Chapter five
Fates intertwine
Appearing in the world of the Aen Elle certainly a new experience, once that Cirilla had done before but not Kiko, nor had she ever traveled in such a way. Once they landed there, Kiko had to sit and try not to vomit from the odd churning in her stomach. Perhaps that was why Geralt preferred traditional forms of transportation and not ones magical or supernatural. At least from the bench Kiko and Ciri sat at they could look out to see a massive city with towering buildings that stood taller than some of the one's Kiko had seen the few times Yennefer and Geralt took her to Novigrad. A long bridge jetted away from the city but where it landed was impossible to see through the thick vegetation and dense trees that hid it.
Cirilla was leaning on the railing of where they were peering out at the city with a tense expression so clearly on her face. Her eyes lingered on one location but Kiko couldn't make out exactly what it was before her sister turned to her and spoke in an authoritative tone.
"Listen to me, this world has only elves here they are the Aen Elle Elves, to them we're humans and that might spell trouble. You're to absolutely not wander away from me, stay close to me and we should get to my friend's lab here without trouble… I hope," She sighed, fidgeting with her strap that held the swords on her back. She was either on edge or nervous about something. "Right, anyway your stomach feeling better? Trust me I was the same way when I learned I could teleport like that, first few times you feel a bit sick after you're used to it you'll be fine,"
"I'm feeling a bit better but, why do you seem nervous?" Kiko asked standing from the bench.
"Because I don't know if any of the elves will cause us trouble, I'd rather keep my blades sheathed the whole time we're here," She held out her hand. "Come now we'd best be off, we've a bit of a ways to walk," Kiko took her sister's hand and followed her to the path that led to the lengthy bridge. The further they walked the louder the sound of the large waterfall got to a point the two couldn't hear their own thoughts but they were being sprayed by a bit of water coming off the rapid moving water hitting the rocks. But that was the least of their worries as they entered the city.
It was alive with countless Aen Elle Elves strolling around, and there didn't seem to be beggars or even much filth like in human cities back in their world. Instead the city looked clean and every elf they passed was well groomed and acting proper holding their head up with pride but their eyes turned to gaze at the unusual sight of two humans walking by them. Conversations stopped, kids halted in their play, and everyone stared. Kiko felt Ciri's grip on her hand grow firmer as she tried to keep her eyes focused down at the stone path to find Avallac'h and his lab. The stares though felt like they were nothing more than side show freaks.
As they passed Kiko could hear tiny whispers behind them; gossip really as elves asked each other what humans were doing in their world or how some recognized Ciri as 'She who bedded their fallen king'. With each whisper, Cirilla seemed to get a new pep in her step trying to walk a bit quicker with her head down to avoid the stares and try to ignore the whispers that burned into her ears. The pair didn't escape the whispers until they left the market place and Ciri was able to put up her hood as well as Kiko to hide that they weren't Elves except perhaps that they weren't as tall as some were. The female elves were just a bit taller than human women but the men towered at least close to seven foot. Kiko had never seen people so tall before in her life.
"Do you know where you friend's lab is?"
"Well… not entirely but I know the area of where it's located we just have to find that location and hope I spot him," Ciri sat on a wooden crate and took out a small jug of water she had brought with, offering it first to her little sister. The girl took it and drank a few sips, then handed it back for Ciri to take a drink of the water herself and tuck it away once finished. "I also hope Avallac'h doesn't have that woman there,"
"What woman?"
"There was a she-elf who doesn't really like me; said some horrible things towards me and really if I see her again I'm liable to punch her," just the thought of Ciri giving a she-elf a well-deserved punch to the nose made Kiko giggle a bit. Ciri couldn't help but smile and laugh at the thought herself before she looked up at the sun's position and sighed. "We better be off, can't tarry here too long else Yennefer will be worried sick if she isn't already," hoping from the crate she took Kiko's hand and off they went again to try and locate where the lab would most likely be…
Meanwhile…
"What do you mean you refuse to move just yet?!" Philippa hissed watching Yennefer pace back and forth with a hand over her mouth. Yen paused and looked up at the other sorceress who had her arms crossed and her brows indicated her clear agitation.
"Just as I said, Philippa, I will not move anything until I know my daughters are back here and safe!" Yennefer snarled back, out right refusing to move just yet until Cirilla and Kiko returned safely home. Triss and Geralt had to stand beside the two arguing women to ensure no magic battle would wage between them.
"And just where would they have gone? Hmm?! Perhaps they're out fishing at the—,"
"—Geralt already checked the lake," Yennefer blurted, cutting her off. "I have a feeling Ciri took Kiko to the world of the Aen Elle,"
"And why—pray tell—would she do that?"
"Why else? To find out more about Kiko's eye, she said Avallac'h had a book that was about it, I'm betting she went there to find out more about it maybe even bring the book back here," She sighed rubbing her temples having to sit down before she'd faint from the stress pushing down on her shoulders, tensing in each muscle of her body.
"So there's no way to track them down? We certainly can't follow them," Triss said, tapping her chin in thought. "So we're stuck waiting for them to return,"
"Ciri could have told me, not just sneak off like this and with Kiko no less, what if something happens?! What if—,"
"Yen, Ciri took her swords with her, she'll be able to handle herself there and keep Kiko safe, don't over think things," Geralt set a hand on her shoulder as she leaned her head onto it finding comfort in his strong presence.
"You're right, we have to wait and just keep hope they return okay, until then we're not moving but we will once they return," Philippa reached up adjusting her blindfold a bit at the back. She was still agitated which for a sorceress like her was to be expected seeing as she always thought herself superior to others around her. She was a ruthless woman who rarely gave any show of emotion or even a hint of affection towards anyone. She always had a way of coming off cold or uncaring like she'd really been the one and not Geralt stripped of emotions and humanity. From where Yen was sitting she could clearly see a dark hickey placed on the center of Philippa's neck surrounded by what looked like faded red lipstick.
Typical of her, Philippa was well known for her fondness of women over men though she'd on occasion take a man as a lover but she'd often be found shamelessly engaged in acts with other females. It was her way really, but behind closed doors or even in front of others she seemed devoid of emotions and often looked to be scowling of plotting every second of her life. Right now she looked to be plotting something but if only it was easy to read her mind as it was Geralt's. Yet Philippa knew what Yennefer could do so she never let her guard down; there was always a barrier that concealed her mind from others and she was good at keeping people in the dark.
"Very well, we'll wait, but Triss and I will remain here as well so once they return we can get to helping you move, I'd rather we start now but there's no trying to make a mule drink when it refuses," She finally said simply walking into their house without even asking or being invited inside. Oh how rude she could be at times…
World of the Aen Elle…
"Ciri… I'm tired," Kiko said as she was dragging a bit. She wasn't used to so much walking and had grown tired because they'd yet to have eaten today either, only moving on sips of water so far. With a frown, Ciri stopped and crouched down instructing Kiko to get on her back so she could carry her. She hooked one arm back to hold Kiko up as the other kept a hold of her Steel sword in case she'd have to end up using it. She was being careful since this was not their world and she wasn't sure what to expect. One thing she wasn't sure of though was if she could fight with Kiko on her back. If it came down to it she'd defend herself long enough for Kiko to hop down and get to a safe distance while she'd fight whoever was stupid enough to confront her.
Ciri carried her sister around for a good two hours, sweating a bit under the hood from the hot summer sun beating down from above them. The young girl had fallen asleep; cat napping really, on her sister's back as they entered the eastern part of the city where they'd hopefully find Avallac'h or his lab; which ever came first. For now Ciri walked along until finding a shaded spot to set Kiko down and sit down on the cool stone ground. She checked the water jug she had and saw there was only enough for one person, offering it to Kiko feeling the younger one deserved it a bit more than she did. Kiko reluctantly took the jug drinking what was left but used the chilled bottom of it to Ciri's neck just to help cool her off a bit as well.
"Feel like we've been here forever looking,"
"I know… I'd forgotten how big this damned city was, perhaps I should have brought the mare with us," Ciri said brushing back her hood feeling the delightful cool breeze wisp by them chilling her sweat upon her face letting her relax a bit. Kiko sat close beside her sister setting the empty jug aside. "We'll rest here a bit before—,"
"Zireael, what are you doing here?" Ciri looked up quickly towards the main road area seeing Avallac'h standing there with a puzzling look on his face. When Kiko looked in the same direction she couldn't believe he was an Aen Elle Elf. He was shorter than others; about average height for a man in their world but his cheek bones were very prominent due to the slender face which made his eyes look larger than they probably were. His hair line was further back as well making his brow even appear larger and of course he had the signature pointed ears like all elves had. Kiko couldn't help but compare his features to that of a woman in some ways. The slender face, large eyes and thin delicate lips but then again all Elves had the elegant look.
"Avallac'h, I was looking for you," Ciri got to her feet and smiled. "I need your help," Kiko stood and dusted off her trouser bottom turning to face the elf who Ciri had mentioned a few times on their trip. His light colored eyes moved from one to other then back before a brow was raised.
"Might I ask who your friend is?" he pointed to Kiko as she brushed her hood back and leaned against Ciri a bit.
"Oh this is my adopted sister, her named Kiko and well she's the reason we're here looking for you," She placed a hand on her younger sister's head. "You had a book on the ghost eye right?" Avallac'h didn't answer at first as he moved towards the pair and crouched down staring at Kiko, having noticed her two different colored eyes.
"I'm astounded… if she has the Ghost Eye… then… no it can't be," he whispered more to himself than to them but they could still hear him clear enough.
"Can't be what?" He stood and looked to Ciri.
"If she has the ghost eye than she is somehow related to the apprentice of Lara Dorren, a young elf by the name of Mikka," He stated looked back down at Kiko. "Mikka was a bright young girl, who was orphaned when young until Lara—long before any of the later events in her life—took her as an apprentice and taught her a bit of magic, one day Mikka began to show signs of a power even Lara had never seen before that gave her powerful premonitions; visions of tragic events that happened in the past, some in the future and also in other worlds,"
"So Kiko could be related to Mikka?" Ciri sounded absolutely dumbfounded hearing that her own ancestor might have taught Kiko's centuries ago.
"She very well could be, Mikka was the only person to have manifested the power entirely though her children; no matter the gender, would be born with the same red and light blue colored eyes." He turned and motioned for them to follow. "We can finish speaking of this in my lab,"
"Your friend isn't there I hope,"
"No not currently, she went out for the day," Avallac'h led the way a few streets down to where his lab was opening the door for the pair. When they entered Kiko could smell herbs that were familiar to her being she'd been studying them under her mother but also smelling floral perfumes and what smelled like fruits with wine nearby. The lab had mostly bookshelves, and a desk littered with papers, open books and a candle unlit but the wax that melted and cooled left a mountain of white that even looked to have been dripping off the desk corner. Ciri sat in a chair pulling Kiko to be seated on her lap while Avallac'h went to a shelf taking down a book.
"That the one on the Ghost Eye?"
"Written by Mikka and Lara while they both studied what it could do, Lara wrote most of it but there are pages that Mikka herself did shortly after Lara's death. The two had been very good friends aside from being mentor and student," He opened the page to the center where it was bookmarked reading off a page of the text.
"It appears each day, Mikka's one eye; dark red in color grows more mysterious but interesting at the same time. We've both come to observe how she's gone from having to hold a person's hand to simply being in the same room as them to see what fate had in store for them or what had happened to them in the past. Such a display would be rare to pinpoint when it would happen but upon the first time Mikka reported to me about such ability it was just after she'd been talking to the innkeeper of the inn we'd stayed at that very night.
I had seen her shake the man's hand only for her body to tense up and soon drop to the floor unresponsive for several minutes. Once awoken, Mikka had warned the man that his wife was going to die in the meadow mauled by wolves two months from the morning their unborn child was to be born, even stating that they were having a son. Sure enough we ventured back exactly upon the day to find out what she'd warned came true; they'd not heeded her warning. The woman had indeed gone out the morning to pick a few berries when wolves mauled and tore her to pieces leaving the man alone with a son to bring up alone.
From that time, I also noticed when Mikka went through the moment of sight her darker eye, the pupil went from a simple ordinary circle to a thin spiral and she couldn't see what was happening right around her; she was clearly unaware. But her eyes flickered around as if she was seeing something; something that we could not see ourselves. She said it was like seeing ghosts before her eyes thus we began to call her unique red eye 'The Ghost Eye',"
He flipped through a few pages trying to find something that Mikka had written deciding upon a page near the back, before the twenty-five empty pages that remained indicating Mikka never truly finished the book Lara and she had started.
"I write this page today, holding back tears knowing Lara has passed; the seas raged with white foam and the skies themselves have wept to the passing of such a powerful and kind woman. Lucky for her newborn daughter the Queen Cerro had adopted her, saving the half elf girl's life but I was the one who'd found Lara's cold body still wrapped around the child who wailed loudly. By the look of it Lara knew she was dying and used the remaining warmth of her body to keep the child safe. I delivered the young girl to the Queen because I could not care for her myself and felt that perhaps Cerro could better than I.
I had seen Lara's passing only an hour before it happened, too late to find her; too late to be there at her side. All it took was a touch of her favorite sash to trigger the sight. If only I had seen it sooner, I would have been there for my friend, my mentor, the only person I trusted. My ability of the Ghost Eye so great yet so feeble at the same time. Forgive me Lara, for I was not there in your last moments; for I did not see you off my friend. To make up for this I swear it now written here that my descendants each will meet yours by fate and guide each other. The Elder Blood and the Ghost Eye forever bound, forever fated to meet."
Kiko's jaw was hung open but she wasn't alone either, Ciri was doing the very same until Avallac'h closed the book then walked over to close their mouths. Mikka cared so much about Lara she'd been the one to give Lara's daughter to Queen Cerro and even bind their descendants by fate in her words 'the Elder Blood and the Ghost Eye forever bound, forever Fated to meet'. Could that mean that Ciri and Kiko were fated to meet as well; bound by the oath written by Lara's apprentice and friend?
"Zireael, your sister was fated to meet you, it was fate that sought to bind you two; like Lara and Mikka, a bound fated, and Mikka wrote that last sentence in her very own blood to make it so," Avallac'h said handing Cirilla the book.
"So you're saying we were fated to meet no matter what?"
"Yes, and perhaps your child as well as hers, by what she stated she wanted them bound together to guide each other as Mikka and Lara had during their friendship, all because Mikka blamed herself for not being there when Lara died. Odd though, seeing as you look much like Lara without the pointed ears and Kiko resembles Mikka greatly," He turned and walked to his desk sitting down. Kiko and Ciri shared a look that said 'I-can't-believe-it' which it was hard to but then again easy because it was similar to the Law of Surprise, what fated Cirilla to be in and out of Geralt's life throughout her own.
Having made such an oath even writing it in her own blood fated anyone who shared her blood to find those born with the Elder Blood and the two lines were meant to guide each other, perhaps save each other's lives or in their case be adopted sisters. Yet in their possession was a book written in by both their ancestors like holding a shared diary it was a link to them both but an answer to Kiko's eye and to where in her blood it came from.
That eye was strong in a magic sense, able to see past, present and future as it grew stronger and it wasn't like Lara's blood where the women expressed the power most of all. Every woman in Cirilla's family who carried Elder Blood was a source, some stronger than others but it seemed Ciri herself gained a massive dose of Lara's power which had made her so dangerous until she started training better and controlling it more. But on Mikka's bloodline it didn't matter the gender each child born to her line had the eye but it seemed not many had ever been able to manifest the power themselves simply Mikka and Kiko could from what Avallac'h said.
"Does the book say anything about special training Kiko would have to undergo?" Cirilla said breaking the uncomfortable silence. Avallac'h slowly shook his head in response. "So it just manifests and grows stronger?"
"None know the extent of the eye's ability being after that entry Mikka clearly refused to write anymore within its pages, leaving us only knowing it sees much more than a minor crystal ball could ever. Seeing, hearing, feeling everything that the person who owned the object or came in bare skin contact with whether it be the past, present or sometime in the future. In the end I do not know much about the eye, only Mikka did but those secrets were lost to us when she died unable to tell us what her eye was capable of doing at the time of her death,"
"I wonder if she saw her own death coming; if she could see her own future at all,"
"I know not Zireael, only which it sees all allowing the person with it to know much more, seeing the past reveals lies and secrets, seeing the present lets them know the world around them, and future tells warnings to come. It was never documented if Mikka saw her own future or much else, simply that Lara and her observed the many times it was used," Ciri placed Kiko upon her feet as she stood, clutching the book in one hand and setting the other a top her younger sister's head.
"So that is why Mikka bound her blood to Lara's? To let them use their ability to guide them? Does that mean Kiko is supposed to guide me using her power?"
"It would seem so," he nodded. Kiko rested her head on Ciri's side.
"If I can help Ciri I will," Kiko said looking up. She would love to use her powers to help Cirilla to guide her if needed. Part of her didn't understand the fated bound but another part felt she should accept it. Sure she was only 8 springs now and Ciri age 29 but it was clear they were fated to meet; fated to bond as friends but unknowingly as sisters. Such was fate, much like the Law of Surprise; like a variation of it was cased and the book held the very oath written in fading blood stains but still the oath was made.
The pair had come to find out about Kiko's eye only to discover so much more about themselves, what they came from and why they met; why Yennefer and Geralt adopted Kiko. She was fated to meet Ciri and that destiny pushed Kiko into the family of a witcher and Sorceress to meet that of the Elder Blood. Yet both powers from both bloodlines were such a mystery to the elves that the only ones who knew anything about it are long dead, dying years after the Conjunction of Spheres.
"Does this mean that Mikka was also in the world of the Aen Seidhe?"
"Perhaps so, she was often found at Lara's side as her student and her companion, if Lara had not made it into the world of the Aen Seidhe she would have never met Cregennan of Lod. This means if Lara went to your world then Mikka more than likely did the same, that could explain easily why both bloodlines are in that world and not here,"
"Then how's the book here?" Kiko asked curiously.
"I found it when I went to that world through a portal, I brought it back to the Aen Elle and kept it here safe, seems I was right to do so as it has come in handy to gift to you both, and perhaps it will be you both who continue writing; working on what Lara and Mikka started centuries ago,"
"Over 1500 years," Ciri spoke softly. "A fate that has held for over almost that long,"
"Blood oaths are powerful things, Zireael,"
"I see that now," She glanced down at Kiko then moving her emerald gaze to the book in her other hand. "Thank you for your help Avallac'h, you helped to answer many questions today both needed and new things we never expected,"
"Of course, will you be returning now?"
"Yes I'm sure Yennefer is worried about where we are, probably pacing and making a hole in the floor," She laughed at the thought…
World of the Aen Seidhe…
"Yen, stop pacing you'll put a hole in the floor," Geralt said watching the dark clad sorceress pacing back and forth to the door and back. He always knew she was impatient; she could never wait or sit still for long. Always moving, always needing something to do was in her nature. Philippa sat at the table watching Yennefer pace before clearing her throat.
"The girls will return soon, when you pace it can get awkwardly uncomfortable," Yennefer sat heavily in her seat and sighed rubbing her temples. "I get you can't help but worry but surely Cirilla can handle herself and protect a young child with ease,"
"Philippa, we've been waiting for hours,"
"You think I haven't noticed the sun position shift? Pacing and worrying won't make them return faster, Yennefer it'll make you tense and possibly do something irrational," Philippa's attention suddenly and quickly shifted to the window as there was a flash of green outside. Before anyone could really make a move, Yennefer was already at the door pulling it open.
Outside Ciri and Kiko had returned and the Witcheress had a book in her one hand. Poor Kiko though, not used to such travel looked a bit pale perhaps sick. Yen quickly moved to them pouring questions quickly into their laps while Cirilla could only open her mouth unable to answer a thing before Yennefer jumped to another question of why, where, what happened, if they were hurt, what was the book for, and so on. Geralt walked up behind Yen and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Let her speak, Yen," The sorceress suddenly closed her mouth and nodded.
"Thank you Geralt, to answer you in one heap: We went to the world of the Aen Elle to seek Avallac'h and find out more about Kiko's eye. That's what the book is for; written by Lara and an apprentice she had who is related to Kiko named Mikka." She handed Yennefer the book as Philippa peered over her shoulder at the worn cover, Triss walking around Philippa to see being she was too short to see over the taller sorceresses. "And on the last page, Mikka wrote an oath in her own blood binding her bloodline to guide those of Lara's bloodline," Philippa's head shot up perhaps glancing between the two.
"Are you saying Kiko and you are bound by some blood oath made centuries ago?"
"Exactly what I'm saying, read the last page with writing on it," Yennefer opened the book flipping to the last page with writing on it as everyone read the page with her seeing the final sentence written in fading blood stains.
"The Elder Blood and the Ghost Eye forever bound, forever fated to meet…" Philippa read aloud. Yennefer looked up handing the book to the blindfolded sorceress beside her. Her gaze said it all, she was astonished. Everyone was so unaware of how fate brought Kiko to Geralt and her, because they were closely connected to Cirilla making it destiny that the two girls would meet, that each would guide one another. Powers of Space and Time linked to the power of Sight through time. Elder Blood and Ghost Eye, two mysterious powers bound as allies.
"Kiko and you were always meant to meet, because of what this Mikka did but… why has no one heard of her until now?"
"Avallac'h says it's because she didn't put herself in the spotlight, only Lara was remembered for things she did causing such uproar from loving a human and not another elf, Mikka who was an elf married another but somewhere down the line one of her descendants must have had a child with a human and so on,"
"This means both of them come from a great line, bound to great things together…" Philippa said snapping the book shut. "An eye that can see truths, help to warn, and be aware of things… there to guide a person who jumps through worlds with ease, both useful powers, but enough of that we have plenty of time to study that another day we have some moving to do don't we?" She handed the book back to Yennefer who'd snapped out of her thoughts taking the object.
"Oh right, yes, to the new academy,"
"Are you opening a portal there so we can move items? That would take some time," Ciri crossed her arms. "And don't ask me to move everything; I don't need end up having something go wrong,"
"You won't need to, Yen, Triss, come with me we have some work to do to move everything," Philippa turned the other sorceresses around pushing them toward and into the house leaving Ciri, Kiko and Geralt to share a questioning look each and shrug…
Several hours later…
The new home was larger than the one they had and just off the main square leading to the academy grounds. It was a two floor place with the living room and kitchen on the first floor and the bedrooms on the second floor. While Yennefer, Cirilla and Geralt were busy putting things away and straightening what they could of their things, Kiko was outside sitting by the small pond that was home to several small fishes ranging in color from yellow and black to pure white. Triss and Philippa had decided to help them move and settle in but Kiko wasn't aware that Triss was standing by the front door watching the young girl until the red-haired sorceress walked over and sat down.
"Oren for your thoughts; what's on your mind?" she asked, lightly poking Kiko's arm.
"I'm just thinking about everything I learned…"
"About how you and Ciri were fated to meet because of your ancestor," She watched the girl nod her head slowly. Triss sighed softly looking into the pond at the fish swimming about freely.
"Destiny… fate… it's a hard thing to understand, we try to question it, change it but sometimes things don't go how we want it. But you know it really shows how much deeper a caring bound you and Ciri have, descendants of women who were friends and cared about each other perhaps even like sisters themselves and now that blood oath fated you two to meet so you can two can protect and guide each other," She placed a hand on Kiko's shoulder giving it a slight squeeze. "All you can do is stand by each other like you already have, the knowledge of what fated you doesn't change that you're sisters by choice,"
"You're right Triss, Ciri's my older sister and I love being around her because she's a strong inspiring person just like mom,"
"Yeah Yennefer is an amazing sorceress and a great mother, you can see that in how much she cares about you and your sister, the whole time you both were in the world of the Aen Elle she was pacing and seemingly so worried about if you and Ciri would come home," Kiko looked up and nodded with a smile.
"I know I was once kidnapped by revenge seeking Skellige warriors who were angry she destroyed Freya's garden, they kidnapped me to force her to either die herself or I'd be killed, it was the only time I ever seen mom kill men in a furious rage,"
"That's Yen for you, she's protective of her family, always has been… I regret ever betraying her trust years ago, I wasn't thinking straight… but I'll tell you about that when you're older, you don't need to know the details, anyway the moons nearly straight overhead, how about we get you inside?"
"Sure it is getting cold out here," Triss stood and held out her hand that wasn't scarred by the torture helping the girl to her feet as she took hold of it. Yen had peered outside to see where Triss had gone having seen her speaking with Kiko even hearing everything she said to the girl. When Triss looked up and spotted Yennefer she just shrugged.
"How's everything going in there?"
"Philippa is for some reason snarling about the pictures not being straight on the wall," Yen chuckled. Kiko moved away from the fiery sorceress to give her mother a hug around the waist then dart inside hopping on Ciri's back as she was crouched putting a few books away.
"Seems in her world everything has to be perfect," when she said that an apple dropped from the second floor window hitting Triss on the head. "Ow—! What the hell was that!?" She glanced up to see Philippa peering down at her.
"Go ahead say that again, I have more where that came from," before ducking her head back inside. Triss rubbed her head from the apple air strike walking inside. Who knew Philippa hated being referred to as a perfectionist. Either way it took them a few more hours to finish only for Ciri and Kiko to have fallen asleep hours before on Yen and Geralt's bed. They were both laying on their stomach's laying sideways on the bed so their feet dangled off the side and both the girls were lightly snoring away when Yennefer found them. She couldn't help by smile at her two daughters tired out not only from the move but the hours they spent in the other world.
The dark clad sorceress simply shrugged and decided not to disturb the pair, putting a blanket over them and leaving them to rest as she went back downstairs just as Margarita Laux-Antille appeared at the open door lightly knocking on it to be courteous.
"Rita, it's nice to see you," Yen said in a warm welcoming tone. Margarita smiled and walked in giving her fellow sorceress a delighted hug.
"I'm glad you could make it, and Philippa told me about you having adopted a new special girl think she'll one day attend the academy?"
"That's Kiko, and yes she's already been learning a bit from me but now with a new academy up and running I'm very certain she'll want to attend there, you and Philippa are the Headmistresses right?" Rita opened her mouth to speak when Philippa's voice answered from behind Yennefer instead.
"Who else would be, Yennefer?"
"Snarky and crude as always," Rita said shaking her head. "I don't think I've ever seen you smile, not once," Philippa gave a casual 'not-that-it-matters' shrug seemingly brushing it off as usual, it was true though she never smiled only looking forever like she was scowling or just ever approved of something.
"Philippa's known as the bitch headmistress Yen," Triss joked but as she walked pass Philippa the blindfolded sorceress smacked the other in the back of the head making Triss once more have to rub her head from a headshot. "What was that for?"
"Stupidity is going to start to hurt a lot more, Triss, keep that in mind,"
"Now ladies, is that anyway to treat fellow Sorceresses?" Everyone's heads darted to the door spotting Fringilla Vigo, the Nilfgaardian sorceress with the attitude to match. Fringilla was known to be rather cold but nothing like Philippa; no one could beat her for the title of 'bitch queen'. No instead Fringilla was always the one to point out your flaws, and show how much your hurt little feelings didn't matter to her. She didn't even care whether or not she was invited in as she strolled over and crossed her arms. Her gaze moved from Rita down and over to Triss. "What, something on my face? Why are you all gawking at me like turkeys in a rainstorm?"
"Bite your tongue Vigo, and keep your voice down Cirilla and Kiko are sleeping upstairs," Triss blurted out. Fringilla's gaze turned cold at the fiery short sorceress but soon a brow was raised curiously instead.
"Who's 'Kiko'?" she asked before her attention was drawn to the stairs seeing a young child walking down rubbing one eye and looking like she'd just woken up. Yennefer turned to look as well before moving over to Kiko as she neared the bottom of the stairs.
"We didn't wake you did we?"
"Whoever the loud one was did…" the girl said before covering a long yawn. Fringilla soon caught a look at the girl's two different eyes and shared a glance to Philippa who only gave a nod.
"…Apologies, I'd forgotten Kiko was the one Philippa told us about though she failed to mention the name," She uncrossed her arms as Kiko looked from each of the sorceresses in the living room even spotting Geralt sitting in the corner upon his chair reading. Apparently all he wanted to do was keep out of the way of sorceresses like them. Kiko's gaze fell upon Rita first seeing that out of the older sorceresses—meaning anyone other than her mother or Triss—she seemed to be the gentler one. Her eyes were lighter though no one could compare her eyes to Philippa's seeing she had none just a blindfold that let her see. But Margarita also had the lighter hair, a lovely blonde color that fell in waves around her face, framing it perfectly.
Then her gaze shifted to the other newest sorceress, Fringilla Vigo. She seemed as serious like Philippa but out of them all she was the only one who kept her hair short enough that it perhaps measured about an inch at the back and a bit longer casting bangs over the right side of her brow. Her gaze back though showed she was interested and most likely interested in Kiko's powers. Something told the young girl news was spreading quickly among the sorceresses about the young child with a power called the Ghost Eye.
"So she's the girl with the eye Philippa?" Fringilla turned to look at the blindfolded sorceress who silently nodded.
"She could see how Triss's hand is scared; what caused it and how I was blinded just by touching us or coming into contact with bare skin,"
"How has she never seen Yen's past then?"
"Because I wear gloves near all the time it's not bare skin contact and really I rather not subject her to that right now…" Yen had a painful past one too painful to let a child see. Perhaps when she gets older it would be more suitable.
"I'm interested in knowing more about that eye of—,"
"Now wait a minute," Rita quickly said cutting Fringilla off. "The child is not some science experiment to be poked and prodded at, don't treat her as such," Kiko was surprised how protective Margarita was of her and she barely knew her. Fringilla instantly went silent even covering her mouth as though she realized how she'd worded things and how bad it was said. Rita walked over and crouched to come to eye level with Kiko, smiling softly. "It's nice to meet you at last though Kiko, and when you get to attend the academy I'll be sure to make it a good experience for you, and keep you from being a science project to Philippa and Fringilla," She said peering back at the two. Fringilla put her hands up in surrender and Philippa… eh she just stayed the same there was no changing her.
"Thank you Miss…"
"Margarita," she responded. "Margarita Laux-Antille,"
"Thank you Margarita, I'll be glad the day I start at the academy," Yennefer lightly patted her daughter's head.
"Alright that's enough for one day, Kiko head back to bed and get some sleep okay?" Kiko nodded and went back upstairs to hop back into Yen and Geralt's bed where Ciri was still sleeping not curled on her side.
"She's a sweet little child, bound to do great things herself, and it's already easy to sense her aura which is very strong," Rita said, watching the girl head upstairs.
"I agree, and she'll most likely be one of the top students," Philippa stated. "I've no doubt about it,"
"Nor do I, it'll be a great thing to see her grow into being another powerful sorceress like us," As the other sorceresses spoke, Yen couldn't help but think about what Kiko would be like when she got older. How strong she'd become and if she'd reach the status of Sage which is higher than a mage, it's the level of which Ida Emean aep Sivney was. It was those questions that buzzed wildly in Yennefer's head but also ones that brought a smile to her face. She'd love to see her child grow into a powerful sorceress in her own right. It would make Yennefer a very proud mother once more. First Ciri making her that proud mother and now it was Kiko's turn to make her own mark and what a mark it would be…
Read and review. I'm shifting and making some lore of my own in this. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter!