June 20, 1271
Vizima Castle

It took all of our combined strength to pull ourselves out of bed this morning. I really didn't want to leave, and neither did Geralt. But, duty calls.

We returned to the capital today. I spent most of the day listing to nobles and merchants complain about the loss of goods in the civil war that had just ended. The king grew weary of it quickly, I could tell, but he made a showing of being sympathetic.

Things are a mess, but at least they're improving slowly. Humanity has an amazing ability to bounce back from tragedy and rebuild.

June 21, 1271
Vizima – My House

It seems my house survived the fire. A few broken windows, and a charred corpse here and there (probably looters that met my security enchantments), but most of my things are intact.

Geralt and I settled in again, though I'm not sure how long we'll remain. King Foltest has been quarreling once again with the Baroness Luisa La Valette. His sister (and lover) is very dear to him, yet lately they have not been seeing eye-to-eye. Foltest has hinted that he may need to demonstrate a show of force. Which means that young men will leave their wives and children to fight and die over a royal family feud. Such is the world we live in.

June 23, 1271
Vizima – My House

I told Geralt that I needed a new mirror and hairbrush, so I gave him some orens and sent him into town. I didn't really need them, but I had to make sure he was kept busy for a few hours.

Today was Philippa's scheduled Lodge meeting, so the secrecy was necessary, unfortunately. Once again, we began with basic formalities. Then, we moved on to Phil's "grand plan".

I think that woman is letting ambition get to the better of her. Phil is still harping on this "independent state ruled by sorceresses" business. She said that, in order to create the requisite power vacuum, one of the Northern kings would have to be eliminated. Then, we (the sorceresses of the Lodge) would seize power. To be exact, her target was King Demavend of Aedirn.

I couldn't abide such foolishness. If the other kingdoms learned that sorceresses were orchestrating regicide, our position would be severely threatened. I've worked too damn hard to ensure relative peace between the Northern kingdoms and that sorceresses are looked upon with respect, not suspicion. Further, I don't want to end my career tied to a stake!

This power grab will only backfire, so I voiced my opinion quite plainly. "Utter madness!" I said. "The original purpose of the Lodge was to protect and promote magic users – our place in society. How will it look when people learn that we've turned into a syndicate of assassins?"

Philippa responded: "The original purpose of the Lodge was for the advancement of sorceresses. This is precisely how we advance. We seize on opportunities. Use our power to gain power, and thus bring about stability and order in the world. The king of Aedirn is a terrible ruler, weak and impotent. We could do so much better! Everyone wants to rule, why is it so wrong for us to be on top?"

"On top of what? A pyre? Because that's what will happen when the other kings find out. Many of them already distrust us. Just how do you plan to kill Demavend anyway?"

Such was my desperate attempt to get her to see reason.

At this point, Síle gave Philippa and odd look. Then, Phil nodded to her, turned to me, and said: "From now on, our meetings will be held on a 'need to know' basis. I'm sorry Triss, but I need one hundred percent loyalty. We can't afford any leaks, moles, or other complications. Too often, you let your emotions govern your actions. We will contact you if your services are required. You may terminate your connection, Triss."

And thus, the Lodge effectively casted me out. Good riddance! I don't want royal blood on my hands.

July 2, 1271
Vizima – My House

Has it been over a week since I've last written? Time flies when you're busy, I suppose.

My intuition proved correct: King Foltest has mobilized for war. Diplomacy with the La Valettes has failed miserably and the king has decided to lay siege to their castle.

This past week has been busy consulting with generals, preparing siege engines, and moving troops. In a few days, we march on the castle. Geralt is less than thrilled, believing it to be a stupid war. He's not incorrect, so I don't blame him; however, it is our King and our country. We have a duty to both.

July 5, 1271
Vizima – My House

Demavend is dead. Assassinated two days ago – the news just reached us. King Foltest is even more paranoid now and keeps Geralt and me around almost constantly.

This is bad news. I know the Lodge is likely behind it, but I dare not say a word. I can't betray my sisters, no matter how distasteful their actions. Besides, it's not like I have any hard proof. I hope Philippa and Síle are happy – their ambition may cause untold consequences. It could breed instability in the North and leave it wide open for another Nilfgaardian invasion. Let's hope it doesn't come to that.

July 10, 1271
La Valette Castle – Temerian encampment

Well, we're here. Spent the last few days on the march, escorting the king. The army is setting up camp. Tents are being erected just outside the range of enemy ballistae.

I love the tent they have set up for me and Geralt: it's huge! Almost as large as King Foltest's tent! It is complete with a large bed and a dozen or so soft, silky pillows. I immediately made a pile of pillows on the bed and dove head first into them! I breathed deeply and let out a long sigh. Geralt chuckled at this – he knows exactly how much I love the feel of silk against my skin.

I hope Foltest isn't overeager to go into battle – I want to thoroughly enjoy this tent and its amenities. Maybe it will be one of those long sieges that last for months and months! Let the castle run out of food: the La Valettes will surrender, no blood spilled, and the King gets what he wants. Meanwhile, I get to sleep with my witcher in between silken sheets and Geralt doesn't have to participate in a "stupid war". Win win win!

July 14, 1271
La Valette Castle – Temerian encampment

The siege is progressing smoothly – everything by-the-book. Geralt and I are performing our duties well.

The days are long and tedious, as we spend them guarding Foltest as he goes about his kingly obligations. He has me check his breakfast with magic to ensure no poisons are present. Then, he'll spend a few hours talking with nobles or ambassadors. After lunch, he usually walks around the camp talking with the common soldiers to boost morale. It does seem to work – the boys love it when their king remembers their names, pats them on the shoulder, or shares a joke with them.

I can tell Geralt is bored by the whole thing. Although, he did get quite animated when a particularly bold knight started flirting with me. He started going on and on, bowing and scraping and making all sorts of declarations. "Fair Merigold! Allow me to speak of your beauty: Your hair is more vibrant than the sun! Your eyes shine forth with the gentleness of your soul! Your nose and cheeks are be-freckled with the kisses of angels! Your lips promise sweet honey! Your breasts –". That is as far as he got. I'll never know what he thought of my breasts, because Geralt stepped in and told him to bugger off. Quite forcefully. It's really cute when my witcher is protective! He need not worry; I am his and he is mine.

My favorite part is definitely the mornings and evenings, when I get to spend time alone with Geralt. We spend time chatting and walking around camp. Then we'll return to our tent and eat fruit and drink wine. After that, we'll whittle the night away with our lovemaking. It's lovely!

July 17, 1271
La Valette Castle – Temeria encampment

Geralt's nightmares are getting worse. He's recalling more and more vividly his flight from the Wild Hunt, among other things. Perhaps his memories are coming back after all.

Part of me is afraid to encourage him to recover them. Who knows what will happen then. Will he be resentful? Angry? Relieved? Grateful? Too many unknowns for my taste. But, I will help him regardless. It's the right thing to do. I love him and wants what is best for him, no matter what that may mean for our relationship.

Unsurprisingly, he has expressed a desire to leave Foltest's service as soon as possible. I told him to wait at least until the battle is over. We will have the king's gratitude and he'll be more willing to grant his request. No sense burning a bridge if we don't have to. I promised I'd go with him as well. He'll need my help, especially as he recovers his memories. It will be traumatic and confusing for him. As his lover, I need to be by his side, so long as I am able.

July 19, 1271
La Valette Castle – Temerian encampment

Reports of a dragon sighting nearby. Geralt thinks it's a misunderstanding, seeing as how rare real dragons are. Probably a forktail or something. Still, the news has the soldiers on edge.

July 20, 1271
La Valette Castle – Temerian encampment

Today is the big day. A messenger arrived this morning and rudely burst into our tent just as Geralt and I were getting hot and heavy. Talk about mortifying! I know he got a good look, the way his eyes were bulging out of his head and his tongue was dragging on the ground. Probably be telling his mates about it for years to come. The worst part is that his interruption totally killed the mood! Like dropping a dead fish in a glass of fine wine. Or as Geralt put it: "It could have been a beautiful morning." I couldn't agree more, the morning has such potential before it was spoiled! Let's hope the rest of the day makes up for it.

Foltest decided to assault the castle sooner than I anticipated – the king must be eager to get this over with. I know Geralt is as well. He said this morning: "as soon as the battle is over, we're leaving." So we shall.

In any event, I should get dressed and ready. I can't waltz out with just a towel around my body. The soldiers would really have something to talk about if I did that!

July 20, 1271
La Valette Castle – Temerian encampment
Addendum

Gods! This is terrible! Worse than anything I could imagine! King Foltest is dead – cut down right in the castle's solar. What's most terrible of all is that Geralt is the prime suspect! Ridiculous! I don't know how anyone could believe such absurdity. It's impossible, don't they know that?

I don't know what happened. The battle was going so well! Then, out of nowhere, a bloody dragon attacks. A real, live, fire-breathing dragon! I don't know where it came from, but it almost turned the tide of the battle. We barely managed to escape. Thankfully, Geralt was able to wound it enough so that it fled.

That out of the way, I thought we were finally finished. The battle was over, King Foltest was victorious. We won. It was time to leave this rotten place behind forever. I foolishly thought we could just go on our merry way. Easy enough, right? Of course not! Fate has never been kind to me.

It happened when the King and Geralt went to retrieve the royal children. What could possibly go wrong? Nothing! Except our king was killed in cold blood! Whoever the assassin was, he was quick, brutal, and efficient. Enough so that he not only caught Geralt off guard, but also pinned the regicide on him. Now, my beloved witcher is rotting in the dungeons! Everything went so wrong, so fast. My head is spinning!

I was on my way to march down to the dungeons and bust him out, but I was stopped by Roche, leader of the Temerian Special Forces. He advised against it, saying that would only lump me in for treason as well. I told him I would sooner die than let them execute Geralt. To my relief, Roche also believed Geralt was innocent. He told me he had a plan to get him out and instructed me to wait by the docks tomorrow night at midnight.

I hope he knows what he is doing! That's my witcher they have in there – and I don't want them to lay a finger on him!

In any case, they're planning on executing him in two days' time. If Roche can't get him out tomorrow, then I'll have to do it myself. Either way, there's no way in Hell I'm going to let them execute Geralt. Not as long as I draw breath!