Vesemir's body lay on the wooden bed as the crew gathered around to say their final goodbyes. Ciri stood at the forefront of the gathering, clutching a bouquet of flowers. She sobbed as she lay them on top of his lifeless body. Geralt lifted a torch over Vesemir, setting his body ablaze. As Geralt and Ciri exchanged words, Avallac'h nudged Sheaprd, encouraging her to take to opportunity to comfort Ciri.

"If you want Zirael to trust you, you should take this time to say a few words."

"About Vesemir? I didn't even know the guy."

"To her." He waved his hand forward, motioning to Ciri who had snatched Vesemir's medallion from where he lay and stomped off. "Go after her."

Shepard sighed as she went after Ciri. She found her sitting on the wall of Kaer Morhen, misty eyed.

"Hey, you okay?"

"You don't know what it's like, to watch someone you love die… because of you, for you."

"As a matter of fact, I do."

"You…"

"Kaidan Alenko, he was one of my soldiers. Back in 2183 we conducted a mission on Virmire in attempt to capture Saren Arterius along with the Salarian Special Tasks Group. I sent Ashley to help them, and I sent Kaidan to arm the bomb set to blow up Saren's lab. When shit hit the fan, I had to make a choice, save Ashley or Kaiden. I chose Ashley and the STG. Kaidan… he… died for all of us, to make it off the planet. His last words to me were 'I regret nothing'. I can still hear his voice every time I close my eyes, go to sleep…"

"That's… terrible. I'm sorry you had to endure that. How did you get over it?"

"I haven't. But that wasn't the only time. Thane, the Asari on Thessia, Mordin…. The list goes on. But you know what, Ciri? You just have to take it one day at a time. You should always remember the people you fight for, and the people who have fought for you, but death should never take precedence over life."

Ciri sat awestricken at the fact that Shepard had shared so much with her in an aid to comfort her over the death of Vesemir. She actually smiled a bit at her thoughtfulness.

"That really helped. Thank you."

"No problem. Should we get back to the others? It looks like their brewing a plan."

"Yes, we should."

As they approached the group, they could hear Yennefer divulging a plan with Triss.

"Triss, I wish to start today with finding the Sorceresses of the Lodge. Can you help me?"

"I can. Even have an idea of where you can start."

"Dammit," Ciri budged in. "Again you plan without even asking what I think. I've had enough of this! I won't be taken somewhere like a… bundle. I will not sit and twiddle my thumbs. I'm sick waiting, sick of hiding!"

"You're right," Geralt replied. "Proved today you can take care of yourself."

"Easier to pat someone on the back and hope things will work out than it is to face the truth. Zirael possesses a great power she cannot control. She is a danger to herself, to others. Until she learns to control it, she should remain isolated."

"First of all," Ciri started. "Bulloks. Second, if you're going to speak of courage, at least address me directly, and not through Geralt." She angrily eyed everyone in the group. "I'm gone!"

"I'll go after her."

"Wait! You must let her resolve her grief on her own."

Geralt sighed. "This training really necessary?"

"You saw what happened. She could be a greater threat than The Hunt."

"Fine. We'll stay here a few more days and meet you and Triss in Novigrad, Dandelion's inn."

"Come on, Yen. The sooner we leave the better."

"Shepard," Geralt asked. "You going with?"

"If you all don't mind, I'm sending my crew on a 'special task'. They'll join us later, but I'd rather stay here in the meantime."

"That'll do. Triss and I will head off to Novigrad. Take care of yourselves."

A few days later Shepard was leaning against a stump in the courtyard, drinking, when Ciri stormed out with Avallac'h trailing behind her.

"It's not working, can't you see?!"

"Discouraged after a mere eight attempts? Zirael…"

"How many times must I try?"

"As many as it takes."

"I'm not getting anywhere."

Avallac'h looked over at Shepard who was steadying herself as she looked him in the eye. They nodded at each other.

"We shall return to this later."

Shepard approached Ciri who was leaning against the stone, looking out into the scenery. "Ya know, back when I was just starting out as an N7—"

"Shepard, please not now. Avallac'h says nothing will come of this unless I stop thinking about the battle, but the moment I stop filling my head with kittens and vanilla pudding… How do you do it?"

"Do what?"

"Clear your head. How do you stay as calm as you do?"

"Well, I drink a lot, but that's not really a solution. I like to shoot things, but you don't have guns… I like to play the guitar..."

"The what?"

"It's like a lute. I find it very calming actually. I also like to gamble—"

"Play me a song."

"A song? Do you have a lute?"

"I'm sure there's one around here. I'll be right back."

Moments later, Ciri returned, covered in dust, with a lute that she dug up from somewhere. Apparently, it used to belong to Vesemir in his younger days and he kept it stowed away in the storage room. She handed it to Shepard as she tried to hide a smile.

"Alright, just give me a second here to tune it." As she strummed the strings, dust filled her nose and she sneezed all over Ciri, which was seemingly comical to her. "Uhh, seems good enough. I guess I'll just…" She began to pluck the strings. "All our times have come. Here but now they're gone."

"I don't think I know the song, but it sounds quite lovely."

"Oh, you'll know it by the end of the day. Seasons don't fear the reaper, nor do the wind, the sun or the rain…"

Ciri clapped her hands as she laughed.

"La, la, la, la, la!"

The two of them began to dance together.

"We can be like they are, come on baby, don't fear the reaper!"

Shepard dropped the lute and grabbed Ciri's hand, spinning her around as she continued to sing. Once she was done singing, they were both sweaty and laughing.

"That was really fun! Thanks, Shepard."

"Of course."

"By the way, your face."

"What about it." She rubbed her fingers against what scars were left.

"It looks different, like some of the scars went away."

"Hmm.. that's… strange. Wonder why that would happen. So, what now?"

"I'll go see where our dearest Sage is..."

Early the next morning, Shepard was asleep on a stone bed with no cover in her underwear with an empty bottle of brew next to her head when Ciri woke her up.

"Psst… Shepard."

When she was shaken awake, she belched in Ciri's face.

"Huh! Wh-What—"

"I need you to help me with something. We must go. I've saddled the horses."

Shepard looked to her wrist to check the time on her watch, but realized that she hadn't taken it with her. "Where do you want to go so early?"

"To Velen. Bald Mountain. But a few days 'til the witches' sabbath."

"The who? What? I don't even know what any of that means. You're just making stuff up to confuse me."

"Shepard, this is no time for jests. We must go. Guess who's the guest of honor?"

"Let me guess… is it someone I've never heard of because I'm not from here?"

"Imlerith!"

"Sounds like I was correct."

"The battle with The Hunt? He was here. The double handed mace?"

"Oh, that guy. Yeah. Shouldn't you be asking Geralt or Avallac'h to help you? I don't know anything about any of this."

"I left them both notes. Besides, I need someone I can trust that—"

"Someone you can trust?" Shepard sprung up. "I'll grab my non-Wild Hunt gear and meet you at the stables. Just give me some time to get ready."

Shepard and Ciri made it by night time by boat, which Shepard had struggled to keep her balance on the entire time that they'd paddled.

Once they'd reached shore, Ciri explained to Shepard the history of the place and how it was the gathering spot for the Ladies of the Wood.

"This world is way too complicated for me. The what of the whose?"

"The Ladies of the Wood, Shepard."

"Yeah. You also said something about a party?"

"No drinking tonight. I know it's going to be hard for you, but you have to keep your mind clear if you're going to fight The Hunt tonight."

"Pff. Fine. Let's go."

At the top of the mountain, they were greeted by a group of villagers, one of which had a crossbow aimed directly at them.

"Let them approach," the older one ordered.

"But—"

"They've come for the feast. Wouldn't do to cast them out."

"Don't worry about us. We just came to get to the top of the mountain."

"The gate is shut. You'll not pass. But we've fires down that way, with food and drink aplenty. Sit down beside one and perhaps this year the Ladies will descend, give us the privilege of seein' 'em."

"Thanks, but no thanks. We should go. Right, Ciri?"

"Right. Thank you."

As they continued up the mountain, Ciri pointed to the top of the bridge. "Look, a child."

"A child with blue skin? Doesn't that seem like something you'd want to stay away from?"

When he heard them talking, he turned around and ran to them excitedly. "Well I'll be, aren't you that ashen haired lass the white one was looking for?"

"You must mean Geralt. I am."

"Did you fine 'im?"

"I did. Everything worked out fine enough."

"I'm Johnny, we've had the pleasure already, a bit one sided—"

"Hey, kid. Do you know how we can get to the top of the mountain," Shepard interrupted.

"The mountain?" He sighed. "Path to the peak starts there, past the gate, but only old Thecla's got the key, so since you shan't ever get it, you'd best turn back now."

"Why don't you think we'll get the key?"

"Good grief! You're worse than children! Three souls are allowed top the mountain, and only strapping young lads and comely lasses among them. They get the key, open the gate and meet the Ladies."

"I believe I qualify!"

Shepard angrily eyed Ciri, then Johnny. "What, and I don't?"

"Exactly! What good are you?"

"You know, the last kid I talked to died a horrible death. How about you—" Her face began to singe. "I mean, listen Johnny, we need to get to the summit regardless."

"It's Thecla you'll need to convince. She's blind as your bum, but she won't be fooled."

"We shan't trick her."

"She sits in that tent over yonder. I wish you luck and do hope we meet again… someday."

They continued on to the festival and made their way up to Thecla's tent. Ciri went in ahead of Shepard. Old Thecla sat at the far edge of the tent clutching onto a wooden stick of some kind.

"Hm… who's that? Well, come closer, girl. Well, what's she like."

Another girl entered the tent behind them. "Narrow hips, sparkly eyes, a strikin', feisty lass."

"Never had a man?" She sniffed the air. "Never mind, got me answer. I choose you, girl. This night, you shall see the Ladies."

"Hey, what about me?"

"Hmm…. What else has the cat dragged in?"

"It's not too bad, strong, green eyes, but got a face crackin' open like molten lava."

"It also stinks like booze, and it's tired and depressed, and too old for the Ladies. I reject ye'. The girl will ascend alone."

"What? No! That's all wrong. I haven't drunk in five hours; how do I smell like booze? And my face isn't even as bad as it was yesterday morning."

"Hm.. Girl?"

"She's sprier than any youth. Only smells like booze because she… works in a tavern, of course."

"Perhaps I was mistaken. Maybe there's life in 'er yet. By ancient rite you may appeal my choice, but to do so you must best the challenge."

"Bring it on."

"Come."

Shepard followed Old Thecla to the edge of the river. She threw a coin into it.

"Now, bring me the coin."

Without a second thought, Shepard jumped into the lake Lara Croft style, and swam to the bottom, retrieving the coin in no time at all. She ran back to Old Thecla's tent.

"They're back."

"Whaddya want?"

"I got your coin."

She sniffed it. "It reeks of sludge."

"Well you threw it in the lake, didn't you?" Ciri nudged Shepard with her elbow. "Anyway, do I get to see the Ladies or not?"

"Show the coin to the gatekeeper, he'll know it's meanin'."

Once they'd followed the younger lady to the gate, they met with the gatekeeper, a large beast with red skin and horns.

"What's your name girl?

"What's yours?"

"Hmm… your name don't matter. Atop the peak, you'll lose it and get another. You may go. And you?"

"They told me to give you this coin so I could pass."

"The Defier's Oren. A death sentence."

Shepard pulled out a sword that she had stolen from Geralt as he slept, as Ciri whipped around the gatekeeper dealing great amounts of damage. He was, eventually, killed.

"Great, they thought I was so ugly they'd rather just kill me."

"We've no time to lose. I'll tend to Imlerith, you take the Crones."

"What? No deal. If I heard you correctly, you said 'Crones', which is plural. I didn't agree to fighting multiple people I've never met before."

"Fine, let's play for it, rock, paper, scissors."

Upon losing three rounds of rock, paper, scissors to Shepard, Ciri was visibly upset.

"Dammit, two out of three!"

"The gods have spoken. You go after the witches, I'll go after the Hunt."

"Fine! Be careful."

"You, too. We'll talk later."

While Ciri was off dealing with the Crones, Shepard went to the top of the mountain to meet Imlerith. When she found him, he was sitting down, surrounded by succubi. They all scurried away when they noticed Shepard's approach.

"The sister's said you would come. They saw you arrive in the water's surface. They did not see the girl, but she is with you, is she not?"

"Doesn't matter. Your problem is with me, now."

"Your words will change nothing." He grabbed his helmet and put it on. "First you. Then her." He grabbed his shield and mace and swung it around.

As Imlerith and Shepard battled, she suddenly found herself becoming a capable fighter with a sword, dodging his hits and even landing a few.

"This is just like dancing, and I'm pretty good at that." She dodged another blow. She was doing quite well until he teleported behind her and got her in the back of the head. He hovered over her as he lifted his mace into the air. She rolled over and landed back on her feet, then she tackled him to the ground.

"Enough is enough!" She pulled out her machine pistol, which was the only weapon she snuck with her from the ship, along with three fully loaded magazines. She pulled off his helmet and stuck the barrel in his face.

"Who taught you to fight like this?"

"The greatest captain the Normandy's ever seen." She fired three shots straight into his face.

Once she was done, she dug through his armor for loot, and was disappointed when all she found was an acorn, which she ate as she headed back to the peak to find Ciri.

She found Ciri sitting at the edge of the mountain dangling her feet as she looked out into the horizon. She sat next to her.

"We did it."

"Yeah we did. How'd it go down there?"

"Slew only two of the Crones. The third fled… with Vesemir's medallion. My sole memento."

"So, feel good about the turnout?"

"I do. I knew we would win, from the start. Now to find Eredin and kill him. An oren for your thoughts?"

"You think Geralt and Yennefer are going to be mad?"

"I think once they learn we've succeeded, they'll get over it. I wonder if Triss and Yennefer have found the sorceresses of the lodge. We ought to rejoin them."

"Let's take a minute to rest first. The world won't end if we enjoy the view for just a few moments longer."

"True."

Ciri rested her head on Shepard's shoulder as the two of them savored the view of the lands from the peak of the mountain.