Your hands ran across your chest as you pushed yourself up from the ground. 'One, two, three, four." You counted the vials inside of your satchel as you kept on your journey, you were already behind on your schedule and there was no point in returning to the town if you didn't have the reagents that you had promised to procure.

"What are you doing so deep in the forest?" A voice called out, it seemed to have come from all directions, yet it was almost impossible to find the person that it came from. "A lowly merchant like you should surely always stick to the path..." Your eyes scoured the dense treetops but as your surroundings seemed to enclose upon you, there was no stalker to be seen.

"Come out and fight me, stop hiding away like a child." Dazzling rays danced off your small dagger's blade as you drew it from your boot and held it out in front of you, bandits were something you had to deal with in the past and were always expected once or twice once word got out that a merchant is carrying valuable assets. You crept forward, clambering over overgrown roots and through thick bushes, constantly checking behind you and to the sides as you headed deeper into the forest.

"I'll take that I think." As if lightning itself was watching you through the forest, something snatched your satchel from your shoulders and disappeared back again into the bushes, it was unseen and unheard, only felt. "Thank you!" He called out "I appreciate the gift!", again, but just as you had given up all hope, his cocky ramblings turned into a choking and a spluttering.

Slowly the thick bushes parted and out came a man with a satchel gripped loosely in his hands, and a bandit's neck throttled tightly in the other.

"Do not worry. I am Geralt of Rivia, unfortunately, you've probably heard of me." You stumbled backwards, even without the name the glowing eyes and ethereal hair gave away his profession as a Witcher, and you had heard tales of their ferocity.

"Stay back!" You thrusted your dagger forward in the space between you.

"I caught him running away with some things... I presume there's nobody else around here for at least a good mile or two, so these must be yours." With no care for the contents he slugged the bag into your arms. "He also had some coin, I doubt it will go to it's original owner so to make you feel better, take some." He hoisted a small sack of orens at you. "Don't take this for granted, I wouldn't share my coin easily."

"You saved me from that fiend, I couldn't possibly keep it."

"I know a small tavern not too far from here, how about you buy a Witcher a drink on your journey and use for rest for a cart."

~*~

Written by aaron.