Chapter 2 – Old Love

He was crouching in this stupid push for over an hour now. A branch stabbed Lambert repeatedly in the leg, as soon as he took a more relaxed posture. But the dense foliage made a good cover, so he couldn´t be seen from the house.

At a safe distance, and apparently unnoticed by her, Lambert had followed the sorceress from the marketplace. Her path took them from the busy streets of the center of Lan Exeter to a quieter residential area. Keira stopped in front of a small but well maintained house in a narrow alley. She made a cautious gesture, speaking a few words that Lambert could not quite understand from a distance, despite his sensitive hearing - apparently she was releasing a spell that denied unauthorized access to the house. The equivalent of sorcerers to an ordinary key.

Keira entered the house and closed the door. Lambert stood behind a wall for a while, undecided what to do now. Where she lived, he now knew. He had imagined her home a bit more sophisticated, but if what Triss had said was right - that Keira had parted company with her wealthy patron - then she obviously had to restrain her lifestyle. Served her right ...

Lambert knew that he should turn back now. Looking for accommodation for the night. Let the matter rest.

Crap. Seeing her in his immediate vicinity had recalled the painfully banished memories. Lambert was well aware that he probably wouldn´t find any sleep that night, if he kept on wondering if she´d be visiting a lover while he himself was lying in a bed at the inn. And if it was like that? Actually, he did not care. Actually he shouldn´t ...

Lambert was torn from his thoughts by hurried steps that approached him. Without thinking about it, he dove to a dense shrubbery that grew on the other side of the alley between two houses, and crouched behind the branches to hide from view.

A figure in a wide cloak headed for Keira's house. Although the swinging fabric covered body shapes and a deep pulled hood hid the face, Lambert was sure that the late visitor was a woman. She tapped tentatively on Keira's door, apparently unwilling to attract unnecessary attention. The woman looked around briefly, as if to make sure nobody had followed her. Keira opened and the woman hurriedly entered the house.

Lambert stared at the now closed entrance door.

No visit by a lover - at least not yet. Or Keira - like some other sorceresses of the lodge - had developed an interest in her own sex. Lambert was not sure if he liked the idea more.

Lambert knew he should've left by now, it was already dawning. If he didn't hurry, all the rooms in the good inns would be occupied.

Half an hour later, his toes in his boots began to ache with the cold. In the house he could make out muffled voices - too soft to understand the spoken words. However, the familiar sound of Keira's voice was enough to keep him hidden.

A short time later, the front door opened again. The visitor straightened the strap of a bag on her shoulder. Before she pulled up her hood to cover her head, Lambert became aware of fine-cut features and artfully coiffed hair. Precious earrings shone between the curls. Apparently, the lady was not only attractive, but also wealthy. Without turning back to Keira, who had stopped at the entrance, the visitor hurried down the lane and disappeared from Lambert's field of view as she turned behind a wall. His gaze wandered to Keira, who had stopped in the doorway and was looking after her visitor.

When she spoke, Lambert needed almost three seconds to notice that her words were addressed to him.

"I take it as a compliment that you endure being out there so long, despite the cold."

She turned to the foliage where the witcher still crouched. "You can come out now. Or do you want to spend the night in this shrub?"

Lambert felt adrenaline rushing through his veins. If he had been able to blush, his complexion would have been enough to make him visible in the bushes to anyone. He swallowed and got up, stepping out of the bushes and brushing off his clothes casually to strip off the leaves and twigs that had caught in them.

"Keira."

"Lambert. It's nice to see you again."

"I'm not sure I can return that compliment."

Keira pressed her lips together for a moment. "You're still angry with me."

"That surprising to you?"

"You never gave me the opportunity to explain anything ..."

"What`s to explain?" Lambert interrupted sharply. He had not meant to lose his composure, not wanting to show her that he was still hurt. But all the emotions that had been repressed for so long now came to surface again.

"Very much, obviously!" Keira's voice had also become louder now. "But I do not wish to explain myself to the neighbors, only to you. So come inside, for all the gods´ sake!"

Lambert crossed his arms over his chest. "I don't intend to stay long. And I don't feel like listening to any lies."

"For having so little interest in talking, you've been sitting in the cold for a long time, watching my house."

"Just to let you know, I was not sitting out here because of you, but because of a job. Didn´t you hear that a Katakan´s hanging around here when it gets dark?"

"Oh, so it was just a coincidence that you were hiding practically on my doorstep."

"Exactly."

Keira raised an eyebrow. It was obvious that she did not believe a single word. Even to himself his words seemed like a flimsy excuse. It was silly to make up such a story. He suddenly felt ridiculous.

Keira sighed. "Do you think you can interrupt your hunt for a while and come in with me? I'm getting cold out here."

xxxxxx

To his surprise, the interior was rather pragmatic. One side of the living room had apparently been turned into a workspace. On a large wooden table alchemical equipment, innumerable bottles and jars were placed. The small desk next to it almost collapsed under the weight of books stacked on top of it.

At the wall was a padded sofa, a blanket carelessly thrown over it. Two chairs and a table completed the barren interior.

"Nice." Lambert tried to make his voice sound slightly ironic.

"You mean rather shabby. Save your mockery, I only live here temporarily."

"Didn't your rich rascal make you any expensive gifts that you can change into Bizants? Curtains made of Zerrikanian silk would do well in here."

"I never noticed that you have such an exquisite taste."

"Well, at least as far as women are concerned, I probably haven't shown much taste so far. Now say what you want to say and then I'll leave. I don't wanna stay here longer than necessary."

"I did not expect to meet you here at all."

"Believe it or not, but actually I'm in Kovir because of the assignments. Tomorrow I move on to Pont Vanis. Apparently there´s work for a witcher. Lan Exeter was just on my way."

"And I thought you were here because in my last letter I asked you to visit me."

"I threw your letter into the fire - unread. Just like all the letters you've already written before."

"You have not read a single one? Do you have any idea how difficult it was to find out where you are and send you these letters? And how shameful it was for me to ask Triss to deliver my letter to you when she traveled to Kaer Morhen?"

"I did not want to waste my time having to endure your lies in writing."

"You never gave me the opportunity to explain everything to you! You understood everything wrong!"

"How could I get that wrong? I pulled that guy off of you! How gullible do you think I am?"

"Perhaps you also noticed in your boundless intelligence that both he and I were fully clothed before you broke his nose."

Lambert snorted. "Oh, I saw that. Looked like it would not have lasted stayed that way any longer if I had not interrupted by chance."

"I added an anesthetic to his wine that he used to drink a lot - if you hadn't shown up, a few minutes later, he would have disappeared into the realm of dreams, as I had planned. But after you had worked this out with your fists, he was so clear minded again that he realized something was wrong and picked up the effect with the help of a spell. Then he left the house as fast as possible. He made heavy accusations against me, which have brought me into serious trouble. Luckily, he had no evidence, and his broken nose more likely confirmed my proposed version, which showed him as a caught philanderer. But after all that, I had to put my original plan aside and this whole farce was useless."

Lambert listened, frowning, arms crossed over his chest. "So you're going to tell me now that all this was planned by you. You didn't want to fuck this guy, but were pursuing some plan in which you of course had not inducted me before."

"You would never have agreed anyway!"

Lambert snorted. "You really think I'm that foolish? Maybe I didn't attend one of your selected sorcerers´ schools, but don't insult me by thinking I'm stupid enough to believe such a story."

Keira's expression changed from angry to sad. "I don't think you're stupid at all, Lambert. I'm just disappointed you have such a bad opinion of me. After all the time we spent together - after everything we've experienced together ... why don´t you even allow me to explain everything?"

"By all means, do go on! Please explain why you wanted to give your 'old friend' an anesthetic. So far that doesn't sound very credible."

Keira sighed. "Emilian was in possession of an extremely important book for my research, an early work by the sorcerer Alexander. That's why I had contacted him again after I had not seen him for over twenty years. Unfortunately, he was not ready to give me this book. At least not right away. He wanted to continue our ... let's call it `friendship with special benefits`."

"What you obviously were more than ready for, because after all, it was all about your research work." Lambert's voice dripped with sarcasm.

"If it had, I would hardly have tried to anesthetize him. He had the book with him, but cast a spell on it, allowing it to be opened only by his own hand. I really wanted this book, Lambert! He made me advances and I came up with the idea to pretend to it. After he'd lost consciousness, I would have taken the book, used his hand to open it and had enough time to copy the passages that were important to me. I did not plan that for long, Lambert! I saw a chance to reach my goal quickly and I wanted to use it..."

"That this guy wanted to strip off your clothes, you have certainly taken as a necessary evil."

Keira looked at him sadly. "No matter what I say, you won't believe me anyway. You were up and away without even looking at me. Why don´t you trust me, Lambert? Have I ever given you a reason to suspect that I want another man?"

Lambert pressed his lips together and looked down. "Maybe that's a peculiarity of you sorceresses. You manipulate, intrigue and do anything that benefits you, no matter who or what comes to harm."

"That´s how you see me? You compare me to women like Philippa or Sheila?" Keira shook her head slightly. "Do you know me so little?"

"I thought you were different," Lambert said softly.

"I am different! Lambert, I ... I missed you. I missed you so much."

He took a deep breath. He just wanted to believe her. But if everything was a lie and he fell for it, he would only make a fool of himself.

Lambert tried to remember details - the moment he had grabbed that squirt and smashed his nose. Had this bastard really acted as if he was on the verge of losing consciousness? Had he moved a bit lazily? Maybe ... Lambert had not paid attention to it, had only felt this irrepressible anger rising inside of him and given in to it.

"Why didn´t you come to me in winter? To Kaer Morhen. If it was so important to explain everything to me ..."

"And lose the last remnant of my dignity? By running after you? I wrote to you, Lambert. Over and over again."

Even if it had been that way, she had not waited long to console herself with someone else.

"Missing me did not stop you from fucking that other guy, this ... Albert!"

"After a few months, I knew you would not come back, Lambert! What do you expect? That I stay alone forever? Albert was there when I needed someone by my side. When I had to take one step after the next and my research turned in circles. He supported me and made me live a comfortable life. Even if he was not entertaining at all ... For a while that was enough for me. But I have never had so much fun with him as with you ..."

Lambert snorted. Keira took a step closer to him. "We had a lot of fun, right?"

"Yes, we had," admitted Lambert. "If everything had not ended so terribly, I would still laugh today."

"You are still as cynical as you were then. Some things never change." She shortened the distance between them by one more step. "I really missed you, Lambert. And I never cheated on you. But I have no evidence of my innocence. So if you do not want to believe me ... could we at least be friends again?"

Lambert let out a mocking laugh. "Friends? Forget it."

She took another step closer, looked into his eyes for a long time. "We can also be more than just friends ..." Slowly she put a hand to his cheek, touched his skin with her delicate fingers. He let it happen. It was so good to be touched by her again ...

What was he doing? He had just been so sure that he would never trust her again, not fall for her 'explanation'. And he would not. But one night with her - one night only... Tomorrow he would go his own way again. Raised head. She would not make a fool of him again. But damn, she smelled so good. Of jasmine and patchouli.

Lambert put his arm around her waist and pulled her closer. Her lips on his still tasted exactly as he remembered.

xxxxxxxxx

The first rays of the sunlight fell in the small bedroom. Lambert lay awake for a while next to the sleeping Keira. Her arm was across his chest, he could feel her breath on his shoulder.

He should leave now. Get dressed, get his horse and move on to Pont Vanis. If she woke up before he left, he would tell her he could not trust her anymore. That it had been nice to see her, but that now they would go separate ways again. If she did not wake up ... well, that was fine by him, too. Then he could leave without much explanation.

For more than an hour, Lambert wondered whether he should believe her abstruse story or not. It could actually have been like she said. Or maybe she just lied to him. Did she really miss him? Or was that just a lie to get him where she wanted him - in her bed? But what was her benefit? Satisfaction that he succumbed to her charm? Or did she really want to revive old times? And if so - did he want that too ...?

Keira stirred. Damn, he had at least wanted to be dressed before she awoke. She smiled at him - not winning, but ... loving? "Good morning, Lambert."

"Morning. I ... I'll be on my way soon. The Sirens in the harbour of Pont Vanis don't fall on their own ..."

Keira sat up in bed, a disappointed look on her face. "You want to leave again? I thought we ... so ... didn´t last night change anything for you?"

Lambert sighed, rubbing his face with his hands. "It did ... or maybe not ... I don't know, Keira. I have no idea if I can trust you. And even if I believed you ... I don't know if I want to go back to where we left off two years ago. With you the one giving commands, and I, who behaves as your lap dog and has to fulfill your orders. And as reward for my service I'm getting laid. With the last part I could chum up, but I could do well without the rest. So ... yes, I'm leaving immediately."

Keira looked sad. Shit, did he see tears shining in her eyes? Could that really be?

"And if I ..." Keira's voice did not sound as firm and confident as usual. "If I changed? If we were equal partners, you and me?"

Lambert hesitated. Did she really mean it? Would it work? Or would everything be the same again after a few weeks? If he got used to their closeness again, it would not be easy for him to go.

"I don't know yet, Keira. I'll think about it, alright? I ride to Pont Vanis, take care of the Sirens and come back afterwards. Then we talk."

"I will probably be gone then. I'm planning on spending some time in Novigrad."

Lambert immediately sat bolt upright in bed. "Novigrad? Are you insane? Didn´t you hear it's almost as dangerous for sorcerers there as it was a few years ago?"

"Of course I heard that. But it does not work any other way. In Novigrad, an epidemic has broken out that is very similar to Catriona's disease. With the exception that it affects only elves, dwarfes and gnomes. Humans seem immune to it." She put a hand on his forearm, her eyes lit up. She seemed almost excited. "Lambert, that could be the breakthrough for my research! If I can figure out why people will not be affected by the pathogen in Novigrad, perhaps with this knowledge, I could develop a cure for Catriona's disease. Do you understand what that means?"

"I understand that you might soon be picked up by those crappy witch hunters and be thrown into some Novigrad dungeon. Keira, that's too dangerous. You risk your life when you go there!"

She put a hand on his cheek and kissed him. "So you do care about me, right?"

Lambert took her hand, squeezing it lightly. "Stop that crap, you know I do. But I doub't you understand what kind of danger you're getting yourself into."

"I know, Lambert. But I cannot just let this opportunity pass. I could spend years or decades researching this disease and may never reach my goal. I have to try it. Do you understand that? I have to go."

Lambert took a deep breath. Thought for a moment, then looked at Keira. "If I cannot stop you from going there ... then I´ll take care of you."