Phew this turned out nearly four times the length I'd originally thought, but here we are at the end hope you all enjoyed the ride.

Geralt had been hoping to use aard on the woman, he still had enough movement in one hand to make the sign and aim it her way, but he couldn't not while she held the bard's wrist as she was. The attack would be enough to not only fling her across the room but also disorientate her enough to break her hold over them, the problem was if he used it while she still held Jaskier the force as she was flung back would surely break his wrist.

Then she was bragging about swooping in and snatching the bard's voice right under Geralt's nose and he had to hold back a growl because while she directed her mocking to Jaskier it was clear the taunt was also intended for him. When she mentioned the bard calling out for him when her knife was at his throat, that Jaskier's last words before she sliced the blade across it was a call for his help, something cold and tight pulled at his chest. Jaskier had failed to mention that when retelling the events of that night and Geralt didn't like the feeling that settled when he found out the bard had called out for him. It was somewhat similar to the guilt muddled dread he felt when Jaskier had started choking up blood after the Djinn, when they found out he could die, only not as strong.

It was foolish, he wasn't the poet's bodyguard and Jaskier was a grown-ass man despite his frequent displays of immaturity, like his childish tug-of-war with the Djinn's bottle or the way he sulks when he doesn't get his way. It wasn't his job to watch the other twenty-four seven, Jaskier was capable of making his own decisions and doing his own thing even if it often landed the bard himself or the both of them in trouble. Still maybe it wouldn't have hurt to at least meet or even just pass the woman the bard was fawning over, just to suss her out, make sure he wasn't about to follow something sinister off into the night, like a hungry vampire or a lycanthrope or as it turned out a vengeful sorceress. His medallion would likely have detected the illusion she spelled to disguise her appearance.

He hadn't expected the painful thwack that sounded as Jaskier's forehead met the woman's successfully cutting her words short. It had to have hurt for both parties, the witch stumbled back half a step with a curse, unfortunately the move hadn't knocked her grip from Jaskier's wrist. Geralt watched as the momentary gleam of triumph in those blue eyes turned to horror as with a flash of magic she had the blade pressed to the bard's sternum and he did let out a growl of warning not that she paid him any attention, he shifted his hand ever slightly ready to aim the attack at her as she whispered in Jaskier's ear.

"You just looked so sad and pathetic with those big pleading watery blue eyes of yours and I decided to spare you. They always were my weakness, you'd probably recall that beautiful blonde had very similar eyes. I learn from my mistakes however, never make the same one twice." and then she lent forward to capture the bard's lips in one last kiss only to meet his cheek as Jaskier turned away from it, in disgust. Geralt's gaze remain glued to the knife, he may not have a choice, if it meant saving the bard's life he'd happily risk snapping Jaskier's wrist.

Better a broken wrist than a knife through the chest.

Thankfully it seemed he didn't have to, as the witch pouted at the bard's response, mocking, "What's wrong? I thought you found me captivatingly beautiful?"

"That was before he saw what lay beneath." Yennefer's voice sounded cooly as she stepped through the same doorway Marzeena had when she'd entered. The new addition to the room startling the hazel haired witch enough that she let go of Jaskiers hand and Geralt sent her flying with a blast of aard the second it was released.

Marzeena was sent tumbling across the room with a cry, cursing as Yennefer latched onto the pendant with her magic, snapping the cord it hung from as her pull brought it to her own hand. "It was spoken clear in his eyes, any half decent sorceress could see that." she grinned smugly at the crumpled witch. Geralt straightened himself as he stepped forward, drawing his sword more as warning than anything -surely Marzeena was smart enough to know when she was clearly out numbered. Catching Jaskier by the arm to help steady him as he stumbled forward on unsteady legs as the witch's hold broke.

"Catch!" Yen called, tossing the pendant to the bard who fumbled the thing, juggling it between his hands three times before finally securing it in his hold. Drawing a half-exasperated sigh from the violet eyed sorceress at how someone who's fingers were so nimble and coordinated when plucking a swift-paced tune on a lute could be so damn uncoordinated other times, as she informed him to pop the stopper in its top. The golden swirl of light in the pendant flared brighter in the bard's hand as he worked the tiny cork free, springing free as soon as it was removed. Swirling around Jaskier's arm in a glitter of gold before swooping up his chest and seeping back into the faint sliver of a scar on his neck.

Geralt's attention was drawn away from the golden light of Jaskier's voice as it faded into the scar and back to Marzeena as she picked herself up off the floor. Dusting off her red and gold gown with a growl, "You didn't have to fling me across the damn room. I was just toying with him, I wasn't actually going to kill him, I'm not a monster."

"Though apparently you were happy to try and use me as a sacrifice when we first met." Jaskier scoffed back unsympathetically, his pout shifting to shock and then glee as he realised the words had come out as spoken words. His voice really was back! It sounded a little rough, but that was probably because it had been cramped in a tiny crystal prison for the best part of a week. He was just about to state that he had it back in rejoice, even though it was clearly obvious to all but Marzeena cut him off with a roll of her eyes as she said.

"And it would have been a very pleasurable death."

"Oh, right, yeah. Good, yeah, that makes all better, except for the fact that I was a human sacrifice!" Jaskier intoned incredulously, arm spread wide to convey his disbelief.

The brunette scoffed at this, "That was at least a decade ago, get over it."

Jaskier was gearing up, Geralt could see it in the way eyes flashed and his chest puffed out, and with a small grunt of frustration -because for the time being the witch seemed in an agreeable mood and the last thing they needed was Jaskier gaining her ire again, he grabbed the bard by the scruff. Pulling a small "Whaa." from the troubadour as he pulled him to heel, thankful that seemed to distract from whatever it was the other was about to retort. "You have your voice back and the sorceress has her life." Geralt directed to the witch with a pointed look that he hoped would warn her off causing further or future trouble. He wasn't really in the habit of granting third chances, be they monster or man. "Let's go."

"Oh, no." Marzeena spat, eyes flickering a bright teal as her features set into a fierce glare, "You don't just get to march into my home and take from me then be on your merry way. He," she growled pointing to the bard, "doesn't get to intrude and take from me, not after he's already stolen so much. Not only did he steal the potion of immortality I spent half a century crafting and sourcing ingredients for but he cost me the life of my love."

"I thought it wine." Jaskier argued unhelpfully, "I'm sorry I drank you vile potion but claiming I stole the life of you lover seems a little dramatic, I mean he was what six decades old? Witches may live ridiculously long lives but most humans only live seven maybe eight decades if their lucky, he pretty much lived a full human life..." withering a little under the witch's heated gaze he finished, "j-just saying."

Yennefer cut in then sounding rather bored with the whole ordeal, "You really shouldn't blame others for your carelessness and lack of foresight. You shouldn't have left the potion laying around where just anybody could take it, and in a wineglass of all things, and you should have brewed enough for back up should something befall the first, plain and simple."

"I'm no fool, of course I had another potion." Marzeena hissed back, sending the raven haired sorceress a patronising look as she flicked her long hazel waves back over her shoulder. "I'm much older than you girl, so do not presume to accuse me of amateur mistakes."

Yennefer merely blinked, refusing to be riled by the other woman as she pointed out, "Well then, if you had a second potion the bard's actions were really little more than a minor set back, hardly worth a decade long grudge and certainly not worth making an enemy of a Witcher. It would take little effort for you to pick up a fool eager to follow you home from some tavern I'd wager, or just hire a whore or two to replace the sacrifice you lost."

"He was the love of my life, we were supposed to spend the rest of our lives together." The red clad sorceress hissed furiously, "I didn't go through all that effort just to pluck my sacrifices at random, it took time to carefully pick out the perfect pair to craft the perfect spell." She pointed his way then and Jaskier couldn't help but step back and to the side a little to better shield himself behind the Witcher. He really didn't like the glare she was sending him, it was very nearly on Yennefer's level of scray. "He was to be perfect, then it to all fell to ruin because of that cowardly cad."

Geralt huffed a breath before suggesting, "It wasn't just about reducing his age and extending his life was it? You sought to remake him in the process."

Jaskier looked between Witcher and witch, he didn't entirely know what Geralt meant by remake, he had some idea on what the Witcher was implying, but how does one even remake a person it certainly didn't inspire any pleasant images. Geralt had been remade from a boy into a Witcher and the man hated to speak on the topic, clammed up and become testy any time the topic was brought up.

Marzeena on the other hand looked rather proud of herself as she said, "Why settle for second best when you've the power to create perfection. Genny may not have been much to look at when your little bard saw him but in his younger years he was built much like you Witcher all tall muscled and broad shouldered. A thick head of gorgeous dark curls, brilliantly blue eyes, he was great in bed, though could do to last a little longer and a little lacking in the romance department. There was room for improvement."

Yennefer hummed in consideration, raising a perfectly styled brow, "You choose your sacrifices based off traits and talents to craft your ideal partner."

And Jaskier did not like the way that hum sounded suspiciously like a curious student eager to learn more. Yennefer had better not be getting any ideas, scary-ass witch or not if ever tried to change Geralt she'd have a fight on her hands. A fight that would be highly in her favour yes, but he could get quite nasty when he wanted, in fact it'd been said he fought with all the grace and vigour of a feral cat. It may not have been a compliment, but the man who'd said it had been rather banged up with blood spilling down one side of his face and a very nasty bite on his arm, and had practically screamed for Geralt to restrain his bard.

Sure Geralt could be stubborn and moody, antisocial and tended to lash out rather than deal with his emotions like a grown up, but he was his best friend and Jaskier wouldn't change him for the world. Well Geralt could stand to compliment or even thank his best friend a little more but otherwise. As though reading his very thoughts, Yennefer's violet gaze bore over catching his own before giving an unenthused roll.

"Unfortunately Genny was left scarred after catching the pox as a boy, which is why I chose the blonde. She may have been a common whore but I wanted to grant him her flawless skin, flexibility and seemingly boundless sexual energy." The teal eyed sorceress admitted, "And I chose the bard for his beautiful voice, talented skilled fingers and romantic dedication. Soft serenades, flowers, complements and all around desire to please, I must say I did rather like the way the sappy little prick chased after me like a love sick puppy." Crossing her arms, she let out a bothersome huff, "I couldn't very well continue with half my ingredients having run off, and it could have taken years to find new ones to my liking, so what choice did I have but to scrap Genny and start fresh. I wasn't going to waste the last of my potion on anything less than perfection."

"Ah!" Jaskier scoffed in indignation, hands moving to his hips as the tended to go in show of his offence and utter disbelief, "Oh, oh! And here you have the nerve to accuse me of being the reason you lost the love of your life as though I'd practically driven a knife into his very chest with my actions. 'You took from me something irreplaceable', those had been your exact words when you stole my voice, as though you had any claim to it. Irreplaceable, ha! If was so precious to you you wouldn't have just cast him aside as soon as things weren't going your way. Were he the love of your life as you claim, you'd have been content enough just to have him by your side for the rest of your lives. Knock a couple of years off extend his life and live happily ever after. If you truly loved him you wouldn't need change him, you'd love him despite his flaws!"

"Perhaps," Marzeena said flatly, unfazed by his rant, "but I'd have loved him more without them. I'm a sorceress, bard, I don't have to settle for second best, and I'm not going to. I'll craft my perfect love eventually."

"And when you do it will be without the bard's voice." Geralt rasped in annoyance, he was done with this. No more talking, either the witch relented gave up her desire for Jaskier's voice or any type of retribution on the bard, because as far as he was concerned Jaskier owed her nothing and let them free, or he removes her head from her shoulders. Either way they were leaving. Now.

She took heed of the threat in his voice this time, giving in with a frustrated, "Have it your way then!" turning to scowl at Jaskier, "Gods, if they talked as much as you do it would be nothing but a curse, anyway. So take your damn voice and never return." All but screeching as she pointed out the door he and the bard had ented through, "Now get the fuck out of my house!"

Well, she didn't need to tell them twice, they were all more than happy to oblige. Gathering outside with roach who had wandered over by the tree line to chomp on a fresh patch of red clover. Where Jaskier had thanked both Witch and Witcher for helping him get his voice back, swiftly revoking his humbled gratefulness for Yennefer's aid when she had scoffed "You'd better damn be, you are in debt one favour now, bard." Geralt hadn't missed the playful hint hidden in her tone, though he held no doubt she call upon the bard the minute she found need to call upon that favour. He wouldn't put it past her to lord it over him whenever they crossed paths till it was repaid.

"Where did you come from anyway?" The bard had asked as they got ready for Yen to portal bard and Witcher back to the village they had first met her after Jaskier had lost his voice.

"Novigrad, she has a small dwelling there that has a door leading to wherever it is her inner chambers dwell. I wouldn't be surprised if her bathroom had hidden passage to Oxenfurt or Vizima or some other town."

"I certainly hope not." Jaskier breathed a shiver raking up his spine, "Oxenfurt at least, I'd really rather not bump into her next time I visit the college."

Geralt nodded his own thank to the sorceress as she opened their portal, knowing full well he too owed her a favour for her help. Giving the bard get moving with a helpful shove before leading Roach through it, the poet rounded on him the moment the portal closed, arms spread wide in welcome and a face splitting smile on his lips. "Ah, it is good to be back! These last few days have been absolute torture, how I've missed this glorious voice. Cursed witch does she no realise locking this wondrous voice away as she had was a travesty, an outrage, a- a out right crime! It is a gift deserving to be shared with the world, to deny the good people the chance to hear my singing is a crime against humanity. For who else would bring them cheerful crowd pleasers, rowdy tavern hits, breathtaking or heart stopping ballads packed with adventure and action and awe, love songs that could make even the burliest of men weep-"

"-I'm sure they'd survive." He huffed with a just a hint of smirk, he couldn't help but tease when they younger man was plying such dramatics.

"Oh come on, you missed my voice too." Jaskier grinned crossing his arms over his chest and cocking a brow. "Admit it."

"Maybe." Geralt replied, though the beaming grin his confession brought had him backtracking as he continued past the bard to try and find Roach a stable for the night. "Just a little bit, tiny, think grain of rice." He held one hand up thumb and finger pressed so close together the leather of his gloves was practically touching as visual reference.

"Ha, sure play it down, I see straight through you." Jaskier scoffed, half jogging a step to catch up to the Witcher's side. "It really is good to have it back. Oh! Speaking of, you would not believe, I had the strangest dream last night..."

He may have spoke to soon.