ᴛʜᴇ ʜɪᴅᴅᴇɴ ᴍᴀɢᴇ 一 ɢᴇʀᴀʟᴛ ᴏꜰ ʀɪᴠɪᴀ

𝕍𝕀𝕀𝕀. 𝕒 𝕟𝕖𝕨 𝕛𝕠𝕓

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ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ᴇɪɢʜᴛ

ᴀ ɴᴇᴡ ᴊᴏʙ

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       Eleanora felt as though her journey with Geralt would consist of many adventures together and fighting various monsters of this land, with their nights spent gazing up towards the endless stars. However, much to the princess' disappointment, it was the complete opposite. Geralt and Eleanora wandered headlessly for about a week before finally arriving at some sort of civilization. They ended up in the small lovely town of Posada; everyone seemed relatively kind, as the strange pair only received a few confused stares, but no comments were made. Anywho, instead of looking for a place to rest, the Witcher craved some much needed ale. So, here they were, sitting at the back of some old tavern, as Geralt quietly drank his cold beverage. Eleanora's beer remained untouched as she turned in her seat to listen to the very...eccentric bard sing his heart out from afar. Although his lyrics were a little confusing, the man's energy made the young woman smile, and she would admit, he played the lute beautifully.

       "You think you're safe, without a care. But here in Posada, you'd be wise to beware. The pike with the spike that lurks in your drawers, or the flying drake that will fill you with horror. Need old Nan the Hat to stir up a potion, so that your lady may get an abortion..."

       "Abort yourself!"

       "Oh, oi! Stop! Fuck off!" The bard scoffed in his defence.

       "Shut up!" Insults were thrown back and forth at the man as he protected his face from all the rubbish being thrown his way.

       "I'm so glad that I could bring you all together like this."

       "Sit down and shut up!"

       "Unbelievable" The bard retreats to a small corner of the tavern, gently placing his lute against the wall before picking up the bread the villagers threw at him. The little scene caused a hearty laugh to escape past Eleanora's lips, causing Geralt to slightly peek up from his drink to gaze at the woman, before quickly diverting his eyes back to the table. Eleanora turned back again, now facing her travelling companion.

       "Wasn't he great?" His lack of response did not confuse the princess, well not anymore that is. The past week has been filled with a ton of "hmm" and silence; luckily, Eleanora has caught small smirks and smiles whenever she'd continuously talk for hours on end. The bard noticed Geralt's emotionless face as the woman in front of him seemed to be talking, before walking up to the two. The white-haired was the only one who did not seem fazed by all the singing, yelling, and ruckus going on around him. He was barely giving the woman in front of him any sort of attention. Building him his confidence, the bard strolled over to them, leaning his body weight against a nearby pillar.

       "I love the way you just...sit in the corner and brood." The bard told the Witcher, not yet acknowledging Eleanora.

       "I'm here to drink alone." Geralt replied, monotone. The bard finally glanced at the woman, before immediately flashing her a charming smile.

      "Well, hello there."

       "Hello." Eleanora kindly said, politely smiling at the new presence.

       "You are quite the beauty, my dear. I mean you are most definitely the most beautiful woman here in this rusty-"

       "Leave her alone. We are here to drink alone." Geralt suddenly gritted out, sending daggers towards the bard. The subtle outburst resulted in a slightly awkward atmosphere.

       "You both are here to drink alone...together?" The bard confusingly asked, not getting the hint. Geralt licked his lips, having absouletly no energy to deal with the man's clueless state. Clearing her throat, Eleanora could only apologetically smile.

       "Oh! R-right. Good. Yeah, g-good." The bard stuttered out, suddenly getting the Witcher's message. "It's just that, No one else hesitated to comment on the quality of my performance, except... for you." The bard slowly stood behind the wooden bench Eleanora currently sat at. Geralt rolled his eyes in annoyance. "Come on. You don't want to keep a man with... bread in his pants waiting." He seated himself next to Eleanora, leaving no space between them. The woman didn't seem to notice, too preoccupied with this whole interaction, finding it hilarious. However, Geralt took a deep breath to calm his nerve, and his desire to punch the bard in the face. The Witcher did not appreciate the close contact between the man and the woman in front of him. Clenching his hands into tight fists, Geralt continued to listen to whatever nonsense the new face had to say. "You must have some review for me. Three words or less." Geralt stared blankly.

"They don't exist."

"What don't exist?"

"The creatures in your song."

       "And how would you know that?" came the bard's immediate response. Geralt didn't say anything, causing the other male to finally take in his appearance. "Oh, fun. White hair... big, old loner," Geralt slowly grabbed his belongings before standing up. "Two very...very scary-looking swords. I know who you are." The bard copied the tall man's actions, standing up abruptly.

       "Let's go." Geralt softly mumbled out, gently reaching out towards Eleanora's hand before dragging her up and out of her seat.

       "But my drink..." Leading the both of them out, Geralt barely rounded the corner before the lute-player followed after them swinging around a pillar.

       "You're the Witcher, Geralt of Rivia. Called it." Still pulling the princess along, Elenora pursed her lips at the white-haired man's behaviour.

       "Geralt."

       "A job I've got for ya. I beg you." A voice piped up from behind them. Geralt slowly turned around, tugging Eleanora behind him, his grip still remaining on her wrist. Peeking over his large shoulders, Eleanora saw a man walking towards them, a pleading look etched onto his face. "A devil - he's been stealing all our grain. In advance, I'll pay you. A hundred ducat."

       "A hundred?!" Eleanora excitedly exclaimed. Geralt thought for a moment before responding.

       "One fifty." The man, with no hesitation, reached into his pocket to pull out said amount of coins.

       "I've no doubt you'll come through. You take no prisoners, so I hear." Offering the small pouch full of coins towards him, Geralt can only give him a look before accepting the pay. Suddenly understanding Geralt's hidden hurt feelings, Eleanora placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

       "Let's leave, okay?"

       "Hmm." This time, the princess guided the two of them out the door, not before another voice yelled out for them.

"Wait for me!"

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