Something Wild (Child of the Winter Moon Book 1)

58: Preparation

Kaer Morhen hadn't seen this much life within her walls in decades. When Juray had returned, Letho, Stormrider, Kiera, Zoltan, Roche, and Ves were already there. Mere moments after she arrived, a portal brought Triss. Within a week, Erimon, Hjalmar, and two of his friends had arrived from Skellige. But Juray still felt that 20 or so people would not be enough against the army that was the Wild Hunt, even if eight of them were Witchers and four were powerful mages. After the Islanders' arrival, Yennefer had taken to pacing the walls, watching for Geralt and Ciri. Aiden had immediately busied himself making repairs to swords and armor, while Stormrider and Kyran made potions and bombs that they could use against the Hunt.

Juray found Vesemir at the stables with the horses, brushing down one.

"She still up there?" Juray asked as she approached them.

"Like a sailor's wife looking for her man to return," he answered, glancing up as Yennefer was pacing the wall overlooking the path to the keep.

"Staring into the wilderness..." Juray trailed off, suddenly sensing magic that was vaguely familiar.

Vesemir looked over at her. "Juray?"

Juray turned toward the gates just as a greenish glow appeared. A moment later, Geralt and Ciri seemed to materialize out of thin air. Juray hadn't seen Ciri since she was a teenager, but immediately knew the beautiful young woman with Geralt was his daughter. Ciri laughed as she looked around, a smile coming over Geralt's face. Ciri spun around, almost as if she were deciding which place she wanted to go first. Then she spotted Vesemir and Juray. She gave a giggle and ran toward them, jumping into Vesemir's arms. He hugged her, spinning her around like he used to when she was a girl and she laughed. She then gave Juray a tight hug, the Witcher returning it just as tightly.

"Welcome back, child...," Vesemir said.

Yennefer noticed they had arrived via different means. "Ciri!" she cried. She ran toward her daughter, engulfing her in a hug. She pulled away and held her face in her hands. "My, you've grown beautiful." Yennefer had tears in her eyes and she embraced Ciri once more.

Juray and Vesemir joined Geralt as he looked on with a smile on his face.

"Was expecting a different arrival," Juray said.

"There were complications."

"No point standing around," Vesemir said. "Come on, time to greet the others."

Ciri looked over the four of them. "You've not changed a bit. Any of you... All just like I remembered."

Yennefer looked up at Geralt.

"What?"

Yennefer kissed Geralt as Triss ran over.

"Little sis!" she said, embracing Ciri.

"They're all here," Vesemir said. "Everyone you asked for help. Juray managed to find a couple of Witchers willing to help as well. Avallac'h's resting in the tower – still in pretty bad shape. No reason to do it out here. Come inside."

Vesemir headed toward the castle, Ciri falling in step with him. Juray smiled as she watched them leave, starting to follow until she realized that the others hadn't moved.

"Time's short. Wild Hunt'll be here soon."

"I— Maybe I'll give you two a moment," Triss said.