Yennefer of Vengerberg

Eira POV

They made their way through the castle and Eira was only vaguely aware of the soft music that echoed through the halls. The moans and grunts that came from one of the closed doors, made her hesitate to open one of them and she threw a look into Geralt's direction.

She arched a brow when Eira saw he held something in his free hand. The other supporting Jaskier who looked pale, but was still breathing and followed everything with his eyes.

"What are you holding?" She asked.

"Apple Juice," he replied. "Open the door. And don't get distracted by the illusion the sorceress might have spinned inside the chamber."

It crossed her mind to ask where Geralt found the jug with apple juice, but Eira pushed the door open instead.

Eira wanted to pinch her eyes shut when she saw the image unfolding before her. She stood frozen in the door opening while she felt how Geralt passed her by with Jaskier. Seemingly, the witcher was unbothered by the orgy that took place right before their eyes.

Naked men and women, playing with each other lying down or sitting up. The heat that rose to Eira's cheeks was undeniably too warm for her.

"Eira," Geralt called her back to reality and she cast her eyes down.

"Coming," she murmured and watched her feet move.

The Witcher put Jaskier down on one of the coughes, next to a pair who were busy kissing and touching. Eira grabbed his hand gently and glanced at the woman all dressed in black. She sat at the front, her face covered halfly by a lace, black mask.

Eira swallowed thickly. The magic that played around her was heavy and laced into her veins slowly. The elemental was sure that Geralt felt the same and he waited patiently for Eira to join him.

"We'll be right back," she murmured to Jaskier and felt his hand tighten around hers for a moment. "You'll be fine."

The bard looked at her and Eira threw a quick look to his swollen throat. The large bump was now blue and purple.

"The sorceress will heal you," she promised before she released her hand out of Jaskier's.

Eira followed closely behind Geralt while they made their way to the woman who sat at the front. Her gaze still cast down as much as possible and she bumped against the Witcher's back when he suddenly stopped in his tracks. An annoyed sigh of him reached Eira's ears, but she couldn't be bothered with his grumpiness. At least he was helping with Jaskier.

"Your apple juice," he spoke and held up the jug.

The woman turned her head slightly to face them both and Eira thought she was stunning. The black hair was up, but the elemental could see it was quite long and thick. It were they eyes that stood out ; a dark purple looked back at her.

The woman smirked before she stood up from her seat and strolled towards them. Elegance on high heels and Eira kept her gaze firmly planted on the sorceress.

"Why are you here, Witcher?"

"I have someone who needs healing. Only a sorceress can do this."

That's when her eyes travelled over Eira and the elemental stood a bit straighter.

"I feel magic that isn't my own," the woman spoke and slowly came to stand before Eira.

The Sorceress was taller than the Elemental and looked down upon her. A curious glint in those beautiful, purple eyes.

"Strong magic," she concluded. "Why do you have need of me, Witcher, when you travel with … what are you?"

Eira arched a brow, glanced over her shoulder towards Jaskier and saw he was out of earshot. Geralt gently took hold of Eira's arm and pulled her a bit closer to him. He shielded her with his body before he looked up at the woman.

"She's no sorceress," Geralt concluded.

"Then what is she?"

"That is a subject for another time. How much will it cost to get the bard fixed?"

It was the first time the sorceress looked into Jaskier's direction and walked over to him. A frown settled between her brows.

"What did this?"

"A Djinn," Eira replied before Geralt could. "He got attacked by a Djinn who was released."

The sorceress looked at Eira as if she had said something utterly stupid, but her eyes cleared up in an instant when Geralt confirmed it.

"Your bard," she drawled and looked back at Jaskier who closed his eyes, "he's in a bad shape. I'll heal him."

Eira felt a bit more relieved, until the sorceress looked straight at her again.

"I need to know what you are," she demanded. "That's part of my price."

Eira's gaze flickered towards Jaskier who had his eyes still closed and the sorceress snapped impatiently with her fingers.

"He can't hear you," she said.

"An … Elemental," Eira spoke fast and Geralt grumbled next to her. "I'm an Elemental."

The woman's eyes lit up with enthusiasm.

"A witcher and an elemental," she cooed. "That's something that I haven't seen before. Aren't you supposed to be all dead?"

"I'm … new," Eira spoke hesitantly. "Will you cure him now?"

"Yes, the other part of payment is for your witcher," the woman spoke matter of factly, waved her hand and the illusion and mind control that hung around them broke.

The people around them all came to their senses, seemed horrified and cleared the room as fast as they could. Eira felt relieved and the sorceress chuckled while she took of her lace mask.

"You're young," she stated, her long fingers came to rest onto Eira's cheek.

The elemental took a step back and couldn't help notice the greedy tinge into the woman's eyes.

"But powerful," the sorceress spoke with a smile. "And so… surprisingly human."

"You promised to cure him," Eira pushed impatiently and the sorceress grinned.

"I did, didn't I? Let's bring him to a more comfortable chamber."

"What's your name?" Geralt asked.

The woman smirked at both of them.

"Yennefer of Vengerberg," she said and waved her hand to follow her. "I would like to hear about your story, Witcher. How it is to travel with an Elemental and how you kept her hidden for so long."

Geralt stopped in his tracks while he carried a sleeping Jaskier.

"No one is to know about Eira," he spoke harshly. "Or you won't have my part of the payment."

That amused Yennefer and scared Eira.

"No," Eira spoke hurriedly, "Jaskier needs to be helped."

Yennefer glanced into the elemental her direction and nodded once at the witcher.

"You have my word. The world doesn't need the knowledge of an elemental."

Eira swallowed hard, the witcher took a deep breath through his nose and Yennefer showed them the large chamber with a big bed. Geralt swiftly laid the bard down and looked at Jaskier. For the first time, Eira noticed a hint of worry in the witcher's face.

"You need to heal him," Geralt spoke while Eira made her way to the other side of the bed. "The last words we spoke, weren't our best."

Yennefer watched how Eira kicked out her shoes and climbed on the bed. Her fingers laced into Jaskier's hair lovingly.

"I will heal him. You should clean up first. You stink, Witcher."

Eira managed to hold her laugh by biting her tongue and locked eyes with Geralt.

"I stay with him," she said.

Yennefer handed her clean clothes and pointed at the bowl with hot water that wasn't there a moment ago.

"Clean him up," she demanded. "I will change and fresh up. I will be back later."

Eira nodded and took the bundle of clothes from her.

"Thank you," the elemental spoke softly.

"You care for the bard," Yennefer stated. "Don't thank me yet. A Djinn's magic can be … tricky."