The Witcher and the Flame

Chapter 3 - Rainy Night

"Two rooms for the night please" Eskel told the barkeep with a nod.

"I'm sorry, but we only have one room available at the moment" the man told the drenched Eskel.

The witcher let out a sigh "that will have to do" handing the man some coin.

The older man showed you to your room, the wooden door creaking loudly as it swung open on its rusted hinges. The room only held the essentials such as a fireplace a pair of chairs and a bed that looked like it needed to be thrown out.

"Be out by midday or i'll have to charge you" the older man grovled as he decended back down the hall. Eskel stood to the side of the doorway letting you pass into the room, the rain could be heard banging on the lone window on the far wall, silence engulfing the two of you once more.

You hovered in front of the flames trying to get your shivering frame to an appropriate temperature but to no avail. The witcher looked down at you furrowing his brows as a small frown played at his lips.

"You know, you will warm up a lot faster if you take your clothes off" the witcher plainly stated. You turned to look at him wide-eyed and a light pink filling your cheeks.

"Listen, I just met you"

"Wha- No no that's not what I meant" the witcher facepalming "you will dry faster.. Your wet clothes are retaining the cold, if you changed into something dry than you would heat up a lot quicker.."

You slowly pieced together his explanation looking back at the fire, "the thing is, I wasn't able to bring anything let alone any clothing, leaving so quickly and all" you stated, Eskel frowning at this statement.

"Let me see if I have anything on me that's still dry" Eskel started rummaging through his bag eventually throwing you a long shirt. "That should do for tonight, right?" you nodded at him starting to peal off your outer layers.

You turned towards the witcher who also was taking off his wet garments, a slight blush dusting your cheeks as you saw his toned back littered with scars. You turned away quickly as he gave you a side glance, 'did he see me watching?!' you yelled at yourself mentally as you took off your last remaining garments and quickly slipped on the light shirt.

You mumbled a low sorry, just loud enough for the witcher to hear.

"For?"

"N-nothing"

Again you sat in front of the fire, enjoying its warmth, your skin absorbing as much heat as it could. You sighed closing your eyes, this had been one hell of a day.

"So tell me, Witcher. How does a man like you end up in a small-time village when other witchers are out there fighting greater evils?"

Eskel looked at you for a moment, observing your form "I like to enjoy the smaller things in life.. and keep my head" he chuckled.

"Well you're clearly failing at the second one, cutting off a lords hand.. what were you thinking" you asked, not really expecting an answer.

"I wasn't"

You sat there for a little while longer, drying out your hair. What were you thinking, running away from the only life you knew. Did you have a death wish being around a witcher, or where you just plain stupid.

"You should rest, you look like you need it" you hummed in response to the larger man, pushing yourself to your feet.

"And you, what will you do?" you questioned

"I'll be fine, I'm a witcher after all"

You sighed hopping into the rough bed, the blanket causing your legs to itch slightly. Laying your head back you closed your eyes trying to drift off.

~ Eskel POV ~

I watched as the young woman stood from the fire, her bare feet padding against the wooden flooring as she made her way to the bed falling atop of it. 'goodnight' he thought to himself as he leaned back in his chair watching the flames flicker.

Eskel looked towards your sleeping form thinking to himself, 'if I'm being honest with myself, shes pretty cute. Those (E/C) eyes are truly beautiful. I'm surprised shes never left her village, but then again I can't blame her. With a face like hers, she would become a victim for sure.. I need to protect her until I can find a safe place for her'. Eskel sighed once more looking towards the flames 'safe.. where is it even considered safe in this messed up world'.

'If that lord survives his injury, he will surely try to track us down. We need to move on, and quickly, but where' Eskel dragged his hand through his hair, pushing it back, a scowl apparent across his face. 'What the hell have you gotten yourself into'.