The Witcher and the Seawolf

Chapter 39

Derora

After a trip down memory lane with Yennefer, seeing the small village Yennefer was raised in being completely wiped away from history, the group of five ladies made their way to the city of Ellander. A town closest to the capital of Temeria, Wyzima, where King Foltest rules. Ellander was large and rich. A stone wall guarded the city while a small navy of twenty ships guarded its docks on the river.

Derora could still hear the seabirds calling even when they were in the middle of the city, walking towards a large building made of engraved stone. Inside, the building was filled with people, speaking and mingling with one another. As a bell tinkles from the doorway they just entered from, Ciri breaks the group's silence.

"This is the Dwarven Bank." Ciri said with a smile of pure curiosity. Derora's heard of the Dwarven Bank, owned by the namesake family with different branches all across the continent. Though they have been around for many, many years, Derora has never stepped foot in a place like this. She usually avoided cities and towns of she could. "I thought we were going to Aretuza."

"We are." Yennefer said as she repositioned her hold on Farah. Farah was fast asleep in her grandmother's arms, with her mouth open and drool starting to pool around Yennefer's expensive looking dress. But Yennefer didn't seem to mind the drool. The only look of anger was when a large drunk man started to laugh loudly in the town square which caused Farah to stir somewhat. "But as you said yourself, there's always more to the picture."

Yennefer then turned to the corner and gasped with a lovely laugh. She put her arms out, waiting for a hug while the Dwarf turned around and smiled. "My eyes deceive me! For surely, a creature this beautiful cannot be real!" The Dwarf looked to be the exact opposite of Yarpen.

Yarpen was muscled with a bald head and long red beard and a lingering stench that followed him around like a ghoul. This one wore nice clothes, a dark blue shirt with a white tree pattern on it. Nice pants, well-groomed hair and mustache, and a lingering smell of a bakery hung around him.

Yennefer bent down and greeted the Dwarf with two kisses on the cheek. "My sweet Yennefer, it is the most sumptuous of pleasures, as always."

"The pleasure is all mine, Giancardi." Yennefer said with a bright smile.

Giancardi let go of Yennefer's hands and gestured towards some chairs. "Please, take a seat while we finalize your arrangements."

Derora gave Ciri a concerned look and she only shrugged as the two followed Yennefer to the chairs. Derora wouldn't admit it, but she did zone out of the conversation that started after they all sat down. She was too focused on the necklace that was now in her grasp. She focused her magic on the necklace to see if she could feel her brother's emotions, and felt one of dread and slight grief. But overall, there was a sense of deep pride. Derora was happy that he was no longer in pain and only broke out of her thoughts when Giancardi yelled.

"Horror! Pure 'orror on my family's faces, as they watched me dragged away to certain death, their own fate hanging in the balance." Giancardi said. Derora looked around and saw that Ciri was now sitting a few feet away, Farah now in her embrace while she read a book. "When who should appear? A goddess from the heaven? Better! Yennefer of Vengerberg."

Yennefer giggled at the complement while one of the acolytes there picked up a book from Giancardi's desk. Derora eyed the young man carefully and the young man blushed before walking away. Derora followed him with her eyes and saw the boy now ogling the back of Ciri's head. Derora was slightly amused by this and was happy Fenris was not here to see this.

"She blasted the villainous wretches into dust." Giancardi finishes his tale.

"You exaggerate my heroism." Yennefer says.