Kapitel 480: Daddy's Back!

Geralt takes a cautious step onto the rotten boards after tying his boat to the sturdiest thing he could find. The light he'd been following all this time seeming to be content to float above his shoulder. Shrugging a it's presence he moves onto the land, keeping his senses up as places like this are usually swarming with monsters... Though, for some reason he doesn't spot anything. Even his Medallion remains still for the first time since embarking on this journey.

He occasionally finds blood staining the floor but by it's scent, consistency and amount it's quite old and probably from a hunter dissembling his prey. He hears something rustle in the grass nearby and immediately draws his blade, though the only thing that he sees is a small black rabbit with red eyes...

Geralt sighs, "Wouldn't happen to see a white haired girl around here?" he mockingly asks the rabbit which quickly hops away. Shaking he head he mutters, "Didn't think so."

Following the path for a couple minutes he comes across some kind of structure? It looks as if someone had raised stone from the ground itself, it's square and has no windows, only a door which seems to be fit for a Dwarf... There's some sound of people coming from inside and he can see light emitting from the door, as well as smoke coming from what seems to be a hole in the roof.

Approaching it he clears his throat which has the occupants scrambling, one comes out in rags, a scarf made from what looks like human hair? Additionally he notes that the Dwarf doesn't have a beard.

Kaben "Oh gods! The demon's back for more! Gasperd wake up and hide everything shiny!" he shouts into the hovel.

Geralt "Demon? Whaddya mean?" he asks while crossing his arms, curious at this situation.

Kaben "Huh? Ah... You're not him! Sorry there, I'd mistaken ye for 'im. You look quite similar to be honest."

Geralt "Similar? And what's this demon you're talking about"

Kaben "The demon... He did this to us! Threw us out in the cold with nought but our beards to provide warmth... If I didn't know any better I'd say he's waiting for us to starve before eaten us!"

Geralt slowly nods, "And... What does this "Demon" looks like?" he asks, wondering if it's another Sylvan proclaiming itself "God".

Kaben "Ah, well... It looks like you, White 'air, cat-like eyes, scar on 'is face right ere" the Dwarf draws a line on his own face with his finger.

Geralt has a face flash in his mind but shakes it off, he hasn't been spotted in atleast ten years. Him turning up now wouldn't make sense... Or would it? If his suspicions are correct then he's atleast somewhat similar to Ciri.

Kaben continues, "He stole our gold and makes us sleep out here, not even providing us tools to build a boat to escape. Evil Incarnate he is!"

Geralt "Well. I'm a Witcher see." he points to the two swords on his back, "I'm looking for a White Haired girl, seen her?"

Kaben's eyes go wide, "I 'ave! The demon's keeping her corpse for some reason! Told us not to bother her body but after we asked too many questions he turned his ire towards us."

Geralt feels his heart begin to thump in his chest at hearing this, he has to manually slow it down otherwise the Adrenaline would have him sprinting at the "Demon" with sword drawn. "Where is this "Demon" and the girls body?" he asks while barely restraining a growl.

Kaben points up a hill where a dim light is being emitted, another Lantern Geralt muses. "Once you've slain the Demon you wouldn't mind retrieving our stolen coin would ya?" he asks.

Geralt shrugs and with a grunt starts walking, leaving the frantic Dwarf behind him. The light continues to float behind him as he sees a cabin in the distance. It seems to have been made by Skelligians who were here previous judging by the marking around the door. "Hey!? Anyone inside?!" he shouts after receiving no answer to his knock.

Gripping his Silver Sword he slowly pushes the door open, his medallion shivering as he steps inside... The room is lit by many candles and has luxurious furniture adorning the place, spotting movement on one side of the room he sees a.. Rabbit? No, the same black rabbit he'd seen earlier. It's laying atop some kind of black alligator skin pillow? Wait, is it breathing? The rabbit hits it's seat with it's paw and has a scaly black head with slitted Turquoise eyes looking at him.

Geralt "The hell? Who's crazy enough to keep a dragon in a wooden shack?" he mutters, however he quickly realises this place must belong to a powerful mage. Judging by the hovel made for the Dwarves they aren't afraid of revealing their magic either. Ignoring the strange sight of the rabbit and dragon he walks towards the end of a room where blankets are bundled over something, unconsciously his control over his cardiovascular system slips as his heart beats rapidly.

He shifts some fabric over an sees a white cat sitting on someones chest... Ciri's chest... His breath hitches in his throat as he feels bile rise up in his stomach. "Ciri?" he asks, almost pleading. Geralt drops his sword and cups her face, trying to find any signs of life, however she's cold and not even breathing.

Geralt "No..." he breathes out, cursing whoever's responsible. He lifts her body and hugs her to his chest, the cat hopping off and joining the rabbit and dragon.

However Geralt doesn't notice the sphere of light behind him entering Ciri's body, her limp arms start moving to reciprocate the tight hug she's currently in.

Geralt notices but doesn't say anything, neither do. They just remain in each others embrace as their emotions all come out in one, like a tsunami.

The Dragon and Rabbit watch with rapt attention, both glancing at each other with what could only be described as smirks.