Chapter V
They didn't learn about the pogrom in Rivia until they almost reached the gates of Vengerberg. They stayed off the main roads to avoid forced migration and the ever present signs of the passing war. A few marauders he could deal with, Geralt had said when Dandelion had inquired about their changed route. Soldiers, he would not. The bard had said nothing afterwards.
The first time it was a group of passing merchants who mentioned the pogrom while waiting on the road for the broken wagon to be moved. Second was the courier whom Dandelion pressed for more details as they rode side by side, knowing the news from him would be more accurate than juicy gossip they could hear.
In short words, it was horrid. A rumpus started by a group of drunken kids led to a bloody massacre that town had never seen before. A massacre that started soon after Ciri nearly forced them out.
Ciri ignored the way Zoltan looked at her when he and Yarpen realised what they had barely missed. Geralt said nothing as he led the whole group to the well known tower he hadn't seen in years.
xxx
Yennefer's little shop looked closed and abandoned, but the doors opened the moment the witcher touched the knob.
"Witchy," muttered Dandelion, pointing at the dust and webs still covering some of the shelves and jars. The floor had been swept and the table was freshly cleaned, but it was clear from the first glance this place had been abandoned for a long time.
"Don't piss her from start," hissed Geralt.
"Me?" Dandelion feigned offence. "I wouldn't dare!"
"I never thought I would live the day to say so, but it's nice to see you again, Dandelion." Yennefer came out of what Geralt remembered to be a storage room at the back of the shop. Her eyes widened in surprise for a brief moment when she saw Yarpen Zigrin, then she smiled at Geralt and Ciri.
Dandelion grinned and bowed, sweeping the floor with the feather of his hat. "Oh, a great day indeed!" He sighed in emphasis, then did what Yennefer clearly didn't expect and closed her in a hug. "I always knew you liked me!"
Geralt groaned inwardly.
"You know I'm not above turning you into something nasty, right?" Yennefer asked coldly and brushed invisible dust from her sleeve. Black gloves made of lace as thin as spider web covered her hands.
"You like him too much to do this," Dandelion laughed and pointed at Geralt. The witcher fought down the urge to smash his friend across his head. Ciri snickered and bit her lip to stop herself from bursting in laughter.
"Don't tempt me to prove you wrong. Now while I'm glad Ciri brought you here like we agreed, I'm afraid I won't be able to host you all in here. My tower's been empty for well over a year and it's hardly habitable at the moment."
"We passed an inn nearby, I'm sure we'll find some place to stay," Zoltan offered. "We'll go freshen up and meet you there later?"
"I'm going with you," Ciri saw the opportunity to leave and took it.
"Geralt, a word," Yennefer said before the witcher offered to see his friends to the tavern.
xxx
"I need you to speak with Ciri," Yennefer said once they were finally alone.
"We spoke plenty on our way. I'd rather speak with you," replied Geralt, watching the sorceress carefully. He could see she was irritated, but it didn't seem to be about the company he brought.
"Ah, I'm sure she's got your head filled with her ideas as to what had and would happen. And I'm sure you only encouraged her."
"She had things to say, for sure," Geralt nodded. "But Yen, I'm not trying to turn her against your counsel, how could you even think so?" he sighed in exasperation. "The thing is, Ciri came to me half convinced that you and the Lodge, that you are going to turn her against me. She didn't exactly like that."
"Yes, that didn't go well." Some of Yennefer's ire disappeared as she leaned against the cupboard and clenched her gloved hands in fists.
"Why didn't you talk to her beforehand? Warn her perhaps?"
"That was the Lodge's business," the sorceress said dismissively.
"No, Yen," Geralt stepped closer. "I've had enough of this. When we parted, you promised to make up for that silence. I may be just a mere witcher, as people are so fond of reminding me, and I don't want to give a damn about this Lodge and their meddling. But if they want to meddle with Ciri, then I will." The witcher crossed his arms on his chest. "So tell me what's going on. I got Ciri's part, I think."
"Alright then, let me put this straight for you. I don't exactly have friends among other mages right now," Yennefer spat out. "We cannot afford to have the Lodge as our enemy."
"So what? You just managed to buy Ciri some time of peace?" Geralt winced. He didn't like the sound of it and doubted Yennefer was going to like his next words. "Some time to work on her to push her into the Lodge's embrace next spring? And force that choice on her?"
In any other matter he would have stepped back seeing Yennefer's face twisted with rage, a snarl on her lips. In any but this.
"No. It has to be her decision. But it cannot be a decision made by a grieving and traumatised child supported by a grieving witcher!"
"As opposed to the support of the sorceresses?" Geralt shot back before he could think. The idea of Ciri being pushed by the Lodge irked him.
"As if she would listen," Yennefer snapped, then sighed with regret. "It would have been different if Tissaia was still alive. But now? Rita is under Philippa's thumb. Sheala and Keira won't oppose her either. I don't know about the Nilfgaardian sorceresses. Fringilla Vigo helped me escape, but I cannot be sure of her intentions now."
"Wouldn't hope too much," Geralt muttered under his breath, suddenly wishing to steer that conversation elsewhere. "When we left Toussaint, when I learned where you were... Well. I might have given her the wrong directions."
Yennefer studied him for a while, then smiled unexpectedly. "You're learning. Finally."
"I learn from the best," Geralt smiled back.
Yennefer wiped a lock of her hair from her face. "Despite what Ciri might think of me right now, I am not going to convince her against her will. I want her to consider all available options. And… You wanted me to be open? I've been away for too long and too much has changed," she admitted. "I need that time to see what options we really have. Ones that possibly do not involve a dagger in your back."
"Preferably," Geralt hummed in agreement.
"Ciri's little demonstration might have made you an enemy, but she also made it quite clear what you mean to her. The Lodge was made aware Ciri would have nothing to do with them if she ever had a slightest suspicion they harmed you. Still, I wouldn't rely too much on that assumption."
There was a lot Yennefer was not saying, Geralt could see that. He tried to catch her gaze, but the sorceress looked away, her lips pressed in a thin line. She looked almost vulnerable.
"I take it you've already made some plans with Ciri?" she asked after a while.
"Ciri wants home," Geralt replied softly. "We talked about spending the winter in Kaer Morhen. I was hoping you would come with us."
"I will," Yennefer nodded without hesitation, then smiled sourly. "Whether I like it or not. That is part of the deal with the Lodge. They want to be kept updated."
The witcher felt his ire rise again. For a moment he allowed himself to feel Ciri's eagerness at the prospect of seeing Vesemir again, perhaps the other witchers too, if they chose to spent the winter in Kaer Morhen as well.
Yennefer placed her hand on his forearm. "It's fine, Geralt. They are more likely to actually leave Ciri in peace if they know where she is. They will not get any direct location from me, but they will have means to contact us, should they want. And right now I don't mind going anywhere with you."
"Don't read me," Geralt huffed out of habit, but he was pleased that at least the plan he had made with Ciri was not something he had to argue with Yennefer about. "Ciri said you had some matters to finish here," he changed the subject, eyeing at the sorceress's hands. "I assumed you'd asked someone to fix your fingers?"
Yennefer winced. "No. I don't trust the Lodge either. I don't think they would steep so low, but..." she clenched her crooked fingers into tight fists.
"What about Triss?" Geralt asked carefully.
Yennefer scoffed furiously. "Triss was the one to sell Ciri to them in the first place. Most of the mages consider me a traitor and those who know the truth have no intention of setting things right. Including Triss. She wouldn't even tell you the truth if I died," she added coldly.
There was no point in continuing that matter. Geralt grasped her hand and slowly uncurled her fingers, helpless rage bubbling in his veins. He knew first hand how badly healed breaks could be a torment and wished it to end for Yennefer as soon as possible, just like a bit of magic enhanced healing had cured his knee. He could hardly help her, and if the sorceresses from the Lodge were out of option...
"I want to stop at Ellander," he offered. "The temple was a home for Ciri too and Nenneke hasn't heard from me for a long time. I don't know what kind of gossip has reached her, but I think she would want to know Ciri is with us. And I think Nenneke will be able to help you."
To his surprise Yennefer nodded without hesitation. Geralt knew the sorceress didn't get along with the priestess, but after all Yennefer had spent several months in the temple, so perhaps they had worked out their differences.
"Alright then. We should talk with Ciri later, I think she'll understand."
"Before we go, there's one thing I'd like you to have."
Intrigued, Geralt followed Yennefer up the stairs to her bedroom. The sorceress knelt by the trunk that seemed rarely used and took out an elongated package, carefully wrapped in thick woollen fabric. Once she unwrapped it, he saw a familiar looking grip.
"Is that-?"
Yennefer shook her head. "I don't know what happened to your swords after Thanned,"she said. "But I know you are still missing a silver blade."
Geralt was silent for a long moment, completely at loss.
"I don't want to fight anymore. I'm tired," he admitted finally.
Yennefer's hand brushed his cheek, the thin net of fabric catching against the beard he hadn't shaved this morning.
"I know. But I would like you to keep it anyway. It might come in handy."
Geralt took a few steps away from her and bared the blade. The grip felt like it had never left his hand, the familiar weight calling for movements he could dance in his sleep. And so he danced, as much as the room allowed him, checking the balance. The sword was like a part of his limb, one he sorely missed. He smiled at the shooshing sound the blade cut the air with, then sheathed it back, but not before examining the runes carved on the blade. Some were the same as on his old sword, but some were clearly Yennefer's addition.
"I love you."
"I know." Yennefer fit into his embrace perfectly. Geralt rested his chin on the top of her head, using the rare opportunity when she wasn't wearing heels. They stayed like that, enjoying the simplicity of the gesture.
"How did you get it?"
"Hmm? From a smith, naturally."
"No, I mean – it's perfect. How did you know how to order a sword fitting so well?"
Geralt felt Yennefer chuckle in response. "Remember that time when you lost your swords and I bought them back?"
The witcher groaned. "We are not talking about that."
"You asked," Yennefer shrugged. "Before I sent them back to you, I took the liberty of asking a professional to make me a twin set of blades. Just in case."
Geralt stared at the blade, suddenly aware that Yennefer had kept a set of swords for him for the past fifteen years. She hated it whenever he picked a contract, and yet…Whoever she had hired to make them for him was truly a master in his profession. Oh, he loved her.
Yennefer must have read his thoughts again despite promising not to do that, because she sighed and pulled away.
"Mmm. As much as I wouldn't mind to keep your friends waiting, I am a bit worried where Ciri is going to end since she went with Dandelion."
"He wouldn't dare," Geralt chuckled.
"Wouldn't he?" Yennefer arched an eyebrow at him. "So, what is this surprise of yours about?"
Geralt looked away, the silver sword suddenly heavy in his grip. "It doesn't matter anymore. Let's just go and see if the food there is as good as I remember."
Yennefer didn't push.