Chapter fourteen
Venture young bird
The morning was mostly quiet when Yennefer woke, before Geralt strangely, and made her way down stairs combing her fingers through her hair to brush it from her face. When she reached the bottom step and looked up though she could only smile at the sight by the table. Kiko was sitting there slumped over her open book of Advanced Magic sleeping while using her arms as makeshift pillows for the time being. Yennefer walked over and lightly set a hand on her young daughter's back leaning down to whisper in her ear.
"It's not healthy to study late into the night and fall asleep on your book," She said softly hearing only a tired protesting groan in response before the young sorceress turned her head the other way. Even as a full sorceress now Kiko was still only about into her teen years and she was still bound to act like one. Yen silently laughed to herself and went about getting breakfast going thinking that the smell of a hot meal would most likely wake the young sorceress.
The fact of how much Kiko dove into her studies made Yen smile as it reminded her of how focused she used to be when she was her age. Yet Yennefer used the new life as a sorceress to make it better and leave the one she hated behind, to forget those who'd wronged her. From her abusive father, non-supportive mother to the kids who'd chase her tossing rocks at her former hunched back calling her a freak and laughing at her pain when the rocks cut her or the one rock a boy threw that caught her eye. Now as Yennefer and not Jenny, she has long left it behind and has a loving witcher as her beloved as well as two adopted daughters who she treated like her own.
Once of which was still sleeping on the table, hopefully not drooling into her book. At least she'd corked the ink bottle before falling asleep as the sorceress noticed it was tipped over and the quill made a large ink blotch on the top of one of the pages of notes. She shook her head and moved back to making the family some breakfast.
And it was a simply breakfast this morning of scrambbled eggs with mushrooms, onions and peppers and ham slices. They soon were being made which did wake Kiko who'd first lift her head like a hungry wolf having caught the scent of a fresh kill. Yennefer could have sworn she heard her daughter even sniffing like a wolf too. Her dual colored eyes opened as she glanced over to her mother who had her back to her.
"Mom?" she asked in a groggy voice, rubbing her blue eye before covering her mouth to catch an incoming yawn.
"Yes dear?"
"What are you making?"
"Eggs and ham, now c'mon put your book away and sit up. Your plate is ready," Yen turned and walked over as Kiko shut her book sliding it to the side, setting the plate before her. The stairs made the typical sound, a creak from someone walking down and sure enough it was both Ciri and Geralt. Geralt was in just his trousers while Cirilla was full dressed; minus her books and gloves, and her hair was not in that usual bun she had but instead was freed about her shoulders. They'd get their own plates as Yennefer sat down opening the Advanced Magic book to where Kiko had bookmarked.
"Mom, what are you doing?"
"You're trying to study the very thing only Philippa has mastered?"
"She wanted to see if I could be the next to master Polymorphing into something, I know it's a difficult magic but she thinks I could be able to learn it," Yen shut the book and sighed, her face displaying that typical worried expression she always had.
"Just be careful, it's not easy and many have failed trying," Kiko nodded slowly mostly because her mouth was stuffed with some of the ham slice off her plate. She didn't really want to explain the true reason she was studying such a thing because she found herself curious about that bruxa but she'd read in another book that only Alps had red hair so was the woman she met a bruxa or an alp? She was honestly interested in knowing more about Siusan and maybe if the woman didn't make her blood into a meal she could befriend her.
Kiko finished her plate and quick to almost bolt out the door before her father's voice caught her and made her halt. "Where are you off to?"
"Just to the market place, I'm sure among hundreds of people I'll be safe dad..." He shook his head but when Yen touched his shoulder he motioned for the young sorceress to be off. She wasted no time and ran off into the city but not in the direction of the market but off to try and find Siusan again...
Siusan sat alone on a bench, with some of her hair in her hand examining the ends which were turning back to black again. She tried to dye it honestly and for the most part the other Bruxa had not recognized her, thinking her not more than their vampire cousin, an Alp. The bruxa of her old pack seemed to hate their counterpart cousins and would not go out of their way to talk to them but instead would avoid them; walk on the other side of the street type thing. Yet now her hair was shooing away that deep red berry dye she'd used to hide her true color and she figured she'd have to re-dye it again very soon.
Not that it helped much when Demose came to see her. Unlike the others in the pack, he knew her by even the slightest hint of her scent. From him she was unable to hide even if she wore different clothing, make up and dyed her hair. He knew he former mate far too well and that is what scared her most. Now he was hunting her, trying to force her to return to the pack even if it meant slaughtering anyone who tried to dare be her new found lover. She even worried about becoming part of a new pack. What if he found out? What if he slaughtered them all just to leave her with nothing?
She could never put that past him, his cruelty was so dark it was down right scary to lay eyes on him at times knowing what he was capable of. How the other Bruxa could put up with his cruel ways was beyond her. She recalled the countless times he'd struck her; left her bruised and bloody before he'd leave only to return with arm fulls of flowers and gifts trying to win her love back. When she was young and in love it worked many times over but as she grew older, wiser she rejected the armfuls of gifts he'd return with and it only got her another round of beating.
Black eyes, busted lips... you name it and he caused it. Some of the others in the pack claimed it was because out of all the bruxas who'd laid with Demose she was the only one who refused to birth him a child. She didn't desire children of her own while Demose wanted nothing more than to have a child with her like he did with many of the others. He had sons and daughters spanning many years old, with his sons being either his goons or they'd long left to make packs of their own. She wondered if they were as abusive and uncaring as their damned father was. The thought another vampire like her somewhere might be going through similar beatings made Siusan sick to her stomach.
"Siusan?" The bruxa was snapped from her thoughts as she jumped up with an uncanny speed far faster than a human. Even out of instinct her arm was raised high as if readying claws for a swing until she realized who it was. That young sorceress girl from the other day who'd nearly knocked her over. Siusan wondered just why on earth she was here now. "You can put down your hand... and answer something," The bruxa slowly lowered her hand and sat down.
"My apologizes... I didn't expect anyone to just say my name out of the blue..." the young sorceress crossed her arms and shrugged. "So what did you want me to answer?"
"Are you a bruxa?" Siusan's eyes almost bolted out of her skull before with that inhumanly speed once more she leapt up clasping a hand to Kiko's mouth to keep her from asking or saying anything else. The bruxa glanced around and found they were luckily alone before she removed her hand.
"Please keep your voice down..." she whispered, glancing around once more before she sat down nodding. "Yes, I am... how did you know?"
"My adopted father is a witcher,"
"A witcher?!" The very mention of a monster slayer made a chill run down her spine before she cleared her throat. "There's... not a contract out on me... is there?" If there was a contract, the bruxa would certainly have to flee. Perhaps to Novigrad? No, Toussaint? Maybe she had a sister there which could work in her favor. But while most like her would think 'a witcher, such powerful blood' she found it to be a greater fear and she didn't want to deal with the monster slayer.
"Not that I know of but, you don't seem different from what my father told me. That you should have honestly killed me,"
"I only feed from adults; older adults and elders because they have lived long lives. I do not attack children and teenagers. It's been my ways since I was a young bruxa," She stood and motioned for the teen to follow her. "Why did you seek me out?" Siusan led the way out of the small art circle and off to the market place where they'd be hidden in the noise of the crowd and away from spying eyes.
"I was curious, your hair is red yet you're a bruxa..."
"It's dyed,"
"Well that explains that, and I guess I realized it more when he said your cold touch and pale skin was a give away,"
"He's a wise witcher but you don't have anything to worry about from me... but Demose... he is a danger to any human," Kiko lightly grasped Siusan's chilled forearm.
"Who's Demose?" Siusan stopped as Kiko released her arm slowly to hear her response. She noticed how the bruxa's expression turned into a regretful one as if she was to blame for something when the young sorceress didn't put blame upon her.
"A Higher vampire with a cruelty streak that would make kingdom's shudder in fear," She looked up at Kiko with a frown. "He is also my former mate but his ways... I could no longer agree to be by his side if he acted in such a manner..."
"What... did he do?" Kiko was almost worried to hear what this Demose had done. It certainly had to be cruel if she rejects him now as a mate. Siusan looked around finding it too crowded for her liking now, taking the young sorceresses hand and hurrying off to an alleyway leading Kiko. Once away from too many in a crowd, including some guards she inhaled deeply as if to steel herself for telling the truth.
"He and the others of the pack slaughtered orphan children... none of them survived and I was there but I did not feed like the others did..." Kiko's voice refused to have her respond, and her legs became like jelly seeing as she was once an orphan herself but thanks to Yennefer and Geralt she was taken in and given a home. She leaned against a wall and slid down until she was sitting on the ground. "I couldn't... the sight was horrid how the kids who'd yet to be fed on were sobbing in a corner and-"
"Stop," Kiko barked. "I get it, I don't need to know anymore about that please,"
"I'm sorry..." Siusan shook her head. "I shouldn't have said all I did," Kiko stood and wiped a tear away which made the bruxa take notice of it. She wanted to ask her what was wrong but didn't wish to upset the young sorceress further.
"Why do vampires drink from children?" Kiko suddenly asked. "I used to be an orphan... and could have been eating by a pack of vampires?!" The bruxa put her hands up in surrender when the sorceress sounded to be holding a deep angered hiss in her tone. "Innocent kids slaughtered and for what?!"
"I do not feed off children, but I know why the others do,"
"Why then?"
"They find the blood sweeter, untainted by alcohol, tabacco and so on. The myth that vampires prefer older blood because it 'ages like wine' is not true. It ages like moldy cheese bathed in the sweat of a hundred dock workers," Siusan sighed. "I do not believe in feeding from young innocent kids but even I have smelled the sweetness their blood gives. I can smell the sweets they love most as it makes their blood most likely taste as so,"
"Why don't you feed on kids like the others?"
"I just can't... the thought it disgusts it. I knew another bruxa named Orianna and she was a questionable woman in her actions. She helped kids but... drank from them never to kill just to stop her bloodlust from overtaking her I guess. I could never even do that," She looked down shaking her head. She could never exactly explain why she could never feed off kids. Their blood was like the sweetest candy to a vampire and she didn't desire it in the slightest.
Kiko sighed shaking her head before she pulled the bruxa into an embrace that had taken the vampire aback from the gesture. It took her a moment but her arms lifted to hug around the young sorceress when a scent caught her nose. She subtly and quietly sniffed the air when she realized it was a smell of sweet but powerful blood. It was intoxicating like waving an alcohol bottle before a thirsty drunkard. She turned her head slightly towards Kiko and came to realize the scent was from her.
Something about that scent of her blood made Siusan's mouth water in hunger as she kept herself from biting into the sorceress's teenage neck to take a taste of it. Her hands gripped tight onto Kiko's back holding her closer as she found herself lost in the smell of her blood pulsing through her veins. Siusan could hear her calm heartbeating in her chest as she'd clench her jaw tightly feeling her fangs rub the inner side of her lips. She moved her nose closer but not enough to touch her skin; only enough to get a better smell of her life blood.
"Kiko!" a hand suddenly appeared grasping the back of the young sorceress's shirt and yanked her back right out of Siusan's hands. There stood a witcher holding a silver sword out pointed at the bruxa. In a way the vampire was glad he'd appeared and stopped her from almost biting the girl but in another way she was in an utter panic seeing those cat eyes staring at her with a desire to see her head come clean off her shoulders. She backed away slightly holding her hands up in a surrender; eyes darting back and forth from his face to the blade in his hand.
She had no choice and being she dared not to fight the bruxa bolted quickly out of her clothing, turning invisible and fleeing away from the alleyway stopping up at a higher area to peer back at the young sorceress who was staring at the discarded clothing in thought. She sighed and fled over the rooftops back to her hide out in the woods; back to the cabin where hopefully the witcher would not come looking for her...
He was angry... Kiko could already tell as Geralt reached back sliding his silver sword back into the shealth with a small metal clink. He didn't have to say a thing though and she knew he was furious with her. It even seemed he knew she'd do something stupid like seek out the bruxa again and followed after her. She looked from the discarded clothing up at him when she noticed his head turned slightly peering a single cat eye peering down at her.
"Dad I-"
"You deliberately disobeyed me. I told you about the bruxa and here I find you hugging her? What if she bite into your neck? Did you even notice the bloodlust she was experiencing?" He growled. Kiko fell silent as her shoulders slumped.
"S-She didn't seem so bad, I thought maybe she'd be a-"
"Bruxas are not friends, Kiko," He cut her off again, turning to her. "C'mon we're going home and if you even think about going out you'll have me, Ciri or Yen accompany you. You put yourself in danger trying to befriend a monster,"
"Yes dad..." She said as he walked past her leading the way home. She knew she was in for a lecture from him and mom; mostly mother because she'd go into that overprotective mode she was becoming so famous for. Yet she still didn't think Siusan was a bad person even if she was a bruxa, Kiko sadly could most likely no longer see her anymore if her parents and sister put her on some sort of leashed lock down because they were scared she'd be the bruxa's next bloody dinner.
Sure enough she got that very lecture she knew she'd get. Sitting on a stool as her mother was pacing back and forth while Geralt went over why it wasn't safe for her to be around the bruxa and how to a vampire they were walking meals before Yennefer would cut in saying they only wanted her safe because they loved her. Kiko was silent the whole time looking at her hands until a black gloved hand touched her right wrist pulling her from her train of thought.
"Kiko, promise us you won't see that bruxa again... she's dangerous," Yennefer asked softly. Kiko slowly looked up before she stood pulling her hand from Yen's grasp. She'd make towards the stairs pausing as her foot was on the first step.
"Orianna was dangerous... Siusan isn't," She then walked up the stairs without another word. Geralt rubbed his beard slightly with a sigh. He was amazed she knew that name; the name of a bruxa he'd killed but first met in the The Duchy of Toussaint when he'd been hired there some time ago. The bruxa helped an orphanage mostly due to it being easier to get access to young sweet blood of children. In time though the people paid for her to be dead and he had to slew her. A hard battle, but he'd won somehow and Orianna had laid dead beside him since he'd passed out from exhaustion and some blood loss when she bite into his neck. Lucky for him he'd drank the black blood potion which hurt her instead of healed her.
"Who's Orianna?" Yen asked looking at Geralt with a puzzled look.
"Bruxa I killed in Toussaint... how does she know her name though...?" He sat down after placing his swords against the wall nearby. "But she's right Orianna was more dangerous yet in a weird oddly caring way mostly because the children under her care would let her drink from them but never to kill them; saved them only to make them living blood vessels for her hunger,"
"Yet from what we know this Siusan bruxa has not tried to hurt Kiko but instead seems friendly,"
"Some monsters do only wish to live in peace with humans but for Vampires that is hard to do..." He leaned back in his chair wondering what this Siusan's intentions were or if she even had one. Were they being hasty in their judgement of her? Or were they right to worry...?
-Kiko-
Kiko wanted to get her mind off of everything that'd happen downstairs and had hurried away and into her mother's room where the megascope sat in the corner and crystals nearby to be placed into it upon use. She'd started placing the crystals into the megascope before stepping back and sitting down on the end of the bed, as the image formed before her with Philippa standing there clad mostly in what was more along the lines of bed attire, or at least a red towel covering her torso.
"Greetings Phil, sorry if I'm... interrupting anything," The blind sorceress shook her head and turned it to the right before shooing someone away.
"It's alright I was just finishing anyway, but I'm curious to know why you are using Yennefer's megascope..."
"I don't have one yet remember?"
"Ah yes, anyway what did you need to contact me for?" Kiko grabbed the book she'd been studying from recently.
"When I return will we start the lessons and everything for me possibly learn Polymorphism?" She asked holding up the book to show Phil what she'd picked up.
"Have you thought of an animal to change into firstly?"
"I've narrowed it down to either a hawk or a sparrow," Philippa smirked at the thought of seeing Kiko change into a powerful hawk or a subtle and small sparrow. "What's the look for?"
"For someone like you I'd have thought you'd be a crow or wolf since you seem so close to Geralt and Yennefer, or perhaps a swallow because of Cirilla,"
"Sometimes I got to be different Professor,"
"Don't call me that, I'm your acquaintance not your mentor anymore," She corrected. Her head turned again to her left. "Go and wait I'll be right there," Before turning back to Kiko. "Apologizes, seems fire birds can't be patient,"
"Well sounds like the rumors are true then,"
"What rumors?"
"That you and Triss are sort of shagging now and again," Philippa's arms crossed. "Sorry it's not my place to judge but it's what I've heard,"
"Kiko, you'll learn when you have centuries to live; so much time on your hands that when you've urges of an adult manner, it's better to not be like Kiera Metz,"
"Oh a sex crazed bimbo?"
"That's rude... but true,"
"Hopefully Uncle Lambert's hips don't give out before she does,"
"Miss Kiko..."
"Right anyway back to the subject," she waved her hands with a chuckle. "I can start the lessons when we return right?"
"Of course, also Ida sends word that she's impressed by you and wishes to speak in person but she's not moving from where she is,"
"You mean the Aen Saevherne, Ida Emean aep Sivney? Speaking of where's she been since that happened years ago?"
"Hiding away with Enid an Gleanna in Dol Blathanna which is close to Aedirn. Being you're in Vengerberg; the capital city, you're actually fairly close to her location. Perhaps you should go meet Francesca,"
"Yeah because curved ears will be welcome there..."
"Ida knows who you are as does Francesca and being she's queen they shouldn't bother you as long as you don't start trouble,"
"Maybe I should go there, it's best to meet all fellow magic users at some point,"
"Now will mommy and daddy even let you go?"
"Probably not but they can't keep me chained down forever, I've got to walk my own path soon," Kiko rubbed her brow with a sigh. "Anyway, I'll message you before we aim to return; it'll take at least a week depending on weather," She stood reaching for a crystal to remove and end the transmission.
"Wait," Kiko's hand halted just before grasping the crystal. "While you're in Dol Blathanna try to see about getting your own megascope, using your mother's is like-"
"Using her toothbrush, I know and I will, Thanks Philippa and say hi to Triss for me," As she took the crystal away she hear from the image a distant 'HI!' being shouted back to her which made her laugh. Seems Philippa really was warming a bed with Triss, Kiko didn't judge honestly it wasn't her place to. "Well guess I've got a trip to Dol Blathanna to worry about now... great,"
Later that night she'd saddle her horse with some things she'd certainly need before heading out, pulling a hood over her head to conceal her face as the mare raced through the empty streets towards the large kingdom gates...
Elsewhere...
"What have you learned?" A growling voice came from beside a tree. There stood Demose leaning against it with his right shoulder, arms crossed when a pale woman of average height approached him. A hand reached out from under her cloak and placed itself on his forearm in a loving compassionate manner. "Speak,"
"She's taken to trying to live among the humans peacefully, but I spotted Siusan with some young sorceress with two colored eyes. They'd even embraced until a witcher with white hair pulled the young girl away,"
"White haired witcher?"
"He donned two swords on his back, arms near covered in scars and one over his left eye. Both eyes orange-gold and pupils slit like a cat," Demose didn't react as the bruxa moved closer to him brushing her lips over his neck, running her hand over his chest. His mind was wandering elsewhere in thought.
"Geralt of Rivia..." he finally said which made the bruxa stop in her actions and step back with a raised brow. "The white wolf is here in Vengerberg which means we could all be in danger if he senses we are here and he knows of Siusan meaning she could be killed,"
"Demose, why do you care for that tramp? She left us; deserted her own pack and what's more she left you, her mate. That whore is not worth your-" Demose's hand, swift like the unseen wind clashed against her cheek sending her stumbling back a few paces from him. She put a hand to the reddened cheek and looked back at him like a wounded puppy who'd just been kicked.
"Never speak ill of her again... she will rejoin us one day when she realizes her wish of peace with humans is not but a fairy tale. The humans fear us and rightfully so..." The bruxa stood upright and straightened herself a bit, nodding slowly.
"Forgive me, my love... I did not mean to upset you," she stepped closer to him again as his arms dropped when he left the tree. Her arms wrapped around him as she nuzzled his chest.
"You are forgiven but do not step out of line with me again, but I thank you for informing me on Siusan..."
"Anything for you," she purred softly, slowly letting herself slide downward...
-Siusan-
She ran a hand through her hair finding more of that damn dye was coming out reverting her hair back to the night black it truly was. It'd be best she simply wash her hair clean of the berry dye and accept that she could not hide. Though she felt she should hide or flee Vengerberg entirely. Her sister's home was seeming more tempting by the minute as she sat there on the bed, caked with dry blood of the last victim she'd fed from. Her mind kept wandering back to the sweetness of Kiko's blood and how it filled her nostrils. It tickled her senses and made her spine shiver in needy desire for just a taste; just a drop.
What was it about her blood that made her react that way? She glanced to her hands; hands that gripped the young woman closer like she'd only do to some man she'd seduced into being her next meal. They were shaking but from what? The bloodlusting over the young sorceress or that of the fear she had towards the witcher and his blazing cat eyes. If looks could kill than his eyes would have begun spitting fire upon her flesh that very moment he'd torn Kiko from her arms and hidden her behind his figure. It was the first time she'd seen a witcher and she must admit they scared her.
To think some ancient monster like her, a bruxa was scared of a man with scars and cat eyes. Yet when she saw him and how he was protective over Kiko it made her worried and scared which was why she fled but why did she glance back at the girl? She just couldn't explain herself whether it had to do with the fact she wanted to sample even a bit of her blood or if she actually felt like the sorceress was a friend to her. What also stumped her was why the girl had embraced her. But Siusan knew there'd be no chance to ask her seeing as the witcher would surely not let it be so.
She stood grabbing several pieces of clothing and quickly dressing. Siusan would return to the city but she dare not seek out the girl and yet she feared the girl would come looking for her and thus the witcher would once more soon follow. If that happened she was worried her head would be severed from her shoulders and sent rolling down an alleyway.
"Where are you off to my sweet?" Her spine caught a deep bone chilling shiver before she peeked back over her shoulder to find Demose was by the door, closing it behind him. He's eyes moved to her bare back before it was covered by a shirt she tugged down over it. His gaze then moved to her dyed hair that was losing that red color. "Off to find that girl?"
"No, and why do you care about that girl anyway?"
"You seem close to some human, toying with your food now?"
"She's not just 'some human' something about her is... different, her blood is powerful; very powerful and she seems to know a witcher,"
"Ah yes the White Wolf from the School of the Wolf; Geralt of Rivia, a man, myth and legend among them," He chuckled opening the door to leave. "Be careful my sweet I rather you not get your head cut off," And just as quick as he came, he departed again into the dark forest swift as harsh storm winds.
Siusan shook her head and made her way from the cabin back towards the city, stopping outside the gates only to sidestep from a racing mare with a hooded female rider who'd sudden pull back on the reins to stop the mount's charge forward. Siusan suddenly realized a scent that clung to the air. The sweet smell of the familiar blood she'd had the pleasure to smell before.
"Kiko?" She asked as the woman turned her head then dropped the hood back. When she saw it was the sorceress she lowered her voice. "What are you doing? You aren't looking for me are you?"
"No I was off to the Elven city of Dol Blathanna, I have things to do there," She smirked as a thought hit her. "Come with me," She wasn't asking though.
"What? Why would you want me to come with you? Elves probably wouldn't even let you enter the city either!"
"Their Queen or duchess as some go by, knows of me and I aim to meet her, now c'mon. Get on the horse or can you run along side? I know Vampires are fast and have good stamina,"
"Are you trying to get me killed by that witcher?!"
"They don't know I've left yet. Now get on before they do find out!" Siusan puffed out her cheeks before exhaling in defeat and climbing onto the back of the horse with Kiko's help, holding a hand down. The pair raced off into the night heading right for Dol Blathanna, the Duchy City of Elves...