An Enemy Approaches (Part 1) (Page 53)

Ciri and I have entered the bakery and started trying some food. This is some of the best food I have come across in my travels. "This all smells and looks wonderful. I can't remember the last time I actually had something akin to what Yen used to make us at Kaer Morhen..." My hunger grows. Creamy cheesecakes and chocolate fudge line the counters along with others.

We approach the counter and smell the food. "Geralt was such a terrible cook. This is the best food I've seen since we were kids." Witchers are notorious for being horrible cooks since they have different pallets. Their bodies are much superior to everyone else, Ciri and I are still mortal people, and we need to eat. I can sustain myself with magic for a few days, but I do have an apatite.

I look for someone to ask for prices. I don't notice anything to start, but I hear noise coming from the back after a few seconds. There are muffled screams and people bumping into things. I teleport into the back without letting Ciri know.

As soon as I appear, I draw my sword and place the blade on the man's neck from behind him. Some of the others in the room notice, but they aren't doing anything since I'm attacking their leader. "Leave the little lady alone..." They're attacking a girl no older than 16.

The man releases her, and I feel magic behind me, and light flashes for just a second. Ciri looks at the situation and immediately draws her blade. Now that she has my back, I don't have to worry what being flanked. "Why are you here..." The man is doing a good job of keeping his calm.

But I can see that he's choosing his words wisely. I motion for the girl on the ground to get behind me. She has torn clothes and bruised arms. They probably tried to rape her. It seems I just stopped them from engaging in their sick activity.

The girl quickly gets behind me, and Ciri wraps a protective arm around her. The man looks between his men giving a silent order to stand down. He opens his mouth to speak. "This young lady's husband owes us money. We came here to collect. If you let me go, I won't bother them again." The man is spiting lies to save his life.

I look at his gear, and I don't notice any discernable markings to indicate he's working for someone. I look at the men in my eyesight, and one is wearing bizarre face paint. The same we encountered a while back, I don't like them.

My blade inches closer to his neck, and it's easy to see I have no intention of letting them leave this place alive. I want to scare him before he dies.

Make him suffer. Men like him deserve it more than anyone. "I know that isn't everything you have to say. I must warn you my blade is extremely sharp, one motion, and I can lop your head right off. If you tell me everything, I'll let you go." I won't let him go. I'll give him some hope just to rip it away.

He has a look of reassurance. I'm a sadist when it comes to these kinds of things. A part of me that I can't get rid of. "We were sent by Whoreson Junior. He runs this part of town. I'll let him know that you spared us. He'll be sure to remember mercy. So that mea-!" I chop his head right off his shoulders. Blood sprays everywhere as it pumps out his neck.

I use this opportunity to strike at the shocked freaks. There are four in total. I teleport behind one and drive my blade into the back of his head as the tip goes through the front. I twist it as a crunch and wet sound bounces around the room.

The others have finally started to react, but I dismember one of them instantly. I cut both of his legs off before he even hits the ground. While he screams, I slice his neck open. All that comes out are gurgles as he chocks on his own blood. "DAMN MONSTER!!!" I'm fully prepared as I'm in my combat stance.

Ciri had other ideas, though. She teleports instantly to the side of the guy as he runs at me. She swings her blade at his neck while he's running. The momentum works to make a perfect slice, and blood falls out of him as he hits the ground lifeless.

Ciri gives me a look that I've never gotten from her before. She looks like she's questioning my sanity. I have a terrible habit of falling into my old brutal way. I've exercised great control, however. She looks away fast, and we see the last man making for the exit.

Ciri reacts and drives her sword into his back after teleporting behind him. "That should take care of that." As soon as those words leave my mouth, I feel anger radiating off Ciri. I look in her direction and see her glaring madly at me. "What?" I raise my hands in confusion.

I didn't notice that I was covered in blood, but looking now, it's pretty gruesome. Now that I think about it. I look like a serial killer.

Ciri teleports in front of me and hits me hard right in the stomach. It takes my breath away from the strong punch. I grip the spot and lean against one of the counters to stay standing. "What was that for!" I look at her as I catch my breath and see that she's let her anger out. Talk about not having a clue. What makes this situation different from the last time we killed thugs?

She crosses her arms and gives me a small frown. "Don't act like that again, Cera. I didn't recognize you..." She looks away from me as she says that last bit. I guess I did take this too far with what happened here.

Looking around this room, I can tell that I lost myself in bloodlust. It wasn't the first time this happened.

Unknown to Cera, he had a sadistic smile while cutting down these men. It wasn't what Cera did. It was how he loved doing it that made Ciri react that way.

Ciri walks over to the young lady and comforts her. After the hug ends, the girl looks at me with fear in her eyes. "Oh... I'm sorry, Ciri..." I know killing them was the right decision, but I should've held back. The man's boss is the one Jaskier is looking to talk to about Ciri's magical item.

As Ciri and the young lady talk, I think of a way to deal with this situation. If this Junior causes problems for Ciri and me, I'll cut him down.

After some time for the girl to calm down, I walk over to the two of them. Ciri has already explained who I am. "What's your name, miss?" She is apprehensive about talking to me while I'm covered in blood. After the display, I can tell why she's scared of me.

She stands close to Ciri as she gives her answer. "My name is Lillian Fermer, wife to Alexander Fermer...." As soon as I hear her answer, my blood runs cold. Those were the names of my parents. I come back from my surprise as I notice Ciri's worried look. I used to tell her story's about my parents and how much they meant to me.

Ciri takes care of Lillian as I take a seat to gather my thoughts. I go through the memories of them. I try to recall as much as I can as often as I can to remember my time with them.

After about an hour, Ciri comes back into the room and approaches me. "We'll talk about what happened to you later." She sounds serious with that tone of voice. Suddenly, She hugs me tightly and relaxes on me. "We need to get cleaned up. Lillian will be coming with us to the Rosemary and Thyme. She left a note for her husband when he returns." That's a good idea. She'll be safe with us.

I hope that her husband can fight because I won't be there next time that happens. I try to get up from my seat, but Ciri holds me down. "Just let me hold you for a little bit, Cera... I need this..." I guess I had more of an effect on her than I thought I did... I have a storm of questions coming my way. I know it.