Ciri goes to the show

Even fewer guards and servants greeted her on her return trip out of the basement. Ciri could only hope that meant more and more people had been given the antidote and were coming to their senses.

The theatre sat near the center of the estate, one of the larger buildings in the grounds, it had tunnels and hallways connecting it to the rest of the buildings. Those tunnels gave her a clear path from the basement to the theatre's back rooms where they 'prepared' for the show.

She could hear the people inside before she could see them. The dank dark basement hallways gave too to warmth and light and the sounds of crowds chattering. The stone walls were now wood and adorned with artwork.

Thankfully there was no one guarding the doors. The theatre's backrooms were a cluttered mess of ropes, chains, and cages that lined the far wall. Ghouls, drowners, a wolf laid waiting and caged waiting for their time to shine.

Opposite of the cages was a stage, a large thick red curtian cut the space in half, hiding what hid behind from the crowd, hiding her.

A half dozen guards stood watch, they all looked uneasy being around such creatures. They paid her little mind, knowing well she was a part of the show.

A ghoul snarled at her, two drowners stared, their large glassy eyes seemed to look through her. The giant centipede wasn't in a cage but pinned down by chains.

On the back wall she could see another cage, a dozen small figures and a woman inside, Yennefer and the goblins.

"For tonight's entertainment!"

Ciri stopped, the voice of the announcer easily passing through the thick curtain that separated the stage and the backrooms. She listened as the announcer started his speel.

They would get their entertainment for tonight, that was for sure.

She turned to the guards, "All of you," she said, and when she had all thier attention, "Leave," they pause for a moment, almost hesitant, but obeyed.

With her sword she smashed the lock on the ghoul's cage, then the drowners, she hurried forward towards the centipede. She found where the chains were linked and removed them, then quickly got out of the way.

She was easy pickings and would never be able to kill them all herself. But these monsters were simple things with simple minds. Creatures of habit and instinct.

"Tonight you will witness depravity like no other," The announcer continued, his voice boomed, and the crowd jeered in return and the monsters noticed.

Like a moth to a flame the monsters went to the sounds, scurrying and skittering and hobbling towards the stage and through the blood-red curtain.

At first, there were nearly no sounds, undoubtedly the patrons of the show thinking this was all a part of the act. But then the screams started and chaos erupted.

This was her chance, maybe her only chance. Ciri hurried to the only cage she had not opened. Only to stop

"You!" Hoat yelled from behind.

Ciri twisted, turned and looked at the man who had caused her so much pain and suffering over the last few months. She lifted her sword.

He was not alone. Four men, stood with him, tall and thickly built. All of them carried long poles with hooks around the end. Tools to restrain the monsters, but dangerous in their own right.

"What did you do?" Hoat growled, "You stupid, stupid girl."

Ciri backed up slightly, shifted her weight, and lifted her sword. She could hear screaming from the theatre, cries of panic and terror from the rich lords and merchants inside.

"Fuck," Hoat screamed, then turned to two of the guards, "Get out there and get things under control." He then turned to the two remaining guards, "and her, capture her, alive. She has much to answer for."

The two guards shadowing Hoat stepped forward.

Ciri concentrated, called on her magic, she immediately felt the resistance from the wards hidden in the estate the dimeritium lined in the walls. There would be no magic here.