''Shouldn't just barge on a lady like that. What if I was stepping out of the bath? ''

Merigold motioned to the empty but recently used wooden tub with a playful flash in her eyes. Their hazy stare, combined with the rosy tint of her freckled cheeks and the way she slurred the witcher's name suggested that the one she held was not the first drink she had had thus far.

''Then I would have shielded my eyes posthaste to preserve thy virtue, my lady!'' Eskel replicated her jesting tone by imitating the appalled, theatrical speech of a nobleman. That, or how he imagined a young Vesemir would have sounded like.

Both shared laugh, with Triss's being particularly booming and expressive, nearly keeling over as if she had heard the funniest joke in her life.

Eskel paced over to the smoldering fireplace in the middle of the room. On the way, he picked a dry log from a conveniently placed stack and tossed it in. Flames crackled back to life.

''So, are you going to make me ask?'' Spoke again the gruff man. He looked over his shoulder at the sorceress while he warmed his hands. What relief it was to be able to feel his fingers again.

Triss shrugged the shoulder her wide gown failed to encompass. The dark silk clashed with her ivory complexion, light material doing little to preserve the modesty of her shapes. Eskel found it difficult to not steal the occasional glimpse. She took another sip and settled the bronze chalice in her lap. Her features retained an air of amusement, confidence undoubtedly boosted by the alcohol one could smell on her very breath.

''Yes.''

Eskel sighed, although the shrewd smirk remained. He decided to humor her for now:

''Why are you here? Last I heard, you were heading back to Kovir.''

Satisfied with getting her way, the redhead brought a single digit to her chin, pretending as if she had to consider her answer even if the question was rather straightforward. It was evident that she was just trying to test Eskel's patience, which fortunately he had a steady supply of.

''Oh, well, you know... '' She sunk further back into her chair . ''My new and very much expansive bedroom can't quite compare to a dingy tower in the middle of nowhere.''

Triss chuckled, downed what remained of the liquor and after a brief pause finally confessed:

''Same reason as you. I missed this place.''

The witcher couldn't argue with that, and produced only a grumble; one of confirmation presumably. He undid his fur mantle and allowed it to drop on the floor behind him, while he still knelt before the reignited embers. Then, came off the fingerless gloves and, finally, his heavy gambeson. He had stripped to a simple linen shirt that served more as padding to his armor. In turn, now it was she whom unapologetically indulged in tracing the outline of his broad back. It was only fair. Had he only white hair...

''Among other things.'' A low, discreet murmur, and then a groan for when she rose to her bare feet.

Triss tottered, balance wavering, but kept it long enough to stumble over to the familiar bed made of soft hides, where she collapsed face-first and rolled over. Drunken giggles filled the narrow chamber.

''Came alone?'' Inquired the witcher whilst standing up himself. The yellow glow of the fire reflected off his scarred features, stocked blazes licking the stone columns that surrounded the hearth.

''Teleported.'' Triss corrected. She even made vague swirling motions with her hand to illustrate as if the man were dense. ''...and yes. I wasn't expecting anyone either, but, here you are. Here we are.''

''You sound disappointed.''

''Not at all!'' The more than tipsy sorceress exclaimed. Girlish giggles erupted following her objection, and she rolled back onto her stomach. Her legs waved behind her.

''It is fitting, actually - that we both end up back here. This place feels like it is stuck in time, while the world outside keeps going on... and on... and on...''

With Merigold's voice trailing off in the background, Eskel noticed something glinting on the floor close to where she had been sitting; a silver ring with a ruby embedded in it. It was one Geralt had given her long ago.

''Triss, isn't th-...''

''And on, and on! Ugh! I wish it'd slow down from time to time. So we can enjoy the good moments while they last.''

It was then that she began to push herself up to her knees, hands engulfed by the thick furs she laid upon. The flimsy garments she donned hung dangerously low; it would have taken but a tug to expose her, yet Triss seemed unaware or uncaring. Or perhaps, her inattentiveness was not without purpose.

Eskel could not help but be tempted by the alluring visage staring back at him from that bed. Like a siren, she drew his imagination to murkier depths, and It was surely a matter of time before the rest of him followed. He suddenly felt constricted in his own clothes, suffocated even.

All doubts of her real intentions were dashed in an instant, as she bit her lower lip and ushered him to come closer; to join her. Her presence was intoxicating, demanding the full attention of those graced by it.

Had she been any other woman, the experienced witcher would not have thought twice about giving her what she craved, and then some. Yet, his conscience chimed in. A nag in the back of his head forced him to halt any bold advance.

''Why are you doing this?'' Eskel bluntly asked, stoic in body if not in spirit. Triss was a friend - a dear friend. Barring the occasional flirty remark said in jest, feelings of true passion had never been cultivated between them. As far as he was aware.

''Oh, you know. Just trying to enjoy the moment.''

Each word rolled off her tongue like the purr of a content cat, lounging for she knew her prey could not evade her for long. In fact, she expected it to scurry right into her grasp.

''We ca-...''

''Come on, Eskel.'' Triss interrupted again, thwarting his attempts at abstinence. She clearly needed this, and was not above persuading him if she had to to get it.

''Everyone else gets to run off and be happy, why should we have to hold back? For who? Me, you - do we not deserve to feel wanted for at least a night?

For a painful moment, silence reigned supreme, usurped only by the rattling of the windows as mountainous winds beat against them. The frustration was palpable. Bottled feelings lingered in the air they both shared. So much want and passion left unexpressed, or perhaps not reciprocated? Left to boil, and boil until one could contain it no longer. Not towards each other, no, yet with the object of their desires unattainable what choice did they have? It was a bond born of neglect.

Finally, much to the sorceress's delight, Eskel stepped towards her...