SOMEWHERE IN THE STREETS - Novigrad
Lambert was already waiting on them when they came to the place where they were all suppose to meet.
"Finally. What took you so long?" Lambert frowned. Yennefer narrowed her eyes at him.
"Nice to meet you too Lambert.. We had to solve some issues. That's all." Geralt answered calmly but his eyes were still full of excitement. Lambert noticed it.
"Wait, did you two just had a sex?" Lambert said with laughing.
"No.. why you think that?" Geralt was trying to act normally. But the truth was he was an awful actor.
"Well, because you look like a starving pet and you're just standing next to her. So, you definitely had to do it." Lambert laughed. Geralt wanted to kill him with his eyes. Yennefer sighed.
"Bloody hell. Yes, we had sex. You wanted to join us or what?" she said strictly.
"No, thanks." Lambert frowned and Yennefer gave him a death stare. "To be clear I would rather die then.."
Geralt interrupted him. "Do you have the Amulet or not?" he changed the topic before they two would have fight with each other again.
"Yes. Here." Lambert gave it to Geralt and rolled his eyes.
"Have you ever seen anything like this?" Geralt showed it to Yennefer.
"I have. Mages sometimes use it to create a strong spells if they don't have enough power. But those things are very unique. It's very hard to get it. I really wonder where you two got it.." she said suspiciously and took the Amulet from Geralt's hand and then she started to examine it.
"Can you identify to whom it belongs?" Geralt ignored her comment.
"It won't be easy but I can try it." Yennefer said calmly. She started focusing and then saying something in Older speech. Lambert leaned closer to her to see what she was doing.
"What the hell are you doing?" she gave him a killer look.
"Making sure that you won't break it because we need it." Lambert faked his smile.
"I will only break your neck if you won't step away from me right now." Yennefer warned him. He hesitated.
"Lambert, step away." Geralt looked at him strictly. Lambert smirked and went further away from her.
"I'm only doing it because of Geralt. I still don't trust you." he looked at her.
"Neither do I." she faked her smile and then she continued speaking in Older speech and the Amulet started a little bit shaking. Lambert started frowning.
Almost ten minutes passed when Yennefer finished with the spell.
"I found out owner of the Amu.." she didn't finished because her head spun and she lost her balance but Geralt managed to catch her.
"Are you alright?" he looked at her worriedly when he was holding her arms. She came back to mind.
"Yes, I think so. Just a little exhaustion from the spell." she was still a bit confused.
"You said you know the name.." Geralt looked at her seriously. He was still holding her, making sure she won't fall down again.
"Yes. This Amulet belongs to Assire var Anahid. I've never heard about this mage." Yennefer explained. Geralt immediately looked worriedly at Lambert. They both knew him and also knew for whom he was working.
"We don't know him either." Geralt stated. Lambert got surprised. Yennefer noticed that something was very odd with them.
"We should tell h.." Geralt interrupted Lambert.
"We will meet in the Tavern at the evening. Call the witchers." he started to be irritated. Lambert saw it, he knew exactly why Geralt was acting this way. Geralt then looked at Yennefer.
"I will take you home. You're not in good condition." he was serious.
"I can teleport myself. You don't have to help me." Yennefer said confidently.
"Yen, please don't make it harder for me." his voice changed. It sounded very desperate. Yennefer quickly realized that they weren't telling her everything. It was clear now.
"Fine." she answered calmly but she was ready to confront Geralt when they will be alone. Geralt looked at Lambert for the last time. Lambert nodded. Then they all went their separate ways.
They were walking past the main market.
"How are you feeling?" Geralt asked her while he was holding her arm.
"Geralt you've asked me this for the fifth time already. I told you I'm fine." Yennefer sighed.
"Yeah, but your face doesn't seem fine." he didn't want to give up.
"Well, your face isn't so good-looking too since I told you about the mage's name.." she confronted him.
"I.. I... he is.." Geralt's mind was racing.
"Geraalt!" some dwarf called on him. It was Zoltan Chivay. Geralt couldn't be more grateful in that moment because he really didn't have prepared any good explanation for Yen without disclosing everything. They stopped walking and the dwarf came to them.
"Greetings Zoltan, what a coincidence.." Geralt laughed sarcastically and he was acting like they weren't interrupt in serious talk seconds later. He and Zoltan shaked hands. The dwarf then looked at sorceress.
"Lady Yennefer, pleasure to meet you too again." Zoltan said kindly.
"You are not that bad when you're sober." Yennefer laughed a bit. Geralt got surprised and confused at the same time cause Yen shouldn't have remember Zoltan.
"Maybe I should start drink less whiskey.." Zoltan laughed.
"Wait, you two know each other?" Geralt was very confused now.
"Yes, we do." Yennefer answered calmly.
"We met in the tavern." Zoltan explained. "Don't worry, Eskel told me." he smiled at Geralt.
"Oh, that's a relief.. cause I thought you don't know, well, you know.." Geralt's reaction was so pure but he forgot that Yennefer was standing next to him. Now Yennefer was the one who was confused but she didn't show it on herself.
"Well, your witcher brother has your back obviously." Zoltan said with laughing. Then Geralt realized that Yennefer was also listening to their conversation.
"Hey, Zoltan remember that thing we were talking about last time we met?" Geralt begged him with his eyes to continue in his game.
"What?" Zoltan was confused. Geralt started doing gestures with his face to get Zoltan's attention. The dwarf then understood.
"Oh... yes, that thing.. how could I forget? Silly me.." Zoltan laughed nervously. He was also very bad at acting.
"Then tomorrow morning at Feather's street." Geralt faked his smile.
"Hilarious!" Zoltan pretended excitement.
"I.." Geralt cleared his throat. "We should go.." Geralt was trying to act normally. Yennefer was standing next to them without a word. Their conversation was so weird and she again knew that they weren't telling the whole truth.
"Yes, of course.. Farewell.." Zoltan started smiling.
"Shall we?" Geralt was trying to smile when he looked at her.
"We have to." Yennefer answered honestly. They started leaving.
TRISS's HOUSE - Novigrad
"You should sit or go to bed." Geralt told her nervously. She was still not well. He was watching her how she was doing something in her small lab.
"Geralt, you don't have to worry about me. I had just a vertigo, not a heart attack." Yennefer said honestly and turned to him.
"But I will have one if you won't start listen to me." Geralt sighed. She came to him.
"Look at you, one night with me and now I have my own personal guardian." Yennefer laughed and she put her arms around her his neck.
"You're doing it again." Geralt looked straight to her eyes.
"Doing what?" she raised eyebrows.
"Making fun of things which are not funny." his face was serious.
"What you're gonna do with that Amulet?" Yennefer looked at him calmly.
"Or not answering at all.." Geralt added and sighed.
"Now you're the one who didn't answer." she was provoking him.
"And where did you even get that?" she started to be suspicious again.
"You asking lot of questions." Geralt smiled.
"Because you told me you will explain everything to me Geralt." she said strictly.
"Yes, I did, but I didn't say when." his face was calm.
"Geralt." she gave him angry look.
"Alright. Zoltan won it in Gwent, he wanted to know what it is and to whom it belongs. So, I am doing him a favor. That's all." he explained.
"And what about the meeting with the witchers? Why it was so urgent?" she crossed her arms.
"We should have a meeting in Tavern but your health was more important for me in that moment, so I rescheduled it. And about the meeting, we will talk about witcher's stuff and that means monsters. Nothing for you. Trust me." Geralt pushed her closer to him. He hated lying to her but it was the only way to protect her. His answer surprised her, but she also knew something wasn't fitting in his words.
"I trust you." she smiled and kissed him on his lips.
"I know." Geralt smiled at her.
"Now go, they waiting for you." she caressed his face.
"Please, go to rest." Geralt smiled at her and then he started leaving.
"Wait! What you will do tomorrow morning?" Yennefer called on him. He stopped walking. He started thinking. He turned to her.
"You heard the conversation with Zoltan.. so.." she interrupted him.
"Oh, I totally forgot on that.." Yennefer tried to look stupid.
"It's alright. Why are you asking?" Geralt looked at her confused.
"No reasons." she smiled under her nose.
"So, I will go then." he smiled nervously and then he left. He really hoped that she didn't recognize that he was lying.
Yennefer was looking at the door thoughtfully. He was hiding something, now it was clear. She has seen him lie to her many times but this times it was different. His emotions disclosed him. She needs find out why he was lying and where he was really going.
ROSMARY AND THYME - Novigrad
"How can we be sure it's him?" Eskel asked him.
"Because it's his mage for fuck sake!" Geralt raised his voice. He was irritated.
"Geralt, please calm down." Vesemir stated. Geralt took a deep breath.
"So, then it means that Bonhart and Rience must be working together.. which is very deadly combination." Lambert admitted.
"Now you see why I am so pissed?" Geralt looked at him.
"We should go to confront him." Leo said honestly.
"Good idea Leo, but you forgot on at least 50 guards in his fortress.." Lambert said sarcastically.
"No, you're right, it is a good idea." Geralt said thoughtfully.
"How can be suicide mission a good idea?" Lambert looked at him unbelievably.
"If we would distract guards attention.." Eskel started thinking.
"Then I could get to Rience." Geralt finished his sentence. He started to have a hope.
"Still it is a suicide mission. You're clearly also forgetting on Bonhart' gang which will be there as well if they're really working together, it means even more bloody bastards." Lambert said strictly.
"If anyone can distract attention without being seen, it's you Lambert.." Geralt told him honestly. Lambert started thinking.
"Fine.. but I need Eskel with me." Lambert sighed.
"Thank you, I owe you a lot." Geralt smiled.
"You will certainly need a backup. I will stay with Jahve and Ciri to protect them here, but Leo and Triss will be ready if something screw up." Vesemir said calmly.
"Alright.. this may work.." Geralt admitted.
"This have to work either way we're all dead.." Lambert laughed sarcastically.
RIENCE's FORTRESS - Novigrad
"I still can't believe that I am here.. risking my neck.." Lambert said thoughtfully. They were standing on the roof of some home.
"Can you start finally focusing Lambert?" Eskel gave him angry look.
"Sure boss.." Lambert murmured under his nose.
Eskel ignored his comment
"Geralt, what do you think?" Eskel started looking at the building.
"I have to climb on that balcony to get inside. Can you distract guards standing close to the west gate?" Geralt asked him calmly.
"Yes, we can. How much time do you need?" Eskel looked at him.
"I don't know, it depends if Rience gonna be alone.." Geralt was thinking.
"We will try to hold them as long as possible.. but if.." Geralt interrupted him.
"I know.. You wouldn't be able to come in time to help me if something screw up. It's okay, just do your task, that's all I ask.." Geralt petted his arm with his hand.
"Damn.. you two really sound worst than priests.. maybe a little hope in my skills. They won't even know where to look first when my petards will start blowing." Lambert said with laughing.
"Take care Geralt." Eskel said honestly. Geralt nodded.
"Go. We're running of time." Geralt's face was serious.
Eskel and Lambert left and Geralt meanwhile climbed down from the roof and went to the north side of walls. He was waiting on the signal. Suddenly he heard an explosion. The noise started to bigger as confused guards started running everywhere around the area. Then another petard blew up and Geralt knew this was his only chance to get in. He went through out the small hole in the walls and he landed on the ground. As he predicted no guards was there because they were busy with the explosions. He went close to the stables, he used a ladder on the wall and climbed it. Then he continued to the nearest window. He stood up on window sill and then he climbed on another roof. The balcony was now opposite to his position. He needed to do at least two metres long jump to get there. He started running really fast and jumped from the edge of the roof. He managed to caught the railing of the balcony and he raised himself up. Now he was where he needed to be. Suddenly he saw a movement in the window, he quickly covered himself behind the wall. He needed to be careful. There was still many guards inside the fortress. When he was sure the guard left, he went towards the balcony door. He used sign IGNI and door's lock melted. He slowly opened the door and went inside. He was here once when Rience wasn't a crazy bastard yet, so he knew this corridors very well. Geralt moved forward, then he turned to the left corridor. He spotted another guard. Geralt lowered his body and went closer the guard. When he was close enough he knocked out the guard from behind and the guard fell down unconscious. The Rience's room was not far away now. Geralt then went to the main hall of fortress and turned right. Then he continued towards the last door in the corridor. He opened the door and entered inside quietly.
"I was wondering when you will visit me old friend.." the man said thoughtfully. He was looking out from the window.
Geralt came closer to him, he didn't answered.
"You know, you made quite the entrance with your wolf's gang.." he slowly turned to Geralt. They were facing each other.
"You forgot to speak witcher?" the man raised his eyebrow.
"You know why I'm here Rience." Geralt answered without emotions.
"Hmm... no, I don't. Remind me please." Rience was so calm.
"I won't play your bullshit mind games." Geralt made it clear.
"I'm not playing anything. You're the one who interrupted me and came into my fortress without invitation." Rience was serious.
"You wanted me to came here." Geralt was trying to hold his anger.
"Yes, I did. But I really thought you won't be that stupid to entered into a lion's burrow.. but I can assure you, you won't get away from it alive, neither your wolfie band." Rience told him honestly.
"Maybe you forgot on one thing, I'm here to kill you as well." Geralt said confidently.
"That's all you wanted to say to me after these years?" Rience's face was calm.
"Why?" Geralt was confused and angry at the same time.
"Why what?" Rience smirked. Geralt wanted to explode from the anger in that moment.
"Why the hell you fucked up my life!" Geralt split it to his face.
Rience laughed and shaked his head.
"You think it's funny?" Geralt started to be irritated.
"It doesn't matter what I think, I'm just doing a favor to many people.. All I know that you and your fucking wolf's gang has been ruining hazard business in towns, juding everyone and killing my friends.." Geralt interrupted him.
"You mean fucking bastards.." he told him calmly. Rience gave him a killer look and came closer to him.
"You little piece of shit.. You should be glad I didn't kill when you dared to knock on my door. You wanna know why everyone wants to destroy you Geralt?" Rience said with disgusting tone, he was staring into witcher's eyes.
"Try to surprise me." Geralt's face was so calm.
"You stick your fucking nose where you're not welcomed and that has really pissed my people. That's why.." Rience warned him.
"It's lesser evil.. there were a times when you knew it too." Geralt explained.
"Well, these times are gone.. gladly.. and you should finally realize that you're not the one who can decide who deserve to live or not witcher." Rience warned him.
"So, you can kill, rob, rape whenever you want but I can't do my job.. protect people from monsters.." Geralt crossed his arms.
"Your clever talk won't save you, I'm going to kill you anyway." Rience faked his smile.
"You're avoiding to answer me because you know I'm right." Geralt looked straight to his eyes.
"Stop giving me your bloody lessons." Rience said angrily.
"You've changed a lot Rience.." Geralt said honestly.
"So do you.. I mean, you a father?" Rience laughed. "Poor kids.. I mean God bless them." he said with laughing. Geralt frowned.
"I still can't understand that we could be friends once.." Geralt said without emotions.
"Neither do I.. but we clearly know each other well.. Look, I don't mind that you're trying to be better person.. or that you're ruining everyone's illegal business.. What I mind is that you won't admit who you really are. That I am like you.. You are the darkness Geralt. You have always been a darkness." Rience was serious.
Geralt started fighting with his emotions. He wasn't a monster, he knew that or at least he wanted to believe it.
"I was never same as you. I'm not a monster." Geralt was defending himself.
"But your actions says something different.. doesn't it? Never mind, maybe you will realize it when they will hanging you.. mutant." Rience stated.
"I will first hang you with my bare hands." Geralt's eyes were full of anger.
"I really don't know what she sees in you.." Rience said thoughtfully.
"What?" Geralt was confused.
"She was just controlling you, nothing else. She knew who you really are. But she would always do anything for you which I still don't get it why.." Rience was smiling.
"You think you would be better for her? That's what you're saying?" Geralt raised his eyebrow.
"I didn't say that.. well, I would be certainly better in the bed.." Rience was provoking him. Geralt eyes were on fire.
"I swear I will k.." Rience interrupted him.
"You know it was my idea?" Rience smiled evilly. "We were looking for the best way to kill you, but I knew you deserve more punishment than just a simple death. I knew what is your weak spot.. I suggested to use her to torture you before we will kill you.
Then my mage created this amazing curse.. and the torture began.." Rience said with laughing.
"You should have hold your fucking mouth Rience.." Geralt started coming towards him and he was ready to pull out his sword.
But suddenly the doors opened.
"So, you betrayed me again.." Yen said when she appeared behind their back. They both turned to her.