Work Text:
JOD: DAY 8
SUM: Witcher after S1: Warlord Geralt. Vesemir goes after the smell that brings his son sorrow.
“This is your last chance.” | Drowning | Chair | Prisoner Trade |
Day 8
Vesemir had grown tired off his sons mopping. Sure he had a lot on his plate after rescuing his child surprise, killing the king of Kadwain, becoming warlord of the North. He thought the sorrow smell would go away after he reconciled with the Witch. The smell seemed to be abated more after she arrives.
Following his son he found his seclusion spot of solace. There was an article of clothing that has a scent to it. His son would calm for a while but return with a heavier mood. The smell he recognized from years past clinging to his son. Then with Ciri’s recent interest in music, his son smell soured more and more. Yennefer suggestion they need a bard.
That’s when it clicked for him. The bard. The one that Geralt would complain about year after year. The smell clinging to his armor and items. Hating for never showing his pups more care with their emotions he knew this sadness was also part of his doing. So he goes on the hunt.
Nilfguaard has been trying to make way into the wolf-lands. Their allies informing them of such. Then he heard of Sandpiper being caught. There was a trade negotiation going on for him. So Vesemir went with Geralt’s right hand, Eskel to negotiate. Also while he is there he can ask about the white wolf’s bard.
~
So Vesemir sits beside Eskel as their king allies wait for the Nilfguaard representative negotiate a trade. A prisoner trade. They want Ciri since she is a prisoner of the white wolf. That was shot down quickly. So the arguments commenced. Wind blew through the hall and Vesemir got his first sniff of the bloody hat they said belonged to the sandpiper. Dara the elf representative recognized the hat and blood. Everyone wanted to see the sandpiper to confirm that they indeed had the true freedom fighter of the elves. They kept refusing and voiced the final straw in the Witcher’s patience.
“This is your last chance,” to negotiate. “Is he really worth it?” Their king Allie looks to them for confirmation. Eskel stands. His nose snorting in a smell.
“This is your last chance,” Eskel voices steady. “Show is that you have what you say you have now.” the negotiator gulps realizing he lost the upper hand and could also be his last thing he does in this life. There is an exchange with the negotiator and his guard.
“BRING HIM, NOW!” The man’s shadow leaves the room. The room becomes tense. There is a commotion outside the room. People begin to holler and shout. Everyone goes on guard. The negotiator tenses as the sounds get closer.
The door is slammed open by the king’s guards. The shouting is the people who lines the halls voicing curses at the Nilfguaardians. There between two soldiers is a man is scraps of clothes, dripping wet, and not helping at all in the progress to the grand hall. Once they bring the man to the center of the room they drop him on the ground in front of the negotiator.
“There proof,” the man sneers to the royalty. Dara makes to vault the table to get to the man. Stops when the guards bring their weapons to bare on the man.
Vesemir watches as Eskel takes a deep breath and growls at the situation in from of them. Vesemir follows suite and smells the fading scent that once permeated Geralt’s clothes when he came home from the path. The same under scent as on the hidden article that Geralt sough comfort in. Seeing now that Eskel and him are on the same mission to help Geralt' out of his deep broad. Eskel looks to Vesemir. There are on the same page now. Eskel tapes the bracelet that Yennefer gave both of them for incase of emergency. He growls as he taps the gem.
A portal opens behind the negotiator. They startle at it then gasp as Yennefer comes through with Geralt. The king gets up and bows to the warlord. The negotiator squeaks as Geralt. blows through him to cut down the guards on the sandpiper. Everyone stills.
“How dare you?” The Nilf Negotiator voices. Some more of his ensemble step forward. Yennefer makes quick magic to blow them back.
The room stills as Geralt keens as he collapses to lift the wounded sandpiper in his arms. The man wheezes at the movement.
“Yennefer!” Geralt calls which breaks the stillness. Vesemir, Eskel, & Dara join Yennefer to stand around Geralt and the Sandpiper. “Jaskier,” he voices gently. The man gurgles in his arms. “Yennefer.” The witch is on her knees beside Geralt in less than a intake of breath. “Jaskier,” Geralt. calls to the sandpiper.
“Geralt.?” Eskel asks. Geralt looks up with tears streaming down his face. Vesemir growls at these Nilfs for hurting his pup.
“Kill them.” Geralt voices.
“White Wolf,” is shouted by the witchers who came on the negotiation of the sandpiper. Chaos ensued. None of the Nilfguaard party live another breath.
“Let’s get Jaskier home.”
END DAY 8