{07}

Cahir did not talk with me as we traveled to our next point of focus. 

A fort, surrounded by dense forest.

Us mages, we warned each other of the imminent threat. Whosoever was left of Aretuza prepared for our arrival.

We sensed them.

Though I'd only heard stories of Aretuza, I saw how my sisters' posture shifted, tense.

They feared their teachers. They feared the betrayal, the guilt.

The light would betray us soon.

When we'd arrived, dozens of fiery arrows rained down. Several of our men were hit.

Cahir and I dismounted our horses, careless to their panicked existence as they fled.

I prepared myself to engulf the fort in flames, but was halted by the first words Cahir spoke to me the entire day, "not yet."

We stood atop a hill, the mages and a handful of soldiers standing behind us. We watched as our troops tried desperately to break down the walls.

Cahir looked to one of the mages, who stepped forward, conjuring an orb of fire. She shot it, a blast of force landed within the fort. I looked in horror as she painfully turned to ash.

I cocked my head at Cahir, concern and betrayal written across my face. He dared not look at me.

When the first blast did nothing, another mage was brought forth. She swallowed hard, conjuring yet another orb. A flame erupted within the fort as several of our enemies screamed and fell. I dared not look at the cloak of my fallen sister.

Cahir turned to the troops situated behind us, nodding them over to the battle, as more mages sacrificed themselves.

Frustrated, the Black Knight grunted, then turned to me. "Take over for me, will you?" he beckoned toward the mages.

With that, he stormed off.

Keep fighting them.

A voice entered my mind. It was cool and panicked at the same time.

It was from a woman.

I scanned the fort as our mage supply continued to release their life force into the fort. Just as one of the blasts broke the door of the fort and another mage stepped forth, I put my arm to the side, stopping her.

I spotted a woman exiting the fort, clutching her side, the breeze pushing her raven black hair from her face. She twisted her hands strangely, Nilfgaardian troops falling in pain.

You're like me.

I looked at Fringilla, "wait here."

Her lips parted, "and where are you going?"

I narrowed my eyes, "to find answers."

The light betrayed us, night fell.

I crept through the forest, following the strange woman as she limped atop a rock. She looked around, soldiers killing mages, death everywhere.

Then she screamed, flame erupting from her hands. She cried as rage and sorrow erupted from her heart. As Nilfgaardian troops screamed in anguish, I observed blood seeping from her nose, ears, eyes, and mouth.

You're like me.

In seconds, hundreds of our men lay charred on the ground. Ashen trees turned to dust, and the fort we sought to gain control over, turned into a frame of blackness.

She did something then, she drew the flames back into her hands. Whatever heat left flickered away, like embers.

Control?

She stood in exhaustion, her eyes closed for a moment. I approached her silently, and as I stood in front of her, I said "you're like me."

Her eyes crept open, pain twisting her face, "I'm Yennefer."

We stared silently at each other. Her tired violet eyes met my exhausted green ones.

I heard them approaching, shouting as they grabbed her. I took a step back, still staring at each other as her hands were bound by soldiers.

I felt a hand on my shoulder, knowing it to be Fringilla's. "He wants to see you."

I turned my head slightly, taking a deep breath, "of course."

---

Cahir leaned over a makeshift desk in one of the last standing fort rooms, papers and maps scattered. 

"What happened today?" he said suddenly, his head turning slowly in my direction, though he didn't look at me.

"We won."

He cocked his head and stood straight, his fierce gazing landing on me, "we won, but at great costs. I gave you explicit orders to watch over the mages, and instead, I find you with that witch."

My eye twitched at the word.

"What you did was very reckless."

I frowned, "lying to me was reckless."

He froze.

I looked at my gloves, "Fringilla told me my powers, she-... She said no one could control them. But that woman, she's like me, and clearly did."

I took a step forward, "and clearly, controlling my powers is the least of your concerns, Black Knight. What you really want is to control me."

He opened his mouth to speak, but I cut him off "-what, am I wrong?"

I felt something stir in me.

I closed my eyes, taking several deep breaths. I suppressed the beast within me.

When I opened them, the Black Knight stood so close, I could feel his angry breath on my skin.

He lifted a hand, reaching gently for my cheek, but again I stepped back, "you're just like them..."

I closed my eyes in frustration, but images of my so-called parents, Brienne, and Maelo flashed through my mind.

I felt a warm hand on my face. Cahir gently moved my tilted head to look at him.

Sixteen.

"I'm sorry, Mirabel."

I gazed at Cahir's softened eyes, my lips parting. 

Fire melts ice.

He leaned in, and before I realized what he was doing, I felt his lips press against mine.

Fire spreads.

I felt his heart as I pressed a hand against his chest, closing my eyes in his embrace.

He was so warm.

The kisses, they became greedy. I stroked my hands through his hair.

Something stirred again.

The butterflies.

Suddenly, I felt myself tense, my eyes bursting open.

I pushed myself away, both of us panting. He was flushed, strands of hair out of place.

We stared at each other, in awe of what'd just happened.

Cahir placed a hand on his lips, clutching them awkwardly.

"I-I'm sorry," I muttered, storming out of the room. I briskly walked past Fringilla, who gave me a sideways glance as she brushed my shoulder. I stopped dumbfounded, watching her creep into Cahir's office.

I hesitated a moment, looking around as soldiers scurried to clean up and tend to the wounded.

Flushed, I turned around, heading for the office. I crept next to the entrance, eavesdropping on the conversation.

"Care to explain why the young flower was running from your office, flushed?" She asked, eying the room and its disdain.

"It's nothing, leave me be."

"If it was nothing," she retorted, "you wouldn't look as you do now."

I bit my lip.

Cahir's face twisted to a grimace, "it's none of your business, mage. Why have you come to disturb me?"

Fringilla sigh, "I came to remind you of your duties. If you wish to conquer the North in the next year, you need to remember where your loyalties lie, Black Knight. You shan't focus on needless distractions."

Cahir stood suddenly, rushing at Fringilla. She lifted a hand, warning him to stop.

Through gritted teeth, Cahir spoke, "mind your place, Fringilla. And as for the girl, I have her right where I want her. She's nothing but a pet," he spat.

My heart sank and gasping silently, I stepped back.

Fringilla responded, "of course. I was concerned, however, given your tender age of twenty-three, that your mind stood elsewhere."

"Please," Cahir sneered.

"I would advise our leave be set tomorrow morning... Whosoever remains too injured to travel, we leave behind. Us mages can only do so much."

Cahir scoffed, turning away from the woman. She smirked, creeping back outside, only to see me storming off.

Fringilla sighed in the bliss of satisfaction.

I held in tears, exiting the fort, rushing for the forest.

As I strode, I caught glimpse of the woman, Yennefer. We made eye contact briefly, her tired frame being prepared for the leave tomorrow. I watched her being slapped across the cheek, falling to the ground.

I'll find you. She spoke silently, a small gentle smile almost forming on her lips as she was forced to stand.

I'm sorry. I replied, tears slowly falling down my cheeks as I stood there.

Go. Find Geralt of Rivia. She closed her eyes, sending me an image of the man.

I recognized the white wolf.

Betrayal and guilt in my heart, I ran deep into the forest, careless of the branches harshly scratching my skin.

I'll find you, Witcher.

Help me.