The Witcher: Oblivion

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Victoria was stable, but she was asleep for the entirety of their travels to Kaer Morhen.

As they traveled, Geralt held the woman in his arms, often looking down to see if she was all right. In her sleep she had said his name once, being silent the rest of the way.

After arriving to Kaer Morhen, Victoria was placed inside of the examination chamber, where she would begin her treatment. That's when she began to wake.

She could hear foreign voices as a man moved around her body. Focusing her blurred eyes, Victoria studied him for a brief moment; he was old, with hair just as white as Geralt's. And hanging low from his neck as the same, familiar pendant.

Victoria's nerves rose, and she tried to move. The man looked down at her as she began to panic. It was then that she realized how hot she was. Her skin was coated with sweat, dampening her hair.

"Geralt! Geralt!"

Calloused hands reached her face. She stared up as Geralt moved into her view, his yellow eyes boring into her own as he calmed her nerves.

"I'm here. You are safe." He assured her. "You're running a fever, but the antidote is forcing it out. You'll be better soon."

She swallowed as she stared at the man beside him. "Where is Ciri?"

"She's fine. She's finding unoccupied rooms for the both of you." The man said.

"Victoria, this is Vesemir."

She looked at him and realized just how similar the two truly were. Vesemir offered a polite, but thin smile.

"Kaer Morhen?" She asked. Geralt nodded.

"Come, Geralt. See her to her own space. I'm sure she'd enjoy her own privacy to rest. I'm sure Eskel wouldn't mind bringing me his. . . Trophy."

Geralt looked down at her and began lifting her from the table. Victoria tried to steady her breathing as she sweated.

"It's so hot." She said as Geralt disappeared down a corridor. He walked towards an open door, stepping into the empty room.

"The fever is normal. It will subside eventually." He told her. He placed her on the bed, tugging off her cloak.

"What's wrong with me?" She asked.
"It's an infection from the bruxa wound. And where you aren't to heal properly as before, it will take some time." He said to her.

Geralt watched as she began tugging at her dress. As she tore open the buttons of the front, she began wiping her neck free of sweat. Geralt shook his head, fastening the buttons again.

"Sweat it out." He told her. "The quicker it will pass."

Victoria moaned miserably. "Hold me."

Geralt sat beside her and lifted her body until she was in his lap. With her back pressed to his chest, Victoria closed her eyes as he tightened his arms around her waist. She sighed as he breathed upon the nape of her neck.

"Try to relax." He said to her. "The antidote will kick in soon."

Victoria opened her eyes. "I miss this."
"Miss what?" He asked.

"You holding me." She responded. "No matter how disgusting and humiliated I am right now."

"You have me, Milady." Geralt said, pressing his hand to her sternum. He kissed her neck, holding her tighter. "Sleep, Vic."

Her body burned with ecstasy, despite her weakness. "I can't."

"I can make you sleep." He said to her. She watched as he pulled a small bottle from his pocket. Victoria took the bottle and swallowed the liquid, grimacing as she forced it down.

After a minute passed, her eyes drifted shut.

When she woke, it was dark. Her room was lit dimly by a small candle on the floor.

She felt different—a good different. She felt stronger than before, and with no pain.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sounds of thumping coming from above, followed by vibrations within the walls and the floors. As dust fell from the ceiling, the brunette shielded her eyes. She stopped when the door opened.

A tall man entered and stared at her. He was in a rush, and his urgent eyes settled on hers as they widened.

"Stay here and take cover."

"I'm paralyzed, you fucking idiot." She said to him. The man was taken back, but exited the room.

"Wait!" She shouted. She tried to pull herself up. "What is happening?"

Victoria gasped as she fell from the bed, smacking herself against the cement floors. With a roughened cheek, she began pulling herself towards the door.

"Ciri!" She shouted. She managed to push open the door, falling into the hallway.

She listened to a door open farther down the hallway, and Ciri hurried out of the room before running towards her. She kneeled down and hooked her arms under Victoria's.

"Help me! Quickly!"

A brunette exited Ciri's room and hurried to her aid. The two carried Victoria into Ciri's room. Victoria stared wide-eyed at the women inside, who were just as shaken up as she was.

"Ciri, what's happening?" Victoria asked.
"Fuck this!" The woman said. "I'm not dying here. What's the quickest way out, girl?"

"There's stairs to the north of the hall, a turret to the south. I don't know."

The woman began leading the women towards the door, but Ciri stopped them. "No. We have to stay. Geralt —"

"Geralt may be dead already!" She shouted. Victoria's heart sank. "Look. Witchers fight, we run."

The room shook once more. Victoria reached out for the wall as the women screamed.

The woman hurried out of the room, and the women followed.

"Speak for yourself, you whore!" Victoria screamed.

Ciri closed the door and turned to Victoria.

"Ciri, what the fuck is happening? Where is Geralt?"

"It's a leshy. Geralt went after it."

Victoria stiffened. "I have to help him—"

"No!" Ciri shouted. "Please, stay. . . I don't want to be alone."

Victoria stared at the frightened girl and clenched her jaw. She stared into her eyes, realizing just how fearful she was.

Her mind began to spin as she nodded. "I'll stay. But I have to do something."

Victoria closed her eyes and focused on Geralt. Ciri watched as a shield projected outward from her body, and Ciri stopped her.

"No, Geralt said you weren't ready!" She said.

"I'm ready now." She responded. Ciri watched as Victoria stayed motionless, muttering words as she began strengthening her shield more. The room shook again, and more debris lingered on top of them. Ciri moved closer to Victoria as the woman gripped the girl's hand.

Ciri watched as Victoria's eyes opened. But this time, they were glowing. They were not her normal eyes; they were glowing blue.

"Victoria. . ."

Victoria released a scream, and the shield evaporated. The woman gasped, looking to Ciri with her normal eyes.

Ciri moved towards Victoria and hugged her tightly.