32 Chapter 30:

I have seen some who did not know when to turn aside their eyes in meeting yours. A truly confident and magnanimous spirit is wiser than to contend for the mastery in such encounters. Serpents alone conquer by the steadiness of their gaze. My friend looks me in the face and sees me, that is all. - Henry David Thoreau

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A Few Hours Later

Current Year: 1261

Kaer Trolde was incredibly beautiful. I had been to the port beneath the fearsome castle years ago when I left to join the witchers, but I had never been inside the citadel itself. The mighty stone walls were cold and imposing, the entire architecture was of a quality design. It was a lot bigger than it had been in the game, as was all of Skellige. Despite what you see on the map, the islands that dot the landscape are incredibly large.

The whole reason we were here was because Ciri visited Skellige every summer and winter. I wasn't allowed to go last year, but this year Ciri insisted that I be brought along. Queen Calanthe was hesitant at first, but after Ciri nagged her and said that I was her 'only' friend she relented and let me go. Essentially, we were all her on a vacation. That was fine with me, it would allow me some time away from the castle in Cintra.

We had just arrived not too long ago at the seat of Jarl Crach an Craite's domain, Ciri had gone off with an entourage to see her extended family. Mousesack went with her as well, Crach and him were good friends. I was simply a lowly apprentice to the advisor so I stayed behind to get settled in. I had put on another military chaperon that I had procured before we got off the ship, it would help me keep a low profile in case any racists wanted to try and get a rise out of me. I hadn't met the jarl yet, but some of his personal guards escorted me to the room I would be staying in.

The walls of my temporary living quarters were made out of the same cold stone that encompassed the rest of the castle. There was a desk and a small mirror that rested upon it in the corner closest to the door. I had a simple wooden bed that had several layers of covers and furs to fight against the below freezing temperature. Winters in Skellige were very harsh, this was the bare minimum that was needed to survive the cold.

I waved my hand in the air slightly and I was suddenly wearing a new pair of clothes. Mages use this trick all of the time in order to change their outfits on the whim. I was now wearing some simple black Skelligan attire, similar to what Geralt had to wear during the wake of King Bran Tuirseach. After I was properly dressed I stared at myself in the small mirror on my desk. I was starting to fill our rather nicely, I had grown quite a bit these past few years. My jawline was getting stronger and I was regularly mistaken for being around sixteen years of age, despite the fact that I was only twelve.

I suddenly pulled my shirt down slightly to check on the brand that was centered on my chest. I caressed it slightly with my fingers, tracing the charred tree made of snakes that had been woven into the flesh around my heart. All this time learning magic and the brand had not glowed once, I still had no knowledge that I was capable of offering to that 'serpent'. Hopefully after a few of my plans I've been able to make come to pass, I'll gain enough knowledge to offer him. I doubt I'll be able to enact a few of them until a few more years go by, but that's of little consequence. I'm still quite young.

In other news, I didn't really have anything to unpack. Everything I own was safely stored within my little 'trinket', as Ciri liked to call it. Others might fail to see it, but this skull is incredibly useful. Imagine being able to store as many magical supplies, herbs, weapons and bombs as you want within one simple skull. The item worked in a very similar way to Keira Metz's skull from the third game. The skull contains its own little pocket space within it. If I wanted, I could enter the skull and stay inside of it. However, I just prefer to store items within and then summon them outside whenever I need them. The area inside of mine wasn't nearly as amazing or beautiful looking as Keira's.

I placed my hand upon the skull and channelled my chaos for a moment. A brief red glow later and another book had appeared from within my artifact. The book made a loud thump as it was dropped on the desk that was next to me. It was aged and the leather that made up the covers were starting to wear down. The title of this mighty treatise was 'Elemental and Golem Creation: Proper Precautions'. I promptly took the tome and laid myself down on the bed, I opened up the weared down pages and began to feverishly read away. It would be awhile before someone came to get me, I imagine Ciri is having a lot of fun hanging out with the jarls children.

Around thirty minutes went by in silence while I enjoyed my quiet reading. Just as soon as I flipped to another new page, there was a knock at my door. I quickly got up to my feet and went over to my door.

"Who is it?" I asked before opening the doorway

"It is I, your most precious friend and princess." A sarcastic voice, that I could only assume to be Ciri, came from outside my quarters.

I swiftly opened the door to look upon the young ashen haired girl in question. She had her hand on her hip and a small smirk on her face.

"Ah, yes. It is my most precious liege." I said while taking a small bow. "How may I serve you, princess?"

"Gross. Please cut it out." Ciri said while putting her head into her hands and smiling. "We are all about to eat so I thought that I would come grab you. It would be seen as disrespectful if Mousesack didn't bring his apprentice while we ate."

"Ah of course. That certainly must be the reason." I responded while rolling my eyes. "Be honest. You just didn't want to be bored while you were there, I'm just a fine source of entertainment for you all."

"Hey! That's not true." Ciri pouted for a moment. "I… we… just enjoy your company. Mousesack and me, I mean."

I think I smelled some nervousness coming from our dear loved princess. It's to be expected, I've spent almost every day with her these past two years. She seems to have formed quite a strong bond to me. Mousesack and her were probably the only attachments I had managed to gain after everything that happened… Logically, I wanted to shut myself off from everyone after going through what I went through. I knew in my heart that doing so was a foolish notion, people need companionship in order to heal and better themselves. Despite my reservations about getting too close, they had managed to crack a chink into my armor.

"Hmm? What do you mean by that, Princess Cirilla?" I asked while bringing my hand up to my chin and moving my head a bit closer to gaze into Ciri's eyes. Her cheeks got a bit flushed at my actions and I decided that was enough teasing for the moment. I let out a big sigh and continued to speak. "Fine, I'll come with you. I was just finishing up a splendid read, but I can make some time."

"Read, read, read. That's all you do. You need to learn how to have a little fun." Ciri replied while letting out a sigh of her own. "But… good. I'm glad you're coming, let's head over now."

"Of course, your grace." I said in a mock tone while holding my hand out for Ciri to grasp hold onto.

Her face flushed once more. She hesitated for a moment before holding her arm up and grasping my hand tightly. We both gave each other a cheeky smile. After that little moment, both of us then made our way through the grand halls of Kaer Trolde. I didn't really know the layout of the place, it was extremely different to the game. So, I allowed Ciri to lead us most of the way. She had been to this castle many times before, this place was almost like a second home to her.

It took us a few minutes, but we made our way to the dining hall. As we approached the door, I could hear loud voices partying from within. Eist's step daughter making her way to the homeland was a grand occasion. I reckon that at least some of the jarls are in attendance. It was sure to make for a pleasant evening.

"You ready for a loud obnoxious night?" Ciri asked me before we opened the doors.

"Please." I said with a sly smirk. "Which of us here is actually from Skellige? This is how we act all of the time."

After I said those words, Ciri just shook her head and opened the large doors to the hall. Dozens of faces entered my visage. There were at the very least six dozen people in attendance. Everyone was eating and drinking their fill. There were some bards in the corner playing some jolly music, allowing everyone to enjoy a nice atmosphere. Several people were already starting to get drunk. There were a few fist fights that were happening here and there, but mostly they all looked to be heavily enjoying themselves.

"HAHA!" A loud and gruff voice let out a boisterous laugh to the left of us. A tall and heavy set man with red hair approached us rapidly. "There's me niece! Brought out that 'bookworm' witcher you were 'tellin us 'bout?"

The large and imposing, yet seemingly friendly, man that walked up to us was obviously Crach an Craite. The Jarl that ruled over Kaer Trolde and half of Ard Skellig

"You told my Jarl that I was a 'bookworm'?" I asked in a slightly shocked state while staring into Ciri's eyes.

"Well…" Ciri looked down at the floor. "I might have let something slip out."

I just shook my head in embarrassment. It looks like my fame as a warrior was going to take a hit… no matter. I could build it back up again during my time here if I tried hard enough. Although, I'm still quite young. Maybe they won't expect too much of me.

"Haha! Not to worry my boy, she also told us of your skill with a sword. She said that you've taken it upon yourself to be her instructor. Is that true?" My Jarl, Crach an Craite, asked of me.

"Aye, my Jarl." I said while doing a small Skelligan bow. "She has grown fast in the time I've been teaching her. She is quite gifted."

"Good! Ciri and Mousesack have both informed me that you are of an honorable sort. Our king, my uncle, even said that you beat him in a duel. How did you manage that one?" Crach asked while patting my shoulder a few times with respect.

"Well, my jarl, it was a splendid duel. I admit that it was only my enhanced physique that saved me. I hadn't had a workout like that in quite a long time. King Tuirseach and I have sparred several times since then, he is one of the fiercest warriors I have ever faced." I said somewhat truthfully. Eist certainly was a fierce warrior, but it wasn't just my enhanced body that saved me.

"Poppycock!" Crach responded while letting out a heavy laugh. "No need to sell yourself short. Eist told me it was a tuff fight, you should take pride. Not many can match our king."

"I will, my Jarl. Thank you for honoring me." I said while taking yet another small bow.

"Haha, at least someone here shows respect!" Jarl Crach an Craite replied while letting out another small laugh. He looked at Ciri straight in the eyes as he did so. "Both of ye come in and enjoy yurselves. There's plenty of food and something besides mead for you little ones, don't get into too much trouble."

After speaking, Crach left us to go attend to some other guests who were fighting each other a bit too hard. He was either going to break them up, or join in on the fighting. Both options were equally as likely.

"You know," Ciri started to say from beside me. "You don't always have to be so respectful all the time. You always say King or Jarl this, or princess or Queen that."

"I don't have royal blood like you, princess. I am but a commoner." I said to the ashen haired girl beside me.

"Things like that can change!" Ciri said while tugging my arm. She had a hopeful expression on her face. "Maybe when we return home… I can get my grandmother to try and fix that."

I looked at Ciri with an appreciative expression on my face. It was incredibly kind of her to be willing to do something like that for me. She might be testing her luck, though. I doubt Calanthe would do something like that for me with no benefit. That was quite alright, I plan to gain all the political power I need soon enough. It's just going to be a bit difficult to get it.

"Thanks, Ciri. I appreciate that, but there's really no need. I don't want to drive a wedge between you and your family like that. Come! Let's try and enjoy ourselves. I expect you royals to show me some of your famous hospitality!" I replied in an energetic tone, trying to get Ciri to drop the subject.

"Fine." Ciri pouted and shook her head. "However, this conversation isn't over! We'll talk more about it later, I can't allow my friend to be seen as beneath me."

After that short little talk, Ciri and I then journey to one of the large tables. An amazing feist was spread out on the alcohol stained counter. Ciri and I started to dig into the gracious meal in front of us with gluttony. The night was just beginning, but it was already turning out to be quite pleasant. Warriors, alcohol, and a huge banquet made for a magnificent evening that I would never soon forget.