Prologue

Faiza has a dream she'd rather not experience. Now her night consists of sleeplessness for fear the dark-haired woman's face may show up again with her overwhelming, but feeble attempts to satisfy.

Faiza sits awake in her bed, trying to rub the images from her mind. She grabs a cup of water and gulps it down as fast as she can. Now the woman's singing is in her head,

"And yet her dead heart did beat..." She tosses the cup behind her into the corner of her room.

"Ugh! Why me?!" She slams her head back on to her pillow. Eyes wide, dreading what she would see next if she closed them. Faiza sits up again looking around the empty space. She sees her silver sword on the table, still coated in the Specter oil from her previous encounter. She hasn't had to use it since but knows she should take better care of it. She walks over, pulls it from it from the table, and looks it over. "I truly can't stand this thing. I don't know how you ever wielded it, Uncle." She talks to herself as she remembers the training sessions between them.

"You have to keep your balance, Faiza. If you're not grounded, you will be on the ground!" She can hear his voice like it was yesterday. She closes her eyes and moves into her stance. Right foot back, weapon in her right hand, pointed towards the earth, left foot forward, left hand free. She continues to flow through her movements, just as she was taught, working to balance the weight of the blade.

"Faiza! It's sunrise! Aren't you up yet!?" The banging jolts her awake. Faiza groans as she pushes herself up from the floor. She opens the door and Roz looks shocked. "You okay in here?" She pushes through and looks around at everything that Faiza used as a target. Her uncle's sword on the floor near where she laid.

"I'm fine. Just practicing."

"Practicing for what? For war?" Roz chuckles at her own joke.

"Maybe?" Faiza whispers to herself as she pours a cup of water.

"You know you're gonna have to leave extra for your room now, right?" Faiza nods. "We may want to get on the road soon. Aedirn isn't too far away. Gera—" Faiza holds up her hand.

"DON'T say his name! Please. Heard it enough for one night." Roz raises her eyebrows, then her face contorts as she follows Faiza with her eyes while she moves around the room collecting her things.

"Do I wanna...?"

"No."

"Very well. I'll, uhm, let you get back to...this. Gonna head to the tavern for a bite. See ya there?" Faiza nods.

She walks into the tavern and finds Roz in the corner with a man swaying like a tree in the strongest wind. An inebriated smile across his cherry red face as he stands at the table next to her. Roz spots her and her eyes bulge. Faiza decides to leave the man to his own devices. Before she can find a seat, Roz frantically waves her arms above her head signaling her to save her from her demise. Faiza smiles and shakes her head slowly. Roz's eyes enlarge and her mouth drops. The swaying man slowly turns to find what has Roz's attention. She clasps her hands as she continues to beg for her help. Faiza lets out a heavy sigh and pushes through the chairs. Roz sighs in relief when Faiza lays her things down on the bench before taking her seat in front of her.

"Well...w-what doooowe have here?" The man hiccups and releases a loud, foul belch. He covers his mouth and smiles as his eyes slowly close involuntarily, "Whoops. Tha-THAT wasn't mmmmy faulT." The hard "t" at the end of his word is accompanied by saliva that threatens their personal space. "Well...now...yo-you've gotta pret-ty face too."

"You're making me dizzy. How about you go take your seat?" Faiza says with light disgust riding her face. The man blinks hard three times, then squints as he tries to focus on her face.

"Y-you think I shhhoould sit?"

"I do." Faiza points across the room. "Over there."

"I-I get it." He turns slowly, hiccups, and finds another table. Roz drops her head on to her folded arms.

"Nice choice," Faiza jokes. Roz lifts her hand slowly and extends her middle finger. The waitress walks over and slides two plates in front of them. Faiza immediately begins to devour her food.

"You're welcome," Roz injects. Faiza nods.

As she finishes, Faiza hears a familiar voice laughing at the other side of the tavern. She drops her fork on to her dish.

"Oh, for fucks sakes." Roz lifts her head from her meal and gives Faiza a confused look. Faiza searches the tavern to ensure her ears haven't failed her. She hopes they have.

"What now? What's been goin' on with you today?"

"Let's go." They both grab their things and leave payment on the table. Faiza pushes through the growing crowd of people until she reaches her.

"Oh. Well, hello. You're a new face." The woman says in an enticing tone. Makes Faiza's skin crawl.

"Ew," Roz says under her breath.

"Where's the witcher?" The woman looks taken aback by Faiza's question.

"Which one? I've had plenty." She smiles as she looks Faiza up and down.

"Ew. Ew," Roz whispers again.

"You've had two. And neither will be singing your praises any time soon." The woman's eyes move from amorous to stern. "The one you were with last. Where is he?" The woman glares at her.

"And why should I tell you anything?" Faiza pulls her dagger from her hip and pierces the table. She doesn't say a word to the woman, just tilts her head and stares. The woman gets stiff and slowly looks down at the medallion that's now swinging from Faiza's neck.

Faiza and Roz ride towards the road that leads to Temeria. Faiza catches a familiar scent as they ride past an inn where a caramel-colored horse is tied up outside. One she's continued to catch since she began her search for this White Wolf. Roz catches her stare.

"What is it, then?" Faiza doesn't know how to put it into words.

"Nothing."

"So, you think we'll catch up to him this time? It seems like your dreams are becomin' more...I dunno...recent? The woman said he's only left a day or so ago."

"We'll see."

"You know, I know I lived in a small town, but I've heard some things about that King of Temeria and his sister. But I don't know. Could be the rumors of bored and very unhappy people."

"Nothing concerns me other than what we could be walking into."

"How do you mean?"

"If two witchers have gone and one never returned, there could be a bigger problem than the King and his relationship with his sister."

"Is it me or is my horse moving a bit slow today?" Faiza looks back over her shoulder while Roz leans to one side and moves her horse's mane from its eye.

"Let's get him something to drink," Faiza suggests. They both dismount and lead their horses to the closest body of water. As they walk through the tall grass, Roz's horse whinnies and lifts on his hind legs. He tries to run but begins limping immediately. Slowly he begins to drop to the ground as he continues to try to get away from whatever's frightened him.

"What is it!?" Roz yells as she tries to console her injured friend. Faiza moves around the area with her dagger drawn. She spots a mound of grass that isn't like the rest.

"Don't move!" Roz halts her movements but tries to look around.

"What is goin' on!?"

"Shh!" Faiza pulls her uncle's sword from Amina and lowers her body as she stalks her victim. When she gets within distance, Faiza stands and points her left hand in its direction. Fire shoots from her and the animal screeches in pain. She flips her sword in her right hand for balance. She walks up on the monster that is now twitching and plunges her sword into its back.

"What the hell, Faiza!?"

"An echinops." Faiza looks around. "Doesn't seem to be anymore."

"Ugh! Look what it's done to my poor baby!" Roz bends down and hovers her hand over the areas where its spines pierced her horses' body. Faiza walks over to her things and pulls out a large pair of tweezers. She hands them to Roz.

"Pull them out before they go any deeper." Roz tends to the injuries while Faiza walks to the stream not far from where they were.

She allows Amina to drink and ties her to the closest tree to the body of water. She gathers some water in an extra waterskin and brings it to Roz.

"Can you give it to him, please? I think I've got the last one here." Faiza leans over and slowly dispenses the water into the horse's mouth. She looks into its eyes, and they become tense. "Got it! I think that's it. Poor thing." They gingerly coax the horse to move closer to the water for it to drink its fill and rest. Roz continues her medicinal work as she rubs a salve on each wound. "This should help you feel a little better soon." She runs her fingers through its hair as he closes his eyes. "Ya know, I didn't think I'd ever form such a bond with an animal. Thought I didn't like them, just shows I didn't have the time to know them." Faiza looks over at Amina who's now resting in her own space.

Faiza sees her uncle walk into the new location of the Cats training center. She can't say she wasn't happy sitting still for a while. She was tired of traveling around. Nowhere to truly lay her head. She was sad that day. Missing her time in Ofir. Playing with her friends. Here? There was nothing. No one. Everyone was too busy training. Her uncle taught her the sword day in and day out. She was losing patience. She wanted more than that.

"This is a gift from your mother," her uncle hands her the reigns of a black and white filly. A token from her homeland. Faiza jumps up from her seat on the cargo in excitement.

"Is she here!? Can I see her!?" Her uncle looks at her solemnly and shakes his head. It was delivered. Faiza's shoulders slump and tears begin to form in her eyes. "Why can't I see her!? Why am I here!? I want to go home!"

"You can't. You belong here with me."

"WHY!?" A single tear rolls down her face as she tries to get answers from her uncle. Her efforts are futile. They always are. She falls to the floor and buries her face in her arms.

"Control your emotions, Faiza!" her uncle says in a stern voice that makes her pull her sobs back, but she never lifts her head. He turns and leaves her with her gift.

"You'll know as soon as you are meant," he says under his breath. Her sadness takes over again and Amina walks over and rests next to her.

"She's been with me ever since," Faiza says to Roz as they sit near their resting travel mates. Her eyes burn as she tries to hold back the tears that are trying to escape. Roz sees deeper into the story and asks,

"You weren't meant to be a witcher, then?" Faiza shakes her head. "Then how?"

"It was my choice. I was only sent to be with my uncle in the caravan. To travel with them. He taught me the sword, only so I could protect myself if the time came. But, he saw something different in me. He'd tell me after every sparring match. I held my own with most of the boys there too." Faiza chuckles proudly.

"Why did you want to become one?" Faiza looks down at the ground and takes in a deep breath.

"My life started to lose excitement. The training was getting boring. I wanted something more. I watched everyone who either passed or failed their trials. Especially the ones who failed. But, I knew. I knew I could make it through."

"From your Sight?" Faiza shakes her head.

"From my intuition. And amazing self-confidence." Faiza chuckles at herself. Her rare attempt at humor doesn't seem to rub off on Roz.

"But now you can't—"

"I know. It's a choice that I have to live with. It was made clear and I chose. I can't take it back now. He...my uncle didn't want me to do it. But, I told him, "either I'd die in here or I'd die out there." I couldn't just sit there and rot. I wanted the strength. The speed. The magic. Everything." Roz sits quietly as she takes it all in. Her curiosity gets to her again.

"Why would your mother send you away like that?" Faiza looks up at her. She can see the sullen look in her eyes. She sifts through what she's willing to talk about before answering,

"It was for my safety." Roz nods.

Night falls and they sit and talk around the fire.

"I'm sorry that I've put extra time between you and Geralt. But thank you for letting him rest."

"It's fine. Making him travel would be no good to any of us." Faiza lays back and stares at the heavens. The stars glitter as she tries to think back on what her mom looks like. After the trials, her uncle would tell her how she had eyes like hers. Had.

"Upturned, pitch-black eyes. Black as the night sky. They pierced your soul whether you wanted them to or not." She always asked him to tell her so she wouldn't forget. "There was power in them." She drifts into a soft sleep as she listens to his words on the wind. Her bedtime story.

Her peaceful sleep is interrupted by screams. High-pitched, consistent screams of terror. It's dark. She can't make out what is happening around the rubble and wails. It's a cursed thing. A monster set on killing everyone around it. It continues to scream in anger, hunger, and irritation as its victim fights back. Faiza wonders why he just won't kill it. The source of her dream lays himself in a tomb to keep the monster out. She notices daylight breaking through and the monster fighting to hide itself. She looks through the eyes of her source—the other witcher—as the monster transforms into a young girl. Faiza sees its claws targeting her neck and her vision is blurred.

"IT'S A STRIGA!" Faiza sits up with her dagger drawn. Roz sits right up and begins to frantically collect her things.

"A WHAT?!" Faiza tries to catch her breath as she recalls where she is. Roz looks over at her and realizes that there's no threat. "Another dream, Faiza?" Faiza doesn't respond. "Shit. You scared me." Roz is now catching her breath. Faiza looks and sees the sun beginning to rise. She covers her eyes with both hands to regain herself. "You okay?" Faiza nods slowly. "We've really gotta find this Geralt. This is gettin' out of hand."

"It may be done now." Roz looks to her.

"What do you mean?"

"The creature may have won." Roz covers her mouth. "Oh no, Faiza. I am sorry." Faiza shrugs. "But, you may have been able to help him." She looks at Roz without a word. Faiza stands and looks over Roz's horse.

"His wounds have healed well enough. I think we can get moving again."

"To where?"

"I don't know. Wherever we end up."

After slowly gathering their things, they ride back towards the main road. Faiza looks towards the direction of Temeria and sees a small group coming towards them. They seem to be celebrating.

"What are they saying?" Roz asks. Faiza closes her eyes and listens closely.

"They are celebrating the monster's death."

"The one you just dreamed of?"

"Possibly." A quick flash of a woman's face appears. A woman with brown curly hair whispering,

"Geralt." Faiza hears a deeper voice call out,

"Renfri...Refri." Faiza rides in the direction of the crowd and stops when she reaches them.

"Your monster's dead?" One of the women stops to answer her,

"Yes! The vukodlak of Temeria is dead!"

"What? Who killed it?"

"Ostrit. A courtier. Rest his soul. I'll call him Ostrit the Great!" Faiza furrows her eyebrows.

"That can't be right." And continues her ride towards Temeria. Roz follows when she sees that she isn't coming back in her direction.

They ride past a small sign nailed to a post that reads, "Temeria: Home of monsters and cowardly Kings." Faiza pulls it down, crumbles it in her hands, and drops it on the ground. Roz looks at everything and everyone around them.

"What are we looking for, then?"

"I'm not sure."

"Can we stop in the tavern? My fish was small." Faiza and Roz tie their horses up at the closest stable. The excitement of their defeated monster has the place in an uproar. Roz quickly walks over to an empty table as Faiza looks around. Faiza can't sit. Something's pulling her. She can feel him. He's close.

"TO OSTRIT!" A group of men yell as they smash their pints together.

"I hear it different," another patron says to their friend on the other side of Faiza. She doesn't question anything, just listens. "I'm sure I saw a witcher come through here. The second one if memory serves me."

"Your memory serves fuck all," his friend mocks, "You just didn't like Ostrit."

"I didn't. The man was an ass. But I did see who I saw. I don't think it's a fluke that I see 'em and now the monster is gone. How about you?"

"Bah! Have you seen him leave, then?"

"Well, no. But maybe that means he's still here." Faiza feels her pulse rushing. She knows that if she doesn't find him now, she'll have to start all over again.

"Wait! Faiza!" Roz yells. Faiza leaves the tavern without saying a word. "Fine. I'll just eat on my own. Can't be bothered to chase you around right now," she says to herself, "I'LL BE RIGHT HERE!"

Faiza walks out into the town. The castle isn't far from here. Neither is the main road. She stands at its fork. To the castle or to the road? She closes her eyes and calms herself as she allows her instinct to decide. Everything around her disappears. The ruckus of the crowd fades. She sees a silhouette emerging from the haze on her left. As she walks towards it, he becomes clearer. Black armor. White hair. Pale skin. Two swords. She stands in front of him staring into his amber eyes. He's looking through her. Doesn't notice her presence. He walks past her. She looks at the ground, wondering what to do next. What to say. She knows that every second she takes to work it out, he's getting further away. She closes her eyes and takes in three deep breaths. Her anxiety immediately calms as she feels warmth on the back of her neck. She slowly turns to look over her shoulder. It's him. Staring back at her.