Chapter 23: Bonds and Divisions

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The morning sun filtered through the trees, casting dappled light across the training yard of the Cintran palace. Harry and Ciri stood opposite one another, each holding a practice sword. The air was crisp, the sounds of birds singing harmoniously blending with the soft clinks of wood as their swords met.

"Stay light on your feet," Harry instructed, circling Ciri as she tried to land a blow. "Your opponent is always moving, so you have to be faster."

Ciri scrunched her nose in concentration, her silver hair falling over her eyes as she attempted a strike. Harry effortlessly sidestepped, a small smile playing on his lips. "Good, but you're telegraphing your moves. Try again."

Ciri let out a frustrated huff, adjusting her stance. "You make it look easy," she grumbled, swinging the sword again with more focus.

Harry blocked her blow, the wooden swords clacking together. "That's because I've been training for years. You've got the spirit, Ciri. All you need is practice."

They continued for another hour, Ciri's energy undiminished despite the physical exertion. Harry found himself smiling, watching her determination and the fire in her eyes. She reminded him so much of himself—headstrong, stubborn, unwilling to back down. And yet, there was an innocence to her, a light that he found comforting.

Finally, as the sun began to dip, Ciri's movements slowed. She wiped her brow, the weight of the practice sword becoming too much for her small arms. "I think… I need… a break," she panted, dropping the sword and resting her hands on her knees.

Harry nodded, his expression softening. "You did well, firecracker. Let's get you cleaned up." He took her hand and led her inside the palace, making their way to her chambers.

Once inside, Ciri crawled into bed, her eyelids heavy. Harry gently tucked her in, pulling the blanket over her and brushing a stray hair from her face. He smiled, a warmth spreading through him as he watched her settle in.

"You're getting stronger every day," he whispered. "You'll be a warrior in no time."

Ciri's eyes fluttered open for a moment, a small smile tugging at her lips. "You really think so?"

"I know so," Harry replied, his voice full of sincerity.

She let out a content sigh before drifting off to sleep. Harry remained by her side for a few moments longer, his hand resting on her head as he felt the weight of his own thoughts settle. For the first time in a long while, he felt at peace. Ciri's presence was a reminder that despite all the darkness he carried, there were still moments of light—moments where he felt like he was truly doing some good.

Thousands of miles away, in the cold halls of Kaer Morhen, Geralt sat alone at his desk, a letter clenched tightly in his hand. His eyes scanned the parchment, growing darker with each line he read. By the time he reached the end, his hands were shaking with anger.

He slammed his fist into the desk with a resounding crack, the wood splintering under the force. The loud noise echoed through the room, and moments later, Yennefer and Vesemir rushed in, alarm etched on their faces.

"Geralt, what the hell is going on?" Yennefer demanded, her violet eyes narrowing as she took in the damage.

Vesemir's gaze moved from the broken desk to the letter in Geralt's hand. "What's happened?"

Geralt's jaw was clenched, his knuckles white as he gripped the letter. "It's Harry," he growled. "After everything Triss put him through, she's gone off with some other man, and now she's writing to Harry about how she needs 'time and space.'" His voice dripped with contempt as he spat the words. "She takes everything from him, and now she does this? Runs off and spreads her legs for the first man who looks at her."

Yennefer crossed her arms, her expression turning cold. "That's how things are between sorcerers and sorceresses, Geralt. You know that. We don't live by the same rules as everyone else." She tilted her head slightly. "Harry should've known better before getting involved."

Geralt's eyes flashed with anger. "Oh yeah? Where've I heard that before?" he sneered. The tension between them thickened, the air practically vibrating with the unspoken grievances that had long simmered between them.

Yennefer's expression hardened, her tone biting. "Don't act like you're some saint, Geralt. You've had your share of entanglements too."

"That's not the point," Geralt shot back. "It's a matter of trust, of consent. Harry isn't one of us. He wasn't raised with our rules or our views on relationships. He came into this world with a different mindset, and Triss knew that." He took a step forward, his gaze burning with intensity. "She manipulated him, fed into his darkness, and fanned the flames of his worst instincts. And now, when he's at his lowest, she tells him she needs space?"

Before he could continue his tirade, Vesemir's voice cut through the tension like a knife. "Enough," he barked, stepping between them. "Both of you have points, but this isn't helping."

Geralt and Yennefer fell silent, though the anger still simmered beneath the surface.

Vesemir sighed, rubbing a hand over his tired eyes. "Yennefer's right in one thing: Harry knew what he was getting into. But expecting him to fully understand our ways when he wasn't born into this world is unrealistic." He turned to Geralt. "And you're right, too. Triss has caused him pain. She's made choices that have hurt him. But it's not fair to place all the blame on her. They were toxic for each other from the start."

The room fell silent as Vesemir's words hung in the air. Yennefer's arms fell to her sides, her expression softening as she looked away. Geralt's shoulders slumped, the anger draining from his face as he sighed heavily.

After a long pause, Geralt sat down and pulled out a piece of parchment. His hands moved slowly as he began to write, his expression a mixture of sadness and determination.

Dear Harry,

I read your letter, and I wish there were easy answers. I know how much you care for Triss, but sometimes, no matter how strong the connection, some people just aren't good for each other. You and Triss… you bring out each other's worst attributes. I've seen it, and I know you have too.

Regardless of how you feel for her, you need to think about what's best for you. You're turning into something neither of us ever wanted you to be. You're stronger than that, Harry, and you deserve better.

I can't tell you what to do. You're a man now, and you have to make these decisions for yourself. But know this—you'll always have a place here at Kaer Morhen. We'll be waiting for you, no matter what. I hope you find your way back.

Geralt

Geralt finished the letter and sealed it, his eyes lingering on the parchment for a moment before he handed it to Vesemir. "Make sure this gets to him."

Vesemir nodded, placing a hand on Geralt's shoulder. "He'll find his way. We have to trust that."

As Geralt watched Vesemir leave, Yennefer lingered in the doorway. She hesitated before speaking. "You care for him, don't you?"

Geralt's expression softened, a rare vulnerability shining through. "More than I ever thought I could."

Yennefer smiled faintly. "He's lucky to have you."

That night, Harry sat by the fire, staring down at the letter from Geralt. The words felt heavy, like the weight of the world resting on his shoulders. He reread it, feeling the truth in every line. Geralt was right—they weren't good for each other. No matter how much he cared for Triss, the reality was that they were pulling each other into darkness.

He sighed, folding the letter and tucking it into his bag. "Maybe it's time to let go," he whispered to himself. "Maybe it's time to move on."

But even as he said the words, a part of him knew it wouldn't be that easy. The fire between him and Triss was still there, a burning passion that refused to die. And no matter how much he tried to convince himself otherwise, he knew that as long as that fire burned, they would always be drawn back together—no matter how dangerous it was.

The flames flickered, casting long shadows as Harry stared into the night, his thoughts a tangled web of emotions and unresolved feelings.

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Hey everyone, this is the new chapter, exploring both the growing softness and care between Harry and his firecracker ( hope you guys liked that! ) how both harry and triss are passionate together, and they do care, but the way they are right now, they're very toxic together, ( a little like Yennefer and Geralt in the beginning of the books ) i hope you enjoyed the chapter, thanks for the support everyone and as always God bless.