Ban Glean, 1240
"No one's allowed into the city after dark," the guardsman insisted, studying Geralt suspiciously. "Especially not folk like you."
Before Geralt could speak, Jaskier stepped in. "Surely some are given passage," he stated simply.
"Anyone with permission from the king or the mayor," the guard revealed. "Or nobility with a coat of arms."
Robin glanced at Jaskier, who pulled something out of his bag. "I am Julian Alfred Pankratz. This is my sister, Robin Euphemia Pankratz. Our companion is with us for protection. As you can see, he's quite burly and intimidating."
Geralt raised an eyebrow as he recited the names, but said nothing.
The guard squinted at the object Jaskier held in his hand. "From Kerack, I see. You're a long way from home," he observed.
"I am a traveling bard, sir. I have business everywhere. And my sister is my ward, so naturally I must keep an eye on her."
The guard snorted. "Not so sure you're doing a very good job, if you're letting him watch after her."
He nodded at Geralt, whose hair was covered by his cloak because of the heavy rain that was falling. "Who, my man Boor there?" Jaskier replied blithely. "He's a eunuch."
Robin raised her hand to her mouth to hide a snicker as Geralt huffed behind her.
"Whatever you say. The man possesses a tongue, I assume, and I can see his fingers, so I personally still wouldn't let him near my sister. But that's your business, I suppose." He nodded his head toward the gate. "Go on through."
They rode to the nearby inn. Geralt dismounted and pulled Robin down after him, then tied Roach securely. Jaskier fumbled with Cricket's reins and Geralt moved to help him.
Inside, they sat by the fire and ordered drinks and food. "A eunuch?" Geralt repeated witheringly, glaring at Jaskier.
Jaskier shrugged. "Just a bit of fun. What did you want me to say instead? That you robbed my sister of her virginity?"
Robin blushed and Jaskier raised an eyebrow as he smirked. "I knew I was right about that," he murmured triumphantly.
"It's not robbery if she gives it freely, Jaskier," Geralt growled.
"You almost said no," Robin remembered, looking slyly at her brother.
Surely he'd use these details for a song. He winked at her in thanks.
Geralt glanced at her and she shrugged. "You brought it up," she defended herself.
"What was the problem, Geralt? She not your usual type?" Jaskier wondered.
Geralt shook his head. "I thought she was a silly girl who wanted a fairy tale romance with a knight," he admitted. "Witchers aren't knights."
Jaskier laughed loudly. "You thought Robin was silly? Oh, that's lovely to hear. She's definitely not. I bet she gave you hell for that."
"She did," Geralt confirmed. "It was a poor assumption on my part." He glanced at her, knowing that she'd wanted to talk about this at some point. "I just assumed that, because her life has been difficult, she was looking for a happy ending."
"Well, everyone wants one of those," Jaskier confirmed. "But I think you'll find that Robin's idea of a happy ending is quite different from everyone else's."
"So I've already noticed," Geralt agreed.
Robin smiled to herself and took a sip of her hot cider.
After a moment of silence, Geralt spoke again. "Robin Euphemia and Julian Alfred?" he teased, looking pointedly at them both.
"Family names," Robin explained shortly. "I hate both of mine," she admitted, taking another drink.
Jaskier shrugged. "Why do you think I go by Jaskier?"
Geralt eyed Robin seriously. "It's a name that suits you, little mage," he told her. "Grand and unique."
She blushed again. "Thank you, Geralt."
Jaskier rolled his eyes affectionately. "Thank goodness I asked for two separate rooms."
Geralt laughed deeply. "You did that because you're planning to find a temporary companion for yourself."
"That I am." Jaskier stood. "I'll see you in the morning."
Geralt and Robin nodded and he slid over to sit next to her. "Shall we finish our meal in our room?" he suggested.
"Please," she breathed.
He put his arm around her and led her upstairs, content to let his guard down for the night.