Looking for and finding Jaskier (Page 34)

We're heading back to Novigrad to spend the rest of the day together and look for Jaskier. He goes by Dandelion in his ballads. Ciri and I say use the name he's known for, and we're pointed to a brothel called the Rosemary and Thyme. It's a brothel that Jaskier owns. After we were told that, Ciri tightened her grip on me.

We're in the glory lane district, which is where the establishment is located. I see the building described and knock on the door once we reach it. "Hello!? Anyone there!!? We're looking for Jaskier!!" My voice gets through the door, and we hear a melodic tone.

I'm betting this is Jaskier, and he sounds more than worried. "What do you want?! I don't have money for the payment yet, so go away!!" Ciri's excited at the familiar voice to her. She hasn't seen him in years. I've never met Jaskier before. This is the first time. Geralt had many story's of their adventures together. I always loved listening to them. From what Yen told me, he tends to embellish in his story's.

Ciri is visibly jumping now. "We found him, Cera!! We found him!!! Open the door, Jaskier, it's Ciri!! I need your help!!!" There is silence at first, but soon the door cracks open. He peeks at me since I'm the more obvious of us due to my height.

He looks to Ciri and immediately swings the door open. "Is that you, Cirilla? You grew up, didn't you... I'm tired of getting older..." The man is funny. I'll give him that. "Well, don't just stand out there, come inside, and let's talk!" His voice has a joyous tone to it. Ciri enters first, but Jaskier stops me with his arm. "Who're you? Can we trust this guy, Ciri?" I admire he's protecting Ciri, but I'm surprised he's got the balls to do this. I can see why Geralt and he got along well.

Ciri removes his arm from blocking me and stands by my side. "This is Cera!! The little boy Yen and Geralt always told you about..." His face tells everything he's thinking about at the moment, and after hearing that, he backs off with a gentle smile. Just from the few minutes we've been here. I can tell he's a good and trustworthy person.

He holds out his hand, and I grasp it for a handshake. Jaskier is around Ciri's height, so I'm much taller than he is. "Nice to finally meet the boy Geralt talked about. I'm sure you have been on quite the adventure. How did you and Ciri meet up again?" The guy talks a lot, that's for sure.

I stop shaking his hand and prepare to answer. "I met up with her in Velen, at Crows Perch. It was the first time we saw each other in 11 years... We've been traveling together ever since." That should satisfy his curiosity for now. This brothel needs some work. I can't say what it should look like. Never been in one before. I wonder if it'll truly be a brothel.

He leads us to some chairs and a table. "So what brings you to my humble establishment? Surely I can help with whatever you need." It's nice to have an ally on this journey, finally. Now we can get help with the object Ciri has. Dandelion is a resourceful person by the sound of it.

Ciri pulls the magical object out and puts it on the table for Jaskier to see. "We need help fixing this. It holds a message that'll help us in our quest." He looks at it and plays with it a bit. Ciri is looking on edge with him tossing it up and down. "Jaskier, stop that. It's our only lead right now." She shut's down the reckless fun. Jaskier smiles like a kid.

He puts it back on the table and takes a seat. "Sorry, I always liked magical items... Yennefer and Triss had the coolest tools. They look like they had something for every situation out there." My feelings about Yen are difficult, and the pain is apparent. I have no idea how Yen is doing... Ciri told me what she knew at the time, and Yen took it the hardest.

My frustration quickly leaks out into my impatience. "Do you have a way to fix this? The sooner, the better." He raises an eyebrow as he looks at me. "We also have another important matter to discuss later." There's the topic of Ciri's and I's secret wedding. He'll have to witness for us. He may know someone who can perform the wedding too. If he doesn't, I'll pay for one.

He gets up from his seat and walks over to his desk, picking up a book in the process. "Just let me have a look at my book. It has secret meeting places at specific times during the week... There is one tomorrow at the Minstrel. I'm familiar with the people there, so that won't be a problem." That's good news for us. I'm happy that we finally got some help and connections going.

I look over to Ciri, and I can tell that she's thinking something I'm thinking. "Want to go spend some time in the city? After nightfall, we can head back to the inn..." Her smile makes my stomach feel full of butterflies.

Suddenly, Jaskier interrupts us with a convenient offer. "You guys are welcome to stay here. Save your coin." Ciri looks at Jaskier with some apprehension. I know why and I have a similar look at the bard. She's intent on tempting me into some fun in bed, but I'm determined to hold out as long as I can.

Ciri looks at me, wanting my opinion before she makes a snap decision. I nod my head in agreement. "Thanks, Jaskier. We'll bring our stuff tonight. For now, I want to spend the day with Cera." She grabs my hand, and we interlock our fingers. "We also have to visit a mage tomorrow for a medical checkup on something. You know anyone that can help?" Jaskier would know who we can speak to.

He opens the book again and searches through the pages. "There's an old woman outside of town. You can go after we deal with our meeting tomorrow. She's the owner of a herbs farm out there, heard she's wise and powerful." That works out fine for me. Ciri does something I don't expect out of anywhere.

~~~(POV Ciri)~~~

I look at Cera, and I know that I have to keep one secret from him for now. I need to make sure that Jaskier doesn't tell Cera that I'm the Queen of Cintra and Princess to other thrones. "Hey, Cera... I need you to wait outside for me a few minutes while I talk to Jaskier... It's about something important." He looks at me with surprised eyes. Ohhh, don't look at me like that, Cera. I have to do this.

He tightens his grip on my hands gently. "Is it something that I'm not allowed to know? I didn't think you had something like that..." His words cut deeply in my heart... It's more than I thought they would... The truth will be revealed after the wedding... I want us to be married before he knows of my royalty...

I rub the top of his hand with my thumb and give him a reassuring look. "It's something that I'm not ready for you to know yet... I'll tell you soon, Cera, just not today..." He looks at me, a little heartbroken... I lied earlier. This hurts more... He gives me a look of understanding and gets up. He loosens his grip, and his hand leaves mine. I have to stop myself from grasping at it and not letting him leave. He heads for the door.

Now that Cera is gone, I can speak to Jaskier. "I sent Cera away to make sure you know a few things." His expression has suspicion and curiosity. He doesn't remember me being like this.

He stays silent for a few seconds, but asks me a question. "I'm sure that it wouldn't change anything. He really likes you." He catches on faster than I thought. Might as well make it fast.

I take a deep breath and prepare myself. "We're planning to get married here in Novigrad." These words cause him to freeze up. He keeps silent despite the many questions he has. "He doesn't know that I'm a princess. I want to keep it that way till after the wedding. You'll help me with this whether you like it or not." Jaskier wants to say something to me, but he keeps it bottled up.

This next one is the one that'll be the most embarrassing. "On our way here... We've had reckless nights of passion..." He's about to say something. "Let me finish, Jaskier." He's probably thinking how Geralt or Yen would think. "There's a high chance that I got pregnant... I will nee-!" I don't even get to finish before he finally loses his cool.

He jumps up from his chair and looks flabbergasted. "What the hell, Ciri!? Do you know what kind of spot that puts you two in!? Not to mention that you guys were careless enough to let it happen in the first place!?" I suppose that's fair. He's only worried about my safety, but I'm an adult now. Not a little girl, and Cera isn't a little boy.

I let him calm down and gather his thoughts. "So... Will you help us? I know it's a lot to ask Jaskier, but we trust you... You're the only connection we have here in Novigrad..." He takes a few more breaths and nods in approval. I rush outside to meet Cera, who's waiting patiently.

He looks at me with a smile. "Everything taken care of?" I love you so much, Cera... I'd die of a broken heart if I lost you again...

His smile is infectious and causes me to smile too. "Yes, everything is fine. I caught Jaskier up to speed and had him help me with a problem I had." His face tells me everything, and it hurts to see that my not telling him is causing some pain.

He brings his hand up and softly caresses my cheek. "You can tell me anything... You know that, right? Whatever it is, I can help you with it." My heart throbs and strains at his words. I don't deserve to hear words as sweet as that from him, but he'll learn the truth when we're married. We plan to go on a date. That'll bring my mood up for sure.