Van Bereaver

Chapter 20- Dagger

Sage

I wasn't catatonic as Geralt had asked on our travel in a wagon. Instead, I was helpless and was ready to be dragged to be executed. I didn't care anymore. It was troublesome because I still cared about Ciri and it was concerning about where we were headed to. With the Nilfgaardian soldiers, it only meant that we were going to the center of the empire.

The soldiers had dragged us into the castle where the Emperor resided. The hall was empty except for a young girl with light blonde hair, wearing a dark gray and black dress with red sleeves, standing beside the throne with a chalice of wine. She had a gold band across her forhead.

When we were set a few feet in front of the steps before the throne, I glanced at Geralt who looked back at the girl. Ciri had been taken elsewhere and it didn't help that this girl was impersonating the Source.

"Geralt of Rivia and Sage Anika van Bereaver," we heard a voice call from the side corridor. A man with shoulder-length brown hair came into view. He was wearing the same colors as the fake Ciri but in a more masculine fashion albeit it was still a long skirt. His armor was a fine obsidian black and the gold jewlery that hung from the center of his shoulders dazzled in the light.

With one glance, I knew he was Emhyr var Emreis, Deithwen Addan yn Carp aep Morvudd, the White Flame dancing on the barrows of his enemies. However, he had a more simple name.

"Duny," I stated. He halted in front of his throne and raised a brow, before sitting and waving off the girl.

"Duny?" Geralt questioned. His parted lips closed as he recognized the former cursed man who he had saved.

"Yes, the Urcheon of Erenwald," Emhyr nodded.

"I should have known," I gritted my teeth. "That you just wanted power."

"I already had power. I was heir to the throne but I vanished and fell in love. I did fall in love with Pavetta. That was the only real thing in my lies. I never meant for her to die." I widened my eyes and he smirked. "After Cirilla was born, Vilgefortz of Roggeveen came to me about the propechy with the Child of Destiny and he told me about the entire lineage which led to her. I wanted to return to Nilfgaard to take my birthright and with my daughter, I would have had the throne sooner, but Calanthe was in the way. So, I had to plan a trip that would kill all of us but Ciri and I would survive but Pavetta found out and snuck in an empty carriage. The ship that sailed the Isle of Skellige crashed in a storm but Vilgefortz saved me. That night, I died as Duny and returned as Emhyr who would lead a rebellion against the Usurper. It was a rise to power for both me and my ally but we didn't have Ciri to prove our infinite superiorty. After sixteen years-"

"What do you plan to do with her?" I cut him off.

"Vilgefortz was going to take her uterus and make babies using science, but you killed him. You will have to be punished for that," he said. "I, however, plan to be the father of her child, then we will have infinite power."

"Incest," Geralt stated. I could feel him looking at me, it was exaclty what happened with King Auberon. "What is wrong with you people?"

"And for you, Geralt, you will have the same fate as her," Emhyr said, thrusting his cup towards me. "I can't have either you tell her or my plans will be ruined. Besides, I sort of regret paying you with the Law of Surprise because you own her."

"You bastard," he spat.

"Please treat the girl with kindness. She's been through a lot," I begged. Tears secrated from my eyes and I lowered my head. "Please."

"Unfourtunately, I cannot give you time to say goodbye," Emhyr said, standing up. He took a breath and wandered off, getting guards to take us away.

Geralt and I were handled into the bathing room where a large bath sat in the center. They shut the doors and locked it and once their footsteps faded away, I stood and looked around the room. Beside the tub, there was a dagger sitting on the rim.