Of Monsters and Men

Chapter 7 - Turn Your Back

Summery: With Triss in Kaer Morhen helping Ciri understand her powers better and the mystery about whatever that centipede horned beast is still in the unknown. Triss finds some information and sends you two to Cintra to meet someone you haven't seen in awhile where new information is revealed about something you hadn't been expecting.
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"Y/N?" Questions the blue eyed mage standing across the room with tall bookshelves to either side of him, a large glass window on the right wall that sends in a darkly blue tint of light into the space.

Geralt, directly behind you, can be heard taking a seat with a soft huff as you tilt your head curiously at the mage, crimson eyes narrowing as he studies your face. Untrusting of your new and unexpected presence in this library as you rake your gaze over his defensive stance, gifting a raise of your lips that form more of a sneer then a smirk as you whisper, "Istredd."

He keeps his ward up as his eyes dart from Geralt to you before pursing his lips together in irritated puzzlement, "Who the fuck is he? And why the fuck are you of all people here?" He hotly questions, magic still kissing the air as that protection ward keeps it's strength.

You casually shrug like he said something unimportant, taking a step closer as you glance at a candle on a nearby hold to your immediate left, giving him a proper smirk as you run your fingertips over the flame, "Wouldn't you like to know?" You retort slyly. You've honestly never been too fond of this man ever, he's always been bad news in your mind when it came to him and Yennefer though you let her do and see who she pleased.

But with Yennefer gone, this man has no protection if he chooses to react poorly. And anyways, him, is not in your good graces as the only mages you fully trust are now down to two. Triss and Tissaia. And even that trust can only stretch so far. You're still not too fond of mages.

"Y/N." He warns, swallowing nervously as you take another step forward, steps nonthreatening yet unpredictible. He hasn't gotten a clue as to why you'd be here, but considering you're here with a large man who looks able enough. He's assuming you've finally broken and decided to go after all who've ever opposed you.

"I'm Geralt of Rivia." Adds Geralt as you stop, Istredd's attention falling onto the white haired man still seated who points to himself, "I, we, apologize for the abrupt interruption. Time was of the essence." He quickly stands before walking over closer to the mage, standing side by side with you now, "Triss Merigold sent us to you. We need your help."

Istredd's brows furrow as he slowly ends the protective ward once he realizes you're not here to murder him in cold blood. He eyes up Geralt while you lean against a bookshelf, "You're a Witcher." He looks to you, "And you're here."

"And I am. And you're supposedly a monolith expert." You push yourself off of the wall of books, "Do you know of the stellacite tower just outside the city?"

He nods, still bubbling with confusion, "Yes, I know it. I know it's one of the oldest in existence."

Geralt hums, "I hate to be the bearer of bad news. It fell during the Slaughter of Cintra." This appears to be new information to him as Geralt continues, "And now a new subspecies of monsters are coming out of it. My theory is that they were nesting in the subterranean structure for years, which might explain the unique mutations."

Istredd appears to nod in understanding for a short moment until he lets out a breathy laugh, smiling like he finds all this wild shit humorous. You can tell he does by the way that his eyes crinkle when he smiles, "Tell Triss, uh...I don't understand the prank, but points for imagination." He returns his sight back down at his desk crowded in notes and books on the table, "And they say Y/N is nothing but a sarcastic bastard. Funny, very funny."