The Witcher and the Seawolf

Derora

"We're going on a boat?" Derora asked excitedly as they approached the dock.

"Aretuza is on an island." Geralt pointed out. "How did you expect us to get there?"

"I don't know." Derora shrugged and looked at the large boat with a smile. "Never been on one before."

"Chain ferries are slow." Ciri spoke up.

"Riding back to Gors Velen would take longer." Geralt countered. "Besides, the passage has already been arranged."

The three of them neared the stairs that led down the cliff towards the dock where the ferry was supposed to be loading up. Instead, Derora could see an old man pushing people off the boat while the people tried to force themselves on.

"Well, if it isn't my favorite pocket-sized princess." Derora turned and saw Jaskier leaning against the railing overlooking the cliff side. "And my favorite elf." Derora gave the man a small smile while Ciri welcomed him with a hug. "How are you and the little one? How are the lessons going?"

"Tread lightly around the magic lessons." Geralt said.

"He's not actually talking about my lessons." Ciri told him. "He's talking about your lessons in smiling." Geralt looked from Ciri to Jaskier, leveling a look at the bard like he was made of stone. "It's a work in progress."

Derora snorted and looked out over the sea. "Why aren't you on board yet?" Geralt asked.

"The ferryman won't cross." Jaskier said. "He's convinced there's a monster in the water."

"No." Derora said without looking at her. When she did turn around, Derora saw Ciri look very interested in what Jaskier said.

"Can we go around the gulf?" Geralt asked, ignoring the two women behind him.

"It would add two days to our journey." Jaskier told him.

"Besides, we're Witchers." Ciri points out.

"Is that so?" Geralt turned to Ciri.

"You can't be serious." Derora muttered.

"Judging by the time of year and the depth of water in this part of the North Sea, I doubt it's anything that dangerous." Ciri said.

"I don't know. That old man seems to know what he's doing." Derora spoke. "If he won't go in the water, then why should you? You know, the pregnant girl carrying my niece or nephew." She then turned to Geralt. "And your grandchild."

"You worry too much, Rory." Ciri said with a smile more akin to a noble lady than the girl Derora has been traveling with for the past couple of weeks. "At worst it's a Kelpie or maybe a--"

"Ciri." Geralt interrupts.

"We've been focusing so much on my magic. What about my hunting skills?" Ciri asked. "You always take Fenris out hunting."

"Because Fenris doesn't have magic." Geralt says. "If he did, he'd be training with you and Yen, and you would be coming with us when you had the time."

"Yes, I know, but this isn't just about my magic, this is about being able to defend myself." Ciri counters. "I wouldn't want that to rust. Would you? Especially since, as Derora pointed out, I'm carrying your grandchild."

"Don't try to use the kid against him." Derora said.

"You tried to use my kid against me." Ciri said back.

"I did not!"

"Did too!"

"You had to travel with them all the way here?" Jaskier asked Geralt with a smile.