"She's happy," she finally said.
"I know." Geralt replied.
"That's the part where you're supposed to smile."
"I am… just internally." Geralt gave out a small breath.
"You're brooding. It's your natural state. I should be used to it by now. But when it comes to sex, you seem to express all emotions perfectly." Yennefer said.
"What can I say? You bring out the best of me." Geralt replied.
"Haa.." Yennefer just smirked at it. After a small silence, Geralt said.
"She is still my daughter."
"And Liam?" she asked.
"He's… something else. Powerful. Loyal. Kind, even if he hides it. He treats her with respect. But I have to be cautious. It's in my blood." Geralt said.
"Your blood has magic, so does his. More than yours in fact. The power which his body has isn't something a normal human can have. Even the Aen Elle have never given me such a scare, the way Liam gives." Yennefer said. Geralt too admitted. He didn't think much of the handicapped man when he first met Liam.
Though he was surprised that he was the leader of the group, but he came to realize that the only reason he was called the leader was because of his knowledge. Or at least, he thought so in the beginning. But once Geralt saw him in his world, it was a different ball game.
He could see and feel the monster this man was. For a moment, he felt like he had met a God. Of course, he never spoke this out loud, just like Keira and Triss but that didn't mean nobody could feel it.
Now he was glad that he and them crossed paths before and had better chance of fighting the Wild Hunt. After a momentary pause he said.
"If he hurts her—"
"What of it if he hurts her? They are young. They are allowed to make mistakes, though Liam doesn't seem like his brain is young and more like a grandpa. But I believe he won't hurt her." Yennefer said. "She's grown into a woman with her own will. If she's chosen Liam, it's not out of infatuation or recklessness. Ciri's seen too much of the world for that."
For a while, neither of them spoke, just watched the mountains in silence as dusk deepened into night.
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The sky was a deep indigo when the stars began to pierce through. Inside Kaer Morhen, the fire crackled warmly, meals had been eaten, and most had turned in for the night—except for Liam.
He stood alone on one of the upper walkways, watching the aurora ripple faintly across the sky. He was petting Elie as she had fallen asleep on his lap. He loved this moment of tranquility. He had never seen an aurora in his previous life, nor in this, so seeing one was a huge matter to him. At least to his previous self.
"Figured I'd find you out here," came a voice behind him. Liam turned to see Vesemir approaching.
"You're not the only one who finds peace in the stars," Vesemir said, stepping beside him.
"They're quieter than people." Liam said, while continuing looking at the stars.
"You're not wrong." Vesemir chuckled. For a while, the two stood there in companionable silence, the cold air wrapping around them like an old friend.
"You care for her." Vesemir broke the silence again.
"Ciri?" Liam blinked. Vesemir nodded.
"I do," Liam said honestly.
"Then listen closely, lad. If things go badly… if we're overrun… your first priority is her." The old Witcher looked at him.
"What are you saying?" Liam asked. He had already understood what he meant but he needed to feign ignorance. Liam knew Vesemir would speak but he expected him to say this to Geralt, not him.
"I'm saying you have the power to take her away. Back to your world. Somewhere the Wild Hunt can't reach. If we fall… if Kaer Morhen is lost… you get her out."
"I wouldn't just leave you all behind." Liam spoke his thoughts out loud.
"You will," Vesemir said sternly. "Because that girl is the future of more than one world. And because she's already lost too many people she loves. I won't let her lose herself too."
"She'd never agree to run." Liam replied.
"Then make her," Vesemir said. "Knock her out if you have to. She's young. She thinks dying for a cause makes her noble. But surviving for something… for someone… that's harder. And it's braver."
"I'll protect her." Liam replied. He didn't bother explaining of what was about to happen and what he would let happen.
"Good. I don't give my trust lightly, Liam. But you've earned enough of it to carry her if the world begins to fall." Vesemir didn't read between the lines at all.
The days that followed settled into a steady rhythm at Kaer Morhen. Despite the looming threat, the fortress pulsed with life in a way it hadn't for decades. Everyone had a role, and they embraced it with purpose. Tony Stark moved between labs he'd set up in the side chambers, modifying drones and tweaking defense systems. His holograms filled the hallways, constantly simulating Wild Hunt attack patterns and possible countermeasures.
Geralt even called out some of his friends, like the dwarves and few friends that he had made along the way, and people who were still alive. He was even able to invite another witcher of another school.
The one who was responsible for assassination. Letho.
Geralt and Vesemir drilled Natasha and Steve in close-quarters combat against spectral enemies. Natasha adapted quickly, while Steve found it a bit hard as half of his life was spent in defending, not actively attacking. But Geralt noticed this flaw of his and rather asked him to be the meat shield during the attack.
As the fortress was building it's defense, Eredin wasn't far behind. He knew that Avallac'h had been with Ciri by now and though he didn't think much of the witchers of the Continent, it didn't mean he would go empty handed. They had been running after her for such a long time and since the huge curse that Avallac'h threw on them, the last time, he was very cautious.
He was sure to take Ciri with himself this time.
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Read 95 chapters ahead on my [email protected]/thelightedghost