OXENFURT - Redania
"What are you doing with that table?" Lambert crossed his arms and looked at Geralt who was moving with quite a big table.
"I don't like it there.." Geralt put down the table on the new place.
"You do realize this is not your house?" Lambert raised his eyebrow.
"And?" Geralt looked at him.
"That's means you shouldn't be moving things without permission of the owner.." Lambert said with sarcastic tone.
"Since when you've stopped breaking every rule?" Geralt leaned over the table.
"Since I'm temporary living in house which belongs to sorceress whom can easily kill me with one spell." Lambert smirked. Geralt rolled his eyes.
"Good morning.." Ciri came down from the stairs.
"It's almost a lunch Ciri.." Lambert said ironically. Ciri ignored his comment and looked at Geralt.
"Why is that table in the different place than yesterday?" Ciri was confused.
"What's wrong with moving furniture if I don't like it's position?" Geralt frowned.
"Don't notice him.. he's just nervous because of Yennefer's first lesson today. He needed to find a distraction for himself, well, and this time he found a table." Lambert said with laughing.
"Lambert, I swear I'm gonna punch your face right know.. if you don't shut.." Ciri interrupted Geralt.
"Wait, she has it today? Why the hell you didn't wake me up? I wanted to go there to support her." Ciri said angrily.
"Hey, calm down young lady. You were sleeping like a wood if you don't remember.. nobody wanted to disturb your beautiful dreams." Lambert faked his smile.
"Oh, that I'm sorry I finally fell asleep properly.." Ciri rolled her eyes.
"I'm going to University to see her now. You can go with me if you want." Geralt suggested.
"No, I can't. Matt has a meeting today in Oxenfurt and I promised him I'll meet him after that.. That's why I wanted to go see Yen in the morning." Ciri sighed.
"Well, priorities are priorities Ciri.." Lambert was teasing her.
"Geralt, can we send him back to Kaer Morhen? Because he's really getting on my nerves and I don't know how long I can stay being nice to him.." she said seriously and then gave Lambert angry look.
"Hey! I take that personally." Lambert was offended.
"Good, because I meant it personally." Ciri stated. "I need to go. Have a good lunch." Ciri turned around and started leaving from the room.
"When did she grow up that much?" Lambert gave Geralt surprised look.
"I have no idea Lambert.. no idea.." Geralt admitted.
Yennefer was sitting to the table in big Hall and waiting when all students will sit down to their sits. When they all sat down, in the room was still a big noise but she decided she won't wait until the students will shut up by themselves. She stood up from the chair and then stood up in front of table. She cleared her throat.
"If you're done with sharing your boring news to your classmates, then close your mouths." Yennefer told them strictly. In the room was suddenly a big quiet. She continued.
"If you know who I am, then you know what I'm capable of." Yennefer choose a warning tone. "If you don't know my name, then your shame.. Anyway I'm your new lecturer of magic. I will require one hundred attention to what I am saying. If I will see that somebody is sleeping on my lessons or not paying attention, you will be fired immediately.." she was serious. "Only in case I'll have a good mood, I'll use the door and not the window." she smiled. Not a single student made a noise, they were even afraid to move with their fingers. Her method to earn respect right in the start worked, obviously.
"Alright when we understood each other, then we can start." Yennefer leaned over the table.
"Can somebody tell me what magic is?" she crossed her arms. She gave them some time to think but nobody said a word as she expected.
"I didn't forbid you to speak.." she said sarcastically and she was waiting again. After one minute without any respond, she spoke again.
"Fine, I'll give you some clues.. Chaos, art, blessing, curse.." Yennefer said thoughtfully. She waited again.
"Will somebody finally tell me what magic is? You can answer with a question if you don't know how to use sentences in 12th century.." Yennefer used sarcastic tone. Jaskier sitting almost at the end of the Hall immediately raised his hand.
"No one?" she raised her eyebrow and pretended she didn't see the bard. Jaskier started trying to get her attention even more. He started waving on her with his hands. He would even stand up if that wouldn't be so weird in that moment.
"Anyone else?" Yennefer saw Jaskier very well but she didn't need him to say some bullshit on her first class. She was watching all the students with her eyes and waiting. But she knew she would get old sooner than someone would answer her. She decided to continue.
"Alright then, I will answer by myself.." Yennefer said calmly. Jaskier's excitement left in that moment. He angrily put down his hand and frowned.
"What the fu.." Jaskier stopped himself from saying that word because he realized Jahve was sitting next to him and Yennefer would definitely kill him if Jahve would start speaking this way so soon. He turned to him and he was trying to smile.
"You know your mom can be so rude sometimes?" Jaskier told him a bit offended.
"My mom is the best." Jahve said without hesitation and smiled at him.
"Of course she's the best.." Jaskier nodded. "Best on getting on others nerves.." Jaskier murmured under his nose quietly and frowned again.
Yennefer started speaking.
"There are multiple scholarly definitions of the term magic. I could cite them all, pointing out their various inconsistencies and pondering which should be considered most correct, but I will not waste my time. Instead, I will borrow the words I heard from my own mistress, when I was a young and inexperienced sorceress and put forth a similar question.." Yennefer told them honestly.
"Magic is oftentimes referred to as "the Art" This is no coincidence. Magic is perceived by many as an elite discipline requiring artistry and talent, and indeed very few possess the immense creative abilities needed to wield it." Yennefer started walking across the stage and looking at all the students. "Those with magical talent can use it to create things of awe and beauty- wonders without which the world would certainly be a much more miserable place. Therefore, those who name magic a beautiful blessing, brought forth into this world by the Conjunction of the Spheres, are in a sense correct." she admitted.
"Magic has also been called chaos incarnate: a primal, dangerous force, merciless and destructive. In the hands of the unwary it becomes a key that can open the forbidden door, behind which lies ruin and destruction. Therefore, those who say that magic is a curse born of chaos during the Conjunction of the Spheres that will doom this world, are also correct." she stopped walking and waited.
Somebody cleared his throat.
"Miss Yennefer, I don't very much understand a concept 'Chaos', could you explain it to me again, please?" young student asked her respectfully.
"Of course I can. I was waiting for you all when you'll finally wake up since I've started lecturing." Yennefer smiled honestly, then she continued.
"But back to the topic." she stated walking again across the stage. "Chaos is the power which is harnessed and used by mages and is the opposite of Order. Sources are innately sensitive to this magical force but are usually unable to master it and many go mad. It is said to have become much more prominent in the world after the Conjunction of the Spheres." she was ready to continue when she noticed a raised hand.
"Go ahead." Yennefer told her.
"Miss Yennefer, can be Chaos somehow gained from somewhere?" some student asked her with big interest.
"Yes, it can. Places where Chaos is strongest and most accessible are known as intersections, where it is drawn from the Air, Fire, Earth and Water, with Water being the easiest to master. Strangely, cats, are sensitive to these places and also are monsters like.." she was interrupted.
"And what about Dragons, lady Yennefer?" he said teasingly. Only one person would dare to interrupted her in the middle of lecturing like that. She invisibly smiled under her nose and tried not to show any distraction on herself which that voice caused her.
"Dragons are sensitive as well, but as they are considered magical beasts, this seems less strange." she explained and then she find him with her eyes. He was smiling at her. Her mouths quivered slightly to smile but she managed to keep her face professional. She then continued in her lesson even with more passion.
When the lesson was over the students started leaving from the Hall. Yennefer waited until everybody will leave then she went towards them.
"Dad!" Jahve said happily when Geralt came to them. They were all standing at the end of Hall and waiting on Yennefer.
"Hi, my little boy. Did you like mom's lesson?" Geralt raised him into his arms and smiled at him.
"Yes! I've learnt so many things." Jahve said proudly.
"At least someone had a good time.." Jaskier added ironically. Geralt looked at him.
"What happened to you? You look like a grumpy Foltest." Geralt laughed.
"Well, ask your lovely wife.." Jaskier crossed his arms and frowned, then he looked at Yennefer whom stood up next to Geralt. The witcher gave him a confused look.
"Mom, I saw you!" Jahve said with excitement.
"I know my darling." she smiled at him and then kissed his forehead. Then she looked at Geralt and kissed him on his lips.
"You were amazing." Geralt smiled at her, then he put down Jahve on the floor and he immediately started exploring everything in the Hall. Yennefer snuggled closer to Geralt and caressed his back. The witcher put his hand around her waist.
"What did you do to him?" Geralt pointed with his head at Jaskier and laughed.
"Nothing, he is just very sensitive person." Yennefer answered calmly.
"You saw my hand and yet you didn't let me to speak." Jaskier frowned.
"And you still wonder why I didn't let you?" Yennefer raised her eyebrow.
"Well, to be honest I would like to know it." the bard faked his smile.
"Is this even a question Jaskier?" Yennefer gave him amusement smile.
"You know, I'm gonna rather see my old friends in University before I'll say something inappropriate to you Yennefer.. I'll join you later Geralt." Jaskier smirked and then started leaving from the Hall. They both looked at leaving bard.
"Remind me, why he had to come to Oxenfurt with us?" Yennefer looked at Geralt and put her hand on Geralt's chest.
"Because it's Jaskier.." Geralt said with laughing.
"We're here only four days and he already has upset me almost ten times.." Yennefer said irritated tone.
"You're just overreacting.." the witcher was teasing her.
"Am I?" she raised her eyebrow.
"Yes." he laughed and kissed her gently on her lips. She then hugged him tightly. He pushed her closer to him and caressed her back.
"I love you." Geralt kissed her hair. She hugged him more. He didn't remember when he was that happy.
They were going through the main garden of Oxenfurt University. Geralt was holding Yennefer's hand and Jahve was walking in front of them not far away from them. Geralt smiled under his nose. Finally some peaceful day without psychos around, he thought. He then used this little moment of private for a talk. They really didn't have much time to talk normally since Yen's memories returned.
"So, how would you rate your first lesson?" Geralt was teasing her a bit.
"I thought it will be worse.." Yennefer said honestly.
"You liked it, don't you?" Geralt smiled at her.
"I didn't say that." she stated.
"Doesn't mean you didn't like it.." Geralt said with laughing. He knew she sometimes tells not the whole truth.
"Are you trying to upset me Geralt?" she stopped him with her hand and gave him angry look. They stopped walking.
"No, just want you to admit that you like teaching others. I saw how you were teaching today. I saw how you were teaching Ciri and how you teach Jahve now. You were also teaching some girls in Aretuza and I know that you love to do it. You love to teach important things. I know this is not the same kind of learning magic what you use to, it's more philosophy magic, but still it's teaching. So, you don't have to pretend, especially not in front of me, that don't you like teaching Yen." he smiled at her and then he kissed her cheek. Yennefer sighed.
"I hate that you know me that well.." she caressed his face with hers hand.
"And I hate that you're purposely making me waiting because I want to hear your all thoughts about your lesson." Geralt put his hands around her waist.
"Since when you care about those things witcher?" she was teasing him.
"Since I've started loving you." Geralt started smiling.
"You should still work on that romantic side my love.." Yennefer laughed and then pressed her lips on his.
"I'll try.." he told her between kisses and pushed her closer to him, then kissed her more passionately.
Suddenly they heard sound of splash water and Jahve's little scream. They pulled from themselves and looked at each other.
"Please do not tell me our child fell down into that fountain.." Yennefer was totally hopeless. Geralt looked behind her back.
"Yes, he fell down.." he said with laughing. Yennefer rolled her eyes.
"At your place I wouldn't be laughing if you don't want to dry his wet things." she told him strictly. She turned around and went to Jahve. Geralt stopped laughing in that moment. He has still never used to these parent's stuffs. He followed her.
When Yennefer came to the fountain, Jahve was already standing in front of the fountain and shaking because of his cold, wet clothes. Yennefer knelt down to him and put her scarf around his body.
"Will you tell me what were you doing Jahve?" Yennefer raised her eyebrows. She started drying his wet hair with the scarf.
"I wanted to catch a fish.." Jahve lowered his head. Geralt meanwhile came to them. Yennefer shaked her head and then raised Jahve's chin.
"Next time please try another method without falling into the water. Your mother won't be always there to dry you." Yennefer caressed his face and then she said the spell. Jahve's clothes were suddenly all dry. Jahve started smiling.
"Thank you mommy!" he hugged her tightly. She kissed his forehead, then took back her scarf and stood up. She looked at Geralt and did a gesture with her face, so he would say something.
He cleared his throat.
"Your mother is right Jahve. You shouldn't do stupid things anymore. But between us, next time I will show you how to dive properly.." Geralt winked at him. Jahve smiled from ear to ear. Yennefer gave Geralt a death stare. The witcher immediately looked away.
"Geralt? Is that you?" well-known voice called at him. Geralt turned to her.
"Shani?" Geralt got surprised. "I mean, nice to see you again." he was trying to smile.
"It's really you witcher!" Shani said happily and then hugged him. Geralt awkwardly pulled away from her but Shani didn't notice that obviously.
"I can't believe I met you here. It's been ages since we've met. How are you? I want to know everything. What are you doing here anyway?" Shani said with excitement.
"Shani.. I.." Geralt was searching for the right words. Suddenly Yennefer cleared her throat and stood up next to Geralt. The witcher understood immediately.
"Shani.." now Geralt cleared his throat. "This is my.. my.."
"His wife.. Yennefer of Vengerberg, of Rivia." she finished his sentence. Shani mouth almost fell down opened. She didn't expect it. Now she understood how awkward this whole situation was.
"Wow.. Geralt, congratulations." she was trying to act normally. "I've never thought you'll ever get married, but I'm so happy for you. How long you've been married?" Shani was trying to smile. Geralt was totally frozen. He wasn't in situation like this for a such a long time. He forgot how to behave naturally in front of two woman who clearly have feelings for him.
"Almost eight years." Yennefer answered again for him. Then she stood up closer to him and put her hand around his waist. She knew Geralt was puzzled. She maybe already knew the reason why, but she wanted to be wrong about it. Shani was still young and really good looking woman and she hated it. Geralt finally came back to the mind thanks to Yennefer's move.
"Yennefer, that's Shani. She works in Oxenfurt as medic and she's also teaching medicine in Oxenfurt University. She's my old fri.."
"Old friend with benefits.. aka his ex-lover.." Jaskier appeared behind their backs and started smiling like a fool. Shani's face was red as tomato in that moment. Geralt almost fell out of shame and Yennefer started frowning.
"Oh, Shani, my lovely girl. I missed you.." Jaskier come to her and hugged her. "You need to come to visit us, we're staying in Oxenfurt for a while." Jaskier was behaving like nothing totally embarrassing happened.
"I think I might kill him." Yennefer told to Geralt.
"I think I'm gonna help you." Geralt was honest. Jaskier and Shani pulled away.
"That's great to hear. I'll visit you when I'll have some free time." Shani smiled.
"We can't wait." Jaskier said proudly.
Yennefer then looked at Geralt and crossed her arms.
"Do not think you're out of it so easily. You have a lot to explain witcher.." Yennefer said very calmly. Geralt rather stayed silent.
"I think I will leave you now, you have certainly lot of things to do.." Shani was trying to be polite but on the other hand she really wanted to escape from this unpleasant situation.
Suddenly they heard huge splash of water. They all turned to the fountain.
"Jahve!" Geralt and Yennefer shouted at the same time.
"My leg jus slipped away.." Jahve was defending himself. Yennefer sighed and turned to Geralt.
"Now you're gonna dry his wet clothes for real." Yennefer told him angrily. Her purple eyes were on fire. She then went towards Jahve.
"Is that your kid?" Shani was confused and surprised at the same time.
"Yes. He's ours." Geralt admitted. Yennefer stood up next to fountain and help Jahve to get out of it.
"We'll talk about it when you come home." she told him strictly. "Now go to your dad. He will dry you." Yennefer gave him her scarf again. Jahve lowered his eyes. He knew that his mom was angry and that he wasn't the only source of it. He then went to Geralt. Yennefer looked at Geralt then she started leaving without a word. Geralt already knew that the long conversation awaits for them.
When Jahve came towards them, Geralt knelt down on his knee and help Jahve with drying himself.
"Mom is angry." Jahve said honestly while he was looking at Geralt.
"I know, but she's angry on me, not at you. Don't worry, tomorrow she'll be okay." Geralt smiled and caressed Jahve's hair.
"Come with me inside, I have some towels there." Shani suggested. Geralt nodded. Jaskier and Jahve didn't protest.
"What happened between you two? Yennefer seems angry.. and the only person who can do that to her it's you.." Ciri told Geralt while they were walking through the street. It was almost a twilight and they were going to the nearest tavern. Geralt needed to get out and Ciri asked him if she could join him. He didn't protest, he liked her company, especially when he was in the messy situations. Geralt sighed.
"Well, we met my old friend Shani who was also my ex lover.. then Jaskier came and made everything worse.. and Jahve falling twice into the fountain didn't help this whole situation at all.." Geralt explained.
"Why was she jealous? She knows you love her with your whole heart and that you would never cheat on her. I don't understand it.." Ciri was confused.
"I do understand her behavior. You know Ciri, in situations like this you can't sometimes control your emotions and you don't think at all.." Geralt laughed a bit. "I mean, I did the same when I met Istredd. I literally wanted to kill him when Yen was close to him or talking to him and that's because my jealousy blind my mind.. You love that person so much that you're not able to let others who are potentially good for your loved one, closer to her. It's hard to explain but your body always start some protection mode or something." Geralt smiled.
"Holy crap.. love is so weird thing.." Ciri laughed.
"Tell me about it.." Geralt said with laughing and then he opened the door of tavern.
"After you." he smiled at her.
"Thank you, sir." Ciri laughed and entered inside. Geralt followed her.
Almost two hours past since they ordered their first beer. They were laughing and talking about simple life things and they also didn't forget on their both favorite topic, witcher stuffs.
"And at the end, what was that? Bruxa or Fleder?" Ciri asked him with excitement.
"Neither of them. It was the Garkain." Geralt laughed. "But to be honest it was hard to find him. Also his claw marks on the victims really confused me.. I really thought it was Fleder. Those creature are getting wiser year by year.." Geralt said thoughtfully.
"No, they're not. I think you're just getting older witcher.." Ciri was teasing him.
"Ouch.. that one hurt.." Geralt laughed. Ciri joined him and then she squeezed his hand on the table.
"I can't remember when we last time had conversation like this.. I really miss these moments between us." Ciri smiled at him.
"Me too Ciri.." Geralt said honestly and smiled.
"Witcher!" some voice called at him. Geralt and Ciri turned around.
"Yarpen?" Geralt was surprised. "What the hell are you doing here?" Geralt stood up and went towards the dwarf.
"I got out of hell and end up here.. you know, in alcohol paradise." Yarpen Zigrin said with laughing and then shaked hand with Geralt. "But you my friend, you're are an absolutely gift from heaven. I was looking for someone like you." Yarpen said with excitement.
"Sit down first and drink some beer, then we can talk." Geralt suggested and laughed. The dwarf didn't protest. They sat down to the table.
"Ciri, my girl! You've grown up again." the dwarf told her honestly.
"Nice to see you too Yarpen. You didn't changed a bit." Ciri said with laughing.
"Well, you know, I don't grow.." the dwarf burst into laughing. Ciri shaked her head and smiled.
"Anyway, what are you two doing here in this tavern?" he raised his eyebrow. Ciri didn't know what she can say, so she looked at Geralt. He understood.
"We got into trouble with man called Rience.. Do you know him?" Geralt was interested about it.
"I heard about him.. he's also nicknamed as witchfucker.." Yarpen said calmly.
"I didn't know he has a "thing" for sorceresses.." Geralt got surprised.
"Yeah, it's crazy. I know his men kidnapped many of them, but nobody knows what Rience has done to them, cause nobody ever find them. So, you can think out what happened to them." the dwarf explained and drank his beer on the table which the innkeeper brought.
"That would make sense why he was after Yennefer so desperately.." Geralt said thoughtfully.
"What? Did he hurt her?" Yarpen said angrily.
"Yeah, he did but in different way. He cursed her and Yen lost his memories. But I think he wanted more from her when they were alone.. cause Yen burned half of his face." Geralt admitted.
"Fucking bastard.. I swear I'm gonna killed him if I met him someday." the dwarf was furious.
"Me too, Yarpen. Me too.." Geralt was honest.
"I hope Yennefer is alright now.." Yarpen said worried.
Ciri was listening to their conversation but she didn't have nothing to really say. So, she started looking around the tavern.
Her eyes stopped on random guy sitting in the corner dressed all in the black with hood on his head. He looked so suspicious. But Ciri decided no to tell them about him yet. She didn't want to ruin finally some normal conversation between them.
"Yes, she's alright." the witcher said calmly.
"Good, because then I wouldn't control myself anymore and he would end up already at the cemetery.. You know, my men also had some problems with his soldiers. I fucking hate him!" Yarpen was disgusted.
"I know, my friend." Geralt smiled honestly.
"And where's Yen then? When we started already talking about her.." Yarpen said with laughing.
"She's in the house with others where we're staying hidden for while." Geralt explained.
"Oh.. I understood now.. that's why you're in the Oxenfurt. But what I don't understand why you didn't bring her here too Geralt.." the dwarf laughed.
"Well, she had to stay with Jahve." the witcher was trying to smile.
"And she's also angry on him." Ciri added and laughed. Geralt frowned.
"Well, her temperament is really hard to tame.." Yarpen said with laughing. "But can I ask what did you do witcher?" the dwarf was smiling.
"We met Shani and then everything screw up.." Geralt explained.
"Oh', Shani, I forget she works here.. she's so lovely beautiful medic.." Geralt interrupted him by clearing his throat. He didn't need Yarpen to start melting about Shani in front of Ciri.
"Can we go back to why you need me?" Geralt smiled sarcastically.
"Of course." Yarpen understood. He cleared his throat and continued. "We need some notes, so we can create one type of swords. It's really old masterful technique and with this knowledge we could create really powerful swords.." Yarpen told him with excitement.
"And you need me because..?" the witcher raised his eyebrow.
"We recently found out where are the notes of this technique, but we don't know find the portal. By the legend, these notes are in some Elder Elven Ruins under the ground where you can only get inside by using that portal." the dwarf explained.
"It still didn't explain why you need me.." Geralt crossed his arms.
"By the legend, there are not only the notes, but also a treasure which may contain the best swords ever forged. But there's only one little hook in this. That treasure is guard by Chort and I also think there will be different monsters as well. That's why we need a witcher.. and good one." the dwarf said calmly.
"No treasure is worth of dying." Geralt stated.
"Oh, c'mon Geralt! Since when you've stopped being interested in those types of contracts?" Yarpen was teasing him.
"Since I stopped being alone witcher on the path. I have responsibilities and my own family which I have to take care of. I can't risk my life like that anymore." the witcher said honestly.
"I'm in!" Ciri said with excitement.
"Cirilla." Geralt warned her.
"What? I don't have any responsibilities at all and I was looking for contract like that for such a long time." Ciri started smiling.
"It's too dangerous for you." Geralt was serious.
"Geralt let her go.. she.." Ciri interrupted him.
"You can do always everything but I can't do anything?! I can take care of myself. I'm not a little child anymore!" Ciri said angrily.
"But you're my daughter which I don't want to lose!" Geralt raised his voice. Ciri stayed puzzled and Geralt didn't let his eyes from her even for a second. The dwarf rather didn't say anything.
The high tension were interrupted by one of Yarpen's men
"Yarpen!" some dwarf called on him.
"I'm sorry, I didn't want to leave like that. I had a great time with you but I have to join my boys. Please think out my offer and let me know your decision." the dwarf told them calmly. Geralt looked at the dwarf.
"That's alright Yarpen. We're leaving too.. and don't worry, I'll let you know." Geralt face was still serious.
"Then good luck witchers." Yarpen smiled.
"Farewell." Geralt nodded. Yarpen left.
"Cirilla, come, we're leaving." Geralt told her without looking at her and started leaving. Ciri followed him without a word.