Ves, member of the Blue Stripes was sitting outside her camp staring absentmindedly at the clear blue sky. Her heart and mind was clouded with emotion and many thoughts, in all her life she was alone. When she got caught by Scoia'tael, Vernon Roche rescued her from the elves and she joined the Blue Stripes after that to serve the Temerian King. All these years serving in the King's army, she had no one to take care of her or talk with, except Vernon and a few friends she made. But still she was happy there until she met him, especially when he saved her from being raped, she will forever be grateful to him for that. At first she felt nothing except some respect for his skill in sword fighting, but when Roche let him escape from the dungeons trusting his words, she became curious. Then in Flotsam she watched him caring for those he considered as friends. After that he came to her and they talked about her earlier life, Geralt listened intently without making a comment. She remembered how drunk he got while celebrating with her and other Blue Stripes soldiers. At that time she really begin to notice him and realized that he is really handsome and a great warrior but what intrigued her most was his caring nature and his respect towards women.
Actually, Ves used to know that the Witcher's were heartless and have no emotions but this Witcher she had met recently is entirely different. Geralt has a big heart, although he never show it to anyone except the ones who are closest to him. When he rescued her she started to realize that she likes him a lot. But after that Geralt got himself kidnapped by the kingslayer and she was concerned for him, which was unusual because she barely knew the White Wolf at all. Her heart ached to see him once again and when Triss brought him back she felt an immense joy. Later she thought about her actions meaning when she hugged him tightly after seeing he was in perfect health, Ves realized that over this short time her feelings for the Witcher evolved from just liking to something more. She is in love with him, It's true and she couldn't deny it anymore. But this feelings were strange and foreign to her, she had never been in love with anyone in her life. In short, she was excited to explore and share this feelings with him.
But Ves's hope was crushed. When Geralt came looking for her after the tournament, she declared her love for him but he didn't returned her feelings. He was in love with the sorceress Triss Merigold and truth be told Ves suspected that before. Ves saw the way he looked at her even though he tried to hide it in public but it caught her eye. She ignored that fact but now she realized it was foolish of her to ignore that, when he offered to remain her friend she accepted although reluctantly because she wanted more. But she will never get his affection only because of that unearthly beautiful sorceress, Triss Merigold, Ves felt immensely jealous and envious of that woman because she managed to do what Ves herself couldn't achieve. But she have to know…she needs to know what the sorceress feels for him. As far as she knows sorceress don's stay with one lover for a long time. If Triss Merigold doesn't feel strongly for him then she must already let him go so that he can found someone who can make him happy and stay with him throughout his entire life. Ves decided to visit the sorceress' tent to have a talk with her. As she was about to stand up, she saw that Triss Merigold herself was already walking towards her camp.
"Miss Merigold…" Ves greeted.
"Just Triss will be fine." Triss replied.
"Anything I can help you with?" Ves asked with a frown on her face.
"Yes. Actually I need your help with something." Triss said as she folded her arms over her chest, "I need to examine the site where Henselt was cursed. I may need your sword hand as Geralt is busy."
"I will come but when?"
"If you can come with me now it will be good."
"Alright." Ves grabbed her gears and followed Triss to the site where Henselt was cursed. After walking silently for some time along the path Ves decided to confront the sorceress.
"Triss can I ask you something?" Ves asked hesitantly.
"Yes. Please, don't hesitate." Triss replied with a gentle smile on her face.
Ves took a deep breath and sighed. Here goes nothing "How much the Witcher means to you Triss?" She asked.
Triss stopped immediately hearing her question. She slowly turned towards Ves and placed her right hand on Ves' shoulder. "Ves, I know how you are feeling now, believe me I do. I know that it's very hard to forget about what happened and how you feel. So I won't lecture you that those feelings will slowly go away or something rubbish like that. I know that it will never go away." Triss stopped as some of her old painful memories came back to her. She continued, "I love him more than anything else, if you are asking that. But Ves you must know that I never forced him to stay with me or put some magical spells on him to love me, he did it on his own accord." Triss looked away from Ves as she nodded in understanding.
"I know why you love him, he is a good man. Even though he is a Witcher, he is unlike any Witcher I heard about." Ves said with a sad smile on her face.
"He is a great man and I am lucky to have him in my life." Triss replied as she blushed slightly.
"You know he said the same thing about you but he only said that he is lucky to have you." Ves smiled.
"He is kind…. noble and…." Triss couldn't found anything more to say at that moment because she have plenty of things to say about him which she admired and loved, so she stopped.
"I know, I understand. I just had to clear the things up." Ves said and they both nodded to each other with small smiles and resumed walking towards the site where Henselt was cursed by Sabrina Glevissig.
Well that went well, Triss thought. But after the talk she realized that Ves indeed have some feelings for Geralt and she is a good woman. When Triss first heard from Geralt's mouth that Ves expressed her love to him, she was insanely jealous. Her jealousy lessened a bit when Geralt said that he rejected Ves' approach immediately. After Geralt left to hunt the artifacts she thought about Ves, pushing away her feelings of jealousy, she know that if Ves had real feelings for Geralt, she is indeed hurt now. She knew this by her own experience, in the past she had to witness the scene of Yennefer kissing Geralt and him kissing her back. She had to endure the pain that she felt in her heart whenever she saw them kissing together or being exchanging words of affection between each other. At that time she whole-heartedly wished to be in Yennefer's place but she got nothing from that except pain which felt like a knife stabbing her heart.
So, she came to the conclusion that she cannot judge Ves without knowing what she wanted. Triss decided to have a pleasant conversation with her to make all things clear when she will ask Ves to accompany herself to the site of Sabrina's death. When Ves accepted to accompany her, Triss wanted to talk with her on the way but before she could bring that topic, Ves beat her to it by bringing that up. She felt sad for her and also a little bit jealous if she is honest with herself. Keeping her emotions in check she cleared the matter between them instead of snapping and shouting at her.
Finally they reached the place and saw that two Kaedwani soldiers were present there. They were standing inside a circle which was drawn on the ground.
"Leave this place, I need to examine the site at the King's request." Triss said to the soldiers but it seemed that they were scared to death to even cross the circle.
They said that they are protected inside the circle from the Drowners. They asked for Triss' and Ves' assistance to escape that place. The sorceress agreed but she told them to wait as she needed to examine the site first. Triss started to inspect the area carefully and Ves watched her back with sword in hand also keeping her eyes in the two soldiers. Triss examined the site carefully and she got all the information she needed.
"You got anything useful?" Ves asked.
"Yes." Triss replied.
"We need to leave this place now." Said the soldiers.
"Alright, let's go back and wait for Geralt." Triss said as she started to walk. But she stopped as found her way was blocked by Drowners and there were at least ten of them. Ves immediately attacked one of the them after dodging an attack. She drove her sword through its stomach but it didn't die, just staggered a few feet back.
"This things are not dying!" She shouted to Triss who sent a burst of flame towards the wounded drowner setting it on flame and killing it successfully.
"We need to silver weapons. Steel doesn't affect the monsters as silver does." She shouted back to Ves while casting a freezing spell on three drowners which turned them to ice statues. The two soldiers hit the frozen drowners with their weapons which caused their frozen body to break down into small pieces of ice.
"Impressive magic!" Ves praised her after dodging an attack from another drowner.
"Four down. Six to go." Triss said while shielding herself from the two drowners that were attacking her. She successfully flung them away with a powerful shockwave. As the two drowners fell to the ground, Ves cut their heads off with her sword.
"Four to go." Ves commented. The two soldiers managed to kill one drowner on their own.
"That's three for you." Triss shouted back. She sent a huge stream of flame towards the remaining three drowners setting them on fire. The creatures screamed in pain, unable to attack them. Ves rushed forward and quickly beheaded all three.
"Phew! This was one hell of a fight." She said blowing a strand of her blond hair away from her eyes. She continued, "Though it have been better if Geralt was here." Ves smiled slightly.
"Definitely." Triss smiled back.
[/\]
After departing from Triss' tent Geralt went to Dethmold to get some means which would help him cross the mist. Dethmold luckily could provide with some artifacts which helped the Witcher to enter the mist safely and reach Vergen. But getting the standard of Dun Banner wasn't easy though he managed to get it after deceiving a wraith. Then he went to meet Saskia at the entrance of the mines as Zoltan told him too. When he reached there he saw that Zoltan was also there to greet him with Saskia.
"Greetings Witcher. I want to offer my gratitude to you for saving me even though I am a stranger to you." Said Saskia.
"It was nothing. I did what I had to do." Geralt replied evenly.
"Not everyone will do what you did for me. How can I help you?" She asked.
"I need Vandergrift's sword to lift the curse and the spearhead that took Sabrina Glevissig's life."
"Here take it." Saskia held the sword of Vandergrift in front of her. Seeing Geralt hesitating she said, "Take this as a token of gratitude for saving my life. As for the spearhead I don't possess it. It's in the possession of Skalen Burdon but I don't think he will give it to you easily."
"Thank you Saskia for the sword and the information." Geralt acknowledged her help.
"It's the least I can do after what you did for me Witcher. But once you lift the curse, the war is inevitable and from your action I am presuming that you are on our side."
"No, I am not in anyone's side. Witcher code of neutrality, I saw you as someone who needed help and to give Vergen a fair chance against Kaedwen but I am not going to take part in the battle."
"Geralt has already many things in his head and moreover he was never fond of politics." Zoltan intervened.
"I see. Farewell Witcher." Said Saskia. Geralt nodded and went to Burdon's house.
Saskia was right as Skalen challenged him to a poker game to win the spearhead. Fortune was with him as he managed to win the game and get the spearhead in his possession. With the help of his medallion and the artifacts Dethmold gave him he managed to return to Kaedwani camp without much problem.
Geralt still needed Seltkirk's armor and the medallion of priest Chrest which is in the possession of Henselt according to Zyvik, Henselt's quartermaster. He got this information when he lingered around the camp before going to Vergen. The Witcher sighed, this things are getting to him more than he is ready to admit to Triss and also to himself and most of all the vivid images he could see every time he closes his eyes. Geralt can now remember some broken images of Ciri and Yennefer also. He don't know what to feel or how should he feel. The Witcher practically remembers nothing about Yennefer and their relationship, still he felt a longing deep down inside to see her once again. He can't remember what he and Yennefer had in the past or how serious their relationship was.
Was it love? Or Lust? Obsession or some mutual attraction? But besides all of this he knew one thing for certain that he loved the red haired sorceress, with everything he has. What he felt for Yennefer was nothing what he feels for his lovely and adorable red haired sorceress. Then why is he desiring to meet Yennefer when he is already in love with the most amazing woman in the world?
Geralt is also feeling an overwhelming urge to find Ciri to make sure that she is safe and sound, whom he always considered as his own daughter. He decided this isn't the time to dwell on this matters, it's time to end this curse and for it he needed to get his hand on Seltkirk's armor first which is in the possession of a man named Vinsent Traut, who is believed to be involved in the conspiracy against the king of Kaedwen and he is hiding somewhere nearby the Kaedweni camp.
But to find him he needed information. He learned that a prostitute named Whistling Wendy know about that man. As he approached the prostitute's camp he saw that Dandelion was present there as usual. This man will never change, Geralt thought. Dandelion spotted him almost immediately and an evil smirk formed on his face.
"Geralt, you seem to take my advice and came here to relax I presume?" Dandelion jested. Geralt didn't say anything but scowled at him.
The madam eyed him very carefully. "What do you want handsome?" she asked.
Before answering her Geralt just thought one thing, Triss wouldn't like this one bit. Geralt played along because he needed to talk with Whistling Wendy.
"What can a man want in a whore camp? I am here to have some fun?" Geralt said sarcastically. But this was just an act and he felt relieved that Triss isn't here with him now, otherwise it would have been difficult.
The madam called all his girls, "Girls! Come here we got a fine specimen today." Then she turned to Geralt after all the girls gathered in front of him and she introduced them to Geralt. "These are my girls. Choose one."
Geralt shook his head and took out the square coin his pocket and handed it to the madam, "I only need Whistling Wendy."
The madam nodded her head in understanding and signaled all the girls to leave except Whistling Wendy. Wendy eyed Geralt with pure lust in her eyes and purred, "Come inside handsome, I promise to give you a good time." As Geralt was about to follow her inside the tent, he stopped because of a voice from behind him.
"What are you doing here Geralt of all the places?" Triss asked him with her eyes narrowed in anger.
The thought of another woman touching him or sleeping with the man she loved was infuriating to her. Her whole body was shaking. She felt an overwhelming urge to turn the woman into ashes who was standing in front of Geralt. She just escorted the soldiers back safely with Ves. After leaving Ves in her camp Triss was about to enter her tent to wait for Geralt when she saw that Dandelion was calling her silently. She wondered what he want and then she saw Geralt when she moved a few feet towards Dandelion. Geralt was standing in front of the whore camp talking to a prostitute. She felt an immense sadness and anger towards him.
How could he do this to me? She thought. She was about to shout more when Geralt stopped her by covering her mouth with his hand and practically dragged her back to her tent. Once they were inside her tent he removed his hand from her mouth. She was about to start shouting at him, but he covered her mouth with his own engaging in a deep passionate kiss completely taking her by surprise. She tried to resist first but finally gave in kissed him back. She could only moan in his mouth because of the pleasure she is feeling and the passion he is showing towards her. After few seconds he pulled back slightly breaking their kiss.
"A pleasure as always but if you are trying to distract me it isn't working this time Witcher. What were you doing there in the whore camp? Explain." Triss asked with a frown on her face and putting her hands on her hip. Geralt didn't answer her immediately. She tapped her foot on the ground in irritation waiting for him to answer. An image of that whore making love… no … having sex with Geralt came to her mind. Her whole body shook with jealousy. Geralt put both his hands up in front of him accepting defeat.
"Alright I will explain but it wasn't what you thought Triss." Geralt almost pleaded to her with a sad face. She immediately melted but she managed to compose herself.
"I am waiting." She demanded with an annoying look on her face. As Geralt explained everything her expression changed from annoyance to shame on herself. She looked towards the ground avoiding his eyes. When Geralt saw that she was avoiding his eyes he gently lifted her face up and kissed her forehead.
"I… I am sorry Geralt. I don't know what's gotten into me. Seeing you at that place… I felt…But this wasn't right for me to do. I should have trusted you. I…" she stopped as Geralt placed a finger on her lips preventing her from apologizing.
"You have nothing to be sorry about Triss. If I was in your place I would've done the same." He comforted her.
"But I ruined your entire plan Geralt. I am sorry. I should've…."
"No. You didn't ruin anything. You can never ruin anything for anyone and least of all for me because since you came to my life you made my life worth living." He let her know his honest feelings. Triss' heart fluttered at his revelation, she looked at him at last with that beautiful smile on her face and love shining in her eyes only for him alone.
"I love you Witcher." She said without any hesitation.
Geralt can't figure out why he feels like this every time she said those three words to him. They had confessed their love to each other countless times but every time she proclaims her love for him, he felt an immense happiness bubbling inside. He always thanks his fate because this amazing woman chose him among all people. He is the luckiest man in the world.
"And I love you." Geralt smiled and kissed her nose lightly and spoke again, "By the way you look more beautiful when you are jealous." He jested.
"What? You mean that I am not beautiful when I am not jealous?" She asked.
Geralt realized she got him back by his own joke and he didn't have anything to answer her. "I…Um.. I have to go now." He escaped from her tent immediately. While coming out he heard Triss' laughter at his expense and it wasn't forced laugh. He should have felt annoyed instead he felt happy. Sometimes Geralt wanted to drag her along with him at a quiet safe place far away from all this chaos, he just wanted her to be happy in her life. But he can't give her that, at least not now. Geralt shifted his attention to the task in his hand and went to meet Whistling Wendy. He saw that she was still standing there with an annoyed expression on her face and when she saw him, "What do you want now?" She asked.
"I just wanted to talk." Geralt answered.
"People don't come to a whore to talk. They only come here to plough." Wendy said.
"This is important." Geralt stopped her and gave her the password.
Wendy understood immediately and requested him to follow her inside the tent where she opened a trap door for him to descend down. Geralt thanked her and climbed down to find himself inside an old tower and came face to face with Vinsent Traut himself. The man accused Geralt of being Henselt's spy as Geralt tried to reason with him that he just needed Seltkirk's armor to lift the curse. But Vinsent didn't believe and attacked the Witcher with his men. Within few minutes they all lay dead on the ground in the pool of their own blood, he took the armor from Vinsent's body and found an exit from the old tower. Geralt wondered whether this man really was involved in the conspiracy against Henselt, he really didn't want to get involved in this matters so what happened was good enough. His task is to lift the curse, find Letho and get his and Triss' name cleared from all the false charges. On his way back to Triss' tent he saw that Dandelion was walking with a slight limp towards the Kaedwani camp. Geralt became immediately concerned for his friend as he quickly walked up to Dandelion and stopped him.
"Hey Geralt!" said Dandelion with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
"Dandelion, why are you limping?" Geralt asked.
"You should ask your sorceress why I am limping!" Dandelion frowned.
"Triss? How did she get involved in this? What happened to you?"
"I learned an important lesson today Geralt, never annoy a pissed off Triss Merigold." Dandelion's face cringed a bit.
"Why?" Geralt asked with a smirk, the corner of the side of his lips curled up slightly in amusement.
"I just jested that you are ploughing a whore. When she realized that I said it just to annoy her, she put a spell up my arse and now whenever I try to move or sit or lay down I feel as if thousand bees are stinging my arse at the same time." Dandelion rubbed his face in frustration.
"That's a nice lesson she taught you Dandelion." Geralt said with another smirk and started to walk back towards Triss' tent leaving Dandelion to his fate. Dandelion just stared at him open mouthed.
"You are whipped Witcher. Never saw this day coming." Dandelion shouted behind Geralt with a massive frown on his face. Geralt didn't say anything he just turned around and gave Dandelion another smirk before entering Triss' tent. He was greeted inside with a kiss on his lips.
"Geralt you got everything we need?" Triss asked as she walked towards a table to grab an apple.
"Mhm. Except the medallion, which is unfortunately in Henselt's possession." Geralt answered.
"And Vandergrift's sword?"
"Mhm. Saskia gave it without any hesitation after knowing my motive from Zoltan. She is truly a wise woman."
"Yes, she is. Now all we have to do is lift the curse from Henselt and I am pretty sure he will give us the medallion."
"We?"
"Of course, you and me together. Surely, you are not thinking of going alone?" She asked with suspicious eyes.
"Um….. No, of course not." Geralt answered quickly. With his answer she seemed to be satisfied as she gave him a small smile.
"But Geralt the situation here is getting worse day by day. Don't you think it will be safe for Dandelion if he leaves this place at once?" She asked him with worry in her eyes.
That's the woman I know and fell in love with, always looking after others. Geralt thought before answering her, "You are right Triss, he should leave. Speaking of Dandelion did you put a spell on him?" Geralt smirked.
"Yes, I did. Are you saying he didn't deserved it?" Triss asked with her eyebrows raised.
"I never said that." Geralt quickly apologized.
"Don't worry Geralt, its temporary. The effect of the spell will be gone within an hour from now." She giggled.
"Actually this came as a surprise for me. Didn't know you are capable of this things." Geralt said with a hint of smile on his face.
"Oh I am capable of many things which you don't know Witcher." She said seductively while grinding herself on him and tracing his cheeks with her finger.
They were standing so close that their faces were almost touching and both could feel each other's breaths on their faces. He swiftly grabbed her by her waist and gave her a bruising kiss, Triss didn't protest as she kissed him back hungrily while tugging at his armor. But Geralt stopped her because he can't go further than this until he regains his memory and what he felt for Yennefer. He can't take advantage of her feelings for him, it won't be fair to her. So the Witcher gently pushed her away from him by grabbing her by her shoulders. Triss was looking at him with a hurtful expression on her face and he hated himself for causing her pain. But what he is doing is right, for now at least.
He tried to comfort her, so he cupped her face gently in his hands and said, "Triss as much as I want to take things further, we must go and see Henselt now."
"Yes… Yes you are right." She said with a smile which Geralt knew was a forced smile because he could see the pain in her eyes. He also observed that she was trying to hide her tears from him.
"Triss…." He tried to say but she stopped him.
"Geralt, I am alright. Let's go see Henselt." She assured him. And pecked his lips lightly and walked out of her camp quickly. She rubbed away few tears which fell from her eyes. It's already started which she feared and knew would happen eventually. Geralt is distancing himself from her which means that he is getting some of his memory back. So why is she crying now? She knew that this would happen and she will eventually lose him for good. She tried to prepare herself for this heartbreak for many months now but the thought of him leaving her is too much painful to bear. These last few months spent with him, expanded her love for him even more if that is possible.
After few minutes they informed the king that they are ready to lift the curse from him. Henselt accompanied them with few of his trusted soldiers to the place where Sabrina died. Triss helped Henselt in the ritual and lastly the King drew a circle around the wheel where Sabrina was tied when she was killed. The three entered the circle with all soldiers as Henselt did accordingly as Triss told him to and slowly Sabrina's ghost appeared along with many wraiths. Geralt assured Triss with his eyes that he got her back. He started to kill wraiths one after another, but it seemed their numbers were infinite. As the Witcher killed them more appeared in their place. He suddenly saw that one wraith somehow got past him and was about to stab Triss in her back. He didn't wasted a second as he hurled his silver sword at it, killing it immediately.
"Triss, hurry." Geralt said as he saw more wraiths appeared. Henselt's soldiers were already lying dead on the ground. Geralt himself was getting exhausted from fighting continuously. Finally he heard Triss telling Henselt to stab Sabrina in her chest with the knife which was in Henselt's hand.
"Hurry, your Majesty!" Geralt said sweating from exhaustion.
Henselt quickly stabbed Sabrina's ghost in her chest which caused her to disappear along with the wraiths and finally ending the curse on himself. He then turned to Triss and Geralt.
"I am again in your debt, Witcher and Miss Merigold and I don't keep my debts. Come see me in my tent after evening." The King said and then the three of them headed back towards the camp.
[/\]
AFTER EVENING AT KAEDWANI CAMP
"Sire, The Witcher and lady Merigold is here to see you." Henselt's guard bowed to him.
"Let them in. Make sure that no one disturbs us, we have important matters to discuss." The King ordered.
"As you wish your Majesty." The guard bowed again and left. The couple entered after the guard left from Henselt's tent.
"Ah! Witcher and lady Merigold. I have important matters to discuss with you." Said Henselt eyeing Triss.
"What do you have in mind Sire?" Geralt asked.
"I have an offer for you both. You Witcher will be my personal guard. Lady Merigold I want to speak to you alone." Henselt said his eyes roaming Triss' body.
"I am sorry, Sire. But Witcher's code of neutrality prevents me from engaging in politics. I cannot take on the offer you requested." Geralt replied calmly.
"As for me your Majesty, I am honored regarding whatever you thought about me. But I cannot also get involved in court matters or other things. I am still accused of being King Foltest's murderer. And besides all these I have to stay with Geralt and help him recover his memories." Triss answered.
"I see…" Henselt stopped as one of his guards entered the tent. "What is this? I told you not to disturb me." Henselt said outraged.
"I am sorry Sire but this is an urgent matter. A messenger arrived from Redania." Said the guard.
"Send him in." Henselt said in irritation. The messenger brought the news that Foltest's daughter and wife of King Radovid is in the line of the throne after Foltest's death. But Henselt wasn't ready to accept Adda on the throne even after learning from Geralt that Adda isn't a Striga anymore. Then suddenly they heard a commotion outside and a guard fell inside the tent with a deep wound on his chest.
"What is going on?" Henselt shouted.
Geralt unsheathed his sword and said in a cold voice, "Triss protect the King."
Triss nodded reluctantly as the Witcher stepped outside the camp. He saw two assassins and one of them came charging towards him immediately. Geralt knocked one a few feet back with Aard as the other halted a few steps away from him. Geralt realised what they were doing, They are waiting to attack together. As the two assassins readied their weapons, Geralt unsheathed his silver sword also as they charged at him swinging their weapons. There blows were lighting fast but Geralt was faster, No normal human can be that fast. Then Geralt looked at their eyes and saw that their eyes were exactly like his, cat-like. Witchers, he realized.
Geralt parried their blows with exceptional skills and speed but one of them eventually got past his defense and delivered a killing blow. He dodged at the last second by rolling to his left side. The Witcher grabbed both the swords tightly and threw his silver sword at one of them which the assassin deflected with difficulty and got a little distracted. Before the assassin could recover the White Wolf rolled behind his back and cast a powerful Aard hitting him in his leg causing him to get knocked off his feet. The assassin remain suspended in mid-air for just a second, just before his body could reach the ground Geralt cut his head off from his body with a downward swing of his sword. The other one was about to attack but he halted and jumped away to his right as a ball of flame his the place where he was standing seconds ago. The assassin saw that Geralt is now accompanied by a red haired sorceress and he was outnumbered. Realizing the odds of his success is gone he escaped from there quickly. Sile and Dethmold is also coming towards the King's camp running with guards at their toe.
"Who is this?" Dethmold asked pointing at the headless assassin's body.
"An assassin hired to kill the King." Geralt answered. At that time Henselt also came out from inside the tent.
"Where were you Dethmold?" Henselt asked angrily.
"I… I was…" He stuttered.
"Dah! I don't want to know what you were doing. I am asking why I never have you at my side whenever I need your help."
"Forgive me Sire, I was merely…."
"Enough. I don't want to hear your nonsense. So who is this assassin?"
"He is a Witcher Sire, hired to kill you." Geralt answered.
"I have a suspicion that this assassin may be one of Letho's men." Triss intervened.
"Even if he was in league with Letho, we have no way to get anything out from him now as he is dead." Sile said.
"There is a way but it's forbidden." Dethmold said.
"You are not thinking of Necromancy, are you?" Sile asked with disbelief in her eyes.
"I don't care what is forbidden. Do whatever you can to find the assassin." Henselt ordered.
"As you wish Sire." Dethmold said with a bow.
"Count me out of this." Sile declared and stormed away.
"Witcher I will need your help to start the process. You brew the necessary potion and meet me in my tent." Dethmold said and walked away muttering under his breath.
"Witcher, Dethmold said you need the medallion to lift the curse. Here take it." Henselt said.
"Thank you Sire." Geralt said. Then he turned towards Triss when Henselt left. "Triss you go and take some rest and tell Dandelion to get out from here as soon as he can." Geralt whispered.
"I will tell him. I also need to look after something else Geralt." Triss said unmindfully and walked back towards her tent.
After Geralt prepared his potion and met Dethmold, the ritual started. Geralt saw through the dead assassins eyes what happened exactly. He quickly discovered their hideout and realized that Triss' suspicion was right, they were indeed Letho's men. Letho himself was present at the hideout. What the Witcher heard next he never suspected it. It seemed that Sile hired Letho to kill Demavend and Foltest. Letho wanted to get rid of her but not immediately as she is the loose end. He said to his companions that he is heading towards Loc Muinne where everything will be settled. After that Geralt saw through the assassins eyes how they sneaked inside the Kaedwani camp to kill Henselt. Dethmold ended the ritual and looked at Geralt curiously.
"Did, you learn anything?" Dethmold asked.
"I know where they are and who is behind all these." Geralt said in a cold voice.
"Who is it?"
"Sile De Tansarville." Geralt said evenly. Dethmold's eyes widened. When they reached Sile's tent with the king's soldiers they learnt that Sile already disappeared.
"The bitch escaped." Dethmold cursed.
"I know their hideout. Maybe I can learn something from there." Geralt said.
"What are you waiting for then?" Dethmold asked.
"I'll go with you Geralt." Triss offered as she appeared from nowhere.
"Triss read my mind and teleport us there. We don't have much time. Letho already escaped but we can catch the other one if we hurry." Geralt said to her.
"But Geralt….." she hesitated. Geralt touched her cheek lightly and said, "Do it."
Triss did as Geralt suggested and teleported both of them at the assassin's hideout. When they reached there they saw that the assassin who escaped from the camp was lying on the ground bleeding heavily and a Golem was about to kill him. Geralt suggested Triss to stay there as he rushed towards the Gollem and killed it. Then he approached the injured man with Triss beside him. The assassin revealed that Sile got to him before Geralt arrived, the sorceress wanted to remove all the evidence. He also revealed that Geralt met him when the White Wolf was pursuing the Wild Hunt. While talking he coughed a lot of blood from his mouth as his body and his breath stopped, leaving the body there Geralt thought about what he said, he immediately felt a sharp pain inside his head as few memories came rushing inside his mind. Triss became concerned as his eyes became unfocused. She put her hand around his shoulders, hugging him and bringing him out of his thoughts.
"Geralt you alright?" She asked with concern.
"I am alright. Just remembered the time when I met Letho and saved him from imminent death. Then he helped me in the path with his friends, Auckes and Serrit. But now both of them are dead and Letho is already on the way to Loc Muinne."
"You killed Auckes to save the King, Geralt. Sile killed Serrit." Triss comforted him.
"Let's go back."
[/\]
SOME TIME LATER
"Triss now it's time to get rid of this curse. We can't delay anymore." Geralt said to her.
"I am coming with you." Triss said immediately.
Geralt sighed. He knew she will say this, "Triss that place is too dangerous, you need to stay here."
"Geralt….." Triss tried to argue but he stopped her and made it clear that he won't allow her to enter the mist with him. She sighed in defeat realizing that this is one of those battles which she cannot win.
"Alright Geralt. But be careful. Don't get killed Witcher."
"I won't." He said and kissed her forehead and walked away.
Triss had a bad feeling about him going alone inside the mist. She had the utmost respect and belief in his ability and skills but still she worries and she will always worry about him. She lay down on her bed thinking about Geralt and what he was doing there in the mist. After few hours she realized that still he have not returned. Now Triss became seriously concerned as she walked out from her camp and went to investigate the mist. She saw that the mist was gone so she smiled a bit realizing that Geralt was successful. But why he didn't return? Triss was about to move forward when she heard Dandelion calling her.
"Triss where are you going?" Dandelion asked.
"To look for Geralt. He isn't back yet." Triss replied.
"I will come with you." He offered.
"Alright."
But after searching for an hour they still didn't found any trace for him. Then Triss observed someone was lying behind a rock a few feet away from her. Her heart started to hammer inside her chest. What she saw made her collapse to her knees immediately. Geralt was lying there, his eyes closed and there were deep wounds in his body which were still bleeding profusely. Triss immediately pulled his head on her lap and begin to heal the wounds. Then she lightly slapped his cheeks to wake him up. Dandelion watched them with sad eyes.
"Geralt. Wake up. Please. You promised that you will never leave me. Wake up. Please." Triss pleaded as tears fell freely from her eyes.
After few moments her pleas were answered as Geralt slowly opened his eyes. His eyes were unfocused, he looked around trying to focus on her voice and finally his eyes met her. He smiled a bit and raised his hand to touch her cheek, as she grabbed his hand with her own. She kissed his palm and smiled happily at him with tear filled eyes. He opened his mouth to say something but no sound came out.
He swallowed a bit and spoke again in a weak voice, "I love you Triss Merigold." He smiled. Then his eyes closed and his body went limp. Triss eyes widened.
"Geralt! Geralt! What happened? Wake up! Please!" She pleaded again. But this time her pleas were not answered by the Witcher as he lay dead on her lap. She checked his breathing and saw that he wasn't breathing at all. She tried to hear his heartbeat but found none. She already saw him dying once long ago, and he died again, this time on her lap and she couldn't do anything. She realized that, Geralt of Rivia, The White Wolf, the man she loved is dead once again. Her eyes became glassy with sorrow and heartbreak.
"No! Please! No! Geraaaaalt!" she screamed for the last time as she lost consciousness and collapsed to the ground.