[Chapter Size: 1900 Words.]
Third Person POV
Aretuza.
...
...
In Aretuza, heavy footsteps echoed through the hallway of the magic school for girls, as the black-haired, violet-eyed sorceress approached the office of the school's headmistress on the top floor.
She knocked on the door a few times upon reaching it.
"Come in," said a feminine voice from the other side, as the doorknob clicked and the door opened, allowing the sorceress to step inside.
Tissaia de Vries, the rector of Aretuza, looked at the sorceress with curiosity.
"It's been a long time since I've seen you, Yennefer. You haven't even made a public appearance in the last year and a half..." she said as Yennefer approached.
"I was conducting some research... I was isolated. Anyway, I came here after hearing some rumors," Yennefer remarked, wanting to understand more about what was happening.
"About Kaedwen? Well, the whole continent has its eyes on that place now. In any case, have a seat. Let's have a drink," Tissaia said, as Yennefer sat down and was handed a glass of wine.
"I heard about this group that fought against the kings' soldiers... even the non-humans in another extreme situation, where humans from a small town were victims of non-humans in retaliation for King Henselt's attacks... This group turned against the non-humans and killed hundreds of them. It also resulted in the death of the sorcerer Detmold of Ban Ard, who was somehow involved in it all," Yennefer commented.
"Yes, that happened over a month ago. And, obviously, when we found out, I contacted the king to understand exactly what was going on. Since a sorcerer was killed amid the chaos that followed after he orchestrated an attack. The North had been peaceful until then. This chaos came out of nowhere. Although it wasn't on the scale of the war in Sodden, it certainly caught everyone's attention," Tissaia said.
"Yes, I heard about that. It's a shame I didn't hear about it earlier," Yennefer said in a low tone. Her attention had turned to this matter because it was close to Kaer Morhen, still remembering the letter that said she shouldn't approach under any circumstance until the next year.
"The king is in a difficult situation. Strange things were happening in his castle. He was cursed. In fact, there are rumors that he even sent men to hunt the witchers of the School of the Wolf, to the north," said Tissaia.
Yennefer immediately raised her eyebrows upon hearing this.
"He did that? He attacked the castle?" she asked with a certain urgency in her tone.
"As far as I know, yes. Although he changed his public narrative after Vesemir, the oldest witcher of the school, helped deal with the issue in the castle. Still, Sheala informed me of the truth... and there's a lot of gossip in the court among the nobles. I'm not the only one who knows about this situation. Anyway, the attack became a huge failure, resulting in the death of more than 80 of the king's men. All massacred at the entrance of the witchers' castle..." Tissaia said, while Yennefer showed even more surprise.
"They're alright then?" she asked.
Tissaia nodded.
"Yes," she said. "But it's still strange that there were so many deaths. And many are speculating things..." Tissaia murmured, as Yennefer slowly parted her lips, deep in thought.
"It's not just the sorcerers who are surprised by what's happening in Kaedwen... Even the kings want to know both what happened at Kaer Morhen and what is going on in the region where the non-humans lived." Tissaia had resumed speaking.
"Did they find out anything?" Yennefer asked.
"We haven't gotten much information yet... The king is afraid of something. Some sorcerers tried to read his mind, but they were blocked, and he refuses to say anything. But everyone who speaks to him notices that he's afraid, so much so that he barely reacted to the situation where a large number of his men were killed in the non-human region... even at Kaer Morhen, when he has a reputation for not even liking the sorcerers in his own court. Maybe it's because of the curse he had, maybe not."
"About the Witchers... it's somewhat understandable, after the service Vesemir provided. But at the same time, he only gave the non-humans time to leave the region over the past month. He didn't seek any kind of retaliation. And everyone close to the king knows his hatred for non-humans is greater than what is publicly known... That includes us," Tissaia murmured.
"What do you plan to do?" Yennefer asked in the end.
"About the king, there's nothing to be done. Sheala seems cautious and doesn't want to get involved. It's not our role to brainwash the king to discover what he fears so much. In any case, Kaedwen's issues must be resolved by the kingdom itself." She spoke, not wanting to get too involved with that court.
"But it will certainly cause some chaos in the North..." Yennefer guessed.
Tissaia nodded.
"Yes. Obviously, the distrust is beginning to grow not only between non-humans and humans, but also in relation to the South," Tissaia agreed.
Yennefer nodded, also aware of the rumors — that the South was once again rebuilding an army after its failure, trying to recover its men and recruiting all kinds of people. Even farmers and petty criminals were joining the army with grand promises, since Emperor Emhyr was sparing no expense to incentivize people to become black-clad soldiers, with his coffers.
Although it wasn't the same army built over decades that had been destroyed in the battle in the southern North, it was still a considerable force growing over time. Beyond that, the area occupied by the Nilfgaardian Empire was more or less equal now to the combined northern realms — now with Cintra as territory of Nilfgaard.
"Who's over there in Kaedwen now?" Yennefer asked.
"I sent a few acquaintances who, like you, avoided the courts over the past year and a half. Keira and Coral, along with other sorceresses," Tissaia replied.
"And Triss?" Yennefer asked about her friend.
"I couldn't get in contact with her. She had left Temeria two months ago. No one knows where she is and she's also not responding to calls," Tissaia said.
"I see... I'm going there," she said, and Tissaia nodded, knowing that Yennefer would go no matter what.
They kept talking for a while longer.
"So... nothing was found about what Madara asked for?" Yennefer asked cautiously, as Tissaia sighed.
"We tried... But the continent was more concerned with trying to find the boy than with searching for the dimensional rift he mentioned."
"But isn't that dangerous? Shouldn't it be something that affects our entire world?" Yennefer stated.
She had certainly tried to do her part as well, but she completely isolated herself. There was no way to contact Aretuza again, despite always knowing she was being spied on — any move she made, many powerful people believed she was involved with Madara, but nothing had been found linking her to him so far.
"The kings are more worried about the blue giant, which is also dangerous to everyone in this world. You know how petty they are. Some want to eliminate Madara once and for all, others simply want to offer their daughters in exchange for access to the lineage and the power the boy possesses. And some want to ally with him. That's why they're hunting him... but, as you can see, they've failed so far," Tissaia said.
"However, the events at Kaer Morhen seem to have drawn attention..." Yennefer added, narrowing her eyes.
"Yes. I'm receiving reports that attention toward the School of the Wolf has increased. Many people are doing everything they can to look for the boy and the princess. Obviously, any lead would draw attention. And some are starting to suspect the king's behavior. In any case, I'm sure this caught your attention... and you intend to visit your witcher friend too, don't you? Since you wouldn't come here by chance," Tissaia looked at Yennefer.
"Yes. I'd like to go there. But first I'll stop in the non-human region to check the situation. Has anyone managed to make contact with this group?" she asked, knowing that all the kingdoms had already been hearing about the group called Akatsuki — who had killed both the king's men and the non-humans who tried to massacre the humans in the town.
"Contact with them has failed. Although they're in the region, making sure the non-humans leave Kaedwen and head toward the Mountains, none of the girls have actually managed to speak with them, and not for lack of trying..." Tissaia replied, while Yennefer nodded.
"I see... Well, I'll be on the move. If Triss is found, get in touch. And tell her to call me," Yennefer requested, while Tissaia nodded.
"Alright. Let me know if anything happens. I'm also interested in this group, just like the kings. Since no one knows exactly what their goals are... and there are many things happening on the continent in recent years that are completely changing the balance of power. You know how dangerous the kings have become, being in such a desperate position," Tissaia said, while Yennefer nodded.
"Alright. I'll notify you of anything," she said.
After that, she finished her wine and left the room, opening a portal in the middle of the hallway and stepping out of Aretuza — under the gaze of the girls studying and the adult sorceresses passing by.
Yennefer was in the region the next moment; she appeared in a random place and saw a town just ahead. She headed there, while seeing several non-humans leaving in wagons.
"A human woman..." a dwarf murmured, seeing her on the road as he passed with his cart.
"She's a sorceress," another commented, despite the look of disdain Yennefer was receiving.
She turned to them.
"Are you from around here? Have you seen a group of sorceresses nearby?" she asked.
"Of course, how could we forget? Those women are all gathering in Suft, a town five kilometers north of here. But I should say, you're no longer welcome in this area, after what happened a month ago with that lying sorcerer. None of us trust your kind's words. So don't try your manipulations here, woman," said the dwarf who recognized her as a sorceress.
Yennefer raised an eyebrow, but simply nodded. She already had the information she needed.
She moved forward, heading toward the town, passing by several wagons and receiving more unfriendly looks — both from those who didn't know she was a sorceress and from those who recognized her immediately by her clothing, beauty, and posture.
Yennefer continued on toward the town, where a few humans were helping with the departure of the non-humans under the king's orders.
"I need a wagon to Suft. Can someone help me?" she asked, after passing through the gates guarded by soldiers.
She approached a group of men who looked at her strangely, but nodded.
"Yes, sorceress. We can get you a wagon to meet your friends there. But it won't be cheap," one of them replied.
Yennefer simply made a pouch of gold appear in her hand.
"I'm sure this can pay for any trip. So just get me a comfortable wagon. And let me be clear: take me there."
The men nodded again and began preparing a covered and luxurious wagon, with a few guards. Yennefer got inside, and in a short time, was leaving through the other side of the town, heading north.
-------------Nexts Chapters ----------------
Chapter 203 - The Relationship.
Chapter 208 - Escaping from the Dragons.
Chapter 218 - Work for the Dwarf King.
Chapter 227 - Novigrad.
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