Shadow

8

I sat up with a start and crouched with my sword in hand, I could hear footsteps in the forest and I readied myself for an attack, but as the sound came closer I realized that it was only Geralt. "Stand down Shadow." He said.

"Where did you go?" I asked and put my sword back in its scabbard.

"I was searching the perimeter I thought I heard something close to us," he said.

"Okay," I said and put my sword back into its scabbard and laid back down on my animal skin, my head on my saddle, I wrapped my cloak around my shoulders. Geralt once again settled down. The morning couldn't have come any quicker, as soon as we heard the first of the birds singing we were getting ready to leave.

We both mounted our horses and took off onto the path. "Do you know where we're headed?" I asked.

"We'll go wherever the monsters are," he replied turning in his saddle to face me.

"I'm keeping an eye on you you're still weak," I said.

"I'm fine so stop worrying," he said and offered me a reassuring smile. We rode silently for a few hours, only the sound of the thudding horses hooves could be heard. I stood up in the saddle as my knees began to cramp. "Are you okay to keep going to the next town?" He asked.

"I think so," I replied, I patted my horses neck and gently nudged him on. To make matters worse it began to rain. I flicked my hood up but both horses heads fell. We broke into a gallop, and galloped through puddles splashing mud over us both. I could see the smoke rising from houses of the town. Both my horse and I sighed a sigh of relief.

I rode up next to Geralt. "Are you sure we'll be accepted?" I asked.

"Yes, this is one of the towns that don't notice new wanderers," he replied. We dismounted at the gates and led the horses to the towns stable, we paid the stable boys generously and went to the nearest tavern. I kept close to Geralt as we both removed our hoods. We didn't say anything the bar keep just gave us our keys, and we were two doors down from each other.

I walked into my room and threw off my wet coat and sat by the fire. I heard a knock on the door and walked over it was Geralt. "Are you going to be okay on your own?" He asked.

"Yes," I replied. "Why do you ask?"

"I just know you can get a little restless, but if you do feel that way you're welcome to share my room," he said, gently resting his hand on my shoulder.

"Thank you," I said and shut the door gently. I leant against the door smiling, I rubbed a hand over the back of my neck and removed my weapons. We just made it in time as the rain began to fall heavier and bounced off the windows. I just looked out at it and stared into the muddy streets when a figure dressed all in black caught my eye, they offered me a bow before they kept walking disappearing from view.