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They’re discussing strategy, what they still need to make and who will be positioned where when the attack on the keep begins. Lambert and Letho volunteer for the hunting party to head into the woods and Geralt is glad to have them at his back. He doesn’t miss the way a few sets of eyes cut over to Eskel, who remains silent through most of the planning, only speaking up to note what he’ll need to make the witcher's traps. No one makes any mention of Eskel being the only one who hasn’t clarified where he will be during the battle.
It’s not until they’re wrapping up, getting ready to head off and begin making repairs and supplies, that anyone brings it up.
Yennefer stops Geralt with a gentle hand on his arm as he moves to stand and Eskel pauses in his own rising as well. “Eskel, I think you should go with the hunting party into the woods. Your signs could prove quite useful there.”
Eskel pushes to his full height as she speaks, meets Geralt’s gaze for a fraction of a moment, and then utters a firm, “No.”
The dark-haired Witcher strides toward the main door without waiting for Yennefer to argue.
“Geralt. Eskel should be out doing what he does best: fighting , with you at his side.”
“He’ll stay in the inner courtyard, Yen. We don’t have time to argue about this.”
Geralt leaves the same way his brother did and Yennefer blows out a sigh.
# # #
“Do you think she’s right?” Eskel rumbles as he steps up beside Geralt on the walls. Everything is ready, now they just have to wait for the Hunt to arrive.
“She might be… usually is.”
“You still want me in the inner courtyard?” he questions, and there’s no judgment or malice or even irritation in his tone; because Eskel knows Geralt better than he knows himself, has always been able to read him like a book.
“Yes.”
Because you’re the only one I trust to stand between her and what’s coming. Because I trust you to keep her safe, even when I don’t trust myself. Because you’ll save her, even if it costs us both our lives. Because she’s mine, but I’m yours and I know what that means. I know you won’t fail.
Geralt doesn’t say any of it. But Eskel still reads it in the molten shifting of his eyes, the set of his shoulders and the turn of his lips.
“See you on the other side then, Wolf.”
“Eskel.” The dark haired Witcher pauses half turned towards Geralt for but a moment before he steps in close to press their foreheads together.
He bumps Geralt’s nose with his own as he pulls away and says again, “See you, Wolf.”
Geralt watches his broad shoulders disappear through the gate to the inner courtyard as it closes behind him.