and led us to the great hall where the King sat on his throne.

"Shadow, Geralt I am glad you could make it." He said in a rather surprised but yet relieved tone.

"Why am I here?" I asked.

"To help Geralt break the spell on my daughter since she's a stryga" he answered.

"I hate strygas!" I exclaimed crossing my arms over my chest and shuffling from one foot to the other. I soon got fed up and just rested my hands on my hips, I sighed and Geralt just looked at me.

"What?" I asked.

"You know what" he answered.

"Can you do it, with out killing her?" The King asked a little unsure since we were bickering about the job.

"Yes" Geralt nodded. I just glared at him as if to say 'really?' We soon left and I was glad to be back in my armour. That eve we stayed in the courtyard so we could evaluate the situation we were in. We could hear the stryga growling loudly as it came closer to us, Geralt and  I closed the gap between each other, our backs touching slightly, we both drank our potions which increased our hearing and our sight even though we could see in the dark anyway.

The stryga jumped me and ripped its claws into my back, I screamed and Geralt beat it off me. The thing whined like a hurt dog before running away. Geralt helped me up and we found her tomb and both laid in it for the night, but I began shivering from the cold and Geralt pulled me closer ignoring the blood leaking from my shoulders. "Shadow this will hurt!" He exclaimed resting his hand on my back, he began to heal my wound but resting his other hand on my mouth to stop me from screaming. I fidgeted against him but he held me firm, I soon passed out and didn't wake up till it was too late.