Chapter 10
„Dancing Foxes"
[Aretuza, Thanedd Island.]
Naruto slightly bends down and puts his hands on his knees. He was taking deep breaths, while Geralt was trying to stay still. Triss and Yennefer were trying not to giggle at their overdramatic reactions. They were standing near the entrance to the academy. Its wall seems to glow with a blue hue that made the overall building more magical.
"Somehow...Mousesack's teleports are less...turbulent." -Naruto whimper and Triss puffed her cheeks.
"It's not that bad." -She said with shrug. She crosses her arms below her chest and Naruto noticed her expression. He raised his hands in defeat and apology.
"Damn portals..." -Geralt grunted. Yennefer rolled her eyes and look at Geralt.
"Pull yourself together, boys." -She said and put her hand on her hip."You shouldn't drink that beer before teleportation."
"Well, I'm sorry for you for not telling me about going to a party." -Naruto said with a forced smile.
"Same here..." -Geralt said and robbed his head.
"It's not a party, it's a reunion of mages." -Yennefer explained with a sigh.
"If there's dancing, drinks and music...then it's a party." -Naruto said with a sigh. He finally felt better.
"Enough!" -Triss snapped, surprising everyone."We didn't come to argue. Let's enjoy this evening."
"I think that Triss is right." -Geralt agreed."Tomorrow's an important day, right? Then let's get this thing over it."
"Right...Let's go." -Yennefer said and Naruto nodded.
After entering Aretuza, they were greeted by a large t-shaped room. For Naruto, it looked similar to the throne room in Cintra. But it was fancier with flying orb at the side of the room.
Naruto's single eye widens upon seeing two familiar figures. It was King Foltest and King Demavend.
He got closer to Yennefer so no one would hear them.
"Why didn't you say that Kings of North would be here?!" -Naruto hissed and she simply smiled.
"I think it was obvious." -She replied with a small shrug."Don't worry."
"I wouldn't if I knew I'd represent Cintra!" -He almost snapped at her."Fine, but this is on you."
"Alright." -Yennefer said with a sigh.
"Don't worry, Naruto. King Foltest will be pleased to meet you." -Triss said and took his arm."Let's go and greet King Foltest."
"Geralt, go with them. I need to talk to someone first." -Yennefer said and planted a kiss on his cheeks. Everyone saw that. That was the plan. With a confident smile, Yennefer left them.
"Everyone's trying to read my mind." -Geralt said with a sigh. Since he moved in with Yen, he could tell when a mage was reading his mind.
"They'll have a nasty surprise when they try to read mine." -Naruto with a smirk. Soon enough, they saw how most of sorcerers and sorceresses grab their heads and flinch. Then they all stared at him, some in fear, some in shock.
"What did you do?" -Triss asked surprised at everyone's reaction. Jinchuuriki simply smiled at her.
"Let's just say that my friend doesn't like visitors." -Naruto said with a wink. Triss gave a puzzled look."Maybe I'll introduce you to him one day. For now...Let's greet the Kings."
Triss glanced at her colleagues who seem to be better. She never saw anyone do this before. Pushing this thought away, she smiled as they stopped in front of Foltest and Demavend.
"Ah, Miss Merigold." -Foltest greeted. Then he noticed Geralt."Ah! The White Wolf! It's been a while, isn't it?"
"Indeed, Your Majesty." -Geralt agreed with a slight bow."I see you're doing fine yourself."
"As much as possible." -Foltest agreed with a smile."I'm glad that you have a partner for this evening." -Triss smiled and bow slightly."How about We talk elsewhere. Geralt?"
"Of course..." -Geralt with a slightly forced smile. He didn't want to, but Yennefer would start yelling at him for being rude. They both went together to a buffet.
"Pardon me, I have a question." -King Demavend said and look at Naruto with curious eyes."Are you perhaps the Fox of Cintra?"
"I'm afraid so." -He replied jokingly."It's an honor to meet you, King Demavend."
"I'm honored as well." -Naruto bowed slightly."I hope your trip was pleasant."
"It was, thank you." -Demavend said with a small smile."But between us, I'd prefer to stay Vergenberg."
"Is everything okay, Your Majesty?" -Triss asked confused. Was there something wrong with Aretuza? She wasn't the type to read in people's minds, but she was curious as to what Demavend want to go back to Vengerberg.
"It's a ...personal thing." -He said in a cold tone. Somehow, she felt it was personal. Even Naruto could tell it."Regardless...I'm glad I could meet you. Forgive me, I must talk with other guests." -With a small nod, Demavend left them.
"Good thing he didn't ask about Calanthe." -Naruto said with a sigh of relief.
"Then don't jinx it." -Triss said giggling. She looks to her right and saw Yennefer talking to Vilgefortz.
"Who's that?" -Naruto asked, noticing how Triss was looking at them.
"Vilgefortz of Roggeveen." -She explained. He could be described as being a very handsome, tall and well-built man."Young and incredibly talented mage. He's the member of the Chapter of Sorcerers."
"Sounds important." -Naruto mused and Triss agreed with a nod. Yennefer and Vilgefortz glanced at them."Do they know We talk about them?"
"Maybe. But I think she's just showing off. You know...like she's with Geralt and knows Fox of Cintra." -Triss said with a small smile.
"Hmm...How about We eat something?" -Naruto offered.
"I'm trying to keep my figure." -Triss said hesitantly while glancing at the buffet.
"What are you talking about?" -Naruto asked, confused by her words. He looks at her and then blushed."Any woman would like to have a figure like yours. Even if you eat a bit nothing will change..."
"Did you just try to flirt with me?" -Triss asked and Naruto averted his gaze."I'm just teasing you. Thank you."
"You're welcome." -He said almost immediately wanted to facepalm himself. Triss only smiled from ear to ear. She pulled him to the buffet and they both got a small plate with pie. Naruto got shivers from taking the first bite."Man, that's so good."
"Indeed." -Triss agreed with a smile. She wanted another piece, but she knew it wasn't tactful in front of others. Then, they notice that everyone put aside their food or drink and went to the middle of the room. Even Geralt and Yennefer came and started to dance."Um...Do you want to dance with me?"
"Of course..." -He replied and took her hand. She smiled at him as they made their way to the dance floor. Just like everybody else, they danced slowly, moving from left to right. Triss was impressed by how well Naruto was dancing. She was enjoying it so was Naruto. Before they knew it, the music stopped."That didn't last that long...Shame."
"Indeed." -Triss agreed with a smile."I'm surprised how well you have danced."
"Hm? You didn't think I can dance?" -Naruto asked confused.
"You don't strike me as a dancer." -She replied and giggled at Naruto's expression."I'm joking. You're great."
"Thanks." -Naruto said while rubbing the back of his head. Suddenly, Vilgefortz appeared next to them with a small smile."Ah, good evening."
"Good evening, indeed." -Vilgefortz said and extended his hand. Naruto shook it firmly."Good evening to you as well, Ms. Merigorld." -Triss smiled and bow to Vilgefortz."Forgive me for not introducing myself earlier. Vilgefortz of Roggeveen."
"Naruto Uzumaki of Cintra." -Naruto introduced himself as well."I'm honor to meet you."
"Please, the honor is all mine." -Vilgefortz said and his eye twitched. Naruto knew that he wanted to read his mind. But Kurama wouldn't allow it. There was a slight shock forming across Vilgerfortz face."I'm truly surprised to meet you here of all places. Tell me, what brings the Fox of Cintra here?"
"Well, I was invited by Yennefer. Although, I didn't know I'd be taking part in this." -Naruto said with a chuckle.
"She invited you without telling you about this?" -Vilgerfortz asked with an amused tone."Sounds a lot like her." -Naruto noticed that Vilgefortz was trying to read his mind again. This time he squirmed.
"Now..." -Naruto said in a cold tone."It's rude to read in someone's mind. I decided to let it slide the first time...But if you try again, then you'll end up on the ground." -Triss froze when hearing his tone. He didn't expect such a cold tone from him.
"Forgive me, please." -He said with a kind smile."Call it professional curiosity. Tell me to have you ever thought of joining the Brotherhood?"
"No, if I must be honest." -His tone remains mostly the same."Don't tell me you're looking for new members..."
"The more the merrier, right?" -Vilgerfortz asked but Naruto didn't say anything."I heard that Queen Calanthe has a druid in her ranks. Why not join us and learn something new?"
"Forgive me but I have already made vows to Cintra." -Naruto replied."And I never break promises..."
"I didn't say you have to break your vows." -Vilgefortz said with a smug smile."You can be like us. Representing Cintra as Sorcerer."
"I think you know my answer." -Naruto replied with a sigh."Don't you have other guests to entertain? " -Triss gulped and glanced at Naruto. It was as if he was a different person all together right now. Vilgefortz was still smiling, though. But his smile wasn't natural.
"Believe me, I know when I'm not welcome." -Vilgefortz said with a chuckle."I shall wish you a great evening regardless. I'm sure We'll see each other again."
[...He's an odd one. I don't trust him...]
With that Vilgefortz left them. Naruto was following him with his eyes until he couldn't see him. Sighing, Naruto turns to Triss. He was surprised by her expression. She was scared and amazed at the same time?
"Hey...Is everything alright?" -Naruto asked worriedly. Triss seems to snap out and look at him.
"Ah, it's nothing." -Triss said and bring her hand to her chin."I just never seen anyone talk to Vilgefortz like that. It was weird to see it up close." -For a second, Naruto saw something akin to fear.
"Did it scare you?" -Naruto asked worriedly."I'm sorry. Didn't mean to."
"I'm alright." -She assured him with a small smile."Thank you for your concern. I mean it."
"Um, okay." -Naruto said and rubbed the back of his head."How about We get something to drink?"
"Didn't Yen said you shouldn't drink?" -Triss asked and Naruto laughs it off.
"Nah, it's fine." -Naruto said and grab her hand."I don't get drunk that easily. Besides, a glass of wine won't hurt."
"Um...alright." -She said a bit hesitantly. Naruto saw a servant walking with a big plate. On that plate were two glasses of wine. He took them without a servant noticing it. He gave one to Triss and then they take a sip."Hmm...Is it Toussaint? The year 1245?"
"Indeed...I'm surprised you know it." -Triss said more relaxed. Her cheeks flushed red and Naruto notices that."Hey, I want to show you something. Come on, Naruto~." -Her melodic voice made him follow her. She seems to be even more relaxed than before.
After a few minutes of walking, they reach the outside fountain. There was a bench by the massive tree. Triss rushed to the bench and sat on it. She waves at him to come over. Unsure whats got into her, Naruto came to her and sat down.
"See how pretty it is?" -Triss asked with a giggle. Naruto finally realized that she got drunk from one glass of wine."But...! One thing is missing!"
"Um...and that is?" -Naruto asked as Triss got closer to his face. He blushed as his face was just a few inches from hers.
"F-i-r-e-f-l-i-e-s~!" -Triss whispers to face and then pulls back with a giggle."Each time I was on Thanedd...There were always fireflies lighting the night. But...They're not here today."
"I think I can fix that." -Naruto said with a smile and got up. Triss watched him taking a few steps forward. After performing necessary hand seals, Naruto called."Katon: Onidōrō!"
Suddenly, multiple small fireballs arose from the ground. They stop midair and then flash with white light for a moment. Triss eyes widen for a moment before getting up. She walks up to Naruto with a smile.
"It's so pretty..." -She said in childish awe."Are these harmful?"
"Not in this state." -Naruto said and called one small fireball to him. He then pokes it with his finger and it flew away."Well, this is the closest thing to the fireflies right now." -Without warning, Triss got closer to Naruto and planted a kiss on his cheek. Naruto blush as she steps away."Um..."
"Thank you..." -She said with a sweet smile. Naruto averted his eyes and rub the back of his head."Um...I do have a question."
"Yeah? What is it?" -Naruto asked.
"Can I tag along with you tomorrow?" -Triss asked and Naruto raised his eyebrow.
"Sure, I don't mind." -He replied with a small smile."But I think you need to ask Yennefer. I mean she's the one who needs help." -He paused for a moment."Not that I don't want you to tag along, but don't you have to stay near King Foltest?"
"I already took care of it." -She winked at him and Naruto chuckle."I also don't think Yen will mind."
"I still wonder what that might be..." -Naruto said out loud."Yennefer doesn't seem like a person to like asking for help."
"She doesn't." -Triss agreed to look at the stars on the sky."Which means...it's a serious matter. As her friend, I want to help her."
"Then, let's help her...whatever it is." -Naruto said and joined Triss in staring at the stars.