In My Head

Chapter 6 - Law Of Surprise

We continued enjoying the festivities as the night progressed. Many men stepped up to offer themselves and their kingdom's for Pavetta's hand and I could see why. She was gorgeous, but she seemed sad. I watched her for a moment while a few princes offered themselves to her. I could tell she wanted nothing to do with any of this. I didn't blame her.

I would occasionally meet Geralt's gaze and I could tell he wanted to speak to me more. I wanted that too, but I knew getting to close to the queens table was a bad idea for my companions and I. Princes and lords from neighboring lands seemed too dumb to question our being at this party. I was especially annoyed of the one from Nilfgaard who talked about his potent seed. I thought Thor was gonna burst out laughing for a moment. I could tell through the Queens badmouthing of him and his kingdom that she was sowing a deep seed of hatred in the man.

Jaskier's playing was, thankfully, a good way to enjoy the evening. If I was ever able to come back, I would have to record his voice for later.

Suddenly a commotion is heard and I turn to see someone fighting their way into the party. Thor goes to move toward the commotion and I grab his arm holding him back.

"Forgive my late intrusion, Your Majesty, and for the misunderstanding with your guards. Please! I come in peace." The man calls as he makes his way to the spot where the other lords had previously stood vying for the princess's hand. "I need but one moment of your time." He kneels down before the queen and her table as he continues, "I am Lord Urcheon of Erienwald, and I have come to claim your daughter's hand in marriage."

The three of us look from the kneeling lord to the queen. The queen looed angry whereas her daughter looked happy to see the man.

"A knight... of no renown... from a backwater hamlet... Who dares to enter my court, without revealing his face?" Th queen replies narrowing her eyes at the man.

"I apologize, Your Majesty. A knight's oath prevents me from revealing my face until the sounding of the twelfth bell." The man replies and can hear the honesty in his voice.

"Bollocks to that." A man says as he instantly moves forward and removes the knight's helmet. The crowd, save for Thor, myself, and Wanda; gasps as the man's appearance. He had the head of a hedgehog.

"Witcher..." I hear the queen start and I turn to see him looking at the knight. "Kill it." Pavetta's eyes shoot to her mother as they silently beg her to stop.

"No." Geralt refuses.

"Whatever the price." The queen offers.

"This is no monster."

"I order you." She seethes.

"This knight has been cursed."

"You're as useless as the rest of them." She pauses before ordering, "Slay this beast!"

My eyes fall to the princess who has started to cry and my heart bleeds for her. A couple guards attack him, but he makes short work of them.

"Lioness of Cintra," he calls pointing the tip of his sword towards her. "I have come to claim what is rightfully mine! Pavetta. By the Law of Surprise."

The room erupts in whispers as Thor and Wanda look at me for answers and I shake my head. I had no idea what he was talking about. All the sudden I hear more swords be drawn and turn back to the knight to see that more guards have started to attack him. He lasts a few minutes until there are more guards than he can handle. He is suddenly knocked to the floor and I find myself unconsciously moving toward him.

"No!" I hear Pavetta cry out as a guard raises his long axe. I burst through the crowd just in time.

"Stop!" I yell out making the guard freeze in his tracks the axe frozen in air long enough for Geralt to slice it in half with his sword and then kill the guard. His eyes find mine and I could tell he was angry. The rest of the room looks at me and I slowly make my way closer to him.