Chapter Text
Geralt collapses into the booth as Jaskier slides in across from him. Both men were covered in grit and grime, but Geralt was richer for it and Jaskier had the makings of a new song on the way. The town they were in was as poor as any other, but the people seemed even less friendly than most places. Throughout the pub there was a soft murmur as the barmaid brought the men some drinks.
The murmur stops as the door opens to reveal a woman with a cloak covering her face and body. The people in the pub look at the new occupant, but return to their own business. Geralt notices the cloaked woman let out a breath as if she was worried about something.
Surveying the room, the woman’s gaze lands on Geralt’s table and he almost groans. Jaskier looks up in confusion only to follow Geralt’s gaze as the woman reaches their table. Nobody says anything as the woman shifts on her feet and begins to fiddle with her hands, refusing to lift her head. With her face shrouded, Geralt was unable to get a good glance at her face.
“What?” Geralt finally huffs out.
Swallowing, the woman answers, “You are Geralt of Rivia correct?”
He grunts as way of an answer, only slightly surprised she referred to him by his name instead of 'witcher'. The woman continues, “You take requests don’t you? From people who need help.”
The woman was speaking in a hushed voice, the hood shifting left and right, telling Geralt she was nervous.
“He most certainly is and most certainly does, fair maiden. He is a friend to humanity and is always willing to help a woman in distress” Jaskier announces. “Come, sit and tell us what monster needs to be slain.”
Geralt glares and grunts but doesn’t say anything as the woman sits beside Jaskier. Still fiddling with her fingers, and picking at her nails, the woman starts to speak.
“I need to go deep into the forest at the edge of town. However, during the last two return trips I’ve been… attacked. I was wondering if maybe, if you’re able to, that, if possible, you could accompany me tomorrow at dawn.” The woman looks up for the first time since entering the pub and Geralt gets his first glance at the woman’s face.
Pretty enough, eyes that shined but held deep sorrow. A bit on the plump side, but what Geralt notices the most was the reddened skin on the edge of her hair line, like her hair had been pulled on. There was also a cut along the side of her left cheek, almost healed but still visible.
“It’s very urgent I go,” the woman continues.
“Why?” Geralt asks blankly.
The woman fidgets in her spot. “There is an herb I need to get to finish a potion.”
Geralt squints and glares at the woman. He could tell she was lying. The question was, why was she lying.
“No.” Geralt answers.
“Please it is important. I can’t pay much but I do have coin and my services will be available to you for as long as I live, should I be able to help in any way.”
Jaskier raises an eyebrow and grins at Geralt but the witcher rolls his eyes. “I don’t take sex as a payment option.”
He had expected the woman to blush at his refusal, what he didn’t expect was to see her blanche.
“I… I’m a potion maker. I make medicines and such. I know witchers use special potions that heighten their unique abilities and I know how to make those.” Swallowing and looking anywhere but at Geralt she says, “That is what I meant. I’d make whatever potions you’d need, whenever you need.”
The table is silent. Jaskier observes both the woman and Geralt. Geralt was staying quiet, not expecting to be wrong. The woman finally sighs and moves to leave.
“I am sorry for disturbing you Geralt of Rivia. Thank you for your time and good luck in future hunts. Please have this in exchange for taking your time.” Setting a small vial down on the table, she turns and makes her way towards the door.
Geralt picks up the vial and uncorks it. Sniffing he mutters, “A blizzard potion?” He studies the vial in his hand closely, when a voice shouts across the pub.
“I thought I told you to stay out unless you learned to play nice, witch!” It was the pub owner.
The woman who had sought out Geralt froze and turned but kept her hood up, refusing to let her face be seen. “I’m… I’m not a witch,” she said softly.
The owner made towards her, grabbing hold of her arm and tugging her around like a ragdoll. “I know what you are. You’re trouble.” He shouts as he throws her through the door. “Learn your place and then you can come back.”
The pub laughs as the owner dusts off his hands. Cheering erupts through the pub and Geralt has suddenly loses his appetite. The two men stay silent as they listen to the men gossip.
“Do you think she’s really a witch?”
“If she weren’t so good with them potions, the mayor would kick her out, with how she refused his son and all.”
“I heard she slapped the boy when he tried to grab her.”
“I heard the boy has been following her ever since.”
“Aye, I heard about that too. If she would stop being such a prude and spread her legs like the bitch she is, she wouldn’t be nearly as much trouble as she is now."
Laughing erupts again and Geralt has finally heard enough. Standing, he goes to the bar and signals the tender.
“Who was that woman who was just thrown out?”
The bartender laughs. “Who, Y/N?” Signaling to the men who were gossiping, he continues. “Eh, maybe we could get the witcher to take care of our witch problem, huh boys?” The men laugh. Turning back to Geralt, the man loses his mirth when he finds the glare Geralt is giving. “Her name is Y/N. Bit of a loner that one, lives in the cottage between the town and forest. She’s a prude and a bitch so don’t go wasting your time. Plenty of women around her who would be happy to serve even the witcher.”
Grunting, Geralt lays a coin down and leaves, Jaskier close behind.
“So” Jaskier draws out. Geralt ignores him. “Are we going to see the mystery woman now?”
“‘We aren’t going anywhere. I’m going to find Y/N and pay for the potion she left.”
Jaskier follows with a smile and mutters, “Never said anything about Y/N.” Geralt stops and turns to glare at the smiling bard but continues out the door.
The town they were in was small, having only a pub, inn, and assorted homes throughout it. While leaving the pub, the two passed by the inn in order to go to the edge of town. As they did, they were able to see the horse stable that was attached to the inn. As Geralt was the last person who had stopped, Roach was nearest to the front.
Taking a glance without thinking, Geralt stops when he sees the same cloaked woman standing in front of Roach. Making no move to neither hide nor confront, he watches the woman interact with his usually moody horse. Jaskier decides to follow Geralt’s lead and make no move to stop her.
“What a pretty horse you are!” Y/N exclaims. “Hardly do we ever see such fine horses come through this shithole. Are they treating you well?” The woman looks behind the horse to see that there was indeed fresh hay and water available to the horse. “Oh good, I’m glad.” Leaning forward, she whispers, “These aren’t always the nicest people here. If I were you, I’d leave as soon as possible. You and your master.”
Roach whinnies and nods her head. Giggling Y/N pets her nose while leaning her forehead between the horse’s eyes. Roach huffs causing Y/N to laugh again, pulling back. The action causes her hood to fall back but Y/N pays no mind to it.
Geralt sees the woman fully for the first time and is taken aback. She has beautiful eyes like he thought, a smile full of joy, and hair that shines bright against the sun. Her cheeks are plump and flush with a healthy glow. Geralt notices too that she is much larger than most women he had seen in town, but is still short. Shorter than Jaskier at least. Glancing to the side, Geralt notices Jaskier gulp and takes his bottom lip in between his teeth. For some reason, Geralt wants to punch him at this moment more than he usually does.
“I hope you have safe journeys, pretty horse. I must go to get ready. Goodbye.” Smiling and giving the horse one last pet, Y/N steps back. Moving to grab her hood, she finally notices Geralt and Jaskier standing nearby. The bard looks enraptured while Geralt looks deep in thought.
Geralt sees the woman look back and forth between them and the horse, only to gasp. “I’m so sorry. Excuse me.”
“Stop,” Geralt commands. The woman halts mid step but doesn’t turn around. “If Roach trusts you then I’ll accept your request.”
Y/N turns around with a confused look on her face.
“Roach never lets me pet her,” the bard pouts quietly.
Y/N looks from Geralt to the horse she had just been speaking to and a look of understanding dawns on her. “You named your horse Roach?” she frowns.
Geralt can’t help but huff and shoot a small smile at Y/N. “Do you want my help or not?”
Suddenly a face-splitting smile spreads over Y/N’s face. Nodding frantically she accepts. “Yes! Oh of course. Thank you! Thank you so much.” Darting forward she clasps Geralt’s hand and shakes it. “Oh this helps so much, thank you!”
Geralt doesn’t move as he watches the sullen girl from earlier bubble into a happy sprite. Stepping back she smiles at both men.
“Fuck” Geralt says under his breath but Jaskier hears and tries to muffle a laugh.
“You both are welcome to stay at my cottage if you wish to save money on the inn. Plus, since we have to leave at dawn, it would be less hard on you when having to rise so early,” Y/N offers.
“Fine,” Geralt agrees and rolls his eyes at the happy smile Y/N gives him.
“Wonderful!” Turning, Y/N takes the lead that Roach was on and starts to walk off. “Come pretty horse, I have a lovely place for you. Much warmer than the stalls here.” Roach whinnies, nodding her head causing Y/N to laugh again.
Geralt watches, amazed at his stubborn mare. The woman they had met only moments before, was being followed by Roach as if she were a love sick puppy. “What the hell,” he mumbles, following the puppy.
Meanwhile Jaskier watches with an amused look and starts to believe he will have an even better tale at the end of this journey than the one they just finished.