Prologue

After Faiza taps into knowledge of where Nilfgaard will attack next, she rides to Roz's last known location in Sodden.

"Faiza! Welcome to Carcano!" Roz greets her as she ties Amina to the stable. She hugs Faiza tight and pulls her towards the tavern to partake in food and drink as they'd always done. "Where's Geralt?" Before Faiza could answer, Roz moves on to the next topic in her head, "Oh! Never mind! I'm sure he'll turn up! Look over there! The little girls asked if they could use those flowers to make me a crown. Aren't they beautiful?" When they get inside, Roz sits at an open table, "TWO MEADS!" she yells at the owner. "The meads are delicious here! They use honey! Can you believe that!? We are going to have that at the wedding too! I'm so glad you made it!" Faiza smiles at the fact that her friend has managed to stay the same over the past year. But as happy as she is, Faiza knows that she must deliver the news about Cintra and what's to come.

Faiza and Roz sit on their horses overlooking Sodden Hill from a cliff on the Amell Mountains.

"You didn't have to come, Roz," Faiza states. Roz scoffs.

"Those bastards ruined my wedding day. If I can give, at least, one of 'em a swift death...or even a slow one...that's more than enough for me." She tugs at the strap that holds her bow and arrows on her back.

"I'm not a part of this one."

"Why not, then?" Faiza stays emotionless.

"It's not my path."

"Ugh! Now you sound like that damned Unicorn from Hochebuz." Roz dismounts her horse and sits on the ground next to a nearby boulder.

As night falls, Faiza can feel Geralt's need to find the little girl grow.

"He's not only bound to her by the Law of Surprise but by his word," Faiza explains.

"This must be some special little girl," Roz says unimpressed.

"She is actually."

"How so?"

"Do you remember when I rode back to Cintra from Hochebuz?"

"During the royal banquet? That I missed?" Roz shoots a playful side-eye. "Of course, I do."

"It's Pavetta's daughter."

"Uhm...I know. Geralt told us what happened." She laughs. "Old age not agreein' with you any longer, old friend?" Faiza chuckles and rolls her eyes.

"Pavetta was a powerful woman. She could wield an enormous amount of magic without much effort. And her daughter is just like her."

"Well, it fits that Geralt be caretaker for her, then."

"It's his—"

"I know. I know. It's his path. Or destiny. Or something magical like that." Roz waves Faiza and the conversation off.

Faiza rests against the side of the boulder near Roz. A heavy rush of energy pushes through her chest. She stands to see if anyone may have been attempting to sneak up on them. "What is it?" Roz whispers as she sits up from her resting place. Faiza continues to search. No one. She closes her eyes to listen.

"Nothing." That same force of energy pushes through her again. Strong enough for her to have to focus on catching her breath.

"That's not nothing, Faiza." Roz helps her sit back down as Faiza breathes deeply. "Is it Geralt?" Faiza looks up at her and realizes that she hasn't felt him for a while, then slowly closes her eyes.

Faiza stands in the middle of a field. Nothing but darkness and death surrounds her. She looks among the bodies to find out what brought her here. As she continues to search, she walks past a necrophage's corpse.

"Geralt?" She calls out. She knows he's here. She can feel him. But just barely. "Geralt!?" No answer. She finally finds Roach and runs towards him. She can hear soft but strained breathing. When she looks down, she finds Geralt lying face down on the ground. She drops to her knees and places her hands on his back. She looks around to find anything she can use to help. Nothing. She's not there. Not really. She senses that someone else was here with him. She closes her eyes tighter and pushes out a call for help to anyone who is near.

"Whoever you are, he needs your help! Come back!" She stays as long as it takes until she hears someone approaching. An older gentleman who finds Geralt's body. She stands guard as she watches him place Geralt into the back of his wagon. "Do not let him die," she says to the man quietly, but he doesn't respond.

As the sun rises, Faiza wakes up to find Roz sleeping near her. Her bow and an arrow on her lap ready for use. Faiza does her best to move without waking her, but the sound of the rocks under her feet cause Roz to sit up straight with her arrow nocked. Faiza places her hand on Roz's weapon to keep her from shooting.

"Nice reflexes," Faiza compliments.

"What the hell happened to you? Was it Geralt?" Faiza nods.

"He was bitten by a necrophage."

"What!? One bite can ki—"

"I know. But, he wasn't dead. Someone came to help him." Roz lets out a long breath.

"Thank Freya. Are you going to help him?" Faiza looks towards the ground and shakes her head. "And why not?"

"He'll be okay."

"Faiza?" She looks at Roz's stern face. "What's going on?" Before she can answer, she feels an increase in power arrive in Sodden Hill. A familiar power. Faiza moves to search the incomers and finds Yennefer among the group.

"The mages are here."

"Good for them." Roz never looks in their direction. "But don't change the subject."

As the people in the keep seem to be indulging in a last celebration, Faiza explains everything to Roz.

"So, you've taken yourself from his memories?" Faiza nods. "And me too?" Faiza nods again. "So, I can't just casually walk up to him and have our wonderful, but very short conversations where he ends everything with "hm" like we used to do?" Faiza chuckles and shakes her head.

"You could always try, but it may not be received well."

"Great. Just great." Roz takes a moment to process what she's just learned. "You do realize that if his story is ever told, no one will know of your existence? Everything will be all about Geralt and Jaskier and the child and..." Roz points over her shoulder, "That woman down there. Ugh." Faiza gives Roz a confused look.

"I don't care about that." Roz laughs lightly.

"Yes, I know. But, it would have been nice for people to know your name." Faiza shrugs. Her only desire is for one person to remember it. Throughout the day, Faiza continues to be pulled in and out of Geralt's thoughts.

She watches as his hallucinations continue to plague him. His childhood. Words from the golden dragon. His mother. Faiza settles into her Sight to ride next to him and watches as he shifts and sweats. She continues to push her comforting words to him. To continue to fight through what ails him. She runs her hands through his hair and his eyes barely open. Almost as if he's looking directly at her. She smiles at him. Hoping that he sees her. But, just as quickly as they opened, his eyes close again. He will remember her again.

As night falls on Sodden Hill, Faiza refuses to sleep as she feels an ambush is imminent. The keep lays dormant as a large fireball lights up the dark sky as it heads towards it. She looks around for signs of anyone who may be keeping watch. No one. Faiza does the only thing she can think to do. She closes her eyes and pushes her warning towards Sodden Hill.

"WAKE UP!" She can hear her own voice carry across the trees, so loud that it wakes Roz.

"The hell was that!?" Roz quickly stands to her feet and finds the fireball soaring through the air. "What the hell is that?" Just before the weapon impacts, someone deflects it away from the keep. Roz pulls her bow from her back and both women watch as the battle unfolds. Another ball of fire glides through the air and, once again, is deflected. "Cowards." Roz scoffs, referring to the number of people who are now running away from the battle. The two continue to watch as fog flows through the trees and Nilfgaardian soldiers fall to their deaths either by gas or explosives.

The soldiers begin to push closer to the hold as mages and citizens have fallen. A large explosion is set off inside of the keep.

"What's going on there!? Nilfgaard hasn't entered the gates." Roz asks. Faiza looks closer and sees that the blue explosives that were built by the mages to use on Nilfgaard are being set on themselves.

"One did." Faiza picks up pieces of a conversation between Nilfgaard's mage and Yennefer. Coaxing her to join the Nilfgaardian agenda. Silence seems to fall over Sodden Hill, but Faiza can sense it is far from over.

"Look at that..." Roz points out the fire from the keep being pulled away. A few seconds later, they both watch the fire that once scorched the building now being pushed towards the forest, consuming everything in its path. The two stand and listen as screams from soldiers and from the source of the fire fill the air. When the fire subsides, everything falls quiet and Faiza and Roz watch as the flames chars its surroundings. "This all puts so many things into perspective," Roz says solemnly.

"How do you mean?"

"If I had gone down there like I wanted. That could have been it for me. I may have shot a soldier or two in the face, but I may have never seen Michael's face again." She takes in a deep breath as she begins to concentrate on what war can bring. "In all of this, Faiza. What was the point of you finding Geralt? All these years of your connection to him. Searching for him, finding him. And now, you let it go? I can't imagine doing that." Faiza remains silent. "Can't you just find him? I'm sure it will all come back once he sees you, y'know? Have the life that you had before."

"That life was never my intent."

"Intent or no, you can't just ignore your feelings for him."

"What feelings?" Faiza asks sarcastically.

"Oh, c'mon. The ones we both know you have...for him. For Geralt." The sound of his name reminds her of the hole in her chest. She closes her eyes as she pushes back her tears.

"Please don't say his name."

"That only proves my point. You care for him, Faiza."

"Again...that was never my intent. And his destiny belongs to someone else. Two to be exact!" She can feel the mixed emotions of losing him rise. "A little girl. And Yennefer." Faiza squeezes her eyes shut and wants to cover her ears as she hears Geralt's voice booming in her head. "YENNEFER! The name he's calling right now! Not mine! We don't belong to each other! I am not a part of his destiny!"

"I don't believe that! Look, I get what you lot are supposed to be...all head, no heart, and alone forever, but neither of you seems to hold that truth. Especially when you were together. Anyone could see it. I-I just don't believe that."

"Your belief doesn't make it any less true."

"Well, what was it, then?"

"What was what?"

"Your intention! You started this quest to seek him out! Why go through all th—" Fazia breaks.

"TO KILL HIM!" Roz's body stiffens and her voice goes quiet,

"To what? Why would you wa—" Faiza glares at Roz. Angry for making her admit it.

"So, he wouldn't kill me first. He had already killed one like me before." Roz stares at Faiza in confusion and Faiza finally divulges her truth.

In Blaviken – Hours before the battle

"It is wonderful of you to visit me, Sabrina," Stregobor remarks as he moves through his hidden garden in the small town.

"I figured you would have come out of hiding by now. Renfri has been gone for years," Sabrina replies snidely. Stregobor turns to her.

"And what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?"

"I've come to Sodden Hill with The Brotherhood, but I wanted to deliver you a message."

"And what would that be?"

"Remember the name Faiza of Ofir."

"And why must I do that?"

"She is the daughter of a concubine and the Malliq of Ofir. The only child the Malliq conceived, making her the rightful heir to his throne."

"How lovely for her."

"I am sure she has a mutation."

"And who delivered you this rousing news? Your good friend? Yennefer of Vengerberg?" Stregobor pokes. "I've heard her name before, intertwined with that other witcher. What was his name? Ah yes, Geralt of Rivia. Without a doubt, this girl has been damaged after the rigorous trails she's been thr—"

"Who cares how I've obtained my information!" Sabrina finally interrupts. "She is a monster!"

"She is a witcher!" Stregobor snaps before turning back to his fruit tree. Sabrina smirks.

"Yes. A witcher, Stregobor. A witcher who was also born under the Black Sun." Stregobor grips the fruit in his hand and slowly turns to Sabrina. The whites of his eyes turn red. She stares back at him, lightly bows her head, and turns to walk away.

-- END --