The Widow and The Witcher (Complete)

Chapter 20 (Edited)

Chapter 20

Cautiously Julia walked to Vesemir. Knowing how Geralt had reacted when he had seen the book, she waited to hear what he had to say. Vesemir looked back to the book reaching out he caressed the page it was open to, as he continued to gaze at its pages he asked with a soft painfilled voice "Where did you get this? How did this book come to be in your possession?" expecting an irate Vesemir it took Julia by surprise to hear the softness and pain in the old man's voice. She reached out a hand touching his arm, he turned to face her his old tired eyes seeking answers. "Vesemir, I am happy to answer your questions but right now I need to finish looking after Eskel. Why don't you go sit by the window and I will be with you soon?" His shoulders stiffened as he gave her a subtle nod.

Julia quickly moved to get a sleeping elixir and pain reliever to help aid Eskel and moved back to the brothers. Geralt seemed barely holding on to his frustration and anger as she approached Eskel. The poison seemed to have been neutralised, but his body needed time to heal. "Geralt can you hold up his head please" Following her request Geralt gently placed his hand under Eskel's head who groaned at the contact. If this had been any other person Julia knew this would have been a vastly different situation. She brushed some of his rich brown hair from his forehead and then lifted the mixture to his lips, Eskel turned his head away from her towards Geralt. Julia chuckled silently at the childlike refusel but said in a calm authoritative voice "Eskel, you need to take this it will help you sleep and give you some pain relief as you heal." Geralt eyed his brother with a nod confirming what she said "Trust me Eskel it will make it a lot better. She knows what she is doing. But before she does who did this to you? Do you know who poisoned you?"

Eskel nodded his head slowly and responded in a quiet husky voice "My fault, picked the wrong berries" groaning Geralt shook his head but Julia noticed the tension leave his shoulders. She took Eskel's chin in her hand and guided it back to her face speaking with kindness she said" Eskel were they blue in colour with a soft green tinge?" he nodded at the description "You are lucky Geralt got you here in time, they are quick acting and we have tried for years to eradicate them from this area. Now please take this so you can sleep" Eskel nodded opening his lips allowing her to administer the liquid. Geralt laid Eskel's head back to the pillow and then pulled a blanket over his body as sleep overtook him.

Julia enjoyed seeing how much love Geralt had for his brothers particularly Eskel. They had gone through so much together. Moving to Geralt's side Julia put her arms around him and whispered, "He will be ok Geralt, you got him here in time." He wrapped his arm around Julia in response and pulled her tight into his side. Looking over to Vesemir Julia wondered how she was going to tell her now father in law about the book and its previous owner. Wanting Geralt's support she rested her head on his side "Geralt, Vesemir saw the book. I must go talk to him about it. Eskel will sleep for a few hours can you come with me? I am concerned that there is more to that book for Vesemir than it just being a Witcher's book." Geralt looked over to his mentor and noticing the slump of his shoulders as he looked out over the gardens he nodded his agreement.

Geralt rarely saw Vesemir look his true age, but right now his old mentor was not looking great. Julia was seated across from Vesemir but Geralt had decided to sit next to him giving him support if he needed it. He watched Julia as she seemed to shift in her seat. It was not a nervous shifting rather,  that she was trying to work out how to tell the story. Clearing her throat, she spoke "Vesemir you asked me how the book came into my possession. It's a short story but it might not be so easy for you to hear. My mother was a young healer when she was asked to tend to an old man, he had been found on the road by a local villager. He looked like he had been in a fight and had many wounds too many to save him. Before he died, he talked to my mother, his name was Barmin he said he was a Witcher and that he had a book in his satchel that he wanted her to have. He insisted that she keep it hidden and not let anyone else see it. My mother tending him dutifully until he died. she then took the book and hid it amongst her things. On her death bed, she told me the story, and the book was given to me to look after."