The White Wolf and A Stray Puppy

I'll Stay

Mousesack rushed after the witcher, and so did I, but I kept my distance, stopping right at the huge double door.

Geralt pulled his sword out from a chair. It probably had got stuck in there due to the whirlwind the princess had somehow summoned.

"Clearly the girl has access to immense primal power," started the mage.

"Yeah, and with no idea how to control it," sounded the gruff voice of the witcher.

"I'm gonna stay. Guide her," stated the mage, causing the witcher to sigh.

"You're a good man, Mousesack," said the witcher, turning to leave once again.

"You should stay too," called the old man.

But Geralt refused. "This has been enough partying for me," he said, showing one of his rare smiles. "I'm getting out of here. Alone."

Did he know? Hidden, I listened to their conversation.

"You're bound to this now, Geralt. Whether you like it or not."

"I'm not for changing. You know me better than that."

"Yes, I do, but you can't outrun destiny just because you're terrified of it. It's coming, Geralt. Not believing won't change that."

"Bullshit. This was just a girl using her magic to stop her mother from gutting her lover. Nothing more."

"So you say. But the bond that will come into being between you and this child... when it is born, will be extraordinary. If you dismiss it, leave without claiming this... child surprise, you will surely unleash true calamity upon us all."

"I'll take that chance. Mind yourself. True words are rare birds in courts like this. Watch for daggers in your back. Or, more likely, poison. Be careful, old friend."

And with that I heard heavy footsteps walking down the hallway.

I rushed out of the place I was hiding and ran behind the witcher. "Wait!" I called out, but he wouldn't listen. Turning around a corner I finally caught up with him.

"If you won't stay, I will," I started. "I may not appease destiny, but with your training I can at least protect them."

"Don't tell me you believe in that crap," Geralt sounded frustrated.

"I didn't. Until the day you saved me. I feel like we were destined to find each other, just like I feel I was destined to stay here now. Listen, I know you don't believe in destiny, hell, with our job, I know I shouldn't too, but I do. And I wouldn't leave you and my brother if I didn't think this is important. But it is," I ranted.

Geralt looked down at me, smiling. "I know. But you know that I can't stay."

"Yes. I know. Monsters, your responsibility... you can't just leave that behind, I understand," I mumbled.

He pulled me into a hug. "I'm proud of you, Nienna. You've come so far since we've met. I fully trust you to protect them. Take care of yourself, little one. Goodbye."

The hug ended abruptly and I couldn't stop the tears from springing into my eyes. I watched the Geralt leave until his blurry figure disappeared behind another corner.

I made my way back to the throne room, seeing the mage still standing outside.

"He really isn't coming back, is he?" he asked.

I shook my head, wiping away a few stray tears that managed to spill from my eyes. "No," I croaked out. "But I'll stay."

"You?" the old man said in disbelief.