The succubus sighed in resignation and shrugged. She looked around at the mages and witchers in the room. Although at that moment they all seemed bewitched by her innate beauty and racial charm, she knew perfectly well that, when the time came for battle, none of them would hesitate to cut off her head without hesitation.
If it were up to her, she would rather stand next to an ice giant than have entered this room. However, ever since she agreed to follow Lann, something inside her urged her to trust him. And now, to escape the disaster that would be unleashed with the future conjunction of the spheres and the imminent arrival of the White Frost, she preferred to follow the son of the Elder Blood.
What she didn't expect was to find another Elder Blood bearer. It was a pleasant surprise, but gaining her trust would take time.
The chaotic and meaningless conversation in the room continued a little longer until a long sigh put an end to the din.
The author of that sound was Iris, who with her cold and elegant demeanor, had remained in a corner of the room, concentrating on her canvas. Nothing that was said seemed to affect her at all.
As someone so reserved and not given to talking made such an unexpected sound, she inevitably caught everyone's attention.
Iris looked at her work with satisfaction. On the canvas, she had depicted the scene of Eist's coronation. With a gesture of her fingers, she passed her hand over the paint, and immediately, an emerald fire sparkled on the surface. Neither the canvas nor the cloth suffered any damage, but the wet colors dried in an instant.
"It's done, seven paintings, one for each of the seven main clans."
Those present gathered around the paintings, amazed. Even Yennefer, who had been an advisor to the Aedirn court, could not help but admire Iris's talent. Each piece was of the calibre of a work worthy of decorating a king's reception hall.
"Good job, Iris," Lann thanked sincerely, and immediately called the servants to frame the paintings. As the attendants took care of this, Iris looked at him with feigned annoyance.
"We will be leaving soon, so I must hurry to deliver these gifts to the jarls of the clans."
With that, he hurried off, leaving the others behind looking at each other with bewildered expressions.
Ciri frowned and looked at the succubus, Nanomi, who smiled charmingly at her.
…
An Skellig Coast.
Casks of fresh water, pickled vegetables, and other provisions were loaded onto the ships, while experienced sailors came aboard to inspect the sails and equipment.
"Crach, are you ready to set sail so soon?"
Crach turned at the voice and, laughing, hugged Lann tightly.
"I know you're in a hurry, Lann. But I'm sorry, this is just a supply ship," Crach said, patting him on the shoulder. "The other clans have been preparing reinforcements for short trips between islands, but to get to Cintra we need much more comprehensive logistics. The sea journey is long; we still need to get organized."
Lann nodded in understanding. "So, this ship is going to...?"
Crach smiled widely. "It's for you, of course. We can't send warriors yet, but we can advance you materials, craftsmen, and personnel. This batch of ships is also a gift. I hope it can help ease the crisis in Cintra a little."
Lann could only say that in crucial moments, the old family ties of the islands remained the most reliable.
Despite his financial ability to acquire resources from other kingdoms, Lann knew how difficult it was to deal with the endless political negotiations. Moreover, craftsmen were even more valuable than supplies.
When Cintra fell, almost all of the royal master craftsmen perished. Although Steward Enns had managed to evacuate a group with Queen Calanthe's consent, it was not enough for a war of reconquest and the rebuilding of the kingdom. Both Enns and Mousesack were on the verge of collapse over this matter.
"You've helped me a lot by doing this, Crach." Lann expressed gratefully.
He looked up and noticed a young, golden-haired girl on the deck, overseeing the loading of forging tools. Her clothing bore the flaming hammer emblem of Clan Tordarroch.
Lann blinked in surprise. Crach laughed.
"You're not seeing visions, it's Yoana. She volunteered to lead the craftsmen on this expedition. I'm told there are few female master armorers on the continent, but don't underestimate her. She's learned all the forging techniques of the Tordarroch clan. She just lacks experience."
And nothing forges a craftsman better than war.
Lann thought for a moment and came to the conclusion that this was great news. His smile widened.
Crach put an arm around Lann's shoulders, and they talked about the situation in Cintra, especially Ciri. After a while, the man sighed.
"Lann, you must take good care of Ciri... This child has a tragic fate. Her parents died because of me when she was still a child, and when she grew up, her grandmother died defending the kingdom of Nilfgaard. Fortunately, she still has you."
"I once swore in front of the queen that I would give my life to protect Ciri. This is the oath of a Skelliger. If there's anything you need me to do, just tell me!"
Seeing the sincerity on Crach's face, although Lann was pleased to have his support, he was silent for a moment, unable to respond.
Crach truly cared deeply for both Ciri and himself. His help went far beyond the mere fulfillment of an oath. Lann was sure that even without that promise, Crach would still be willing to give his all to protect Ciri... In his past life, in the game, that had already been proven.
When you are weak, such people can be the firmest pillar to lean on. When you become strong, they become the most loyal allies.
But Lann also understood that every time Crach looked at Ciri with tenderness, his heart filled with torment. He did not want someone so noble to be trapped in the weight of his guilt.
So he decided to help Crach free himself from the chains that bound him.
...
Thanks to the love between Calanthe and Eist, Cintra and Skellige became unbreakable allies. Ciri's mother Pavetta and father Duny often took Ciri on holidays to Skellige when she was a child. These trips were not only a respite from court life, but also an opportunity to strengthen the friendship between the noble houses.
The person in charge of receiving and caring for the royal family during their stays was Crach.
However, when the time came to set out, the sky began to cloud over, foreshadowing an impending storm at sea. With his experience, Crach tried to persuade Duny to delay the departure and wait for the weather to improve. But Duny, stubborn, insisted on setting sail immediately. The decision proved fatal: the ship was caught in a raging storm and disappeared without a trace in the depths of the ocean. Only Ciri, who had remained on Ard Skellig, managed to survive.
Crach never forgave himself for what happened. He believed that if he had been firmer in preventing the departure, the tragedy could have been avoided. In his grief, he even confessed his guilt to Queen Calanthe and was on the verge of taking his own life in atonement. Calanthe was enraged and seeing Crach's attitude, it forced him to swear a Bloedgeas, dedicating his life to protecting Ciri.
This was the bond that united Crach and Ciri. However, Lann knew that behind this story there was a sinister web of intrigue.
To begin with, Ciri's father was not who he claimed to be. Or rather, his identity and name were a sham. Duny was nothing more than a facade.
His real name was Emhyr var Emreis. Back then, he was nothing more than a prince exiled after a coup d'état. But today… today he was the Emperor of Nilfgaard, the man who had united the south and now threatened to ravage the north.
...
Lann has always been on guard against the Brotherhood of Sorcerers in the northern kingdoms because he has the Elder Blood. Although the Elder Blood was only supposed to be awakened in the female line, his blood was still a coveted treasure. Not only the Wild Hunt, who once they learn he possesses the awakened Elder Blood gene, would hunt him down. The powers of the world are also seeking to seize his power.
Among them, one of the most dangerous was Vilgefortz, a sorcerer whose talent and power placed him among the three greatest on the continent. And perhaps, in terms of combat, he was even the strongest of them all. Lann had already crossed paths with him on several occasions, whether in open confrontations with his followers or in shadow games.
Vilgefortz, with his insatiable ambition, traced the Elder Blood lineage back to the royalty of Cintra through ancient texts.
By this time, Calanthe had already established herself as a formidable monarch, and Cintra was steadily advancing towards becoming a military power. It was not a place Vilgefortz could easily control on his own. So he came up with a plan.
His first step was to find Emhyr, who was then wandering the world, exiled and cursed. Vilgefortz saw in him a useful pawn and offered him the key to breaking his curse:
"Go to the forests near Cintra," he whispered. "Wait for the right moment and save the king. Demand the Law of Surprise as your reward."
This would tie Emhyr's fate to the king's unborn daughter.
Fifteen years later, Emhyr appeared before Calanthe during Pavetta's 15th birthday party and the princess's suitors in Cintra. Although Princess Pavetta was expected to marry when she was 15, Duny had already begun seeing her a year earlier and they fell in love secretly, so when the queen threw a party for Pavetta's birthday, he seized the opportunity and announced that since birth, the princess had belonged to him and that he had now come to find her.
Duny then declared that Pavetta was to be his through the Law of Surprise he'd enacted when he rescued Calanthe's deceased husband, the former King Roegner. After a long and heated exchange, Duny was fooled by Calanthe into removing his helmet before midnight, exposing his monstrous form, yet Pavetta stated her approval of Duny, nonetheless. This caused an uproar and the queen's vassals, and the would-be suitors tried to attack Duny, with Geralt and Mousesack trying to protect Duny. However, one of the suitors managed to stab Duny and Pavetta's sorcerous abilities suddenly broke loose, sending furniture and people flying and threatening to collapse the castle itself.
After a series of twists and turns, the marriage selection banquet entangled the fates of Geralt and Ciri, made Mousesack decide to stay in Cintra to teach Pavetta, newly awakened as a Source, made Calanthe and Eist fall in love, and also made Emhyr, still under his guise as Duny, marry Pavetta.
After Ciri's birth, the sorcerer Vilgefortz appeared before Duny at Cintra as an ally, wanting to acquire wealth and power only the Nilfgaardian Imperator could provide.
By then, Vilgefortz had decided that the time was right. He shared with Emhyr his distorted version of the prophecy, convincing him that Ciri was the key to regaining his throne and ruling the world. Duny then decided to return to Nilfgaard to claim his inheritance with Ciri in tow.
However, under the watchful eye of Calanthe, Duny and Vilgefortz thought of a ploy to disappear without a trace by faking Pavetta's, Ciri's, and his own death on a sinking ship while Vilgefortz secretly prepared a way for them to survive. However Pavetta, aware of her husband's plans, smuggled Ciri out of the ship in time, leading to a scuffle between Pavetta and Duny as the former was pushed overboard and drowned at sea. Vilgefortz then teleported the ship from a raging maelstrom with Duny being the only survivor. Though distraught from inadvertently murdering his wife, and despite not holding genuine feelings towards her, Emhyr was successful in faking his death as Duny and was able to return to his homeland and lead a revolt against the Usurper.
And in time, with or without the aid of prophecy, the exile became emperor. And Nilfgaard, under his rule, rose to become the most feared power on the continent.
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