The Witcher and the Seawolf

Chapter 43

Fenris

Aretuza was much, much larger than Fenris was expecting. Kaer Morhen seemed like a place where magic died. Seeing the broken walls and towers had a sense of dread hovering around the castle while the men inside brought life into it.

Aretuza however looked like it was made of magic itself. It was a large square fortress with what looked like glowing glass on each corner of the walls, from base to top. The glowing lights shot from the base of the fortress to the top, almost like it was pulsing blood. Fenris couldn't keep his eyes off the fortress. Even as he felt lightheaded from Tissaia's portal and the rocky sands against his knee, he couldn't force himself to look away.

"Are you okay?" He heard Yennefer ask. He also felt her hand softly rub circles on his back to help with his nausea, but Fenris couldn't answer.

"Woah." Was all Fenris could manage. He heard Sabrina chuckle at his reaction but nothing else from the blond woman. She's been somewhat avoiding him since last night's discussion where she 'seemingly' passed out after many glasses of wine.

"Come on." Tissaia said to the group. "It's going to rain soon."

Fenris turned his head slightly with a questioning brow, wondering how she could know. But then he heard thunder boom many miles behind him. Fenris hummed and got up with Yennefer's assistance. The group started to make their way from the sandy rocky plain that surrounded the fortress and made it onto a gravel path.

Fenris looked to Yennefer and saw Farah asleep, which must be her own little symptoms of portals. Just seconds ago, she was talking their ears off, but now she was out cold in the little backpack carrier Yennefer bought in the market before they left. Daisy, that fucking Wyvern, flew off once they left the portal. Fenris could still see her flying around high above them, letting out a screech every now and then. Fenris meanwhile was holding Morria who was watching the Wyvern fly circles above them.

"So, this meeting you are all preparing for...?" Fenris asked.

"A conclave of mages." Yennefer explained. "It's when we gather all the mages into one place and discuss important matters. This one, we are gathering not only the mages, but also representatives of the northern kingdoms."

Fenris nodded slowly. "Then we should at least be expecting four representatives. That's if the kingdoms send one each."

"Correct. And the kingdoms and leaders are...?"

Fenris groaned. "You sound like father when he questions me about monsters." Yennefer only responded by raising a brow. "Fine. Foltest is the king of Temeria, which we were just in. His people also took the brunt of the damage once they finally showed up at Sodden Hill."

"You sound annoyed." Sabrina points out.

"Is there a reason why I shouldn't be?" Fenris asked. "They arrived after our militia and most of your people were dead. And now they're raising a fuss because Yennefer didn't murder a man."

"Execute." Rita corrected. "It was an insult in front of the northern leaders. Not to mention, you killed most of the militia."

Fenris smirked. "I did. Because they were either brainwashed by worms that entered their brains or turned on me because they didn't listen to facts. You would know this if you were there, Mistress Laux-Antille." Fenris sighed and turned to Tissaia. "I won't lie and say I am an expert when it comes to mingling like a noble moron. But I will do my best to not insult the representatives."

"Thank you." Tissaia said, though she didn't sound convinced.

"What makes you think you're invited?" Sabrina asked with a smile.