Rayden walked down the plank at the Koviri port and breathed in deeply. The sea air was so refreshing. He was wearing his old light armor and his guard captain was also dressed down. It wasn't quite common knowledge why he had disappeared from Kovir and he wanted to keep it that way for a long as possible. Servants loaded a trunk into a wagon that would be taken to the castle. While he would be staying some at his childhood home, he would officially be the guest of King Tancred. He made his way to the castle and into the hall of the King. The guards recognized the rash son of the advisor and freely opened the doors for him. Tancred smiled from his seat but rose and came down to greet him.

"Young Rayden! Or should I say…" Rayden help up his hand cutting him off.

"Rayden will suffice for now. One thing I have learned is that servants talk, and I wish to remain as anonymous as possible for now." The King chuckled in understanding.

"So, you are traveling lightly then?"

"Yes. My clerk, some of my personal guard and two servants."

"No advisor?" He asked, referring to Yennifer.

"She is holding down the fort, so to speak. Handling the politics while I'm away. Hell, even when I'm there, frankly. There are so many problems that can't be solved with a sword. Between her and Tomas…well, I don't know what I'd do without them." Tancred chuckled again. Triss approached and reminded the King of a meeting.

"Well, duty calls. I trust we will speak later." They nodded to each other. Rayden had to fight going into a full bow.

"I expected you to be dressed a little more appropriate," Triss admonished as she hugged him then examined his attire.

"Eh, I'm fine. I'm looking forward to a little freedom yet."

"You should go see your sister. She will be pleased to see you." She said added before retreating in the wake of her King.

"Shall I come with you?" Patrick asked from his side.

"No. I'll be fine. I need you to supervise this lot. Make sure who I am is under wraps for now. People will find out eventually, but the later the better. Start with Tomas. The boat trip didn't sit well with him. He'll need your help." Patrick nodded and left. Rayden headed to the castle stables in search of a horse.

When he reached the modest house, the scream of children playing made him smile. He rounded the house and dismounted. His beautiful sister knelt in her garden pulling weeds. Izzy had always been beautiful, but marriage and motherhood had only made her more so. Jarek, his oldest nephew at five, saw him first.

"Uncle Rayden!" the boy yelled running to him. Rayden caught him up in his arms and gave him a tight squeeze before dropping him to the ground and holding his hands out to Izzy. She threw her dirt covered hands around his neck and laughed.

"Dearest brother! How I have missed you!" She touched his face, leaving a trace of dirt on his cheek. Rayden dropped a kiss on her forehead.

"Izzy…I have missed you, too." He took momentary comfort in her arms before she took his hand and led him to the shade. She used her apron to wipe the dirt from her hands then picked the baby up from her blanket on the ground and he instantly held his hands out for her. He marveled at the beautiful babies his sister produced and hoped that his own children would be as fortunate of countenance. The babe chewed on her tiny hands and drooled. This baby girl came fast on the heels of the twins he had last seen. Jarek came running up to them, dragging the now one-year-old twins behind.

"Here he is! Uncle Rayden is a witcher. He kills monsters. Isn't that cool?" The older boy raved to the two toddlers. They just looked and laughed then toddled off as fast as their unsteady legs could carry them. "Hey! Come back here!" Jarek ran after them.

"A witcher?" He asked, eyebrow raised.

"We thought it best to not tell him the truth just yet. Children have a hard time holding their tongues. How is life as the Emperor?" Izzy asked although she could see the answer written in his eyes. The once carefree boy she had known was gone. He had been replaced by a young man with many burdens and great resolve.

"Hard. Harder than I thought it'd be, not that I thought it'd be easy. Now that I've gotten involved in politics, the factions are kissing my ass. If I side with one I risk alienating and pissing off another. Doesn't matter who is right. All that matters is what they want and if they don't get it they throw a noble fit. These people play far too many games."

"Sounds like dealing with children." She replied. He gave a knowing huff and wiped drool from the baby's tiny chin.

"You would know." He replied light-heartedly.

"Speaking of…"

"You're not…"

"I am."

"Geez. You really can't get out of bed unless you're pregnant." Izzy laughed as she took a swipe at him. He spent the afternoon with her then joined his parents at home for dinner. Later that night, as he sunk into a hot bath, he contemplated his next move. It was the entire reason he came and spending time with Izzy had just reinforced what was missing from his life.

Word had not widely gotten out of his return, so what he was about to do would out himself. Completely. It couldn't be helped though. It was why he came after all. He would go with all the pomp of his new status. He most certainly would not be turned away this time.

Rayden rode in full imperial regalia at the head of his entourage through the open gate at the slowly deteriorating castle. In the inner courtyard, two servants went about their business of tending a small garden and feeding the few animals that the Krol family had managed to maintain. The main house attached to the back wall had stairs leading up to the balcony as well as the tower that rose above the wall. He knew that tower well.

The Lord and Lady were giving orders to a third making repairs to the outer wall. Seeing such fine guests Lady Krol touched her hair and turned with a regal smile on her face until she saw who sat upon the horse. He couldn't help but grin down at her.

"What are you doing here?" She sneered, her disdain for him making her oblivious to who he now was. Her husband, who had a bit more sense than she, grabbed her arm to silence her. The group dismounted. Patrick held the reigns of Rayden's horse as he proceeded to make the introduction.

"His Imperial Majesty, Rayden Merigold, Emperor of Nilfgaard." Lady Krol went pale as her husband's grip tightened on her arm.

"Lord and Lady Krol," Rayden began, "I…"

"Rayden!" A scream from across the courtyard grabbed his attention and he saw Eislyn run down the stairs from the upper floors, her hair loose and streaming behind her. He grinned wide and abandoning all pretense he ran to meet her, grabbing her up in his arms, holding her tight. When he set her feet back on solid ground, he captured her mouth with a lip crushing kiss, her hands cupping his face.

"You came back," she whispered as they broke from the kiss.

"How could I not come back for you? I love you." He kissed her again, deeper and slower. When he released her, he took her hand in his. "Eislyn, marry me…"

"Yes!" Her eyes lit up then the smile slowly faded. "Oh…oh, no. I'm already betrothed."

"What?! To who?!" His voice reached an unnatural pitch.

"Andre Steinar?" She watched his eyes widen in horror. Andre Steinar was the pompous ass son of a pompous ass father who made a killing in trade. Andre, who had taken over his father's enterprises, now wanted title as well as money. Marrying Eislyn would be a huge coup for him as the Krol name was well respected, if impoverished.

"Wha…how…you can't be serious?" He howled.

"It wasn't her decision to make," a haughty voice intervened. Lady Krol had finally found her voice. Rayden looked back to Eislyn.

"Eislyn…" He knew she had not had a say but it crushed him none the less.

"I don't want to marry him; you have to believe that! Mother made the contract six months ago before I even knew. Our coffers are nearing the bottom and…" She made a helpless gesture. Rayden dropped her hands and took a few steps toward her parents.

"You sold your daughter to that…that…prick?!" Eislyn's mother straightened up.

"He is wealthy and respectable." She countered. He could tell she wanted to add unlike you, but that wouldn't exactly fly now that he was the Emperor.

"And a prick! Do you have any idea how much trouble that bastard has caused me over the years?" Rayden shot back. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, regaining his composure. "Break the engagement." He opened his eyes and saw the shock on their faces. "What?"

"Your Majesty," Lord Krol spoke up. "I'm afraid the bride price has already been paid…and spent," he gestured to the repairs to the wall. Rayden stared at the man in disbelief.

"Tell me, would you rather your daughter be married to a wealthy merchant, or to the Emperor of the greatest empire the world has ever known?" He narrowed his eyes on Lady Krol. She stammered but said nothing. He knew the answer. "You hate me so much, that you would see Eislyn unhappy instead of an Empress? Fine. If you are selling her to the highest bidder, then I will triple what he paid on top of reimbursing his loss." He stepped closer and glowered down at them. "Break. The. Engagement." Lord Krol nodded in agreement as his wife bowed her head. That bitch, he thought. She was angling for more money. Tomas stepped forward to collect the details as Rayden returned to his bride to be.

"Now I know how the sheep at auction feel." She said, a bit stunned. She shook her head and gave him her best and brightest smile. "When shall we marry?"

"Five days?"

"That's not a lot of time to plan a wedding. Especially an imperial one." Eislyn said tapping her chin.

"I don't want an imperial wedding, Eislyn. The clothes I wear and the title I carry haven't changed who I am or what I want. I just want you. That's all I've ever wanted."

Word was beginning to spread that the brash Rayden Merigold had returned and was in possession of a mysterious new fortune. The fact that the fortune was gained by virtue of the fact that he was the new Emperor of Nilfgaard still eluded most though that fact was beginning to spread thanks to his future mother-in-law. Therefore, Rayden was no longer free to roam as he chose. Patrick was by his side everywhere he went.

"Hey, gutter rat!" Someone called from across the square. The voice was sophisticated and condescending.

"What the…?" Patrick muttered. Rayden turned to find one of the last people he ever wanted to see.

"Andre. How good to see you," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Andre came closer but wisely stayed out of arms reach.

"I hear the orphan gutter rat has climbed from the sewers." Andre buffed his nails against his fine shirt. Rayden laughed.

"Sure have. The thread count of my sheets are too high for you to even dream about." Rayden crossed his arms defiantly. Beside him Patrick sighed. He was three years older but sometimes it felt more like three decades.

"That so? Is that what gave you the confidence to buy my betrothed out from under me?"

"Watch it Steiner. You weren't too proud to take my money two days ago, so you better leave her out of this."

"No. Because she is what this is about." Andre took another step and rested his hand on his sword. Rayden bristled.

"So, you want to fight, is that it? I'm surprised you didn't just send your knife wielding buddies after me. You've done that before. I know it was you who fucked with my horse before that race, but I paid you back for that when I thrashed your ass." Rayden said.

"Horseracing…? Sheesh, Rayden." Patrick whispered as he felt a hand touch his shoulder. Eskel.

"I've grown a bit since then, rat. I will beat you, crown or no."

"Fine. You're on." He pulled off his cape and sword and handed them over to Patrick, only to find his father standing there as well. People began to gather around; some began placing bets.

"Rayden, this isn't a good idea." His guard said.

"Geez, man. You've been spending too much time with my Dad." Rayden turned and walked closer to his opponent. Andre eyed the insignia embroidered on his shirt. Rayden looked down. "Oh, what? Is this bothering you?" He pointed to the Nilfgaard emblem then pulled his shirt off over his head, throwing it back to Eskel and Patrick. Several women oooed and ahhed while the men erupted in cheers.

"Has he always been like this?" Patrick asked Eskel in exasperation.

"Pretty much. It's why I took him on The Path in the first place." They watched as the two stood facing off.

"I guess there's no point in trying to stop him."

"Nope." Eskel answered, settling in to watch.

"C'mon Steiner! Here I am. Take your shot!" Rayden taunted.

"Throw the first punch? You must think I'm stupid." Andre mocked him, handing off his own sword.

"I certainly do." Rayden laughed.

"And be arrested for starting a fight in the city? Oh, no. Not when all I have to do is point out that despite your sudden rise in fortunes, you are nothing but a gutter rat raised by a filthy mutant."

"Oh, shit." Patrick and Eskel said simultaneously. Rayden pulled back his fist and landed a hard blow right on Andre's perfect jaw. Surprisingly, Andre remained standing and returned the blow. The pair danced around, trading blows. In the distance, the rattle of the city watch could be heard coming their way and Rayden was growing bored. He left an opening for Andre and the idiot took it. Rayden took the punch but grabbed the silk shirt of his fair opponent.

"Hey Andre? Wanna know what it's like to fly?" Rayden put his boot to his chest and rolled down his other leg to the ground, throwing Andre across the square. He got up and wiped the blood from his lip as the guard came into view. The captain made his way over to where Rayden stood pulling his shirt back over his head. He looked at Patrick as he handed over the large sword.

"So, are you the one responsible for him now?" The gruff captain addressed Patrick.

"Something like that." Patrick replied glumly.

"Poor bastard. Rayden, I believe the last time I saw you, you were fighting."

"Hey, that wasn't my fault. Steiner's boys jumped me that day." Rayden said referring to the day Eskel had intervened in a fight behind the smithy.

"And today?" The captain pressed.

"Well…" Rayden had no good answer, so he grinned brightly.

"I can't very well throw you in the dungeon, as much as I would like to."

"You could have broken it up sooner. I saw you by the smithy."

"The King has a strange affinity for you. Always has. And he said Andre Steiner had it coming. But you didn't hear that from me." The captain winked at him before turning to the crowd and breaking it up. Rayden walked over to where Andre laid on the cobbled street groaning.

"Come to kill me?" He spat.

"Why the fuck would I do that? Gods, you are such a prick." He held his hand out and pulled the beaten Steiner to his feet. "In my new-found position if I kill someone it has to matter. And you just don't matter." Rayden grinned and released Steiner and walked off. "Stay away from Eislyn, ya prick!"

The family had a private dinner at the castle that evening. Rayden stood at the entry of the most beautiful woman Patrick had ever seen. Her heavy blonde curls hung around her incredibly enticing and ample figure.

"Whoa…" he whispered.

"That's my sister, believe it or not."

"Damn. What the hell happened to you?" Rayden laughed before greeting her jubilantly. Behind her followed a quiet giant of a man who was clearly her blacksmith husband given the size of his forearms. The party was small: Triss, Eskel, Rayden, Izzy and her husband as well as Patrick. He had initially resisted joining the family table, but Rayden had insisted. You're the brother I never had.

They ate the fine meal and talked of children, family and Rayden's upcoming wedding. Eskel and Triss excused themselves shortly after the meal. They had spent far too much time apart and wanted to make up for it. Patrick sat across from Rayden's sister, Isabella, and marveled that the two were even related. She was intelligent and elegant, not what one expected from a blacksmith's wife. Her husband, too, defied the loud stereotypes of the smithy. She took a sip of her wine.

"I hear you were fighting in the streets this afternoon." She said with a small smile on her lips. Rayden looked at her from the corner of his narrowed eyes.

"How did you know that?" He asked hoarsely. Patrick had to fight laughing at his reaction. She set her glass down and gave him a long-suffering look.

"You were fighting in front of the smithy. Dunderhead." She said. The large blacksmith at her side chuckled.

"I was merely fighting for my lady's honor." Rayden said in an exaggerated voice.

"Is that so? I heard you threw poor Andre across the square."

"Hey, it was nothing less than the prick deserved."

"Language…" She chastised. "Why is the lady in question not here?"

"I invited her, but her parents…"

"…mother…" Izzy muttered darkly.

"…said they couldn't make it."

"Wow. That's a first. I didn't think she would actually turn down an invitation from the Emperor of Nilfgaard. She kisses royal behind here in Pont Vanis every chance she gets."

"Tancred is actually likable. Me, apparently not so much."

"Well, I like you, brother. And I'm sure Patrick likes you as well or he wouldn't have agreed to carry your leash." Izzy smiled across the table at him and Patrick couldn't help but laugh.

"I do not have a leash!" Rayden insisted while laughing. Getting a glimpse into Rayden's life like this was quite entertaining as well as informative. He could understand the rash young man better seeing where he came from and who he fought to protect. Why and when he chose to be rash and when he held his temper. He had gotten to see the wide range of Rayden's emotions in the last few days and he would get to see yet another the following day.

Rayden dressed as the Emperor he was and made his way down to the hall of King Tancred where a servant showed him to a private chamber. The King sat at the head of the table, Triss to one side his clerk on the other. Behind him stood the crown prince in full military regalia. Rayden sat at the opposite end of the table, Tomas to one side and Patrick stood behind, as was his usual place.

"King Tancred. I asked for this meeting to…no." He shook his head and slid the piece of paper from his sight. "Let me say what I really mean for once. I owe you so much. Because of you, I was given a family. Because of you, I didn't wind up in the dungeons no matter how badly the good Captain wanted to put me there. Although I probably deserved it. Thank you.

That being said, I want to assure you, and the Kovir of the future that Nilfgaard will not seek to annex this kingdom." Rayden slid a piece of parchment across the table. "This is a written promise that as long as my line sits on the throne, Kovir has nothing to fear. This is my gift to you, for your belief in me." Patrick had seen nobility all his life, but none had ever lowered themselves to show what Rayden had shown to King Tancred: humble gratitude. If he had to die in the service of this rash young Emperor, he would do so without regret.