Embers

Panic

Chapter 32

Jaskier's POV

Tracking wasn't one of his skills. Lacking the ability to be able to find out where Eira and Geralt went, proved difficult for the bard. Much to his frustration. Jaskier thought to start with hearing out local people in the small villages he crossed. Wherever was a tale about a monster, there was a chance there was a witcher if there was coin involved. Where Geralt was, Eira should be.

He had been travelling for some time, from village to village, before Jaskier had his first luck. One evening, the bard went into a local tavern in the hopes to find some warm food and a bed. Which, he found much to his delight. He kept silent in one of the corners of the Inn, eating his bread with dry meat and drunk the red wine.

Jaskier was lost in thought, his fingers played with the bread while he thought what exactly he was going to do when he saw Eira. Until, the conversation that went on next to him, caught his attention.

"A Witcher, I tell ya," the patron of the Inn said to one of the women who sat at the bar. "The White wolf, they call 'im. With a woman, fair haired and beautiful."

Jaskier didn't hesitate when he dropped his food and walked towards them.

"How long ago was this?" He asked, not bothering to excuse himself to disturb the conversation.

The patron frowned and looked at the bard up and down. Jaskier sighed and put his hands on his waist.

"I'm looking for the witcher and the girl. I'm a friend," he said and hoped the man would finally tell him when they passed here.

"A fortnight ago," came the reply. "They kept to themselves. The gal was a bit drunk, aye. Sung songs the whole time. She can't carry a tune at all. White Wolf payed a room for her. They left early morning."

Jaskier nodded vaguely.

"Do you know which direction?"

The man shrugged and went on with his business. Jaskier turned on his heels, feeling a spark of hope since he left Oxenfurt and nearly bumped against someone.

"Sorry," he murmured, didn't even look up because he was so lost in thought.

"Julian Alfred Pankratz?"

Jaskier stopped in his tracks and glanced towards the cloaked person who just said his full name. He frowned and turned to face whoever he was. No one ever called him by that name since...well, a long time.

"Maybe?" He said doubtfully.

The cloaked figure elegantly pulled the hood away from her head. Revealing playful curls and a freckled face.

"I'm Triss Merigold," she said. "Geralt send me to take you to Kaer Morhen."

Jaskier blinked a few times before fully realizing what the woman before him just said.

"Kaer Mohren? The Keep? Where the witchers were trained?"

Triss arched a brow and cocked her head to the right. She looked at him amused.

"Is there another Kaer Mohren, Julian?"

"Jaskier," he interrupted her with a hand gesture. "Why?"

"Why what?"

He tapped impatiently with his foot.

"Why is Geralt in Kaer Mohren? Is Eira with him?"

The woman's smile disappeared which sent a shiver of worry through his body. Jaskier took a step closer, his face serious and lips pressed together.