[Chapter Size: 2700 Words.]
Third Person POV
Aretuza.
...
...
When night fell, Aretuza transformed. The luxurious decoration took over the great hall used for the college's events and lectures.
Now the place was adorned with candles, banners, among other things, also featuring a second area with stairs and balconies where they could stay.
The students themselves served as attendants, serving drinks throughout the ball, as it was an opportunity for them to meet the most influential and powerful sorcerers in the hall — and to take part in an event that Aretuza could not remember being as grand as that night in the last 100 years...
The night went on, as Tissaia was the first to be present, receiving the guests. Dozens of sorceresses and sorcerers wore brooches from various kingdoms on their clothes, and approached with companions, as it was each one's right to bring someone.
The Herald continued shouting their full names with each arrival.
Some were with princes, others with great and minor nobles, they could be lovers or not — people who wanted to be under the eyes of this new political approach on the continent, since that night's gathering was considered as such. Even if it was to discuss a danger to their world...
The music began to play softly, creating a gentle symphony throughout the hall. The place grew increasingly crowded, and behind the entrance door, Yennefer looked at Geralt, taking a deep breath. Whatever came that night, they would be together.
"Remember, we must keep our eyes open," Yennefer murmured quietly, as they were about to enter.
Everyone had talked a lot about the ball that night — plans, strategies, constant vigilance the moment they were in that hall. At least, their minds would be protected. No sorcerer or mage could penetrate them, and that would protect them from any attempt to invade their thoughts with the fūinjutsu seals that Madara had placed to protect Aren.
Geralt, despite being a witcher, was already more prepared for this kind of situation. With the protection that Madara provided, he was more prepared than in the original work, since in that same event, Geralt would have his mind invaded the entire time and could do nothing about it, having to tolerate it for the entire night...
Thus, they moved forward, while the hall was already quite lively.
"Let us welcome Yennefer of Vengerberg and Geralt, the witcher!" the herald spoke loudly as the doors opened and the two entered together.
Tissaia was positioned at the entrance, talking and greeting the guests.
As soon as Yennefer arrived, many gazes immediately turned to Yennefer and Geralt, mainly due to the recent discovery of their connection — and the role they played in the meeting of kings. Since they acted as advisors to Madara Uchiha and Cirilla, his wife, representing Cintra.
It was no surprise that the entire hall turned its attention to them.
Yennefer wore a black dress, with an amethyst ruby on her chest, matching her eyes. Meanwhile, Geralt wore noble attire, perfectly fitted to his body, walking arm in arm with his companion into the hall.
"Welcome, Yennefer," said Tissaia, who was already at the center of the hall, speaking with her contacts while they drank glasses of wine brought by the students. As the hostess, she made a point of greeting everyone.
There were still gazes turned toward the entrance, perhaps waiting for the main figures to arrive after the last two. But, for now, only Yennefer and Geralt had entered.
But that did not stop several people from approaching.
Ciri immediately felt several attempts at mental intrusion. She could perceive small "touches," like probing, but all were blocked by an invisible barrier.
If anyone knew this, they would remember that, in the original story, the sorcerers began trying to read Geralt's mind at the exact moment he appeared at that event.
In any case, Yennefer was approached by several companions. Especially now, they all seemed much more impulsive to speak with her, while the sorceress kept her eyes attentive, opening a smile and carrying a peculiar gleam in her gaze — she knew how to recognize false smiles.
"Yennefer, it's been so long..."
"You look wonderful!"
"It was a surprise to see you at the meeting of sorcerers alongside the representatives of Cintra. They intimidated all the kings!"
"You never told me you knew Madara Uchiha like that... and you deceived us for so many years with that memory of yours..."
They began to speak at the same time. Yennefer had withdrawn from politics and also from meetings among sorcerers and mages since the end of the Second War. So much so that she remained in closed laboratories until she recovered her memory — something Madara had blocked until three years had passed... After that, she returned to Kaer Morhen, after meeting Madara, Ciri, and Geralt again.
Since then, she had not stayed away from the couple and the young girl for long. She knew that this would cause a great commotion among the community of sorcerers.
Because of that, she remained relatively isolated, especially after the events with the kings. Yennefer began to be invited to all kinds of events — many wanted to get close to Madara, like leeches, and she would be a key to that now...
"You are all suffocating her." Coral's voice emerged, and Yennefer did not fail to look at her in particular.
The red-haired sorceress approached wearing a sensual dress, alongside her assistant, whom she had brought as a companion.
With the approach of that woman, all the sorceresses around Yennefer stepped back a little. Yennefer, Fringilla, Coral, and Philippa were among the most powerful sorceresses on the continent, even Triss and others were below them, like in a second line of the hierarchy.
All were below a mage, but even so, they were extremely respected within these ranks among the most powerful and influential sorceresses — and all the others knew it.
There was an implicit and delightful rule: no one interrupted a conversation between two sorceresses of that level. And sorceresses tend to be quite vindictive if they do not like you.
Geralt merely looked at her and then at Coral's assistant, he knew those two very well...
"You look beautiful, Yennefer... And I see there is a knight with you..." Coral said with a small smile, before turning her gaze to Geralt. "Ah... Geralt? It's been a long time, hasn't it? I see you're still together since then?"
Coral stepped a little closer.
"Coral..." Geralt murmured, before turning to the assistant. "Hello... it's been a while." The young assistant nodded.
There was a history between the three.
Coral met Geralt in one of the Northern cities. At the time, he had just arrived, and she became curious to understand why a sorceress like Yennefer was so fascinated by that witcher, a well-known case among the sorceresses' community. She tried to seduce him, but became frustrated when she realized he seemed more interested in her assistant than in her.
That enraged her, as she expected to be the center of attention.
Geralt ended up meeting the young woman later, with her arm injured. Coral had done that in a fit of rage. He went to confront her, but on that occasion, he ended up in Coral's bed.
Geralt knew that Coral was not someone trustworthy. He also knew the peculiar interest she showed in Madara — and knew that attempts at provocation or seduction would not work on him.
"Stop with these little games, Coral." Yennefer's voice cut through with a certain displeasure, while the redhead watched her, smiling.
"So, where is Madara? The great center of attention tonight... Everyone was quite surprised by his meeting with the kings. He certainly did not disappoint. And they were also surprised by how close you are to him. You must feel powerful before the most powerful man on the continent," she said.
"You overestimate me a lot, Coral. And I do not control Madara as you dream of doing... or at least dreamed, right? Because I believe you've already come to your senses. He is not someone any of us can control. I mean... only one person could control something like that. You already imagine who it is..." Yennefer seemed to remember something, opening a small smile.
"The girl... well, I cannot say I'm surprised," Coral said, despite the slight tone of disappointment in her voice.
"Coral, you could never compete for his attention... not you, nor any woman here," Yennefer murmured.
She even thought of Triss. Poor thing... she also had her heart tied to the boy. But he seemed to have eyes only for his wife. Not that it was strange — they grew up together, went through everything side by side, and became stronger. Madara was never very far from Ciri. And Ciri is Aren's mother...
Yennefer understood that their bond was destined to be stronger than any other.
Even so, the red-haired sorceress seemed a little disappointed.
"Anyway, let's greet the others. It was good to see you, Coral. Just don't cause trouble tonight, please," Yennefer said.
Her words carried more weight than they seemed, so much so that even a different gleam appeared in Coral's eyes.
After that, dismissing Coral, Yennefer and Geralt went to find more acquaintances, while more sorcerers were announced as they arrived with their companions.
"The mage Hen Gedymdeith!" someone announced.
The old mage entered the hall. Yennefer and Geralt paused to watch him pass through the doors, going to greet Tissaia.
He seemed normal. But many people inside the hall seemed to have their eyes fixed on him, while those glances were exchanged among themselves — possibly involved in the schemes of that night.
Geralt observed carefully. He knew that the mage himself was not exactly the problem. He was even more powerful than Yennefer, but now he was completely under the control of Madara's eyes — he was not an enemy.
"Would you like a drink?" a girl's voice made Yennefer smile.
It was Isabella, speaking naturally as she served drinks. The young brown-haired girl maintained a discreet but well-presented posture. They had already discussed whether she should accompany Triss, but decided it would not be good to show favoritism now.
It was not yet the moment to reveal her connection with Madara — that should only happen when he established himself in Cintra. After all, it could put her in danger.
Yennefer and Geralt each took a glass.
"Thank you. Stay safe, alright?" Yennefer said to the girl.
Despite the initial coldness she had shown her in the past, her voice now sounded gentler and more convincing.
"Alright, I will. He placed eleven clones in my shadow to protect me," Isabella said with a shy smile.
"I understand. Good luck with your work."
Isabella left, meeting her other colleagues. They began to gossip and laugh quietly, especially when they started commenting about the handsome men in the hall and hoping to see Madara Uchiha for the first time, wondering if he was even more handsome than all the other men in the place.
Isabella merely rolled her eyes and ignored them, heading to the kitchen, but still observing around. There were many sorceresses — powerful, beautiful, and sensual. After all, even beauty and seduction were weapons for them, something Isabella was also learning in Aretuza.
Even so, she was not as bold as some of her friends, who displayed deep necklines and parts of their legs without any shame.
There were sorceresses there who, from what she had heard, led quite depraved lives, taking advantage of the fact that they could not become pregnant to maintain several lovers at the same time — some even treated them as subordinates and had stories of slaves through sorcery...
But there were also those who valued a more just and balanced life. Tissaia was a great example of that, and someone Isabella deeply admired. Triss was also of that type, Yennefer showed she had a fixed love which Isabella seemed to like that idea more, even though she was beautiful and powerful.
Meanwhile, Yennefer and Geralt observed the hall, attentive. They knew the place was filled with clones — Madara had prepared everything even before the start of the party.
"Triss Merigold and Keira Metz!" the herald announced.
Triss and Keira entered the hall. The redhead wore a red dress. Although closed and without a neckline, it still highlighted her curves. Her hair was tied up, but kept its curls well defined for the night.
At her side, Keira was also well dressed, but with a bolder outfit, displaying a neckline and part of her leg. She had her hair tied and wore some jewelry on her neck and wrist.
The two entered the hall, greeted Tissaia, and headed toward Yennefer and Geralt.
On the way, they were intercepted by Philippa, who greeted them.
"Philippa..." said Triss, slightly raising an eyebrow, while Yennefer merely rolled her eyes. "How are you?" the sorceress asked.
"I'm well. You were going to Yennefer, weren't you? May I accompany you? I was already wanting to speak with our Yennefer..." Philippa replied, opening a smile.
Triss nodded, although with some caution. She knew Philippa was doing that on purpose to get closer to Yennefer with some excuse.
"You know, tonight is being highly anticipated by everyone here. They are talking about Madara's achievements all over the hall — from Kaer Morhen, Redania, Skellige, the death of Vilgefortz and many of his allies... Novigrad... even some strange events in the south of Kaedwen. Do you believe it?" Philippa murmured with her eyes fixed on Triss. Keira narrowed her eyes at the side, almost ready to comment on how unpleasant Philippa seemed.
"A man like Madara is truly remarkable," Triss replied, as they walked through the hall.
"Certainly. And you must know more than most of us. After all, you even lived with him in Novigrad..." said Philippa.
Triss cast a sideways glance, feeling a slight discomfort upon hearing that.
"I can even notice that your skin is no longer under any illusion, it is completely healed... They say he possesses a very powerful healing ability, superior to that of any sorcerer or mage in existence. He was the one who healed you, wasn't he?" Philippa asked.
Triss wondered how much information they had — and apparently, it was a lot. Madara had been constantly the target of investigations about his activities and deeds, from Cintra up to that moment, with everyone trying to gather any possible detail.
Discovering that she had lived with Madara was not something difficult. They had been seen together walking in Novigrad, so it would not even be strange if they speculated that they were a couple or lovers... something Philippa could very well suspect...
Triss merely shrugged. She had no interest in fueling those rumors. Even so, it was evident that many sorcerers knew about it, since several gazes turned toward her as she walked through the hall.
"They say she is his lover..." some murmured.
"I don't understand why hide it... placing her among the neutral sorcerers, while Yennefer is acting as Madara's advisor in the meeting of kings..."
There were calculating gazes, and even looks of jealousy. Somewhere in the hall, Coral watched Triss with a peculiar gleam in her eyes.
Triss noticed, but ignored it.
She walked toward Yennefer, who received her with a smile. "You're here... I imagined you would come with Keira, how are you?" Yennefer said with a smile.
"I'm well, but I'm not the only one besides Triss. As you can see..." Keira did not fail to cross her arms and grumble.
"Philippa made a point of accompanying us..." Triss replied, and Yennefer nodded. It was obvious they expected that.
"Well, we are almost all here," said Philippa, not at all offended by their remarks... "Only the people from Nilfgaard are missing... and, of course, the main guest that everyone is waiting to see tonight." Philippa smiled slightly as she said that.
Meanwhile, footsteps echoed through the corridor. Ciri and Madara were heading toward the hall.
At that moment, the night would truly begin.
The idea was not for it to be a tense meeting like the gathering of kings, but rather a ball — a lighter occasion before the real discussions began.
Or, perhaps, before the true schemes that some players were already trying to set in motion behind the scenes.
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