Hello, Gwynbleidd...

Chapter Sixteen: Jingles...?

When they neared Crow's Perch, Jordan tied up the horse as Geralt stood taking deep breaths, finally recovering...

"Geralt, there are a few things you should know about the Baron," Jordan said, walking with him toward the castle.

"And what would they be?" he asked quizzically and Jordan grimaced.

"Well, he-" she tried to speak, only to see a poor little hunchback being tormented by soldiers who called him a jester...it was Uma.

Jordan grinned and took off in a jog toward him before Geralt could even question her, as Uma was being abused near the stables, "Jingles!" she called and the tiny little man looked up at her with such awe, but the soldiers just stared at Jordan with wide eyes.

She rolled her yellow orbs, "How dare you torment such a sweet little creature?" Jordan knelt down, smiling at Uma, "Come along, little one. Let's go see the big funny man in red," she held out a hand to him and he grinned his crooked little smile, hobbling over to her and resting his abnormally large hand over hers.

She stood and walked with him, holding his and as they went to the castle, "I see you found a friend," Geralt commented.

"Geralt, this creature is a cursed Elf," she stated bluntly and quietly, earning a stunned look from her fellow Witcher, "I don't want to disrupt your timeline...So, you'll just have to trust me and know that this little man- this...Uma...is going to be very important, alright?" she asked with hopeful eyes and Geralt was scowling.

Jordan stepped closer and rest a hand on his shoulder, "I'm not trying to be a dick, I swear," she promised, "Just please trust me...?" she pleaded and Geralt's​ eyes fell down cast to the ground.

"Fine..." Geralt grunted...

***

They entered the castle and were taken to the Bloody Baron's study...

Jordan walked, still holding Uma's hand until they entered and she found a chair for him to sit in, "You stay right here, Jingles. Stay put and I'll give you some sweets, alright?" she offered and Uma nodded, kicking his feet like a giddy little kid.

Jordan nodded then stood up, turning back to Geralt who was standing silent with his arms crossed. The Baron sat at his desk, waiting for someone to make an offer to him or threaten his life. One was just as common as the other.

Jordan walked up to his desk, "Greetings," she said, "We've come about the wanted notices for your daughter Tamara and your wife Anna," she crossed her arms.

The Red Baron's eyes widened, "So, a Witcher and a-" Geralt cut him off.

"Witchers," he corrected, "She's new," he added.

The Baron nodded, "Right..." he sighed, "So, two Witchers want to help me find my family. I suppose you'll be wanting an obscene amount for their safe return...?" he asked snidely, making assumptions.

Jordan shook her head, "No...we only want to know about the time Ciri- a friend of ours, spent here in your care. A young woman about my age, ashen-haired, a scar on her left cheek," she described her and the Baron paused.

"How do you know Ciri?" he asked defensively.

Geralt scowled at this, "Ciri is like daughter to me and she's a dear friend to my companion," he stated bluntly, "If you know anything about her, you will-" Jordan hit him with her elbow.

"Geralt, now is not the time to act like a mother bear," she scolded, then glared at the Baron, "If you don't accept our help, then Anna is damned and you will never see your daughter again," Jordan stated, resting her hands on his desk, "Since my associate is impatient- as am I- I'm gonna say this fucking once," her yellow eyes narrowed to slit shaped pupils, "Your wife has suffered at the hands of her captors. If you don't help us free her...she may die a slow and painful death, living as a slave somewhere until they decide to eat her or worse. So, are you gonna sit on your fat fucking ass or are you gonna save your Anna- like a proper husband- and earn your little girl's respect?!" she shouted at him, stunning the Baron who shrunk back in his chair at her rage.

Then, he earned a flame in his eyes, standing up and pounding his fists on the desk, "I want to save my family!" he snapped.

"So, you accept our help or what?" Jordan held out a hand and the Baron smirked, clapping his gloved one over hers in a firm handshake.

"Tell me your plan and I'll do all I can to aid you," he promised and Jordan nodded.

Jordan looked to Uma, "There's something I need from you right now," she said to the Baron, "Look after Uma for me...please? He's-..." she paused, smiling faintly at the little cripple, "He holds a special place in my heart. I knew him before I became a Witcher," she explained and the Baron nodded.

With that confirmation, they got down to business...