What If Worlds Collide: A Tale of Lost Magic and Forgotten Time

Ch. 11 - The Mage Ball

On the day of the Mage Ball—a lavish event suggested by Yennefer—Y/N felt a bubble of excitement but chose to stick to the background, a choice dictated by Tissaia's counsel to avoid drawing undue attention. Alongside Moiraine and Rhaenys, Y/N observed the swirl of festivities from the periphery, ever vigilant. When Vilgefortz approached Tissaia, Y/N's eyes narrowed, cautious and skeptical. Y/N had seen the lingering touches and occasional gifts exchanged between them over the years and didn't trust Vilgefortz one bit—a sentiment Yennefer and Geralt evidently shared. Despite several attempts to bring Tissaia to her senses, she seemed to place unwavering trust in the man.

Sensing the tension, Moiraine turned to Y/N and softly inquired, "What's wrong, sweetheart?"

Caught off guard and breaking her gaze away from the unsettling scene, Y/N faced Moiraine, whose eyes radiated concern. Rhaenys, who had also observed the entire exchange, wisely chose to remain silent, letting the moment unfold.

Resisting the urge to delve into her unsettling observations about Vilgefortz, Y/N sighed. "It's nothing. Just observing the dynamics of the ball."

But even as the words left her mouth, the unease persisted, lingering like an unwelcome guest. It was an unease they all would have to address soon, but for now, they stood together, a sanctuary amid the complexities of the magical and emotional landscapes they navigated.

Moiraine studied Y/N's face, discerning the intricate tapestry of emotions behind her eyes. She nodded slowly, as if acknowledging an unspoken truth. "Observing can reveal much, but also weigh heavy on the soul."

Rhaenys, not wanting to intrude but feeling the gravity of the moment, finally spoke up. "The heart often sees what is invisible to the eye. Trust your instincts, Y/N."

As they shared this quiet moment of understanding, a ripple of applause surged through the ballroom. Their eyes were all drawn to the center of the room, where Tissaia and Vilgefortz had just concluded an elegant dance. Tissaia's eyes met Y/N's for a fleeting moment, a swirl of complex emotions crossing her gaze before she turned away.

Yennefer, who had been deep in conversation with Geralt near a shadowy corner, looked over and caught Y/N's eye. She subtly gestured with her head, as if asking, 'Do we intervene?'

Y/N hesitated, torn between voicing her concerns and respecting Tissaia's choices. Taking a deep breath, she gave a reluctant shake of her head, signaling Yennefer to hold off, at least for now.

The music resumed, its haunting melody filling the air, and the guests returned to their dances and discussions. Yet, the tension remained palpable, like an undercurrent running through the magical energies of the room. Y/N couldn't shake the feeling that something significant was about to unfold—something that would test not just her own instincts, but the trust and unity of those she held dear.

Turning back to Moiraine and Rhaenys, Y/N spoke softly, but with resolve. "Let's keep our eyes open and our senses sharp. The ball may be a dance, but the real choreography lies in the unseen moves and hidden alliances. We must be prepared for whatever comes next."

Moiraine and Rhaenys nodded, their faces reflecting a mixture of apprehension and determination. Together, they returned their gaze to the swirling spectacle of the Mage Ball, united in their vigilance and fortified by their shared intuition that the night was far from over.

As the night wore on, the atmosphere became increasingly charged with a mix of magic and tension, almost as if the very air was anticipating a pivotal event. Guests laughed and conversed, seemingly oblivious to the undercurrents, but the members of their tight-knit group remained alert, eyes flicking from one influential mage to another.