Embers

Renfri

The girl with the short, curly hair had a beautiful smile ; playful and like she hid something. Her movements graceful, the short swords she carried sharp and neat. Her laugh was contagious yet didn't sound sincere.

Eira had been following the girl named Renfri after Geralt followed a child to someone who would buy his Kikimora. The Elemental had seen the witcher and Renfri talk in the Inn. When Geralt had left, the smile on Renfri's face had faded and she had asked for one more beer.

The Elemental entered the pub quietly, her cloak hid her hair and she remained in the darker corners. She never wanted to draw attention to herself.

From a distance, Eira saw how Renfri talked to well-armoured men. It seemed like she gave orders because one by one they left. All with a determined grin on their face. When one of them glanced into her direction, Eira swiftly cast her eyes down and started to inspect the table.

Renfri left a bit later, after her pint was empty and Eira stood up from her seat to follow her. It was already getting dark outside when Eira followed the girl through the alleys of Blaviken. Turn right, then left and after two blocks right again.

She stayed a safe distance, soundless on her toes but it wasn't until the last time Renfri turned a sharp left again, Eira lost her out of her sight. She glanced in the dimmed street and pinched her eyes a bit together. The alley was long and Eira straightened her posture as soon as she heard the faint footsteps from behind her.

"Why are you following me," the voice came from behind Eira, calm and steady.

When the Elemental turned around to face Renfri, the girl was leaning against a wall with her shoulder. Apparently, she didn't feel threatened by Eira because she didn't have any of her weapons drawn and seemed to be inspecting her fingers from her left hand.

"Speak up. I have plans in the woods tonight," Renfri sighed.

"I saw you with the Witcher," Eira started. "Do you know where he is?"

"The White Hair?"

"Yes," Eira answered while Renfri took a few steps into Eira's direction.

"In the woods," she let out a short, loud laugh as if she was the only one who understood the joke.

Eira raised a brow and nodded.

"He won't kill Stregobor, Renfri," Eira said softly. "Neither will he kill you for Stregobor."

"You little eavesdropper," Renfri grinned, baring her white teeth. "How long have you been following me? And...," she pointed at Eira, her finger moving up and down. "Why are you hiding yourself underneath a cloak? An ugly one for that matter."

Eira's hand wiped away the cloak from her head and kept her gaze locked on Renfri.

"I'm not hiding. I've been following you since the Inn this afternoon. I heard you talk with your men. They're your men, right? Renfri? You're the leader."

"You're good at eavesdropping," Renfri admitted with one corner of her lips tilted up in a half-grin. "I'll give you that."

They were silent for some time and Renfri her gaze seemed to lose focus.

"As for the White Hair, I asked him to kill Stregobor," she admitted, arms crossed and leaning against the stonewall of the alley. It was getting too dark for Eira to fully see the girl. "He refused. As you said. It seems you know him well."