Warnings:

Contains spoilers for the Witcher 3 Wild Hunt

The Mother's Sacrifice - Seba Smith (1792–1868)

She stripped her mantle from her breast,

And bared her bosom to the storm,

And round the child she wrapped the vest,

And smiled to think her babe was warm.

With one cold kiss, one tear she shed,

And sunk upon her snowy bed.

They awoke to a bright sunny morning but the reminders of yesterday still clung to them like a pungent odour. Yennefer's cheek was red and sore as were the finger-marks on her arms while Triss' magic had worn off as pain once again began to crawl over Geralt's skin like a beetle as he dressed which did nothing to lighten the sorceress' mood, but Ciri was waiting outside their door with good news. Istredd had fled Gors Velen last night but whether this was of his own accord was unknown, but there were rumours that an owl had been seen near his room.

Also, Rita had managed to fix the door angering her fellow headmistress who had been demanding that Yennefer fix the door, as well as half the wall she took with it, with her bare hands because perhaps then she'd learn some respect for the school's foundation. After a quick trip to the infirmary, their moods were improved even further as Yennefer's bruise greatly reduced in size and colour while Geralt's burns were completely cured. A magical academy needed good healers.

As was their custom, Yennefer, Ciri and Geralt were among the last to enter the hall, and when they did the others were discussing whether they would stay for the gathering being held that night, the Lodge having invited them as a show of good faith for their attendance, and they were eager to ask Yennefer's opinion and she answered that it was worth staying for the food if nothing else which seemed to catch their interest. They were still discussing the topic when the Sorceresses summoned them.

"Now that Yennefer has finished redecorating the school," said Philippa venomously, glaring at her with a rage that evidently hadn't subsided over the course of the night, "we can finally end these meetings. Today, one by one you will be brought before the Lodge to swear that your information has been truthful and accurate. Now, let's get this over with."

The group were told to wait in the hall to be called and Cerys was up first, reappearing after only a few minutes and informing Hjalmar he was up next. In just over an hour Ciri, Yennefer and Geralt were the last ones left, as usual. As the young woman disappeared the pair took bets on who would be last. To their surprise, it was the Witcher.

"Ciri and I are going shopping Geralt, so we'll meet you in the brewery inn for lunch." He nodded at the enchantress in response before entering the circular room.

The members of the Lodge, Philippa Eilhart, Margarita Laux-Antille, Triss Merigold, Keira Metz, Francesca Findabair, Fringilla Vigo and Ida Emean aep Sivney were seated at the top two tables and the former instructed him to stand in the space before her.

"Do you, Sir Geralt of Rivia, swear that the knowledge you have given the Lodge of Sorceress is truthful."

"I swear I've been honest."

"Do you swear that no detail of value or importance has been left out. You may now come forward with anything you have so far withheld without punishment."

"I swear I've been accurate."

"Then, step forward and sign your name." She gestured towards the small stone pedestal in front of her upon which a single quill and roll of parchment lay. He wrote his name and his signature under Yennefer's elaborate handwriting.

"Then your business with the Lodge if over, however, I still have matters to discuss with you. Follow me, and don't complain, Witcher, the less you complain the quicker it will be over."

Her office was immaculate, every book, quill, ink pot, piece of parchment and magical apparatus was arranged neatly and concisely around the rectangular room. There was a megascope in one corner, its crystals glittering under the light from the large windows lining the back wall and a bloody knife hung in a frame over the door directly opposite, he recognised it as the weapon she'd used to assassinate Redania's King.

"We have a matter to discuss, Witcher, a matter which has still not been resolved." Geralt folded his arms and sighed, he knew this was coming.

"No."

"You haven't even heard my proposal yet."

"You never make proposals Philippa, only threats."

"When did you become so dramatic Witcher, too much time reading novels in Toussaint's heat has placed outrageous notions in your head." She said mockingly.

"We've been here before Philippa, and I'm no more interested in your future or the Lodge's than I was then. All I'm concerned about is Ciri and Yen, so no."

"Don't turn your nose up at me," she took a step closer, "Ciri's future is of the greatest importance to me and to the Lodge as you know, which is why Yennefer's welfare is also of concern to me."

"I find that hard to believe." He said irritably, sharp eyes following Philippa as she walked over to the desk and removed something from one of the drawers.

"So untrusting, Yennefer is rubbing off on you. So here, take a look." She handed him several sealed letters and sat down at the desk watching him intensely, smiling spitefully.

Geralt tore the seal on the first letter and began to read it, what he saw made his body tense. The letters were addressed to Yennefer, to Istredd's darling Yennefer. The Sorceress watched him with joy as he read through their contents, hands shaking. These weren't just love letters, but the letters of an obsessed madman.

There were countless questions: Where are you, my love? Have you been getting me letters? My Darling Yenna, are you alright? My dear, has he hurt you? Yenna are you hiding from him? Do you need my help love? As well as countless promises: Your Val is still waiting for you. Hold on my love, I'm searching for you, I'll find you again. My Darling I'm coming for you, I'll rescue you from him. Hold on for my love, just a while longer, I'm close to you I can feel it. I love you Yenna, I won't ever forget and I won't ever leave you. I'll save you.

"I knew quite well how mad Istredd had gone in his yearning, Witcher," she said as he looked up at her, "and there are countless other letters to prove it. It appears he's been writing them every week since you two ran away together two years ago when Ciri became empress."

"How?" Asked Geralt, brandishing the letters at her. "And why?"

Loxia was just beginning to come alive as the mages who had already arrived lazily made their way to breakfast, gossiping about recent events, casting curious gazes at Yennefer and Ciri as they walked past

"I don't think I'll ever get used to people staring at me like that." Said Ciri as she caught the eye of one of the Sorceresses who was looking at her, she just smiled at her, unabashed.

"Nobody knows how to stare quite like mages." Replied Yennefer glaring at the other women who this time turned away nervously. "But you needn't worry about it, as long as their staring for the right reasons."

"People never gawk at me for the right reasons." She unconsciously raised a hand to touch the scar on her face but quickly withdrew it. Yennefer's sharp eyes didn't miss it. "I feel very out of palace here, like a moth in amongst the butterflies." She said, looking down at her clothes as she brushed a stray piece of hair from her face

"Nonsense, Ciri." She said turning to the young woman who raised an eyebrow at her. "Now, come, I intend to call you out on that lie."

Having washed her hair as instructed she walked over to Yennefer who was riffling through her clothing and other belongings, trying to find something suitable and when she looked up she chuckled slightly. Ciri was about to ask what was so funny before she caught sight of herself in the mirror and saw her hair sticking out at varying angles.

"I was trying to get rid of the sand." She said defensively but the Sorceress only smiled more.

"Sit down." She gestured to the chair in front of the dresser and the ashen-haired woman obliged, staring into the mirror as Yennefer gently brushed her hair.

"This reminds me of Ellander." Said the Sorceress after a short while, her violet eyes glowing softly in the mirror's reflection. "You certainly didn't look much like a princess after the Witchers had finished with you."

"When we first meet I felt so embarrassed standing there with dirty clothes, scratched elbows and wildly unkempt hair," she began to fiddle with some of the cosmetics lying on the table, gifts from the enchantress' newly opened shop in Vengerberg, "and I felt jealous, jealous of the beauty you possessed, beauty I could only ever dream of," Ciri said casually, forcing a smile, but she saw her reflection grimace back "you used to call me ugly one."

Yennefer wrapped her warm arms around Ciri's shoulders as she kissed the top her head and caught her eyes in the mirror.

"Do you remember why I used to call you that?" She asked, gripping the young woman's shoulders with delicate hands.

"Yes, because you said all magicians are malicious."

"Precisely. It is a foolish notion, Ciri, to be jealous of what countless others have taken years and great efforts to fabricate when you possess natural beauty." She placed a hand under her a chin, lightly guiding her head so that Ciri was staring into her own emerald eyes. "It is mages such as myself who should feel envy, but never you. Never. Do you understand?"

"Yes, mother." She answered honestly, smiling once more into the mirror, which this time smiled sincerely back.

"Good. I don't want to ever hear such lies again." Yennefer withdrew her arms from the girl and continued to brush her hair until she was satisfied that ever last wisp of ashen-hair had been tamed within an inch of its life.

"Now, try those on." She pointed towards the clothes she had put out on the bed, before sitting in front of the mirror herself and adjusting her own locks which freely flowed down her exposed shoulders. Ciri undressed discarding her clothes for the soft emerald green blouse and skirt embroidered with silver embellishments, and as she tied a fabric belt glistening with small jewels around her waist she drew herself up proudly.

"Oh, how my ugly little duckling has transformed into a magnificent swan." Said Yennefer, holding her out at arms-length and tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear smiling warmly at Ciri who saw her violet eyes glistening emotionally in a way that made it possible for her not to smile back in return. That's how she always knew. Geralt had taught her that.

"Come let's not delay, I long to show off my elegant daughter."

"I intercepted them of course," said Philippa innocently, "it wasn't particularly difficult. Istredd spent a great deal of time and magic trying to find her after you two settled down, but luckily, you've both fallen off the grid, with a little help from the Lodge. And why, well." She approached him taking one of the letters from his clasped hand and muttering a spell. The paper lit up and the ruins transcribed on it suddenly became visible. "If Yennefer had opened these, he would have found her, no matter what I did."

"That doesn't answer my question, Philippa." He said placing his hands on the desk as she sat back down. "Why stop him?"

"Did I not say Ciri is my greatest concern? I can see I'm going to have to spell this out for you. Sit." She said patronizingly, but he obeyed growling slightly. "Istredd threatened the Lodge Witcher. If he found Yennefer he would have dragged her away from you and then Ciri would have run to you as you no doubt embarked on some foolish, suicidal quest to get her back, and because if he'd killed you then there'd be nothing keeping Yennefer from interfering with our plans. We'd much rather you two stayed as you were, far away in your dull retirement, together." The runes glowed in the firelight from the candle flickering on the desk reflecting in Geralt's eyes has he scrutinized the headmistress and she stared back at him, enjoying the silence.

"So, you see Geralt, Yennefer's welfare is dearly important to me, as is Ciri's, which is why you will consider what I ask of you." She leant her arms against the desk and leaned forwards, the cloth around her eyes glowing with magic as she watched him carefully like an owl tracking a mouse, searching for any sign she could use to her advantage, to trap him at her mercy. "Their relationship is dangerous Witcher. If Ciri is to become a stable, strong Empress, which I will ensure she is, she cannot afford to have such strong emotional ties. Anyone else could try what the Wild Hunt did, to use your Sorceress against her, which could not only get Ciri killed but countless others at the mercy of her command. As for Yennefer, she already recklessly sacrificed herself once for the girl, and Ciri is now making dangerous enemies who will constantly conspire against her. What would Yennefer do then? Do you understand Witcher? This connection must end."

"No." He said coldly, knuckles whitening with anger as he gripped the intrinsically carved handles of the chair tightly. "You're naive Philippa if you think you could ever take that away, if I'd ever let you." She just smirked at him, as she got up from the desk, his eyes trailing her.

"I'm not trying to force you all apart," she said casually, waving her hand in the air as though swatting away his comment, "I know not to meddle with destiny, I simply wish to create some distance." She took a small glass bottle from one of the shelves and placed it on the desk before him. "Give this to your Sorceress, if you care about her." He looked at the bottle, something was swirling inside it like mist, he'd never seen anything like it. It made him more anxious.

"What it is?" He asked still glaring at her.

"Too many questions Witcher. You wouldn't understand anyway, so I'll simplify it. It's a dream, more or less." He looked at her in disbelief, eyebrow raged, she rolled her eyes. "Stop being so childish."

"Fine, it's a dream. But I can't imagine it's about unicorns, bright summer days and the gentle sounds of the sea. Is this nightmare a plan to scare Yen, so you can wrap her around your fingers like the others?" Eilhart laughed.

"Don't be foolish, Yennefer's too stubborn and proud to fear me or the Lodge. No, this dream Witcher, will give her nightmares so horrible, gruesome, and truthful, that she will never be able to look Ciri in the eye again." She said calmly, swirling the contents of the bottle as she talked. The familiar tendrils of dread still clinging to his shoulders after last night began to crawl up his neck making him shudder at they wrapped themselves around his throat, suffocating him.

"They'll still be mother and daughter Witcher, I doubt anything could change that. But with this, Yennefer with become dissident, fearful of her own advice and Ciri will stop disappearing to Toussaint to speak with her, don't interrupt," she screamed, effectively silencing his protest "I'm not stupid, Witcher…with this they might begin to listen more to reason than instinct, which is safer for everyone." She leant back in her chair, measuring him up, assessing her results. Evidently, she was satisfied as she strode over to the door, the candle flickering as she brushed past plaits swinging behind her. "Keep the letters, and the bottle, and think on it Witcher, think on it very carefully." She held the door open. "Now leave, I have a lot of work to catch up on after having to sort out your Yennefer's mess last night."

He slowly got to his feet the chair scraping against the stone loudly piercing his sensitive hearing, the bottle was clutched so tightly in his hand it risked shattering under his touch. He walked up to the sorceress staring down at her with narrowed eyes.

"I have." His voice was soft, ominous.

Geralt brushed past her out of the room, swiftly disappearing down the school's many corridors, putting as much distance between him and Philippa, and the bottle he'd nimbly placed on the bookshelf, as he took advantage of her poor senses. This time, he was happy that the hunter had failed in its catch.

His agitated mood did not subside as he went back to their room. Yennefer's various bottles and brushes which were neatly arranged on the dresser by the mirror filled the room with her presence, her scent still lingered there, but she was gone. He'd forgotten. They weren't in Corvo Bianco anymore, where he'd gotten used to having her presence constantly close by. No, they were far from home.

He sat down on the edge of the bed filling his senses with the smell of lilac and gooseberries as he tried to calm the fire Philippa had provoked with that name. He looked at the letters in his hand, considering them, gazing at the candles beside the bed. Geralt was conflicted. He knew better than to try and hide something from Yennefer, but the thought of burdening her with this made the risk seem more attractive. He was caught in the Lodge's web. He shook his head.

Geralt left the letters under a pile of his clothes, out of sight, as he headed out to the city. Secrets are what so often tore them apart, and Philippa knew that. He would tell her and they could burn the letters together. But he'd never give her the chance to read them.

The markets happy and merry atmosphere thrived under the sun which blessed the square with a pleasantly warm atmosphere and bright rays of light which shone off various precious metals and stones, fracturing into tiny glowing stars. The vendors had clearly put out all the stocks today, decorating themselves and their stores lavishly in the hope of attracting the mages attention and more importantly their gold.

The stalls looked as though they were about to collapse under the weight of all the products put out on display to lure in their catch. There were quills made from the feathers of rare magnificent Griffins, ink pots of various colours, shapes and sizes, garish and elaborate clothes which would have put Dandelion to shame, fine jewellery from all far corners of the north, wine from the vineyards of Toussaint, Paintings, statues and books from Oxenfurt's new generation of academics, various jars containing pickled specimens uglier in death than they were in life and a wide variety of rich food like cheeses, chocolate, venison, oysters, olive bread and apples, all, of course, as fresh as the morning air.

Yennefer and Ciri didn't know where to start. They giggled like school girls as they took it in turns trying on the funny hats from Zerrikania, Ciri blushed as they found some rather provocative paintings which spared no detail, they mocked the latest edition of A Widower For Half A Year, they laughed at a statue of Melitele which was so busty it would have given Nenneke nightmares, Yennefer tested the various shades of ink giving a whole new meaning to the phrase colourful cursing, Ciri was amused by the Sorceress' utter contempt for seafood, they compared the pickled specimens with some of their least favourite mages and politicians and they indulged themselves with sweet chocolate and candy floss. They relished each other's company, their laugh, and their smile.

"Maybe we can find you something to wear for the special occasion. These really bring out the colour of your eyes." Said Yennefer as she carefully admired a pair of sparkling emerald green earrings encased in silver, holding them up by Ciri's face. "I've yet to find anything for myself, nothing seems special enough, I imagine I'll have to get something made but luckily there's no end to dress tailors and jewellers up in Toussaint."

"And no end to gossip," said the young woman laughing at Yennefer as she held some bright pink earrings up to her face giggling. "I'm not sure how you've managed to keep it a secret."

"Simple, we haven't told anyone but you, and a simple concealment charm has done the rest. Oh, this seems perfect." She sighed loudly as she looked at the piece of jewellery in her hands, hiding it from Ciri as she tried to look. "Turn around please, and don't you dare peek."

Yennefer's warm hands brushed her neck as the placed the necklace around her, passing her the mirror. She sighed. On the end of a fine chain was a small silver bird in flight, a swallow, which held a smooth green garnet in its minuscule claws.

"It's wonderful." Said Ciri smiling broadly as she stared at her reflection.

"A befitting gift my beautiful little swan."

Satisfied with his coin the vendor took the necklace and gently wrapped it up informing them that it would be delivered to their rooms in Loxia, a special arrangement made to keep the gold flowing, because everyone knew that no mage would be willing to carry heaps of paintings, books, and other such intellectual property around with them. As Yennefer put away her coin purse she winced as the sun glared off the mirror into her eyes causing her to instinctively move her head. Something else glittered in her view. Something on the rooftop.

"Ciri!" The next few seconds were a blur.

Ciri whirled around to the sound of Yennefer's cry, hand reaching for her sword but she never managed to pull it loose. She was knocked sideways and to the ground by a small pair of hands forcing her back. There was a flash of black, white and dark raven locks. The sound of something flying past her head. A thud. A cry of pain. A body dropped to the floor beside her. Blood.

"Mother!"

Grief – Carol Ann Duffy : Chapter 10 – Poison

Grief, your gift, unwrapped,

my empty hands made heavy,

holding when they held you

like an ache; unlooked for,

Notes:

Hi, guys. Hope you enjoyed the new chapter, loved writing some Yennefer and Ciri fluff, a nice change after Istredd, no fighting just some simple, harmelss shopping…oh wait…maybe not...nothing seems to go well.

As always feel free to PM me your thoughts or leave a comment, I love hearing from you. My thanks to vic-of-thor (Tumblr) for all the kind words and support and to korbel05 ( ) for all the feedback and suggestions.

Until next time guys, have a great week – Eileniessa