Revenge Best Served

Triss found me pacing our room at the Kingfisher Inn. When she closed the door and I finally met her eyes, she no doubt thought I had really bad news. I don't think what I had to tell her was overall bad, I didn't think we'd just stumble upon her, but if Radovid was searching for her, he must be willing to throw absolutely anything at his disposal into finding her, including the Dragonborn and his witcher friend.

Once we were sat down, I explained our meeting on the ship. "So he doesn't know where she is?" Triss asked once I stopped to take a breath.

"No. He's given us a place to visit tomorrow where he believes she may have based herself."

"Will you take her in?"

"Definitely not." Triss sighed with relief. "Triss, my word still stands. I know I failed…"

"No, you didn't. It was… our fault. We underestimated the opposition, or overestimated our own capabilities. Years of planning, though. Moving pieces on the board. Slowly but surely spreading influence. And then, in an instant…"

"You don't blame me?"

She met my eyes and returned one of those smiles I adored. "I never did, Ragnar, and neither did any of the Lodge. You did so much for us, in your own way. I just needed space to… get my head straight. And I knew you needed it too. You needed to get away from me, her, them, everyone."

"I never wanted to leave you," I murmured. She took my hand in two of hers, making me meet her eyes, seeing them glisten. "Sorry, I know we agreed not to discuss…"

"I love you, Ragnar. I've been in love with you since almost that first day we met. The day you were introduced, I thought 'I will marry that man one day'." That made me smile. "Still intend on marriage, by the way. When the time is right, I will be Triss Dragonborn."

"You like the sound of that?"

She stood up and sat on my lap sideways, resting her head against my chest. "Waited a long time for someone like you to walk into my life. For a time, I thought I was going to grow old feeling lonely. Thank god for your Divines and their twisted sense of humour eh?"

I couldn't help chuckle at that. "So Philippa?"

"She's strong, Ragnar, but help her. Please. When you find her, keep her safe. I know how much you care for her."

"She's… special. Can't help but really like her. In a way, she reminds me of Yennefer with Geralt. This powerful woman you just can't help liking. She winds me up something chronic, but I'd also do anything for her. I know a lot of people don't like her. Guess it's all a matter of personal taste." I gave Triss a tight squeeze. "But with you, I find… peace. Happiness. Tranquillity. Most importantly, I see a future with you." She didn't say anything after that, finally lifting her face to meet mine, wiping her cheeks my thumbs. "Guess I have my moments eh?" I asked softly.

"More than you think," she whispered.

I woke early the next morning, Triss naked and remaining fast asleep next to me, managing to dress and get ready before leaning over to kiss her. She woke up enough, telling me to be safe, before she wrapped herself up in the blankets. The bar area was deserted, not even the innkeep awake to prepare breakfast, so I headed out into the early morning light, walking in the direction of the Rosemary and Thyme.

Geralt was already pacing outside, waiting for my arrival. He handed me some bread, suggesting that he knew I wouldn't have been fed yet. Mounting out horses, we set out on the journey east, letting Geralt direct us as he knew the way towards the old elven ruin where Philippa had apparently based herself.

We avoided the path that passed the Temerian hideout, taking a longer route that took us at least another hour or so to make it to the elven ruin. As we rode along, Geralt eventually slowed his pace enough that we could ride side by side without having to worry about one of our horses sliding down the bank to either side.

"You tell Triss?"

"Aye."

"Be honest, Ragnar. What's on your mind?"

"I'm not handing her over, Geralt. Radovid can go fuck himself."

I met his eyes, letting him now I wasn't going to be changing my mind. He nodded. "Okay. We will need to play this carefully. I doubt she's there myself, she wouldn't be stupid enough to allow herself to be trapped."

"She won't be there. Not a chance. But this is Radovid testing us." I passed before adding, "No. He's testing me." Geralt nodded again. "The fact I'm in love with a member of the Lodge, and was present every single time they met, is an open secret. The only thing that saved me is the fact I have a cock and balls, and not a mage."

"Will Philippa trust you when you meet?"

"Of course. I've done nothing to cause suspicion, and despite everything, I'm not… going to allow harm to come to her."

"Shit, Ragnar, sounds like you love her."

"No, not love. I know what she's capable of. Know what she's done. Still adore the woman though. She's no worse than some of the scum I've had to work alongside. There are very few truly decent people in this world, Geralt. We all have our dark side."

"Who would you consider…"

"Triss. Heart of gold. Even with the Lodge, I believe, and I mean truly believe, she only ever chose the path of good, to make sure that even if it was the benefit of the Lodge, she still ensured people would not come to harm. I know others would have happily sacrificed everyone to achieve their aims. Triss isn't like that." I cleared my throat. "Anyway, game faces soon. I assume we're meeting his soldiers?"

"Witch hunters probably."

"Great," I muttered.

We lapsed into silence the rest of the ride, eventually arriving at the ruins. Buried deep in the forest, the only reason anyone would have found it would be stumbling upon it. Even the path we had followed was overgrown and likely a path rarely if ever followed. Philippa had chosen well, but I guess even she couldn't stay hidden forever.

Dismounting and tying up our horses, the witch hunters were not particularly happy to see either of us, going on about losing the glory of finding Philippa Eilhart. I almost laughed in their faces at the idea she'd allowed herself to be caught by these buffoons, but let Geralt take the lead as he talked to them. I already despised witch hunters and didn't like the idea of working alongside them.

Getting the information we required, including their thoughts that it was unlikely she was still present, we headed into the ruins. Dropping down into near darkness, this was where Geralt's eyesight came to the fore, though I just lit a torch and looked at him smugly. "Aye, I can see in the dark too."

He looked ready to tell me to fuck off like usual, instead sighing and gesturing for me to follow. Philippa had designed a veritable maze of portals, many of the crystals needed not working. The ruin was also home to a few monsters, needing to take out a few nekkers, which were always more of a nuisance than anything else.

We did eventually find a lone witch hunter who was trapped as he couldn't get a crystal working. He decided arguing was a sensible idea, but instead of pummelling the man half to death, Geralt just used one of his spells, made the man co-operate, and we made our way forward, immediately running into more nekkers, which were an even bigger pain the arse as they'd stolen the next crystal.

Geralt and I were both cursing under our breath as he got that working, and I made the mistake of wondering what was going to be thrown at us next.

A fire elemental stood guard between us and what must have been her base.

"This is why you never ask what's next, Ragnar!" Geralt muttered, Luckily, he always carried small vials of what he needed, quickly coating his sword and mine in oil.

"Any suggestions?"

"Yeah, don't let it crush you. Or light you in fire."

So I walked towards it and… IIZ – SLEN – NUS

The fire elemental froze in place. "Well, I'll be damned," Geralt muttered.

Moving around it, I aimed carefully and… FUS – RO – DAH

The frozen elemental flew into the stone wall nearby. Colliding with such force, it shattered into numerous large pieces. Sheathing my sword, I just turned back as Geralt shook his head. "Sometimes forget the power in that gift of yours."

Arriving in the inner sanctum, it was a mixture of living quarters and laboratory. Such a contrast to the luxury and splendour of her castle in Montecalvo. Geralt must have sensed my mood immediately drop as I felt his hand on my shoulder. "She's not here, Ragnar, so she's more than likely safe. Come on, let's have a look around, see what we can find."

Using a little magic to provide light for us both, we found plenty of evidence that she had been present, though whether recently or not, neither of us could be sure. She'd burned nearly all her notes, not even Geralt being able to decipher anything. I was hoping we might find some sort of journal or diary that would lead us to where she might be, but nothing.

There were plenty of signs that she'd been performing experiments, and knowing what had happened to her, I knew she'd likely performed them on herself. I almost shuddered looking at the blood stained surgical equipment, wondering how painful it had been. Geralt used his senses to eventually find a chipped crystal used in a megascope. Useless to both of us, he suggested taking it back to Triss. It might point us in the right direction.

"Ragnar, one other thing," he said, pointing at something called an agate, "I think she's trying to restore her vision. Her eyes."

"You reckon? But how?"

"I'm not entirely sure, but everything we've found here would suggest she has been experimenting."

I ran my gloved hand over the equipment, unable to stop the sigh. "Got to find her, Geralt," I said softly, "Even blind, she's far from helpless, but she has all of Redania looking for her. She needs my help." I glanced at him. "I say my help because I know you two… don't see eye to eye."

"Not exactly. I'm sure you understand why."

"I do. But I'm not giving her to Radovid either. Yennefer is a mage, after all."

Heading out of the ruin, the witch hunters were predictable, though I will admit that we lied and told them we didn't find anything. When they demanded to search us, Geralt and I unsheathed. That led to them unsheathing their own weapons, and five minutes later, only Geralt and I climbed out of the hole, mounted our horses, and rode back to Novigrad.

I had no idea where Triss disappeared to each day, agreeing it was safer that I just didn't know for now, so had to wait at the Kingfisher for her return. Once she did, and found Geralt and I waiting for her, she smiled, assuming we had some good news.

"I assume Ragnar told you what we had been tasked to do?" Geralt asked.

"He did. What did you find?"

"She's been there, Triss," I replied, "She's been doing some experiments, Geralt believes to do with restoring her sight. More importantly," I gestured and Geralt took out the crystal.

"A megascope crystal," Triss stated, "Hmmm, it's damaged but it could still work."

I'm not sure what sort of magic she used, but she eventually got it to work. Philippa I recognised immediately. It took a few seconds to figure out the second voice was that of Margarita Laux-Antille, or Rita to her friends. The conversation covered topics I would expect to hear. The reformation of the Lodge. The restoration of her eyesight. No surprise to hear some were hesitant to re-join. Wanting to contact Kiera wasn't either. I was surprised to hear hesitation about inviting Triss, though all she did was grab my hand and smile when that popped up, while it was obvious she had no time for Yennefer, which seemed to suit Geralt no end.

"Reckon that's possible? Reforming the Lodge?" I wondered aloud.

"Not my problem," Triss replied. I looked at her as the smile reformed. "I have other plans once all this is over. I want peace too." I knew exactly what she meant and couldn't help gaze at her, knowing I had this big dumb grin on my face.

"Keep the crystal, Triss," Geralt said, "I'm not handing it to Radovid, and it'll make him happy too."

"I might be able to gain more information with more time and magic," she added.

"Ragnar, I'll go see Radovid. If you tell him we found nothing… it won't go well. Tomorrow morning, we resume our search for Ciri. Dandelion is the key here. We just need to find him."

Once Geralt departed, I kicked off my boots, took off all my armour and lay back on the bed, Triss moulding her body into mine, feeling her hand rest on my chest. Wrapping an arm around her, giving her a gentle squeeze as I left a soft kiss on her forehead, I felt myself relax for the first time in what felt like hours.

"Ragnar, I've been thinking. I will help you and Geralt find Ciri. I don't think she's here in Novigrad, but I will help you find a lead that will hopefully help find her in the end. But, after that, I need to complete my work here."

"And I will stay and help."

"What about Geralt?"

"Depending on what we find out or where she has actually headed. She wasn't in Velen. She's not here. Yennefer went to Skellige but we obviously haven't heard from her since we split up in Vizima."

"Bet Geralt is missing her."

"He doesn't say much. You know what he's like. But I see them together from time to time and there's no doubting the devotion from both of them." Turning onto my side, I had to meet her eyes. "When your work is complete, what do you intend to do?"

She smiled. "Stay by your side."

"Oh…"

"Did you think I was going to leave?"

"Sort of. You've been doing all this work, and I know why you can't tell me, but I assume there is a grand plan and was left wondering where you would fit into it."

"I have plans for the future."

"Am I involved?"

"You're the centre of them, Ragnar. But I don't want to say too much yet. You need to concentrate on helping Geralt find Ciri."

"I am intrigued now."

"Good."

I was in a rather chirpy mood the next morning as I met Geralt outside. He took one look at me and smirked, though kept any comments no doubt on his mind to himself. Novigrad was bustling with life, even at this early morning, though it always amazed me, no matter what time of day, there'd be drunks staggering around, and I did wonder how they could afford to get sozzled each and every day of their wretched lives.

At least Djikstra's bathhouse was in a nicer part of town. We didn't have to walk in mud being the nicest thing. As for the people, rich or poor, clean or dirty, there was still your mix of good natures and utter scumbags. His servant, Happen, let us in immediately upon knocking at the door. I had a quick nosy into the baths, noticing all his pretty girls were back again. They noticed me looking, smiling and calling me over. I just waved back, hearing them call me to come back.

Djikstra was behind his desk, busy at work doing Divines only knew what. Didn't really care either. Still, he did gesture for Geralt and I to take a seat. "Word has gotten around that you've been seen in the presence of King Radovid the Stern," he stated.

"Aye, what of it?" I asked.

"I can only assume he asked a favour. He would surely know all about you, Ragnar," he said, steepling his fingers as he tried to use his gaze to intimate me.

I remained relaxed in my chair. Shrugging, I said, "He asked us to find someone for him."

"Who?"

"Who do you think?"

"Philippa Eilhart," he grunted, "Find her?"

"No."

"With any luck, she's eatin' dirt somewhere." I couldn't help shuffle in my seat a bit. "Oh, calm yourself down, Ragnar. Everyone knows you were fuckin' her. Everyone knows you were also fuckin' every other member of the Lodge at one stage or another." I couldn't help raise my eyebrows at that. No-one had ever said it so… bluntly. I had no idea it was common knowledge at all. "But it is certainly well known that you were fuckin' Philippa Eilhart. The only reason why you're still sittin' with your balls attached now is that I despise the woman."

"Jealous you never really fucked her, Sigi? I mean, from what she told me as we whispered sweet nothings…"

He stood up, towering over me in my sitting position. "Listen to me, you jumped up piece of…" He trailed off and just stared at me, no doubt noticing the smirk on my face. "I hope she's fuckin' dead because I know it'll make you unhappy." He sat back down. "Never understood why Radovid popped her eyes out then just stopped. If anyone deserves to burn on one of those pyres, it's her."

Geralt cleared his throat. "Can we move on before you two do end up trading blows?"

Djikstra looked away from me and practically ignored me after that. Probably a good idea, as I was stewing myself. To my slight surprise, he admitted to having no idea where Dandelion was. I think he was lying, and Geralt guessed at that too. Just like the Bloody Baron, to get the information we wanted out of him, he wanted a favour in return. After his little performance earlier, I was ready to tell him to fuck off, but I knew this was all about finding Ciri. A laborious, long winded route of trying to find her, but we needed Dandelion, and this was the only way either of us could think to approach.

Leading us into the bathhouse, he had the girls whisked away, unable to stop my eyes being drawn to some rather beautiful naked bodies, earning one or two kisses blown my way in return, hearing Geralt laugh at me, as Djikstra drained one of the baths to reveal a hidden passage. Following him down a ladder, it was quite clearly a vault, a rather empty vault, following him towards cages that should have been filled with treasure. Instead, we were greeted by a rock troll, who he called Bart.

Trying to make sense of anything Bart said was difficult. Rock trolls are not the most intelligent of creatures, though the fact they had mastered speech suggested more intelligence than some of the creatures on the Continent. Listening into Bart, Djikstra and Geralt converse was almost like a triple act, bunch of comedians at times. But the gist of the matter was the treasure was gone because there'd been a big boom. The hole in the wall was evidence of the big boom.

"Why do you need our help?" I asked. He glared at me so I held up a hand to calm him down and stop any retort before it started. "Being serious here, Djikstra. You could probably afford to hire every scumbag in Novigrad to help track this down. Or hire professionals. I mean real professionals."

He remained silent a few seconds before there was a slight slump in the shoulders. "Okay, I'll explain so you understand. The gold wasn't mine alone. See, I run a members-only savings club, a bank for the initiated. For reasons that should be obvious, I'd prefer it if my temporary liquidity problems remained private. So I need an outsider."

"Finder's fee?" Geralt wondered.

"Yes, you'll both be fuckin' paid. Find me the treasure without anyone finding out that it was taken and you'll be handsomely rewarded." He offered his hand. And just like a man's word, a handshake was his bond. So we shook hands in agreement. I felt him squeeze my hand tightly. All I did was return a grin. He hated that but let my hand go.

Djikstra explained a few more things, such as a mould that grew in the sewer that could kill a man without a couple of breaths, and the fact he had already hired someone, who had died somewhere in the sewers after throwing up the antidote. "Need me to come along?" I wondered.

"If you think I'm heading into the sewers by myself while you enjoy time with some naked beauties upstairs…"

I held up both hands in innocence. "Okay, okay, message received. I'm coming too."

Djikstra wandered over to a nearby cabinet, returning with a few vials of a green liquid, stating it was the antidote to the pops mold. We would find it in abundance around a hundred or so metres into the sewers. No idea why Geralt needed me to come along. With his senses, he could easily find the evidence, and it's not like he always liked company. But I like to think I helped a little, particularly when drowners made themselves known to us every so often. And despite his grumbling, he did appreciate a second sword to help take them down easier.

We found evidence of the bomb used, the treasure stolen, and also the poor bastard Djikstra had hired originally. We found another body further on, Geralt assuming it was one of Dandelion's crew. We burned the corpses like usual, whenever we found them by or in water, as drowners loved to feed on them.

Walking back, I had to ask, "Geralt, what the fuck was Dandelion up to? Since when is he a thief? He's a fucking… bard! A minstrel! The idea of him planning a heist and actually carrying out… successfully…"

"Beats me, Ragnar. Something or someone must have convinced him this was a good idea."

Reporting back to Djikstra what we found, he and Geralt eventually figured out that the bomb must have been dropped into the pipe from inside the bathhouse itself. Djikstra looked at me and smirked. "You keepin' up here, Ragnar? Able to follow our thought processes here? Or need me to dumb it down like I do with Bart. Pipe go down drain, make big boom."

"Fuck off, Sigi."

He grinned, so I guess he thought he'd got on my nerves, but my retort had been in humour. Heading out into the bathhouse yet again, I suggested we might need one once we were done, as I'm sure traipsing through the sewer had left its stench on us, something Djikstra agreed, and was polite enough to offer us a bath once we were done.

Finding the correct bath wasn't difficult once Geralt found a piece of the bomb used. Happen returned quickly with a logbook of who had used the bath and that's what led to the next mystery to solve.

"Happen! Who used this bath the day of the break in?"

His fingers slid along the paper. "Let me see... Berthold Heintz, town councilman; Josef Schveik, brewer... and Margrave Henckel..."

"Henckel? That's impossible!" Djikstra exclaimed.

"Why?" Geralt wondered. Same question I had.

"Old coot's been eating dirt since last winter! Couldn't have been here the day of the break-in!"

"He's dead? I'd not heard..." Happen murmured, not a little nervously.

"Not surprisin'. The honourable margrave croaked in a brothel, decked out in leather lingerie, so the family held a hush-hush funeral. But I have my sources."

"Yet... Yet I saw him that fateful day, Mr. Reuven. I'm certain of it," Happen stated adamantly.

"Did you speak to him? Get a good look at him?" Djikstra asked.

"No... He merely passed by on the way in..."

Djikstra sighed. "So you didn't see Henckel, you saw an impersonator! Think for once! They scooped out your balls, not your brain! And you two, start lookin' into this."

"I didn't hear a please, Sigi," I stated, folding my arms, Geralt following my lead.

Djikstra bowed, rolling his hand. "My humblest apologies, I am used to barkin' orders at my underlings. Please investigate this issue at your earliest convenience, preferably immediately if possible. As someone is responsible for stealin' my fuckin' gold!"

There was no need for both of us to head there, but Geralt suggested Djikstra would have people watching us, so if I just pissed off and did my own thing, word would get back and I wouldn't see any gold. And though I did have quite a few crowns remaining, like anyone, more gold would make life a little more comfortable for a little longer. It was times like this I missed life with Triss back in Vizima, with a steady income, a house to call home, and I'll admit, I got comfortable.

Henckel lived just off the main square, though the house was in poor condition. I had no idea who this man was but the fact his death had been kept a secret suggested the way he had died would have proven quite embarrassing for his family. Managing to enter his house without too much hassle, breaking the lock with relative ease, I stayed out of the way as Geralt got to work, though I managed to find one or two small clues once we found the secret room that provided plenty of evidence.

Including a letter from our old friend, Dudu, warning Ciri about Menge being on the tail of both Dandelion and himself, and the fact Menge had seized the treasure. Geralt and I shared a concerned glance once we'd both read the letter. Suggesting Ciri flee? I assumed she would have already left Novigrad, but was she in hiding, trying to rescue Dandelion, wherever he was. I didn't think it possible. We'd been in Novigrad so long, surely she would have heard or seen one of us by now.

"Footsteps," he murmured.

"Trouble?"

He unsheathed, and I followed suit. "Just in case."

Heading downstairs, I didn't have the senses Geralt possessed, but I could smell that perfume through a tonne of pig shit. I sheathed my weapon as we arrived at the bottom of the stairs to find Djikstra and Triss waiting for us. She kept her face blank, all business, though her eyes suggested a little amusement at my predicament.

"Why are you two here?" Geralt wondered.

"I decided we could use someone who knows a bit of magic. The runes on the bomb, I'm absolutely dying to know what they mean..." Djikstra was rather good at sarcasm. Man after my own heart at times.

"What about you, Triss?" I had to ask.

"I'm just here for the coin, Ragnar."

"Ah, Merigold playing the cynical materialist. I like it. In truth, her ideals brought Triss here. She needs gold to save her colleagues... When I recover my treasure, I'll be in a position to help her. Simple as that. Speaking of which, and, pardon my Beauclairoise, have you found who fucking nicked my gold?"

Geralt and I shared a glance. Eventually he nodded and looked back at Djikstra. "Menge has it," he replied, "Commander of the Temple Guard has turned to common thievery."

"Well, well, Merigold... Your coin stands to come with a side of revenge." Then he added, "How do you know?"

"This letter here," he said. Djikstra made to grab it, Geralt pulling it away. "No, no, no, you're just going to have to trust me, Djikstra. Menge has your gold. This letter has information pertaining to the reason why I'm helping you."

Djikstra relented rather easily, probably doing the sums in his head, whether to believe us or not. "Hm, Menge has been spending heaps of coin lately, though to my knowledge he shouldn't have a copper to his name..."

"Two and two makes four," I murmured.

"Ah, he can add, at least." I sighed but thankfully he moved on. "From what I've heard, Menge spends his nights at the docks, witch hunters' quarters... Maybe pay him a visit, ask where he's holding my gold for me."

I looked at Triss. "Could work. I'm sure we can think of an idea that'll get us inside, talk to Menge…"

"I'll let the triumvirate organise this alone. Don't need my help. Just don't fuck it up. I want my treasure back. Once you have news, or my treasure, I want word." And, with that, he disappeared with a trio of his men, who just happened to be standing guard outside.

"You've got an idea, don't you, Ragnar?" Geralt asked.

I looked at Triss and she could read my mind. "Would be a good way of getting inside, and particularly of getting him onside."

"Are you sure?" I asked.

"I know what this is about. Djikstra didn't exactly let sip, but it's easy to figure out. His treasure. Dandelion disappearing. Ciri. It all relates, doesn't it?"

Geralt nodded. "Menge has Dandelion. And he saw Ciri."

Triss fell silent, definitely thinking before she stepped towards me. "Meet me at midnight by the chapel of the Eternal Fire east of the harbour. We'll figure out a way to get into the hunters' barracks together."

"What am I doing?" Geralt wondered.

"Watching our backs as, despite what we're planning, it's bound to go wrong eventually."

"We get the information from Menge, then I'm going to kill him," I stated.

"I know, Ragnar," Triss whispered, "I'm going to ready myself at home. Meet me where I said."

Geralt and I headed back to the Rosemary and Thyme, choosing to just wait out the hours there. I was tempted to keep myself occupied, perhaps head off for a few hours of fun, remembering the invites from Rosa var Attre and Maria Louisa La Valette, but for once, I didn't think with only my cock, even proving sensible enough to not touch a drop of alcohol, eventually passing the time by playing round after round of gwent. Thankfully, we didn't play for coin, otherwise Geralt would have cleared me out of coin and probably everything else I owed… or wore…

Close to leaving, Geralt asked, "I know neither yourself nor Triss said much but I can guess as to your plan. Sure you can do it?"

I met his eyes and immediately shook my head. "No, I can't. But… I don't want to let her down…"

"Let's see what she says when we meet."

I had an idea in my own mind of what to do. I had an idea of what Triss might be thinking. As we walked towards the meeting point, I tried to meld the idea in my and her mind into something that could work. Nothing came to mind. The longer we walked, the more I thought I just storm in, start swinging, and hopefully Menge didn't escape. But I'd probably be dropped by someone eventually, so it was a foolhardy plan.

Triss was waiting for us by the chapel. After a quick greeting, she explained her idea. Witch hunter HQ was a fortress. Sneaking in was out the window immediately. High walls and guards patrolling constantly meant, even if sticking to the shadows, of which there were few, we'd never make it in. Add to that, fighting our way in would just lead to Menge escaping. Someone like him would have more than one way of getting out and away from danger. We needed subterfuge.

That's when she turned to me, offering some shackles. I immediately shook my head. "No."

"Ragnar, we…"

"No." I turned to Geralt. "You do it."

"You sure?"

I looked back at Triss. "Not after what happened, Triss. I still…" I trailed off and just walked away. I couldn't see it, hear it, even think about it. Not after what happened last time. Part of the reason why I still blamed myself, even after all this time.

I heard the click-clack of the shackles on her wrist and almost shuddered at the sound. "Ragnar?" Geralt asked.

Turning around, her wrists were now cuffed. She had lowered her head to not meet my eyes. Standing in front of her, Geralt wandered away to give us a little privacy. Lifting her chin with a finger, I caressed her cheek and used my thumb to dry her cheek. "I can't, Triss. I still have visions of what I found that day," I whispered.

"You'll stay close?"

"I know what they're going to do to you… If I even hear…"

"Give Geralt time to find out what you need, Ragnar. And… I can handle it. Not the first time…"

I kissed her. Put all the feelings and love I had for her into it. She couldn't hug me back so I just pulled her tight to my body, and I did enjoy the light moan that escaped her. When I finally broke the kiss, her cheeks certainly had a little colour. "Well, that's quite the parting kiss, Ragnar."

"I'll stay close. Really close."

"And you're going to come in swinging eventually?"

"Probably." I paused and nodded. "Definitely. But I'll give you both time."

Geralt walked back and took the lead, grabbing the chain between the cuffs and slowly led her away. I followed at some distance, keeping the shadows, until we were closed to the walls. It was quiet at this time of night, so I could hear the conversation as Geralt spoke to the guards at the gates. He managed to talk himself through, and I kept to the shadows, getting closed, having to really concentrate to hear the conversation. Triss was quite the actress, and I heard more than one slap, though wasn't sure if Triss hit him, or if one of the hunters hit her.

But Geralt managed to talk his way in, and into a meeting with Menge, dropping the name Philippa Eilhart making the hunters rather co-operative. Despite being the lumbering oaf some did think of me, when I needed to be, I could be just as silent and deadly as anyone else. High walls had never scared me, and I eventually managed to find a balcony I could clamber onto, and it gave me a good view of the courtyard and lay out of the headquarters. And, in the darkness, I could hear plenty of noise coming from within. Laughter of hunters as they relaxed. And, after a few minutes, the few muted scream, followed by more laughter, comments made by the hunters carried on the wind.

By the time I heard the third scream, and that one was louder than the others, that's when my patience snapped. I managed to walk along the wall just long enough to drop down into darkness, unsheathing my sword, counting the number of hunters that separated me from the door leading inside.

There were five. None had seen me drop down. None of them were currently armed. They were rather relaxed, seemingly pleased at the turn of events with the arrest and now interrogation of Triss Merigold.

The first witch hunter never saw me coming… though that was because I put my sword straight through his back. I could be sneaky when required. The next one, standing next to him, died in the next couple of seconds, as I could move fast for an apparently lumbering oaf. That obviously attracted attention, the next three I had to fight together. Though my blood was up, the adrenaline was flowing, and I was beyond furious, I still controlled the battle.

"Who the fuck is this fool?" one of them asked.

I didn't reply as I didn't want to give away who I was, just in case any of them survived. What I did do was cause a real surprise when I used magic along with my sword, and that's when I definitely put the fear into them, particularly as it was fire I used. One of them went down quickly, flames licking at his soon to be corpse, and the other two were despatched by my sword, one taking a slash across his cut, the other almost splitting apart his face, while I skewered the third, making sure I twisted the blade for that little bit of extra pain.

Walking into the building, I was a little surprised to already hear fighting. Cutting my way through the next two hunters rather easily, the idiots charging at me stupidly, I realised it was Geralt taking on at least four by himself.

"Menge?" I called out.

"Knocked the bastard out. Nothing like a face meeting a desk to make someone rather sleepy."

I barked a laugh as the two of us mopped the floor with the remaining witch hunters. Taking on two trained killers was a little different to hauling in frightened non-humans, mages, witches and anyone else they deemed worthy of putting on a pyre.

We left none of the witch hunters alive, even those we'd only wounded found a sword put through their gut or their neck to finish them off. Geralt looked on dispassionately as I stalked around. I didn't butcher them, though part of me wanted to make an example of them. No, that would be for later. I simply made sure none were left to tell the tale of who had been there that evening. Let those that remained beyond the walls, who were still out patrolling, wonder who was responsible.

Walking into the torture room, she was already out of her restraints, the man torturing her dead on the ground. She looked at me and smiled. "You lasted longer than I thought."

"Three screams were enough, Triss. That third one…"

"Yeah, still hurts now." She looked down at the dead body. "He was good at his job. Just underestimated me, is all. Menge still alive, Geralt?"

"Yeah, he's having a snooze on his desk."

The three of us wandered out, managed to move him around to sit on the other side before we restrained him, placing his hands on the arms of the chair. Placing three chairs in front of him, Geralt and Triss sat down as I grabbed some water and threw it on him. A few pats on the cheek helped bring him around. "Wake up," I stated softly, "Come on, Menge. Rise and shine, you have some questions to answer."

"What the fuck?" he groaned.

I crouched in front of him, making sure he could see the dagger in my hand. I waited until his eyes met mine. "Now that I have your attention, I am going to explain what is going to happen. We will ask you a question, you will provide us with an answer. Fail to provide an answer, you will lose a finger. You have ten fingers. After that, I start removing toes. After that, eyes, ears, tongue, nose… cock and balls if you're still alive by then…"

"Who the fuck are you?" he asked, then he paused, "Wait, I remember you…"

"Your memory still works. Good, that means you will have the answer I need. Just one thing before we start. Heard about Whoreson Junior? Have they found his body yet?"

His face went a little white. That meant he knew exactly what I could do. I hadn't exactly been proud of what I did, but I didn't regret it. "You can't…"

"Your men are dead, Caleb. It is now just you, me, and my friends here. I think my friend Triss Merigold isn't particularly happy with you right now either."

"He's a dead man," she almost growled.

"Now, first question. Where is Dandelion?"

"I'm not telling you anything."

He lost his pinky finger. He howled and he howled. Music to our ears, in all honesty. He lost another finger before he finally told us something. "Okay! Okay! He's… Temple Isle. Dungeons. He's being prepared for execution. Oxenfurt."

"When?"

"No, I can't."

He lost his middle finger, smiling as it joined the other three currently on the ground. "Yes, you can, Caleb," I said softly, wiping his brow of the sweat starting to form. "Answer our questions and you won't feel any more pain."

I glanced back. Geralt was impassive as ever. Triss was… as angry as I'd ever seen her. I think if I let her do this, she'd just kill him and be done with it. "So, the question again. When is this being prepared for?"

"When I give the order. In person."

"Good, Caleb. Very good. You're learning. Impressive. So, that's Dandelion sorted. We will sort out his freedom soon enough. So the second reason we are here tonight, Caleb, and it's very important you are completely honest. Did you take the treasure?" He nodded immediately. "Very good, Caleb. So you took the treasure. Now, the next important question. Where is it?"

He lost his last finger and thumb before he finally managed to tell us. "Koviri bank. Far away from here. Reuven will never see a coin of it."

"A bank? Banks means vaults. Vaults have keys. Where is the key, Menge?"

Bastard made me cut off three more fingers before he finally told me where the key was, sown into the lining of his uniform. I handed it to Geralt and suggested he make himself scarce, taking it back to Djikstra. It wasn't the treasure but it was something, at least. With all the hunters dead, at least Geralt could just walk out the front door and gate without a care in the world.

That left Triss and I with Menge. She held out a hand and I knew she wanted the dagger now. Standing up, she leaned into me and gave me a kiss… then she stuck the dagger through this his right eye. I was tempted to drag his body out and hang it up as a symbol, but Triss simply grabbed my hand and led me out. Standing near the gates, she started flinging fireballs at the building, and within a couple of minutes, the fire was starting to roar, and we could feel the warmth even standing as far back as we were.

Hearing her giggling, we turned and quickly walked away from the area, back to the Kingfisher and apparent safety.