Hello, Gwynbleidd...

Chapter Twelve: Yen...?

When Jordan left the tavern with Geralt and Vezimir, she wasn't surprised to find Viziman Soldiers standing on guard before them...

"Hmm...I guess more than one Witcher in one place attracts attention," Vezimir muttered and Jordan shook her head.

"No, Geralt's Sorceress just enjoys travelling in style," Jordan rolled her eyes playfully, looking to the wolf as a raven-haired vision in black and white gave Geralt a blast from the past.

"When two Witchers travel with who appears to be a Sorceress, naturally, you will...of course," a violet-eyed woman said. It was Yennefer of Vengerberg herself, "Your taste in company hasn't changed a bit," she added, standing with her hands on her hips.

"Yen?" Geralt was wide eyed, but Jordan just went to her Nilfgardian Horse, her hood already up.

"I heard you-" Yennefer's speech was cut off when Jordan came walking with her horse, putting down her hood.

"Not a Sorceress. I'm a Witcher. You two can eye-fuck later, because I'm not wasting any time in finding Ciri," she stated bluntly and Yennefer paused at her hair and eyes.

"How are you...alive?" Yennefer asked in fascination.

"Asked the same question myself," Vezimir sighed as he crossed his arms.

"An Elven Sage did my trial. Not a human. His spells to stabilize my vitality were stronger that that of a human mage," Jordan said, "Come, we can talk on the way to Vizima, if you'd like? I'm coming with you," she added before walking her horse out to the road.

Yennefer watched her go, "Geralt, who-" the Sorceress paused.

"Jordan is from another world, Yen. Ciri brought her to help us find her. They're apparently close," Geralt said quietly as he went for his own horse.

"Ciri has friends other than old men in armor...? I think I should be proud," Yennefer joked before they looked to Vezimir.

The old wolf just smiled and waved them off, "You go on. I'm heading back to Kaer Morhen to prepare for winter. Trails need covering and such in war times," he crossed his arms, "Besides, you'll be more than safe with a girl like Jordan looking after you," he teased and Geralt sighed, leaving after a short farewell...

***

"So, Jordan..." Yennefer broke the silence of their ride toward Vizima, "How did you meet Ciri?" she asked and Jordan grimaced.

Jordan took a deep breath, "She showed up to the base- or fort- where I was stationed in the middle of a desert," she said, "I knew her from books I'd read...and she needed my help. My friend Ivana and I helped her escape when the Hunt came and then..." Jordan sighed in grief, still feeling the pain though tears refused to come, "A Hunt Hound tore open Ivana's body and I had to end her suffering. To give her mercy, because I couldn't save my best friend," she stated coldly, "Then, I swore to help Ciri, to get revenge for my fallen friend...and here we are," she finished and Yennefer frowned.

"How old are you, Jordan?" Yennefer asked cautiously and Jordan looked down at her reins before looking to Yennefer.

"I'm nineteen," she said, "I'll be twenty in July," she said in monotone, trying to lock down her emotions.

Yennefer grimaced, "I'm sorry...losing someone like that is never easy," she said sympathetically.

Jordan nodded, "I'm sorry, too...and you should know that Ciri has grown up. She's a young woman now...but her ferocious independence hasn't changed one bit," she smiled, "Nor her quick-witted attitude," she added with a wry chuckle, "Or her compassion..." she finished with a sigh and Yennefer looked to Geralt, both of them with hope in their eyes of finding their daughter...

Jordan just missed her...