Chapter 18:

To fight the raven you may make alliance with the serpent until the battle is done. - Robert Jordan

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P.O.V Switch: Fringilla Vigo

1 Day Prior

Current Year: 1259

"Fringilla." His majesty, Emhyr Var Emreis, said with an emotionless tone. "Please, sit. We have much that we need to speak of regarding that little half-elf boy from the Viper school."

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared of being here. His majesty, despite not knowing a lick of magic, is undoubtedly the most dangerous man in the world. His army's are vast, greater than any other nation, and still growing. Despite not possessing any magic himself, he has more mages in his employ than anyone else on the continent. Offending him assured all those involved to be dealt a swift and painful death. I'm guessing that notion is why I'm here in the first place, Harkon has offended him.

I quickly sat down in the chair provided by his majesty, it was both luxurious and comfortable. It was made out of a fine black leather and looked incredibly exorbitant. I made sure that my back was completely straight and that I had a lovely smile on my face. I wanted to appear as helpful as I could possibly be. I was about to converse with one of the best manipulators I know. I'll try to help Harkon during this exchange, if I can, but I don't know how much I'll be able to hide from his majesty. If it comes down to it, I'll have to… Well, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.

"Your majesty," I spoke from my seated position. "You know that I will help in any way possible. I live to serve Nilfgaard and its states. What would you like to know?"

Emhyr stared at me for a few moments and squinted, most likely judging my reactions and trying to decide the best avenue to squeeze the information that he wants out of me.

"Fringilla. I know that this… This "boy"... Is more than he appears. When you brought him to my palace, I thought that he was just going to be here in order to confirm that the other child, Svend, was a son of the usurper. He did tell me this, it's true, but he also did something else. He threatened me, Fringilla. Quite well too, if I might add." Emhyr let out a small curving of his lip, a smile that was almost too miniature to be noticed. "After I told him that I was planning on destroying his school for harboring a son of the traitor, he threatened me with a piece of critically revealing information. This child knows information about me, and Nilfgaard, that no one else should possess."

Emhyr ended his little rant with a very serious look on his face. I don't know how "exactly" Harkon manipulated Emhyr, but it appears he did it quite well. If the information is so critical that even his majesty is worried about it, it should be colossally important. Right now, I need to gain Emhyr's trust. He has obviously called me here because he is worried that I am aiding and abetting Harkon and the Viper school. The only chance I have here is to tell the truth.

"Your Majesty, I know how you feel. This child… Has information pertaining to me as well. He… As soon as I began my mission to enter the school of the viper, he knew who I was. He immediately discovered that I was a spy and then he…Well, there's no easy way to say this, but he poisoned me." I said truthfully. Not a single word out of my mouth was a lie. The most that I could lie to Emhyr about were small things, he would detect right away if what I was saying was completely preposterous.

"Poison? What kind of poison? Did he threaten you as he did to me? Is this why you recommended an alliance with the viper school during your last report?" Emhyr asked with complete curiosity. From his point of view, Harkon is an incredibly large problem. He has critically revealing information on a sorceress and the emperor of the Nilfgaard empire.

"Yes, your majesty. He has poisoned me and only he knows the antidote. Every three days, he gives me a potion to stave off the effects. I tried talking with my contacts in order to try and cure myself, but it was to no avail. The boy is an incredibly talented alchemist. His work is some of the most brilliant I've seen. I am at his mercy until I can try and free myself." I said truthfully. I liked Harkon, but not enough to try and lie to the emperor.

Emhyr rubbed his chin in deep thought. I could tell he was running every conceivable scenario in his head. I would do the same in his position too. A ten year old child doing something of this magnitude? Most ten year olds are busy playing in the fields, not plotting against emperors and sorceresses.

"I have a… Powerful mage in my employ who should be able to cure your condition. You will not be able to meet him face to face, instead you will have to be blindfolded, but I will inform him of your situation." Emhyr said while looking deeply into my eyes. "Tell me, when is the boy due back from this… 'Special' training?"

"Thank you, my liege. If you could cure me, I would be eternally grateful. From my understanding, he went into the mountains to attempt to fix his mind after the trials. I believe he will be back within the next few hours. Tomorrow, he will undergo the next trial, the Trial of Dreams." I said as I thanked Emhyr, if this mage he spoke of was truly powerful enough to cure me, it would be a great boon. However, I did not like where Emhyr was going with this conversation.

"In exchange for curing you of your ailment, you will need to help me with something in return. You obviously don't know how the boy came across his information. If he threatened you as well, then I doubt he would have told you. You will go back to the viper school and attempt to find out. My army will be there in a few days and will lay waste to the keep. When my forces arrive, regardless if you have procured the information or not, teleport to the palace and inform me of the situation." Emhyr said while getting out of his seat and walking away to stare out of the window.

I was a bit shocked at Emhyr's words, but I did not show it on my face. There… Was no way out of this. Despite the fact that I "generally" liked most of the witchers in the school… Except for that beefy one who called me a kid diddler… I would not and could not plot against Emhyr in order to save them. There was no escaping from the endless hunting that would await me if I did so.

"I understand, your majesty." I said with a humble tone while bowing my head. "Thank you for giving me the opportunity to free myself and redeem myself in your eyes."

"Your loyalty will be rewarded upon your return, Fringilla. One more thing… before you go." Emhyr said while walking over to a cabinet within his room. It was red with gold trimmings and was exquisitely carved. He quickly opened it up to reveal a very large selection of spirits and wines. He gazed within at some of the bottles before reaching over to grab one he had his eyes on. He held it up and showed it to me. It was an ornate bottle of Nilfgaardian champagne. It was probably very valuable, the emperor had good taste.

"Here," Emhyr said as he handed me the bottle. "I would feel a tad bit remorseful if we slaughtered everyone in the school without some of them even having their first sip of good spirit. Feel free to share this with the boy upon his return, it will be one of the few pleasant memories he has left to make."

My body ran cold at Emhyr's words. This man is truly ruthless. Killing children doesn't even faze him anymore, if it ever did. He is offering one last farewell before Harkon's inevitable demise…

"Thank you, your majesty. I will report back once your army has arrived, as requested." I said with a thin smile.

I bowed once more and began to walk out of Emhyr's chambers. I quickly opened the door and retreated down the hall. I passed by a couple corridors until I spotted a small stone bench. I immediately sat down and put my face in my hands. I was upset, extremely so. I wanted to cry, but no tears would force themselves from my eyes. I truly am a bad person… But I don't know what else to do! I have no other options, I will either obey or perish. I had I wanted to stop this from happening, I really did. However, It was already set in stone. If I helped them now, I would be the one with my head on the chopping block later on. I'll make sure that Harkon enjoys himself upon his return. He'll have a night that will bring him good memories before… before the end. I'm going to try and get information out of him, but I'll make sure we have a good farewell. It had been fun… Truly, it has been.