~WRITERS' NOTE:

We're happy to see you're well, RedHood001! We've been slightly worried. And yes, Visenna is always a mystery, and of course she is important. Even though she's never been there physically in Geralt's life, she's one of the most vital parts of his inner world. A lot of unresolved issues there.

Thank you, grotesk, for your reviews! It makes us happy you're gaining so many good emotions! Geralt and his relationship with Visenna is one of the most important in his long life, and it's had too little 'screen time' both in books and show. As for Kain, Geralt was rather used to what he remembered of him from the school, and only now he had that bright realization that it's not just a witcher sidekick and friend but his true blood brother. It's not something Geralt is accustomed to. And, oh, Nenneke! We do love her a lot. She can be pushy about her Temple's customs, but even so she does respect Yennefer and her input in Ciri and Geralt's lives, despite all the things the two women disagree on.

Thank you, MoreBonesPlz, for your reviews! As you so wisely noticed, with Geralt's current condition, it's the little treasures and moments that matter most. When Ciri and Geralt discuss their dislike for mages, neither of them means Yennefer, but rather mages that usually scorn them. Both Ciri and Geralt had their times of trouble brought about by mages, and even Yennefer has scorned Geralt back in their first meeting with her vindictive show performed at his expense.

Dear queenswick, we thank you for your kind words and appraisal of this story. We're happy it's to your liking and that you're waiting for new chapters impatiently. It means the world to us! We hope you continue to enjoy it!

Thank you so much, dear readers! We love every feedback you give and we hope to not disappoint you! See you all on the pages! Be safe ~

By the time Ciri returned, Nenneke was already there, an empty vial from the potion in her hand.

"I'll send the meals," she said. "And then more rest. No other way to recover, and I will hear no arguments."

Kain opened his mouth, but, upon catching Geralt's look, he changed his mind. Nenneke seemed satisfied.

"You gave us too little hope, young witcher, and now it's important to be careful and not overstrain."

The witcher brothers were silent, Kain didn't look happy about the rules.

"Ciri," Mother Nenneke greeted. "I hope you understand your nightly shifts here are over, and you shall catch up on your own rest."

Expecting no resistance, Nenneke left to take care of the breakfast.

Kain groaned. "I'd rather be dead."

"That's rather rude," Ciri commented, arms folded over her chest as she regarded him. "Considering how hard we've been fighting to keep you alive."

"It was so stupid to get caught," he said wearily. "Stupidity of that proportion doesn't deserve to live. I'm sorry you had to save me."

"You're not a god, Kain," said Geralt. "None of us is."

"And yet..."

"She was prepared better than we were. We should've known better."

Ciri took a seat on the edge of Kain's bed, examining him closely. "What happened? We found Vesemir's medallion. And yours."

Kain's had already been placed around his neck. Ciri kept Vesemir's.

"I noticed something gleaming in one of the pools. I guess it was Vesemir's medallion. I reached for it, and then... I don't know. I guess another drowner attacked me, pushed me into the pool and there was no bottom anymore. My sword got stuck in the drowner, and it could've ripped the medallion off me before it died." His hand crept for the Cat necklace. "I ran out of air and refused to draw power from the swamp - it was all poisoned by her magic. I didn't think dying was worse than letting her filth in. I wasn't sure how it would end. She used it against me, as we all know." He glanced over the scar stretching along his forearm down to his wrist.

"You didn't have to count solely on yourself," Geralt said. "You had us."

Ciri's heart skipped a beat as Kain explained about his misfortunes in the swamp, but she quickly pushed the more unpleasant facts aside. They weren't important.

"Geralt's right," she said. "We found you. You're not alone anymore."

"My presence made things worse than they could've been," Kain stated. "She tried to bring her sisters back. She might not have succeeded without me. How did you stop her? Or them?"

"We tracked your blood to their dimension, and Yennefer and I managed to get you away while Geralt stayed behind to fight them. All three of them." Ciri watched the Witcher with admiration in her eyes.

"They were all weaker than they could've been," Geralt explained. "Probably because the Crone gave them the major share of her magic along with your blood. None of them was at her full power, but even then they kicked my behind. If not for Ciri..."

Kain snapped his eyes open to flick them from Geralt to Ciri. "What did you do?"

Ciri folded her arms across her chest. For some strange reason, she didn't want to tell him. And she couldn't quite explain why.

"I destroyed their dimension with the Crones still in it. Got Geralt out at the last moment."

Kain blinked, astonished. "How?"

"Remember the man who shot you last time we were in Velen? Like that," Ciri said, eyes on her feet. "Only... stronger. I was angry. That helped."

Frowning, Kain was trying to digest it. "You... made their dimension implode on itself? And kept your control while doing it? Without Avallac'h? Or Yennefer helped you?"

"Yennefer stayed with you," Geralt said, his own brow furrowing subtly: Kain's reaction made him wary. As if there was a catch he wasn't seeing.

Ciri shrugged. "Seems like. Got Geralt out. Then brought you and Yennefer here so we could get help from Nenneke."

Ciri's response - or rather her reluctance to indulge him - was strange, but Kain felt too tired to dig in and torture her about it. Geralt didn't seem any more inclined to analyze the Crones' defeat.

"Thank you for saving my life," Kain said, letting his eyes close. "Even though I'm a bed prisoner now."

"Strange how you've never seemed sympathetic when I've been put on bedrest," Ciri smirked. "Maybe that will change from now on."

The mischievous look faded from Ciri's features to give way to the genuine relief she felt at having him awake and talking. So much better than he had been the night before.

"I'm glad you are alright."

Kain's lips twitched in the subtlest of smiles while his eyes remained closed. "I'll be much better as soon as I can escape this room."

"Not now, though," Nenneke said, walking in. Another priestess came after her carrying a tray with bowls for Geralt and Ciri. Nenneke sat down on the bed with a bowl for Kain.

"Come on, Cat Witcher, you have to eat."

He winced but didn't try to fight her. He recalled very well how useless any resistance was when Nenneke was involved.

Ciri stepped away from the bed to allow Nenneke to do her work, intending to bring her own bowl out to the balcony but pausing before she could do so.

"Did you bring enough for Yennefer? Or shall I go fetch some?"

Nenneke scoffed softly, sending a spoonful into Kain's reluctant mouth. "Of course, I sent a girl her way. Though you can go and make sure your sorceress isn't starving."

"She said she would join us, so I am certain she will." Ciri still didn't like Nenneke's tone when it came to Yennefer, but there didn't seem to be much she could do about it.

She stepped out onto the balcony with her breakfast, greeting the early morning sun.

"This is not an appropriate time for gatherings," Nenneke reprimanded. "He needs more rest, and you all can find yourselves plenty of other places to be while he does."

Geralt rolled his eyes subtly but said nothing. Both brothers felt it was futile.

"Kain has been up against worse in the last day than a little lack of rest, Nenneke," Yennefer said as she entered the room, the bowl a priestess had delivered in hand. "Let them celebrate."

Her eyes came to rest on the younger witcher with silent appraisal, ignoring Nenneke's sharp look of annoyance or the fact that of all the bodies within his recovery space she was probably the least welcome.

"How are you feeling, Kain?"

"I feel tired and still alive," Kain responded.

"It's too early to celebrate anything," Nenneke said, scooping another spoon of the stew. "Just a few more," she murmured encouragingly, then shot Yennefer a disapproving look. "You can leave your empty bowl on the table, I'll take it away. Now, it's not a ballroom, but a place to recover. Everyone who's not supposed to be here should leave."

Smiling, Geralt stood up to put his bowl on the tray. "Don't worry, they're leaving."

"It's not I who should worry," she said, another spoon fed and she decided to spare the half-blood whatever remained of the stew. "More sleep now. You'll feel better next time you wake."

"Thanks," Kain said and shifted more comfortably.

Was Nenneke always this bossy?

Ciri looked out at the temple grounds before her with a thoughtful expression, idly stirring her food with a spoon. It didn't taste as good as food usually did. It was bland and dull. But somehow it felt like that had nothing to do with the cook's talents. Everyone else was enjoying their meals just fine.

She'd pushed her earlier reluctance aside as concern for Kain, but now he was awake...

Maybe her palate was changing? Maybe it was part of growing up and becoming a woman? The sorceresses – Yennefer excluded – hardly ever ate. At least in public.

Ciri sighed and turned back to the room, her bowl balancing on the railing of the balcony. "Should we contact Novigrad to make certain everything is alright there?" They'd been gone for a few days already.

"It wouldn't be amiss to try," Geralt agreed. "The only one of us with the means to do so is Yennefer."

"You will do it elsewhere," Nenneke said, taking the tray, and ushered them from the room. "Out. Let him rest."

The bowl that Yennefer was holding wasn't empty, she hadn't touched the food within, she'd merely carried it from the hall where a priestess had given it to her after she'd stepped from the room to this one. Yennefer had said she'd eat breakfast with Ciri and Geralt and that's what she'd intended to do. Nenneke, however, was in full brood mode, spoon-feeding Kain and nagging. She'd have smiled at the ludicrousness of it all but she didn't have the want.

"As you wish, Lady Nenneke," Yennefer said, tipping her head as if they were in fact in a ballroom and exchanging pleasantries. "Be well, Kain, and safe return from thy slumberous darkness."

Her gaze shifted pointedly toward Geralt and Ciri and then she whirled around and headed out, moving in search of a bench she knew was in the gardens outside so she could eat. She'd contact Triss after.

Ciri threw one last longing look Kain's way, then followed Yennefer outside. Geralt appeared close on their heels.

They settled out in the garden, though Ciri barely sat for a few seconds before getting to her feet again, restless and reluctant to remain passive.

"I can't wait to be out of here."

"Why is that?" Geralt asked. "I know Nenneke had nearly no time to share with you and catch up, but now that he feels better..."

Yennefer wasn't as confused by Ciri's want to leave – not entirely. Nenneke and Ciri had always got on, but they were both equally stubborn, and a lot had changed since the last time they'd seen one another. Ciri was no longer a child. She harbored her own views and ways of looking at things and more importantly, she'd developed feelings for Kain and probably wanted to be the one to take care of him.

Yennefer would have been as prickly had Nenneke thought to physically step between herself and Geralt, too.

She decided to save Ciri the need to explain herself.

"Does it really matter? We can't afford to stay here a week anyway. The lodge will not sit around waiting for us and can guarantee they're already plotting their next demands."

"I won't move until Kain is fully well," Geralt said, strolling slowly in front of the bench Yennefer sat on. "If you wish to depart immediately, I won't stop you. But I thought we all could use a short break. This place is better than most for it."

"Of course we'll wait until he's healed," Ciri said, looking out over the garden. "I'm not much eager to get back to the Lodge, either." Bossy women all around. "But the longer we stay the more likely an attack will happen upon the temple."

The Witcher regarded her, frowning. "Why? The Crones are dead, and you have your dimeritium bracelet, don't you? How would they track you now?"

Ciri knew more about the Wild Hunt, so Yennefer hadn't bothered to interfere on that particular subject. "But Kain, if able, can rest up the same anywhere else, Geralt. Like Dandelion's inn. I've no want to deal with the Lodge longer than is necessary myself, but, they are a capricious bunch and we can't allow their demands to surge. We need them."

Ciri shrugged in regards to Geralt's question. "It wouldn't surprise me if they found a way. Nor if Emhyr goes back on his word. He can't be trusted. None of them can."

"We can't live in constant fear," argued Geralt. "It's exactly what the Hunters want. As for Emhyr, I don't suppose he'll try to sabotage the Lodge now - he already got a lot from you over those pardons. He's not a fool, he knows when he can press and when it's too much."

"Does he?" Ciri wasn't convinced. And a small voice inside her head was encouraging her to end her enemies once and for all before they could bring more harm.

The Hunt, Emhyr, The Lodge... All of them.

She reluctantly pushed the thought aside and brushed her hair away from her face. "It is rather beautiful here," she admitted, admiring the garden again. "Too many rules, but beautiful."

"She's not eager to judge and put up rules as you think," Geralt smiled subtly. "She's just not used to you being all grown. Give her a bit of time. It'll change."

Ciri eyed Geralt skeptically, even though as of late he and Yennefer had been quite good at letting Ciri make her own decisions. "Perhaps. It just feels strange still. Having people that care. It's a little overwhelming at times."

"We'll always care about you, Ciri," he said. "So will Nenneke. You were like a daughter to her, too. She's strict and straight-forward, don't hold it against her. She means well. Though you know it."

"Geralt's right. Nenneke has only ever wanted the best for you."

Which is why when Yennefer used to live on temple grounds they'd fought so much. Nenneke had nitpicked at a lot of the sorceress's methods. Unlike criticism that came from others that she ignored, Yennefer had taken it to heart, going so far as to take a break from Ciri for about a week to examine what the older woman was seeing and what she herself might have missed her teachings. Yennefer eventually concluded that it only had to do with magic and eventually they moved on.

"Even if her views are a tad more… inflexible than our own."

"And don't think I'm not grateful." Ciri was, very much so. But it was still hard to know everyone she cared about seemed to have such different expectations of her. Especially when she wasn't sure she would be able to fulfill any of them. "Shall we send a message to Novigrad?"

Yennefer took a few spoonfuls of her breakfast and then set the bowl down in her lap. "As soon as I know what you'd like me to tell them."

"Ask them if everything is as when we left them. If everyone is alright," Ciri decided quietly, setting her gaze on Yennefer. She was curious to see how the sorceress would complete this task.

"Fair," Yennefer mused, waiting on Geralt's input. He might want to send a message of some kind to Dandelion. She handed Ciri her partially eaten breakfast and got to her feet, heading in search of parchment and a quill from one of the priestesses with which to send the message.

Geralt watched the sorceress saunter away, her hips swaying, curls spilt over her shoulders bouncing slightly, then turned to Ciri with an assessing eye.

"Have you slept better?"

"In general, yes," Ciri admitted, shifting her gaze from the disappearing Yennefer and back to Geralt. She put the sorceress's half-empty bowl down on the ground. "Last Eredin entered my dreams, I managed to push him out."

Ciri sometimes wondered if she should try again. Forgo the potions Yennefer made for her simply to see if the elven king would be there when she fell asleep. And if she was better equipped at keeping him out on her own. She'd managed to kill the Crones. Why not him?

He peered at her with both amazement and wariness. "Pushed him out? With magic?"

"Or mental effort. I'm not sure exactly." Ciri sat down, pulling one leg up on the seat with her. "He's always been very clear about them being my dreams. He enters mine, not the other way around. So perhaps I have always had the power to push him out. I just didn't know."

"It's possible," he shrugged. "It seems you haven't quite scratched even the whole surface of what you can do."

"I suppose." That's what Avallac'h had always said. Or something similar. But Ciri hadn't been able to imagine herself as powerful then. Not truly. "And you?" she asked, her face suddenly alight with mischief. "Did you have a nice walk last night?"

His lips twitched ever so slightly. "It's good to walk before bed. Improves the sleep."

"Yes, I've heard it has those benefits," Ciri snickered.

She'd practically smelled the sex on Geralt when he walked into Kain's room the night before. That probably should have been disconcerting. But considering Ciri assumed Yennefer had been involved, the girl felt nothing but hopeful elation.

"And here I thought you wouldn't do anything to push Nenneke's boundaries."

"I pushed no boundaries," he said, smiling serenely. "I merely took a walk."

As soon as asked, one of the novices scampered off to find paper. Yennefer didn't have to wait long before the priestess returned and found a flat surface, beginning to scrawl her message to Triss.

'Dearest Triss,

Due to unforeseen happenings during Witcher business. Kain was hurt. Gratefully, due to the quick thinking of getting him to Nenneke's temple, he is on the mend and resting. However, Geralt, Ciri, and I will remain with him until he is able to travel, by either horse or portal.

My estimation is two days.

My hope, in the meantime, is that you placate the Lodge as I'm sure by now they must tire of the menial task of charity and assistance at the academy. Our war is not forgotten, nor is their promise.

Or your oath.

Sincerely your friend,

Yennefer'

She read it over once more to make sure it was clear, blew on the sheet of paper to dry the ink and then carefully folded it, chanting softly as she did, until eventually, it disappeared from her palm. Satisfied that the message was delivered, she headed back outside.

"Mhmm," Ciri smiled knowingly. Yennefer would be far more forthcoming with details, but Ciri didn't blame Geralt. "While we are here, you should take the time for some more... walks. It'll do you good."

Ciri made an effort to wipe the smile off her face when she saw Yennefer heading back towards them. "Is it done?"

"It is," Yennefer replied, observant of the smile that had been on Ciri's face as she approached. "I miss anything of importance?"

"Hardly," Geralt said. "Nothing important happens here unless something's brewing in the nearby towns. At the moment, it's just enjoying fresh air and some peace for us."

"Well, now you've cursed us," Ciri declared, though she sounded anything but cross. "Don't you know? As soon as someone declares we have peace, something bad is bound to happen."

She grinned and got to her feet, gesturing for Yennefer to take Ciri's abandoned seat on the bench next to Geralt.

"But, while we do have that peace..." Ciri was hoping Geralt and Yennefer would make the best of it between themselves, without involvement from Triss and the other sorceresses.

Yennefer accepted the seat beside Geralt, crossing her legs as she sat down, smiling her thanks at Ciri.

"We should make the best of it," she agreed, concluding what she thought was the end of Ciri's sentence. "Reasonable advice. At least it could be. This Crones killing mission of yours wasn't on our agenda before. Are there any other missions intended that I should be aware of?"

"Next stop was going to be Skellige," Geralt said. "But given the Hunt's attack of Oxenfurt, we'll have to take a bit of time to see if they pull off something equally destructive before people recovered. It's not too far from their nature."

"You think they'll attack the same location twice? While we're weak?" Ciri asked. It was a good strategy if damage was what they were looking to wreak.

"The only one that can give us a real answer on that is you, Ciri," Yennefer stated. "You've a better grasp of their patterns of attack, while we can only assume or estimate the usual strategies of war. What's your feel?"

"They never attacked cities before unless I was in them. Unless they thought I was hiding there," Ciri said.

"Now they aim to make you surrender," said Geralt. "By hurting as many as they can get to."

"Wasn't that their intention since they began chasing her?" Yennefer asked, piercing a look at Geralt. "That's not much of a change in approach."

"You mean they attacked her world to make her feel guilty before?" the Witcher perked up an eyebrow. "They were merely chasing her, and there were casualties among the few unfortunates who happened in their way. Nothing as big as a city assault."

"They're getting cleverer, that's for certain. Trying to see things from my perspective," Ciri commented. "Think like your prey and all that."

"Then Geralt and I should consider going back as soon as we can. Oxenfurt can't withstand another attack and it might be best if we try to convince the students to leave. We have time to try and get them to a safe place."

"We cannot convince people to leave their homes," Geralt reasoned. "Just like we have failed with Novigrad citizens. Besides, they're not the ones to attack where they're expected, as we have found out."

"Didn't you just say you had the thought that they'd attack at the same place again?" Yennefer inquired. "Are we not talking about Oxenfurt? That was their last place. Ciri's energy is stronger there."

The Witcher shrugged. "They could go to Novigrad this time - now that people there might think the danger's passed. Or they could decide on Vizima, or some small villages - one by one. Or Skellige - Ciri's traces might be everywhere. Thing is, we have no clue and no way of knowing. Avallac'h might. And I wouldn't expect him to tell us anything without being asked."

"So, we will ask him next we see him. If he is still in Novigrad, that is," Ciri said. "Might have gone back to Skellige again."

"Perhaps," Yennefer began, no longer interested in speculating. "You should reach out and contact him. We don't really have much time to waste."

"That's what ends the peace," Geralt sighed and got up from the bench. "Ciri was right, we jinxed it."

"If only that was really the case," Yennefer commented as Geralt stood. Only their trouble hadn't been over, and wouldn't be over until they'd fully taken care of The Hunt. "Going to check on Kain?"

"Among other things," he said and started away at a languid pace, enjoying the garden.

"You should go with him," Ciri urged Yennefer in a whisper. "Spend some time together now there is no one here to sway his attention."

"I'm surprised you're not going with him," Yennefer stated, a knowing smile twisted onto her mouth. "He is headed back to Kain. Isn't that where you want to be?"

"Of course. But I am not eager to have Nenneke chase me out again as though I have done something shameful. I'll go when he is alone." Ciri looked after Geralt's disappearing form, her brow briefly furrowed in thought. "Until then, I shall tend to the horses."

She turned without any further words and headed for the stables, quick on her feet.

The scissors in Nenneke's hand froze, and she turned around with Geralt's name on her lips, but it was Kain among the greenery, silent as a lurking cat.

"Now, look at that," Nenneke smirked. "You're just as stubborn. Glad to see you feel that much better."

"To feel that much better I need your permission to leave to the woods for a bit," he said. "It's how I heal."

"You never required our help with it, unlike your elven friends, and it made me wonder," she mused. "It could be luck, I told myself. And never asked."

"No, you never asked. But my luck is average."

"Some would disagree. He told me."

"I thought he would."

She regarded him with a pensive smile, then shook her head. "I never would've thought, even though you did remind me of him. I blamed the necklace."

"We have many commonalities, as well as differences. Whatever's in our faces is in the eyes of the beholder, however. Those who know tend to see it because they're looking for it."

"Perhaps." She sighed and turned back to her herbs, snipping. "Why do you need my permission? Could've snuck out."

"I'm your guest here."

She smiled to herself. "Fair. I shall not stop you."

He stroked a finger along a vervain flower stem and was about to leave when she turned to him again.

"Careful with the girl."

He gave her a conflicted look. "I'm trying to keep my distance but she would have none of it."

"Oh, I can see that. Ciri is full of passion and headstrong attitude, always has been - I guess, her training with Yennefer contributed to it a great deal. But unlike her, Ciri's always sure of what she wants."

He frowned slightly but kept silent. Nenneke nodded as if he spoke.

"She found you, didn't she," the priestess said, snipping another stem, and put it in her basket.

His eyes narrowed ever so slightly. "You also believe in destiny?"

"I believe that people mold their own destiny with their choices, Kainar. And you believe your life will put you where you need to be."

He smiled briefly, recalling their talks, but then he sobered again.

"It's not about destiny," she continued. "It's about what you want or don't want. As simple as that. But some of you witchers love to complicate simple things, just because you deem yourselves too complicated for them."

There was a pause, and she thought he left on his cat's feet, but then he spoke.

"Thank you."

"For the potions or sticking my nose into your business?" She was smirking when she cast a gander at him over her shoulder.

He smiled. "Both. I needed it."

She nodded. "Go with the Goddess, witcher. She takes care of all."

He bowed his head in a mute agreement and left. Nenneke snipped a few more leaves and took her basket to return to the Temple's lab.

Kain picked his path around the back of the Temple, and in his passing by the back wall of the stables, he clucked his tongue calling Onyx. The stallion pricked his ears and left his roll of hay, trotting for the gates where Kain was waiting.

"Leaving so soon?" Ciri called, her gaze following the progress of the stallion towards Kain as she rounded the stable wall.

Kain was up and walking – that was progress at least.

Kain chuckled. He wasn't surprised to fail at avoiding her. He rarely managed.

"I need an hour or two," he reminded, stroking the stallion's neck, and went to pull the latches on the gates open. "Beds and potions don't work as fast."

"You sure you can manage to get there and back?" He'd been in critical condition only last night. Ciri didn't like the thought of him passing out somewhere in the middle of the forest. Alone.

"I'm not alone," he nodded at the horse, and he pushed the gate open. Onyx trotted out and stopped a few yards away, waiting. "You already saved me when it mattered. Now I'll be fine, thanks to all of you."

Ciri smiled a little. "Nenneke and her priestesses did the work. We just brought you here."

He shook his head. "You came for me before she drained me. I would've let her. The price for fighting her was too high for me, I hesitated, and then it was too late."

"Right. The swamp magic," Ciri mused, remembering he had said as much earlier. She pushed the thought aside and regarded him. "Let me come along. I won't do anything to interfere with your healing. I'll just... be close by. In case of an emergency."

"There will be no emergency. I'd rather be alone for this. I'll be fine, I promise."

He turned and went to Onyx who made a few steps back to him. Kain mounted in one fluid motion and Onyx set out into gallop toward the woods.

Ciri stared after him, the dust that rose from under Onyx' hoofs temporarily hiding him. And then he was gone. Out of sight.

I could catch up with him easily, Ciri thought. I could make him stay with me no matter if he wants to or not.

Kelpie neighed from inside the stable and knocked Ciri out of her state of thought. She blinked, astounded by her own inner monologue, then brushed it aside, stepping towards the mare that demanded her attention.

Ciri made certain Kelpie and the other horses had fresh water and hay, then led her mare outside. She'd never been fond of being locked away in dark buildings anyway. Kelpie preferred the open sky, the feeling of sun and rain against her shiny coat.

The two trotted off down the road, veering in the opposite direction of where Kain and Onyx had traveled, both on foot. They soon came upon a field of green grass and wildflowers in abundance and Kelpie set off to graze while Ciri took a seat on the ground, watching the horse serenely while considering everything she, Geralt, and Yennefer had discussed.

She'd briefly entertained the thought of jumping back to Novigrad to press Avallac'h for information, but now a verbal battle with the elf seemed too tiring to follow through with. So Ciri simply allowed herself to enjoy the fresh air and sun for a while. It was a rare moment. And she had the sneaking suspicion it would soon end.

Geralt found their room empty and Kain's clothes absent. His sword, however, was still propped next to Geralt's.

The Witcher simpered knowingly and went to the tiny balcony. He bent over it a little to see the gates and noted Ciri and her mare walking away. No sign of Kain, though Geralt guessed where he was. Judging by the lack of hurry in Ciri's pace, she wasn't chasing.

He sighed and went back outside. Where Yennefer was still strolling the narrow paths among the beds of flowers, enjoying the sun.

"Kain asleep?" Yennefer asked, spotting Geralt.

"He's not there. Gone to the woods, I assume. I knew it was bound to happen soon when he made a face at the chamber pot."

"The chamber pot isn't for everyone," Yennefer teased. "Besides, I don't blame him for wanting to get out of the boundaries of the temple. The weather's good and the sun's out. Are you going after him?"

"What for? He's a grown man. He'll come back feeling better." He paused, casting a glance in the gate's direction. "Ciri went out as well. With her mare."

Yennefer had asked because he'd been so concerned the day before for Kain's wellbeing and still was. It seemed natural that he'd want to keep an eye on him.

"You saw her go with him?"

"She was alone with her mare and not in any hurry. I don't think she went after him."

Yennefer nodded and carefully went to his side to join him, linking her arm through his to coax him into a simple stroll with her. There wasn't much else for them to do. And Ciri had been right, while he was unencumbered by war or any other distractions, its best she actually hold onto the moment with two hands.

"About yesterday…" Yennefer began, her voice calm, a small smile on her features to let him know she wasn't going to be grilling him about love or feeling things. "What prompted your sudden curiosity? You said you'd remembered some things? Was it because of being here? Nenneke?"

Odd, that the one place they'd never actually spent much time together would spur that kind of curiosity or magic. Nevertheless, Yennefer was grateful.

"I don't know why I remembered it," he said. "It just flashed in my mind, but I couldn't place it." He looked at her with a small smile. "You want to share something else I have to know?"

"Have to know? As in life and death involved if you don't?" Yennefer countered, her lips twitching slightly. "It's hard to assume. I told you pretty much all of it yesterday – the highlights. It's easier if I know where your head is and what you're remembering. Not that all of it is good."

Geralt shrugged. "I don't know where my head is. It's hard to try to remember things you don't. I don't know what I'm looking for."

"Yet something came to mind before. There had to be a trigger. It's only a matter of finding out what it is."

He winced. "Don't dig too deep - I merely remembered the stones I meant to give you, that's all."

"Oh," Yennefer said, unable to contain the disappointment in her tone. She'd hoped that with yesterday he'd be more open to the idea. "I suppose it's a start."

"A start of what?" Geralt asked cunningly.

Was Geralt really trying to make her spell it out?

"Of gaining your memories."

Of them. The us the Djinn had robbed them of.

He took a deeper breath that was a good alternative to a sigh, and said nothing.

Yennefer sensed the change easy enough. She kept a hold of his arm a few silent minutes longer, recollecting his mention of patience the day before and then slowly withdrew her hand.

It was so much easier said than done.

"I'm going to go have a look around the library, see if Nenneke has acquired any new information we could use since the last time I was here."

Yennefer doubted there would be any new, but then again, it was no more than an excuse, one they could utilize to take away from the guilt and push of pressure she tended to encourage every time she opened her mouth. She offered him a smile and then headed off toward the library.

He looked as she was walking away, then went to have one more circle around the garden. Dinner time was coming.

Horse's hooves pounding against a dying forest floor. Frost smoke expelled from a muzzle bound with black leather. Three elven hearts beating in unison with greedy elation. The Hunt is here. They have come for their prize. They will be left wanting.

Ciri opened her eyes and found herself in the same spot where she had dozed off a few minutes earlier. In the warmth of the sun, surrounded by wildflowers and bumblebees, Kelpie peacefully grazing a few feet away... It was hard to imagine her dream had been real.

But it was. She felt it with every fiber of her being. The Hunt had come to Crookback Bog. Hoping to find her broken by the crones and ripe for the taking.

Biggest mistake of their lives.

A flash of emerald.

Theoden Glyncrana, a mage in Eredin Bréacc Glas army, led his two fellow soldiers out of the scorched temple. They'd arrived mere minutes ago with the aid of Caranthir himself, and a new portal would open nearby in exactly twenty-six minutes. A portal the three Aen Elle were meant to use to transport The Swallow and the Witcher boy back to their world. And to their King who craved the Children of Elder Blood more and more every day.

The frost was steadily working its way towards the heart of their world. The elves settled in the mountains on the far edges had already been forced to flee. It was only a matter of time before the inhabitants of Tir Na Lía would be forced to do the same. Elder Blood was their only hope.

And they had been here. Very recently.

But not any longer. Something had happened here. Something big. Even if the huts had not been burned and the swamp drained of life, Theoden would have felt it. Something like a magical cataclysm.

"There's nothing here," one of the soldiers pointed out unnecessarily, igniting Theoden's urge to squash him like a bug. For who would be blamed when they returned emptyhanded? Not the nameless soldiers, that was certain.

No, Theoden would be the one to take the brunt of Eredin's anger. And the very thought made his heart race with an oncoming panic.

He exhaled heavily through parted lips and stared off into the line of decayed trees. Then paused, perking.

"There!" Theoden cried, gesturing to the spot up ahead where he had just seen a blonde figure dash away.

The two soldiers jumped onto their horses and gave chase immediately, swords drawn, the sound of hoof-beats making the ground tremble. Theoden remained behind, licking his lips hungrily, one hand clutched around his wizard's staff in anticipation.

It wasn't long before he could hear the clashing of swords, grunts, and cries of exertion and pain, the shrill protest of a horse panicking.

Theoden strode forth, leaving his own mount behind as he hurried after the soldiers. He was already half-muttering spells under his breath, preparing to snare the girl with magic while she was distracted with his fellow elves.

A plan that came up short when Theoden heard approaching footsteps. He paused and stared. From behind one of the trees, Zireael emerged, panting lightly, her blonde locks falling from their ties to frame her beautiful face. Her cheeks were flushed with a pink hue and her green eyes shone with an emotion Theoden could not quite decipher. Not until her lips parted in a smile.

Her sword was drenched in blood, dripping with it. Theoden could tell by the way she moved, with such ease and grace, that none of it belonged to her.

Theoden swung his staff as Zireael charged for him but struck only air when the girl vanished. She reappeared a second later, sword flung to the ground, her legs wrapped around his waist tightly. Delicate hands clamped down on either side of Theoden's head, and startled, he gasped as she claimed his lips in a deep kiss.

Pain exploded in the mage's head and spread down towards his chest and abdomen. She was doing... She was doing something... Theoden's legs failed him and he fell to his knees in the mud.

Ciri didn't relent when the elf fell. She held onto him as though her life depended on it, her lips fused to his as she inhaled, drew him in. His power was hers for the taking. His life was hers. She fed on it greedily without hesitation or remorse, grinding her hips down against him to heighten the pure pleasure that coursed through her body.

It didn't feel human. Ciri didn't feel human. She was something else. Something more. Her whole being was giddy with it. With an ancient power that only promised further ecstasy the more magic she used. The more people she killed.

They were all unworthy of her anyway. Betrayers and usurpers. All were out to harm her. And use her. They deserved death. This elf deserved death.

And that is what she gave him.

Ciri's cry of bliss was swallowed by the elf's mouth. She fell back, releasing him, entirely out of breath, and her whole body buzzing with renewed energy and a temporary satiated need for more power.

She looked at the elf. He was no longer handsome. Nothing more than skin stretched taut over bones. Gaunt and hollow. She'd taken all of him and only the scraps remained. They would rot here along with the mutilated corpses of his fellow Aen Elle.

They'd come here thinking they could take her.

Ciri laughed.