The Widow and The Witcher (Complete)

Chapter 9 (Edited)

Chapter 9

Julia was sitting on her day bed enjoying the view while waiting for her last client. It had been a long day and she was ready to put her feet up. Outside the sun was just starting its descent, heading to begin what looked to be a beautiful sunset with light streaks already beginning to turn golden. The Garden was in bloom, Spring had been wonderful, the bare trees were getting there foliage back and the flowers were beginning to show their colour. The view she was admiring right now, however, was not of nature or was it? the fluid movements of father and daughter sparing with each other. Their bodies moving in succinct rhythm and movement as if it was a choreographed dance. It was a beautiful sight to behold.

The weeks following the great upheaval had been peaceful, Yennefer had left the day after stating she had business to attend to, and if Julia was correct nursing a bruised ego. Ciri had stayed not phased by the movements of her elders, as she was used to the turbulence that surrounded Geralt and Yennefer's relationship. That week Geralt had moved a cot into Cirri's room and began sleeping there. Even though the village and surrounding areas seemed safe he was not willing to risk her life.

This had been a blessing to Julia. It removed the temptation to keep asking Geralt to stay with her. Allowing some distance, some time to sort through her feelings without it being clouded with his presence. Now her days were full, she worked in her clinic till dusk, then after dinner spent time teaching Ciri and reading with Geralt. The Library had become a social place with Tobias and Renee joining them several nights a week. Julia loved seeing how much they doted on Ciri and she hoped that one day soon the unnamed God would bless them with a child of their own.

Renee walked up and placed a hand on Julia's shoulder, "Your last client has arrived" taking a breath she stood up. Her last client was a young child who had burned his hand in his mother's cook fire. For the last few months, she had been tending the scaring tissue with salves and healing balms. Today would be their last apt. Seeing the young boy of 5 she smiled, he was a beautiful child with hair rich red and white skin with thousands of freckles. Kneeling down in front of the child Julia greeted him, "Hi Tommy and how are you today?"

"Good" Tommy gave her a shy smile. The little boy was standing with his good hand behind his back he looked at his mother and asked, "can I give it to her now?" smiling his mother nodded. Pulling his hand around from his back the little boy held out to Julia a small bracelet made of polished shells. "This is for you Mistress Julia" taking the precious gift Julia pulled it over her hand onto her wrist, smiling she stood and took his good hand and lead him to the examination table.

Lifting the little boy up on the table she said, "shall we have a look at how your special hand is mending?" Tommy held out his hand to Julia to inspect. The tissue was healing well but the scaring would always be there as a reminder of his accident. Thankfully, no infections had set in and he had not lost any of his fingers. "Now Tommy can you squeeze my fingers?" Tommy looked with concentration at his hand and slowly wrapped his fingers around Julia's. "That's good Tommy" giving the boy a huge smile. Looking him in the eye she spoke with a quiet conspiratorial tone, "have you been doing the exercises I gave you?" smiling eyes echoed her own and he nodded his head. "Ok then I think Mrs. Renee might have a special treat for you from Miss Nessie." Turning she saw Renee walking up with one of Nessie specialties a big chocolate chip cookie.

Leaving Renee to entertain the little boy Julia took the young mother aside. The young woman reached into her basket and pulled a letter out "The Alderman gave me this to give to you. A man arrived in town three days ago looking for The Witcher. No one admitted that there was one here, but he seemed confident that he would find him. Said a trader was drinking in a local pub sprouting about how he sold a Witcher to a lady in Wolnosci. Eventually, he left this with the Alderman and said he would be staying at the local pub. He is going to stay until he gets word back."