Reincarnation ➵ The Witcher

xxiii.

THE journey into the mountains had been a tough one, for both Edith and Roach. Geralt did absolutely jack shit. They had been on the road for a while now; a few weeks give or take, but nothing had altered between the two. There was often attempts at sneaky glances at the other when they believed they weren't looking and both parties were guilty either side. The tension was palpable in the atmosphere, and Edith would rather it disappear.

During these few weeks, shes thought about her family often. Both John and her two siblings. She had missed them dearly, but she didn't miss society's conventions of what was expected of her. She knew if she went back, her father would be expected to arrange a marriage with a random man she didn't know. It wasn't as if Edith hasn't avoided the tradition for a few years now anyway; she knew she was over the expected age to marry and have kids, but she didn't want the control of her body to be forced into a man's hands. She wanted her own choice, which is why she enjoyed Geralt's company so much. He hadn't forced her to do anything she didn't want to do.

The structure ahead of them was situated on one of the peaks, a wooden bridge avaliable for use to access the buildings sat on the greenery of the mountain. Edith watched as Geralt tied Roach near the bridge, viewing the valley ahead of them in an awe state of serenity.

"Its quite beautiful here." Edith began.

"Hm," He agreed in his usual manner, sword seathed comfortably on his side. He took lead, walking towards the wooden bridge whilst looking back to ensure Edith was following. She was, without an inch of doubt in her mind.

They had entered a tavern without any argument this time, and the residents there hardly gave a second look, which was mainly down to the bard singing near the fireplace in the corner.

"You want anything?" Geralt rasped, and Edith shook her head. He nodded before approaching the bar, and Edith looked for a free table for the two of them. She noticed one in the corner, light from outside shining onto it, and snagged it quickly.

She looked around the miniature tavern, listening to the bard's lyrics in the corner. Amusement spread across her face however, the other listeners didn't seem too keen on him. Geralt had come back a few minutes later, a sole glass of ale in his wake.

He sat across from her, and Edith greeted him with a small smile, "How do you drink that crap?"

"You get used to it."

She grimaced, watching Geralt down half the contents of the cup, "Vile thing to get used to."

"You think everything is vile, Edith."

"..solid argument there."

Geralt smirked at her, and a second later a silence settled over them like a blanket of tension. Geralt's golden eyes watched as Edith took in a deep breath, her gaze attempting to avoid his own but ultimately failing. He had thought about what had almost happened in the woods often, and he was sure she did too. She attempted not to gulp at the intensity of his eyes, her own brown irises seemingly inferior in this moment.

"I love the way you just.. sit in the corner and brood." Edith jumped at the intrusion, her eyes whipping towards the bard leant against one of the columns as he watched the pair.

"We're here to drink alone." Geralt began.

"Good. Yeah, good. No one else hesitated to comment on the quality of my performance except.. you two," he approached them both further, and Geralt scowled at him, "Come on. You don't want to keep a man with.. bread in his pants waiting. You must have some review for me. Three words or less." Edith watched as he slid into the seat next to her, excitement written across his face.

She smiled in false seriousness, "It was terrible. I'm sure my gran could have done better, infact," The bard watched as a teasing smile spread across her face, and he couldn't help but mirror it with his own, "It's a shame she's dead. Looks like you have no competition, bard."

Geralt stopped the roll of his eyes, "They don't exist."

"What don't exist?" The bard watched him in confusion.

"The creatures in your song."

"And how would you know?"

Edith elbowed him, "Because Geralt knows everything."

The bard understood, eyes flickering in recognition as he gazed at Geralt, "Oh, fun. White hair.. big, old loner, two very, very scary-looking swords. I know who you are." Geralt had risen from his seat, Edith beginning to follow soon after.

"Nice going, smartass."