CHAPTER 2

For the next two weeks, Tissaia struggled to recover as quickly as possible, but her body and injuries were at their own pace. The little detours around the room became, as days went by, into walks along the corridor, which allowed her to visit the wounded witches and encourage them in their recovery.

Today was the first day that she felt strong enough to go down to the main rooms of the school and introduce herself, if possible, to the new director of Ban Ard.

However, the road was long due to the countless interruptions she had to make to greet each and every one of the students who were glad to see her so recovered, slowing her down. It was precisely during one of those stops that she heard a male voice behind her:

- I see that you are already much better!

Tissaia turned immediately to find herself face to face with a middle-aged man, perhaps a little older than her, with black hair, although somewhat gray like his stubble, not more than three days old, large and with piercing dark eyes. Noticing that she had not answered for too long, just scrutinizing his appearance, she held out his hand before him saying:

- Tissaia de Vries

He smiled in amusement, with an expression so peculiar that Tissaia didn't know if he was trying to look nice or if ,on the contrary, he was teasing her without hiding it.

- Finrod, it's a pleasure to finally meet you - he said, taking Tissaia's hand in his and bringing it to his mouth to kiss it with extreme delicacy.

This type of presentation was not very common outside of court, so it caught Tissaia totally unprepared. She withdrew her hand as soon as she could, trying to understand why the man did not displease her at all, rather the opposite. He was handsome, chivalrous, polite… and that smile puzzled her.

- Surely they have already updated you on the news. However, I would like to explain the situation myself ... as I understand that it will not be easy for you.

- That's obvious - Tissaia answered quickly, raising her neck even higher and clasping her hands on her lap, as was her custom.

- Would you like to go for a walk? – He asked smiling again and offering his arm politely.

- Sure ... - she answered, although denying him all physical contact.

Leaving Aretuza's classrooms behind, they reached the school's outer courtyard that adjoined the cliffs. Tissaia liked to walk it after finishing the hard days of teaching. It helped her clear her mind, regain control.

- I'm not going to try to convince you to see me as a friend ... after all, I belong to the side that you and your friends faced, without much success, by the way. I have come here, to your school, stirring everything up and now you are below me, at my command and under my supervision ...

- Is there something you have to tell me that I don't already know?- Tissaia interrupted him sharply.

- Wow! - again that mocking smile - What character!

He stopped short in front of her. The smile turned into a grimace as he looked at Tissaia intensely, scrutinizing her. She remained impassive, holding his gaze defiantly.

- I just want us to get along, nothing more. - He used a much harsher tone. Finally, Tissaia was leading him to her ground. He was beginning to get nervous and tense, and that reaction gave her power. Somehow she was subduing him.

- I think that's something that we should reject. Just the fact that you are carrying out Nilfgaard's orders repels me deeply.

- I see ... anyway, I'm not going to make it difficult for you. Your life in Aretuza will be as it has always been, counting on the fact that you will not be able to leave the premises without my accompanying you at all times. - At this moment he began to walk again, breaking eye contact - We will have a weekly meeting in which you will update me on the progress of each of your girls, especially regarding the study of black magic. - He stopped again, watching the sunset that was imposed on the horizon. - Surely I have to check personally on occasion, but I tell you in advance that this will happen very occasionally.

Turning to her, he ended the conversation saying:

- I promise that I will bother you as little as possible, you will hardly notice that I am here.

He passed her without touching her and walked away along the stone path that led back to the Aretuza compound.

Tissaia stayed there a while longer, not moving, until the sun finally set, casting everything in the veiled clarity of late afternoon. She couldn't deny that their first meeting had left her confused, restless. Finrod was very different from all the men she had ever known: simple, selfish, and predictable. He was not like them.

"But he is the enemy," she whispered. "The enemy".

That embarrassment instantly dissipated. The control pushed away the small chinks of chaos and she felt strong and determined again. She would have to act as expected. Protecting the girls was her top priority.

Turning around, she headed for Aretuza, her home, her fortress.