How far you have fallen

Mikael and Lambert approached a closed alley at a shady street in Novigrad. They looked around, beggars were watching them, making Lambert frowned. Mikael then knocked on the door, and the window of the door slid open, revealing dark eyes, watching Mikael intently.

"What do you want?" the man behind the door gruffed.

Mikael's eyes turned sharp. "Open the door."

Those dark eyes dulled as it saw Mikael's clear blue eyes. He didn't say anything, instead, Mikael just heard the sound of clacking, and the door opened.

It was a shabby alley. Men and women were gathering on the wet muddy ground, and they were in line for something. Mikael and Lambert entered the place, and they saw mages, taking care of people, giving them potions, casting spells to the people, and the citizens were paying them.

"We definitely can find Merigold here." commented Lambert. "I'll ask around, you should see around."

Mikael hummed, and the two split off. Miquella then appeared beside Mikael as he walked.

"This is a sad sight." he commented. "Knowledge thrown away for the sake of power and short term benefit, it is the biggest mistake of all."

"Well, I think people feared the unknowns…" murmured Mikael. "If I met a man or woman that can burn an entire army, I'd be afraid too."

"But this isn't about fear, Mikael." Miquella said. "While it was supported by the fear of the unknown by the common folk, the rulers used it to gain absolute control, getting rid of threats."

"Honestly, I get why they hated the mages." Mikael stated. "But… they could've just banned them from the land, and told them to go elsewhere, instead of burning them on pyres."

As Mikael walked to a place that looks like an inn, he was stopped by shabby guards that were standing on the side of the door.

"Who're you?" questioned the guard. "Never seen you 'round here…"

"I'm new." chucked Mikael. "What's in there?"

"None o' your business." scoffed the guard. "Sod off."

"Okay, okay, calm down…" Mikael sighed. "I'm looking for a sorceress. Triss Merigold."

The guards raised their brows. "Why'd you want to see her?"

"I need her help." Mikael answered.

The guard looked at the missing arm, and speculated about something. He hummed. "She's not here right now, you can wait at the alley, should be here in the evening."

"Alright, thanks mate."

Mikael then backed off, and walked back to Lambert, who was talking to some people. As Lambert finished talking, Lambert told Mikael to follow him.

They walked to the corner of the alley, then, they talked about what they found.

"She'll be here." Mikael said. "We just need to wait."

"I heard the same." nodded Lambert. "Guess we have to be in this shit hole for a few hours…"

—

Triss Merigold was having a bad day. She was just doing a job of healing a man that had trouble sleeping, yet as soon as she finished treating the man, he refused to pay her, and instead threatened her that he'll report her to the witch hunters.

It was a stupid thought, has he not realized that he'll be arrested too? As soon as she commented on the fact, his 'brave' mask collapsed, and paid her, although not as much as the promised coin.

She walked to the Putrid Grove, spoke the password, and went to the King of Beggars, giving his share of the profit.

But as soon as she arrived, she was halted by two men. At first, she was about to retaliate, but she saw the face of the man, and saw that it was someone she knew.

"Lambert?" Triss exclaimed.

"Well, well, Merigold…" Lambert crossed his arms, and gave her a smug smile. "How far you have fallen."

Triss raised her brow, and she looked at the man beside Lambert. "Who is this?"

"Name's Mikael." he smiled. Triss examined him, he was handsome, probably one of the most handsome men she has ever seen, but he was missing an arm.

"I'm talking here Merigold." Lambert interrupted her gaze. "We need your help. Well, rather, he needs your help."

Triss looked around. The guards were looking at them. She sighed, and pointed to the gate. "Not here, let's go to my hideout."

Triss then cloaked herself, hiding her curvy figure, her red hair and pretty face.

Mikael and Lambert looked at each other as Triss swayed her hips, walking to the gate, and both of them shrugged, and followed her.

All of them exited the Putrid Grove, towards the bits.

"It's rare that you ask for help Lambert." Triss stated.

"Well, I'm not really the one asking for help." Lambert scoffed. "Vesemir asked me to send this kid to you."

Triss peeked at Mikael behind her cloak. "So, what's your problem?"

"Lost my memories." answered Mikael, making Triss gulp.

"Wouldn't be the first time hearing that right, Merigold?" Lambert sneered.

Triss didn't answer and her expression was hidden, and instead, continued to ask Mikael. "Since when?"

"Around a month ago I think." thought Mikael. "Why?"

"Have any flashes of memories?" questioned Triss.

Miquella suddenly appeared, walking alongside Mikael.

"Do not tell her about me." Miquella stated.

Mikael just looked at Miquella, and turned to Triss. "No." he shook his head.

"Really? Any items that might belong to the past you?"

"Not that I know off…" Mikael murmured. "I was found naked… so…"

Triss hummed. All of them then arrived at a home that was tilted to the side, one mere push and the home would've collapsed.

Triss knocked on the door, and an old lady opened it.

As the lady saw the two men behind Triss, she frowned.

"You bringin' gigolos now?" she scoffed.

"They're… acquaintances of mine…" Triss coughed in embarrassment.

"I thought I told you–"

"They'll be here only for a moment." stated Triss. "Please?"

The woman snorted. "I'll be watching you."

The woman then entered the home again, leaving the door opened. The three entered, it was a shabby place, certainly not a typical home that a sorceress would live in.

All of them then went upstairs, where it was a room full of 'magical' stuff. Weird books, three sticks standing on a circle, and many more things that Mikael found strange.

"So this amnesia of yours… who else knows?" questioned Triss as she took off her cloak. She was wearing leather, with her cleavage visible, and a necklace was hanging around her neck.

"Lambert, Vesemir, Geralt…." said Mikael. "Oh, and Yen? Forgot her full name."

"Yennefer?" Triss was a bit surprised. She had a sad look for a moment, but she quickly changed it. "So Geralt found her huh…"

"Enough of your sobbing Merigold, can you help him or not?" said Lambert.

"Depends." she hummed. "How much?"

"How much?"

"Coins for my service." she said. "You didn't think I would do it for free, did you?"

"Come on Merigold, really?" Lambert protested.

"Sorry Lambert, but I really need it right now." she continued. "And technically, I don't know this guy… yet…"

"Well… I don't have any coin…"

"Then Lambert." Triss smiled.

"What?"

"Lambert, you'll be my bodyguard for a few days, and let's call it even."

"Hell no." Lambert instantly refused. "Geralt found his Yennefer, and now you're targeting me?"

"You know, I would appreciate it if you don't bring his name into this." Triss said. "We're making a deal right now, so don't talk about my love life."

"Love life?" Mikael questioned.

"She and Geralt had 'history'." Lambert crossed his arms. "No Merigold, I won't be your bodyguard. You're not even helping me, you're helping him."

"Well, he can't fight if he only has one arm, isn't it?"

Mikael was offended, but Lambert talked first. "You're kidding right? Why do you think Vesemir took interest in the kid Merigold? Because he doesn't want a guy like him running around freely with no memories at all…"

"Meaning?"

"I saw him cut an Ekimmara's head easily." Lambert stated. "It was affected by black blood… but still, no normal human could do that. I don't even know what he is, I just think that he's… special… otherwise, the old man won't take interest in him."

"You got a point…" murmured Triss. He looked at Mikael. "So… mind showing me?"

Miquella appeared again, sitting on a chair. "She has mocked you Mikael," he said. "Toy with her. Sorceresses value their beauty, threaten it."

Mikael smiled, and offered his hand to her.

Triss just raised her eyebrow, and instinctively grabbed it for a handshake.

But then, something suddenly appeared at her hand, slowly spreading through her whole right arm.

"W-What's this?" questioned Triss, pulling away from Mikael. Her hand is literally rotting in front of her. She tried to cure it, decrease it, clean it away from her hand, to no avail.

"What did you do?" questioned Triss with a frown.

Mikael just kept smiling, making Triss frown even more.

"Okay, I get it, take it away." Triss stated. She offered her hand to Mikael, which Mikael just grabbed, and kissed.

Soon enough, the rot disappeared without a trace, making Triss sighed in relief.

"What was that?" questioned Lambert.

"Nothing for you to worry about." Mikael hummed.

Triss cross-checked her arm, checking if there's any more rotting. She sighed as she didn't find any, and spoke.

"Fine… " she murmured. "I'll help you. But you have to be my bodyguard for a few days, the witch hunters are a bit careful these days…"

"How long?"

"How about… a week or so?" she answered. "I'll do the spell after your end of the deal is finished, I need to prepare first."

"Okay." nodded Mikael. "I can do that."

"Then great." Lambert exclaimed. "I guess I'll see you around kid."

"Wait, you're not staying?" Triss questioned, disappointment in her eyes.

"Of course not." Lambert scoffed. "So long Merigold."

"Thanks for everything Lambert," said Mikael. "I'll see you around."

Lambert hummed, and he walked downstairs, leaving the two alone.

"So… where are you staying?" Triss questioned.

Mikael just realized it. "Oh shit… I don't know…"

"You can stay here if you like." she said casually, not looking at Mikael. "I'll talk to the owner of the place, might pay more, but it's probably not much."

Mikael only gulped, thinking about it.

Then, Miquella spoke flatly. "Remember, I am still a child Mikael."

Mikael just scoffed. "Sod off, you're older than me."