Chapter 44

(I have a question for the readers: what's the average word count on Webnovel to know if I'm not writing enough? Because when I'm on my phone, it feels like most chapters are around 2000 words.

Thank you to those who answer, and enjoy the read!)

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Swiishhh. A sword cut through the air, breaking the stillness of the clearing. The blade glinted in the fading sunlight, and the steady breathing of a young man matched the quiet rhythm of the scene.

Aiden, focused, repeated the techniques he had learned at the School of the Wolf over and over. He stepped forward, backward, and turned fluidly, his boots crunching on the dry grass. With his eyes closed, he imagined invisible foes: a griffin diving toward him, a wraith emerging from the shadows, a ghoul leaping to attack. Each swing of his sword brought him closer to the perfection he sought. A phrase echoed in his mind, a lesson he had heard long ago: "Life is a sea of learning."

His breathing grew heavy, his arms aching. He suddenly stopped, planted his sword into the ground, and wiped his forehead with a shirt he had left nearby. "Phew," he exhaled, then asked, "What is it?"

A deep voice interrupted him from behind. "You're getting better. You even sensed me, and I was trying my best not to make any noise."

Aiden turned around, a smirk on his face, and shrugged. "I've learned from the best, haven't I?"

Grabbing a nearby bucket of water, he dumped it over himself in one swift motion. The icy water flowed over his chest, soothing his tired muscles. Vesemir approached, his expression kind, and placed a firm hand on Aiden's shoulder. "Indeed. We're all proud of you. Even Lambert, despite his grumpy nature, would say the same."

Aiden burst out laughing at the mention of Lambert. Memories came flooding back, bringing with them the image of a gruff but deeply loyal man. He recalled one evening when Lambert, grouchy as ever, had corrected him with the flat of his blade. "Stand up straight, kid. You want to die squashed like a bug and end up as monster chow?" Lambert had snapped in his usual gruff tone. Yet that same Lambert, just a few days later, had silently helped him perfect a stance, refusing to let him leave until he got it right.

"Lambert…" Aiden muttered with a smile. "That guy, with his awful attitude, is more attached to this family than he'd ever admit."

Vesemir smiled knowingly before turning away. "Come on," he said, motioning for Aiden to follow. "Geralt and Yennefer are getting ready to leave with Ciri."

Aiden frowned upon hearing that, especially because of Yennefer, who had betrayed them before. All the more so since Geralt had only recently returned from the quest with Aiden, the one where he had emerged from the cave. Geralt and Aiden had buried the dead to ward off necrophages and then taken the young girl to a relative of her family.

Shaking his head to dispel the memory, Aiden and Vesemir began their journey back to Kaer Morhen in a heavy silence.

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Upon arriving, I spotted Yennefer standing with her arms crossed. She exuded an impatience that was almost palpable. That look, that attitude… It immediately got under my skin. How could she dare?

She stood there as if nothing had happened, after everything she had done. Returning to Kaer Morhen after betraying our trust, after trying to use Ciri to regain her powers? All of that just because she had helped me once… Help she had used as an excuse to trample over everything else.

I glanced at Geralt. He was tending to Roach, his hands moving absently along the mare's coat. But the furrow of his brow said it all. He wasn't comfortable either. Yet he said nothing. Triss had to be behind this, obviously. Only she could convince him to allow something like this.

Further away, a burst of laughter caught my attention. Ciri stood surrounded by Eskel and Lambert, showing off her flexed arms and miming exaggerated strength with a cheeky smile. Judging by her lips, she was saying something like, "Look how strong I am!"

I shook my head, amused. "What a kid…" I muttered to myself before walking toward them.

I gave Eskel and Lambert a discreet signal, silently asking them to keep her distracted. The two witchers exchanged a conspiratorial look before continuing to humor her "talent."

Meanwhile, I conjured a small ice shard in my hand, the cold and dampness seeping into my fingers. With a sly grin, I crept closer. Once I was behind her, I let the shard drop onto her back.

"KYAAA!"

Ciri's scream made everyone jump. She spun around, frantically shaking her tunic to get rid of the ice. Her face flushed with frustration as she saw us bursting into laughter.

"You're insufferable, Aiden!" she growled, swatting at my knee. Her hit was more symbolic than anything, but it didn't stop me from laughing even harder.

Exasperated, she lunged at me, tackling me to the ground. Despite everything, I couldn't stop laughing. Finally, after a few seconds, she started laughing too, lying against me.

Once we calmed down, I said, "Alright, get up. You're getting heavy, Ciri."

She stood and placed her hands on her hips, feigning an outraged expression. "You know, with an attitude like that, Aiden, you're never going to find anyone."

A mocking smile tugged at her lips. "But don't worry. I, the great and diligent Ciri, will take care of you. So, thank me."

I ruffled her hair, chuckling. "Sure thing, little gremlin."

She batted my hand away with a pout and turned to run toward Geralt. "One day, you'll regret that nickname! And I don't even know what it means."

I watched her go, smiling as vague memories from my past life surfaced. The word "gremlin" came from a fanfiction I had loved. The Ciri in that story reminded me a lot of Rebecca.

I strolled back to the group. Ciri hid behind Geralt, giving me a wary look. I chuckled softly before saying to her protector, "Take care of her, alright?"

Geralt nodded, placing a hand on Ciri's head. She let out an exasperated groan. "Why does everyone love messing up my hair?!"

"Don't worry," Geralt replied calmly. "I'll protect her."

I nodded before turning my attention to Yennefer. She had noticed my gaze and stiffened. Despite her composed face, I saw a faint shiver run through her. Yet she stood her ground, as if to assert she wasn't afraid.

I stopped in front of her, and perhaps because of the slight tension of being watched by everyone, she said, "Why are you looking at me like that? I agreed because Triss asked me to… and to atone with the girl."

For a brief moment, I said nothing. She lowered her gaze slightly, hesitant. Her hand nervously rubbed her shoulder as if she carried an invisible weight, and she spoke in a softer, almost trembling voice: "I'm here because Triss asked me… and to make amends with Ciri."

I stayed silent, watching her, which seemed to unsettle her even more. She continued, more quietly, "I didn't want to hurt anyone. I just didn't want to go back… to what I was. To be treated like an animal. I was… scared."

I sighed. Seeing the once-proud and arrogant Yennefer in this state was strange. But I had to be honest. "Listen, I'm angry at you. Using Ciri for your own ends and lying to all of us… That's not something I can just forget. But if you had told us the truth, we would have helped you. You know that."

I looked into her beautiful violet eyes…

"Ahem," I coughed, stopping myself from getting lost in thought. Then, speaking seriously to hide my embarrassment, I said, "As long as you take care of Ciri and Geralt—who's somehow capable of attracting women like a light draws moths—then you can regain my trust."

A surprised "What?" from behind me made me smile.

Yennefer seemed to relax. She took a deep breath, then fixed her serious gaze on mine. "I'll take care of Ciri." She glanced at Geralt and added with a sly smile, "And if our womanizer here goes too far, I could always cast a spell to keep his sword in its scabbard."

I laughed softly. "No, but if he slips up, I'll pitch your idea to Triss."

To my surprise, we both laughed together. The tension seemed to have lifted, at least for now.

Geralt, meanwhile, rolled his eyes and, with a sigh, told Ciri and Yennefer to get ready. As they left, Yennefer threw me a playful wink. My heart skipped slightly, but I quickly looked away.

I stayed there, watching them until they disappeared over the horizon. A strange sense of emptiness washed over me, as if a part of me knew I wouldn't see them again for a long time.

A familiar weight settled on my shoulder. "Come on, let's eat," Vesemir said calmly.

I nodded, casting one last glance at the spot where they had vanished before following him. Little did I know, this would be my last moment with Ciri for a long while.