"I found tracks again, west of here." Vesemir said as he stood near the courtyard gate, one hand resting on the pommel of his sword.
Glancing between Geralt, Ciri, and Sebastian. "Not large enough to be a true threat… but not something to ignore either. Looks like a draconid. Another one."
Geralt frowned slightly, arms folding across his chest. "Too close to the keep, again. Just like the one Eskel and I dealt with not long ago." he muttered.
Vesemir nodded. "Aye. That's twice now in a short span. They're getting bold..."
There was a brief pause before Geralt's gaze shifted to Ciri, then to Sebastian. Something in his expression changed.
"I'll go deal with it," he said. "And I'll take them with me."
Ciri straightened immediately, her eyes lighting with excitement she tried, and failed to hide. "Really?"
Geralt gave her a smile. "Don't sound so surprised, you've been asking for this for some time."
Sebastian remained quieter.
Vesemir looked at Geralt for a moment, and at the excited little Cirilla, then gave a slow nod. "Fine. Better they see it now, while it's something manageable. Be careful this time."
Geralt grunted in acknowledgment. "I will."
Vesemir's gaze lingered on Ciri. "Ciri, you just need to watch and learn. Don't rush in. You're not ready for an actual monster."
Ciri nodded quickly. "I will."
"And you," Vesemir added, turning to Sebastian, "keep her in line if she forgets."
Sebastian gave a slight nod. "Alright."
Geralt exhaled quietly, already turning toward the gate. "We will leave now. Tracks won't stay fresh forever."
****
Geralt led the way through the forest west of Kaer Morhen Keep, his medallion resting still against his chest, though his eyes missed nothing. Behind him, Ciri followed him with confidence, her footing lighter now, more calm like a Witcher. She no longer stumbled over roots or snapped twigs without noticing. Sebastian walked beside her, calm as ever.
Sebastian spoke, glancing up at the treetops where shadows stretched long between the branches.
"These flying lizards are getting bolder, not long ago we had to deal with a Forktail pair." he muttered.
Geralt didn't look back, "It is… strange."
Ciri tilted her head, scanning the area with her sharp green eyes. "Maybe they just don't fear you anymore," she said lightly. "Word spread among monsters near Kaer Morhen, the big scary Witchers are not so scary after all."
Geralt huffed quietly. "Or something we didn't notice is drawing them in."
Sebastian's expression shifted, "That's actually more likely," he said. "Monsters don't just wander closer to a keep full of witchers for no reason, they are not stupid."
Geralt gave a small nod. "Though, some are."
They moved a few steps further before Geralt slowed slightly, speaking without turning. "Ciri… Just to make one thing clear, we agreed to let you tag along, but Seb is more experienced. Don't complain if he's the one who gets to fight."
Ciri lifted her chin immediately. "I won't," she said, "I promise."
Sebastian glanced sideways at her, "You'll get the credit for it, don't worry." he added teasingly.
Ciri shot him a glare. "Stop making fun of me! You only get to fight because you're… you're made of fire!"
Sebastian's smile widened just a fraction. "That, and I'm a Witcher," he replied, "And a better swordsman."
Ciri's brows knitting together as she resisted the urge to shove him.
Geralt stopped just long enough to glance back at them, "Enough. Half the forest can hear you. You'll either scare it off… or invite it to attack sooner."
That quieted them, for a moment.
Sebastian exhaled softly, shifting back into focus. "Based on the tracks earlier… draconid, just like Vesemir mentioned." he said. "Possibly a wyvern."
Geralt nodded once. "Yes. Though I'm not sure what kind."
Ciri's eyes lit slightly. "Royal wyvern," she said with confidence.
Geralt's brow twitched faintly. "You can't tell from tracks alone. Not these. They weren't clear enough."
She shrugged, but there was a small smile playing on her lips. "Just a guess."
Sebastian gave her a longer look this time, genuine surprise in his eyes. "That's actually impressive," he admitted. "I thought you didn't pay attention to Vesemir's lessons at all, for you to know what a Royal Wyvern is.."
Ciri's smile widened, turning just a bit smug, reciting without hesitation, "Never pounce on an advantage as soon as it appears. Wait until it stands to have maximum effect. Uncle Vesemir's words."
Geralt and Sebastian exchanged a quick silent glance, filled with the same thought.
She had been paying attention, all the time.
Ciri puffed herself up slightly under their looks, clearly pleased.
Geralt turned forward again, "You'd do well to impress Vesemir like that more often. Might even let you off sometimes."
Ciri crossed her arms, still smiling. "Advantage," she said simply. "Like I said… hasn't appeared yet."
They walked a few more paces.
Then Geralt stopped.
It was immediate. One hand lifted, to stop them behind him.
Sebastian and Ciri froze at once.
Geralt crouched slowly, eyes narrowing as he studied the ground. The soil here was disturbed, deeper impressions carved into the earth. Not just tracks, pressure marks. Recent and heavy.
A faint breeze shifted through the trees.
"Not old, it clearly landed here." he murmured.
Sebastian's gaze sharpened, scanning the canopy, the shadows between branches, the spaces where something large could perch unseen. "Possibly hunted something, but there is no blood."
Geralt rose slowly, eyes lifting toward the treeline.
"We are getting close," he said quietly.
For a moment, nothing moved, no wind, no birds, no sound.
Then it came.
A sharp, piercing screech tore through the trees.
It wasn't distant. Not far at all from their position.
Ciri flinched, instinctively shifting her stance, eyes darting toward the direction of the cry. Sebastian's head snapped up, gaze locking onto where the sound had come from.
"Is that.." Sebastian started.
"That's it," Geralt cut in immediately, already moving. "The wyvern."
Geralt broke into a run, swift, weaving through the trees with ease. His hand stayed close to his silver sword, ready for an attack at any moment.
He glanced back just once, voice sharp and commanding. "Follow me. Closely, don't fall behind!"
Ciri didn't need to be told twice. She surged forward, boots pounding lightly against the forest floor, the earlier teasing, the small smiles, they were gone now from her expression.
Sebastian moved alongside her, yet his eyes scanned everything around them even while running, the ground, the trees, his earlier experience told him to keep an eye out for the unexpected.
The screech came again. Louder this time, closer.
A heavy thud followed somewhere ahead, as if something large had landed, or struck. Branches shook violently in the distance, leaves scattering in a sudden burst.
Geralt slowed slightly, raising a hand just enough to signal caution without stopping entirely. His head tilted, listening. Calculating.
"Stay sharp," he muttered.
They pushed through a thicker patch of trees, the undergrowth thinning just enough to reveal a small clearing ahead.
And there it was, The wyvern.
/-\
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