Reincarnation ➵ The Witcher

xlvii.

THE Queen of Cintra let out a loud laugh, "Perhaps our esteemed guest would like to entertain us with how he slayed the elves at the edge of the world?" The crowd fell into cheer and laughter at her words, and Geralt let out a false smile at the actions of the crowd.

"There was no slaying." He admitted, "I had my arse kicked by a ragged band of elves. I was about to have my throat cut when Filavandrel let me go."

The crowd errupted into jeers, and Edith shook her head at Geralt's truthful words, knowing they would cause more harm then good. She looked towards Jaskier, seeing a frown covered across his face but the groans of the crowd failed to silence.

"But the song!" A voice exclaimed from the crowd, before Jaskier's voice was heard throughout the loud volume of voices.

"Yeah, the song." A false smile stayed painted across the bard's face, but Geralt continued after a glance at Edith's awkward face.

"Atleast when Filavandrel's blade kissed my throat, I didn't shit myself." Silence echoed at his words, truth ringing out in the open for everyone's knowledge, "Which is all I can hope for you, good lords. At your final breath, a shitless death." He raised his cup of ale with his words, and Edith shrunk at the many eyes pointed at the pair.

He turned back forwards, preparing to take a sip of his drink, "But I doubt it." He took a large gulp, before offering the cup to Edith. She thanked him with a short nod, taking a larger gulp of the acid like substance to help herself get through the rest of the event. Laughter broke through the crowd, and the attention of the lords diverted to a man sat at one of the chairs. His brown hair glimered under the candle light, but slight lines of age decorated his face like a canvas.

He spoke towards the still standing Queen, "It would have been your blade at Filavandrel's throat if you had been there, Your Majesty." A boyish grin painted his face, and the whole crowd raised their cups in agreement.

Edith rolled her eyes, nudging Gerslt lightly in the side, "Why did you agree to this?" He stayed silent, watching the events unfold with a bored expression.

The seated man continued his praise, "Not that any elven bastard would crawl from their lair to meet you on the field."

The Queen stayed silent, blood still splattered across her face as she thought about his words. She stayed stood, until she gained her words once again, "Any man willing to paint himself in the shadow of his failures will make for far more interesting conversation this night." Surprise struck Edith at her words, but the crowd remained silent.

"Come, Witcher." The Queen demanded, "Take a seat by my side while I change."

"Hm."

Edith sighed, once again being left alone to the company of her loneself. Geralt had left at the Queen's request, and Edith looked around desperately to find something to do with herself.
Geralt was seated to the Queen's right, and she knew not the topic of conversation.

She knew she could join the other lords enjoying the large amounts of alcohol and food, but from the rowdiness and the large volume of shouting and screaming, she knew she would much rather enjoy her own lonesome company. Jaskier was busy with his music, so that was out of the question entirely.

She would catch people glancing at her curiously, but no one had yet approached her. She also watched Geralt's gaze switch onto her from time to time, and that was the only comfort she gained at the horrid event.