Yennefer subconsciously touched the obsidian star on her neck as she starred suspiciously across the table. "What a pleasant surprise. Truly, we weren't expecting you, darling," she said sarcastically.
"Believe me, I wouldn't have come if it weren't important, Yenna," the chestnut haired sorceress replied icily, returning Yennnefer's stare with scorn. "This is the last place that I want to be, but King Tancred needs Geralt's help, urgently."
"And this request from the King of Kovir required his advisor to come in person unannounced? What happened to reaching me by megascope? You're certain you don't have any ulterior motives for coming here?" Yen retorted.
Geralt was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. He had remained quiet after he had shown Triss inside the home that he shared with Yennefer. Triss had shown up late in the evening and without warning. Yennefer did not easily forgive people their transgressions in etiquette, especially someone whom she no longer trusted. The air had grown tense between them, and Geralt felt inclined to intervene. "Tell me what King Tancred needs from me, please, Triss."
Yen and Triss turned their heads to face him in unison leading Geralt to believe that they both had forgotten he was even in the room. "Right." Triss said quickly breaking away from Geralt's stare, blushing slightly. She stroked a scratch on the table as she spoke. "King Tancred would prefer to have this conversation personally, but it was much faster for me to travel alone obviously. Geralt, the king is worried that Heloiza, his younger sister, is missing. Strange things have been happening in Kovir, people have been going missing, and Heloiza hasn't been at court for the past two weeks. She's not in her quarters, and no one knows where she is."
"How is this a job for a witcher?" Geralt replied.
"Yes. I'm pondering the same," Yennefer narrowed her eyes.
"There have been sightings of a royal griffin flying over some coastal villages and they haven't found a nest yet. King Tancred thinks it might be related, so he asked that I come to you for help. He also wanted you to know that he's willing to pay you handsomely."
Geralt rubbed his chin. "So he thinks the royal griffin sighting has something to do with his missing sister?" Geralt paused. "And what do you think, Triss?"
"I'm not so sure it's related, but something strange is definitely happening. People have been going missing for months now. Everyone thinks the griffin is responsible, but when some of the soldiers tried to find it's nest, there was nothing to be found. Not a trace of the griffin."
Geralt was quiet, contemplating what Triss had just said. Griffins did enjoy taking their prey to their nests to eat slowly. Maybe Princess Heloiza was kidnapped by the griffin two weeks ago. If that were the case, she would be dead by now. But then, griffins also leave a clear indication of their presence. "No trace of a griffin you say?"
Triss met Geralt's eyes. "None. If some villagers hadn't seen the griffin, I wouldn't believe it."
"The villagers could be mistaken, but it does seem that you have some type of monster prowling around. Let me think on it for the night."
Yennefer cleared her throat, "Yes. Well, let's get ready to turn in then. It was late when you arrived and it's only grown later. I imagine you're weary from travel, Triss. Do you need something to eat? Drink? No? Fine then. We have a spare room for guests. This way please."
When Yennefer finally came into the room and shut the door, she wore a scowl. Geralt sat on the bed stretching his neck from side to side. He stopped and looked across the room at the pacing sorceress. "Are you alright, Yen?"
"Did you see the way she looked at you?" Yennefer whispered emphatically with a flash of anger in her violet eyes. "It grows increasingly tiresome that I must constantly remind her of the way that things are, that you are mine, and I am yours!"
Geralt gestured inviting Yen to the bed. She sat down next to him, rigid with fury. "Yes, I am yours and you are mine," Geralt repeated and put an arm over Yennefer's shoulders, drawing her closer to him. She seemed to thaw under his touch and responded by wrapping her arms around him. He buried his face in her raven locks and kissed her head. "But what do you make of this griffin sighting?" He asked while breathing the enticing aroma of lilac and gooseberries. Yennefer rested a hand on his chest and exhaled.
"I truly do not know, Geralt. It sounds troublesome. Though it's not really our problem." Geralt stayed quiet. Yennefer understood his silence, "I know you've been dreadfully bored in retirement."
"I've had you to keep me occupied," he said and gently squeezed her. "However, no one has found a griffin's nest? They're not particularly difficult to find."
She looked up at him, and smiled coquettishly, sneaking her hands under Geralt's tunic and tracing the sharp edges of his body. "Hmm. Yes, then, I think you should help. I think we should help. Show those Koviri soldiers what a witcher can do."
"If you think so," He looked back down at her, and touched her cheek with his rough hand. "In the morning, then. We will tell Triss that we will travel to Kovir."
"It's settled. Now please, please no more talk of Triss for the rest of tonight. I have other plans for us," she said pulling the witcher back on the bed, and tugging at his clothing.
The next morning, Geralt awoke alone. He pulled on his pants and shirt, and walked out into the living area. Triss and Yen sat silently at the table. Yennefer seemed in much better spirits today. At the sight of the witcher, she rose and quickly walked to him, embracing him and pressing her body against his. She kissed his neck. "Good morning, my love."
He looked down at her with wonder, "Good morning." He glanced up at Triss who had turned crimson. He cleared his throat and looked away quickly, "good morning, Triss."
Yennefer released Geralt and walked back to the table, "Well now that Geralt is awake, we can talk business. We've decided to help, Triss."
"Thank you both. I heard you discussing it last night," Triss replied. "I actually heard almost everything." She stood abruptly and smiled curtly at Yennefer. "I'd love to stay and visit, but I should really get back, and let Tancred know the good news. Please come without delay."
"We can be there in a day, just need some time to pack our bags. Where shall I open our portal?" Yen replied.
Triss and Yen fell silent. Geralt knew that Triss was letting Yen read her mind to find the location. Two things he disliked, mind reading and portals and yet, he could never escape them.
Yen nodded. "Very well. We'll be there this evening."
"Thank you," Triss opened her own portal and glanced at Geralt before disappearing into it.
After Triss left, Geralt sat down at the table. "What was that bit about her hearing 'almost everything'?"
Yennefer turned away and began straightening the shelves. "What? Oh, I suppose. If that's what she said."
"Yen, did you have anything to do with that? She was on the opposite side of the house."
Yen turned around to face him. "Perhaps I did, witcher," she purred, "but I felt that she needed a stronger reminder that you and I are together. For good this time." She winked.
Geralt just looked at Yen. She could be cruel sometimes, but only ever after she'd be wounded. And regardless, he loved her fiercely. "If we have to teleport to travel, would you mind if we stopped in White Orchard to check in on Ciri?"
"I was thinking the same thing. Come, I need to enchant a bag before we pack. Who knows how long we'll be."
The mid-morning sun was obscured by some clouds. He walked into the tavern with Yen trailing, both traveling with their hoods up. Geralt approached the notice board. A sign had been torn off recently. "What posting was here?" Geralt pointed to the vacant spot and turned to the innkeeper.
"Twas a posting for some nekkers that have been bothering a local farm."
"Where is this farm?"
"Who's asking?" a hulking man in rags stood up from a table in the corner.
"I am," Geralt sighed.
"And who might you lot be?" the man took a few steps closer.
"I am a witcher," Geralt spoke slowly for the brutish man to understand. "Do you know what that means?" He felt the muscles in his arms and hands tense. He prepared to draw the sword from his back.
"A witcher, eh? Why are ye traveling about these parts? Who is this wench? Ye keep her for the nights? Mind if I have a go at her?" The large man said, taking a step towards Yennefer. He reached a hand towards her. With a flash of black velvet, the man howled and brought the offending hand to his chest like a babe. A fine trail of blood appeared down his forearm.
Yennefer threw her hood back and barred her teeth at the man. "Watch your tongue, you inbred whoreson. Did you dare speak this way to the witcheress that came here before us? Be honest. Do not lie. And do not play games, or you will regret it."
"Oy, sorry mistress. I'm sorry! Please!"
Yen stepped forward.
"N-n-no. No, I wouldn't dream of speaking like that to a witcheress."
"Where is the farm that my man asked you about so nicely?"
"It's - the farm is just south of town, a potato farm. Farmer's name is Gregor," the man stammered.
"I should hope not. If I find out that you have lied to me, I will take that from you which you use to threaten women," Yennefer said while straightening her traveling shirt. Geralt and Yennefer both turned around and walked out, not paying attention to gawking expressions they just received.
When they stepped outside, Geralt turned to Yen with a puzzled expression.
"What?" She said flatly. "I'm not going to entertain the idea of some ruffian speaking to our daughter like that, Geralt. Forgive me, but I won't tolerate it. I have taken a man's tongue for lesser infractions."
Geralt mumbled, "I had it under control."
Yennefer walked ahead, "let's get to this farm. It's not far."
When they arrived at the farm, there were bodies of dead nekkers strewn about the field, but no sign of Ciri. Geralt could hear soft footsteps cracking two twigs behind them in the brush. He pretended to be ignorant, recognizing the pattern of the steps.
The brush behind them rustled, and suddenly someone landed on Geralt's back. "GOTCHA!" She shouted while covering both of his eyes with hands. He smiled broadly.
"Ciri!" Yennefer greeted her adopted daughter with a mother's embrace. She kissed Ciri on the forehead, and hugged her again.
"Yennefer! Geralt! I'm so happy to see you both!" Yennefer released Ciri, and Geralt embraced her. "Did you hear me sneaking up on you?"
Geralt smiled, "watch your footing more closely next time."
"Damn! I thought I had you," Ciri laughed. "Well what are you both doing here? I know you haven't taken the contract for nekkers because that's mine. I've already reached an agreement with the farmer. He paid me well considering there were more nekkers than he had thought."
"You've become quite the proficient witcher," Geralt said, with raised eyebrows. Ciri beamed back at him.
"We wanted to say hello before we travel to Kovir. Triss showed up last night, and summoned Geralt. Apparently Triss believes Geralt can help King Tancred more than anyone else."
Ciri nodded in acknowledgment, "What a surprise." She had always felt conflicted about the messy relationships of Geralt, Triss, and Yennefer. While Geralt and Yennefer were her parents for all intents and purposes, she thought of Triss as family too. They had all been through so much together. Ciri, however, could not forget or forgive that Triss had always tried to seduce Geralt, even when Ciri was a young girl.
Yen changed the subject, placing a hand on Ciri's cheek to inspect her scar, "How are you, my ugly one? What's this above your eyebrow? A scar? You must be more careful!
Ciri jerked her head out of Yennefer's hand, and looked at her angrily.
Yennefer put her hands up in surrender. "You didn't get any trouble at the inn, did you?"
"No trouble. One fool was eyeing me from behind though, so I flashed my sword at him, and he averted his gaze."
"Good." Yen hugged her again, this time more fiercely. "Have you enough money? When will you be home next?"
"I've one or two more contracts in me yet. Is it okay if I winter with you again?"
"Of course dear. We don't know how long we'll be, but you are always welcome. It's your home too," Yen wrapped an arm around Ciri.
Geralt enjoyed just watching their interactions. "Ciri, you know you're always welcome at home. You can stop asking every time. Your place is with us."
"Thank you." Ciri smiled. "Well, are you in a hurry? Can we dine together before you move on to Kovir? I want to hear more about what's happening there."
Yennefer nodded, and Geralt left to get food and drink from the inn, while Yennefer and Ciri found a nice secluded spot for a picnic. They ate salted fish, bread, drank wine, and had fruit for dessert while they chatted and laughed. When the afternoon began turning to evening, they said their goodbyes. Ciri went on her way, and Geralt and Yen disappeared into another portal.