Embers

The Other

Chapter 31

The Other - Geralt's POV

She didn't wake.

Not when Vesemir and himself put her on the bed in one of the few intact rooms of Kaer Mohren. Not when the Witcher put on the hearth to keep her warm. Not when he brought her food or water.

The Elemental just laid still on her back, arms next to her without moving at all. Eyes closed and lips sealed. No matter how warm the chamber got, her skin was pale though sometimes a frown appeared on her face.

The witcher stayed with her. Day and night while Vesemir went on his way to try and search for an answer. Geralt had send a message to Yennefer of Vengerberg and Triss Merigold. Either sorceress should be able to help, or at least, do something.

Geralt meditated in her room, close by the bed, ate on the lonely chair that decorated the chamber and slept close by the fire. Vesemir had told him he was concerned. Not only because Eira was an Elemental and he didn't know about her until the pair showed up at Kaer Mohren, but because Geralt had seemed to take a liking to her.

"We know too little about Elementals," the old Witcher had said one day. "Even in our books, there isn't a lot of written about their lives or illnesses that they could get. Only a thousand pages about the Great War."

Geralt had just mumbled something, his arms crossed against his chest and leant against the fireplace. He had shed his armour for easier clothing, his white hair hung lose around his face.

"There has to be something," he had told Vesemir. "She looks...uncomfortable."

Another light twitch in Eira's face told Geralt something was disturbing her slumber. If that what it was.

"Yennefer of Vengerberg didn't answer our call," Vesemir spoke. "Triss Merigold should be here by dusk. Mousesack is on his way, but had to finish some business in Cintra first."

Geralt heard the other Witcher and merely nodded.

"Geralt," Vesemir tried to get his full attention and, with hesitation, Geralt let his gaze meet the old man.

"Yes, Vesemir, I do listen," he told Vesemir curtly.

"I had no idea you travelled with an Elemental," the man started. "You know they're prone to turn dark and many betrayed their Witcher. Others died. Why is Eira alive in the first place?"

Geralt let the words linger in his mind and finally shrugged while he walked to the Vesemir.

"She came to life when I started the first mutation here in Kaer Mohren. She's bound to me."

"I understand that. But why?"

Geralt sighed annoyed and ran his fingers through his hair.

"I don't know. She's been a loyal ally since we met. I trust her. She isn't a dark elemental. Never did Eira lay a hand on a human or me."

"She's a potential danger and..."

"Enough!"  Geralt's voice boomed through the room and his eyes glared at his master.

He was tired, hungry and worried. All of these things Geralt mostly could take without problems, but the witcher just wanted Eira to be better again. It was turmoil inside himself he kept fighting. Normally, he never was this emotional and he had a hard time getting them under control.

"I will bathe and sleep," he told Vesemir. "Wake me when Triss arrives. And I need to find the bard."

"What bard?"