Knights of the Nine - Beginning of the End

Chapter 16: The Element of Surprise

Bright trees grew around Ciri. She was laying down on a bed made of wool and an elf sat beside her. The elf nodded slowly and blew some pink dust into Ciri's face. She blinked rapidly and fell asleep.

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Derek and Yennefer rode quicker, like they were being chased. They passed merchants which cussed them out as they splashed mud on their robes. Neither one of them stopping for comfort on the saddle, not stopping for a sign of direction. It was all in the gut.

Derek and Yen made way into the town of Mukisidė. They both slowed down to a small gallop and went to the inn. Peasants trotted along the mud cursing their backs while carrying grain to their animals. Yen scoffed as she placed her feet in the drenching mud. Derek was already on the porch of the tavern and waiting for the lady.

"C'mon." Derek said opening the door and walking in.

It was humid and it was like it just rained it through the cracks of the inn. Drunks were laying on the furs laughing and farting about. Yen scoffed under her breath again. Derek approached the inn keep and placed a coin purse.

"A bag of bread and some pheasant breast, please."

"An' what 'bout yer lass?" The inn keep said grabbing hold of the purse and walking over to a barrel labeled 'fish'.

"Nothing for me."

Derek and Yen seated themselves on stools and waiting for their food to arrive. None talked, both deeply tired. The keep returned with the bag of bread and the pheasant breast. Derek nodded and pulled out a smaller coin purse.

"Yours if you know where four riders of the Hunters went."

The inn keep paused and sniffed the snot from her nose. "Ya ain't heard this from 'e, but they took off down Scaliba - the highway. Folk're sayin' they's after some dragon. I say pish-posh!"

"Thank you. May business boom for you." Derek nodded and they went put of the tavern.

The smell of mud and animal dung stunk the town air. Yennefer quickly saddled up and took off at fast speeds. Derek followed behind. They went down the highway and kept on going. The mud splashing up on the horses bellies.

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"When'll Cirilla awake?"

"Soon, didn't use too much of Uphrium. Her migraine should have faded off."

"Excellent. Go join your brother on the hunt, good luck."

Ciri's eyes twitched open, the sun light shown down on her. She stretched her arms out and rubbed her eyes. Ciri sat up slowly and looked at her feet, she was missing a boot. She looked up at the elf who was looking at a slightly wetted and ripped letter.

"Cirilla, from not os this world or the next. The Lady of Space and Time. I am honoured." Ciri had no answer to the elf. "Ah, quite rude of me to not introduce me. My title is Revir of the Sili'otia. Please, pleasure is all mine."

Ciri blinked and rubbed her eyes again. "How do you know me and my ability?"

"Child of the Elder Blood, Blood of Elves, studies since the dawn of this world. My father, founder of us Sili'otia, was simply astonished by abilities such as thou. He learnt of your world by same way you know of ours, space travel. I, too, can possess the ability but my learning as only begun a few five hundred years ago. Time goes on if you're immortal, Cirilla. But my father went to your world and found the Elder Blood after a battle in what is known as Sodden. He took a vile of your blood and went back here. This may strike you hard to believe at first, but in time you'll learn."

"Delightful, I presume." Ciri mocked. "Well, I killed the king and I thank you for freeing me, but it's time I flee-"

"To Derek." Ciri nodded although was not a question. "Here, crack this and whiff it, in matter of seconds you'll be at him. I warn you though, it may not suit you what you'll see."

"What? What'll I see!?"

The elf disappeared into mist. Ciri looked over the stone and she bit down on her lip. She breathed in deeply and cracked it.

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The Hunters were stopped, lined in a brigade. Their Spears and swords stanced out. Derek and Yennefer walked up with both hands above their heads. The Hunters leader, Var Aglaith, walked out on a horse.

"Derek, my friend. About time you caught up. I don't remember Sarah smelling of lilac and gooseberries. Ooooh, did you abandon her? Or is she one with the Darkness?"

Derek threw his sword on the ground and shut his eyes. Yennefer stood behind watching from a stump. Derek was now whispering words not audible to any. He opened his eyes and picked up his sword again. He ran, Hunters laughing at what looks as stupidity.

"Kill him." Var sighed.

A burst of force pushed Var off his steed and sent all his Hunters off balance. Trees crumbled and woed as Derek met Var. Var's eyes widened and he reached for his dagger. Derek stabbed down, then up, and back down into Var's neck.

Blood sputtered out and Var eyes whitened and his pupils faded off. Derek heard the roars ahead, the dragon was returning. Derek quickly slaughtered all remaining Hunters and went back to Yennefer.

The dragon was back for another round.