VILLAGE OF MIDCORPSE

The women of the village of Midcorpse were conversing about the new witch in the village. "My man went to see the witch again…. She is enchanting him." One of the women said to her companions.

"Some said she suck the life out of her victims." Another woman said.

"Since my husband went to see her, all he does is sit outside and pick his teeth!" The earlier woman complained. "Doesn't help with anything anymore!" She sobbed.

A few feet away at the meeting of the roads in the village two more women were also discussing the village witch. "So gonna try to charm him? Did the witch gave you lovage?"

"No. Absolutely not." The other woman denied.

"How do you get to the witch's hut?"

"Across the pond, you will find a lone boulder. Turn right you will see an abandoned cart. The hut is few feet away from there."

The women of the village were talking among themselves while working but none noticed a man heard everything they said.

Geralt crossed the pond and followed the direction the woman was talking about. He spotted the hut but on his way he encountered a few nekkers. "Damn! You are ugly!" He said after cutting off the head of the last nekker. He slowly approached the hut and saw Keira Metz, former adviser of King Foltest is standing in front of her hut talking with the villagers. They were asking for her help and she was trying to help but at last she got frustrated with the villagers and went inside her hut. He knew she saw him standing outside her hut. As the villagers left, Geralt entered her hut. But no one was there. He even checked the cellar. He began to search the room and his eyes fell on a letter. He opened the letter and begin to read:

Darling,

I'm writing because you must be worried that I'm still angry. Silly man, you know full well I never hold a grudge too long. I forgive you.

It's all because of that secretiveness of yours. Is it so strange for me to take an interest in your plague research? I adore watching you at work in your tower – please, if you still refuse to discuss the results of your experiments with me, at least don't deny me that small pleasure.

If Vserad doesn't need you tomorrow evening, come see me. We'll clear everything up over a glass of wine- or two, or more….

Your K

The letter didn't help Geralt much. But he wondered what trouble Keira has gotten herself in. This person whom Keira addressed in the letter seems to be her lover or she is simply using the man named Alexander for her own purpose. He thought that it isn't his business, so he placed the letter back where it was before he took it.

He again began to search the room for signs of Keira. He found a pentagram in chalk, a bauble and a skull. The skull was emitting a powerful magical aura. Geralt touched the skull carefully. As soon as his fingers touched it, a portal appeared to his left.

"So this is where she disappeared to." Geralt mumbled to himself and stepped into the portal. Stepping out of the portal, he was greeted by a magical place and a bathhouse.

"I was wondering how long it would take you, Geralt. I'm upstairs. Don't be shy." He heard Keira's voice from top of the house. He noticed the stairs to his right but he didn't go up. She must be taking a bath and he didn't want to see a naked woman, since she is not Yen. A smile appeared on his lips as his thought turned to some of his past memories when the both of them had taken bath together and it always turned to be…. Steamy.

"I will wait here, Keira. Tell me when you are done." Geralt said.

"Oh! A gentleman. Yennefer will be happy." She commented from upstairs.

Yeah! Yeah! Geralt thought.

After few minutes she called him when she was done bathing.

"Keira Metz, deep in the heart of Velen…. Thought you hated the countryside" Geralt greeted the sorceress.

"I can assure you I do, now more than ever." Keira replied.

"Heard a witch lived out here. Never would've guessed it was King Foltest's former advisor." Geralt said.

"I'm so pleased the world is still able to astound you, Geralt. I actually envy you that sense of wonder – common in children, knights errant, and morons." She teased.

"Hm. Someone has grown irritable. Is that way to greet an old friend?" Geralt said, folding his hand over his chest.

"I wanted to greet you with a pleasant view but you denied that pleasure. Now tell me what brings you here." Keira said.

"Before that, what are you doing here?" Geralt asked.

"Let me think…. Enjoying the country air? Admiring the unspoilt scenery? Or is it furthering the age old-alliance between the city and its age old breadbasket. No." She said.

Geralt glared at her and she sighed before talking again. "I'm in hiding, Geralt. Blind to the state of the world? Don't you see what's happening?"

"Mean the persecution, mages now face?"

"Yes, that's exactly what I mean – Radovid's new pastime, pursuing anyone with a whiff of magic about them. Witch hunters… sound familiar? Murderers scouring the North from end to end. Burning books, hanging soothsayers, torturing herbalists…." She looked down while she was talking.

"Picked a strange place to hide." Geralt said.

"I didn't pick anything. In the north, Radovid's men hunt sorceresses like fish in a barrel. Nilfgaard controls the south. Where was I to flee?" She asked.

"Emperor does keep mages on a short leash, but he lets them live and ply their trade." Geralt said.

"Radovid and Emhyr differ in every respect, except one. They share a deep hatred of the Lodge of Sorceresses. And I was a member."

"So, how does it feel to be the village witch?"

"Huh. Horrid."

"No joy in having the boundless respect and trust of the local peasantry?"

"They'd respect anyone who could produce hemorrhoid cream."

Geralt nodded in understanding. "Been here for a while aren't you?"

She made a disgusted face before answering. "Long enough for rot to set in. You cannot imagine how much I detest this place."

She really hates Velen. Can't blame her though. I would also if I was in her place.

"Any news of your sisters from the Lodge?"

"None. We can't know too much about one another these days. It's safer that way."

"Ever tried to contact one another?"

"I've wanted to, many times. But I've no way of knowing who would answer – or who would might be listening. It's safer this way." She bowed her head. She sighed and looked up towards the Witcher. "So what brings you in Velen?"

"I'm looking for a certain young woman."

"Oh really. Who?"

"I'm looking for Ciri. That Ciri. And no one can know. Understand?"

At his answer Keira straightened up. All her boredom was gone instantly. "Cirilla here? The girl once sought by the Lodge of Sorceresses and practically every ruler on the Continent has landed here, in Velen, and I know nothing of it? What is she doing here?"

"Indications are she is hiding from someone. I heard she quarreled with a witch, but if you don't know anything…." Geralt paused. "Sure you haven't seen her?"

"I'm certain I haven't. But recently someone asked me about an ashen-haired woman. He claimed she would stand out from the peasant crowd." Keira said.

Someone else looking for her? Who?

"Who was it?" Geralt asked Keira.

"Not so fast, Geralt. No humble plea? No offering for the witch?"

Geralt sighed and shook his head from side to side. "My undying gratitude, good enough?"

"It's nothing to sneeze at, but you've a knack for getting into trouble. I should probably ask for something more immediately deliverable." Keira teased which earned her a glare from the Witcher.

"Oh, sod it, don't give me that look. I know it's Ciri we're talking about. It was ab elf – this individual who asked about Cirilla. No flea-bitten Scoia'tael slob, either. But an elven mage."

"What was an elven mage doing in Velen?"

"Well, I tried to ask him, of course, about everything. But you know how elves are – he asked many more questions than he answered."

"He say what his name was?"

"He didn't. And he wore a mask. Very secretive all around, but….. I liked him. He was intelligent and composed."

"He say what he wanted with Ciri?"

"Only that they were to meet in Velen. He wished to know if she'd arrived before he did."

"He leave any message for her?"

"No, but he asked that were I to meet her, I should lead her to him."

"So you know where to find him?"

"Yes, he said he'd find a hideout in some elven ruins near the village of Midcorpse. I'll go there with you." Keira proposed. Geralt raised his eyebrows at her proposal. "Why? Think I'll have trouble finding this place?"

"I've unfinished business with this elf. He promised me something, but he never delivered it. Besides, I know you think as I do – that she might be there. And I'd like to see Cirilla, too." Keira said.

"Hm. Let's go now." Geralt said.

She nodded and opened a portal. She was about to step in but she realized the Witcher isn't following her. "What?" She asked.

"You know I detest portals. I will meet you there." Geralt said.

But Keira didn't listen. "Don't be a child, Witcher. We don't have time to waste." She pulled him with her by his hand and entered the portal, ignoring his protests.

NOVIGRAD A FEW WEEKS EARLIER…..

Although Triss assured the spy that she will teleport herself to Putrid Grove, she couldn't do it. The Putrid Grove is basically a secret place and a hideout. No visitors are allowed there, moreover no ordinary people knew of its existence. She don't know where it is, so she couldn't teleport herself there. Francis Bedlam – the king of the Beggars had refused to reveal the location of Putrid Grove to her. He said that if she get caught the Witch Hunters may torture her for the location of the Putrid Grove and he can't take that risk because of her. So they both came to an agreement to meet in a secluded alley. From there his men will escort her to his hideout. A man named Sigi Reuven is also helping her to get to Putrid Grove safely. She has no idea about the identity of this man, named Sigi Reuven. When she asked Francis why Sigi is helping her, he said that Sigi expects her assistance with something in exchange of his help. She is grateful to both these men already because they not only trying to save her but also agreed to help her to get the mages out of Novigrad safely. Triss has no idea how much she could help Sigi but she will try her best. She will owe him that debt…. perhaps, but that remains to be seen. Now her only role is to get the mages out of Novigrad safely, at all costs even at the cost of her own life. If she can save those mages by sacrificing herself she will gladly do it. The mages must flee to Kovir, the only safe place for them. King Tancred is an honorable man. He still trusts the mages.

Triss appeared in a corner of the secluded alley. She immediately hid herself at the dark corner where no one could spot her. She had to make sure that no one heard the sound of her teleportation. She stood still in the darkness for few minutes. When no one came, she released a sigh of relief. She had to be cautious because she is powerless against their dimeritium. Now they will be more cautious and she knew if Menge gets his hands on her, she will suffer something worse than death and she had to be safe for the sake of the mages. She will have to find them and gather them in a safe place and once they get the opportunity she will move them out from Novigrad. To prevent herself being caught, she needed to find Francis' men and Sigi Reuven. She was about to leave her hiding place but she cowered back as she heard some voices and footsteps which were coming towards her position. She quickly hid herself again and tried to listen to their conversation.

"Why she isn't here?" A male voice said.

"She should have been here by now. Let's look carefully." A second male voice said.

Wait. That voice. The second male voice. She recognized that voice but she never guessed that he will be her ally. She could see two men standing a few feet away from her. One was thin, wearing clothes of beggars and the other man was fat, large and completely bald. They were both looking for her. Relieved that she found her allies she showed herself to them.

"Didn't expected to see you here, Djikstra!" Triss greeted softly.

They both jumped at her voice. Djikstra looked at her and greeted her, "Hello Triss! What were you doing there?"

"Hiding." Triss simply answered.

"So, even the sorceress of Maribor also gets scared….huh?!"

"This is no time for jokes Djikstra. Let's get out from here."

"Yeah. Absolutely. And Triss?"

"What?"

"Don't ever do that!" He snapped at her and started to walk away from her.

"Do what?" She asked confused but he didn't bother to answer her.

The streets of Novigrad isn't safe for a sorceress anymore. So Djikstra and two of his men took the lead and Triss followed behind with the beggar at her side.

"You are risking a lot for me, Djikstra. May I know why?" Triss asked.

"Perhaps. But not now." Djikstra answered.

Triss followed Djikstra and his men quietly. They had to stop occasionally to avoid the hunters. Finally, Djikstra led them inside a sewer.

"A sewer? Djikstra it may be full of drowners." Triss warned.

"Well, we don't have much choice. It's a shame that your lover isn't here. Things would've been easy." Djikstra said.

Triss' expression immediately darkened at the mention of the Witcher. Djikstra might have noticed the scowl on her face, so he didn't push the sorceress further. He had to remain alive from the wrath of the sorceress and if he pushes her further, perhaps she will turn him into a mice or even blast him into pieces.

The entrance inside the sewer was a short dark tunnel. They couldn't see anything in the dark.

"Anyone brought torches?" One of the men asked. To his answer a small glowing flame appeared on the sorceress' palm. Slowly the flame left her hand and remained suspended in mid-air in front of them, providing them enough light in the darkness to see.

"Well done, Triss." Djikstra praised and begin to lead the team. After walking ahead for a few minutes they heard some noise in the darkness that surrounded them.

"Drowners." Triss warned.

No sooner than she gave them the warning, three drowners leapt in front of them from the darkness. Djikstra attacked one and his men attacked another one, leaving the last one for Triss to handle. The sorceress sent a blast of flame towards the drowner, setting it on flame. It screeched in pain and agony as the fire burnt its skin. On the other side Djikstra hit the drowner at its leg bringing it down on the ground and then with a battle cry he separated its head with his blade. His men were able to kill the other drowner and he could see smoke rising from the dead body of the drowner which Triss attacked.

But their victory was short lived as several more monsters appeared from the dark. Djikstra's men cowered in fear because they were too many to handle.

Even Triss looked concerned because she can't save her allies from all those drowners. They were simply too many for her to handle. Suddenly she had an idea. "Djikstra you and your men make sure not to touch the water!" She yelled.

"It's pretty hard to do that here." Djikstra replied backing off from the drowners.

"Do it!" Triss ordered.

Djikstra and his men were able to find some dry ground, with difficulty. "We're clear."

Triss nodded and she begin to float above the ground. Her eyes glowed with magic and she electrolyzed the water on the ground. The drowners screamed in agony as the electricity killed them.

Triss sighed. "That was close." Djikstra said.

They lowered their guards but that was the mistake. One drowner appeared suddenly from dark and attacked Djikstra. His men yelped in surprise and backed down. Djikstra while trying to avoid the drowner's attack, fell on the ground. The drowner was fast. It was on top of him within a second. It raised its claws to strike. Djikstra closed his eyes anticipating his death. But there was a flash of silver and the drowner fell, clutching its chest.

Djikstra is too surprised. "Wha… What happened?" He asked looking around. Then he noticed a silver blade dripping with blood in the sorceress' hand who was standing right beside him. The silver of the blade was shining against the magical light that partially lit the sewer.

"That is a…." Djikstra started to say.

"A Witcher's blade." Triss completed.

"You carry a blade? And most of all a silver blade?" Djikstra asked while getting up on his feet.

"This was a gift from…. A friend. And why shouldn't I keep it? It serves as extra protection." Triss shrugged.

Djikstra nodded. He wanted to ask whether that sword was a gift from his Witcher lover, but thought better of it at the last second and remained silent. The small flame lit the pacth ahead of them and Djikstra led his team out of the sewer without facing anymore drowners.

"Finally! I was begin to suffocate down there." Djikstra complained when they got outside.

"Don't be a child, Djikstra." Triss said.

Djikstra's men sniggered but he silenced them with a glare. Then he turned to Triss. "Let's go."

"Lead the way." Triss said.

At the darkness of the night avoiding the hunters they arrived at the gate of Putrid Grove. He knocked on the gate and instantly a pair of eyes appeared at the gate. "Who's there?"

"Sigi Reuven escorting the sorceress Triss Merigold." Djikstra said.

The guard opened the gate and his eyes fell on the stunningly beautiful sorceress standing behind Djikstra. Instantly his eyes filled with lust. Triss saw the man staring at him and she could tell what he was thinking without reading his mind. She narrowed her eyes and murmured a spell under her breath.

Immediately the man flinched as a sharp pain shot through his brain messing his lustful thoughts about her. He looked confused. Djikstra knowingly looked at Triss. She just shrugged in response. Shaking his head Djikstra led Triss inside the gate. The guard closed the gate behind them with a confused look on his face.

Francis Bedlam welcomed them inside. He, Djikstra and Triss sat around a table. He started the discussion. "So, Madam Sorceress you want us to help you get the mages out of Novigrad?"

"Yes." Triss answered.

"Hm. As I told you, our friend Sigi has agreed to help you."

"In exchange of what?" Triss asked.

"Let's say, I need your help regarding a personal matter." Djikstra revealed.

"And?"

"Francis, if you don't mind I want to talk to Triss alone for a few moments." Djikstra requested.

"Certainly." He said with a nod and left the room giving them privacy.

Triss turned her gaze on Djikstra. "So what do you want from me, Djikstra?"

"Get me Philippa Eilhart!" Djikstra said, looking Triss straight in her eyes.

Notes: This isn't much… I know. But I have been busy and will try to update this story soon.