Ciri does some research and makes a plan.

Everything the library had on Drowners were in the books she had taken from the shelves. Diet, behaviors, history. A man in Skellige was actually trying to track population growth and migration routes of the dimwitted beasts.

There were detailed sketches of their anatomy and suggestions on the best ways to hunt and kill the beasts. Ciri found what she had wanted in the second book and made notes before closing it.

She opened the last book and quickly skimmed its contents. Detailed information on the beast of the of Northern Realms. Werewolves, giant insects, chorts and trolls the list went on. She bit her lip and glanced back towards the entrance before she stealthily tore a few choice pages from the book, folding them and shoving them into her boot.

She closed the books and returned them to the shelves. She gave a quick glance to Alaric as she left. He watched her go but remained silent as she left the Academy.

-

Ciri stood overlooking the small lake. It was pristine, cold and clear. Other than a long-abandoned stone tower on the southern coast there was not a single trace of another human being for miles. She had made sure of that. It was a four days ride from the closest village and she had camped for two nights watching for campfires, looking for trails or any kind of intelligent life before she had felt at ease and was confident she was alone.

It had cost her too much gold to gather her supplies, and it took and half a day to prepare the abandoned guard tower for her needs.

There was a small group of drowners on the east side of the lake and with what she had learned from the Library in Oxenfurt it was easy to lure one of them away from its group. The mixture of rotting fish and wild berries had the desired effect of an **** beast.

She had fought Wyverns, even a Bruxa once but they didn't compare. Her heart pounded in her chest as she roped the chain around the scaly neck of the drowner. The gag in its mouth covered its razor sharp teeth. She held her breath as she attached the padded gloves around its claws and feet then stepped back and watch as the drowner began to stir.