Chapter 13: Discussions

"It's been two days Geralt," Yennefer snapped. "The girl hasn't eaten, she won't speak! She can't keep going at this rate, her body won't be able to survive."

"Well what the fuck do you want me to do about it?" Geralt snapped. His life was much simpler when it was just him and Roach. Hell, it was easier when it was just him, Roach and Jaskier. The addition of women was making his life so much harder.

"Go talk to her! You said an awful thing to her," the mage replied. "She's a teenage girl. Her life has been nothing but difficult and confusing, and she still needs time to process it all. Your pigheadedness is getting you nowhere."

"Flattered," Geralt sneered.

"Go speak to her now, or so help me I'll portal you off this island and raise her myself," Yennefer hissed at him, her purple eyes speaking volumes about how angry she truly was.

Geralt leaned back, pondering the mage for a long moment before he grunted and pushed himself back from the table. "Fine."

The Witcher lumbered down the hallway slowly, running a hand over his face. A monster, no problem. Humans cursing his very existence? Easy. But a young kid whom he had hurt? He felt like he was about to march into Hell.

He reached up and opened the door, not bothering to knock on Ciri's door as he barged in. The girl wasn't on her bed, but rather sitting in the corner of the room, her head leaning against the wall as she stared at the wardrobe in front of her. Geralt cringed when he saw that she was losing more weight, looking like a ghost of the princess she should be. Dark circles were pronounced under her blue eyes, emphasizing that she hadn't been sleeping. Even her hair lacked life, limply sitting tangled over her shoulder.

"Ciri," he rasped out. The girl startled, as if she hadn't heard him enter, and her head rolled over to look at him. She didn't even have the energy to turn to look at him properly. She never said anything, just watched him with eyes that reflected the sadness and pain in her soul. Geralt had to avert his eyes, feeling like he might drown in her suffering if he stared at her eyes any longer.

Geralt stepped forward and sat a few feet away from her, noticing that she stiffened when he approached. As he got comfortable against the wall, she beat him to speaking first. "I'm sorry I said such horrible things to you." Her voice was like a croak, raspy from not being used and from so much crying over the last two days. "They aren't true. You have no responsibility to me or my family, and it was wrong to blame you for Nilfgaard's actions."

A loud sigh slipped past Geralt's lips. "No, you were right. I was supposed to be there that day, but I failed. I'd planned on taking you away with me, and even tried to act upon it… but it seemed it wasn't meant to be."

"What happened?" Ciri questioned, eyes showing a spark of curiosity.

He couldn't tell her that her own Grandmother had locked him up, which had probably sealed everyone's fates. "Destiny intervened," he mused, half lying. "I was unable to get to you. I will tell you more when you're older."

Ciri huffed at that. Adults always insisted that kids couldn't know anything until they were "older". At thirteen years of age, her birthday having passed during her travels, how much older did she need to be to hear things meant for "adult" ears? She said nothing in return.

"You are still angry," Geralt stated, golden eyes looking at her curiously.

Ciri avoided his gaze, looking at the floor. "You're treating me differently here. You have hardly even looked at me or spoken to me since we arrived."

Geralt ran a hand over his face as he let out a long sigh. He couldn't explain to the girl why that was, so he opted for a half-truth. "I got… overwhelmed seeing Yennefer again. So much has happened, it was good to know that she's doing alright. I have always lived a solitary lifestyle; I am not used to looking after anyone else or having them need me. I will try to do better."

That was really all Ciri could ask, though she was still bothered by his relationship with Yennefer for whatever reason. She nodded and replied: "I forgive you, even if you're not sorry for it, I will forgive you anyways." Her grandmother used to say that to her, when she had done something wrong but didn't want to admit to it. Perhaps Geralt was hiding more, but Ciri knew better than to press further.

Geralt grunted, before standing up. "Let's get you something to eat," he held his hand out for her to take. She placed her small hand into his large one, and allowed herself to be pulled easily to her feet. Geralt didn't like how skinny and frail she looked. He made an internal vow to make sure that she was eating and taking care of herself, even if they were having a dispute.

They moved to the dining hall slowly, with Ciri being a little unstable on her legs after spending the last two whole days in her bedroom. Thankfully Geralt was patient with her, and said nothing as she lumbered along, wobbling slightly. It felt good to be up moving again, and while Geralt's strange behaviour still weighed on her mind, she figured she could get past it.

Once in the dining hall, she sat down at her spot and happily noticed a simple meal of porridge and bread sitting on her platter. Geralt indicated for her to start eating, while he sat across from her where a mug of ale was sitting. He quickly tossed back half the mug, before placing it back down on the table. Ciri lifted the spoon to her lips, enjoying a bit of her pleasant porridge, which was sweetened with sugar, just how she liked it.

Foot steps sounded from the front of the hall, and she turned to see Yennefer approaching them with a big smile, the young baby sitting on her hip. "Cirilla! It's good to see you up again. How are you my dear?"

"I'm alright," Ciri shrugged, her eyes moving to the baby. "Does he have a name yet?"

Yennefer smiled brightly. "Yes, I have decided to name him Bran. As long as you agree on that name."

"I think it's perfect," Ciri grinned, eating another bite of porridge.

The mage moved to her seat at the head of the table and sat down. "Once you have your strength back," Yennefer started, "I shall begin to train you in the ways of magic. You seem to have an unbelievable amount of power, and I'm going to help you learn to harness it, control it, and use it."

Ciri's eyes widened as she swallowed some more porridge. "Really? What will I be able to do?"

"That remains to be seen," Yennefer winked at her, smiling as she bounced the baby up and down on her knee gently.

"Your mother had a great deal of power as well," Geralt commented. "It will take a great deal of time for you to fully understand your abilities, but it will be worth it in order for you to protect yourself."

"What are you going to do while I am learning?" Ciri questioned, her eyes narrowing a bit.

Geralt shifted in his seat. "I'll be here, training you as well in combat. Once you are ready, we will start taking on small jobs, and get you prepared to fight whatever beast or monster comes your way."

Ciri gulped. She had to learn to fight monsters? The idea made her stomach churn, and she looked down at her empty bowl suddenly wishing she hadn't eaten that much food. "I don't think I'll be able to do that."

"Of course you will," Yennefer stated. "With magic on your side, and the knowledge of the sword, you will be unstoppable. Besides, you have a lot to learn before then. Now, would you like to watch Bran for me for a while?"

Ciri nodded and accepted the baby, cooing at him softly when he grabbed a lock of her hair and looked at it with wide, curious eyes. She could probably get used to living here… at least she felt safe, with Geralt and Yennefer and Jaskier.