Embers

Jaskier

Geralt kept quiet most of their journey together. He didn't like to talk and kept his replies short whenever Eira did ask something. She didn't mind the silent witcher's company. Eira herself had not much to talk about. It was as if Geralt accepted the fact he was stuck with her. At least, he didn't throw her against a wall anymore.

Or maybe it was because she defended him in Blaviken. Though, he had cursed and mumbled something about not needing her help. After the third day they travelled together in utter silence, Geralt had left her in the woods by their campfire without saying a word. Eira just stayed put with Roach, his horse, poking the fire and eventually falling asleep.

He had left his mare, so she had no doubt he'd come back eventually. Maybe he was hunting some monster or went to the nearby village to get food. She had no idea and hardly cared. The flames of the fire kept her warm, her cloak close against her and the presence of a calm horse made her fall asleep before the sun was fully gone behind the trees.

Eira woke up early in the morning, stretched her legs and got up. The chill of the early morning made her shiver a bit and when Eira turned around, she bumped against the Witcher.

"Sorry," she mumbled sleepily and looked up at his serious face.

She didn't expect a word out of him, yet when she turned around again, he cleared his throat. It got her attention and the Elemental glanced over her shoulder.

"You walk too slow," he stated and she arched her brow.

"Excuse me?"

"You walk too slow. It makes travelling ...too sluggish," he said again while looking away from her.

"Sluggish," she repeated and had no idea what he was getting too. "Do you want me to walk faster?"

He growled irritatedly and took a step back, revealing a black horse that stood next to Roach. Eira looked at the animal and felt the corners of her lips curl up in a smile.

"You got me a horse?"

Her bright gaze matched her wonder and Eira smiled brightly at him.

"Does this mean I'm allowed to travel with you?"

Geralt already turned around and started filling Roach' bags. He didn't say anything, merely nodded. When Eira reached out her hand to him, he glanced at it with a frown between his brows.

"What?"

"I want to say thank you," she said, her hand still lingering between them and the Witcher, his gaze flickered over face. "That's what humans do right? Give a hand and say thanks?"

He rolled his eyes and sighed before he turned to proceed with whatever it was Geralt was doing.

"Not really," he said. "Just a thank you is enough. You don't shake hands on it. That's for a promise or a deal."

She hesitantly pulled her hand away, ashamed that she understood a habit wrong. Apologised silently before Eira made her way to her horse.

"What's his name?"

"Hers."

She let her fingers comb the beautiful manes and inspected the saddle. She peeped from around the horse to the Witcher who was now watching her.

"Fine. What's her name, Geralt?"

There was a faint smile on his lips, but it disappeared as soon as Eira saw it. Might as well have been her imagination, she wasn't sure.