Ciri swiftly cantered over the bridge before continuing along the dirt path. Within minutes she would arrive at the quiet village of White Orchard. Her last stop before heading home to Kaer Morhen. Before long, winter would be here and she would be enjoying it curled up by the fire, swapping storeies of the path with her mentor and foster father, Geralt of Rivia.
Ciri was broken from her thoughts of comfort by the stumbling of her horse. She lost her balance and fell against the horse's neck. She quickly regained it and pulled up on the reigns. Ciri dismounted.
"Damn it. Threw a shoe." Ciri said to herself, examining her horse's foot. Before she could stand up, Ciri heard a low growling sound coming from behind her. She slowly and gingerly turned to see a large rabid wolf a mere inches from her.
Damn it again... Ciri thought. Without moving, Ciri raised her eyes to her saddle that held her swords. She slowly reached for them. The wolf growled even louder and took a step closer.
Suddenly, a rock came flying out of nowhere and smacked the wolf in the back of the head. It spun around, teeth bared. Quick as flash, Ciri unsheathed her sword and finished the brut.
Pulling her sword from the animal she looked up and spied the source of the flying rock. A young boy with dark hair stood on a branch of a nearby tree. Ciri looked up at him as he looked down at her.
"Hello." She said.
"Hi." Replied the boy.
"And who do I have the pleasure of thanking?" Ciri asked as she collected the reigns of her mare.
The boy climbed down from the tree and approached her. "Blaze," he said.
"Well thank you very much for your aid Blaze. And I'm Ciri by the way." Ciri said.
"You're the Witcheress, aren't you? The one that defeated the White Frost." Blaze commented.
"I am she. Is there a blacksmith in town?" Ciri asked.
The boy nodded and pointed. "I'll take you." He said. "Its near my house anyway."
And with that, Ciri followed the boy into town.
"The blacksmiths down there. That's my house and across from its the inn and tavern if you need a place to stay." Blaze said when they reached White Orchard.
"Thanks again," Ciri said as she placed a few coins into the boys hand.
He gave her a brief smile and a nod before scampering off toward his home. Ciri watched him go as he entered the gate and greeted the women that was sweeping off the front steps. They spoke a few words before the boy pointed at her and she met the woman's eyes from a distance. She held up her hand and smiled but all the women did was stare at her with a blank expression.
Ciri shrugged it off and led her horse down the path to the blacksmith.
Later that evening Ciri found herself dining on a nice roasted chicken in the tavern. She smiled as she thought fondly on the last time she was here in this very tavern.
"A Witcher's sliver sword!? Its beautiful!"
"It's yours."
"Excuse me miss?" A voice said, breaking Ciri from her thoughts.
Ciri turned to see the women from early today.
"May I sit down?" The women said, gesturing to the seat in front of Ciri.
Ciri nodded in reply.
"I'm Hannah, I've come to talk to you about my boy Blaze." She said seriously.
"Look, he was only helping me. I-"
The women held up her hands silencing Ciri. "That's not what I've come to say to you miss. I bare no ill will against your kind, you yourself especially.
"Oh," Ciri said, a bit lost for words. "Go on then?" She said with curiosity.
"I've come to ask you to take him with you." Hannah said.
Ciri almost choked on her drink. She swallowed hard and wiped the dribble off her face, staring at the women with eyes wide.
"Most people don't want us anywhere near their children and you want me to take your son?" Ciri questioned.
"Please miss, will you permit me to explain?" The women asked, no.. begged.
Ciri again, nodded. She was still in a state of shock.
"I won't waste your time... I'm dying madam Witcheress. And when I do my boy will have no one. His father was a soldier.. died three years ago in battle. Neither one of us was born with any siblings who could take him in after my passing. My neighbors and friends... well.. they'd love too but they don't even have enough food or coin to take care of their own kids. I don't want my son to suffer after I die... I don't want him to be alone. He'll have nothing after I'm gone miss. He's newly turned 8 years old.. strong, brave, he's the oldest boy in the village.. a leader amongst the other children... I prayed to the gods for an answer, a solution to come, and today he met you... prevented harm from coming to you... brought you here... Is it possible that it is your fate you Witchers believe in?" Hannah chocked up.
Ciri remained silent, waiting for her to continue.
"Will you take him my lady? Make him a Witcher?" She breathed.
"We.. haven't taken on wards in a number of years... We don't make new Witcheres anymore to my knowledge. Since myself of course, though I never went through the mutation trials" Ciri spoke.
Hannah took a deep breath, closing her eyes for a moment before opening them again. "Correct me if I'm wrong, there are only but a handful of Witchers left in the world?"
Ciri thought for a moment, counting in her head before confirming.
"There are still monsters in this world miss. One more would help. He's a good lad my son.. always looked out for those weaker then himself, especially me. Look, I'm not cruel.. I know the risk of your mutagains... I know he could die... but miss, there is no risk only certain death if he stays here. Please." She begged, tears began to form in her eyes. "I've spoke to every healer within miles of this town.. theres nothing they can do for me, I have but a month or two... maybe less. I won't abandon him to the trail of treats or to a grave in the gutters."
Ciri's mouth fell open but no words or sound came out. Her mind became a blank slate. She swallowed and composed herself, and thought deeply.
"Does he know you came to speak to me?" Ciri asked her after many minutes had gone by.
Hannah shook her head.
"Does he know you're dying." Ciri asked.
A tear fell from the women's eye before she replied. "No.."
Ciri nodded and thought a few minutes more about the boy in the tree before making her decision.
"I will take your son. He will become my ward. I will look after him and treat him well, you have my word." Ciri said confidently. "Now, you must leave me for I must rest. I leave tomorrow at noon. Bring your boy to the edge of town by the bridge."
Ciri wanted to tell her she was sorry. That she understood her pain. But there are times a Witcher must remain professional no matter what. And this was one of those times.
With a smile and a broken heart the women thanked her. Her cheeks wet with tears as she bid Ciri goodnight and departed.
After she was gone Ciri breathed out the breath she hand been unconsciously holding.
Ciri paid and thanked the blacksmith as she collected her mare. She stabled her before leading her out of town. The sun was high in the sky, it would be noon soon. As she reached the bridge she felt a sudden surge of excitement and anticipation. She was getting her first ward after all, and a particular brave one at that, why wouldn't she be excited. Ciri hoped to build a relationship with the boy, similar to the one she had with Geralt. She hoped to be to Blaze what Geralt was to her. The boy would need it after this exchanged. Ciri knew this wasn't going to be an easy or fun moment for anyone... least of all a young 8 year old boy.
Ciri spotted them. They were coming. She put the reigns over her horse's head but still hung on to them, keeping the black mare still.
"My lady." Hannah said, dipping her head to her.
Blaze smiled at her and waved before turning to his mom.
"Mom, we're here now can you please tell me what the surprise in the bag is, and why you've been acting all funny?" Blaze said.
Ciri could tell he hadn't a clue as to what was happening. She looked at Hannah.
Hannah held her glaze for a moment before kneeling down and handing her son the satchel. His back was to Ciri, but she could still see his face. Blaze snatched it and opened it. The playful smile on his face vanished and was replaced with confusion. Bag still in hand, he looked at his mother.
"Three pairs of clothes.. my clothes?" He asked.
He turned his head to look at Ciri, then back at his mother. "Mom, whats going on?"
"Blaze.." Her voice wavered. Ciri could see she couldn't keep her tears at bay any longer.
"Mom, mom whats wrong? Tell me so I can make it better." Blaze said desperately, his voice filling with panic.
Ciri watched as Hannah tucked her head and closed her eyes as she swallowed and got a hold of herself.
"Blaze I can't look after you anymore... can't take care of you. Feed you anymore." She choked
"Its okay mommy, I'll hunt more food, feed myself. I'll-"
"No son... thats not how its suppose to be. You're a boy, not a husband... you shouldn't have to take care of me. I am your mother... it should be the other way around. And-" Hannah broke off again. She briefly looked at Ciri before continuing. "And as your mother I give you to her, to Ciri, to take as her ward.. to be taken to the School of the Wolf to train and become a Witcher."
"No!" The boy sobbed and shook his head, gripping his mother's shoulders. "No, I wanna stay with you! Please! Have I done something wrong? I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Please don't send me away."
Hannah, overcome with emotion covered her face her hands. He turned to Ciri, whom almost lost her breath at the pain in his face. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" He pleaded to her.
"Sweet heart," Hannah's voice came, causing him to face her again. "You have nothing to be sorry for.. you have done nothing wrong my sweet child. I love you and always will. This is what's best for the both of us.."
"No.." Blaze sobbed weakly.
"This is what's right. Now, go with her. Be brave." Hannah said.
"No! I won't go!" Blaze cried out, he locked his arms around his mom's neck, clinging to her for dear life.
Hannah hugged him close and hard. She looked up at Ciri. "Get on your horse my lady.. I'll give him to you."
Ciri nodded and mounted, as Hannah carried her son to her. She handed Ciri his satchel, which she slipped over her arm. With one hand tightly on the reigns she gripped the boy with the other and placed him on the horse in front of her. Faceing her.
"No! Mommy!" Blaze cried.
"Ride my lady! He is your's now..." Hannah said.
Ciri gave her one final nod. With one hand on the reigns and the other wrapped around the child, holding him securely to her. She kicked her heals into the mare's ribs and sent her galloping into the land.