Reincarnation ➵ The Witcher

ix.

TO say that Roach didn't like Edith would be an understatement of the century. She was sure she had never seen a horse as grumpy as Roach, who had refused to have Edith pet her! Usually it was the people refusing to pet the animal, but Roach refused Edith's kind touch. It had amused Geralt, from the small, barely there approving smile on his face and Edith had to stop herself from snapping at him for his approval. To say she wasn't the smallest bit disappointed would be a massive lie, as she often enjoyed the company of animals a lot more than the company of people. The chestnut horse greeted his owner in a better fashion than she greeted Edith, and as Geralt mounted Roach Edith knew she'd be walking to whatever destination they would be going to next.

"..Can I come with you?" Edith questioned meekly, already guessing the answer would be 'no' despite her desperate wishes to get away from the agricultural life she was born and raised into. Edith simply wanted an adventure - she wanted to atleast see one monster before she passes onto the next life, and if she'd had to deal with the company of a certain white haired Witcher for that, she would.

"Can you use a sword?" Geralt looked down at her ruggard appearance.

"No."

"Crossbow?"

"No."

"Then the answers no, girl, you'd probably die within a few days anyway." Geralt knew it was slightly harsh - but the truth was often harsh, but it didn't deter the determination from her gaze and Geralt doubted he could persuade her otherwise.

"I can learn! You can teach me, I'm a quick learner." Edith argued, watching Geralt begin to move Roach into the road with a quick tap of his foot. Edith frowned, beginning to feel deflated. Prick, white haired Witcher. Edith had thought Geralt would have left her there, until he slowed Roach with a gentle 'woah' before sighing in resignation as if he'd lost an internal debate with himself.

Geralt looked over his shoulder with a quick glance at her, "Are you coming or what?" Edith smiled. Of fucking course she was coming.

Edith had walked over to his stationary location, Geralt waiting until she was near before moving Roach once again. The night was a chilly one, like it always is as a fog cascades itself over the land in an embrace. Edith would often glance at Geralt, who was now adorned in his usual attire of a cloak. Edith gazed a few times and Roach too, and if she said she didn't once childishly poke her tongue out at at the horse she'd be lying. Because she did, multiple times, not that she'd care to admit it.

She watched as the town slowly came out of their view as they walked down a cobbled path and away from her father, until there was nothing but trees surrounding them on both sides. Edith was slightly grateful that she had slept most of the day away, as now when the moon rised fully in the sky and glared down at them, she didn't feel the least bit tired.

Geralt always seemed wary of his surroundings, and if both of his hands weren't holding the reigns of Roach's bridle, one of them was almost always placed on the hilt of his sheathed sword. Edith didn't once really bother about the danger of the surroundings, as she knew Geralt could do enough cautiousness for the both of them. She had debated humming softly a few times, but every time she did Geralt would tell her to 'Shut the fuck up or go back to town.' Which Edith would snort unlady-like at every time. She was here now, and she certainly wasn't leaving because Geralt decided to be in a permanent pissy mood.

"Where are we going?" Edith questioned.

"To a town North of here."

"Why?"

"Because the townsfolk wont chase after me with pitchforks there." Edith tried not to smile at that image. She couldn't imagine anyone coming after Geralt without dying a painful death, and she was grateful she hadn't see his bad side as of yet. Well, a bad side that differed from a bitchy mood.

Edith's feet ached from the walking they had done, and as time passed she was sure it was close to daylight. She hoped Geralt would agree for them to come to a stop soon, just so she could rest her feet even for a second. Hell, even the horse seemed a bit exerted, and Geralt looked just about ready to tumble from his horse if he fell asleep for a second time.

"How long left?" Edith whined.

"Not long."

"You said that last time!"

"Mhm." Geralt didn't bother replying with anything else; he would not listen to Edith moan the entire way to their location even if someone paid him to do it. Thankfully, Edith hadn't spoke her usual ramble along their journey recently despite the obvious urge she had to do so. Gods, didn't that girl struggle to shut up. Geralt was sure she could speak enough for the both of them, and he was sure she knew this feat as well.

The sound of Roach's hooves echoed through the night, the quiet sound of crickets notable in the distance where they resided in the safety of the forest. Geralt had wondered what monsters lived behind those trees, and also seemed to wonder if any of them resembled his new travel companion, or resembled what she use to be.