Something Wild (Child of the Winter Moon Book 1)

8: Vizima

Night fell quickly as they reached the main road, the Nilfgaardians bantering with each other, but otherwise they traveled in silence.

Geralt finally broke it. "You know... I had a dream about you recently."

"Knowing you, it was probably filthy," Yennefer responded.

Geralt chuckled. "Just the beginning. But then..." He trailed off as his medallion started to vibrate.

"And then?" She looked over at Geralt as snow began to fall to see the look on his face that usually meant he was in Witcher mode.

He suddenly turned his head and looked pasts her. "Yen."

She looked over her shoulder to see several riders and dogs that looked to be covered in ice advancing towards them. "Ride! Now!"

They sent their horses into a gallop, trying to outrun the riders at their backs. One by one, the Nilfgaardians were overtaken, leaving only Geralt and Yennefer.

"Faster!" she cried.

Geralt was already pushing Roach as fast as she could run. As they approached an old wooden bridge, Geralt saw a white ball of light steadily growing in Yennefer's hand. The moment both of them were over the bridge, Yennefer turned in her saddle and sent the magical lightning to destroy the bridge, stopping the riders' chase. The two kept their horses at a gallop.

"Yennefer, how'd they...?"

"We'll talk of this tomorrow, all right?" Yennefer interrupted. "After the audience."

They both knew exactly who the riders were. Geralt could only wonder why the Wild Hunt had been after Yennefer again. They were both glad to see the lights of Vizima in the distance.

~~~

After a very enjoyable bath, followed by a meeting with a razor and General Morvran Voorhis, Geralt was taken to meet with Emperor Emhyr. His chamberlain, a man that made a drowner seem warm and friendly, led the Witcher to his audience.

"The gentleman will only address the Emperor only when asked to and using the appropriate title," he said.

"Your Archmagnificency?" Geralt asked drily.

"I see the gentleman is in the mood for jests. I fear the Emperor might not share his disposition. Your Majesty will suffice. Spoken loudly, clearly, and with respect."

Geralt rolled his eyes as the chamberlain opened the door to Emhyr's office. Several lords and ladies were in the room and everyone turned to them. Behind a desk sat the Emperor, older than the last time Geralt saw him. The lines on his face showed the wear of his rule and the hair at his temples had greyed. But other than that, not much seemed to have changed. He still had that hard look Geralt remembered well.

"Bow before his Imperial Majesty, The White Flame Dancing on the Graves of his Foes, Emhyr var Emreis," he said in Nilfgaardian with a bow.

Geralt hesitated a moment before he, too, bowed, causing a surprised look to cross Emhyr's face. "Your Imperial Majesty."

"As Your Majesty wished," the chamberlain continued in Nilfgaardian.

"All except the Witcher will leave," Emhyr said. After the room emptied, he switched to Common. "I thought you bowed to no man."

"Didn't want to disappoint the chamberlain. We're friends."