Chapter 31
The Other - Geralt's POV
She didn't wake.
Not when Vesemir and himself put her on the bed in one of the few intact rooms of Kaer Mohren. Not when the Witcher put on the hearth to keep her warm. Not when he brought her food or water.
The Elemental just laid still on her back, arms next to her without moving at all. Eyes closed and lips sealed. No matter how warm the chamber got, her skin was pale though sometimes a frown appeared on her face.
The witcher stayed with her. Day and night while Vesemir went on his way to try and search for an answer. Geralt had send a message to Yennefer of Vengerberg and Triss Merigold. Either sorceress should be able to help, or at least, do something.
Geralt meditated in her room, close by the bed, ate on the lonely chair that decorated the chamber and slept close by the fire. Vesemir had told him he was concerned. Not only because Eira was an Elemental and he didn't know about her until the pair showed up at Kaer Mohren, but because Geralt had seemed to take a liking to her.
"We know too little about Elementals," the old Witcher had said one day. "Even in our books, there isn't a lot of written about their lives or illnesses that they could get. Only a thousand pages about the Great War."
Geralt had just mumbled something, his arms crossed against his chest and leant against the fireplace. He had shed his armour for easier clothing, his white hair hung lose around his face.
"There has to be something," he had told Vesemir. "She looks...uncomfortable."
Another light twitch in Eira's face told Geralt something was disturbing her slumber. If that what it was.
"Yennefer of Vengerberg didn't answer our call," Vesemir spoke. "Triss Merigold should be here by dusk. Mousesack is on his way, but had to finish some business in Cintra first."
Geralt heard the other Witcher and merely nodded.
"Geralt," Vesemir tried to get his full attention and, with hesitation, Geralt let his gaze meet the old man.
"Yes, Vesemir, I do listen," he told Vesemir curtly.
"I had no idea you travelled with an Elemental," the man started. "You know they're prone to turn dark and many betrayed their Witcher. Others died. Why is Eira alive in the first place?"
Geralt let the words linger in his mind and finally shrugged while he walked to the Vesemir.
"She came to life when I started the first mutation here in Kaer Mohren. She's bound to me."
"I understand that. But why?"
Geralt sighed annoyed and ran his fingers through his hair.
"I don't know. She's been a loyal ally since we met. I trust her. She isn't a dark elemental. Never did Eira lay a hand on a human or me."
"She's a potential danger and…"
"Enough!" Geralt's voice boomed through the room and his eyes glared at his master.
He was tired, hungry and worried. All of these things Geralt mostly could take without problems, but the witcher just wanted Eira to be better again. It was turmoil inside himself he kept fighting. Normally, he never was this emotional and he had a hard time getting them under control.
"I will bathe and sleep," he told Vesemir. "Wake me when Triss arrives. And I need to find the bard."
"What bard?"
"Jaskier," Geralt rubbed his temples with his fingers, "long story."
"When you slept," Vesemir stated, "I want the whole story. Of everything."
"Even the bard?"
"Even the bard, yes."
Geralt grumbled and nodded before he left the room. He didn't really want to leave Eira alone in the chamber, but he needed a bath and a decent bed for some rest. After that, Geralt would let Triss locate Jaskier. The bard needed to be here, though Geralt didn't really forward to his never ending chatty and joyful personality.
He didn't hate Jaskier. Not at all. The bard just had the habit to annoy him beyond words. When the bard was silent or calm, Geralt had no problem with his presence. It was his non-stop talking and cheerful attitude that sometimes bothered the witcher.
The bath went faster then he anticipated. He was just getting some peace when an urgent knock pulled him out of it.
"What?" His voice unfriendly and Geralt sat up in the tub.
"It's Triss," a soft voice floated through the door and Geralt rolled his eyes.
"Come in," he told her after he walked out of the tub and grabbed a towel.
When the door opened, Geralt stood with his back to the sorceress to find his clean clothes.
"You're early," he grumbled while he pulled on his white, cotton long sleeve.
"I came as fast as I could," Triss' voice came from behind him and Geralt nodded. "It's about the Elemental?"
"She doesn't wake up," Geralt spoke while he disappeared behind the small screen to pull on his brown, linen trousers. "She heard voices. Loud. She was scared. When we entered Kaer Mohren, Eira fainted and didn't wake up again."
"How long has she been like this?"
Geralt came back in the room and locked eyes with the Sorceress.
"Seven days," he said and threw the towel in the corner of the room. "No change."
Triss Merigold stared at him for some time before she finally moved.
"I don't know a lot…," she started, but Geralt held up his hand to stop the woman.
"I know. Nobody knows a lot about Elementals apparently," he scoffed impatiently. "We will need to start with what we do know. Elemental. Voices. Doesn't wake up."
Triss nodded hesitantly and opened her lips again to speak up. Again, the witcher stopped her, not in the mood for whatever she was going to say.
"If you got nothing to say that will help, keep your thoughts for your own," he snapped at her.
Triss pressed her lips into a tight line and the witcher could see she bit her tongue.
"Bring me to her," was all she said. "I will try to see what I can do or find out."
They walked through the cold corridors of Kaer Mohren to Eira's room. Much to Geralt's surprise, Vesemir had took it upon himself to watch her while Geralt was bathing. Triss Merigold strode in, elegant and her brown dress ruffled against the stone floors.
The Sorceress didn't waste much time and made her way towards the sleeping elemental in the bed. A frown between Triss' brows appeared when her hands lingered above the body of Eira while the two witcher's stood a bit back.
"Strange," the Sorceress muttered while her fingers moved up and down. The movement made Geralt think of someone who played the piano. "She's here, yet she isn't."
"What does that mean?" Vesemir asked. Only Geralt could hear the impatience in the elder Witcher's voice.
Triss didn't reply, closed her eyes and grabbed Eira's head between her hands. Trying to grasp some more of the Elemental's thoughts. At least, that's what Geralt thought.
Triss started sweating. Her forehead glistened, her features contorted in a painful way. Both Witchers stood up straight when the room filled with magic and their medallions both started trembling against their chests.
"Something's wrong," Triss muttered and opened her eyes.
She glanced at Geralt with fear right before the Sorceress was thrown against the farthest wall of the room. She came down with a loud thud and Vesemir moved fast towards her. Geralt's gaze flickered from Triss to Eira who was still silent on the bed.
"Another," Merigold mumbled and stood up with the help of Vesimir. "Eira. She's not alone. Someone called the Other is with her. Such strong magic. It threw me without a problem."
"Another Elemental?" Vesemir asked and Triss shrugged.
"I don't know what it is. It's strong. Chaotic. Greedy and passionate."
Geralt's eyes widened and he cursed.
"Triss, I need you to find Jaskier. Bring him here through a portal."
"Come with me," the Sorceress spoke and dusted off her dress.
"No," Geralt said and went to sit on the side of the bed. "I fucking hate portals."