Of Blades & Buttercups

Chapter 5: Eyes

The three made it into the busy village, finding an inn with ease.  The sun began to set on the horizon, the night growing colder.

"You two go get a table and something to eat, I'll get us a room." The girls did as they were told, ordering everyone meat and bread along with an ale for Geralt. The Witcher paid for the room, being stopped on his way to the table by a small pudgy man, a short beard anointing his round face.
"Please sir. You are a Witcher, aiy?" Geralt grit his teeth.
"That I am." The tavern went silent.
"Sir, we have a bit of a problem. There is a beast ye see. Tis terrorizing me livestock."
"Tis probably a wolf or bear." Geralt took his seat beside Yennefer. Ciri looked on, intrigued as ever.
"No sir. We have seen him." A boy, around Ciri's age piped up. "Tis no animal. This thing is a monster. You kill monsters, don't you?"
"Him?" The round man started in again.
"The boy is right, we have seen him Witcher. At first glance he looks human but... he nearly murdered an elder, she was damn near strangled to death if I hadn't stabbed the beast. Ran off into the woods and ever since livestock has been murdered and half eaten and the children who see it have nightmares." Silence. "Another thing, Witcher." The man paused. "It's hard to explain but I can show ye?" Geralt took a long swig of ale.
"Hmm."
"Please sir."
"Alright." The Witcher got up.
"I wanna see!" Ciri pleaded.
"Ma'am it's quite a gruesome sight."
"She can take it. She's seen worse."

The three left the tavern, Yen following behind. The cool air slapped there faces as they made there way to the mans barn. The sun just barely peaked over the horizon but it was enough light that they didn't need a lantern. The man lead them around the back, a putrid odor violating everyone's senses. The horrifying sight came into view. In the middle of the field lay the carcass of a sheep, half eaten, surrounded by wool. Buttercups covering the body entirely.
"What the fuck?" Yen commented, astounded at the once living creature. "How are they growing naturally in this weather?"
"That's the thing, miss. They can't. They grow in late spring and early summer, warm temperatures. Jaskiers." Geralt whipped his head up from where he was examining the animal.
"What?"
"Uh, Jaskiers. Buttercups?"
"Oh." The Witcher sighed and continued searching the body.
"What is it, Geralt?" Ciri asked with a worrying tone. Before the Witcher could reply, Yennefer beat him to it.
"That was his name." She looked down at the teen. "Jaskier."
"Oh...kinda ironic then, huh?" She attempted to lighten the mood, being shut up when Geralt gave her a cold glare
"It was killed by wolves or coyotes. As for the flowers I have no clue."
"It was him. When he ran off, these flowers grew wherever he stepped. He may not have slain the animal but he feasted on it. Which means it's still around. And I don't want to see that thing snap and kill someone. I'll pay you." The Witcher's ears perked.
"I'll find your monster."
"And kill it?"
"I'm a Witcher aren't I?" Geralt gave a sarcastic smile.

The four made there way back to the tavern, the sun fully set leaving the sky a nice ombré of cyan and indigo. A few yards away from the entrance, a rustling could be heard. Ciri fell behind, curiosity getting the better of her. She heard it again. She looked around in the dark, being stopped when she caught sight of a pair of bright blue eyes, glowing through the trees a few feet away, stared right back at her. There eyes locked. Her breath caught.

"Ciri?" Yennefer called out. The princess looked at the mage.
"Coming!" She looked back to where the eyes were only to be met with darkness. She shrugged it off as her eyes playing tricks. But as she walked to the tavern she couldn't shake the feeling of being watched, of how hollow and emotionless those eyes were. Now a few feet away from the entrance, the four paused when they heard a nearby howl.
"Wolf." Geralt snickered and went inside towards the inviting warmth. Ciri couldn't help but think...

It wasn't a wolf...