I followed the aging Witcher to the main keep, Lambert and Eskel remained silent. Geralt had gone off with Yennefer and Ciri. Inside the keep the gathered allies numbered more than I remembered there being in the game. A dozen soldiers had come with Ves and Roche, both Cerys and Hjalmar were there talking among themselves, Keira Metz was sulking in a corner, Triss had apparent dragged her there, Letho a Viper School Witcher sat at a corner sharpening his sword, I couldn't help but to notice Vernon Roche glaring at the hulking Witcher.
The discussion of battle plans began, Ermion suggested using natural gas beneath the keep, I shot that idea down and the old man looked downcast.
"Look, I like the idea of blowing the bastards up to kingdom come, but this keeps us already falling apart as is. We don't need any more potential breaches in the walls."
"Then me and my men can set up some traps in the woods."
"How many can you make before nightfall?"
"About a dozen or so if we rush it."
I thought about the plan for a moment, and an idea popped up in my head.
"Ermion, are you able to cast poison traps on the pits that they dig?"
"Indeed, but I may only be able to cover half that number."
"That's fine, poison the ones closest to the keep."
Roche and Ermion nodded before leaving with Ves and the soldiers to set about their task. Lambert soon left to build Witcher traps around the keep and Vesemir began to brew stronger potions. Eskel left to meditate and train, Geralt went to find and talk to Ciri who I just noticed had been absent from the planning. Yennefer and Triss agreed that they should work together in maintaining a magical shield around the keep.
"Hjalmar, I'm glad to see you again."
"George, this is my sister Cerys, and the honor is mine. You saved the love of my life after all."
I ignored his simping for Ciri and turned to the auburn haired shieldmaiden. "Cerys, it's a pleasure to meet you."
"Likewise Master Witcher, it's always nice meeting someone who's knocked my fool of a brother on his ass."
"Geralt told you?! He said he wouldn't tell."
Hjalmar left, presumably to confront Geralt and I let out a small laugh.
"We've brought about a hundred warriors, do you have a task for us?"
"Yes," a smile spread on my face. "Yes I do."
Hours later after the sun had set the warriors from Skellige along with Hjalmar, were situated in the woods by the path to the keep, Cerys chose to stay behind at the keep with two dozen men to defend the walls. Geralt, Lambert, and I were in the bushes across from them. Around us Roche and his men had also taken their positions in the trees with crossbows and bows. I always found it interesting that Geralt never suggested an ambush. Maybe it was because the fear people had of the Wild Hunt.
In reality there was nothing frightening about a bunch of elves cosplaying as wraiths, hell aside from their portal magic, which I was sure only Caranthir was the only one responsible for that possibility, their ice magic mostly came from the portals. Even the hounds they had were rather disappointing. Still reality could be much more different than the games. Loud cracks sounded around the forest further down the path as multiple blue portals opened, there was the sound of a horn and a massive portal opened revealing dozens of warriors led by Imlerith and Caranthir. I grinned, they were marching up the path as I had expected.
As they slowly approached our ambush point, sounds of elves screaming as they fell into Roches traps echoed in the woods. Imlerith roared in anger and charged up the path intent on storming the keep. Caranthir disappeared into a portal along with a dozen or so warriors. As the large elf passed the choke point I signaled the ambush.
"Now Hjalmar, cut them off in the middle."
The Skellige warriors let out a battle cry and like a wave, washed over the Wild Hunt's warriors who were in shock. Imlerith turned and spotted Geralt, Lambert, and I charging straight at him. Arrows flew overhead as the Blue Stripes fired arrows and bolts into the hordes of skeletal warriors. Hjalmar and his warriors cut down scores before they retreated back into the woods, drawing the Wild Hunt into the traps within. It was all going according to plan.
Geralt dodged a swing from Imlerith mace, Lambert cast Igni on the enemy general, using the momentum I had built up as I ran, I speared my shoulder right into the elf's gut. Imlerith fell to the ground with another roar and I quickly recovered as he attempted to grab me. More elven warriors appeared out of the portal.
"I'll deal with these guys."
"And we'll deal with this big oaf."
Geralt and Lambert charged at Imlerith as I jumped into the fight with the newly arrived warriors. I let my instincts take over and I began the dance of death, each movement led to a strike or a counterattack, each spin got me behind an enemy fighter. My sword sang as blood trailed from its blade. I lost count of the 'wraiths' I had killed as the last of the Wild Hunt warriors fell I threw a grapeshot bomb at the portal causing it to collapse. Just as I turned I saw Geralt and Lambert both sink their blades into Imlerith's chest plate before blasting him in the face with Igni. The massive elf screamed before collapsing on the ground unmoving. The Wolf Witchers withdrew their swords, just as a horn sounded from the keep. It was the signal that the keep had been breached. I cursed, turning to my two companions we shared looks before we rushed back to Kaer Morhen as fast as we could.
When we arrived it was chaos, the main gate had been blasted open. Hounds ran about as Vesemir and Cerys' warriors chased them down. The shield around the keep had gone down.
"Something must have happened to Yen."
"Go after her, Lambert and I will take care of things down here."
The White Wolf nodded, turning to Lambert I grinned.
"One with the least amount of kills buys drinks."
The young Witcher returned my smile. "Deal."
We split off and I made my way to Cerys cutting down 'wraith' and hound alike on my way over.
"Signal for your brother to return, we need them here."
The an Craite nodded before sounding her horn twice, a response came from the woods as another horn blew. Moments later Hjalmar and Roche arrived with soldiers in tow. Seemingly their ambushes had been very effective, they had hardly lost any numbers. Upon entering the walls they jumped back into open combat.
There was a blast of magic and I was thrown off the wall. I crashed into the ground and my vision flickered. Shaking my head I looked back to the wall where I had been thrown off. Another portal had opened, from this portal dozens more of the Wild Hunt emerged followed by Caranthir and finally Eredin himself. I got back up to my feet and ran towards the wall just as Caranthir blinked and met me before I could reach Eredin.
Cerys and her warriors fought back the hunt, Eredin made his way down from the wall and towards the keep. I tried to attack the leader of the hunt only to be stopped by Caranthir again. Cursing I sent the most powerful Aard I had ever cast right at Caranthir. The mage was blasted off his feet and crashed into a wall. I drew my ax and reversed the grip on my sword. Getting into a low stance I prepared to charge at the elven mage to finish him off. He recovered before I reached him and he sent a blast of magic towards me. Spinning out of the way I slashed at mage, a whirlwind of ax and sword. The mage was pushed back before he blinked again appearing behind me. I felt a sharp pain on my side as a dagger passed through my Quen shield.
Caranthir teleported around another Aard I cast at him before disappearing all together. I swayed on my feet before falling to my knees, looking to my side I realized that my wound was much worse than expected. From the corner of my eyes I saw Eredin and Caranthir approach Ciri who had come out to join the fight. Everyone else was frozen by some spell Caranthir cast. Struggling to my feet I winced as the pain in my side doubled. Before the hunt could reach the Witcheress I threw my ax and let out a roar before charging straight at the enemy. Cutting down 'wraiths' left and right I drew closer. Before I could reach Eredin I was swatted away by Caranthir's Magic. I landed next to Ciri who tried to help me up.
At that moment I felt the cold chill of my own doom creeping closer. I pushed Ciri behind me and sent out another Aard to knock Eredin off his feet, only to be blocked by Caranthir. I turned to Ciri,
"Run."
She shook her head, using another Aard I blasted her backwards towards the keep doors. My head snapped back to Eredin and Caranthir. Raising my sword I charged at the hunts leader. Ignoring the pain in my side I blasted Caranthir's staff from his hands and began my assault on Eredin. Trading blows with the hunts leader while I was injured had not been the best of ideas. I felt another stab of pain rock my body. Warmth began to spread from my chest to my stomach and down my legs. I looked down at the sword stained with my blood protruding from my chest. Caranthir must have gotten behind me again. As my vision faded I heard Ciri cry out.
'I'm so sorry everyone, I've failed again.'
A pulse of magic washed past me, the last thing I was before blacking out was a brilliant light bursting from Ciri. I smiled as my consciousness faded to a dreamless void.
'At least she drove them away in the end.'
"George, promise me you'll take care of yourself. If anything happens to me."
"Keep throwing up death flags like that and I'll kill you myself."
"Seriously though, you've got a good thing going with Bethany. This deployment came out of nowhere and I have a bad feeling about it."
"It's why I left the Army, brother. I have too much and got fucked over in return."
"Yeah, and I was stupid enough to follow in your footsteps."
"Hey, just keep your head down. You're the only family I have left remember?"
"As if you'd let me forget. You keep bitching at me every day."
"What else am I supposed to do, I am older than you. It's my job to bully you."
"Look my flight leaves in an hour. I've got to go, just save a drink for me for when I get back alright?"
"You've got it."
The painful memory of the last time I ever saw my brother swirled through my mind. I could barely feel my own limbs in the cold dark of the void.
'Looks like I've died again' I sighed, 'at least I did some good this time around. Even if it was just technically odd jobs helping out farmers and war torn families.'
I wasn't sure how long I drifted through the blackness of the void when a tingle sensation spread from my fingers up my arms and eventually, through my whole body.
'My body? Must be like last time and I'm getting sent to another world. Hopefully this time it'll be something fun.'
"Uncle Vesemir! He's coming around!"
'That voice, it couldn't be. I died, didn't I?'
"Step back child, he may be a bit confused when he comes to."
I heard the sound of a chair scraping against a stone floor. The smell of lilacs flooded my nose and I let out a groan.
"Yen, step back. I think your perfume is bothering him."
"I need to make sure the procedure worked."
My eyes flew open, and I nearly jumped off the table I had been laid on. My vision was still blurry when hands reached out to help me stand up straight. Shaking my head to try and clear my vision I looked around. I was inside Kaer Morhen, Geralt and Yennefer were standing by the door, Vesemir stood at the foot of the makeshift hospital bed and Ciri had my arm around her shoulder supporting me. Fighting back nausea I looked at Vesemir and Geralt.
"Did we win?"
"Aye lad. Thanks to you wounding Caranthir, Ciri was able to drive them away."
Turning to the ashen haired woman I learned against the table so I could get a good look at her.
"You- You can control your power now?"
"Who said I couldn't?"
She looked like she had not had any sleep, dark shadows under her eyes, blood a lot of it, most likely mine, stained her white shirt. Her hair was disheveled and her leg was bandaged.
"What are you staring at?"
"A beautiful woman."
"Shut up."
"What it's true."
"Don't make me stab you."
"Don't threaten me with a good time."
A burst of laughter escaped from Geralt before he could contain it. Yennefer slapped him on the shoulder, Vesemir put a hand on my shoulder.
"You should rest lad, you may be healed but you lost a lot of blood."
"How is everyone?"
"They're fine, now lay back down and rest."
Ciri was glaring at me with her arms crossed. I offered a small smile before taking a seat on the table. One by one everyone left the room, Ciri was the last to go.
"I- I'm glad you're still alive."
"Thanks." She turned and stormed out of the room. "I think?"
Once I woke back up from, what in my opinion was the best damn nap ever I got dressed in a clean set of clothes. I looked at my armor that had served me since I had it made almost ten years ago. There was a nasty hole punched right through from the back to the front. Two inches left and that sword would have gone through my heart. I sighed before setting a hand on my ruined armor.
Belting on my swords I made my way out of the room to the main hall of the keep. The other Witchers were sitting on the table talking about how to proceed with the Wild Hunt in the future. The table looked in my direction when I coughed to draw their attention. Bowing my head,
"I want to thank all of you for trusting in me to set up those plans, and for helping me when I was injured. You've done so much for a mere stranger."
"Pah! Stranger my arse, you're a Witcher, we're Witchers. We look out for one another."
"Thank you Eskel."
"Come have a seat lad, we were about to have dinner."
I took the seat offered by Vesemir just as Ciri and Triss came in with platters of food. The ashen haired Witcheress however, avoided eye contact with me. She sat next to Geralt and took a chicken leg from a platter. Stories were shared around the table, Lambert excused himself followed by Kiera. I knew the two would hit it off and would soon leave together, a sort of 'Geralt and Yennefer 2.0'. Once the table had been cleared the discussion on what to do with the Wild Hunt continued.
"There has to be a way to finish this once and for all."
"Aye, we've proven that these 'wraiths' can be killed with steel, why not just go to Eredin and cut the head off of the Viper."
"It's not that easy Zoltan, they travel through dimensions with their ship. It'll be impossible to locate them based on that alone."
I remembered the ship being summoned by a stone in the game, my memory on the mechanic was hazy but I still brought it up.
"I've read stories about how they can be summoned with a stone of some sort."
Everyone turned to me and I tried not to shrink away at the many eyes drilling holes into me.
"These 'wraiths' they're elves are they not? In my travels I have heard stories about the Aen Elle, a race of elves that practically worship the elder blood. The same blood that flows through Ciri. It's what allows navigators like Caranthir to open up portals."
I knew my knowledge on the lore was shaky at best, I hoped that what I said would point them in the right direction.
"There's tomes in the old library on the elder blood, perhaps we'll find our answers there?"
"Agreed, while Vesemir searches through those Yen and I will attempt to find the other sorceresses. One of them is bound to know about elven legends, and when it comes to it we will need magic to fight the Hunts magic."
"Very well," we turned to Geralt. "I'll head to Nilfgaard, the emperor is bound to help if we tell him Ciri is in danger."
"Or he may very well just take her."
Ciri stood up, "There you all go again, discussing things about me without consulting me."
"Ciri- We jus-"
"Want to help, I know! I've heard it before. I can take care of myself."
With that she ran out of the hall and out of the doors. Geralt and I stood to go after her but were stopped by Yennefer.
"Let her go, she needs some time to cool off."
The White Wolf and I looked at each other before sitting back down. After a moment I stood back up and pushed in my chair.
"I'll head to Skellige, I've seen old ruins there and my school had stories about how the isles contained old relics of the elven kind."
"We'll go with you, Cerys and Ermion have business to take care of back in Kaer Trolde."
I nodded to Hjalmar before stepping out of the keep. Only to run into Ciri who was pacing by the doors. She fell back onto her rear. Snow from the fight with the Hunt puffed around her. I held out a hand and she slapped it away before standing back up and dusting her bottom off.
"Okay, that's enough. What is it with you? Have I done something to offend you?"
She glared at me, fists balled up. "N- no, I- just. I hate this feeling in my stomach that I get when I see you."
'Feeling in her stomach?'
"I'm sorry that I sicken you. I'm headed to Skellige, so you won't have to deal with my presence for much longer."
I turned to return back to the keep.
"Damn it! Wait, it's not that, it's hard to explain."
"I'm just messing with you Ciri, I am serious about heading to Skellige though, and I need to pack so if that was all then-"
"I'm going with you," she pushed past me and walked through the doors. "Well? Come on, don't you need to pack?"
'This woman is confusing the hell out of me, maybe it's just women in general. I never could understand the way they thought.'
I let out a slow sigh before heading back into the old keep. Making my way to the room I had been staying at I packed up my ruined armor making a note to try and get it fixed. I heard there was a master smith at Kaer Trolde. The next day Ves and Roche left along with the Blue Stripe soldiers, followed by Kiera and Lambert. Eskel chose to stay with Vesemir whilst Geralt got ready to leave for Nilfgaard. Triss and Yennefer opened a portal each and stepped through, their search for the other sorceresses beginning.