#𝐌𝐔𝐒𝐄 ⟫ Syanna

[starwrittenfates]

@wanderingwolfwitcher continued from X

His words seemed to calm her. So far, it seemed, he had no issue with knowing she was one of the girls cursed under a Black Sun. Syanna noted how he didn't even flinch, nor look at her with fear or distrust. And was that sympathy? She knew she shouldn't be surprised since he was a Witcher and had faced worse monsters, but yet, there was something about it that made her feel warm. It made her feel...human. And it was a difference she welcomed. "Be careful, Eskel, I may just end up falling for you." She said playfully, chuckling.

Syanna beckoned her horse to continue following once he informed her of a mountain cavern up ahead. Glancing upon it, she nodded. Sure, it wasn't ideal, but it was better than nothing. "I don't mind it. I've been in far worse too, but I'd rather be here than around false knights who don't honor their code. That's another story...let me help you set up camp."

[starwrittenfates]

❝ Well, it was complicated. I was happy to see you but...❞ knowing that he would more than likely catch onto her plan (which he did thanks to Geralt) didn't quite make it easy for her to be happy to see him, especially when she knew what she was putting him through all for her revenge.

There was no denying the pain she felt in her heart, as if he had just pierced right through her anyway, hearing how he didn't believe anything she was saying. This was her doing. Instead of pushing away and manipulating the first man to have ever cared for her, she should have told him everything from the start. But old habits died hard and in order to protect herself, Syanna tried to hide her true feelings for the matter, acting like nothing effected her. ❝ I know it's my fault. You can choose to believe me or not.❞ she paused, biting her lip. Gods, she was trying to do better, and another step in that was to show him exactly what he meant to her by laying down her pride.❝ It doesn't change the fact I am sorry for what I did to you. You were the first person to truly care about me. Believe it or not, I did care about you, and I guess I still do, but...I didn't know how to deal with it. My parents were never really kind towards me... ❞ Coming from an environment where she never received affection, except from her little sister, how was she supposed to know how to go about it?

Syanna felt her heart only continue to ache when he asked her how he should feel and what he should do. ❝ I wish I knew. I don't have the answer. I'm still trying to figure everything out myself. All I know is I want to do better. ❞ She wanted to reach out for him, but was afraid he would reject her or worse before taking the risk, lightly touching his cheek.

Dettlaff stood there and listened to her answer. It was not what he expected to hear, but then again he wasn't sure what he expected. He wasn't sure if he should believe her. If she had told him, his reaction would probably still have been similar. No matter how she would put it, she had used him for her own gains. Did she think he'd just shrug it off that she made him kill people, thinking she was in danger? It was preposterous. Maybe she didn't think much at all at the time though, blinded by her own sorrow and rage, like he was.

"You didn't seem too thrilled the last time I found you." Dettlaff thought out loud. He recalled the moment he found her in Dun Tynne, when he found out what she had done. The overwhelming mix of emotions he felt in that moment came crushing back on him and he had to take a deep breath in an effort to calm his nerves.

"I'm not sure if I should believe anything you say." he admitted after a moment. "I can't tell if you're really sorry or not, if you really would have told me or not or if you really care about the lives you've ruined." Dettlaff spoke through gritted teeth. He felt his anger bubble up again. "Or if you really did change.."

His anger was suddenly replaced with a kind of profound sorrow. He was trying his best to get his emotions under control, not to show too much of them. "How does that...help me?" he asked, his expression changing. He almost looked desperate, like she held the answer to the anguish he felt. The vampire took a step closer, his voice a little shaky. "How am I supposed to feel now?"

[starwrittenfates]

@wanderingwolfwitcher continued from X

Syanna couldn't help but smile at the fact they were finally clear of Toussaint. Even if it happened to be her home and she did care for it, there was nothing but bad memories associated with it. The only thing that was keeping her to Beauclair now was her dear little sister. But if Syanna had it her way...she'd stay away from it all together.

"Growing up into a life of luxury and comforts isn't all it's made out to be. Simple living is the way to go." She had learned that from experience herself. Raising an eyebrow, she glanced at him. "So...the Blue Mountains? I'm curious-- besides what your destiny is, can you remember anything about your life before becoming a Witcher?"

If anything, Syanna was starting to become more intrigued over her current companion. Eskel was like a breath of fresh air to her, someone who seemed to share similarities with her and didn't lose themselves in things like fairytales, knights or curses. It was something she welcomed happily.

[starwrittenfates]

"People usually expect the worst from me, so I've made sure to not disappoint them," Syanna said with a bitter tone. Life was difficult, having grown up born under the Curse of the Black Sun. Usually she wouldn't have told any stranger not from Toussaint her secret, but she seemed to trust this witcher. "Do you think I'm a monster as well?"

@catofblaviken liked for a starter with Syanna!

[starwrittenfates]

✨ 𝐈𝐍𝐁𝐎𝐗 // @minediamonds — spotify wrapped starter call. ↳ “All By Myself” by Lexxi Saal (for Renfri)

❝ I don't want to be all by myself. ❞ Syanna said, knowing she could trust in Renfri with this vulnerable truth she was admitting. Despite being born into nobility, life was not easy if you had just happen to have been born under a black sun with everyone thinking you were cursed.

Even if she acted as though she were perfectly fine being alone, the truth was...Syanna wanted the company. She wanted everything she had been denied while growing up as a child. Affection...

[starwrittenfates]

@realmyths said: ❛ I was attacked — had to defend myself. ❜ ~Renfri for Syanna

"Hey, it's okay. You did what you had to." Syanna said, glancing at the blood now covered on Renfir's hands. She knelt down towards her, offering a small and understanding smile before giving her a hand to help her up off the ground. "I think the man was a criminal after all, so it's not so bad, but still...we need to be more careful. We may draw more of the wrong attention and that's the last thing we want."

[starwrittenfates]

She knew they would have to address this sooner or later...and it just happened to be sooner. Syanna bit her lip, giving a sigh. She couldn't run from this. No anymore. "There is no good explanation, nor justification I can give you for it because...it is the truth." Her voice became shaky. "I wanted to hurt you. I wanted so much to make you feel the pain that I had felt for years all because I thought you had wished me gone too. Everyone picked on me just because I happened to be unlucky with being born under a cursed Black Sun... It gave the perfect excuse to get rid of me. With me out of the way, you could assend to the throne and continue to be our parents favorite (and only) child."

Syanna paused, looking down at the ground, unable to hold back tears that fell from her eyes in frustration and betrayal. "They even left me out of the Toussaint Royal records, acting like I never even existed...so yes, there was a part of me that wished your demise. But...there was also a part of me that always missed my dear little sister, Anareitta..."

The spoiled naive side of the Duchess wished to know all who looked such a way at her dear sister and punish them all...she would certainly should it be more than looks but for now she would hold back on such rash behaviors...even if they came from protectiveness. "I understand...after all, I do not know how to process you wishing my demise." She spoke softly, letting it sit in the air studying her sister with calm blue eyes for her reaction. Syanna could confirm or deny it still. Anarietta would probably go along with either narrative. Anarietta felt for her sister's pain, but to wish something upon her like that. She could not even imagine wishing the same of Syanna.

[starwrittenfates]

At first, the strange man had caught her eyes. He was oddly dressed and seemed to stand out like a sore thumb. The last thing Syanna needed right now was to have someone draw attention and alert the palace guards to her direction. She had already been in enough trouble without someone else causing it.

However, the moment she noticed his fangs, Syanna instantly took out her sword, pointing at his throat. "I know what you are. You can't fool me, vampire!" Was he one of Dettlaff's old friends, come here to finish his revenge on her? "Did Dettlaff send you?"

Her blue eyes narrowed at him, piercing like a dagger. "What do you want with Geralt?"

Not Here For You (Am I?)

(Closed starter with @starwrittenfates for Tolaas and Syanna)

He stood outside the palace gates, staring into the eyes of a strikingly beautiful woman, who, unfortunately, had a sword to his throat. The moment she saw his fangs she drew down on him. Pretty damned fast, too. Most people who saw his fangs became intrigued and wanted to know more. Not the raven-haired beauty in front of him right now.

Now, Tolaas very easily could have disarmed her. But he didn't want to upset her even more, and possibly get accidentally stabbed. He'd been stabbed before, he didn't like it.

"Uh, darlin'... I ain't here fer you? I don't even know who ya are... I'm here lookin' fer Geralt. Someone told me he lived in Toussaint, in a very nice villa er whatever... someone else told me I could find him by goin' ta the palace... so, here I am."

With a finger, Tolaas began to gently push her sword away from his neck. "I swear ta ya... I'm just lookin' fer Geralt."

[starwrittenfates]

Just as she felt she was about to fall asleep, a knock sounded at the door, making her get up from where she had been resting on her bed. A servant greeted them when she opened the door, handing her the food that appeared to be stew of some sort. And with that, Syanna bid them goodbye, handing Eskel his portion.

The noblewoman sat back down on her bed, trying a small sip of it. She frowned a little. ❝ Isn't as great as the one you made, but what can you expect? They probably don't cook from the heart like you do. ❞

It was now only a matter of time to know if the servants would try anything or not. Did they believe her story, or had her sister already informed everyone to be on the lookout over here? Either way, she knew they wouldn't do anything too stupid or reckless.

Eskel hung back once they were inside, letting Sylvia Anna tend to the matter. The royal sign she showed the owner seemed to go over well enough, no questions asked... even so, he saw all the looks he received, heard the whispers they didn't know his senses could detect clearly. The heightened heart beats of the workers and patrons alike. Murmurs of curiosity what a royal like her was doing travelling with a Witcher of all things. Even so, none of them came right out and accosted either of them... as likely would have happened in the North, regardless of what documents she carried. The citizens of the Nilfgaardian Empire tended to be a more subtle and orderly bunch, even their lower classes. Likely they would be waiting for permission from the local guards to run them out of town... all the more reason not to stay longer than an evening, in case they saw through the royal ruse, and word or Knights came from Toussaint. When she returned with the key, speaking to him and leading the way through the inn and to their room upstairs, he nodded and followed suit, glancing at other patrons who quickly averted their eyes. Pretending they hadn't been looking or whispering... whispers that returned the moment the pair was moving upstairs. At her words, his marred visage smiled faintly, and her uttered a slight chuckle, deep voice murmuring back to Syanna with some wry amusement.

"Sounds like a plan, Red Riding Hood. Would say we've earned supper and rest for a day. If this were an inn of the Northern Realms, you could forget about room service. We would probably have to share a bed as well. Possibly even pretend to be married, depending on the owner. Suppose superior conditions don't always mean better. Funny, that."

The Witcher scanned the interior of the room upon its opening, watching the noblewoman move inside at once and settle down on one of the comfortable looking beds, before entering himself, closing and locking the door behind them. His viper eyes studied the room again more closely, and the difference in quality was certainly noticeable, compared to the tavern and inn rooms he tended to be used to, on the Path. He was about to magically ward up the door with sealing Signs and trap ones, out of force of habit, but stopped himself and remembered food would be delivered to them soon. It would have to wait until afterwards, when nobody had cause to arrive and disturb them. In the meantime, he would settle in and wait. Removing and hanging up his cloak and saddle bags, he went over to take a seat before the fireplace. Then he took the time to place some spare wood near the hearth into it, before raising a hand, arranging his fingers, concentrating and casting an Igni Sign, lighting the wood up in an instant flash of magical fire, heat gradually moving its way throughout the room. Drawing a relaxed breath, he remained where he was, leaning back in a chair by the fireplace, studying the flames' flickering depths and waiting in silence for their supper, not yet removing any of his weapons, equipment, armor or clothing. No sense in getting comfortable, until he had good reason to be... especially not until he had warded up the door.

@starwrittenfates

[starwrittenfates]

Syanna nodded, agreeing to take care of these matters. The noblewoman walked into the tavern, approaching the barkeep. She spoke with them, getting them a room, paying for it and even making sure they would keep secret that they had been through here, showing the royal sign she'd stolen from her sister for safe passage. If anything, it would also help her get them a better room and wonderful service and hopefully not have anyone bat an eye at Eskel.

Not too long after, she came back out, winking at her witcher companion with victory. ❝ Come along my dear huntsman. I got us a room, and don't worry, you'll have your own bed. As for dinner, it will be up shortly, so let's go in and make ourselves at home. ❞

Her body ached after the journey they had. She couldn't wait to get into a bed and have some wine. Even if this was starting to take a little bit of a toll on her, Syanna knew the end result would be worth it. And besides, she had gained some wonderful company in the form of Eskel.

With a motion, she led him through the tavern and upstairs, using the key to open the door to what would be their room for the night. Spotting one of the beds, she instantly went for it, plopping onto it with a sigh of relief.

The Witcher directed them down the road and closer to the tavern, and before long, passing through the rain, they reached the source of light and noise. He spurred Scorpion on to the stables, and at last they came to a stop before it, taking the time to dismount their horses. He petted the Kaedweni war horse on the head appreciatively, before taking his reins and leading him to one of the stable boys, all of whom stared curiously between himself, the monster trophy dangling from his saddle, and the red hooded noblewoman. He kept his viper eyes concealed with his hood, for the moment, flipping a couple Nilfgaardian Florens to a couple of the boys to tend to their horses for them, put them in the stalls, feed them and remove their saddles. He took the saddle bags first... wasn't about to let them go digging through their things, hefting them over his shoulder.

Despite the curiosity, and the boys clearly having taken notice of the noblewoman's beauty, they didn't seem to register what he was, yet. Distracted or ignorance. A blessing. Sometimes people didn't even know what a Witcher was, living in remote places, or Witchers not having passed through the lands in many years. Doubtless older people would remember, especially the Viper School, but at least for the moment to these young people he was just another armed traveler, passing in the night. When the horses were taken inside, looking to Sylvia Anna with a nod, Eskel led them to the tavern, towards the source of the light and noise, hooded black cloak shifting in the breeze as the rain pelted against them both. He stopped them just outside the entrance first, taking a step back from it and gesturing to the door with his hand, deep, calm voice returning to her again.

"Best you handle this part, the talking to owner, getting us a room or rooms, whichever you prefer. Meals and drinks. Social matters. I'll watch your back, and be ready, in case anyone gets ideas. The south is your territory anyways."

@starwrittenfates

[starwrittenfates]

Syanna was more than ready to retire to the inn after the journey they had. She didn't think she would miss a place like it so much. Her body was aching a little and all she could think about was drinking wine and falling asleep in a nice, comfortable bed, maybe even wrapped up in his arms.

It was an entertaining thought at the the very least.

With a sigh and a slight stretch, the noblewoman agreed. "Sounds like a plan. And it looks like you'll be finding out soon enough."

Eskel's gaze shifted back towards Sylvia Anna at her words, absorbing them, not so much the teasing ones, but her intent to try to get him a pass in her lands. Certainly not a sentiment he was used to hearing, if it was true... and it sounded true. He could probably count on each hand how many times others went out of their way for Witchers, in his experience... but even so, there was no reason to be suspicious. Nothing to be gained in offering to speak to her doubtless livid sister on his behalf. The time came now and again where he had to burn his bridges in a particular land for awhile... whether by choice or circumstances outside of his control. While he had little love for Toussaint, it was at least a rare place his kind could go to in the south without being run out of town. A Witcher couldn't have too many places like that to go to, when necessary. He nodded his hooded head gratefully at last, after mulling it all over, deep voice speaking up to her again.

"Needn't bother on my account. Apart from visiting Wolf, sampling the local wines and cuisine, a few contracts, ain't much call for me down in sunny Toussaint. It's no home of mine. Wouldn't be the first place on the Continent I've had to avoid for a long time either. Been avoiding Caingorn for over sixty years, now. Ban Gleán for around forty. Still, if you pulled it off, I would be grateful. About the only way I ever see Wolf anymore, with him retired. Used to be every Winter... and long before that, there were years we walked the Path together, when we were young Witchers. Before our school was attacked. It was another world, that one we grew up in. Another me."

The Witcher observed with a slight wistful smile, memory of the man he had been, the memories of the past, making his cheek scars itch unpleasantly. He willed himself not to scratch them, focusing ahead on the road instead, and their surroundings. By now it had begun to rain... lightly, at first, but he could tell it was only going to pick up. The south might have been more sunny than the north, but it certainly wasn't the arid desserts of Zerrikania or Ofir. Even so, it was a warmer rain than the frozen ones of the Northern Realms... welcome, even if he was more accustomed to the cold or temperate environments. Eventually, in the distance he smelled an unmistakable, welcome scent carried on the wind... and before much longer he saw the distant lights illuminating the establishment it belonged to. Cooking meats, among other enticing aromas. His viper eyes turned again over towards the black haired noblewoman with a slight, pleased smirk on his marred visage, low tone breaking the silence between them again.

"Know an inn when I see and smell one. A good meal from miles away. Don't know this place, but any port in a storm. Let's get the horses to the stalls and get in there. Would like to find out how southern inns stack up against northern ones."

@starwrittenfates

[starwrittenfates]

"Don't worry my dear Eskel, I'll be sure to protect you. If my cousin or his guards try to start anything, I know exactly how to deal with them."

Syanna knew it was best to keep their heads down and lay low. More than likely, her sister might try to have some Nilfgaardian's looking for her, but Syanna wasn't clever and cunning for no reason. She had had to learn how to survive in such a world and always be one step ahead. When Eskel spoke again about all he would miss in Toussaint, it made the noblewoman's breath hitch.

"Perhaps once this is all over, I can speak with my sister, explain everything and she'd see reason. You wouldn't have to be exiled from Toussaint or chased out. I do promise I will find a way. Unlike most of the knights of Toussaint who think all the five virtues are just for grand show and nothing more, I actually uphold them."

Not that she wanted to be compared to a knight. She was nothing like those idiots, and that was the point. They didn't follow their own rules.

"Then I'll be sure to ask you if I have questions. Not just about locations, but local customs. Quite a bit is different down in Nilfgaardian territory, compared to the Northern Realms. Bad enough I'm a Witcher down here, best I not step on any more toes than necessary. Liable to draw enough hostile attention as it is."

Eskel's low, calm voice observed as his viper gaze studied the noblewoman's features carefully, discerning she seemed in distant contemplation. Remembering the unpleasantness of the past. From what he could gather from Sylvia Anna so far, and what he had heard, there was no surprise to that. At least she hadn't been entirely alone, had been travelling with others, and relatively safer than she might have been otherwise. The Witcher looked back ahead to the road sprawling before them, nodding at her answer and they moved along further down it. He would have to be on his guard, letters of passage or not, such papers were more liable to work for her than for him. He would do what he had to, attempt to minimize any bloodshed, but was fairly confident some would be spilled before they cast off for Kovir and Poviss. Especially if bounty hunters were notified about her, instead of the usual bumbling knights. In the wake of her words, he spoke up again languidly and wryly with a low chuckle under his breath.

"A bed will be welcome, instead of another cavern floor. Though it's the southern meals I look more forward to, seeing what cuisine this place has. My kind has a larger appetite than most. I'll miss the crayfish chowder at the inns of Toussaint, and Lady de Trastamara's cooking at Corvo Bianco. Not likely I'll be eating either again, at least in her lifetime or your sister's, when she finds out what I did."

@starwrittenfates

[starwrittenfates]

"Once, long ago. It was...it was after I was banished from the palace. I came across a group of bandits when I was wandering the woods. They took me in and we set off for Nazair. We traveled around the area a bit, looking for places to sell and what not. I also know a little about Metinna. I wouldn't say I'm an expert, but I do know a little of the south, yes."

All of her time in the past almost seemed like a blur. She had never really focused on it. Her only main focus at that time was learning how to survive and doing whatever it would take to get there. Syanna had wanted to jump up in the ranks and then get her revenge. Now...it all seemed like a distant memory. A nightmare.

"I...I was too focused on other things when I was last out this way, so sadly I don't have the sharpest of memories like you witchers probably do, but there should be an inn up ahead."

"One can never tell the future... when I have tried in the past, it somehow always goes terribly wrong... but either prospect with you would be a welcome one, if destiny is kind to us, for a change."

Eskel's low, amused voice returned to Syanna with a nod and knowing wink of his viper eye as they continued along through the mountain woods. The company wouldn't hurt, if she desired to provide it, at Kaer Morhen, and the secrets of the place would be nothing to her... she was quite refreshingly not an ambitious, scheming Sorceress, and he wouldn't have to hide everything... but even so, he was experienced and old enough now not to get his hopes up. To leave himself vulnerable to wants. Only time would tell how the matters between them transpired between now and then... as ever. Over the course of the day they descended again down the Slopes of the Amell Mountain side, into the Mag Turga highland region and through Theodula Pass... and by nightfall the main road to the not too distant city of Tergano finally appeared before them. Good... they were making good time now for certain, at least. And the hour was late enough not to encounter anyone out and about, for the moment. The Witcher looked back the alluring black haired noblewoman's way again as they moved the horses on to the road, speaking up once more.

"Should be near an inn by now. Usually one or a few on each road to a city. Keep an eye out. Have you ever traveled this way? I'm sure you know the south far better than I do."

@starwrittenfates

[starwrittenfates]

"Hmm. I guess I'll have to pay you a visit at this Kaer Morhen. Perhaps I could help you maintain it?"

Syanna didn't know what would happen after all of this, but if it all went well, she knew she would like to venture around some more, free from the confines of Beauclair Palace and help in anyway she could. She may not be Duchess of Toussaint, but she was still a Noblewoman and could find other ways to help.

And there was no denying she had become attached to Eskel, just a little.

"I'd love to sleep in a nice, comfy bed too. We've earned that."

"Witchers were needed until people decided we weren't. Forgot about the things that go bump in the night as generations passed, feeling safe in their cities and towns as monsters became more rare. Right up until they need us again, of course. Our home was, is, in my case, Kaer Morhen, the Keep of the Elder Sea in Elder Speech, in the far north, Hertch region of the Blue Mountains of Kaedwen. Not far from the mountain range into Zerrikania. Kaer Morhen Valley is more beautiful and tranquil then all of Toussaint, but then I am the biased sort. Lush trees for miles... at the banks of the sapphire waters of the Gwenllech River, The River of White Stones in Elder Speech... mountain hot springs in the caverns... the works. Best of all, no civilization for many miles. The keep was damaged in several attacks on it over the years, but still stands... and I've been gradually working at repairing it each winter. After we're done with Stregobor and Eltibald, I'll return there again, I expect. Someone has to maintain it."

Eskel's deep, languid voice gradually returned to her after some consideration, viper eyes shifting back Sylvia Anna's way again, reminiscing. Scarcely recalling a time he had spoken as much about his past to another. Then he looked back up to Haern Caduch, as well as their surroundings, mentally marking the spot down for his return here to see it more closely, at some point. Tempting as it was to ride up there, as ever, Stregobor and the Black Sun matter, his destiny, could not be ignored in favor of what he wanted. He knew all too well what happened when it was. How many suffered and died from his actions and inaction... something his new companion knew about all too well herself, from Syanna's own doings. And as little as he liked being around civilization, being around most people really, he did want to close the chapter on the past. That part of it, at least. There was nothing left to be gained in remaining here. On that note, remembering himself, the Witcher shook his head, raising Scorpion's reins and starting to set them off again, looking away from the distant frozen keep and towers and back ahead to their path through the woods and along the mountain. Low, calm voice washing over the noblewoman again with a shrug of his silver spike covered shoulders.

"Anyways, just a slight detour and rambling of an overly sentimental and historically minded old man. Let's get back underway. Would prefer to sleep in a bed this evening, would say we've earned that much."

@starwrittenfates

[starwrittenfates]

At first Syanna was confused on where Eskel had brought them, hoping the look of confusion was written all on her face. It was obviously a building of sorts buried deep in the snow, appearing to be forgotten and abandoned. However, once Eskel explained what this place was, she felt her heart drop. It was already known that witchers were becoming a rarity, but that was because of attacks caused on them by others who thought them monsters. Again, it hit a little too close to home for Syanna, knowing what it was like to also lose your home.

Once she regained herself, she nodded at him. "I wouldn't mind visiting Kaer Seren and meeting Old Keldar. It's...it's just a shame what happened here. That this place was abandoned. That they were practically forced from their home. What is the school like that you and Geralt are from?"

They both lapsed back into a quiet for much of the trip, moving deeper together into the Slopes of the Amell Mountains. Fortunately they encountered neither monsters or pursuing Knights, at least for the time being, instead just animals who kept their distance. They were making good time, liable to get back to civilization by nightfall. Then, after awhile, quite unexpectedly, they came upon it. There, illuminated beyond the trees in the sunlight quite a ways from them, he at last saw what he had been hoping to glimpse amid the distant snows looming higher up the mountains. He stopped Scorpion on the spot and waved a hand for Sylvia Anna to do likewise for the moment, raising a finger and pointing its position out to her. Icy spires, donjons, portcullis, battlements, linking towers and courtyards. A moat. All but buried in the ice and snow, settled into the side of the mountain, near the top... but still standing tall, holding firm and defiant against time and weather. Even colder looking than Kaer Morhen was in the winter... especially with nobody around to maintain it properly anymore.

He could understand why the occupants had chosen to abandon it at the time that they had... even if he never would have done the same of Kaer Morhen. Regardless, the sight of it drew a genuine smile to the Witcher's marred face... glimpsing a fourth Witcher School at last in his over a century on the Path. All that remained were the ruins of Stygga Castle, Gorthur Gvaed and whatever keep the School of the Manticore possessed, in Zerrikania... not that he ever expected to find out more about the most secretive of the schools, never mind searching the vast Korath Desert for it. With a satisfied nod, his low, calm voice filled the noblewoman in on the relevant parts of Witcher history, glancing from the school and her way now and again. Even as he did, he silently felt how different it was... having someone around to share his knowledge and thoughts with. He was far more used to keeping it all to himself. Carrying many secrets from outsiders, non Witchers. Yet whether he could trust her with other matters or not, trust her in general, he knew she stood to gain no underhanded advantages from his Witcher history knowledge.

"Haern Caduch. That frozen keep was once the headquarters of the School of the Bear. They abandoned it and all went their separate ways after failing to destroy a cabal of Vampires... angering many villages on and around the Amell Mountains, who banded an army together and came to kill them all. The Bear Witchers aren't the sentimental sort, for each other or their place, so they didn't bother fighting the attackers to the bitter end, as my school and the Viper School did. I'll have to return here one day, explore it... not enough time, just now, and didn't bring the proper supplies for the undertaking. Perhaps I will show you the ruins of Kaer Seren, the School of the Griffin, when we reach Kovir and Poviss as well. A former teacher there, Old Keldar, remains in those ruins at least."

@starwrittenfates

[starwrittenfates]

She offered him one last smile before focusing back onto the road, trying to mentally prepare for whatever reason may greet them when they get to their next destination.

Syanna only hoped that she was right--- that destiny would be kinder to the both of them. Things seemed to be going good so far and she didn't want it to be ruined.

There was no doubt some things from the past would come back to haunt her during their time in Nazair, but she wasn't going to give up on her goal.

"I'm hardly surprised..."

Eskel's low voice returned quietly with a slight nod as they rode along through the woods and Slopes of the Amell Mountains, making good time. Alternating between watching their path ahead, looking her way, and keeping an eye out for a glimpse of Haern Caduch. His memory drew backwards to the army of followers and bandits Deidre had risen long ago... bloodily cutting his way through the ranks of the best of them at Ban Gleán to get to her throne. Or the band of followers the other Black Sun girl had possessed, Renfri, who Wolf had dealt with in Blaviken back in the day, earning him some infamy and an unfair moniker back in the day, before he enlisted a flowery bard to renovate his public image through ballads. He remembered Geralt telling him the story privately in Kaer Morhen Valley, away from the others, when they were out hunting together. Knowing the connection Eskel already had to the Black Sun matter. Just as he had only told Geralt what he had done to Deidre in Ban Gleán. If only Wolf had done then to Stregobor what they planned to do to him now. Instead he had been punished for trying to do what seemed the morally right thing, as Eskel had been punished for trying to avoid such a situation altogether.

It seemed to be a recurring theme over the centuries, like the Black Sun itself. Noblewomen and royal women locked in towers, escaping and raising bands of followers to do their bidding and seek power and revenge, for better or worse. And a Witcher crossing their path and putting an end to it one way or another, destiny intertwining them. It was only liable to continue, even after Stregobor and Eltibald were dealt with. The Black Sun rose each generation... a natural phenomena, and it was only a matter of time before more mages took notice and did what Stregobor, Eltibald, Sabrina and their ilk had long done to those girls born beneath it. Especially with how unfortunately long sorcerers lived for. Even so... the ones that remained who had been involved were long overdue for an accounting. A reckoning. Maybe said reckoning was just another part of destiny's cycle, and they were carrying out its will. At her words when she spoke again, the Witcher's viper eyes met the dark haired beauty's sapphire pair once more... returning Sylvia Anna's smile faintly and appreciatively at her summary and hopes. Only time would tell if she was right. In the meantime, they could attempt to enjoy themselves. make the most of things while they lasted.

"So I've noticed. Perhaps it will. Anytime one tries to predict or control what form destiny will take, take steps to counter it, they will find the rug pulled out from under them all the same. How I learned to stop resisting its will... the same way most people must learn their life lessons. The hard way. Regardless, it will be a welcome change of pace, not having to face it alone... this time around."

@starwrittenfates