Something Wilder (Child of the Winter Moon Book 2)

15: Tedd Deireadh

Juray landed hard on top of someone.

"That was perfect timing," she said. She turned her head to look to see who she was on top of. "You okay?"

"I've had harder falls with bigger monsters," Eskel said with a smirk.

Juray gave a small laugh at him quoting her when he fell on top of her after a night of heavy drinking. That night seemed like it had been decades ago, not a month or so. She rolled off him and helped him to his feet. The other Witchers and Aiden, along with the sorceresses were gathered. The only ones missing were Geralt, Yennefer, Ciri, and Avallac'h.

"Good news is Eredin is dead," Juray said.

"Bad news?" Triss asked.

"This might have been some sort of ploy by Avallac'h to use Ciri and her power for something."

As the words came out of her mouth, they heard a loud crack. They all looked toward the north to see the abandoned elven tower having a beam of light coming from it and the sky above it looking like a boiling storm.

"Is that what I think it is, Triss?" Juray asked, hoping she was wrong.

"If you're thinking the gate between worlds is open, then yes." The sorceress confirmed her suspicions, causing the Witcher to curse under her breath. Eredin had been right, warning them with his final words.

"Wait what?" Stormrider asked, surprise in his voice.

"We can't fight against that," Eskel said.

Juray shook her head. "Seems Tedd Deireadh is here."

"I didn't think I'd live to see the final age," Stormrider said.

"Then let's hope Ciri is stopping it and not ushering it in," Aiden said.

"Well, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree," Phillipa said.

Juray turned to look at her.

"The boy's right," she continued. "Ciri is the last of the Elder Blood. She'll either save us or destroy us all. All we can do is wait and see which she's doing."

As much as Juray didn't want to admit it, Phillipa was right. They had no choice but to wait it out and hope that Ciri wasn't destroying the world.

~~~

Geralt reached the tower, Yennefer only able to make a rift into the barrier around it for him to go through. Inside, Avallac'h was casting a spell, an arm toward a door nearby, the gateway beyond it.

"Geralt...," he said, dropping his arm to turn toward the Witcher, noticing his steel sword was bared. "So unfortunate. I'd hoped you wouldn't have to witness this."

"Where's Ciri?" Geralt asked, his tone saying he was in no mood for the Sage's games.

"Nearby. Listen..."

"Shut up. I've heard enough of your bullshit." He held his sword up and Avallac'h took a step back. "Draw your weapon, let's get this over with."

Avallac'h drew his sword, but made no move to attack. He only shook his head and tossed his sword to the side.

"Think I'm willing to spare you?"

"I think you will not attack one unarmed."

"Wouldn't be so sure. I'm in a foul mood."