Downstairs, Ciri made her way behind the counter and claimed one of the bottles. She had no idea what it was, only that it was stronger than mead.

She found herself a clean glass and took a seat at one of the free tables, pouring herself a generous amount when the door opened and Geralt and Kain entered.

She didn't quite manage a smile but was grateful to see they were both alright. "Well done."

Geralt raised an eyebrow, "What?"

Ciri sat alone, even Priscilla was away somewhere.

"They're here, I figure?"

Ciri smiled sardonically and raised her glass in a toast. "Can't you tell?"

She threw the drink back and closed her eyes until the brief burning sensation faded.

"Are you both alright? Was it a battle?"

Geralt and Kain exchanged glances, and Geralt said, "Not enough of action to call it a battle. Just a few guards and one small golem."

"Right," Kain confirmed. "Nothing big."

Ciri snorted, because she had caught the shared glance between the two. "Sure."

Geralt smiled. "Absolutely. What about you? Everything fine here? Philippa and others?"

"Right as rain. Whatever that means," Ciri muttered, considering refilling her glass. "Triss and Margarita are tending to her. It's possible Yennefer forced her way into the room. Either that, or she is resting in mine."

"I see," Geralt nodded. "I'll have to talk to Avallac'h. I made him wait enough."

"Good luck," she wished, secretly glad it was not her presence that had been requested. She looked to Kain. "Where was she, anyway?"

Kain joined her, glancing after Geralt's retreating back. "At the bathhouse, held by the man called Dijkstra. He didn't really manage to hold her, however. He'll have to repair a lot."

"Dijkstra had her?" Ciri was surprised. "And he… just let you take her?"

"Geralt is a decent negotiator. And I think Dijkstra understood deep down that he couldn't make her stay. She is a sorceress and obviously can see even without her eyes. It doesn't limit her much."

"This is true. He could not keep her before either," Ciri said, finally refilling her glass. "They used to be lovers."

"That… must've been quite a pairing."

She smiled a little. "Ended badly, as I am sure you can tell. Mixing political ambition and romance does not seem like a good idea."

"I figured." Kain studied her a moment. "Are you all right? They did tell you something, didn't they?"

Ciri smiled bitterly. "I spent less than two minutes in that woman's presence and she already managed to lament how much better my life would have turned out had I chosen to be their puppet back all those years ago."

"Many individuals of power believe people's lives would be much simpler and more desirable if they would be controlled. Free will and choice are viewed as a problem because it means resistance for those who want to rule."

"I know." She took a sip of her drink. "I hadn't expected she would be able to get under my skin so easily after all these years."

"Growing thicker skin takes time and practice. You'll get there, if you manage to rule down your emotions. Which also takes time and practice."

"Let's hope. Do you want a drink? Tea?"

"No, thank you, I'm good."

"Did you talk to her? Philippa?"

"They all talked to Geralt. I'm more like his third sword for all they care."

"Good," Ciri said. The less attention they paid him, the better.

Kain peered at her, amused. "Why? You're scared they'll decide to make me their puppet? It might not be as easy as it sounds."

"They'll make your life harder. Hell, even, if it suits them. I wouldn't wish that on anyone."

"It's touching that you worry about me, but you've got a lot on your own plate. I can take care of myself. I don't want you to lose sleep over what anyone might or might not do to me. We'll solve problems when they come, not before it."

"It's harder to worry about yourself than those you care about," Ciri said. "I just don't want you hurting, is all."

Kain shrugged apologetically. "Your mere reservation about something won't stop it from happening. The world works in mysterious ways, and everything happens for a reason. Even when it doesn't look that way to us."

"I know that," Ciri said tiredly. "But there are still certain measures that can be taken in order to prevent something horrible from happening. You just have to keep an eye out for those moments."

"Right," Kain nodded. "And sometimes there are things that are impossible to stop or prevent. It's like every detail that happens builds a way for them to happen. In short, some events resist preventing measures."

"But you won't know which until it happens. So I will be vigilant." Ciri downed the rest of her drink, re-assessing her earlier words as she eyed the empty glass. "After today."

"Vigilance is great," Kain said, leaning back into his chair. "For as long as it's being used in balance with taking care of your needs to replenish your powers. I mean rest. You have a problem with balancing the two."

"I got a very good night's sleep, remember? And I have been resting all morning." She grinned. "I see no balance-problems here."

Kain shrugged. "Maybe today. But not before. I hope you keep the balance."

"It should be easier now. Yennefer made the potions. I won't have to worry for a while."

"Do those potions block the access to your mind? Because it's what he does - sneaks into your mind like through an unlocked door."

"They are supposed to, yes. I explained the problem to her."

"It's good she can help you now. But you will have to learn to protect your mind at any moment - within in.

"You can push him out of your mind with your power that is greater than his. He merely doesn't expect you to, nor do you think you can. And that plays in his favor. It's in his favor when he keeps you in the state of a small, defenseless girl. He hopes you stay that way until he gets what he wants."

Ciri considered that. "I managed to push someone else out of my mind. That mind reader who was part of the guards keeping me prisoner. But that was different. I… I felt her trying to nudge my mind open. With Eredin I feel no warning signs whatsoever."

"He knows the way in and he doesn't have to look for it."

"So how do I close the door, so to speak?"

"By realizing what so-called door he uses and how to close it. Or how to fight him inside."

"And the only way to do that is to not take the potions," Ciri mused. "How else am I to find out?"

Kain smiled, slightly amused. "No. First thing would be to learn how to fight with your power. The only way you seem to use it is zapping from place to place."

Ciri leaned her elbows on the table, face in her hands as she watched him. "How can I practice when using my power will alert Eredin?"

"Would you bind your legs if using them alerted Eredin?"

"It is figuratively what I have been doing ever since I escaped the land of Aen Elle," Ciri sighed. "So yes, I suppose I would."

"If you cut pieces off yourself to hide from someone, how can you hope to get yourself together and know how to use every part when he finds you anyway? You help him win by doing that."

"I understand that. But if he finds me, if he gets me, this world ends in horrible bloodshed. What am I supposed to do?"

"He'll find you and try to get you in any way," Kain spread his arms. "If, when he does, you don't know what to do with your power other than zap away and keep running, the world and you are in trouble."

"Exactly. Which is what will happen should I use my powers now. How can I practice something I can't actually use?" Ciri demanded, frustrated. "How can I become stronger and better when attempting to do so risks everyone's lives?" She scrubbed her hands over her face. "I should have stayed in that strange metal world where he could not reach me. It was entirely selfish to come back."

"What was so special about that world that he couldn't get there?"

"Without access to The Gate of The Worlds, Eredin can only travel to a few select worlds within a certain area. They call it the Spiral. With my power he could travel anywhere. And he could bring the entire Aen Elle population with him."

"He already knows where you are, Ciri. Trying to not use any powers to not alert him is like trying to hide in an open field while wearing a red cloak. Impossible. But there might be a way if you learn magic. If you learn to contact the magic of this world - which is a sentient, magical being - the world can help you. This earth can help you because you are its child along with any being living in it."

"How?" Ciri asked, feeling as though she could not see an answer she was supposed to. She took Kain's hands in hers, squeezing lightly. "Tell me how."

"You'll have to use your powers to learn how to use them. You cannot learn to walk with your legs bound. It is impossible."

That still terrified her. For so many years she had been told using her powers would make Eredin show up with his band of demonic elves. And though Ciri understood Kain's point very well, it was still a big risk to take.

But… it was tempting. So very tempting. Like drawing a lungful of breath after having been denied air for too long.

"I can't do it here," she said, inhaling and rising to her feet. "Too many prying eyes."

"Not here," Kain agreed. "The woods and swamps around here is a better place."

"I'll go immediately. If what you say is true, and Eredin is waiting for the right time to strike rather than chasing me blindly, I have already wasted so much time."

She headed for the door, pulling her gloves on.

Kain held out a hand, enveloping Ciri in magic stopping her in her tracks.

"And what are you going to do there alone? Think the things you need to practice will magically appear in your mind when you're there? You don't know what to do, and that didn't change."

The force that enveloped her was surprising, but did not feel evil, so there was no fear. Ciri turned to look at Kain over her shoulder, smiling with amusement. "Are you not coming, Archer?"

"Geralt said we'll all have lunch after he speaks with Avallac'h," Kain replied, pulling Ciri back with his power like a chess figure across the board. "Don't you want to wait for him? Besides, there should be a plan before we go training."

Ciri's boots slid across the floor without any help from her and her body. She scowled at Kain, though there was no real heat. "How was I supposed to know of his intentions?" she asked, coming to stand before him. "And fine. Let us plan."

"Before you learn to mask your power, there might be another idea." Kain removed his hold from her, rested his hand on his lap. "Yennefer created a powerful barrier around the whole castle. If she could pull off something similar, something like a temporary dome over your training place that would keep your magic signature from spreading, it might solve the problem."

Ciri chewed her lip, hesitating. "That spell almost killed her last time…"

Kain nodded. "Because she had to keep it on a large scale and for a long time, trying to block their power. We don't need all that. All we need is a dome of energy to mask yours. In theory, it's much simpler."

Ciri considered it. "It doesn't hurt to ask. Only Yennefer, though. I don't want the other sorceresses involved."

"Only her," Kain confirmed.

Ciri grinned, feeling a sense of excitement she had lacked a lot lately. "Thank you. For continuing to help me."

Kain frowned in mild confusion. "Why would I refuse?"

"I never said you would," she replied, reaching out to touch his cheek with her fingertips. "I am simply making sure you know I am grateful."

"Your feelings are strong enough to sense them," Kain said. "I'd know that without words."

"Really?" Ciri said, marveling at that. Until she began wondering whether he could sense other, more personal emotions as well. That was mortifying.

"I'm not trying to read you or Geralt on purpose, but I do catch some emotions that reach me naturally. It's a habitual skill. It's how I communicate with Griffin."

She nodded. "I understand. Maybe someday I will learn a similar trait."

"You can. I don't think it would be hard for you to learn."

"We'll see." Ciri rounded the table to take her seat again.

The Ruby suite's bedroom was covered in sketches that were everywhere: the floor, the dresser, the table, the chests, the chairs, the bed – where Avallac'h sat amongst them holding another one in his hand, staring at it in some kind of meditation. If he had such power, he'd burn through it with his eyes.

Geralt strolled slowly, quietly toward him, looking around at the pictures. Eyes… faces with shadows lying over them… women… long hair falling down over her shoulder blades in soft, big waves… Kain's face… Kain's figure… Kain's silhouette… Kain's eyes under his bangs falling over the right eyebrow…

"What is this obsession?" Geralt asked, stopping next to the side of his bed.

Avallac'h started subtly and looked up, blinking. He lowered the drawing and sighed, gave a shrug. "Just killing time," he said. "While you are out there performing your heroics."

Geralt folded his arms. "You're not mad?"

Avallac'h looked surprised and got up, began to gather the sketches all over the room. "On the contrary. I must admit your eliminating Imlerith was quite… adeptly. The only argument I have with what you two have done is with how you left without telling anything."

"Ciri was in a hurry. But she left you a letter, she told me."

"That she has," the elf nodded, putting the stack of pictures on the table face-down. "I merely believed I deserved a bit more of a courtesy. I could have helped no less than the boy you brought along."

Geralt smirked, shaking his head in faint amusement. "Is that what you wanted to discuss? A complaint?"

"No, of course not. I wanted to bring my congratulations with your successful mission and tell you that your accomplishment rather inspired me."

Geralt frowned, "Meaning?"

"The loss of one of his great generals has weakened Eredin significantly," Avallac'h said, standing in front of the witcher, his arms folded. "However, two others remain. Caranthir is a loyalist, but Ge'els could be swayed. He was a devoted follower of our former king. And as it happens, Eredin poisoned our beloved ruler."

"Regicide is a serious offence," Geralt commented. "I take it not many know about this."

"Among the living – only I. And Eredin, of course."

Geralt nodded, pondering this. "The question is; can you make Ge'els believe you?"

"You need not worry about it."

Geralt squinted, "You are not planning to kill him, are you?"

"Those measures are not always necessary," Avallac'h said.

"Which leaves a deal you want to propose?"

Avallac'h gave a cold smile, "Brilliant deduction. I'm impressed. Indeed, I am planning to bring him here and show him the truth of what happened."

"A great plan," Geralt marveled. "Perfect, even. If only we knew where to find him."

"We do. In the land of the Aen Elle."

Geralt peered at him in silent wonder. He seemed surprised.

"What, you don't recall?" Avallac'h asked. "After all, you did travel with Eredin for quite some time. It's the land of the Alder Folk, another world, altogether. The world where we arrived centuries ago, the world that is our current home. The Red Riders come from there. And there we find Ge'els."

Geralt scowled, suddenly defensive. "You want to take Ciri there? You're the only two who know how to travel between worlds."

Avallac'h shook his head with a sort of tired expression that made Geralt think he had to refrain from rolling his eyes. "You clearly know there are many other worlds apart from this one. It's a good start." He went to the table where the map of Novigrad lay among the pencils and books. "Those worlds are linked by hidden gateways that allow passage between them. Of course, not many know, let alone can locate those gateways."

"How about Elven Sages?" Geralt asked, eyeballing the map.

"You guess correctly. One such passage will open near where we are, which is rather fortunate." He bent over the map, pressing his fingers to it to show Geralt, "Between this noble edifice and the Butchers' Yard. It is our chance. The only one."

"I suppose we should take it, then," Geralt said, rubbing his chin and considering the map.

"Good. I… suppose we can invite the boy with us." Avallac'h met Geralt's inquiring gaze with his inscrutable one, and shrugged. "It won't be a direct passage – it shall be a chain of gateways with other worlds in-between where we have to locate other openings. I cannot say what could wait for us there, and having another sword cannot be a bad idea."

Geralt studied him for a long moment, but couldn't find any argument worthy enough to object. The Sage had a point.

"All right," Geralt surrendered. "If he's up to it."

"I believe he will be," Avallac'h said. "It's for Zireael's cause. Let me know when you're ready. We have less than an hour to set out."

"Fine. I'll tell him."

Triss sauntered down the stairs, planting a smile on her face at the sight of the two blondes below hovering together talking. "Either of you seen Priscilla?"

"Not for a while now," Ciri said, looking up at Triss. "She might be in the kitchen. Or with Dandelion."

Triss studied Kain despite the fact that he hadn't spoken and then allowed her gaze to return to Ciri.

"I'll find her. About what happened upstairs…" She didn't want to mention too much of the altercation in front of Kain and have him think badly of The Lodge. "You know she didn't mean to sound as though she was attacking. She's set in her ways."

Ciri smiled without any warmth. "That is not true and you know it, Triss."

She was just too scared of Philippa to say anything else.

Triss's eyes wavered to the floor, stayed there for half a second and then bounced back to Ciri. "She's headstrong. Like another someone I know."

"She's a cold bitch who intended to make me a prince's whore, so that she could gain power. She doesn't care who gets hurt as long as it serves her ambition. Let us not pretend."

"Would it really have been so bad, Ciri?" Triss had always wondered. She couldn't imagine. If you were giving up your freedom for a cause, wouldn't it be worth it? Wouldn't it be enough that Triss was there with her? "It might not have turned out the way you imagined. I never would have let them hurt you."

Ciri rose so abruptly her chair toppled over, bracing her fists on the table in front of her. Her eyes blazed with sudden fury and disbelief. "What did you just say? Do you hear yourself, Triss? How would you like it if a group of people suddenly decided you no longer had any say in your own life? They'd tell you who to spread your legs for. Whose babies you'd push out. Who you'd be allowed to talk to. How to dress, how to act, how to feel. A slave! That is what your Lodge wanted me to be."

Kain sensed Ciri's anger flare, he even saw it – a flare of red saturated her energy like a cloud of heat.

He put the chair back up and stood behind her to prevent any show of powers none of them needed. Triss seemed alarmed, but she might decide to offer more arguments, and then Ciri might topple over the edge of her patience. No one needed that, either.

Triss could see why Ciri would be against an offer like that. She was young, selfish, she didn't have the capacity to look outside of herself to see what needed to be done in order to sustain their power and influence. There was more to life than happiness and love. The latter she craved deeply out of some twisted need to experience what she thought she saw – passion – and struggled to feel.

Geralt coming down the stairs in a jog saved the situation. Triss and Ciri shot their gazes his way, and Triss stepped back a bit, putting on a wide smile.

"We have another business to take care of," Geralt said, looking pointedly at Kain as he approached. "I'm afraid the lunch is to happen later. You in, Kain?"

"Sure," Kain said.

"What business?" Ciri snapped, looking from Triss to Geralt.

Triss opened her mouth to make another retort, to further argue the point, but with Geralt showing up shut it down. "Where are you going?"

Geralt looked at Ciri, really looked at her this time, and what he saw made his blood cool. "Ciri, what happened to you?" He looked between her and Triss. "What is going on here?"

"Just a disagreement over if being the Lodge's whore would be bad or not," Ciri said, a bit calmer this time. Geralt was not on the receiving end of her anger. "What is happening? Please say I can help. I cannot just sit around for another hour."

Geralt looked from Ciri to Triss for a second, reprimanding her silently for stirring that kind of talk in the least appropriate time.

"Avallac'h has an idea we have to follow," he said, turning back to Ciri. "I'm taking Kain, but you can't go. I really need you to sit tight here, inside this inn, until we come back here as soon as we can. Please, Ciri, can you do this for me?"

"Why?" She narrowed her eyes. "What are you doing?"

Triss remained silent, although she had to admit she was curious about what Geralt could possibly need Kain for.

Geralt sighed. "Avallac'h wants to pull Ge'els to our side by proving it to him that Eredin killed their king. I believe it's worth trying, given how desperate we are. This idea requires bringing Ge'els here from Aen Elle world, which Avallac'h wants to guide us to. We will be back as soon as we can, but I need to know you will be here all this time and wait for us. Safe. Please, Ciri. No missions, no visits, no business outside this inn. Please."

Ciri watched him for a long moment, trying to keep that rage down. She hated that he was leaving again, hated that he was taking Kain with him, and that she was forced to stay behind and wait.

She nodded, but didn't manage to voice her agreement, pushing past them all and striding up the stairs.

"How urgent is this?" Kain asked Geralt when Ciri rushed away toward the stairs.

"We have to go within an hour."

"I need a bit of time; I'll be back within this hour. Is that all right with you?"

Geralt hesitated, pondering, then nodded reluctantly. "Make it half an hour."

Kain nodded and went upstairs after Ciri.

"Are you sure you don't need me to accompany you?" Triss offered. "I could help carry you to where you need to be?" That would also give her the opportunity to get to know Kain better if it was just the three of them.

"You can't take us to another world, Triss," Geralt said, regarding her with a gauging eye. "You fainted in my arms today, and you propose to carry us where we need to go? What is this, Triss? What is going on with you and your healing, exactly?"

"Yennefer helped me with magic. I'm getting better—I want to be useful." She stared at Geralt imploringly, batting her eyelashes. "I also figure that given what you did to save both Margarita and Philippa, it's only fair that I return the favor. It's what we've always done."

"I appreciate your intention, really. But there's nothing you can do this time. It's all on Avallac'h, and he always knows what he's doing. You stay and watch over the Lodge allies. We all have our tasks."

Triss nodded. "Right now my only task is to find Philippa something to eat."

She wanted to stay and talk to him longer, bask in his presence, but she forced herself to walk away toward the kitchen in search of the blonde performer. She was afraid he'd ask her more questions about her healing and why she and Ciri had been at odds or why she'd brought it up.

Ciri stepped into her room and found Yennefer resting on the bed. She did not have time to greet her before there was a knock on the door.

Ciri turned and opened it. Kain was outside.

"Something tells me you're in a defiant mood," he said, "and I can't go and watch Geralt's back if I can't be sure I shouldn't have stayed to watch yours."

Ciri sighed and stepped out into the hallway, closing the door behind her so they could talk freely. "I don't need to be watched, Kain. I'm not a naughty child intending to run away. I'm just frustrated that once again I am unable to do anything to help this situation."

"I didn't mean it like that. You're not a naughty child, you're a target that we are trying to protect. You can be naughty, however, and you know it. No point denying. I want to make sure you will do as he asked." Kain paused, pondering, then continued, "I want to try something, but we have to take a quick ride. Take Yennefer, she's all the protection you need, but only if she picks a less recognizable outfit. I have half an hour, so if you want to do it now, be quick. If you're going to be fine with waiting for my return here, it's also fine by me. Which one is it?"

"Now," Ciri said without hesitation, fumbling for the doorknob behind her and allowing the door to swing open again. "Yennefer, I have another favor to ask."

Yennefer hadn't been asleep, merely pondering what she'd heard. "What's that?"

"We ask you to portal outside the village that's beyond the city's walls," Kain said over Ciri's shoulder. "Ciri and I will ride there, and you meet us in the village at their notice board. And try to not be recognized, it's important."

Yennefer sat up at the mention of her portaling, facing the couple with interest. What could be that important that it had to come in form of what she could only deem was a secret? Had they heard what the witches were discussing? "Is there something I should know?"

"Yes. And you will once we get there. You may have to change your clothes." Ciri gestured to the wardrobe. It still had a few pieces left. "Maybe something in a muddy brown?"

She would hate it, Ciri knew. But she also would not deny Ciri this.

Grimacing at the thought of Ciri's preferred color, Yennefer nodded nonetheless, mind already made. "When is this supposed to happen?"

"Now," Kain said. "Please, hurry. So shall we."

He took Ciri's hand and led her downstairs. Geralt wasn't there, only Triss was at the counter talking to Priscilla. She didn't turn to see them, and that was good. The less attention the better. He led Ciri to the stables and gestured for her horse.

In a minute, they rode out and toward the city gate.

Yennefer watched them head out of the room, it not escaping her that Kain had touched Ciri and practically dragged her for the stairs. What were they up to? She guessed she was going to find out. She summoned the circle of gold, stepped through it and appeared in Spearhead a moment later. She walked over to the bloodied dirty clothing she'd removed from Triss, shed her own, pulling them on piece for piece, repairing them in the same manner she had made Ciri's armor, steering clear of cleaning it of the dirt. Triss had always had poor taste. Yennefer found one of Triss' discarded cloaks in the preferred color Ciri had suggested and then after a quick and displeasing check of herself in the mirror she carried herself to the outskirts of the town.

"So, what is the plan?" Ciri asked Kain as they rode across the bridge and out of the city.

"I know a person who could teach you some things about your power," Kain said. "If she agrees. But it needs to be kept secret because she lives in secret. Yennefer is your back-up, to portal you from there so you're not seen."

"Who is this person?" she asked curiously. "She knows about me? About Elder Blood powers?"

"She knows many things without anyone telling her."

They rode down the road snaking from the city gate bridge and between the village and the river. Few paid them any mind.

They left the horses to graze and went to the village on foot. Yennefer was waiting at the village board. Together they went to the designated hut.

Kain went in first while they waited on the bench outside. In a minute, he ushered them in.

Fealinn smiled approaching Ciri to take her cloak.

"Greetings! I've heard a lot about you from Dandelion. But you're much prettier in person." She looked to Yennefer. "Same as you, Lady Yennefer."

Ciri could not help but be a tad suspicious, even if it had been Kain's idea.

"You know Dandelion?" she asked the beautiful creature smiling at her. Creature, because she was not quite human, was she? There was something shimmering around the edges of her body, like magic. But Ciri could not put her finger on what its purpose was.

"Oh, who doesn't? But yes, I know him, he visits me frequently for massage. I'll explain how I work in a minute." Fealinn stepped around Ciri to Kain, squeezing his arm.

"It's all right, you can go. She's safe here." She took his face in her hands, touching her forehead to his in an elvish expression of feeling, then let go.

Kain nodded and stepped out, closing the door behind him to go get the horses.

Ciri frowned with mild confusion. Had Kain brought her here for a massage? Lured her out under the pretense of getting to practice her powers, when in reality he just wanted someone to babysit her while he and Geralt was gone?

Ciri glanced at Yennefer, who was if possible even more confused than Ciri, watching as she followed the woman with her shrewd gaze. "I'm sorry, what am I doing here exactly?"

Fealinn smiled warmly. "I was under the impression that you needed some guidance concerning your magic. And also by the look of it, you could use some relaxation. You're like a disturbed ball of snakes, hissing and biting. Anger, confusion, impatience, rage... I could help. But if you believe you need no help, you both are free to leave. By the means of a portal, as it has been specified to me."

Ciri frowned again, though this time it was directed inwardly. She peered down at herself as if trying to see what Fealinn saw.

"If I did not believe I do not need help, I would not have come," Ciri said softly. "I simply don't understand how, erm, massages will help me practice my magic." And what qualified her to teach Ciri about the power of Elder Blood? She paused, watching Fealinn curiously. "Are you Aen Elle?"

"I am not a pure blood. More on the side of Aen Seidhe." Fealinn shot a glance Yennefer's way and gestured for the kitchen. "Let me treat you to some cider. Please."

She went to the counter and produced three mugs and a pitcher, poured them all drinks.

"Massage is what I do," she explained. "It's the way I use my power - through my hands. I am a channel that creates a safe space for people to find what they're looking for, be it new ideas, inspiration, answers about themselves, or even mere pleasure. It's up to them what they receive, my work is in making sure they have aid getting it.

"It doesn't mean you should do the same. But it means I could aid you in finding the outlets for your magic, because it's exaggerating your emotions and temper when it's bottled up inside. With that, I could also help you with what I do - let your energy flow through you in a more balanced way. If you would want it, that is."

Ciri followed her to the kitchen and leaned against the table, accepting the cup Fealinn handed her with a grateful smile, listening while she explained.

"I do want it. I want to learn. To not have to constantly hold back. But… I am also scared. My power has been unpredictable and it has also brought out a side of me I don't much care for. Cruelty.

"And my current enemies are using my powers to track me." Ciri looked to Yennefer. "You will have to shield me if this is to work."

"You are safe here," Fealinn said. "I use a shielding magic of my people. I believe it could be enough. But it's my work place that is protected. In the basement. I will show you if you decide to trust me." She sipped her cider.

"I trust you," Ciri said. "Because I trust Kain."

"You are here because he trusts you fully," Fealinn said. "I live in secrecy, posing as a human. Even Dandelion thinks so. No one knows, except for Kain. And now you."

"I will not tell anyone of your secret," Ciri vowed honestly. Who was she to reveal such a thing?

"I know that," Fealinn said, "as well as Kain does."

Ciri finally had a sip of the cider and looked around, a little awkward. "So… how do we begin?"

The elf girl finished her drink, set the mug on the table and looked between her two guests.

"I will ask Lady Yennefer to wait here and have more cider, while you and I proceed to my working space where we begin."

Ciri shot a look at Yennefer and then nodded, putting her own half-empty mug down on the table, ready to follow. "Alright."

Fealinn led Ciri into another room where she removed a small carpet and opened the door beneath it; it revealed a set of stairs. She invited Ciri to come down and followed, pulling the door closed behind her.

She smiled seeing Ciri's curious gaze wandering over the tapestries and candles and lamps that had ignited as soon as they came down. In the middle of the cozy room filled with magic trinkets was a massage table that was arranged like a bed with a couple of round pillows, red and green.

Fealinn fed more logs to a small fireplace in the corner and turned to Ciri.

"I would like to examine you, if you stand straight and still over here? Yes, here. If you trust me."

Ciri tried not to let her gaze wander too much when Fealinn asked her to still, keeping her arms at her sides, fists loosely clutched. She met the elf's gaze. "You have yet to give me a reason not to trust you."

"I hope that won't happen," Fealinn said, taking Ciri's hand and gently loosening it. She looked at the ashen-haired girl with a warm smile. "You're very tense. Very tight, like a string that is about to snap. That creates blocks in your power - where it gets stuck and gathers, stirs your emotions until you explode. That I can help you with - it's easily fixed with my massage and guidance to help you learn how to feel your life force and how it flows. This way you can learn to feel it and direct its flow on your own. Cath said you're talented and learn fast."

"I have reason to be tense," Ciri said softly in a meek defense, swallowing and eyeing their joined hands because this was all very uncomfortable and new. "Cath?"

Fealinn peered at her with amusement, "Gwyncath. I thought you were familiar with his names. White Cat, elvish."

"Right." Ciri nodded, feeling silly. "He introduced himself as Kain, so that's what I've been calling him."

"Kainarel," the elf said, sliding her palm down along the girl's back without touching her. "He used to be Gwyncath as a witcher and in Brokilon. The druid Mousesack called him Kain."

"I remember," Ciri said, tensing slightly when the woman's hand hovered over her back.

"I'm not going to hurt you, Ciri," Fealinn said, taking her hand away and standing in front of the girl that was like a bristled small animal near snarling and pressing its back into a corner. The elf held her hands out to Ciri and smiled an open smile. "I wouldn't do anything you wouldn't want or approve. My work is to heal, not to hurt or damage. Do you trust it?"

Yennefer ventured around the elf's hut, examining her stuff while she was busy with Ciri, slowly sipping her cider, learning as much as she could about her.

"It's hard for me to be touched in certain places," Ciri admitted. "My back being one of them."

She tentatively reached out to take Fealinn's hands.

"I can feel it," the elf said, peering at her with warmth and sympathy. "But I wish to help if you want me to.

"We, all creatures with dense bodies, live on a constant exchange of energy, warmth, life force, sensations - it makes us feel a part of life, a part of the world - in simpler terms, not alone. It is important for every living creature. Not one of them can survive alone.

A touch can harm - you know that already. But a touch can also heal, pass on tenderness, affection, warmth, love. An embrace can heal a soul. A touch, massage, caress, stroke of certain areas can heal, undo the knots and blocks, restore the balance."

Ciri nodded, still unable to fully let go of the tension in her shoulders. "What do I have to do?"

Fealinn studied her a moment with a subtle smile. "You have to trust it and want it. If touch repulses you, we cannot do it."

Ciri swallowed. "Will I have to take my clothes off?"

Fealinn's smile turned sympathetic as she nodded slowly. "With how closed you are, it's best if the contact is skin on skin. So the force flows freely."

Ciri processed that a moment, then nodded again. "Alright."

She started with her boots because it was the easiest, slowly but without further hesitation removing the rest of her clothes as well until she stood bare before the elf.

Fealinn turned away from the girl while she undressed and lit the oil lamps; the smoke began to coil upwards spreading faint herbal and flowery fragrances.

"I know how you feel about being touched in intimate places - we shall avoid it until you feel ready to heal that block. It is all up to you and you alone, Ciri. I will not do anything you don't want me to do. You can stop me any moment you like. We are here for you. I need you to know it."

"I believe you." Ciri fought hard not to give into the urge to cover herself up again, trying to be patient, waiting for whatever it was she was going to do.

Fealinn gestured to the massage table. "Lie down on your stomach and make sure you're comfortable like it's your bed, that your breath is not restricted."

Ciri obeyed, climbing onto the table and positioning herself on her front, adjusting to get as comfortable as she could be at this moment. It was rare that she slept on her stomach. It left her far too vulnerable should someone sneak up on her at night.

Fealinn picked one from a line of vials and rubbed some oil between her palms, then approached her.

"If you trust me, close your eyes and try to relax. I don't know if you have had a massage before, but it will be pleasant. And while you I'm working, try to look within and feel your power, feel how it flows and moves inside you, how you can access it and direct its flow. You understand?"

"I think so." Ciri closed her eyes and breathed deeply in an attempt to drain tension from her muscles, turning her attention inwards.

Fealinn neared her quietly, closed her eyes for a second to focus her magic, then gently lay her hands on Ciri's shoulders, fingers sinking into the skin masterfully, pressing into the right spots and just the right way to coax her muscles to uncoil and loosen up. The elf's magic seeped into Ciri through Fealinn's warm palms to soothe and caress and comfort, to envelop her in the feeling of safety and invigorate at the same time.

Ciri was prepared for Fealinn's hands on her, so she did not flinch when she felt her touch.

The hands that had been fisted at Ciri's side eventually opened the more she managed to relax, and she lost herself in the wonderful feeling the elf was providing her with.

Though it was tempting to give into sleep, Ciri directed her mind to sense for her power like the elf had told her earlier.

Gradually the elf tended to all the muscles and knots that needed work, leaving her body buzzing with pleasure and relaxation.

"If you need to sleep, don't fight it," Fealinn said. "Sometimes healing requires it."

Though Ciri's body craved it, she did not want to sleep. She didn't know what would happen. Would Eredin be waiting?

No, she could not. She focused on the sensations Fealinn was creating inside her instead. That and the source of power within that was pulsing like an emerald green heart. In Ciri's mind, anyway.

Fealinn went from her shoulders and neck to her heels and feet once again, then covered her with a warm plaid and stepped away.

"Relax, give yourself some time to adjust, then get up when you're ready. I'll be here if you want to talk or ask questions."

Fealinn wiped her hands on a towel and fed a log to the fire.

Ciri remained still for a few more moments before she begun to move her fingers and toes, slowly coming up to sit, wrapping the blanket around herself.

"This was very nice," she admitted, eyelids a tad heavier than they had been when she came in. "But I still don't quite understand how this is to help me practice my power."

"When you learn to feel how the power moves through you - you learn to express it and do what you need to do with it, be it healing or battle. It's about how you feel and direct your power, how you guide it to do what you need it to do.

"How well have you felt it? How good was your connection to it?"

"I feel it all the time. I didn't use to when I was a child but once I jumped for the first time, I have never stopped feeling it. It is right here." Ciri placed a hand to her chest. "Just beneath the surface of my skin. Straining. Vibrating. Demanding to be put to use."

"It's good," Fealinn said, smiling. "It's good to be in contact with it. But jumping as you call it is not all there is to it.

"It's a part of you, like blood, it flows through you giving you life. Unlike with blood, however, you can put it to work outside of your body, express it. The question is, what would you like to learn."

"Killing evil Aen Elle would be a start," Ciri murmured, lowering her gaze because she knew that was not the right answer. Not the answer mages wanted to hear.

Fealinn smiled sympathetically and reached for Ciri's hand, squeezing it gently in support.

"I know how you feel. I know how it is to be lost in anger and hatred. But it's not the power to reach for when you want to save and preserve. Anger and rage drain a warrior instead of fueling his strength.

"When you know who you are and what you're fighting for, when you don't let yourself drown in rage and fury to lose self-control - then you can be strong enough to fight your battles.

"When there's too much anger and despair in your life, in your body, you need to find more love to heal it. Search for love, Ciri. Search for it around you, in everything there is in the world, in everyone who loves you, and within yourself. Nurture it like you would a flower you have planted to make it grow. Try to make it grow, and your power will grow with it."

"I have love. I know love. And I try to nurture it, but… those I love, we don't get to spend much time together. We are almost always apart. Even now, in the same city...we are not together. I have become a child again, small and vulnerable in the eyes of those who care about me. Even those who don't. I must be protected. And it hurts me. Every time I am not permitted to take part, to help, because they are afraid for me, it hurts like a blade to my skin."

Ciri was crying silently and was not even aware of it.

Fealinn neared quietly and embraced her, as gently as it goes.

"They love you very much, and they try to protect you because of their fear of losing you. Not because you're a helpless child, but because you and having you with them means everything. Forgive them for it. You need to forgive. Then some of this tension will go away.

"Trust yourself, Ciri. Trust yourself and them. You will find that moment, the opportunity to help if you trust it. It will come. When there is power, there is always a way to use it. It will come."

Ciri let Fealinn embrace her. It actually felt good. And soon enough she found herself crying onto the elf's shoulder, with no idea of why she was weeping in the first place. It seemed silly, like she should pull herself together and buck up, like Vesemir would say. But the tears were cathartic and the more she cried the more Ciri relaxed in the elf's arms.

"I'm sorry," she said once they parted, frowning and awkwardly patting at the wet spot on Fealinn's dress.

"You have nothing to be sorry about," Fealinn said, taking her by the shoulders for a moment. "It's all right. It's also a healing. You hold so much inside that it is bound to come out in a blast. Better this way than some other. You need an outlet for emotions and things you feel, it's natural. This is why many people like massage, or sex, or drinking, or fighting - they seek ways to release something that has been gathering inside, something pent up. You need it, too."

"I'm very good at the last two – drinking and fighting. I was raised by Witchers, after all." Ciri wiped at her face with the back of her hand. "Crying was not exactly encouraged. With the Witchers or my grandmother's court."

"Crying is not something to be ashamed of," the elf said. "It's also a way of the body to release tension and pain. It's healthy, and it's not to be blocked by what people believe can be shameful. It's silly. Nature-given ways are never shameful."

Ciri smiled a little. "I shall try to remember it. Thank you for–" she gestured to her, the massage table, and the room in general, "–this. It was nice. New. How am I to pay you?"

"Oh no, it hasn't been arranged by you, and you're not exactly a usual client, so it's not for you to pay me." The elf smiled again. "I would be happy to know I could help with something. But I'm afraid if it's just a massage you have gained, it's not really all you and I could have worked out here.

"That power of yours - what do you use it for? Aside from travel."

"I have healed with it. A unicorn foal when I was young myself. That is the only successful actions I have done while in control of myself. When out of control… I made it rain in the desert. I opened a portal to some hell dimension from which demonic creatures appeared. I shattered The Wild Hunt's skulls by screaming. And I made a man explode with a simple hand movement."

"Oh… well, that is impressive as far as power goes," the elf said with an inscrutable smile. "But healing is a nice skill to practice when one wants to learn control and let more love inside – because this is what you heal with. Love. When you express love with your magic, it's when healing comes out." Her smile widened, "Of course, healing is a skill you use when someone's hurt. And that doesn't happen all the time, I hope. It would be very unfortunate, unless you're a Melitele priestess that helps every sick person that comes from all around the temple."

She regarded Ciri closely.

"You've spent quite some time with Cath… Kain. You've seen him use his magic, I'm sure. His magic is very similar to yours by the feel of it. Are you familiar with the art of empathy?"

"To feel the emotions someone else feels?" Ciri tried a little uncertainly. "Kain says he can read me. Even when he is not trying to. That seems exhausting. My… Yennefer, she can read minds but I don't think what she does makes her an empath."

Fealinn nodded with understanding. "The sorceresses and mages like Yennefer use certain spells to read the thoughts. It's not empathy – it's mind-reading.

"What Kain does is empathy. He uses no spells – his power does the work like your nose does its work by breathing for you. Sense the difference?

"Of course, Kain has been trained since early age and does it without thinking. His power works on habit and catches emotions and feelings of people around him. If he puts efforts in – he could dig deeper. When he doesn't – it's only whiffs, like scents and aromas we catch while walking down a street. We don't try to smell things, but when the smell is strong enough, we do. Because we have a nose. It's how it is with his magic.

"If you wish to learn it – you start with small practice. Easiest is a touch. You learn to direct your magic into your hands and through them – into the one you touch to read them. People are great to practice, but one can start with animals. Any animals.

"Imagine an example: you go into the woods for a walk, and there is a wolf. It walks out of the shrubs, snarling, drool dripping off its fangs, scruff bristled, it's readying to attack. What do you do? Brought up by witchers, you pull your sword. Cath, brought up by druids and witchers, sends an impulse to the animal that pacifies it. No killing needed. Empathy is reading emotions of other people. But it can work the other way when one is strong enough – you can send emotions, pass it on like a message. Any creature is capable of recognizing love when they feel it. It is a universal language – the one of feelings."

"So, I should practice with love? Sending love? To the people and animals in my life?"

"Or you could start with reading them – animals and people in your life." Fealinn squinted cunningly, "You have animals? You probably have a horse. Start there. Stroke it, caress it, touch it, and through that touch, reach out with your power to that horse and sense, probe for what it feels at this moment. There is always emotion, always a feeling to read. Learn to read it. Feel it. And then, you learn to send it to animals that don't know you."

"I do have a horse. Well, we have each other." Ciri nodded. "I can do that. I can try."

"Good," the elf nodded. "You also have Yennefer. She can help you train to communicate with your mind. Let her think of something, an image, a person, a word – anything you two can think of – and you take her hand and try to reach out with your magic and find that information. It is another exercise I offer you try. I am sure it can be entertaining, given Lady Yennefer is a mage that cares a lot about you. It's always more favorable to train with friends and family. It can be like a game. Children learn in games. Adults are not that different."

Ciri had to smile a little. She could not imagine Yennefer playing, as such. But she knew the sorceress would indulge her.

"Are you—" Ciri gestured to the space around Fealinn's head. "Are you using some kind of glamour? For the humans?"

"Yes, I use my magic to suggest things to humans," the elf confessed. "It's more like hypnosis. They see me the way I suggest they do. It's keeping me alive around this city. Kain is the only one who knows the truth. Now you do, too."

"Could I learn to do that? To make people see me as something other than I am?"

Fealinn shrugged, "It might be possible. If your power gets strong enough and you learn to reach out to people with it, you can send them strong enough impulses, images, thoughts that would stay with them. But it comes with training. You could damage someone's mind if you do not know how to do what you want to do. The human mind is a very complicated world of its own. It has so many defensive mechanisms that they could overlap in funny ways and make permanent blocks, blank spots, or form madness."

"With caution, then." Ciri had known that particular one had been too good to be true. "At a later time."

The elf nodded. "Yes. Rushing magic skills doesn't make them better. Practice does."

"How do you know Kain?"

Fealinn's mouth twitched subtly in amusement. "Brokilon. We both had found a sanctuary there for a while. I wasn't there when the battle happened, and I heard he died along with Morénn, the queen's daughter. I never returned there, found a new life for myself. We met here, a day ago, by accident. Dandelion sent him here."

"You knew her? Morénn?"

"I did. Not too closely – we weren't like sisters or even close friends. But all of us non-humans who were taking refuge in Brokilon knew the Queen's daughter. She was a fierce warrior and would be a good leader."

Ciri nodded. "The good die young. Is that not the saying?"

"Everybody dies, old and young," the elf said. "Even the initially immortal ones die. When their time comes. Things like wars, however, rush that time. It's a shame."

"It is." Vesemir and Coen's faces flashed before Ciri's mind. "Can I put my clothes back on?"

Fealinn laughed. "Of course, Ciri. No need to ask. You are in control, remember?"

"Right." She smiled slightly and slipped off the table, moving to where she had left her clothes in order to put them on. "You said I were not like your usual clients. What did you mean by that?"

"Usually it's men. Somehow humans believe men deserve a massage while women don't, unless they're the ones who love women. Most perceive my work a certain way until they experience it. Some use it like they wish to perceive it – they come for intimate pleasure without bearing the guilt of lying to their spouses. Because they can say with certainty there has been nothing that qualifies as sex. Just like they don't call their self-pleasuring an act."

"Has anyone ever tried to go further?" Ciri fastened her belt and knelt down to pull on her boots. "To be more physical, I mean?"

"Of course. There's always men like that. No way around it – unless you use magic like I do. I can deal with such. They don't remember being like this with me."

"Shouldn't they? Remember, I mean? So they can learn from their lesson?"

"I don't teach lessons," the elf said. "I merely suggest they do not get those ideas when they are with me."

"That is fair." Ciri stood up when her boots were on. "I hope to be able to handle those situations better someday."

"Better?"

"In the past I was, at times, too afraid to handle it at all. I was defeated before they even touched me.

"And now… If anyone were to try… I would kill them. Without a doubt."

"I see." The elf nodded, contemplative. "I understand. I used to be like you. I used to react that way when I felt I could. Now, my life is different. I chose it so. The price for peace and life is maintaining peace. Which is why I do not teach such lessons, anymore. I have to be invisible in order to have life and peace. I have to be impossible to remember enough to be recognized in the crowd."

"All I have to do is lower my hood and I will be recognized. Maybe someday it will be different. I hope so."

"If you would be recognized everywhere, you wouldn't be here at all, Ciri," the elf reasoned. "Your hair color is rare, but not unique. You're not utterly exposed in this world. Only those who know you, know you. It could have been much worse. Like with Lady Yennefer – she gets recognized far more."

"And yet that is what everyone tells me: Stay inside or you'll be recognized." Ciri smiled a little, shrugging. "Maybe I should take your advice and simply accept the concerns of an overprotective father."

Fealinn smiled. "Even if they want you to stay hidden and safe, you know now what you could busy yourself with. When you get better with magic, no one will deny that you can do more than before. No one will deny you chances to aid them. Make them see it and be proud."

"I will." She just needed Yennefer's help to mask the magic while she practiced.

Ciri hesitated. "I do not even know your name…"

"People know me as Melika," she said. "It's how one can find me. Kain knows me as Fealinn. My real name."

"Fealinn," Ciri tasted the name on her tongue. "Beautiful."

"Thank you. Wish to come up to Yennefer?"

"Yes. She probably tires of waiting."

Ciri headed for the stairs that would take them back to the upper floor.