After retrieving what Viktor made for him—and being instructed on how to use it so as not to lose a hand—Geralt has set the item at home, and then returned to weave through the streets towards the market. He has until sundown before he needs to be elsewhere. In the meantime, they're out of bread and meat. His extended trip means he's had little opportunity to hunt for the house so. The market it is.

It's rare, though not wholly unexpected for him to be recognized: he's been here from the start, has taken contracts for many of the locals, is difficult to miss among the Summoned. But Ciri's name, her relation to him, makes him pause. He stops in his tracks without turning around. There is an instinctive, protective surge any time a stranger knows Ciri. More than that, knows who he is to her out of the blue. Explicitly refers to him as such.

When he does finally turn, his narrowed eyes land on a woman. Does he know her? Yes and no. Her face is familiar. Alucard's, mm. Friend. From the performance at the hall. He remembers seeing her (the two of them, really) in the crowd. Remembers prodding Alucard lightly over it. Which makes it further curious, what she's said: he'd expect to be known as Alucard's friend or the hunter, if it's through the dhampir in which she recognizes him.

A long stretch of silence passes as he studies her before he says, "We haven't met."