AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Hiya, sorry - I know I probably disappeared into that portal right along with Nym but I had this almost completed and thought to upload it finally. I highly suggest a quick re-read of the last few chapters if you're not up to date or it's been a while. Hoping that life stuff permits me to keep working on this, but it was a bit bumpy post-pandemic. Hope you're all well.
Ward of Kaer Morhen – Chapter 14
Nym winced in fear as thunder rumbled in the grey expanse in her mind. A hand caressed her head, causing the hairs on the back of her neck to stand on end. As she began to come to, she realized that someone had set her down on some sort of sacking or bed. With her eyes still closed, she reached down to her shin and hissed in pain - it was wet with blood. She flinched as a few dull voices rang out around her, speaking in a language she didn't understand.
How had she come to be here? Where was her horse? What had happened in the moments leading up to her fainting in the woods? The sting of her final conversation with Geralt, the shock at the sight of the glowing orb in the forest, and the sound of Blue whinnying in distress flooded her mind. She opened her eyes in a panic and looked up at the person touching her head. It was the sorceress, her head bowed over Nym. Nym froze, her urge to jerk upwards fading as she registered the woman's soft touch on her hair. The woman straightened up, her eyes meeting Nym's in concern.
Geralt threw open the door to the Witcher's laboratory and stormed in, picking jars off the shelves in a hurry. He rummaged through the large apothecary cabinet drawers for essentials, vials tinkling to the floor in his wake.
"Will you slow down for a minute and explain yourself?" Eskel shouted down the stairwell, following him into the lab.
"What's left to explain, Eskel?" Geralt said, spinning around to face him.
Nym was gone, and that was that. He had watched those people drag her into the portal and done next to nothing about it. The magical barrier that had prevented him from getting to her had blindsided him, allowing the sorceress and her accomplices to escape unscathed. Nym's pained face appeared in his mind again, her hair blowing in the fierce wind during the conversation that preceded her abduction. He had wounded her, and now she was gone. Eskel and Vesemir had found him at the front entrance after he had galloped back to the Keep, barely managing to get anything out of him. Truth be told, he couldn't have choked the words out in that moment if he tried.
Geralt couldn't remember the last time he had felt this way, felt genuinely fearful for another person's safety. Another face was etched into his memory - the sorceress: her tattooed skin.. her eyes - the colour of them too familiar to ignore. The thought of Nym in peril burned a hole into his chest, letting in another wave of guilt.
"Well? I deserve to know too." Eskel said again, stepping closer to Geralt. Geralt put down the vials he was holding and leaned in to glare at Eskel.
"I don't have time to explain Eskel. Leave me be, now." He growled, eyes burning into his brother's. He was already angry enough with Eskel and was barely containing the urge to throttle him.
"Geralt, enough," Vesemir commanded from behind them, shutting down his train of thought. Vesemir walked calmly towards the work table and gestured impatiently to the two Witchers. "Sit down, the both of you."
"Now… Tell us what happened, and what exactly you plan to do about it," Vesemir demanded gruffly, leaning against the cabinet with a deep frown etched into his brow. Geralt exhaled in frustration at his mentor. There wasn't time for this, he had to leave the Keep immediately.
"Not sure what I plan to do Vesemir, but I can't do it from here."
"What could any of us do? We don't know even where she's gone." Eskel said.
"You mentioned that a woman opened and closed the portal - who else was there? What did they look like?" Vesemir asked, his voice measured.
"I…" Geralt started, containing his frustration before forcing himself to re-imagine the scene.
"There were a group of women with the sorceress, all armoured. Nym fell unconscious - the sorceress's doing. Then she put up a magical shield before I could get to Nym, the biggest I've ever seen. The sorceress.. there was something about her.."
"Armored.. women?" Eskel asked, snorting incredulously. "Some sort of mercenary band?"
"There are no such mercenary groups in the Northern Kingdoms, or not any established ones at least" Vesemir muttered.
"So who was this? Where have they come from?" Geralt questioned impatiently.
"One moment." Vesemir sighed, stood up, and walked back up the stairs to his chambers. He fetched the small stack of books he'd hidden and brought them downstairs to the laboratory where Geralt had started pacing back and forth.
"What are those?" Eskel asked, standing up as Vesemir thumped the stack down on the table before them. Vesemir didn't answer, licking his thumb and flicking one book to a specific, slim chapter.
"What do they say? What's this got to do with Nym?" Eskel questioned again.
Vesemir turned away from Eskel and Geralt, reaching over to fiddle with the worn handles of the apothecary cabinet. Geralt stalked over to the book, scanning the text.
"You knew about this.. and you never thought to tell me? To tell Nym?" Geralt said finally, his tone low and deadly.
"I wasn't sure," Vesemir replied, his frown deepening.
"Oh, out of the way," Eskel said, taking Geralt's place in front of the book's yellowed pages.
"The History of the World by Rodrick Something or Other…" Eskel muttered, glancing at the cover briefly and then flicking back to the lean chapter Geralt had read.
"Here we are…" Eskel started, beginning to read the passages aloud.
"'There is precious little to be told of our knowledge of the Eastern Lands. Guarded by the impassable Blue Mountains and Tir Torchair, and surrounded by the cruel sands of the Korath Desert, the East is largely inhospitable…'" He began.
"'…Travel and Northern trade occur but rarely with the kingdom of Zerrikania, situated within the Korath desert. Zerrikania is known for its fine weapons, furs, leathers and spices. Although they have some very skilled craftsmen, the common people of Zerrikania are largely uncivilized, and their cult-like faith is centred around the legendary creatures that are rumoured to inhabit the Eastern Lands - Dragons..'"
"'Further, Zerrikanian society is matriarchal by nature. It is ruled by a single Queen and her court of priestesses & warriors. Women are trained in either vocation in their adolescence, while Zerrikanian men are tasked with child-rearing and domestic duties..'"
"' It is not known how their priestesses retain their child-bearing capabilities as most of our magic-wielders are sterile. Mercenary bands known as the Faithel are on occasion sighted in the Northern Kingdoms, hoping to discover and protect dragons in the name of their religion..'"
"'Nevertheless, travel to the Eastern Lands without proper protection, or permission, is highly discouraged. The Korath desert itself is known for its lightning & sand storms and scorching temperatures. The jungles are rife with exotic, deadly creatures, and the cities are heavily guarded.."
"'Make no mistake, the women warriors and priestesses of Zerrikania are not akin to those inhabiting the Northern Kingdoms, and one would be greatly naive to underestimate them..'"
Eskel slammed the book shut and spun around to face Geralt and Vesemir.
"Well, fuck me. This.. this is where they've taken her? ..Zerrikania?"
"I believe so. I think Geralt has just described a group of Zerrikanian warriors and possibly a priestess or mage of some significance."
"Why were you reading these?" Eskel asked.
"Had it occurred to you both how odd Nym's background is? Her parentage is a mystery, her home was full of objects from far-off lands.. What about her abilities? ..To ride or wield a bow as well as she does? I wasn't entirely convinced that she belonged here. Even in appearance..." Vesemir trailed off.
"But what reason was there to hide this from us as long as you did - even if you weren't certain about it?" Geralt growled, his fists clenched.
Vesemir turned to face him.
"The Korath desert is a death sentence for a mortal and Zerrikania is a death sentence for a Witcher. Even if I knew for certain that she had any ties to the East, I wouldn't have suggested it to either of you until I was entirely sure."
"Vesemir - how is this different from any other death trap we've walked into?" Geralt asked.
"Think back to your readings. There was once a school of Witchers in the East - the School of the Manticore. Do you remember what happened to them?"
"No." Geralt replied, squinting.
"The Alqatil..?" Eskel said, his eyes flickering between them.
"Correct, Eskel. The School of the Manticore. The crown of Zerrikania supported it for a time but everything came to a bitter end on a day they called the 'Day of Fire'. The School had escorted several royal caravans through the mountains when a particularly deadly fire elemental attacked them, slaughtering most of the royal family and their court, along with almost all of the Witchers accompanying them," Vesemir said, exhaling and taking a seat.
"The School was disbanded, and the remaining Witchers considered responsible for the incident and exiled. Needless to say… our kind will never again be welcome in the Korath desert or anywhere within the Zerrikanian crown's lands." He finished off.
"If it's as deadly as you say it is, we're wasting time talking. We're responsible for lifting the curse that was supposed to hide her from magic wielders. She could be in danger, Vesemir."
Vesemir stood up.
"And if she isn't and they've simply taken her home? Do you understand what they'll do to you if you try to enter one of their cities?"
Geralt's eyes narrowed at the sound of the words. He had made up his mind, already turning to leave the two of them behind.
"Won't be taking that chance, Vesemir." He muttered as he turned and stalked away from them."I'll have to see it for myself."
"Wait, Geralt," Eskel shouted, following him up the stairs.
"What?" Geralt bit out.
"You're not going alone.."
"Why? Feeling guilty all of a sudden?" Geralt scoffed angrily, continuing towards the room he had been sleeping in.
"About what?"
"Think I don't know about the two of you? Telling me one thing to my face and courting her behind my back?" Geralt asked.
"That again? Gods, you're pathetic sometimes. Come here." Eskel shook his head in frustration and marched toward Nym's empty bedroom.
"Just wait for a second, it's in here somewhere." Eskel began, tossing up the still rumpled bedcovers and overturning the mattress on the cot.
"The fuck are you doing?" Geralt asked.
"She left something here I think, a letter," Eskel growled, reaching into the very back of the desk drawer.
"Hah. Here." He said, chucking the letter in Geralt's direction. "Read that."
Geralt caught the folded piece of parchment deftly and looked up at Eskel.
"What are the contents of this?" He asked.
"I don't fucking know. I haven't read it. It's for you." Eskel replied, folding his arms.
Geralt looked down at the letter, the smell of Nym flooding his lungs as they stood in her room. He unfolded it, aware that his right hand was shaking slightly. Eskel turned around, fiddling with the hand mirror on Nym's desk.
Geralt,
I hope this letter finds you well, even if we're still at Kaer Morhen by the time you read it. If we are, I wonder what we did today… Perhaps we went back down to the water and caught some fish? I'm not a very good fisherwoman, but I think I might have made up for it with dinner.
Regardless, I understand that my lack of a voice is a hindrance and I apologise for that as there have been many times when I've wanted to speak with you at length. I still have many questions about your travels, your work as a Witcher, your past, and the things you like and dislike. Hopefully, this letter will suffice for now. I don't think I'll be able to communicate how I feel very well otherwise.
You asked me what was wrong not too long ago, and I've taken some time to think about it. I feel at fault for the trouble I've caused you and Vesemir. You've saved my life multiple times now, and I've repaid you by interrupting your work and imposing at the Keep. Even your friends, who had shown me kindness, paid a price for it. Moreover, your world and the people in it - they all possess some sort of talent, something that sets them apart from ordinary people like me. Although I might have a few valuable skills, I can't say I possess any extraordinary abilities. Sometimes I feel encouraged when we train or hunt, but on occasion, I think it might be better if everyone stopped wasting their time. I'm not sure I'll ever be much more than I am.
You asked me about our kiss the other day and if it was what I wanted. If possible… I'd like some more time before I answer that question. What I can tell you is that I greatly enjoy your company… I enjoy making you laugh, even though I can't speak. I enjoy the way your face looks when you're eating. I enjoy being beside you on horseback. I enjoy that my presence seems to mean something to you.
I'm sorry - I can't say much more on the topic as my experiences with the opposite sex have often been less than enjoyable, but I hope you understand that I've become fond of you and your company. I don't think I expected this
Needless to say (even if I could), I am forever in your debt and promise to earn my keep as long as I am here.
Your soundless friend,
Nym.
Geralt's hand fell. Eskel turned around to examine his response.
"Does that clear it up for you?" He asked, crossing his arms.
Geralt didn't respond, carefully folding the letter and putting it in his pocket.
It had cleared it up. He massaged his brow, trying to comprehend how he could have misinterpreted the situation so awfully. Although she had no reason to feel like a burden to the Witchers, she was accustomed to being invisible. Her family history had likely taught her that 'not making trouble' was the best course of action for her safety.
"Why didn't you say anything?" Geralt asked Eskel. "If nothing was happening between the two of you?"
"Pot calling the kettle black?" Eskel said, raising his eyebrows. "Besides, I thought I might have had a shot at first. That thought died pretty quickly though." He snorted.
"You could have told me how she felt, Eskel." Geralt bit out.
"Was that letter a great admission of love? I highly doubt it. Maybe it could have been had you not bungled everything so impressively. You and Triss, skulking around the castle together.. What was she supposed to think?"
"Fuck this," Geralt said dismissively, making to exit the room.
He knew full well that Eskel was right and that he had mishandled the situation. Nym had made herself vulnerable by admitting in her own way that she cared for him, and he had interpreted her caution as rejection. Of course she had no experience in matters of the heart. Why would she, living as she did with those heartless bastards? The part of the letter she had scratched out - she must have done so after their encounter upstairs, where she had failed to answer his question for the second time. She had reverted to formality in her final sentence, which meant he had hurt her, and then never given him the letter. Then, he had hurt her a second time, just earlier before she was abducted by fucking Zerrikanians. That dreadful curse had protected her for years until he came along and changed that. He screwed his eyes shut and stormed out of the room, willing the image of her face away.
"Geralt!" Followed Eskel's persistent voice.
"What?" Geralt roared, spinning around.
"I'm coming with you, wherever it is you're going," Eskel said, his tone resolute.
"No, Eskel. I'd rath-" Geralt started.
"Geralt, you heard what Vesemir said," Eskel interjected. "They're not going to let outsiders, especially not Witchers, anywhere near her if that's where she's been taken. You can't do this alone."
"We'll see." Geralt ground out.
"..Besides, I'm quite interested in this far-off land full of warrior women - if that author wasn't lying, that is." Eskel chuckled, beginning to make his way downstairs.
"Are you certain?" Geralt asked.
"Never," said Eskel. "Where to?"
Geralt felt around in his other pocket and pulled out the orange agate stone Nym had given him by the lake. They'd have to find out more about what had just happened before they travelled to Zerrikania, that much was sure.
"We're going to have to go back to the house where I found her. To Kaedwen."
"Who are you?" Nym asked, her voice faltering at the sight of the woman standing a few feet from the bed she was lying in.
The room was illuminated by candlelight, but she still couldn't make much of her surroundings. She blinked repeatedly, hoping her vision and mind would clear enough to get a better look at her surroundings and her captor.
"Slowly now, do not strain yourself.." The woman's accented voice said, soft but firm.
"Where are we?" Nym asked again, almost in a whisper.
"Drink some water," said the woman, picking up a goblet and handing it to Nym, who did her best to prop herself up.
Nym peered into the goblet and downed the entire cup - it smelled like water and she was parched. Besides, those people could have hurt or killed her beforehand, in the forest or when she was unconscious. They wanted something first. She put the cup down limply in the bed and looked back up at the robed woman, finally taking in the sight of her.
The sorceress was wearing an ornate black and silver robe - or was it very dark green? Her skin was a deep chestnut colour, and her long black hair was made up of individual glossy braids, intricately cuffed with gold and silver bands - this was someone important. Nym met the sorceress's eyes, rising up to sit in the bed.
"Please," Nym asked the woman once more. "Who are you?"
The woman's face was pained as she slowly moved towards Nym.
"I am your mother. I have brought you home."