Chapter 11: The Island
The sun was casting a warm, bright glow, which reflected off the pearly white sand that covered the ground. Cerulean blue water kissed the shores, crashing in waves that sent the tide up and over the rocks. Birds called in the air, circling overhead as they scoured the sea for any available fish; waiting hungrily for their next meal. The sand eventually turned to a beautiful grass field, littered with a few lush trees and bushes that covered the island. Overlooking all of this, was a grand stone castle, with large towers and a huge gate that opened up into a courtyard.
Ciri's breath was taken away at the sight of it. She had never seen anything more beautiful than this small island. "Do you like it?" Yennefer's voice came from behind her, startling the blonde child.
Looking back at the brilliant purple eyes, Ciri nodded with a wide smile, her gaze seeing Geralt next to the mage, his face looking impassively at the large castle. "You've been busy Yen," Geralt mused as he looked around.
"Just needed a place to call my own," Yennefer shrugged, as she began walking towards the palace.
"No monsters around here then?" Jaskier asked, looking around at the island.
"Nope," Yennefer grinned at the bard. "No one even knows this island exists. It's purely my own, with a few staff to keep things going."
"Well, maybe I'll move in," Jaskier chuckled.
Ciri rolled her eyes at the bard as they walked closer to the castle. There was a large pen and stable, where they turned their horses loose onto the lush pasture grass. They all smiled, even Geralt, as the three horses ran around the many acres of grass. Two black horses with thick manes and tails, came trotting up from the back of the pen, greeting the newcomers with snorts and ear flicks. Beast turned his butt to them and bucked, before running off and shaking his head with a loud whinny.
"Dramatic boy, just like his owner," Yennefer commented, before smiling down at the baby asleep in her arms.
"Hey!" Jaskier snapped, turning to the mage with a feigned hurt expression. Ciri giggled quietly.
They walked through the front gates, and up into the large castle. The front room was a grand entry-way, opening up to a wide hall, decorated with paintings and lit up with candles and torches. A deep red carpet marked a pathway along the floor, leading up a double staircase, which opened up to long hallways, lined with rooms. They came to corridor, and Yennefer gave them each a room; Jaskier on the left, Geralt in the middle, and Ciri on the right. "Make yourselves comfortable," Yennefer waved at the rooms. "The clothes in your rooms are yours, so feel free to them. Baths have been drawn for you in each room. So clean up and be down for dinner in an hour."
With a flick of her black curls, Yennefer disappeared down the hall with the baby, Geralt's eyes following her until she turned the corner. Ciri took her bag and walked into the room that was to be hers. Her eyes widened when she saw the huge four-poster bed, surrounded by a blue silk canopy then hung around the bed. A large wardrobe stood to the side, and Ciri felt her stomach flutter at the site of the beautiful dresses arranged within. This was more than she had when she was back in Cintra. It felt wrong to her, to have done nothing to earn the generosity of the mage.
In the corner of the room was a large tub, filled with hot, steaming water that beckoned Ciri like a siren's call. With the door shut, she undressed and moved over, sinking into the water. A soft moan escaped her as she felt the warmth sink into her skin, relaxing her stiff and tense muscles. It had been so long since she'd last been in a bath. For a few minutes, she just sat there leaning against the tub-wall, her eyes shut as she basked in the feeling. Deciding she better get to work, she opened her eyes.
On the edge of the tub was a handful of bottles of different oils and soaps. Reaching up, she grabbed a couple to smell them and picked one that smelt of vanilla. Scrubbing herself clean, she scrapped at the dirt and grime which coated her skin until she was spotless. Then she began to work on her hair. The mud was caked in and matted into her locks, and it took a long time before she was able to get her hair completely clean.
Finally satisfied, she stood up and wrapped herself up in a towel that was draped over the side of the bath. Slowly, Ciri dried off her body and then her hair, goosebumps raised on her skin from the cool air kissing her skin. She moved over to the wardrobe and skimmed through the dresses that were hung up, before finally choosing a blue one that matched her eyes.
Once dressed, she put on a pair of shoes that sat next to the wardrobe, and moved over to the large mirror hanging on the wall. With her hairbrush, she began to work through the knots, brushing out all of the tangles until her hair was soft and hung around her in loose waves.
Looking at her reflection, upon first glance she looked like she used to. The young princess of Cintra. As she stared at herself longer, the differences became apparent. Her eyes were wild and aged, no longer innocent and youthful, but instead showing that she had seen more than her fair share in her short life. Her cheekbones stuck out in sharper angles, her face having lost its roundness from the lack of food. Her collarbone was visible as well, the loss of weight noticeable. Circles lay under her eyes, showing the world that she was exhausted. As she analyzed herself, she realized she was looking very different from the innocent princess she once was.
Rubbing her eyes to keep the tears back, she held her head up and moved to the door as a knock sounded. "Ready for dinner?" Jaskier's voice called through.
Ciri opened up the door, to see the bard leaning against the door frame. He had washed up as well, and had his hair hanging around his face, water droplets still falling from his locks. He was now dressed in a colorful orange and red outfit, which definitely suited his nature. His eyes widened when he looked at her. "My Gods, don't you look beautiful?" Jaskier smiled at her widely as he bowed. "Would you allow me the honor of walking such a gorgeous princess to dinner?"
She looked at his arm held out to her with a smile and a blush. "Of course," she grinned, curtsying automatically from the years of practice, as she took his arm and allowed him to guide her down the hall. "Where is Geralt?"
"He is so smitten with Yennefer," Jaskier chuckled. "Already gone on his way to see her."
Something in Ciri churned at that, almost making her upset. Which made no sense, she liked Yennefer, and she liked Geralt, so of course she should be happy they were romantically involved. Yet… something felt off to her, but she couldn't place the feeling. She stayed silent, not commenting on what Jaskier had just said.
They walked into the grand dining room, where Yennefer was seated at the head of the table, with Geralt seated on her right, the two talking in quiet tones, a small smile on both of their faces. They looked up when Jaskier and Ciri entered, and Yennefer smiled brightly as she looked at the young girl. "You look stunning," the mage said, as she waved for them to sit down on her left. Ciri sat between the mage and Jaskier, right across from Geralt who was watching her with an impassive expression.
As soon as they sat, servants appeared carrying trays of food, which was placed delicately in front of each of them. The tops were removed, revealing large servings of chicken, potatoes, carrots and fresh bread. The wonderful aroma filled the air, and Ciri felt her stomach rumble lightly at the idea of a nice hot meal. "Tuck in," Yennefer said.
There were no words to be shared as they ate, the three hungry travellers just enjoying the food. Geralt and Jaskier's servings were larger than Yennefer's and Ciri's, yet they at an unbelievable speed. The food was delicious, and Ciri ate as much as she could hold. Her stomach couldn't handle large quantities of food, after going without for so long, but she pushed down what she could.
When she placed her fork down, Yennefer looked at her. "Surely you can eat more than that, my dear," she stated. "Don't be shy."
"It was wonderful, thank you," Ciri replied, remembering her manners. "But I find that I am rather full."
Yennefer nodded, understanding, before turning back to Geralt, asking him to tell her more about how he had found Ciri and what he had been up too since she'd seen him last. Jaskier chimed in every now and then, but Ciri tuned them all out. She was tired and for some reason she felt a little sour towards Geralt. He'd hardly spoken a word to her or even looked at her since their arrival to the island, and his lack of actions stung.
"May I be excused?" Ciri asked after the conversation quieted. "I'm feeling rather tired."
"Of course," Yennefer smiled at her. "Do you remember the way to your room?"
"Yes," Ciri replied quietly, standing up and giving a slight curtsy as she bade them a goodnight, not looking anyone in the eye, lest they see the tears that were stinging her eyes. Moving down the hall, she went back to her room and shut the door behind her.
The tears finally fell as she pulled her dress off and draped it over the wardrobe hook, before collapsing into the plush bed. Her tears soaked the pillows, as she cried for her aching heart. It was still so hard for her, having lost everything and had so much change. Now with Geralt alienating her, she felt so alone. These sad thoughts and her tears hung onto her as she fell asleep.