Pen stood in the Graveyard, roses in her hand. Lochain's headstone still glowed gleaming among the dull stones of the older graves. The small stone next to his, her miscarried child. She laid the roses and whispered her blessings.

"...You did not have to come with me, Crevan." She said. "I am head of the Guild and can look after myself.

The Sage smiled, he had been following in her shadow since Ciri had left.

"You are also the High Queen, you shouldn't go anywhere alone."

"I need no reminder of that, between you, my thorns and the small flock..."

"His Majesty would have my balls if you went alone..."

Pen considered a smart retort, but the sage did have a point. It was dangerous to travel, Singer or not. This was not far from Court, but enough to make her vulnerable. She knew Either Aethen or Rhiannon were in the woods watching. Cullen staying behind with the twins.

"...Ge'les is bringing the young King to see the High court...he still is salty about our little talk, but will be respectful..."

"You didn't have to threaten him with Regis you know...though he did find it amusing he could make an Aen Elle piss themselves just by being in the normal form..."

"Would that I have shot him...a lesser solution but much messier..."

"No. We need to get back." She Dusted off her knees. "I do not relish tonight..."

"Nor do I..."

They headed back toward the horses, hoping the road was secured again.

In the shrine, the portal opened and Avallac'h stumbled through, fool to trust they would escape the beast unscathed. He stumbled against a pillar, sliding down leaving a streak of red. Ciri was close behind, the sound of the portal closing.

"...The court of thorns..." He managed when they were swarmed by the priests.

"Go get lady Thorn..." The Priest said and began inspecting the large gaping wound on his side.

Ciri was on the other, murmuring something to keep him conscious.

Ciri frowned when she saw Pen, she had not expected to avail herself to her hospitality again. The healer tending her wounds looked up at Pen and finished quickly. This Ciri was older, a Witcher now. It meant she had sought out Avallac'h, and most likely had grown close.

"...A Stigga..." She said. "Fool sage got between us..."

She had said the same of Nuada getting between her and an attacker. Though for her it had been a mid-blade strike for her.

"...I take it somewhere Elves are not well-liked as well..."

"As well as Witchers are..." She said. "...He won't have to puke up his guts again will he?"

"No, you might..." She said, "Do not worry, it does not look too bad."

Ciri slumped, she was tired, off.

"Get into bed, Rest..." Pen watched where Ciri's eyes went, "Lay close, both of you will rest..."

She watched Ciri limp to the bed, where Avallac'h lay in Reverie. She had followed wiser heads this time, ordered him into the suspended state to heal.

Pen encountered Crevan in the hall, looking as if he was the one with the gaping wound rather than the scar. He straightened a bit to offer her a smile, but it didn't reach beyond his lips.

"...I know I should not be here. But you cannot be alone."

"You could have asked Aethen, or even Rhi to come instead..."

"Yes, but it has to be me..."

She steered him out of the healing halls, Two of the same person in close proximity had disastrous results. He seemed to breathe easier when they were in the main corridor.

"That was stupid..." He said. "But I am restless..."

"Should I throw Rhi at you?"

He laughed softly, he had yet to have an intimate encounter with the young thorn but gossip said she was skilled with more than her sword.

"...Tempting, but no." He said. "Beautiful as she is, she bites, and I do not relish another bite to my ear..."

Pen swallowed another smart remark, knowing that Sages were not Celibate by any stretch, neither were her thorns.

"...and She would not put up with my grumpy nature." He said. "I do thank you for trying, like a good queen..."

She took in a heavy breath.

"...Would you have said to the same to Ciri if she chose to be empress..."

"If that was the path she chose...I would have stood at her side. Though I doubt as to the lover and husband I became..."

"...other lifetimes..." Pen said.

"Too many..." He said. "Have you chosen what you will sing tonight for the banquet..."

"I See Fire..." She said. "It is from a movie...I think I have the disks...I should show it."

"It sounds like deceleration of doom..."

"It is one inspired by a story arc by Tolkien..."

"The storyteller...I have yet to ask Regis to borrow that book."

"You might have to wait in line..."

He smiled. "...Will you be reading to the twins in my presence again?"

She smiled, "Maybe...after the banquet..."

He straightened up fully, holding out his arm. There was much to prepare for...