"Ivor, could you share what the scouts had to say?"

"Of course, commander. According to the scouts we sent south, Nilfgaardian soldiers have apparently captured territory in Lyria, starting with the twin cities Scala and Spalla that were considered the gateway to the Yaruga."

"Well… And what about Nastrog, Rozrog and Bodrog? Have they fallen, too?"

"We do not know for sure, though we haven't heard anything of Nilfgaardians in Verden just yet."

"Is that true, commander?"

"How about Dillingen? Brugge?"

"Ivor speaks the truth. We've received no word on the situation in Brugge either."

"They seem to be taking their time, then. Are you sure we must abandon Vergen so easily?"

"The Black Ones must be taken seriously, though. This is no laughing matter, Rhys."

"I know that! But after all we went through to win this fight? Why did we even bother to begin with?"

"Rhys, Moiriana, digon!"

"It's fine, ask your questions. I have no use for soldiers who cannot put their faith in their commander. Besides, what kind of commander would I be if I let it get that far?"

"Iorveth…"

"It is true, mistakes have been made. I have made mistakes. Reports of Nilfgaard invading Aedirn have been circulating even before the battle of Vergen, but I presumed these to be nothing but rumours and dismissed them. This has cost us dearly and it will cost us even more if we don't act soon."

"Cachu, that… Well, we appreciate your honesty, commander."

"What she said, commander."

"Plus, there's the matter of the summons."

"What do you mean, Ivor? You mean Isengrim's summons?"

"Yes, though it's more than just Isengrim."

"...thought we'd seen the last of him…"

"What was that, Bryn?"

"It's nothing, commander. Sorry for interrupting."

"...I understand the mixed feelings towards Isengrim. In some ways, he abandoned us when we needed him most. That doesn't, however, mean we should forget all that he does and is still doing for our cause."

"I understand."

"Good. But as Ivor said, the summons are about more than Isengrim. Other commanders have gathered near Novigrad and are planning their course of action against the Nilfgaardians."

"If I may, commander, why did they choose Novigrad?"

"Perhaps because it has roots in seidhe culture?"

"Perhaps that is so, Rhys, though I presume they chose it because it is a free city in Redania, which is currently the country with the largest chance to withstand Nilfgaard's strength."

"What a comforting prospect. To be protected by Redania… Pah! They just might use us in this war of theirs too. Bloede dh'oine…"

"Don't let your anger get a hold of you, Moiriana."

"Beth? Am I supposed to just stop feeling furious? You haven't seen, felt, what they can do, Bryn, there is no way you could understand."

"That's not-"

"I might not like it, but that does not mean I won't follow. In fact, staying close to Redania is the best option in this moment, compared to what Nilfgaard will do when they get their hands on us. Iorveth knows exactly what I'm talking about. See, not letting my anger get ahold of me, Bryn. Even if I don't like it. I don't have to like it, as long as I follow."

"Exactly, Moiriana. Our cause is built on the rage and the tears of our kind, we must not forego such emotions in the midst of our fight. Now, are there any more questions?"

"Dim."

"No, commander."

"None, Iorveth."

"All right, then I shall continue. Other Scoia'tael units have gathered near Novigrad and have summoned other units to join them. We will heed those summons and head west in half a fortnight."

"Half a fortnight…"

"...will spread the word…"

"...prepare for departure…"

"Commander, what can we expect from these summons? Did our contact say anything else?"

"Do you know which other commanders will be there?"

"Nothing confirmed as of yet. I have my suspicions, but I will not burden you with speculation."

"And how long do you presume the journey will take?"

"Good question. We will start by moving back to Flotsam, although this time we will not go by boat. The harbour of Flotsam is still teeming with guards, the reports say. We will stay there for several nights, in order to gather up everyone and everything we left behind. How long it will take us to get to Novigrad after that, I cannot say for sure, although I estimate a fortnight will be enough."

"We will not go by boat to Novigrad?"

"Ie. We no longer have the means of finding a ship that is large enough to hold all of us, which means we must got by foot through the Mahakan Mountains. As of yet, we know little of what is going on within that region. The journey through them might take shorter than expected, but it can also take longer. An estimation would do you no good just yet, although I hope to receive news from our scouts there by the time we reach Flotsam. I plan to acquire carts and horses before we set out to lighten the burden of the move."

"What will we do with the wounded, commander?"

"Some of them are not fit enough to walk just yet."

"What are you talking about? Some of them will never walk again!"

"...we cannot just leave them behind, can we?"

"Hey, don't worry, we'll figure something out when we get there."

"How can you be so sure, Ivor?"

"Because I believe in the commander. He won't let anybody behind if it weren't absolutely necessary. Right, Iorveth?"

"I swear I will try my best to get everyone through those mountains. However, I cannot promise that everyone will make it through alive. Everyone will have the choice to remain behind, be it here in Vergen or in Flotsam, if they are not willing to make the journey, and I will make sure they are looked after. Either way, it will not be easy, but we must succeed whatever the cost."

"For the Aen Seidhe."

"For the Aen Seidhe."

"Yes, for the Aen Seidhe."

"...I have one more question, though."

"What is it, Bryn?"

"What of the inh'eid?"

"...what of her?"

"Well, you see…"

"There are rumours that she is… with child, commander. Your child. You have yet to address any of this."

"Haa… I had hoped to keep that under wraps for a little while longer, but yes, the rumours speak true. Gwenfrewi is carrying my child."

"Commander, why did you not tell us of this sooner?"

"We have a right to know these kinds of developments!"

"Rhys, Bryn, the commander has a right to his own life."

"You don't get to tell us that, Ivor. Whatever was going on, we presumed it would be no more than some fun during downtime. A possible heir, however…"

"Siana, what is that shit coming out of your mouth? An heir? What do you think this is? A ploughing monarchy? Are you jealous because you thought you could fuck your way to the position of queen?"

"W-what? No! I just…"

"Yes, you just disregarded the person who gave up his own life to keep us alive and who deserves the least bit of decency and respect for leading this group of idiots."

"Guys…"

"And what happens the day the inh'eid comes before the unit, hm, Moiriana? What if she were to give birth in, say, the middle of a battle with Nilfgaard and our commander is needed by her side? What if his child drew his attention away from his duties as our leader?"

"He gave up his bloede cariad for the sake of this unit, despite the consequences that brought down upon himself! Do you see them together around town, celebrating the current events as they should be? No, you fucking don't!"

"DIGON!"

"Iorveth…"

"You will not speak of Gwenfrewi in such a manner! This is why I never wished to discuss such matters with you! They do not concern you! They are not for the benefit of the unit, but they belong to me, either as a grievance or a pleasure, and are therefore precious. Yes, changes will occur, but you should trust me enough that these should not make you doubt me. I have given my life for this commando, so I… I ask of you all to grant me this piece to myself."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"I agree, Iorveth. You have deserved a life of your own outside of your role of the commander for a long time now."

"Ivor speaks wise words, as always. Inh'eid or no, she has proven herself worthy to stand by our leader's side."

"Human blood does not forget, though-"

"And neither does that of the seidhe, Rhys. We should know that better than anyone."

"...yes, commander."

"Even so, that still leaves the logistical matter of travelling with a pregnant comrade. What will she eat? What if she tires easily? What if she becomes ill?"

"You wish to take all the sick and wounded with us through the mountains, Bryn, but one pregnant elf, who is perfectly healthy might I add, is too much of a burden on our caravan to travel with?"

"Come now, both of you! Iorveth will make sure there are enough resources for everybody who requires it. No one will have to stay behind simply because of a lack of space."

"That is all we wished to know."

"Good. For now, spread the word that we will be leaving soon and that all should prepare. In the meantime, I will start discussions with Saskia about any assistance she might give us concerning our journey. Ivor, call it."

"Ie, commander. This meeting is hereby adjourned."

Translations

Digon: enough

Cachu: shit

Beth: what

Cariad: love

Dim: no/none.

Ie: yes.