Chapter 33:

Military glory-that attractive rainbow, that rises in showers of blood-that serpent's eye, that charms to destroy. - Abraham Lincoln

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P.O.V Switch: Mousesack

1 Day Prior:

Current Year: 1261

I was… In an extreme amount of trouble. Harkon had left the castle only a few hours ago for his little 'monster hunt' that he wanted to go on. That was all fine and good, but now Princess Cirilla is missing. I know for a fact that Harkon didn't take her with him, he isn't that naive. He knows the ramifications that could be caused by committing such an offense. Ciri must have found out what Harkon was trying to do and went after him. She seems to have grown quite attached to him…

Two guards have reported that Ciri told them someone was 'attacking' Jarl Crach. They went to check it out and found no such thing. When they returned, Ciri was long gone. Obviously, that was a bold faced lie that she used to run away. We had several search parties looking for where they both went, but it wasn't looking promising. Any tracks that either Harkon or her could have left would be buried under a few inches of snow by now.

This whole situation is cuached. The princess doesn't seem to realize that because of her actions, there's no way Harkon can come back to Cintra without punishment. It doesn't even matter if he is guilty or not. He is complicit in the disappearance of a Cintran Princess by virtue of his existence. Very soon, I'm going to have to inform her majesty of the situation. I'm almost dreading having to do it. When Calanthe finds out… In all likelihood, she will call for his arrest. Possibly, even his execution.

She might even order me to carry out the deed… Once, she had commanded me to track down and kill Geralt, but she retracted the order before I could follow through with it. I don't know if she would be merciful like that a second time. She is not known for her leniency when it comes to matters concerning the young princess. Ciri is, afterall, the only thing remaining of her dottir…

I was currently attempting to use some hydromancy spells in order to gleam Harkon or Ciri's location, but it didn't seem to be working out too well. I was currently staring into a large metal basin full of water in my laboratory. My hands were glowing with a pale blue light, the signature color of my magic. When it comes to divination spells, my skill set in this area is actually pretty advanced. However, I've been having some difficulty in my search.

I had just finished my spell in order to try and find Harkon. However, all that was showing up on the water's surface was a large black tree with red leaves. It was quite beautiful, from a druid's perspective, but it didn't even give me a hint on where he might be. After that failure, I tried looking for the princess instead. My hands glowed blue with chaos once more, attempting to cast another form of Hydromancy magic. After casting the second iteration of the spell, I was met with an equal amount of disappointment as the first. All that showed up when I looked for the princess was the scene of a bird, I think it might have been a swallow, and a red snake. They both looked to be… arguing? Fighting? I was not sure of the answer. The spell seems to have brought me another failure.

"Anything?" Jarl Crach asked from behind me. He was sitting in on my sessions in case I came up with anything useful. His large frame was sitting against one of my larger alchemical apparatuses.

"...No" I replied truthfully while still staring into the water's surface. I desperately wanted to say something positive, but there was nothing I could come up with on short hand notice.

"That's… a cryin shame." Crach said while rubbing the back of his head. "We're going to have to inform Queen Calanthe then. We've waited long enough."

"I know…" I stated while letting out a big sigh. "But if we do that… She'll most certainly put a bounty on Harkon's head. Even though he's innocent."

"I understand the implications, Mousesack." Crach replied with a serious tone. "However, we must tell her. 'If' she puts a price on his head, he will be allowed to receive sanctuary in Skellige. Calanthe will not attempt to send her armies here under the threat of absolving our alliance."

"That won't stop her from sending bounty hunters, Crach. Even on the isles he won't be safe." I said while folding my arms together. "This whole situation isn't even his fault. I don't want to condemn my apprentice for something he didn't even do."

"It has to be done, Mousesack. We cannot keep this a secret from the king's wife, it's preposterous!" Crach replied with a grave tone of voice. "Ciri has been gone for far too long already. He might be given a price on his head in Cintra and he might have a few bounty hunters after him, but the boy is capable enough. I have a few bounties on me from some of the other Jarls, the boy should be alright."

"You have a castle and a few thousand of your personal militia at your disposal, Crach. Not to mention the fact that you are now the current 'Jarl of Skellige' and command the force of an additional three hundred elite raiders. He is just one boy, he doesn't have an army at his disposal." I responded with skepticism. I would be unable to insure Harkon's survival once the queen is contacted.

"Army or not it doesn't matter! It's no longer up to us!" Crach yelled out while losing his temper. He slammed his fist down onto a nearby table. It made a large banging noise as he almost splintered the wood. *BANG*

A large silence formed between us for a moment. I knew that Crach was right, I had just hoped it wouldn't have had to be this way. Even if Harkon were to bring Ciri back right now, he would still have to face severe consequences. It is simply the way the world works. He is not from some major clan or some noble, he doesn't possess any of their special privileges.

"I...understand." I responded with sorrow. My head unconsciously dropped in order to stare my unfocused eyes at the floor. "I will portal back to Cintra and inform the queen."

"For what it's worth, friend, I'm sorry." Crach said, seemingly having calmed himself down. "Know that any who come looking for him, at least on my isle, won't make it far before facing the might of clan 'an Craite'."

Well, at least Crach's domain would be 'moderately' safe for Harkon to live in. I'll no longer be able to personally tutor Harkon, but he should be able to teach himself from here on out. His library that he keeps inside his 'little trinket' is incredibly vast. He already has copies of most of my books.

I nodded to Crach for his kind words. The time spent waiting around and doing nothing has passed, it's time to return to my duties. I made a particular motion with my hands and a portal was brought into creation right beside me. It hummed with energy as yellow light swirled itself into existence.

"I'll be back as soon as I inform the queen, Jarl Crach." I stated while walking up to my friend and grasping his forearm in a firm shake.

"Aye. We'll talk soon." Crach replied with an understanding tone. He didn't want to do this anymore than I did.

I let go of my hold on Crach and walked over to my recently created portal and stepped through it. The uncomfortable feeling of travelling through a spatial tear made my hair stand on end. My journey was completed after only a few seconds and I found myself inside my quarters at the Cintran royal palace.

As soon as I reoriented myself, I made my way out of my room and into the halls. I walked with a brisk pace through the corridors that I've considered my home for so many years now. After travelling for a few minutes, I made it to the queens room. The place where did most of her actual governing.

I took a very deep breath and then knocked on her door a couple times. *Knock Knock*

"Come in." I heard the feminine voice of the lioness intone from within.

I quickly opened the door and let myself inside. The queen looked remarkably surprised to see me. I wasn't due back here for a few months. I always accompanied Ciri on her visits to Skellige in order to keep up to date with her tutoring.

"Mousesack? What brings you back here so early? You aren't due back till the start of Birke…" The queen asked in a curious and somewhat anxious tone. "Has something happened? Is Ciri alright?"

This conversation was going to be a headache.