Chapter 14: Making A Puddle

"Yes! That's wonderful, keep your focus!" Yennefer urged, her body leaning forward with excitement. Two weeks had passed, and Ciri had gotten much stronger, physically and mentally, with good food, proper rest, and the teachings of Yennefer. Her magic was coming along, as she currently tried to use the life force from a bundle of flowers to draw water up through the sand outside.

"This is an important lesson, in case you are ever somewhere without a water source," Yennefer started. "You can almost always access water through the earth, you just need to learn to draw it up. As your magic ability grows, your strength will, and you will no longer need to use the lifeforce of things around you, as you will pull the ability from your own magical core. This will replenish as you rest and regain your strength, but if you use too much, you will die.

"Once you have learned more, if you need more than your body can give, then you must use the lifeforce of stronger beings around you. For instance, a large tree will provide you more power and strength than a flower."

Ciri nodded in understanding as she held her palm out to the earth, trying with all her energy and willpower to pull the water up from beneath the sand and to the surface. She had to intentionally search with her magic for the water, working through the layers of sand and dirt to find the cool liquid. Sweat started dripping from her brows, and the flowers in her hand were withering quickly. Using more of her own strength, Ciri reached down deeper and grasped onto the water, yanking the stream free to the surface.

"Yes Ciri, that is wonderful!" Yennefer smiled, her hands clasped. Ciri released the magic as the water sat in a small puddle in front of her. Her knees shook, trembling with her own exhaustion. It was amazing being able to learn and do magic, but it was annoying how draining it was to use it. However, she noticed she wasn't quite so tired from the smallest of tasks anymore, so perhaps she was getting better. "That was impressive for your first attempt. Congratulations. You have such a strong aptitude for magic."

Ciri smiled under the praise. "Thank you for being such a good teacher," Ciri said, her breath evening out after the strenuous activity.

"We'll call it a day," Yennefer said, even though it was only just around noon. "Go on in for lunch, there will be a plate for you at your seat."

"Ok!" Ciri said, giving a quick curtsy before turning to dart off back into the castle.

Yennefer was correct. A warm plate with a sandwich and broth was sitting at her place at the table. Sitting down eagerly, she began to wolf down the food, hunger gnawing at her stomach after all the energy she had used.

"Woah, hungry there Princess?" Jaskier's voice came from beside her.

Turning to face him, her cheeks full of bread and meat, she blushed darkly when she saw his amused look. Gulping unfortunately loud, she used her napkin to wipe the crumbs off her face. "Sorry Jaskier, just a little hungry."

"Oh don't apologize, I am just joking around Princess," he chuckled, moving to sit beside her. "I saw the way you pulled the water up from the ground. That was pretty cool."

"Thanks," Ciri grinned, as she took a bite (much smaller than her last) of her sandwich.

"I'll have to ride a ballad to celebrate your mission of becoming a mage," Jaskier grinned. "Our dearest Princess, all the magic she has learned, with all the tragedy, she had finally learned. Our finest mage-to-be, with the golden locks, our hearts she'll steal, as easy as she talks."

"That's terrible Jaskier!" Ciri laughed. "Surely the creator of 'Toss a Coin to your Witcher'could come up with something better than that."

"Don't insult my newest creation!" the bard exclaimed, slapping a hand to his heart in fake-hurt. "I shall write a song for you one day my princess. One to tell of all your battles and wins in the world."

Ciri's expression softened as her smile grew gently. "I eagerly shall await that day," she said.

"Then I shall begin to get to it." Jaskier grinned at her, before standing up from his seat and skipping out of the dining hall, leaving Ciri to laugh at his retreating form.

Ciri finished her lunch in silence, thinking about nothing in particular. Once finished, a servant appeared and took her plate from her. "Thank you," Ciri said, before standing from her seat and moving to go back outside.

She quickly captured Aspen and got to work grooming the mare. She wanted to spend some quality time with her horse, to give her a good groom and massage, to show the mare that she appreciated all the travelling and running around they did together. "Such a pretty mare," Ciri cooed, as she worked the brush through Aspen's soft coat.

The bay mare was simple in appearance, compared to the horses her grandmother had owned. Queen Calanthe had always appreciated the Friesian horse, which was thick and had a luxurious amount of hair. Ciri thought they were stunning horses, but she also appreciated Aspen's finer boned looks and beautifully colored coat.

"Yennefer tells me you're excelling in your magic lessons," Geralt rumbled, coming up behind her. She turned to look at him as he approached her. He looked so different without his armour and weapons, his shirt hugging his bulky frame impressively. The blue shirt and leather pants combo seemed to work for him, and Ciri wished he didn't have to be in armour so often, always prepared for the many fights he always finds himself in. It seemed unfair that his whole life was sacrificed to ending the monsters that terrorized humans.

"She seemed happy with today's progress," Ciri smiled, as she turned back to keep grooming Aspen.

Geralt stopped to pet Roach, who had poked her head over the fence when he approached. Ciri thought their bond was really sweet, despite the Witcher claiming he had no love for the horse, but Ciri knew better. He loved that horse, and she could tell. "We will begin your swords training tomorrow," Geralt stated, as if it was a simple fact and not a life-threatening task that made Ciri's stomach drop to her feet.

"What?" she inhaled, turning to look at him. "So soon? Surely I am not ready yet…"

"You are ready," Geralt's head turned to look towards her, his eyes amused. "We shall start in the morning."

Ciri said nothing, as she shifted back to face Aspen, continuing her grooming. Her stomach churned anxiously, as she thought about what tomorrow morning would bring. Swords were dangerous. She'd seen many soldiers maimed in their training, and had heard the stories of young boys losing fingers or hands while in training. Surely Geralt wouldn't injure her… but she wasn't 100% certain. He was a rough man, with thick skin and patience for nobody. Perhaps he wouldn't care if she lost a finger or two in training. Gulping, her mind thinking of all the worst possibilities, she continued to groom her horse, unaware of Geralt watching her with sincere amusement.