Chapter 10: Delayed Truth
As the cavalry squad arrives in front of the inn, Vesemir and Geralt are already preparing for a fight, seeing that they don't have a good history with Nilfgaardians.
But then, a voice sounded as the riders dismounted from their horses.
"Oh Geralt… you've not changed a bit…" said the voice, it was a feminime voice, with a touch of proper Aedirnian accent.
Geralt instantly dropped his wariness, as he recognized the voice clearly.
He narrowed his eyes, and spoke.
"Y-Yen? How?" stuttered Geralt.
Yennefer approached him as she examined his body. "I received a report about a witcher who appeared in White Orchard. I knew it was you, looking for me."
"It's… good to see you, Geralt." smiled Yen awkwardly. She walked closer to Geralt, embracing him tightly. Although, it didn't last long, as it was again, quite awkward. Geralt's nostrils were suddenly hit by the smell of Lilac and Gooseberries, just like he had missed.
"I- It's good to see you too, Yen." spoke Geralt softly. "It's just, Did not expect to see you here… under these… circumstances…" he said, looking at the Nilfgaardian soldiers.
"What kind of circumstances are you talking about then?" smirked Yennefer, teasing him with dirty thoughts.
"The one that doesn't involve Nilfgaardians in it, Yennefer." interrupted Vesemir, crossing his arms in front of his chest. "Don't get me wrong, it's good to see you, but you need to give us an explanation about these Nilfgaardians."
Yennefer stared at Vesemir casually, didn't say anything, and turned to Geralt once again. "I shall provide you with an explanation, in Vizima. Ready your horses."
Geralt raised his eyebrow. "What's the rush? We can talk here, plenty of beautiful orchards…"
Yennefer hummed in amusement. "Tempting proposition… sadly, I must refuse. You see, someone awaits you back in Vizima, someone who doesn't like to be kept waiting."
"Well, sounds interesting, who is it?"
"Emperor Emhyr var Emreis… or those who were more intimate with him. 'The white flame dancing on the grave of his foes.'"
"Him?" questioned Geralt, raising his eyebrow. "What does he want now? Last time I saw him, he wanted to kill me."
"Well, now he wants to make you an offer." she stated.
"The kind one can't refuse?" questioned Vesemir sarcastically.
"I didn't. Though I could have." answered Yennefer calmly.
"Must've been a damn good offer then," said Geralt. "Not many things you'd give up your freedom for."
Yennefer sighed. "The sooner you set off, the sooner you'll find out." Yennefer walked away, walking towards her horse. But before she could stray away, Geralt stopped her.
"Wait." he said. "There's something I need you to do."
Yennefer raised her brow. "Geralt, if it's about sex, we could do it–"
"No, it's not about sex…" sighed Geralt. "You see this guy?"
Geralt pointed at Mikael, who was standing awkwardly near the door of the inn, his face pale, his clear blue eyes looking a bit unfocused, and his red hair messy.
"Yes… he looked like a… fisstech user… handsome… more handsome than you even… but looked stoned." she said, eyeing Mikael judgingly. "Get to the point Geralt…"
"Well, you see, he's just like me," he said.
"A man with a high libido?"
"No…" said Geralt impatiently. "He's… he lost his memories…"
"Ah…" Yennefer said knowingly. "You want to know if I have a spell that can recover his memories?"
"Yes…"
"Listen Geralt, within any other circumstances, I'd help him." she said. "But now… now's not the time. Who is he to you anyway? You and Triss's lovechild?"
Geralt coughed in awkwardness. "No… he's… it's a long story, will you help him?"
Yennefer sighed as she touched her forehead, massaging it. "Like I said Geralt, we're out of time, a spell like that could take hours, and the emperor does not like to wait."
"Bring him to Vizima?" suggested Vesemir.
"I've got no quarrel with the man, nor you Vesemir, but it's impossible to bring you two to Vizima." she said. "The emperor only wants Geralt, no one else."
Geralt sighed. "Fine, I'll be there shortly."
"Although…" Yennefer added. "You could go to Novigrad. I heard a 'dear friend' of yours is there."
"Friend?" questioned Vesemir.
"Triss Merigold," said Yennefer. "She should still be there. She should know a spell that might help you."
Yennefer stared at Mikael, scanning his missing right arm, and unfocused blue eyes. Mikael nodded. "Thanks."
Yennefer nodded back, and turned to Geralt. "Now, if you quicken your goodbyes?"
Geralt sighed at Yennefer's question. "Give me a minute."
Yennefer walked away from them, and Geralt turned to Vesemir and Mikael.
"Well, looks like we have to part ways…" said Geralt. "What about you Vesemir?"
"I'll take the young man over here to Novigrad," he said. "I hear Lambert is there, I'll ask him to help him there."
"Listen, just give me a map, and I'll go there alone." said Mikael insistently. "I'll be fine."
"No, you won't." refuted Vesemir. "You're a ticking time bomb, if you somehow got out of control, who knows, the entire northern kingdom might be swallowed by rot."
"I have it under control, old man…" grumbled Mikael.
"I thought you had things to do back in Kaer Morhen?" questioned Geralt.
"Those can wait," he said. "This man however, cannot."
Geralt nodded, and hugged Vesemir. "Then see you later, Vesemir. Thanks for helping me."
"Oh, it's nothing," he said. "It's good to see you and Yennefer back."
Geralt hummed, and turned to Mikael. "I hope to see you again. Someday."
Mikael shrugged. "Maybe. We'll see." he said. "Thanks. For everything."
Geralt then walked towards his horse, and retrieved his spare sword. "Here, I'll give this to you. Old sword of mine, don't need it anymore."
"You sure?" questioned Mikael, looking at the sword offered by Geralt.
"Just take it."
"Okay." Mikael took the sword, and put it on his back. "I'll pay you back, someday."
"Counting on it." hummed Geralt, and he patted Mikael's back. He turned to Vesemir, and nodded to him one last time, before mounting his horse, following Yennefer to Vizima.
Miquella then suddenly appeared beside Mikael.
"A Witcher, a father, a friend." his voice echoed. "I wish… back at home…"
"You read his mind?" questioned Mikael in his mind. "Read his memories?"
"No… but. I can see it." he said. "The mark… or a wolf. A loyal and fierce friend."
Mikael hummed. "Well… I just have to wait a little more to get my memories… right?"
Miquella nodded. "In time, you will see."
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone