Chapter 14
"Sodden Hill"
[Throne Room, Cintra.]
The room was quiet. Deadly quiet. Naruto, Calanthe, Eist, and finally Mousesack, were the only ones present. No guards or servants. Not even the Field Marshal, Vissegard. That was a private meeting, per Naruto's request.
After making sure that no one was eavesdropping, Naruto turns to impatient Calanthe. Unlike her, Eist and Mousesack were patient and waiting.
"What are you waiting for, Naruto?" -Calanthe asks, and Naruto let's out a sigh."I want to hear your report."
"As you already know, I did my job." -Naruto said, and Calanthe rolls her eyes."But now, We run into a few complications."
"What kind of complications?" -Eist asks.
"The first one, We have a traitor in the castle." -At that Calanthe, Eist and Mousesack look at each other."Someone who's been feeding Nilgaard information. But don't worry, I know who it is."
"When I'm going to get my hands on this asshole, oh, he will be in the world of pain!" -Calanthe promises with fire in her eyes.
"There might more than one traitor, though." -Naruto added, making Calanthe grit her teeth. How was that even possible? There was no way their security was this poor."Although, Menno Coehoorn knew the code name of one spy. There's a chance of more than one spies."
"That's why you didn't want anyone other than us." -Eist states, and Naruto nods.
"That is troubling." -Mousesack let's out a sigh and looks at Calanthe. She was having a hard time containing her anger. By the look on Naruto's face, there was more to come."There's more, isn't it?"
"This one might be the worst." -Naruto said, and looks down before looking at Calanthe in the eyes."Emhyr var Emreis wants Ciri."
Lioness of Cintra clenches her fist before getting up and walking to Naruto.
"What does he want with her?!" -She hisses at him. Calanthe was staring at Naruto fiercely. "Answer me?!" -She demanded.
"I'm just as angry as you're." -Naruto said, trying his best to remain calm."But even Menno had no idea why he needs her."
"The reason is quite simple." -Eist said, and gets up from his chair."If We were to die, then that makes Ciri a new Queen of Cintra. He would make her capitulate and then force her into marriage, thus legalizing his control over Cintra."
"As if I'm going to allow that!" -Calanthe snaps at Eist, who didn't react at it at all.
"There might be another reason as to why the Emperor wants her." -Mousesack said while rubbing his beard."The Elder Blood."
"I don't even want to hear about this." -Calanthe snarls at him."There's not even any proof of Ciri having it like Pavetta."
"She still has time. Remember, Pavetta was only fifteen back then." -Mousesack said, and Calanthe rubs her temples. Noticing the look on her face, Mousesack decided to change the subject."So, what are we going to do with Ciri?"
"I don't want her to be anywhere near this." -Calanthe said with a quiet voice.
"I have an idea." -Naruto said after pondering for a moment."I'm going to take Ciri somewhere safe. Somewhere where Emhyr won't find her."
"Where?" -Eist asks.
"I can't tell you. I don't know what's gonna happen when I'll leave with Ciri." -Naruto explains."If something does, then they might learn where I hid Ciri."
"Does it have anything to do with the Witcher?" -Calanthe asks, but Naruto didn't say anything."I don't like this. Not even one bit. But for Ciri's sake, I'm going to allow it."
"I'll go and talk with Ciri." -Naruto said, and Calanthe nods."But for now, let's deal with the traitor."
"Who is it?" -Eist asks.
"Lazlo." -Naruto replies."The knight who's responsible for Ciri, while I'm not around."
"That son of a bitch!" -Calanthe cursed through her teeth."Where is he right now?"
"Already taken care of." -Naruto explains."He's in dungeons right now."
"Good, I'm going to have a nice little chat with him." -Calanthe said in a dangerous tone."You, you go and talk with Ciri. Explain the situation the best way you can."
"I will. Ciri's in her room, right?" -Calanthe nods and Naruto turn around. He leaves the Throne Room, quietly closing the doors.
Turning to the next corridor, Naruto furrows his eyebrows. He saw Ciri and a maid responsible for cleaning her room. Her name was Ivondre, and she was a few years older than him. She was holding Ciri by her wrist. Ciri was looking at her with a smile, but something felt off. Ivondre was stressed and scared. She was hiding her emotions behind her smile.
"Ah! Uncle Naruto!" -Ciri called after noticing him. Ivondre looks at Naruto, and her fear deepens."Ivondre said that there cookies in the kitchen. Wanna go with us?"
"No, thanks." -Naruto said without taking his eyes off Ivondre."Hey, can I talk to Ciri for a moment?"
"Ah, Master Uzumaki." -She greeted him with a bow."We'll be right back, don't worry."
"I think that cookies can wait." -Naruto said with a small smile."We have a problem. We have traitors in the castle." -At that, Ivondre starts to sweat.
"That sounds horrible!" -She was trying to play innocent. But her feelings were betraying her."You didn't see anything suspicious lately, right?"
Ciri was confused about what she just heard. Traitors? In the castle?
"Wha...No, not at all." -Her grip around Ciri's wrist tightens.
"Ow, don't squeeze my wrist like that." -Ciri squirms, and Ivondre glances at her. She wanted to reach a knife from her pocket and take Ciri hostage. That was her only option at this point. But before she could do that, Naruto throws his kunai at her. The kunai pierces her arm, causing her to scream in pain and let go of Cir'si wrist. Naruto appears right next to her, grabs her and slams her body into a wall. Even Ciri was able to hear her bones breaking. She gasps after seeing a knife falling to the floor.
"You just made a wrong call, Ivondre." -Naruto said coldly."And you will pay for it."
"Uncle, what's going on?" -Ciri asks as her body begins to shake. Why did he do that?"Why did you that?!"
"Because she's one of them." -Naruto explains as he flares his Sharingan. Within a second, Ivondre lost her consciousness. Then he drops her unconscious body to the floor. He turns toward scared Ciri."Listen, I need you to understand." -He bits his lips while looking at her tears."You are not safe here."
"Why?" -Her voice cracks as Naruto hugs her."Why am I not safe here?"
"Because the Emperor wants you." -Naruto explains, and Ciri hugs him back."You might not understand it right now. But to keep you safe, We need to hide you."
"I'm scared..." -Ciri cries into his shoulder. Naruto gently pats her head.
"I understand." -Naruto whispers to her ear."Everything will be fine. We won't let anything happen to you. I promise."
[Next day.]
It was a sad morning. Naruto, Ciri, Gyuki, Calanthe, and Eist were standing by the exit gate. Ciri looks at her grandparents sadly, while they look at her with sad smiles. Not being able to contain herself, Ciri rushes and hugs Calanthe. Calanthe closes her eyes and hugs her grandchild as well.
"I don't want to leave you." -Her voice made Calanthe feel as if someone punched her in the guts.
"We understand, Ciri." -Eist said with a gentle voice."But the situation is very hard right now." -He hugs Calanthe and Ciri, and Naruto looks at them with a sad smile.
"It's not the last time We are going to see each other." -Calanthe said as a single tear escapes her eye."We will do our best so that We can live our lives as before." -She pauses, and they break the hug. Calanthe looks at her granddaughter with a confident smile."You have to be brave. After all, you are Lion Cub of Cintra." -After wiping her tears, Ciri nods."Think of this as a vacation."
"I'll try." -Ciri said, but her expression didn't change. She looks tired and sleepy. Despite sleeping in Naruto's room, she was unable to stop thinking about what happened.
"I hope you can stay safe without me for a few days." -Naruto said jokingly, and Calanthe snorts at him.
"Please, We have been doing fine before you came here." -Calanthe said with a smirk.
"We'll use this time to fortify the borders." -Eist said."With the reinforces from Skellige, it won't take long."
"Alright, it's time to move." -Naruto said, and put his hand on Ciri's shoulder.
She looks up to him and then at her grandparents.
"See you soon, Ciri." -Calanthe said with a small smile. Eist simply winks at her and smiles.
"See you soon, too." -Ciri said, returning the smile.
Without any other words, Naruto and Ciri turn around and start running. At first, Ciri wanted to stop and go back. But her grandmother was right. She had to be brave.
[Sometime later. Temeria.]
Ciri was unable to go any further. She was too tired to move a muscle. Sitting by the campfire, Naruto and Ciri were waiting for the meat to cook.
Despite telling Ciri that they can take a break, she didn't want to stop. Gyuki was amused, while Naruto couldn't help but admire her resolve. But that did not mean she should exhaust herself. After forcing her to stop, Naruto had a little chat with her. It was so boring that Ciri agreed to make a camp for the night.
"So, how much further?" -Ciri suddenly asks."To Kaer Morhen, I mean."
"We're by Maribor right now." -Naruto explains and points it on his map."If We keep up the pace, then We'll reach Pontar by the end of the day. From there We'll go along the river to Kaedwen. There is a specific path that We are going to follow. Before you know it, We'll be in Kaer Morhen."
"So, about two days?" -Ciri asks, and Naruto nods."That's not so bad."
"For us, no. But for Geralt, not so much." -Naruto said with a chuckle."I hope he did get my message."
"You said something about two sorceresses joining us too? Right?" -Gyuki asks.
"Yeah. Triss and Yennefer." -Naruto said with a smile."They'll help us get that mark off you."
"Good. It's like an inch that doesn't want to stop." -Gyuki said, and Naruto raises his eyebrow.
"You didn't say it bothers you." -Naruto said, and Gyuki shrugs his shoulders.
"It's not that bad." -Gyuki said, without a second thought.
"Maybe. Or maybe whoever is doing this is trying to take you back?" -Naruto was annoyed by what he heard."Why didn't you say anything? You know how serious this is."
"I'm sorry." -Gyuki apologizes, and drops his head."I will tell you if something comes up."
Then, they see a shimmer of light. Ciri takes a defensive position. Her heart was pounding like crazy. Are they going to be attacked? By who? How many of them are out there?
All these thoughts vanish when she saw Naruto's hand. He was showing her that everything was alright.
"Well, well, well...I thought We're supposed to meet in Kear Morhen." -Naruto said with a smile as he gets up."How did you find us?"
"Oh, please." -Said a gentle yet firm voice. From the darkness that surrounded the forest, comes a woman with long black hair and a black dress."You are like a walking sun. Only a blind person wouldn't be able to see you."
"Uncle, who is it?" -Ciri asks, still not sure about a woman before them.
"This is Yennefer from Vengerberg." -Naruto said."We were just talking about you."
"I'm flattered." -She said with a chuckle. She glances at Ciri, who blushed. Her thoughts are easy to read, Yennefer thought."Who knows, maybe you'll be beautiful one day too. But I doubt it."
"I didn't say anything!" -She snaps at her.
"Lion cub of Cintra, indeed." -Yennefer chuckles, making Ciri's angrier.
"Yen, don't read in her mind. It's rude." -Naruto points out, and sorceress rolls her eyes.
"I see you finally found one." -Yennefer quickly changes the subject.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Gyuki." -Gyuki introduced himself with a small bow.
"Likewise..." -Yennefer said, trying to hide her surprise. She had no idea that the Tail Beast could be so small. Did he change his size? Interesting, Yennefer thoughts."Anyway, you probably know why I'm here."
"You need my help. It's pretty obvious since you don't just ask anyone." -Naruto said with shrug."How can I help you."
"Nilfgaard is coming toward Sodden." -Yennefer said seriously."They'll reach it in a day or two. There was a meeting between sorcerers, but only a few want to join the battle." -She pauses and looks at Naruto, who sighs."The situation isn't looking good. We got the reports from our spies, and it looks like they might outnumber us despite combined forces of four armies." -She looks him in the eye."I heard what happened in Cintra. That's why I'm asking you for help. With you, the victory is in our hands."
"I see..." -Naruto said, and leans on a tree."And here I thought that Nilgaard would give after their defeat in Cintra. But I was wrong. Emhyr is insane."
"Tell me about it." -Yennefer agrees."You don't have to worry about the ugly one." -She points at Ciri, who furrows her eyebrows."We can have someone looking after her for a bit."
"Sorry, but I have to say no." -Naruto said harshly."Don't take it the wrong way, but I don't really trust the Brotherhood. I'll help, but I'm not going to have Ciri or Gyuki anywhere near the Brotherhood."
"I don't blame you." -Yennefer said as she also didn't hold high regard for the Brotherhood."But why are you here with the Lion Cub?"
"Her name is Ciri, and the reason is simple." -Naruto said, and looks down."She's not safe in Cintra right now. We have a bit of a problem with traitors. Inner spies of Nilfgaard."
"Sounds bad." -She agreed with a nod."You want to take her to Kear Morhen, right. But why so far? Aren't you allied with Skellige?"
"Yes, but We want to make sure that Emhyr won't be able to find her." -Yennefer raises her eyebrow in surprise. She looks at Ciri and then back at Naruto."What? Why would he want her?"
"The biggest reason might be that he wants to force her into marriage." -Naruto explains, and Yennefer nods.
"So if by any chance Calanthe and Eist die, he can legally rule over Cintra." -Naruto nods at that."I guess he didn't take you into an account."
"Guess not." -Naruto agreed.
"So what are We going to do with these two?" -Yennefer asks, pointing at Ciri and Gyuki.
"I have an idea." -Naruto said after pondering for a moment."Can you come back tomorrow morning?"
"Sure, it's not a problem." -Yennefer replies and crosses her arms."May I ask, what's your idea?"
"You will see." -He replies with a grin."Care to join us for a meal?"
"Forgive me, but I already had a meal." -Yennefer said, not to keen on eating a boar."But thank you for your offer. I bid you goodnight, Naruto, Gyuki, and Ugly One."
"My name is Ciri! How hard is it to say?!" -Ciri snaps, and Yennefer looks down at her.
"Very much, if that's how you behave." -Yennefer replies impassively. Ciri grumpily crosses her arms and puff her cheeks."See you tomorrow."
With a flick of her hands, Yennefer vanishes in a flash of light.
"Ciri, you can't be so rude." -Naruto explains, and Ciri looks at him with disbelief.
"But she was calling me ugly! She was rude, not me!" -Ciri exclaims, causing him to sigh.
"She was teasing you. Not offending you." -Naruto explains with a calm tone."You can't be so quick to get upset. Now, the meat is ready, so let's eat."
[Next day. Morning.]
Yennefer teleported near the campsite. After fixing her hair, she walks out of bushes and gasps. Naruto, Ciri, and Gyuki were sitting by the now burnt fireplace. But what surprised her was the fact that behind them was standing a giant brown feathered hawk. She looks at the hawk's eyes, and nods. Rinnegan, of course, Yennefer thoughts. She almost forgot about his ability to summon different animals.
"So that's your plan." -Yennefer states, and points at the bird."You'll send Lion Cub and Gyuki to Kear Morhen."
"Yes. That's the idea." -Naruto said with a smile.
"Why didn't you do that in the first place?" -Yennefer asks, and Naruto rubs the back of his head.
"I wanted Ciri to get familiar with the roads." -Naruto explains, and Ciri nods.
"I was looking forward to that, but then again...flying seems cooler." -Ciri said with a grin.
"I don't. I prefer ground or water." -Gyuki groans."But whatever..."
"We don't have an entire day." -Yennefer urges with her fist on her hips."Can you please hurry up?"
Nodding, Naruto helps Ciri and Gyuki get up on the bird. The hawk was surprisingly calm and acted as if Ciri didn't weight anything.
"Hold on, and don't let go." -Naruto said, and Ciri nods."Don't worry. Even if Geralt isn't there yet, Vesemir will greet you." -Ciri nods.
"Don't take too long, okay?" -Ciri said, and Naruto chuckles.
"I won't. See you soon." -Naruto said, and gives the hawk a sign. With a flip of its wings, the hawk rises to the sky."Well, shall we go?"
"We shall." -She replies with a smirk. After placing his hand on her shoulder, they disappear in a flash of light.
[Sodden. Moments later.]
The sky over Sodden Hill was cloudy, and the air was cold. The atmosphere felt heavy as preparations for the incoming invasion were continuing. If you were a bird, you would able to see that the entire area reminded the ant's nest. Despite coming from different kingdoms, everyone was able to work in perfect harmony. It was so surprising that even King Foltest and King Vizimir II could help but admire it.
"Excuse me, Your Majesties." -Vilgefortz said, snapping them out of their gaze."We still need to finish making our strategies."
"Ah, yes." -King Foltest agrees, and they both go back to the table.
They look at the map on a table, and then at Vilgefortz. Next to him was standing Tissaia de Vries, Philippa Einhart, Sabrina Glevissig, Francesca Findabair, and Triss Merigold. Foltest and Vizimir II were disappointed by the fact Brotherhood only send them. There was also Yennefer, who went to look for help. Their explanations for the lack of sorcerers sounded more like excuses for them. But now it didn't matter.
Suddenly, a messenger burst into the tent. He pants heavily, as everyone looks at him.
"What's the word?" -Vizimir II asks with his raspy voice.
"Nilfgaard will reach Sodden by a sunset." -He exhales, and Foltest slams his fist on the table.
"Dammit! We still haven't arranged the catapults." -Foltest snarls and looks at sorcerers."I don't suppose you can help us speed things up?"
"No. We can't." -Tissaia replies with a soft voice."Our magic doesn't work like that."
Without any warning, a bright light appears in the room. While Folstest and Vizimir II squint their eyes, the sorcerers didn't seem to be bothered. Everyone was surprised to see who Yennefer has brought.
"Naruto Uzumaki." -Foltest said with a smirk."I didn't expect you to be here."
"So, this is the Fox of Cintra?" -Vizimir said with a skeptical eye."He doesn't seem that special."
"I can vouch for him, your Majesty." -Yennefer said with a dead-serious tone.
"I vouch for him as well." -Triss agreed with a small nod to Naruto. He smiled at her.
"I shall vouch too." -Vilgefortz said with his charismatic smile. Everyone looks at him with surprise and shock. Naruto narrows his eye at him. There was something strange about his smile. It creeped him out."We may not know each other like Yennefer or Triss, but every sorcerer here can feel his power. It's not something to make fun of, Your Majesty." -Vizimir eyed him for a moment. Then he looks at Philippa.
"How about you, Philippa?" -Vizimir asks, and she glances at Naruto
"I don't think I can vouch for him. But I agree with Vilgefortz's statement." -Philippa said with a calm voice.
"I guess that's all I can get." -Vizimir said, sighing."So, what can you offer us, Mr. Uzumaki?"
"That depends, Your Majesty." -Naruto said while crossing his arms."Is there any problem?"
"Well, yes." -Foltest said with a tired sigh."We still need to arrange the catapults, but We're short in men.."
"How many men do you need?" -Naruto asks, and Foltest thinks for a moment.
"Um...Hmm, maybe around a hundred?" -Foltest said, causing Naruto to chuckle.
"Consider it done, Your Majesty." -Naruto said with a slight bow.
Looking confused, Naruto told them to follow him. They follow him outside of the tent. Making sure that there was enough space, Naruto crosses his fingers. With a big poof of smoke, everyone beside Yennefer, Triss, and even Vilgefortz gasps in awe. Right before them were standing a hundred of the exact copies of Naruto.
"There are yours to command, Your Majesty." -Naruto said with a cocky smirk.