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on the subject of zkc i think i'm the only person in america keeping up with takashi shiina's new current serialization "kurogane no mabito" because he just conveniently happened to start it while i was invested in zkc anime-wise. i don't know what to make of it yet because there's only 4 chapters out and the blurb isn't too grabbing to me in itself but the details are... Fascinating. The man's art though... He's still got it
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For @mikkeneko! Written for @thewitchersecretsanta
Rating: G
Relationship: Geralt/Jaskier
Summary:Â Jaskier finds Ciri just after a sorcerer from Nilfgaard has cursed Geraltâtogether they need to find a way to break the curse.Â
on AO3
Jaskier had been doing his best to avoid danger. It was a new thing for him, and he didnât think he was a huge fan. He felt that he had to give it a fair shake, after his near-crippling incident with Reinceâwhich had been particularly galling, as he hadnât even sung any of the White Wolf cycle in months, but that was not the point. The point is that he is avoiding danger, so he should absolutely not run into the dark woods towards the sound of an explosion.
His legs do not seem to have gotten that memo. He curses under his breath but keeps running. It doesnât take him long to find the source of the explosionâan area of flattened trees that stretched into the distance. Jaskier stops at the edge and thinks very hard about turning around. Until he sees a dragon lift off the ground from just over a ridge and take off into the sky with a flash of silver wings. The dragon circles high above and lets out an earth-shaking roar. A high pitched scream comes from over the hill and Jaskier runs in that direction. He crests the hill just in time to see a portal flash openâthere is a man in Nilfgaardian armor holding the arm of a child, pulling them towards the portal. The dragon roars again and Jaskier feels a sudden chill as the creature's shadow blocks out the sun. He has only a moment to act so he springs forward and whispers a blessing on his dagger before he throws it. It flies straight and trueâstriking the Nilfgaardian in an eye. The man stumbles, releases his grip on the child, and falls. The portal blinks out as he lands. For a moment the clearing is silent. Then the dragon lets out a high keening noise and flaps upwards, the winds buffeting Jaskier and whipping up debris from the destroyed trees.Â
âNo! Wait!â he hears the child scream.
When the dust settles enough that Jaskier can see again, the dragon is gone. A single silver scale lies by Jaskierâs feet. He picks it up and then moves down the slope towards the child. Theyâve fallen to their knees in the dirt.
âAre you injured?â Jaskier asks when he is close enough. The child startles to her feet at his approach, watching him with wary green eyes.Â
âNo,â she answers after a moment.Â
âGood,â Jaskier says. He moves over to the soldier to retrieve his dagger. âAre you traveling alone?â He canât see any sign of other peopleâbut the destruction around makes it impossible to tell for sure.Â
The girl hesitates. âI wasnât.â
âDid heâŚâ Jaskier trails off pointing at the soldier, hoping his point is clear.Â
The girl nods, a little tentative.
âIâm sorry,â Jaskier says. Sheâs not the first orphan heâs seen in the first few months of the war, and sheâs unlikely to be the last. âI would be happy to help you to wherever you were heading.â He can see the suspicion in her gaze at his offer. âMy name is Jaskier.â He hopes that sheâll recognize the name at least, a famous bard will hopefully feel like a safer traveling companion than a strange man.
The girlâs eyes widen. âThe bard? You traveled withââshe hesitates for a momentââwith the White Wolf?â
Jaskier is about to respond when he spots a flash of silver on the ground near their feet. He kneels to pick it up and it feels as though his heart stutters to a stop. Itâs a wolf witcher medallionâthe chain has been snapped but the sight is so familiar and it hums softly under his touch. He looks at the girl, sheâs gone tense and still in front of him. âYes, I traveled with the White Wolf,â he says. âWhat happened here?â
The girl gulps, glancing towards the sorcerer. âHe cursed Geralt. He wanted to separate us, make it so Geralt wouldnât be able to protect me.â
âOh,â Jaskier gasps. âYouâre Cirilla!â
âCiri,â the girl corrects. âOr Fiona in public.â
Jaskier thinks of the silver scale in his pocket. âAnd he turned Geralt into a dragon?â
Ciri nods. âI donât think he knew me, after he transformed, it didnât seem⌠didnât seem like him.â
Jaskier hums, considering what he knows about transformation magic. Wonders exactly how different the reality is from the songs. âWell, we ought to start by figuring out where he would have gone. Where were you heading?â
âThe coast.â
Jaskier blinks. âThe coast? Why?â
âHe didnât say exactly,â Ciri admits.Â
âI suppose that shouldnât surprise me.â Jaskier sighs. âBut Iâm not sure if he would have carried on that way, or if he would have gone somewhere familiarâŚâ he trails off, trying to think of any reason he could avoid going to the one person who might know where he was. Unfortunatelyâ âI know someone who should be able to track him for us.â
Ciri brightens. âWho?â
âYennefer.âÂ
**
âI donât want to get involved in whatever scheme youâve gotten tangled up in.â Yennefer doesnât even bother looking up from her book.
âOh well, Ciri, let's go. Weâll have to see if thereâs someone else who can help us.â Jaskier says.
Yennefer looks up at that, narrowing her eyes at Jaskier and Ciri. âWhy do you have a child?â The disdain in her tone made Ciri press closer to Jaskier. âNobody in their right mind would trust you with a child.â
âAlright, fine.â Jaskier huffs. âYouâre correct in a way, her true guardian is very much not in his right mind. Thatâs why weâre here.âÂ
Yennefer sighs and then stands. âAlright, you better come in and sit down. I have a feeling Iâm going to need a drink.âÂ
As she leads them into her apartment behind the shop, Ciri tugs on Jaskierâs sleeve. âWill she be able to help us?â
âOf course, poppet,â Jaskier assures her. âShe might not be my biggest fan, but she wonât turn you away.â
âAlright, explain,â Yennefer says. âAnd keep it simple, please, bard.â
âRight. Simple.â Jaskier has heard that before, fine, if she wants just the bare bones of the story: âGeraltâs been cursed into a dragon and we need to find him.âÂ
Yennefer takes a moment to process that. She takes a long sip of her wine. âWhy?â
âWhy was he cursed, or why do we need to find him?â Jaskier asks. âAlthough, I suppose it's the same answer either way. This is Cirilla, Geraltâs child surprise.â
Yenâs eyes widen. âHis child surprise is the lion cub of Cintra?â
âYes, so you can see why he didnât exactly feel like he could snatch her away at any time, the lioness was a bit touchy about the whole thing.â Jaskierâs voice is cool, remembering the words he had overheard on the mountain.Â
âHe was cursed because he was trying to protect me.â Ciri cuts in. Her hand is clenched around the wolf medallion. âI need to help him.â
Yen turns her attention to the girl and softens. âI can create a tracking spell for you.â Ciri lets out a relieved breath but Yen continues. âThat will be the easy part. Once you find him youâll need to find a way to break the curse.â
âI have one of his scales,â Jaskier says. âWould that help in figuring out the details of the curse? How to break it?â
Yen nods, reaching out a hand. Jaskier reluctantly passes the silver scale to her. âThe tracking spell will take a few hours to prepare, and Iâll need some time with this to see what I can find out. You can stay here for the night, I have a spare room.â
âThank you, Yennefer,â Jaskier says, hoping sheâll sense how sincere he is.
She gives a curt nod before pointing down a hall. âAnd take a bath before you track any more filth into my house.â
**
âI have good news and bad news,â Yennefer announces over breakfast. âGeraltâs not far, you should be able to reach him in three days on horseback.â She pauses. âIâm not sure how to undo the curse. Itâs a mess, they mucked something up rather badly and now itâs too twisted up to have an easy cure.â
âFuck.â Jaskier and Ciri say at the same time.
Yen glances between them with a bemused look. âItâs not hopeless. The curse got twisted, youâll need to remind him who he is first.â
âHow?â Jaskier asks.
Yennefer gives him a pointed look. âYou know him better than anyone, Jaskier, youâll have to figure that out.â She softens slightly. âThree things. Thereâs a reason the tales always call for three things, three tasks. Thereâs a real magic thereâthree things that remind him who he is and thenââÂ
âThen?â Jaskier prompts.
âThen, you should be able to break the curse,â Yennefer says. Jaskier can sense there is more to it than sheâs saying.Â
âWhat if we choose the wrong things?â Ciri asks.
Yennefer frowns. âIâm not sureâyou might be able to try again but it could also cause the spell to warp again. I wish I could give you a clearer answer.â
âYouâve given us enough,â Jaskier says, hoping to reassure Ciri even as he starts running through ideas, trying to figure out what options they have. âCiri, can you go and get Roach ready?â Jaskier asks. Ciri gives him a look that makes it very clear she knows exactly what heâs trying to do but she does head outside. Once sheâs gone, Jaskier turns to Yennefer. âAlright, whatâs the rest of it?â
Yennefer sighs. âIf the curse didnât break when the caster was killed⌠then the only sure way to break it is the, well, traditional method.â
âTraditional method?â Jaskier asks. He has a feeling he knows what that is, but he needs to hear her say it.Â
âTrue love,â Yennefer says, as if it is such a simple thing.
Jaskier stares at her. âWill youâ?â
Yennefer shakes her head. âThe bond created by the djinn warped whatever Geralt and I haveâcould have had. I care for him, and I know he cares for meâbut itâs not true in the way it would need to be to break the curse.â
Jaskier sighs. âDoes true love have to go both ways?â
Yennefer gives him a look that, in another person, he might have mistaken for sympathy. âThereâs only one way to find out.â
Jaskier nods in thanks and moves towards the door.
âJaskierââ Yennefer calls. âTry to do it before the season changes or it may be too late.â
Jaskier grimacesâthere are so many ways for this to go wrong and such a narrow path to save Geralt. âThank you, Yennefer.â
âGood luck.â Yennefer says.
Jaskier steps outside and prepares to save his witcher.
**
âWhat are the three things?â Ciri asks once theyâve set out. Yennefer had given them a map, Geraltâs location marked with ink she had infused with a piece of the scale so that it would track Geralt if he moved. He is currently on a stretch of coast between Gors Velen and Oxenfurtâthe cliffs of the area mean that it is mostly unpopulated which hopefully means they wonât have to contend with any dragon hunters.
Jaskier considers. âIâm guessing that just his swords and medallion wonât be enough for this. The medallion is certainly one of the things, though.â He runs his hand absently along Roachâs neck. âUnfortunately, he was never a big fan of sharing so Iâm not completely sure what else we can use.â
âWhat about a song?â Ciri suggests. âOne of the ones you wrote for him?â
Jaskier glances up at the princessâshe looks so hopeful and he hates that he has to admit that he is probably not actually well-suited to help with this. She doesnât have anyone else to turn to. âHe wasnât a fan of my music, to tell the truth.â
Ciri gives him a skeptical look. âHe used to hum them, sometimes, when he was trying to help me sleep. He never sang the words but I recognized the tunes.â
âHe did?â Jaskier canât hide his surprise.Â
âYes,â Ciri says, as if it should have been obvious. âHe talked about you, about how you helped him.â
Jaskier snorts.
âIâm serious!â Ciri says with a huff. âYou were the only person besides his brothers he ever really talked about.â She has an intense look. âI know youâll be able to figure out what we need to bring him back.â
âAh, well.â Jaskier is at a loss for words. He wishes he had as much faith that his knowledge of Geralt would be enough. âIâll certainly do my best.â
**
âA song, the medallionâŚâ He taps his quill against the page, trying to think. âCiri, I think you might be the last thing we need.â
âWhat?â
âMaterial possessions have never been that important to him,â Jaskier says. âHis medallion is a symbol of his profession, his purpose. The song to remind him that heâs more than the monster people claim he is, and youâyouâre his destiny. His future.â
Ciri tilts her head. âReally? It's been such a short time⌠are you sure it wouldnât be his swords?â
âNo,â Jaskier says, heâs as certain that she is part of this as she is that his song will help. âThe swords are just tools, heâs lost them before. Gotten replacements. Theyâre important to him, certainly, but not, I think, in the same way that you are.â
Ciri ducks her head to hide a pleased smile and Jaskier hopes to all the gods that he is right. That they both are. Theyâll reach the coast and Geralt tomorrow and he needs this to work.
Jaskier lets out a long breath as he watches the dragon disappear from sight. Tries to calm the racing of his heart. Heâs so desperate for this to work, so scared that it wonât. He makes sure he is steady enough to pretend at confidence before he returns to where Ciri is waiting a little way back from the cliff edge.
**
They can smell the salt in the air long before they see the ocean. As Jaskier had suspected, the area the dragon has led them too is at least a day's walk from any villages. Remote enough that nobody is likely to stumble upon him. Of course, if heâs spotted in the air thatâs another matter, but hopefully theyâll have Geralt cured before anyone decides to muster up another dragon hunting expedition. The cliffside they approach is empty except for a single great hawthorn tree. The dragon is resting underneath the tree. Jaskier stops their approach to study him. His scales are the color of a stormy sky, silver and grey with tinges of blue and black. He has several horns on his head but is otherwise sleek and sinuous.
He lifts his head and fixes them with a piercing look. His eyes are still golden but they seem so much colder than Geraltâs. âYou shouldnât be here.â The dragon rumbles.
âGeralt!â Ciri cries, taking a step towards the dragon but he lifts his head higher and bares his fangs.Â
The dragonâs tail lashesâthe end seems almost feathered and it stirs up a cold wind as it moves. âLeave this place.âÂ
Jaskier places his hand on Ciriâs shoulder and stares at the dragonâs huge golden eyes. âWe need you to come back to yourself, Geralt.â He thanks his years of vocal training for allowing him to keep his voice steady.
The dragon says nothing.Â
Jaskier squeezes Ciriâs shoulder. âWait here,â he whispers as he takes Geraltâs medallion out of his pocket and slowly walks towards the dragon. In response, the dragon bares his fangs.Â
Jaskier stands before the dragon and holds out the medallion. âHere is your medallion, the symbol of your trade, your life. While you wear it, you shall always have your purpose.âÂ
The dragon extends his head towards Jaskier cautiously. âIf you touch me, tail or fin, I swear my medallion your death shall be.â The dragonâs words are said in an almost song-like chantâitâs an odd touch, but the whole spell is odd. With the dragon this close, Jaskier can sense the magic; it feels ancient and he wonders exactly what the Nilfgaardians thought they were doing.Â
Jaskier places the medallion on the ground and steps back with his hand raised to show that he will not touch the dragon. He watches the dragon extend one clawed foot to pull the medallion in close, holding it close to his face. He is still for a long moment before he launches himself up into the air and over the edge of the cliff.Â
âIs he leaving?â Ciri asks, rushing to stand by Jaskierâs side.
âHunting perhaps,â Jaskier suggests. âI imagine weâre meant to come back tomorrow, and the day afterâthree days and three items.â
Ciri makes a face. âWhy does magic have to be so complicated?â
Jaskier huffs a laugh. âIâve often wondered the same thing. Come on, let's see if we can find a decent spot to set up camp.Â
**
They had set up camp in a copse of trees far enough back from the cliff edge that the wind was not quite so biting. They eat a quick breakfast and then head back towards the hawthorn tree. When they arrive, Geralt has not returned. Ciri, needing something to burn off her nervous energy, starts running through her training drills. She practices with a sword that Geralt must have had made for herâit is finely made, well balanced, and she is clearly comfortable with it.Â
Jaskier watches for a while before he settles down with his lute, trying to figure out what song might work to bring Geralt back. Itâs a daunting task whe heâs still not entirely sure that one of his songs will even help, but they hadnât been able to come up with any better ideas, so heâll have to hope that destiny is on their side.Â
The sun is high in the sky when they hear the rushing sound of the dragonâs wings. They watch as it lands lightly on the edge of the cliff, water slides off his scales, sparkling in the sunlight. He coils himself around the tree. He regards them with clear interest. The medallion hangs around his neck.
âYouâve come again.â The dragon observes. âTo offer another trinket?â
âAh, not an item this time but a song!â Jaskier says, walking as close to the dragon as he dares before he adjusts his lute. âThe medallion was to remind you that you are a witcher,â Jaskier explains. âThe reason you walk the path. The song is to show you how important that is, how despite the difficulties, you remain good. A hero.â
The dragon rumbles something that sounds vaguely like disagreement.
âYou canât argue that you arenât a hero when you donât remember who you are.â Jaskier snaps. Heâs had this fight enough times with Geralt when he does know himself.
The dragon snorts but he doesnât protest beyond that. He lays his head on the ground gestures for Jaskier to proceed with a flick of his tail.Â
Jaskier takes a deep breath and starts to play the familiar notes of âThe stars above the pathâ. It is not quite as popular as âtoss a coinâ but it has more truth to it, written after Jaskier and Geralt had traveled together for almost a decade. Geralt is still heroic, of course, but the story is more complexânot meant to merely please a crowd at a tavern. Jaskier had tried to show the truth of Geraltâhis compassion and bravery, his humanity. Itâs the closest to a love song that Jaskier has ever written so obviously about Geralt, not that the witcher noticed.
 The dragon seems intrigued at least, his focus never wavering from Jaskier as he sings, and by the final chorus his tail is twitching in time with the music. When the song ends the dragon moves slightly closer.Â
âHe is your friend? Geralt?â
âHe is,â Jaskier says easily. It has been almost two years since he had left Geralt in the Kestrel Mountains, but he still considers the witcher his friend.Â
âThen I hope your plan works.â The dragon says before he takes off, flying out over the open water.
**
The third day dawns blustery and cool, the scent of frost in the air reminding them they do not have much time left. Jaskier tries to keep himself calm and steady, he can see how frightened Ciri is and doesnât want to do anything that might make it worse.
They still donât know exactly what will happen if they have chosen wrong and they are not able to restore Geralt to himself, but Jaskier cannot imagine they will be allowed a second chance. He fears that the dragon will turn on them, but cannot do more than pray that if that happens he will be strong enough to hold it off long enough for Ciri to flee.Â
They wait in silence for the dragon to returnâwatching as he crests the cliffside and curls through the air above them. He spirals down until he is once again on the cliffside facing them, the long line of his body looped around the tree.Â
âReady?â Jaskier asks, rising to his feet and offering Ciri a hand up.
âWhat if it doesnât work?â Ciri asks.
âThen we go back to Yennefer and see if she has any other ideas,â Jaskier says, hoping that will reassure Ciri.
Ciri doesnât look convinced but she lifts her chin, shifting to stand at her full height. âLetâs go.â
Jaskier nods and together they walk towards the dragon. The dragon watches, tail twitching like a cat preparing to spring.
âYouâve returned.â The dragon rumbles. âWhat will you try today?â
Jaskier takes a deep breath. âToday, your destinyââhe steps back and Ciri steps forward to take his placeââCirilla, your daughter.â
âDaughter?â The dragon rumbles the question, eyes narrowed.
âFate brought us together,â Ciri says, voice fierce and determined. âYou swore that we would always find each other, that you wouldnât leave me!â
The dragon moves his head closer and Jaskier holds his breath.
âGeralt, I need you. Your destiny is more than this.â Ciri says.
The dragon withdraws rapidly, coiling tighter on himself until the tree within his coils creaks a protest. âDestiny is cruel, child.â
Jaskier steps closer, placing a hand on Ciriâs trembling shoulder. âDestiny may have taken much from you, Geralt, but it has given you a gift. A chance for happiness. To have a family.â He takes a deep breath. âWould you abandon your child the way you were abandoned? Do not let this curse turn you into a monster.â
âI am a monster.â the dragon growls.
âYou arenât,â Jaskier says. âYou are a witcher, a hero, a protector, a father. You are so much more than they say you are. More than you think you are.â
The dragon darts forward until he is so close to Jaskier that his breath ruffles the bardâs clothing. Jaskier stands still, resisting the urge to push Ciri behind him as the dragon examines them. His golden eyes seem different, warmer than they had before and Jaskier holds his breathâhardly daring to hope.
âYou are so sure?â the dragon asks. âEven after the Kestrel Mountains?â
Jaskier sucks in a breath, if the dragon can reference past events then perhaps Geraltâs mind is becoming his own again. âEven after that,â Jaskier says. âAnger doesnât make you a monster.â
âI hurt you.â the dragon says.
âYou did.â Jaskier agrees. âThat doesnât change who you are. You are still a good man, Geralt. Youâve made mistakes but that doesnât make you a monster. It makes you human.â
The dragon, Geralt, gives a slow blink. He doesnât speak but he doesnât move away either.Â
âWhat now?â Ciri whispers.
Jaskier gives her what he hopes is a reassuring smile. âClassic curse-breaking,â he says. âThe traditional ways always work best. Hopefully.â He takes a step closer to the dragon who is still not movingâjust watching with an intense focus.
âGods, please let this work,â Jaskier whispers, and then he leans in and presses a kiss to the dragonâs snout.Â
For a long breathless moment, absolutely nothing happens. Then everything goes white.
**
Jaskier comes back to awareness slowly. His ears are ringing. He feels a small hand holding his own. With a great deal of effort, he opens his eyes, blinking away bright white spots. For a moment he is staring up at the empty sky and then Geralt is there, warm golden eyes scanning his face. Jaskier reaches his free hand up and touches the loose hair falling around Geraltâs face.
âIt worked.â Jaskier hears himself say, voice breathless and awed. He touches Geraltâs cheek and marvels at the way Geralt presses into his hand.
âOh, well. It was no trouble.â Jaskier lies cheerfully. Heâs not certain how to act, how to deal with the fact that Geralt is his true love. âI juââ
The rest of what he was going to say is silenced and then forgotten completely as Geralt leans in and kisses him. It is soft, gentle and so tender Jaskier almost wants to scream. After a long moment, Geralt pulls back, just slightly, so that he can press his forehead against Jaskierâs.
âI missed you.â Geralt says.
âOh,â Jaskier murmurs, at a loss for words. Any anger he felt fades away in the face of Geraltâs little smile. He looks radiant with happiness.Â
âUm. I hate to interrupt,â Ciri says. âBut we should probably find somewhere to spend the night?â
Geralt moves away with a great deal of reluctance. He rises fluidly to his feet, looking no worse for his time as a dragon. He reaches out a hand to Jaskier and pulls him to his feet. He doesnât drop Jaskierâs hand.Â
âWhat now?â Jaskier asks, trying not to appear as nervous as he feels.Â
âWeâll find a place to camp tonight.â Geralt says. âAnd then⌠would you come with us?â
âWhat?â Jaskier asks. âWhere?â
âWeâre going to Kaer Morhen for the winter. Will you come?â Geralt actually looks nervous as if the answer isnât blatantly obvious.
âGeralt,â Jaskier says softly. âIâd follow you anywhere. All you had to do was ask.â
âHm.â Geraltâs mouth tilts into a tiny smile. âGood.â
headcanon that cardan uses his powers to do cute little things for jude on her birthday or for their wedding anniversary. a bouquet of flowers that he grows in front of her eyes, a field of rainbows he casts across the horizon, even her name spelled out in fluffy clouds against bright blue skies. and despite herself, it never gets old to jude and she appreciates the soft gestures more than any tangible gift sheâs ever gotten