FAINA SAT IN THE TALL GRASS, PICKING AT THEM GENTLY AS SHE WATCHED THE SUN SET BEHIND THE MOUNTAINS,

She thought that perhaps she should leave now, while everyone was resting for the night. She'd reach the green dragon before everyone else, and prepare for the Reavers to show up.

Maybe she could tell Geralt, and get him to protect the dragon with her.

But how would he react to that? She's kept this secret from him for years. Would he feel betrayed?

"I was right, what I said back there." Borch announced as he approached the silver haired woman,

Faina sighed. This man did not want to leave her alone, "About what?" 

"About enduring. Some must do what they have to to survive. And that includes evolving." He came to a stop beside her,

"You say as if you have experienced it." Faina said, glancing up at him,

The wind blew through the trees and Faina caught a whiff of his scent. There was something... familiar about it. She stood and turned to face him. He gave her a kind smile as a gold hue surrounded him.

At first she thought it was a trick of the light. But then a ring of fire surrounded him in the tall grass,

 "I don't... you're..." She was at a loss for words.

He was a dragon. Like her.

Borch nodded, "I am." He smiled, "Tell me, how long has it been since you've seen one of your kind?"

Tears filled her eyes, "Since I was a child. My mother hid me away from the Reavers and led them away. I thought I was the only one left."

Borch took a step towards her and wrapped his arms around the woman, "You are not alone, young dragon. You never were." She dug her face into his shoulder and breathed in his scent once more,

Faina pulled away and looked into his kind eyes, seeing the fire behind them. He was one of her kind. Dragonkin. "Tell me, why are you hunting another dragon?"

"I'm not. I'm going to save her." He held out his hand, "Come, young dragon, before your Witcher comes to find you."

She took his hand with a smile and he led her towards Geralt's camp. Faina paused at her pack at her feet and glanced back at Borch, who gave her a nod before approaching his Zerrikanian warriors.

It was starting to make more sense now. Their mission wasn't to kill the dragon. 

Faina took off her sheath and grabbed her sleeping pouch when Geralt spoke, "Are you alright?"

She glanced over at him and nodded, "I'm fine."

"You were gone for a while." He stated, leaning back on his elbows,

"I needed some time to myself." Faina replied, "But I'm fine now. No need to worry."

"I always worry." Geralt commented,

Faina smiled and crouched beside his laying form, "Don't get soft on me now, Witcher."

Geralt grabbed her hips and flipped her around so her back hit the ground and he was on top of her, "Nothing about me is soft." He growled,

"Not that I'm not happy that you're getting some, Geralt, but there are other people around who wish not to see those parts of you." Jaskier commented and Faina let out a laugh.

Geralt rolled his eyes before getting off of Faina. She moved back over to her side of the fire and snuggled in deep into her sleeping pack.

She glanced over to Borch, who lit a fire with a single breath. He smirked at Faina before turning to speak to his protectors.

The next morning, they were quick to pack up their camp. Faina had just reattached her sheath when she heard Yennefer call out for the Lord.

"Has anyone seen my escort?"

Everyone looked around, not seeing the Sir Eyck. Suddenly, one of the dwarves cried out, "Bloody ball sacks!"

Geralt and Faina shared a look before following the sound. Below them on the cliff was a slaughtered Sir Eyck, his trousers around his ankles and blood pooled around his body,

"Who slits a man's throat while he's relieving his bowels?" Jaskier asked in horror, "Is nothing sacred anymore?"

"Fuck." Yennefer hissed before walking away.

The Reavers headed out and the others were close behind. Faina stayed near Borch, asking questions about where he was from, and where he has been.

"We're halfway to the dragons lair, but it's getting dangerous" Véa stated, "We cannot continue like this."

"The warrior woman is right." Yarpen replied, "Someone killed that self-righteous fud, and it wasn't any of us. Somebody's not playin' fair. Our people used to mine these mountains. We know a shortcut that will cut half a day off our journey. Let the Reavers take the long way around. We'll nab the treasure before they even set foot in the cave." The dwarf suggested, "We'll watch each other's backs until we reach the next peak, then every man for himself. What say ye?"

Borch glanced back at Faina and the others before nodding, "Let's go."