Ciri spent a busy morning in Vizima, bringing Kelpie out for another long ride to keep the mare satisfied, as well as joining Morvran and some of his soldiers for archery practice.
She was capable with a bow but it was hardly her first choice of weapon and, after losing several rounds of target practice, she began teleporting around the range to snatch Morvran's arrows before they could pierce the red bullseye.
This was quickly shut down once she stumbled and an arrow grazed her shoulder, leaving a shallow but noticeable gash on her skin.
It was in those rare moments when Ciri missed Lambert. He would have found it funny.
The morning became afternoon, and once a young mage named Llonille took care of Ciri's injury (on Morvran's orders), Ciri found no more tasks on her mental list of things to accomplish before going to see Yennefer.
Which meant it was time.
Only, every time she attempted to make herself walk that way, her legs rebelled and before she knew it, Ciri found herself upstairs at Rosemary and Thyme.
She needed Kain. He wouldn't agree to help her with Yennefer. He'd already made it quite clear that Ciri was all that was needed. And she understood that. But what if something went wrong? What if Ciri somehow made Yennefer's mind worse? She needed someone who could come to her aid then. And none of the sorceresses made her feel confident enough. Nor Istredd, who still appeared an enigma to her – they had barely exchanged any words after the first meeting and occasionally crossed paths in the castle corridors.
Kain was the one she needed. Wanted.
"Have you seen Kain?" Ciri peered down from the stairs at the inn and at the bar where Zoltan was entertaining Triss with a story.
"Not this morn, lass," Zoltan replied gruffly, his hands braced on the bar counter. "Somethin' the matter?"
"No… I just need him," Ciri said, already searching her mind for where to look next. The river, perhaps. The outskirts of the forest where he liked to bathe and lie under the sun.
"I brought him to Ellander yesterday evening," Triss piped up, turning in her chair to regard Ciri with a look of surprise. "Did he not tell you?"
Ellander? Why would he go back there so soon?
Ciri shook her head. "What for?"
Triss lifted her slender shoulders in a shrug. "To visit Mother Nenneke, he said. He wished to spend some time with her and talk about some things they had in common."
Ciri narrowed her eyes. He must have gone to see the oneiromancer again. Ciri could think of no other reason that would make sense – not even spending time with Nenneke.
She offered her thanks and vanished again, this time appearing outside the gates of the Temple of Melitele.
It took far too long for her liking to try to find Mother Nenneke, but in the end, the fates took pity on her. Nenneke came marching out of the temple after having heard whispers on the wind Ciri was searching for her.
"Ciri, my child!" Nenneke moved to embrace her, but she did so lacking all her usual warmth, as though worried Ciri came bearing more bad news. "What are you doing here again so soon?"
"Kain," Ciri replied simply. "Is he here?"
Nenneke shook her head. "He was. Last night. But he left before midnight."
Ciri frowned, disappointed and confused. "He came for the oneiromancer? Alma?"
"He did."
"What for?"
It looked as though Nenneke was struggling for words for a moment. "I think you better see for yourself."
She walked Ciri to the woman's room, then allowed them to talk alone.
The woman was standing by the window overlooking the gardens beneath, her white hair made in a thick braid. She turned around to the sound of Ciri's footfalls and gave her a small smile, her eyes narrowing in recognition.
"Ciri… is that right?"
Ciri blinked, momentarily taken aback. "Yes… that's right." She stepped fully into the room and closed the door behind her. "You seem better. Do you remember last time we met?"
The woman's smile turned a bit sad, she sighed. "It's not all that simple, I'm afraid. I know myself, but this place and my time here seems to be a foggy dream I cannot quite recall." She emitted a soft laugh. "Ironic for someone with a hand in oneiromancy."
"Well, you're not screaming," Ciri pointed out. "That's an improvement."
"If I have upset you before, I am sorry," she said, giving a curt apologetic bow of her head. "I have no clear memory of such occasions. I am Lenna aep Hennavre. I come from Darn Ymlac set on the bank of our magnificent river Alba of Nilfgaard, and I arrived by the request of our Emperor. Now I can officially meet you, Your Highness."
She executed an elegant bow in Nilfgaardian fashion that reminded Ciri of what she had glimpsed in Tir ná Lia.
"Please… just call me Ciri," she said, smiling for Lenna's sake. "It's good to officially meet you, Lenna."
A small pause of silence.
"Do you remember a man named Kain? I was told he came to see you last night."
"Oh, of course!" Her face brightened with a smile that made her look very youthful and elven-like due to her hair. "I owe my second birthday to Kainarel. He... It took me a while to understand what he did. It's not a very common practice anywhere in wizardry - blood magic is very dangerous and tricky to master. But as I perceive he's wielding it... intuitively. It's quite a marvel to me."
"Blood magic?" Ciri took another step closer, as if proximity would answer all her questions. "He healed your mind?"
"My mind wasn't broken," Lenna said, pensive. "It was locked in the shock I've experienced... Nothing like that ever happened to me before. That vision had such a strong, powerful concentration of magic that it locked my mind on the same experience. I became a prisoner just like the sorceress I was trying to help."
She reached for a mug of water on her bedstand, sipping while she pondered.
"He brought his clarity to awaken my own. He took the pain and shock out of those visions, setting me free. It's like shining light on something dark and scary so it doesn't look terrifying anymore. I have kept my memory of those visions, but they no longer hold any power over me, understand?"
"Yes," Ciri replied truthfully. "Those visions, they were about me were they not?"
She nodded, a shadow of sympathy passed through her countenance. "Mainly, yes. However, it's more than that. There was so much..." She winced, either at the memory or searching for a better way to explain. "Hard to find words for it. It's meant to be felt and not voiced."
"So there would be no use trying to tell me about it? What I did in that vision?" Ciri regarded her curiously, chewing her bottom lip. "I am trying to help the woman whose memories you now carry."
She gave Ciri a regretful look. "I see. She can't be helped the same way Kainarel has helped me. I wasn't connected to those memories by any means but the initial shock induced by whatever magic has trapped her. But it's her life, her pain, and her feelings, her history, she can't be rid of it. She has to overpower the pain somehow. Shine her own light over it." Some tiny flicker of uncertainty swept through her expression. "He believes it's within your power to shine that light for her. Because it's you she perceives as something scary in the dark where she can't see. I trust he is right about it."
"I hope so," Ciri murmured, though she did not feel she'd had her question fully answered. "This thing in her vision, it took my face and harmed her. Am I correct?"
Lenna gave a curt nod. "She allowed it."
"What do you mean 'allowed it'?" Ciri closed the space between them, a gleam of desperation in her gaze. "Can you show me? I need to understand. Completely."
Pity reflected in her frown. "Oh, Your Highness... Are you certain? It will be... hard to bear."
Ciri nodded stonily, her jaw set. "I must. If it will help me reunite with my mother, any pain is worth it."
Lenna searched Ciri's green eyes for a long moment as though seeking her own confirmation. Finally, she gave a subtle nod, a sad smile touched her mouth. She gestured towards the bed in mute invitation.
"You need to be comfortable and completely relaxed. Normally I need to know more about whomever I do this for, but through Kainarel I trust I know enough. It will not ease your pain, though. I am sorry about that."
"I will not blame you for it," Ciri promised, settling atop the bed offered. She lay down and closed her eyes, attempting to relax her body, to release the clenched muscles she would normally use as armor.
It's for Yennefer, she thought. I can do anything for Yennefer.
"Try to relax your mind," Lenna's voice sounded quiet, lulling. "Let go of your thoughts and give in to sleep..."
As Ciri tried to follow the suggestion, she began to feel as though her mind was gaining weight. Her head became heavier, her thoughts sluggish. In the back of her mind, something was happening. She heard timid sounds of tidal waves, the crunch of pebbles under the boots... A kaleidoscope of images twirled around, the tower covered in fog, the statues, black stones with pale blotches of skulls looking through...
It was exactly like being stuck in a dream. But since this was not Ciri's dream, she was a mere observer on the sidelines.
She watched as Yennefer rushed through a room in Tor Zireael, embracing a figure that had Ciri's exact likeness. Her looks, her voice, her mannerisms...it was all there.
Except for the words that spewed from the imposter's mouth. Such vile, poisonous bile it made Ciri feel utterly ashamed.
And in the depth of her chest, she felt Yennefer's disbelief as well. Her surprise. But all too soon she gave in to the belief it was real. That the girl she considered her daughter did not feel the same in return. That it had never been anything but a sham. That Yennefer had failed Ciri in the worst way when she had been needed the most.
Ciri's earlier shame had become Yennefer's. Mingling with heartache and utter fear.
A new voice intercepted the imposter. A man. A foul beast of a brute who was reluctant to call himself Yennefer's father.
His words of rejection mixed with Ciri's, both hurling abuse at the sorceress who was barely attempting to protect herself from the onslaught of punches and kicks, of the blade that pressed to her delicate throat and drew blood.
She deserved this. She deserved their rage and disgust. She was never meant to be a mother. She had destroyed Ciri's life. It was Yennefer's fault.
All of it.
Ciri gasped awake, one hand to her chest to quiet her thrashing heart. Tears stung her eyes and they fell silently to roll down her cheeks.
"I… I would never have done that to her."
"When you carry such fear deep within your heart, you are simultaneously fearing and waiting for it to come true," Lenna uttered. "When after a long time of carrying that burden in your heart you finally observe it happen before your eyes, you are so accustomed to it there is no sliver of disbelief to rise from within your soul to help you doubt." She turned to meet Ciri's eyes, a small melancholic smile twitching her lips for Ciri's comfort. "Being strong and pretending to be strong are two very different things. One is real and the other one is but a façade to crumble if lightning strikes."
"Yennefer is strong," Ciri argued, getting to her feet and wiping her face. "One can be strong and still have moments of weakness."
But she understood what Lenna meant. And she wished Yennefer would have confessed these fears to her a long time ago. But such was not the way of adults. They would not unleash their inner workings on a child.
"Be careful, Your Highness," Lenna said. "Much trouble awaits you. You will need her to be strong. You both need to be strong."
Ciri reminded herself of Lenna's words as she stood outside Yennefer's door later that evening. She'd seen Istredd enter sometime before dinner but wasn't sure if he was still there. No voices could be heard from inside.
But Ciri was still reluctant to knock. Mostly because she hated the way Yennefer looked at her now. But also because she worried she'd fail her mother now that she needed her most.
Just as Yennefer had felt inside the tower.
In the end, Ciri summoned her courage and brought her knuckles to the door, knocking.
Istredd had left minutes prior to let the servants know they'd be dining in Yennefer's room again. He hadn't even tried to convince Yennefer to go to the dining hall. In fact, Yennefer knew Istredd preferred when it was just the two of them. And for now, so did she.
Yennefer desperately wished for Istredd to return as her gaze fixed on Ciri standing outside her door, politely expecting to be invited in. Yennefer knew there would come a time when it all became too much for Ciri to bear, that there had to be a foregone conclusion to Yennefer's avoidance game and the girl's unprecedented anger, but at the same time, the sorceress wasn't ready for the confrontation.
Yennefer's heart began to race.
"Is there word on Geralt?"
"I wish there was, but no," Ciri confessed, trying to use her most soothing voice. "I do need to speak to you, though. May I come inside?" And, at Yennefer's reluctance: "Or we could sit out here, if that's more comfortable?" Ciri gestured to the sofas.
"Let's sit," Yennefer said, pushing aside the urge she had to shrink or hunch away from Ciri. When there were people around the two of them it was easier to keep a brave face and act as if nothing was wrong, doing so now was a chore. She waited on the girl to move and then shifted with her, mimicking her steps, being careful not to turn her back on her until eventually, she was able to take a seat on the couch. "Is everything all right?"
"No," Ciri said softly, searching Yennefer's eyes. "And you know it is not. Ever since the Tower."
She kept her hands in her lap, trying not to touch the sorceress until it was either consented to or absolutely necessary.
"I know what you saw in there. I know what happened."
The semi-pleasant mask Yennefer was wearing fell from her face as if knocked off. She drew her hands to her lap, curling them into fists to keep from pushing her away to attempt to run. "How? Why?"
"The oneiromancer they sent here to help you, she showed me. I needed to know," Ciri said, her voice pleading with Yennefer to understand why she would violate the sorceress's privacy. "I needed to know what you saw, to understand why you avoid me now. You're afraid of me. And I don't blame you. That thing… it took my face. My form. My voice. And it hurt you."
"Yes, it hurt me. You hurt me. I understand. I wasn't— I am not a very good mother. I've had my failings and that will be something that I will always struggle with. You were never meant to be mine."
"Yennefer – Mommy – that was not me! I would never say such things to you because they are simply not true. And I would never intentionally hurt you."
Ciri tried to catch her gaze, to make the sorceress see the sincerity in her eyes.
"I think you know that, too. Your heart knows the truth. But fear is not allowing you to access that knowledge." She swallowed, offering up her hands. "Feel my heart. Learn my truth. I will hide it from you no longer."
Kain's assurance sprung to her mind as Yennefer fixed Ciri's hands with a look. Her own hands had started to sweat. It took effort to accept Ciri's offer, to slide her hands over hers, unable to let go of the fear that it might be a trick, that at any moment there would be hatred in Ciri's eyes and pain in Yen's arms. When pain didn't come, Yennefer tightened her hold on Ciri's hands and let their energies slowly meld together.
Ciri exhaled a sigh of relief when Yennefer took her hands, squeezing gently. That was a good first step.
Now, how to proceed?
Gods, she wished Kain was here with them. Guiding them. Instructing Ciri on how to heal Yennefer's broken perception.
Out of the two of them, he was the healer. Ciri was just the ball of exploding rage.
Quite the opposite of what she needed to be right now.
She closed her eyes and tried to open her mind to Yennefer. The sorceress had the ability to rifle through people's heads – sometimes even if they were reluctant. If she could only see that Ciri had not been the damaging force she'd encountered in the tower, Yennefer would have to see the truth. But to think of nothing and allow someone free access was harder than she thought. Even now that it was someone she loved.
She couldn't think of nothing. It was impossible.
She desperately hoped that Yennefer would get what she needed before she could witness all the wretched memories Ciri was carrying.
Like Bonhart. Oh Gods, what if she saw Bonhart! The bleeding, headless bodies of The Rats. Ciri on her knees on the dirt. The pain, the degradation…
No!
Ciri yanked her hands back, eyes abruptly opening. Blood was rushing in her ears.
"I'm sorry," she breathed. "I don't know what… I just need a moment."
Yennefer lowered her hands to her lap again, her palms upward in an uncharacteristic gesture of submission. Her fingers relaxed. Whatever contact they'd had for those few seconds triggered a deep-rooted need in her heart. A heart that was still racing, each beat screaming I love you, please don't destroy me.
"Take the time you need, I'm not going anywhere."
Ciri tried to clear her mind of the things she did not wish Yennefer to see. But the process only brought those exact memories to the forefront of her mind.
Fists and boots lashing out at her naked curled-up body. Chafing from the collar wound tightly around her neck, like the vile dog he saw her as. A torrent of words that reaffirmed just how disgusting and worthless she was. Dead eyes hungering for her demise.
If Yennefer were to see, would she adopt Bonhart's point of view? Would she finally understand that the girl she called daughter was nothing but a wretched thief and whore?
Ciri nervously searched Yennefer's face, but the sorceress gave nothing away. Ciri had to take the chance. If she chose to do nothing, Yennefer would be lost to her anyhow.
She lay her hands in Yennefer's again and closed her eyes, trying to calm her breathing, attempting with all her might to keep the gates to her mind open for the sorceress to enter.
The first thing Yennefer saw was what Ciri had tried to hide. Disgust and hate swept through Yennefer like poison. Hate for the empty, fish-like eyes she'd seen terrorizing her daughter and the grotesque things he'd put her through. Her eyes began to fill with tears, emotion making her grip tighten on her daughter's hands, desperate to see more, to rip the flesh from his face. She didn't speak, a lump forming in her throat, thick and hard to push through as she swallowed.
Ciri tried to push those memories aside, focusing instead on her own time in the tower. She needed to show Yennefer none of it had been spent tormenting the sorceress. That she had not even seen her ever since they teleported to the lake outside.
But the more Ciri focused on that time, the more futile it started to feel. Even if Yennefer were to believe her, why would it take the fear away? It would still be there, rational despite its source being a lie. It wouldn't erase the face that had abused her so violently. It would probably only serve to make her feel like she was losing her mind.
Ciri inhaled, her brow furrowed in concentration, her mind going a mile a minute. Concrete proof would not help this situation; the feelings Yennefer now had attached to Ciri's whole being would still persist. The feelings needed to change. Fear had to be replaced with love.
She tightened her hold on Yennefer's hands as if it could conduct the affection from Ciri to her, pushing the sensation upon her.
Surely, Yennefer's heart had to recognize these emotions. Or had Ciri never been able to make her feel loved? That was a terrifying thought.
She thought of their first weeks together: The first time Ciri laid eyes on her, she had been in awe. Of Yennefer's beauty and the power that radiated off her like a glowing sun.
There had been apprehension, yes, and a strong drive to please her. To impress her. Those were the days Ciri had still referred to her as Lady Yennefer. Her tutor.
A tutelage that had evolved into something more. A relationship with true meaning. Affection had grown in Ciri's heart. Affection so genuine and powerful it had become love.
Yennefer had chosen her. She had not taken on the role of Ciri's mother because she had to. Not due to some obligation owed.
She had wanted to. Had wanted Ciri, even though the girl was rude and flawed, and damaged.
And Ciri had chosen her in return. Because Yennefer made Ciri feel safe. Protected. Cherished.
Fear challenged the warmth that crawled up Yennefer's arms, making her gasp softly as the intensity increased. There was no doubting Ciri's love, what she felt or even what it meant, making Yen's insides roil with renewed guilt. Ciri loved her and Yennefer loved Ciri. That had become clear since their first time at Melitele Temple with Nenneke and during their studies. Yennefer could still remember sitting Ciri down in front of the vanity table, could feel her fingers moving through Ciri's blonde hair as she tried to work away the day's knots as carefully as possible, trying to limit hurting her. Yet that's what Yennefer had done, what she continued to do now, what her rebellious mind was incapable of letting go of as she felt Ciri's fists leaving their brutal marks against her ribs.
But that wasn't true. It couldn't be. How could someone who hated her, who had seen her as a monster deserving of suffering, make the shadows that darkened her heart feel so free?
Tears coursed down the sorceress's cheeks unchecked, makeup steaking, her knuckles whitening as she held onto Ciri, too afraid to let go, to lose the feeling that was encasing her heart in its loving vice. When she did let go, it was only to move her hands to Ciri's shoulders, to drag the girl against her chest and comfort her in the way that she should have a long time ago. To ease away those images of the man with the dead eyes and hatred, to apologize for being weak and ever thinking bad of her, for failing her once more, while simultaneously promising to never do it again.
"You're safe with me."
Ciri gasped as Yennefer embraced her, hurriedly wrapping her arms around the sorceress's waist, pressing her face to Yennefer's bosom to soak up her tears.
Ciri's heart swelled within her chest, aching from trying to contain all that love and longing the past few minutes had accumulated. She did not hold back. No walls were erected to keep anyone out. She let Yennefer experience it all.
"I know, Mama. I have never doubted it."
You are my mother.
I am your daughter.
I will always choose you.
Something opened up inside Yennefer at Ciri's response, rising higher and higher like a tidal wave, crashing from her lungs in a whoosh. She hadn't realized that despite her release from the Tower, she had been suffocating on her darkest insecurities, unable to see what she should have rationally known. She had been still trapped all this time.
"I'm sorry I doubted you," Yennefer murmured against Ciri's hair, loathing the taste of the betrayal in her mouth. Yennefer had only ever wanted to be better for Ciri, to earn her place within the destiny of that surprise child. "Never again. Never again will I let my insecurities cloud what I know. What you are to me. My gift. My heart."
A trill of exalted laughter fell from Ciri's throat, muffled against Yennefer's dress before she pulled back to meet her mother's eyes. "I am so relieved. I have felt so lost without you. Without Geralt."
Geralt.
Guilt overcame Yennefer again. She had temporarily forgotten about him, while her memory and needs had been clouded and she had been focused on nothing but her own security and comfort. Yennefer continued to cry freely for the first time, holding Ciri in a way she'd never allowed herself to do before. As if she'd earned her, as if she was allowed, and as if she wouldn't break her. "I've been so lost myself. I... I've never... I love you."
"I love you," Ciri reciprocated, hardly able to believe it had worked. That she was able to heal someone in a similar manner to Kain.
She captured Yennefer's beautiful face in her hands, gently wiping the tears from her cheeks with her thumbs. A smile bloomed on Ciri's lips despite the overwhelming emotion still ravaging them both.
"I am so sorry for what you went through, Yennefer. It should never have happened. I swear I did not mean to lose you. Kain says the Tower's magic interfered with my own."
"It's not your doing," Yennefer replied, offering Ciri a genuine smile this time. She set her hands over Ciri's, removing them from her face, cradling them in her lap, selfishly soaking up the affection she'd been without for so long. "You couldn't have known that would happen to us going in. Elven magic is powerful and at times beyond our comprehension. I am grateful you were able to come unscathed."
"And I'm grateful none of us ended up in Tir ná Lia," Ciri replied, marveling at how the dark circles under Yennefer's eyes seemed to have evaporated in the past few minutes. As though a cloak of exhaustion had been lifted. How did she do that?
"Are you feeling alright?" Ciri hoped so. And she hoped it would stick. That this was not some temporary reprieve from what had ailed Yennefer.
Yennefer lightly nodded her agreement, her thumbs tracing the outline of Ciri's palms, washing away the fear she'd had of those tiny fists and their lethality. She took a moment to think of an answer to Ciri's question. "Actually, yes. I've been in so much pain these last few days... it... it almost feels as if I'd imagined it."
With a bit of reluctance, she let Ciri's hand go, shifting it to her abdomen, to a place that had been tender beneath her clothing. It didn't hurt.
"I almost feel out of my head. Mad." Yennefer swallowed, returning her stray hand to Ciri's. She was thinking about something else as well, what she'd seen, those dead eyes — that familiar face. There was so much they still had to talk about.
"I think, for the first time this week, you can rightfully say you are not mad," Ciri pointed out. "Do you think I should call for Master Istredd? Have him look you over?"
"No need, I'm fine," Yennefer answered, her smile dimming slightly. She'd realized that in her haze of despair, she had complicated things again. That it would be hard to admit that Istredd was already looking her over. And had. Multiple times. "You look tired though, as if you've been through the wars. Perhaps we should call for some servants? Have you eaten anything?"
"Yes, we should eat," Ciri agreed, getting to her feet and wiping whatever moisture remained on her face with the sleeve of her shirt. "I'll go alert someone. I'll be back in a moment."
She paused halfway out the door, smiling back at Yennefer over her shoulder. "I am so glad to have you back."
When Istredd came to Yennefer's quarters after her dinner and bath time, he found her at her vanity table, brushing her raven hair and humming to herself. In the mirror before her he glimpsed her smile.
"You're in good spirits, my love," he noted, approaching her. "I'm happy to see it. I hear you have spent some time with Cirilla. You have talked everything out, I take it?"
"We have," she answered, reading his expression, trying to gauge if he was happy or disappointed by that information. "I feel lighter. I don't— it's hard for me to even come to terms with what I was thinking — believing — she'd done to me. I've failed her. I keep failing her." Yennefer set aside the brush on the vanity and twisted around to face him.
"You haven't failed her, Yenna," he said in a tender, loving tone that always soothed her. He approached and kneeled before her chair, his hands crept gently up her knees and thighs. "You have never failed anyone. You accepted this girl as your child and helped raise her. She knows it and will always call you mother. I saw her for the first time in my life when she came here, and I saw nothing but worry and love for you in her." He reached a hand to her face, stroked her cheekbone with his thumb, combed his fingers through her curls. "You're a great mother. I've always known you'd be a great mother."
There was something touching about hearing those words. In the past they'd spoken about children, but not frequently. He knew what the idea of her having one meant to her, and she knew that Istredd was dedicated to his search for any means to help her achieve such a miracle. But she barely believed she'd ever experience it, not until a child had fallen into her lap and then crawled into her heart. She'd never planned to love Ciri, and yet she did, so much.
Tears sprung to her eyes yet again, lower lip quivering in wake of his tender touch. She'd wished for their relationship to be different, for their love to be ever-encompassing, and yet, even as she stared into his loving eyes, all she thought about was Geralt.
Was he suffering in the tower as she had? Was he dead?
"Have you spoken to Triss?"
"Not today, no," Istredd frowned, his hand lingering against the side of her neck on its way down. "I believe she's traveling between Skellige and Novigrad. Why, you wish to see her? We shall send for her tomorrow if she doesn't come on her own."
Yennefer nodded her agreement, raising a hand to his arm, holding onto his wrist gently. She didn't move it. "What of the bard? Is he still making an audience around the palace?"
He studied her closely. "You... don't recall? Is everything all right with you?"
Dread swept through her belly, slowly worming its way to her throat, suddenly concerned. "Recall what?"
"About his visits and whatnot? He's not been around today. You have requested his presence before, however. You remember? Early in the morn."
"Oh." Yennefer did remember. Even if the interaction itself had been a bit hazy here and there, wrapped in strangling fear. "Yes, I remember. Of course. I just wanted to know if he was still around, I wanted— I'd like to talk to him again. Perhaps tomorrow."
"Of course," he smiled. "We shall invite him tomorrow." His thumb caressed her cheek.
She fixed a look on his face, studying his features as if seeing them more clearly and for the first time. Something stirred inside her again, a comfort that persisted when he was around. Why did it always have to be so complicated? And why was he still so good to her after she'd hurt him? Abandoned him again?
She released his wrist and leaned forward to press her mouth to his own. "Thank you for everything you've done. You're—you've always been so good to me."
His hand snuck to the back of her neck as he kissed her back.
"How can it be different? I love you, Yenna. That didn't change."
Istredd made everything easy for her. Not once had been angry or spiteful after she chose to leave him. Which she'd done multiple times in the past. Not just for or because of Geralt. Another kiss, lingering and sweet, and then she slowly began to get to her feet.
"It's been a long day, let's get some rest."
He rose and watched her stroll towards the bed, stretching like a cat as she went. A jolt of desire went through him, but he tried to focus on another thought.
"Do you remember the elven medallion that was with you in the Tower?" he asked.
Yennefer drew a knee up and sat on the edge of the bed as he spoke. She'd forgotten about the medallion. She'd forgotten about a lot of things. "What about it?"
"Have you taken it from my quarters? You should've just asked, I'd give it back to you myself."
"It's gone." Yennefer's insides twisted, her eyes widening, her face flush.
Istredd's expression got darker. "Who could have taken it? I kept it under a thief trap spell. Someone broke through it. Could it be that Nilfgaardian sorceress, Vigo? Or someone else?"
"Vigo? Possible." Yennefer had always been honest with Istredd and she wasn't about to limit her opinions now. "I can't know for sure. Did you try a tracking spell? To locate the energy source?"
"It's why I asked you," he confessed. "I couldn't find any trace. No residue. It's either some masterful execution of concealing magic or it disappeared on its own. However, the trap has been disturbed - it has fired. It would have left burns to linger for a day or two despite healing spells. And the decoy left untouched."
Yennefer's other leg came up, dragging closer to her chest while she thought it over, trying to work through her list of suspects. In the palace, it could be anyone. "You only just noticed your trap was disturbed?"
"No, I merely didn't want to worry you before. And I thought I might have missed something. But now that I've tried everything I could in vain, I thought you might have ideas about the identity of that thief. From what Cirilla and her witcher friend told us, that trinket is of high significance. It should not fall into wrong hands."
"But it has," Yennefer stated unnecessarily, irritated with herself, with her weakness and the distraction it had provided. She began to move again, to slide off the mattress. "I should tell Ciri."
"I noticed it gone yesterday," he said. "Have you had visitors? Or has anyone in the court told you anything of interest? Try to remember."
Morvan came to mind. Along with their time spent in the forest. But that was secondary to everything else, to what Istredd might think or even feel. At least for now.
"Philippa. It must be her. I can't think of anyone else."
"Imperial mages vigilantly guard this castle," Istredd reminded. "No one could have slipped through the barriers unless allowed to do so, or invited. I do not believe Eilhart is on the Emperor's lenient list."
"Then someone inside of the castle." Morvan. But she couldn't see why he would do something like that.
What would he have to gain from interfering? Maybe he knew something. Perhaps he could enlighten her. Them. "I've been out of the loop for too long. I'll have to speak to Ciri. She might have a better idea of what is going on."
"Very well," he nodded. "It could help. If that trinket is that important, better not tell anyone else until we know more."
"I agree. The fewer people know it's gone, the better. We don't want to give anyone wind of what we know. For now, just go on as if we have it, and Ciri and I will take care of it. Find out who could possibly have taken it."
Istredd smirked; it showed a tad of bitterness. "Think Ciri can track down someone who leaves no trace?"
"I'm not discounting or overlooking what you've done, Val," Yennefer retorted, offering him a smile, recognizing the difference in his tone. "It doesn't mean Ciri and I shouldn't try anyway."
"By all means," he waved an inviting hand, indicating she can go ahead and visit Ciri's quarters. "I shall go and look once again. With fresh eyes."
With that, he walked out.
Yennefer stared after him, sighing audibly as the door closed behind him, digesting his reaction as she redressed. A minute later, she was headed in search of Ciri's room.
Ciri woke the next morning feeling lighter than she had ever since arriving in Vizima. After a good six hours of sleep – a rarity for her – Ciri felt quite rested and ready to face the day.
And the first task on her agenda was to find Kain and tell him the news on Yennefer. She imagined he would be as elated as Ciri herself and would feed off the win just enough to keep them going in the search for Geralt.
Even so, the good news had to be tainted with the disappearance of the anchor Yennefer had brought with her to the tower. Yennefer had informed her of it the night before. If they were lucky, Kain might offer some insight into that situation as well.
She left Kelpie behind in Vizima that morning and traveled directly to Novigrad by teleportation, practically skipping down the stairs with a rare smile on her face.
"Hello! Morning!" She spied Zoltan's red beard behind the counter.
"Oi, lassie!" the dwarf reciprocated, coming from behind the bar with a wide grin on his face. "Ye look so fine. Rested well? The poet still dozin like a dead log if ye wanted to see him."
Ciri shook her head and lifted herself onto the counter to sit. "No need to wake the minstrel. It's Kain I am looking for. Again."
"Oh," Zoltan pondered, scratching his head, then beard. "Haven't seen im since ye came lookin for im last time. Mayhap he's spendin his time away with his beast or somethin. Or stayed in Ellander like Triss said if she hasn't taken him someplace else like Skellige."
"Checked Ellander yesterday," Ciri said, peering over the counter to see if there was anything to drink hidden behind it. "But he may be tucked away with his griffin. I'll check there next."
"Ye wan' to eat first?" he asked, snatching a mug from under the counter, blowing into it to get rid of any possible dust, then pouring some mead there from a pitcher. He held it out to Ciri and winked, smiling.
"Thank you, dearest," Ciri returned the smile and took the mug. "I'd love bacon if there is any leftover." She sipped her mead and slipped off the counter to sit in one of the chairs. "Yennefer is feeling much better. Practically back to her old self."
"Oh is she?" he said on his way to the kitchen. "Why doncha all come back here, then? I mean no shitte to say or insult ye, Ciri, but I don't trust them Black Ones while yer stayin under their roof."
Something clattered in the kitchen, something began to sizzle, and soon enough the smell of frying bacon reached Ciri's nostrils.
"Yes, we might as well return," Ciri agreed, though she wasn't sure Yennefer would be as eager to leave behind the luxury of the palace. And Istredd.
Ciri ate quickly and finished her mug of mead, thanking Zoltan for his hospitality once again and bidding him a temporary adieu before she headed out.
She strolled through the city and out its gates, wandering along the riverbank toward the spot where Kain liked to take his baths. There was no sign of him there, and once Ciri found her way to the cave where his griffin was supposed to stay, she found that empty and abandoned as well. There were plenty of discarded feathers on the floor, so she knew the location was correct.
But there was no Griffin. And no Kain.
They left, a small treacherous voice in the back of Ciri's mind whispered, the image of Kain and Griffin flying away into some unknown forest where the canopy swallowed them entirely flashed before her inner eye.
But no. It didn't make sense. Kain wouldn't simply leave. Not now. Not after everything they had been through. He wouldn't abandon Ciri.
But the longer she searched in vain, the more that possibility started to feel plausible.
Nenneke had been the next one to receive a visit. She had not seen Kain since the night he helped Lenna, which had apparently left him weakened and in need of a few hours rest before he'd been off on 'urgent business'. What business that could be, neither Nenneke nor Ciri could fathom.
If it was something important, why would he not have told Ciri?
Rising panic welled within. Kain was nowhere to be found and now the whole morning had passed, Ciri had to finally admit what she had not been ready to a few hours earlier: she could no longer feel him. Just as she could no longer feel Geralt.
(Remember, Cirilla, I warned you. When you lose another one, you'll come back.)
Philippa's voice this time, flashing through Ciri's head like a faint memory of a nightmare. Her heart picked up its pace, thumping painfully.
Could it be? Had Philippa made good on her threats? Somehow captured Kain in her web of lies and deceit? Stolen him away?
Ciri exhaled shakily, working up the focus to summon her powers that would take her back to Vizima. It was time Yennefer knew what her old colleague had been up to.
"We can't trust her," Yennefer said after Ciri had filled her in, realizing she was stating the obvious. But their communication had been off during the last few days and Yennefer wanted to leave no room for misinterpretations. "But I don't believe you have to worry about her kidnapping Kain. She doesn't want to alienate you, she wants to control you. If she has any sense — and I know she does — she wouldn't do that. Not unless she was desperate. Really desperate."
"So then why would she say that?" Ciri asked, pacing Yennefer's suite. "Why would she threaten him? Say that I would lose him if I didn't give in to her demands? It can't be a coincidence that he disappears a day later."
"I can't know for sure," Yennefer retorted, watching Ciri pace. "But it might be that she knows something or she's merely trying to make you think she does by being dramatic. There can be a multitude of reasons for the things she says, but we know for certain that one of those reasons is that she wants you on her side. She wants to use you. She needs you." Yennefer crossed the space between them, reaching out to gently take Ciri by the shoulders. "If we want to know for certain what Philippa knows or what she is doing, then I say we should give her what she wants. Or at least let her think we have."
Ciri met her gaze, chewing on her lower lip. "I am not certain she will believe us. I've already vehemently declined her offer several times over."
"Then we make her believe it," Yennefer stated, needing only a moment to think about it. "Give her reason. Have you spoken to Triss or Margarita?"
"Not in depth," Ciri said. "Though Fringilla stopped by my room my first night here. Said I should attempt to get the elven sorceresses on our side."
"Fringilla is a lesser evil. But she's still an evil. Not someone we can fully trust. Do you think you'd be able to get them on our side?"
"I don't know how," Ciri admitted. "But it's not exactly on the top of my list of priorities." She gently shook Yennefer off and ran a hand through her ashen hair, considering. "We need to go see Philippa. Right now."
"And tell her what?" Yennefer asked, moving to take Ciri's hands, keeping a stern but gentle hold on her. "We need a story. A reason. Something believable to make Philippa think she's in control. But not enough that it's actually true. You can't be reckless about this."
Ciri had been planning to simply barge into Philippa's castle and put a knife to her throat, but something about Yennefer's tone made her feel that was a bad idea.
"Well," she murmured eventually. "If I ever was to agree to Philippa's terms, it would be to ensure the safety of someone I love..."
"You love him?" This wasn't the first time they'd spoken about Ciri's love interests, and there was something reminiscent about the phrasing, something that made it extend past caring, but for now, Yennefer was using the change in topic as a distraction, to calm her down. "You're in love with him?"
Ciri blinked, taken aback. "What? Yennefer! That is not the point! And… if Philippa has Kain, what's to say she doesn't have Geralt as well?"
"If you believed that or even thought for a second that it was a possibility, you'd have spoken to her about it already. Or worse. I know you're worried about Kain, about his well-being, but before we make any sudden moves, we need to be clear. To keep hold of the upper hand. It wouldn't take her much to try and divide us, and she will try. Philippa will always try."
Yennefer squeezed Ciri's hands gently, bringing them to her lips, pressing an affectionate kiss to each. They were capable of more than destruction. Much more.
"With that said, we may have to make her believe that you and I no longer have an affection for one another. That you have no choice but to reach out to her."
"Yennefer," Ciri sighed. "It will not be believable. I think you underestimate just how obstinate I have been in the past with her, and how well I have ensured her of my loyalty to you.
"Now, she didn't mention anything about you in her demands. Nor Geralt. I don't think it will be like last time when she wanted us to break all contact."
"Listen to me, my love. She will never stop trying to do that. She wants you to need her. However, if you truly think that something has happened to Kain—" Yennefer arched her brows as if to ask if Ciri was one hundred percent sure, "—then we should make use of her connections. We could use all the help we can get."
Ciri held out her hands. "Montecalvo it is, then. Are you ready to face the bitch?"
Yennefer slid her hands into Ciri's again and nodded. "Always."
Philippa was not impressed with their unannounced visit. She glared at them, folding her arms.
"Can't say it's a pleasure to see you, Yennefer," she said, and flicked her black eyes to Ciri. "What do you want?"
Ciri immediately rushed her way, eyes flashing dangerously, hand on the hilt of her dagger. "What did you do to them, you snake?!"
Philippa jerked up her eyebrows, derisive and unperturbed. "I didn't do anything to anyone. What is wrong with you, child? You look a bit out of yourself. You might need some rest, those bags under your eyes don't do you any favors."
Yennefer wasn't surprised by Ciri's outburst, waiting patiently for a point where she could intervene. "Don't take it personally, Philippa, you should be flattered she sees you as so conniving and duplicitous. It is your forte." Before Philippa could interject or throw any more sideswipe into the mix, Yennefer spoke again. "Kain's missing."
"Oh," Philippa said, betraying no emotion other than a sliver of cold acknowledgement. She looked at Ciri. "Well, I gave my warnings. If you did not heed — it is not my fault. I offered my help when it was beneficial to all of us. And now things got worse, and you run back? What if it's too late? Have you thought about that before throwing accusations and calling names under my roof?"
"Obviously," Ciri seethed. "If it's too late, I am holding you personally responsible. Just as I warned you." Yet the knife remained in its sheath. For now. "What do you know?"
Philippa cracked a nasty smile. "What in the hells can you offer me for what I know?"
"It's always all or nothing with you, Philippa," Yennefer put in. "This is why you've never been a good leader for the Lodge. Why it never goes anywhere beyond the fruitless dreams and we're forever viewed as lepers. You've no heart. No compassion."
"Let us leave my heart — and yours, for that matter — out of it, for it is utterly immaterial to what this is about." Philippa shot a glare Yennefer's way, emanating warning. "Stay out of it. You have nothing to discuss with me. You should not even be here."
"I'm willing to talk terms," Ciri said, taking a step back to lower the temptation to strike Philippa's smug face. "I know what you want. It's a price I'm reluctant to pay." There was no need to pretend otherwise. "But I want Geralt and Kain back. Alive and unharmed. Which makes me less reluctant."
Philippa rolled her eyes with a mocking snort. "I wish you wouldn't test my patience with your wavering between yes and no. It's unbecoming. I have given you my terms. Now you tell me yours, without maybe, without any hesitations. Time for hesitation is gone, girl. I trust you see it now."
"I am not signing away my life unless you confirm you actually know where the witchers are." Ciri folded her arms over her chest, eyeing Philippa closely. "I don't trust you. But if we are to enter into this… partnership, I will have to. Tell me you have the information and I will take your word for it. But if you lie to me, whatever agreement we enter into will be null and void."
"I know who has your witchers," Philippa said. "Had you learned anything and grown up enough to pay attention to the world we live in and what's happening in it, you'd figure it out as well. Nevertheless, I can try to help you — if it's not too late — but as I said before, I want it all. I will not lift a finger for you unless I have what I want. I am very much done with charity work."
Ciri's stomach was churning with anger, but she made a great effort not to let it show.
"Then I will give you what you want," she said, swallowing the urge to give in to physical assault once more. Gods, she loathed Philippa! "But I will not be told who to communicate with. Geralt and Yennefer will be a part of my life. As will anyone else I care about. Those are my terms."
"Yennefer shan't be a part of Lodge," Philippa stated. "If we give her Geralt back, they will remove themselves from our horizon to live remotely as they did before crawling back out.
"As for you, Cirilla, you need to finally understand that this is a world of men born into power and taking it for granted. They never share it with any woman, and everything you need from life you have to take and be able to keep, because they will try to take it back and punish you for the insolence of desiring to be equal to them.
"You have to take responsibility for your legacy and your blood. For your unique power that enables you to change our lives. You have to stand by my side at the head of the Lodge and state your conditions to the Emperor. The only way you get any control over your life and freedom in choosing the man you want to be with is to make your royal father agree to it. You will have the Lodge by your side, all our magic combined that they're so afraid of, and if we get a kingdom of our own - same as Francesca has always been fighting for - we will become a power to reckon with. That is the only way we ensure safety for all sorceresses. We ensure that no king ever dares decide that he can slaughter us just because we're stronger."
"Fine." Ciri hated herself for speaking that word, even if she knew she'd never live a life where Yennefer and Geralt were not part of the picture. Philippa would learn in time that she could not control all aspects of Ciri's existence. Even if she would have to give in on certain things. "And you will stand with me against The Hunt?"
"Our whole Lodge will," Philippa said with a condescending smile. "That is the point, Cirilla. You need all of us and we need you. We all win if we unite, and we all lose if we do not. Are we in agreement on it?"
There was silence for a few long seconds. Ciri felt as though she was striking a deal with a demon. But what other choice did she have?
She shot a quick glance Yennefer's way before meeting Philippa's gaze again. "We are."
"Very well. Now, our main problem is Francesca and Ida. Your blood and powers make you the prize each side desires. The elves want to claim the world and destroy all humans. Any sorceress is still a mere human in their eyes, they won't view us as anything more. They want to trade you, Cirilla, for their rule on the Continent. Until we manage to make Aen Seidhe change their mind and take our side in this war, everyone you love will be in danger because they are leverage. I will never believe that Aen Elle are willing to simply hand this world over to Aen Seidhe. They want both you and our world for themselves, and with that outcome, we lose it all, and you lose your life and the people you call your family."
She made a step closer to Ciri, staring into her eyes. Her own were black and sharp as daggers.
"Are you willing to do what I say to turn this around before it's too late?" she demanded. "Are you ready to take my hand and make those two elven witches change their minds? You have to help me convince Francesca and Ida that you are a more powerful ally than the Aen Elle, and that you can give them what they desire while Aen Elle will lie to them and then destroy them along with everyone opposing their force."
Ciri nodded, a small part of her traitorous heart feeling glad that Philippa seemed to know exactly what to do. That she already had a plan in mind to bring the elven sorceresses onto their side.
"What do you need me to do?"
"I will gather our previous Lodge members and you will pledge your allegiance to the Lodge and me as its leader," she said. "You will tell them that you will take your rightful place as Cintra's lost princess and make Emhyr give you the right to your kingdom that belongs to you and set the Lodge there. You will ensure Francesca's reign over Dol Blathanna as the rightful queen she was supposed to be instead of the duchess she has become. You will make Emhyr agree to pardon Scoia'tael and allow them repatriation to their land — all those things he has denied them before. If the elves gain what is theirs by right, we can coax them to join our side rather than Aen Elle's. If we fail, we lose everything. Do you understand the importance?"
"I do," Ciri said. "How quickly can you gather The Lodge?"
"The ones we have already gathered for your problem with the Hunt before are available at any moment. Our problem is with Francesca and Ida, as I stated. I shall do my best, but I cannot guarantee how soon they answer my call. It is up to them. However, under the circumstances and with what we can offer them, I believe they shall be willing to hear us out as soon as possible. You better start worrying about your negotiations with Emhyr."
"I don't understand how you put up with that hag for all those years," Ciri murmured upon their return to Yennefer's quarters in Vizima, rubbing her temples with two fingers to soothe an oncoming headache.
"I've had very little choice in the matter," Yennefer retorted, checking the teapot to see if there was anything hot they could drink to quench their thirst. "Besides, our interactions are limited. It's preferable to both of us as our interests and wants have always conflicted. If it wasn't for Francesca I wouldn't be part of the Lodge at all." She shrugged as she glanced at Ciri. "You handled yourself well enough with her, at least—but we can't be sure she'll keep her end of the bargain. That she won't add a few more stipulations on the way. We'll have to look at other options."
Ciri collapsed atop Yennefer's bed. "Such as?"
"Such as General Voorhis."
"Think he'll be on our side when he hears what I've promised?" Ciri didn't think so. It was practically the same as spitting in Emhyr's face.
"Probably not, but we can trust that, of everyone in the palace, he'll be the only one to listen to reason or help us come up with an alternative. We need an alternative."
"Fine." Ciri sighed, rubbing her face. "You know him best, so I'll take your word for it."
She peered out the window to gauge what the time was. The sun was still quite high in the sky. Morvran probably would not be available at this time of day, but she could still try.
"I'll go talk to him. Maybe you should alert Triss about what is happening?"
"I don't think we should tell anyone else. Especially Triss."
Ciri supposed Yennefer had a point. The chestnut-haired sorceress had betrayed them before.
"And Istredd? Is he trustworthy?"
"Yes, he is," Yennefer said. Istredd knew what Ciri meant to Yennefer, and she knew he'd never do anything to hurt Ciri because of it. "He is a good man."
"Good men can still be capable of wrongdoings," Ciri pointed out. "And Morvran? You trust him too?"
"It's like you said, all good men are capable of wrongdoing. Morvan isn't Phillippa by any means, but he is a politician. A good one. But yes, when it comes to certain ideals and views, I do trust him."
That was enough for Ciri. For now.
She got up off the bed. "I'll go find him. See what he says."
Yennefer nodded, smiling. "I'll be here."
Morvran's quarters were empty when Ciri entered. Someone had already lit the fireplace in preparation for the evening and a tray of candied nuts and fruit stood atop his desk.
A mere minute passed before the temptation became too much to resist, and Ciri began nibbling the treats as she perused his office and waited for the general to show his face.
He managed to come in so silently that Ciri, too consumed by the candied nuts, started and almost dropped the one pinched between her fingers.
"I apologize, Princess," Morvran said with a disarming smile. "Didn't want to startle you. Nor make you wait."
Ciri chewed and swallowed as quickly as her mouth would work. "Not to worry. Thought I'd have longer." Which was evident in the greedy consumption of nuts. "Are you free to talk?"
"Of course." He poured her a glass of wine from a carafe and invited her to one of the chairs at the fireplace.
"It's bad news, I'm afraid," Ciri said, taking a seat, gently swirling the wine in her glass. "Kain has gone missing." She met Morvran's eyes. "Like Geralt is missing."
His hand with the carafe froze over his glass for a moment; he stared at her, bemused.
"Since when? And what makes you certain it's the same thing as with Geralt? Has he gone to the tower?"
"He may have." But Ciri could not be certain. "A few days ago, I was summoned to a meeting with Philippa Eilhart. I went because it seemed she had important information to share. But when I got there, she shared nothing but her desire to conquer me, and thereby reinstate The Lodge with its own… Queendom, so to speak. As usual, I rejected her. And that's when she made the threat to Kain. She said I would lose him, too."
Morvran poured his glass of wine, set the carafe back. "Do you believe she has the power to make that happen to both witchers?"
"Magic can overpower anyone if caught by surprise," Ciri said. "But I don't think she is directly responsible. Today, however, she did admit to knowing where they are. And she will give me that information – and aid me in my pursuit – once I give her what she wants."
"Which is?" He settled in the chair across from her. "The Lodge and their own realm with her as the queen?" He took a sip of his wine.
"And what Francesca and the elves were promised. They have not forgotten."
Ciri drank too, a sip much larger than the one Morvran had just indulged in.
"I am to claim my heritage and force the Emperor to deliver on Philippa's demands."
"And how do you assess that mission?"
Ciri exhaled deeply, averting her gaze to the fire crackling at their side. "I told her I would do it. Whether I am capable or not, I do not know."
"You promised her something that doesn't depend on your capabilities," he remarked. "You came to me to make it happen or to find another way?"
"Yennefer wants a substitute plan," Ciri admitted sheepishly.
"My question was for you." He smiled. "You are the princess. No one else is."
Ciri fell into silence, trying to think it through. She wasn't sure why she'd come, other than that Yennefer had told her to.
And all of a sudden she hated Philippa and the sorceresses and the politicians and the kings… for making her life such a miserable mess.
"I want Geralt back," she said simply. "And Kain, too. I know I should care about this world and the people in it, even those I don't know. I should care about their lives and their fates. Because that is what a decent person does. They would not let the world end just to save someone they love.
"But I'm done sacrificing everything. I'm done losing my people. I want the witchers back and I will do terrible, violent things to make it so."
She drank. "I suppose that scares me a little. It… would be nice to have another option."
"I understand," he said, watching her with a sort of wistful appraisal, his hand waving gently, creating a slow whirl of scarlet wine in his glass. "If we imagine giving in to her demands — it takes time to arrange it and hold the Emperor back from skewering her with a spike and setting all that on fire prior to following through similar procedures with any sorceress who's sided with her. Even if a miracle strikes him mad and he agrees, it takes time to settle the whole huge campaign of claiming a realm, and there is another long tale with reaching an agreement with Aen Seidhe and Dol Blathanna."
He trailed off, taking another sip of his wine and savoring it on his tongue, allowing her a moment to consider his words.
Then he asked, "Has she given any hint on where the witchers are and who is responsible?"
Ciri shook her head. "Not that I noticed. But considering Geralt disappeared from an elven portal… it is not too ridiculous to suspect them, is it?"
"You mean Aen Seidhe? Or the Hunt Riders?"
"I thought The Hunt initially. But if it was them, don't you think they would have let me know already?" Ciri mused. "They've tried to use Geralt against me before."
"They started with Yennefer back then," Morvran reminded in a wistful tone. "Then Geralt chased them around for a while until finally he and his fellow witchers fought them and he exchanged himself for her freedom. And then he'd been riding with them for a while before you caught up on what was happening and we caught your trail." He paused for a sip, watching her inquisitively. "How did you find out about it then?"
"There were dreams," Ciri confessed. "Visions I suppose. But also Avallac'h. He found me. Not in this world, but another. Told me what was happening."
"I see. Any dreams now? Any news from Avallac'h?"
She shook her head, her face somber. "None."
His head moved with an imperceptible nod of acknowledgement. Taking another sip, he considered her for a bit.
"Whenever something happens and you're searching for a reason or a culprit," he said eventually, "you must look for those who benefit from it. We know the Hunt would gain your attention — however, you haven't been getting the same signals as you have previously. How do the Aen Seidhe benefit from capturing the witchers? By handing them over to Aen Elle in exchange for whatever was promised or teased? Or to Eilhart in exchange for… what? Dol Blathanna? They would have gained more from catching me for that goal."
"I don't mean to sound narcissistic but I believe it has something to do with me. Geralt is the most important person in the world to me. Kain has become important to me as well. And they both serve as great obstacles between me and my enemies.
"Either someone is trying to get my attention, or they want them out of the way."
"It was what I meant," he smirked. "Matters of this world are best solved with the Emperor or me. Matters of Elder Blood lead to you. The most obvious culprit in your issue is Aen Elle. What Philippa is doing seems more like a game of chance to me. She caught the news, perhaps, but she hardly made it happen. And that means it's not in her power to help you free them. She might be a sorceress of significant prowess and cunning, but I don't believe the Aen Elle consult her in their matters of state. I do not believe they even know she exists."
It made sense. And that was the reason Ciri slumped in her seat, feeling more defeated than ever.
"I can't feel them anymore. Geralt and Kain. I used to be able to. Right here." She pointed to her chest. "There must be some sort of concealment spell. If it is The Hunt, they must be planning something. To catch me at a specific moment. Allow me to find them when they stand ready with nets and pitchforks."
She drained her cup. "Which means I am no closer to getting them back than I was this morning."
"Of course you are. You came to me, and with my aid, you have better chances at fighting the Riders if they are waiting for you with nets and pitchforks." A small reassuring smile touched his mouth; he leaned forward to her. "We will get them back, but time's of the essence. When does Philippa expect you to come back to her?"
"She didn't specify a time. She needs to gather the remaining Lodge members. Francesca and Ida, especially." Ciri sat up a little straighter. "She told me to prepare for negotiations with Emhyr."
He hemmed in acknowledgement, finishing his wine. "For the sake of my curiosity and… our theoretical elaboration, allow me to ask what are you going to do upon stepping out of my door?"
"I assume you worry I am going to do something foolish," she guessed. "But I honestly have no idea as of right now."
"I'm not worried," he said, amused. "But your answer shows you have no strategy of your own, and you need one. I can help with that.
"Since we decided that the Riders are at fault, we have to protect you and Yennefer from following the witchers. That means neither of you is allowed to use your powers to avoid detection.
"I will check Lady Findabair's connection to the witchers' disappearance through my own means.
"If you will absolutely need to go anywhere, I will assign one of our trusted mages to you. I see you're wearing a dimeritium bracelet - hopefully, it's enough to hide your whereabouts. Perhaps they would have come for you already otherwise."
Ciri examined said bracelet. "Perhaps. But it has done its job so far." She met Morvran's gaze. "How long do you think it will take to investigate Francesca?" She already felt as though she was crawling out of her skin, and Morvran had only just recommended she no longer use her powers.
"I'm very acutely aware of how much time we have already missed, Princess. I shall do everything in my power to make it quick.
"Now tell me if Kainar had anyone besides you who could know anything about his plans and travels."
Ciri's gaze fell to the fire again.
Griffin was the first to come to mind, but he was not where he was supposed to be either. It was plausible he had left or even fallen into some trap with Kain.
And then…
"Yes!" she exclaimed, feeling silly for not having thought of it sooner. "I know of someone."
"How much might this someone know? Are you aware what kind of relationship and trust it is between them?"
"He trusts that person. Implicitly," Ciri said, a tinge of bitterness in her voice. She tried to shake it off, didn't like herself when she was like this. "They are… friends. Sometimes lovers."
Morvran nodded with understanding. "Very well. Does that friend know and trust you?"
"Knows me – yes. As for trust..." Ciri couldn't be entirely sure. "It's a hopeful maybe as of right now."
"Is that friend connected to Brokilon by any chance? If it's so, it's not safe for it could be a trap for you. Brokilon is filled with allies of both Scoia'tael and Aen Elle."
"I don't know if this person is, but Kain certainly was. He lived there."
"I'm aware of that. If that friend is an elf, it's more likely than not that it's a Brokilon connection. If the friend's residence is outside of Brokilon, I can allow you a brief visit if you feel you need to. Our mage will portal you and cover your back. And you should pay attention and be ready to flee if it is a trap. Is it clear?"
"Of course. I'll bring my sword," Ciri said, though she doubted there would be any use for it where she was going.
"The sword makes you more noticeable. It might play against your goal to be inconspicuous."
Ciri narrowed her eyes. "Where is this mage of yours going to send me? Can they not make it exactly where I need to be?"
"You name the place and you'll get there. I don't suppose it's a good idea to portal you exactly to that friend's lair. It might be beneficial to pretend you're alone."
"I don't really think the person I am going to see would harm me," Ciri confessed. "But if you think it's best, I'll follow your orders."
"No one in their right mind would harm you - everyone who might want you need you alive and well. What I suggest is caution. Your goal is to not get trapped and caught like Kainar - if that was what happened to him."
"It's hard to keep me against my will these days," she pointed out. "But I shall of course be cautious. How quickly can you summon your mages?"
"Very quickly. I shall send the mage to your quarters." He gave her a small mild smile. "I'm aware how magical you are, however, as you have pointed out earlier - anyone can be caught off-guard. Even you, Lady of Space and Time."
"Please," she chided softly. "Ciri. No more silly titles."
She placed her empty cup on the table between them and stood.
He got up as well. "I don't find your titles silly. Each has been earned. However, it's immaterial to our conversation. I shall send the mage shortly. Please, pass on to Lady Yennefer what I said: she needs to refrain from venturing out anywhere until we find the trail. Will you ask her for me?"
"I shall," Ciri promised as he escorted her to the door. "And Morvran, thank you. I sincerely appreciate it."
"Thank me when we find your witchers."
"I just saw Cynthia enter Cirilla's quarters," Fringilla said, stepping over the threshold of Morvran's parlor. "By your orders?"
He chuckled softly, setting the book he was looking through aside to give her an entertained look. "Good day to you, too."
Fringilla stood in front of him, arms folded. "She actually came to you."
Morvran kept looking up at her with a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Fringilla narrowed her piercing emerald eyes suspiciously, calculating, then something akin to recognition flashed in her face.
"I'll be damned! Have you really pulled it off through Yennefer?"
Morvran shrugged, "Last time I heard I was ruining things with Yennefer."
Fringilla scoffed but had to smile a little. "What an insidious fox you've become. I cannot believe…"
"Oh, you certainly believe it," he played back. "What you might have a hard time believing is how it makes you feel."
He moved his foot forward abruptly, tripping her. Her arms windmilled as she lost her balance, and he yanked her onto his lap.
"How it fuels your desire and sharpens your senses," he whispered against the shell of her ear, then planted a teasing kiss under her earlobe.
"Do you not remember that lesson?" she asked, turning her face to his, their breaths mingling. "Never search a sorceress for feelings…"
"I remember every lesson," he said and pecked her lips. "And every secret place to search."
She licked her lips, her eyes flicking down to appraise his; then she leaned back from him to give him a sharper look indicating the end of the fun break.
"How much has she told you?"
"Enough. We can move to the next stage with Findabair."
"Very well. Are you certain of how to proceed?"
"I trust my instinct on it. Set it up."
She leaned in for a light kiss to the corner of his mouth that left a tingling sensation there and a bit lower, under the weight of her backside against him.
"I shall do."
She slithered off his lap, smoothed down her dress, and strolled for the door where she lingered to cast a gander back at him as he picked up his book again.
"Your meeting tonight is still up, I trust?"
When he nodded, she looked satisfied and left his room.
~~~ WRITERS' NOTE:
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