I, Rafaela of Loc Munnine, Rafe to my friends , the Red Wolf, Healer of Witchers and men, am running from one man. I have spent the last 20 years out running him and my feelings for him. He was my best friend, my confidant, Sparring partner, and th...
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(Delilah) above
After Breakfast we saddle Damon and Delilah, not wasting anymore time. Memories start to replay in my mind from eighteen years ago. I was badly hurt, I'd been attacked by a striga. It was a full moon and I was traveling through Caingorn, one of the towns on the borders of Redania. I remember , hearing a twig snap and then being tackled from my saddle. My mount at the time Aziel , Screamed in fear , rearing at the creature . Hitting it in the back. The Striga screamed n anger. She swiped at me with more vigor, catching me in my side. I pulled my dagger from my thigh and thrust it up , right into the strigas chest. With one last scream the striga fell dead. I remember pushing it off me , but not how I mounted Aziel. I told him to take me to Kaer Seren. The closest Witcher school. I remember going in and out of consciousness. But eventually I woke long enough to see us come into the courtyard of Kaer Seren. I fell from Aziel's back moaning in agony. I remember hearing the sound of wings flapping down towards me. I see a dark figure standing over me with eyes the color of ocean blue . They glow white, and I remember nothing after that.
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I shake off the memories when Jaskier asks " You've been silent for a good while now anything you want to talk about?" I shake my head No and spur Damon into a trot. " come on, not much further." When I see the keep come into view. We arrive to see few horses stabled and I quickly dismount, removing my saddle and saddle blanket. I watch as Jaskier dismounts and removes Delilah's tack as well. I smirk at him as he nearly falls over from the weight. " Jase?" Huffing and puffing "yeah?" I laugh a little bit. " here give it to me." I take it from him and place it on a nearby gate. "Anything I should know?" I shrug " not really. But when we get inside stay behind me and let me do all the talking." I move up the stairs towards the big wooden door. I place my hand on the handle and take a deep breath. I open it slowly and move inside . We walk down a long hallway , hearing laughter coming from the gathering hall. When I come to the doorway I look around the corner to see seven men eating and laughing. I look back over my shoulder at Jaskier.
" Stay here. "
" Uh why?" He asks
" Because , this group is the fiercest of all Witchers." I whisper back. He gulps in fear. I pull my hood up and move inside. Noticing when one of them sees me step into the light. He draws his sword as he stands.
" Coen? What's wrong with you?" Asks another. I see James smirk as his eyes land on me. I roll my eyes from beneath my hood. He would play it this way. Not telling the others that I was coming. Coen steps forward .
" who are you?" He asks I smirk placing my hand on my sword. The others look at me, a few recognize me and turn back to their meal. Coen the idiot, runs towards me. I sigh ,drawing my sword to block him. We fight for a few minutes until I disarm him. He's on the ground with my sword against his throat. " that's enough Rafe." Says James . I sheath my sword , and reach a hand down to Coen. He takes it and grasps my forearm in a warriors handshake. A sign of respect. " Good to see you all. " I pull my hood back and a round of laughter goes up. " We'll look who decided to come for a visit!" Says Galdir I laugh as I'm surrounded by the others. Pulled into hugs from each one. I turn to James smirk at him. " from the smirk I saw earlier, I take it you got Vesemir's message" he chuckles and pulls me into a hug. " He explained everything. Come , dinner is served." I smile then freeze " Crap." Totally forgot about Jaskier. " I picked up a companion along the way. He's been .......helpful" I tell James. He crosses his arms and raises an eyebrow. " You know the rules. " I sigh "yeah I know but please make an exception this once. He's my friend. " he runs a hand down his face in exasperation. " He's a bard..." I say in a sing song voice. Knowing there's a few musicians amongst them.
" that's low Rafe." He grumbles at me. I chuckle and yell over my shoulder. " Jaskier! It's safe to come out!!!!!" He steps out from behind the piller and gulps.
" Come on Jase. They won't hurt you." He moves towards me . " So your the Bard?" Asks James. " Yes I'm Jaskier the Bard." He slaps a hand to Jaskier's shoulder. " then any friend to Rafe is a friend to us. Come you must be hungry."
He pulls us towards the table. I pull away , watching as my second family welcomes Jaskier. I smile and then look up towards the rafters. I see blue eyes glowing in the darkness. I cross my arms and stare at him. We don't break eye contact until I'm called by James . I whisper to him " you and I have unfinished business." Knowing he heard me I move to the table filled with food , enjoying the company of friends I hadn't seen in so long. I feel his eyes on me throughout the evening. But I'm not worried. He's a friend and the one who saved my life.
