Initially Iespeth thought they had been in the forest for so long that all the trees began to look the same. She first suspected they were at least not taking a direct path considering when, looking at the sun, she confirmed that each day they took a different direction. But this time she was certain they were making circles -albeit, vast ones- when they passed for the third time a particularly memorable tree with a hollow that looked rather phallic.
Iespeth snickered at the sight and wished Ciri were near her so she could point it out. The elves kept the two apart during the day when they were on the move; Ciri at the front of the train with Isengrim and Iespeth at the back near Yaevinn. During the nights they were kept in the center of camp and always made aware that watchmen were hidden and well placed in the trees surrounding the perimeter.
"And what is it that you find so amusing?" Yaevinn asked Iespeth, drawn by her soft giggle.
Iespeth collected herself and pretended not to hear him. He pulled some plump, ripe berries off a passing bush and offered them to her. She gave him a half-smile and politely declined them with a tenuous shake of her head. Yaevinn looked at her queerly and began taking the raspberries from his fingers one by one with his narrow lips enjoying the tart treats of the forest.
In almost perfect unison the entire commando halted and, as usual, a few elves left the group and made their way silently into the thick undergrowth of the woods.
He bent forward as if to try to get her attention. Iespeth pursed her lips and said nothing, willing herself not to look at the winsome man.
"You wish to ignore me now?"
"I have other things on my mind," she resigned to say.
"Such as?" He once again leaned towards her with consequence. She looked up into his sweet face noticing his lips had been stained red from the berries. She tried to hold back a grin.
"You've berry juice on your mouth," she informed him.
He broke out into a smile and licked the juice off lips. Iespeth suspected he had done it on purpose to get her attention.
"Forgive me. I know this isn't the ideal situation to become familiar with each other. I unfortunately have a duty to my brethren which is why you must stay with us for the time being. It is as a double edged sword in truth. I wish you to go free, for that is what you desire. Yet antithetically I also wish for you to stay, because, and I can offer no explanation, I feel drawn to you."
Iespeth blushed. She had learned to control her breathing to an extent, control her nervous ticks -such was mandatory for a witcher- yet the red color enveloping her face was something she could not hinder. She turned away, pretending to rub her eye with her upper arm. The logical part of her mind knew that Yaevinn -most likely under instruction from Isengrim- was trying to extract information. For what purpose she was unsure. But some other part of her -perhaps a combination of hormones and emotions- welcomed this attention from a man who she desired to touch her, smell her, perhaps even kiss her. She reminded herself what her task was.
"Drawn or not, a conversation cannot take place under equal footing since I am still a captive and you are still a captor. "
Yaevinn smiled puckishly. "Perhaps if you were to come to know more about myself, you mightn't be so inclined to distrust."
She blinked at him, wondering if this would be her chance to find out what they were looking for. It must have been something of great value considering the fervor with which they searched.
"Alright then. Tell me about yourself."
"Well, I suppose I shall start at the beginning. I was born two hundred and sixty three years ago."
YOU ARE READING
The Traveler: Part 1
FanfictionIt's been 3 years since the Wild Hunt was defeated. Ciri has been on the path ever since, when one day she comes upon a mysterious elf who can't speak and seems to have no knowledge of who she herself is. Who is she, why is she here and most importa...
