Chapter 92 - Northern kingdoms 02.
[Chapter Size: 2000 Words.]
Third Person POV
Northern kingdoms.
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It was not just Temeria receiving news from Cintra. Meanwhile, in Redania, inside the royal palace, a man sat on his throne like King Foltest, listening to reports about the south. However, instead of a soldier messenger, this person was a mage.
"So, you're telling me that when you went after the girl, she escaped?" The man with a crown on his head, despite his middle-aged appearance, murmured with a dissatisfied tone, looking at his court mage, the one he had sent to Cintra to hunt the girl.
"Unfortunately, I couldn't capture her. When I arrived, the room was empty… King Vizimir." The mage spoke with an apologetic tone.
"You know... Philippa…" he began, his tone characteristically calm for a man known as Vizimir, King of Redania, the kingdom where the famous city of Novigrad was located, as well as the cradle of a burgeoning new faith, still too young to be considered a true religion, known by some as the Sacred Flame.
"I believed that when I heard about Nilfgaard's march north, it would be a great opportunity, that Cintra would suffer greatly, perhaps even fall… But I needed an important piece for my ambitions. Without the princess… I can achieve none of what I plan… She would have been an opportunity to control Cintra. You know how furious I must be with you, don't you, Philippa?" He spoke with the same dangerously calm tone throughout the conversation.
Philippa lowered her head further, not wanting to draw the wrath of her king. Even though she was a respected mage, there were limits, and she could not afford to provoke her king further.
"I apologize for my mistake. After all, I arrived too late, but I believe I can locate her by obtaining some of her belongings from her room," Philippa suggested.
"You think you can manage that?" Vizimir II asked curiously, his voice retaining its dangerous edge.
"Yes… I believe I can… I'll do my best to achieve it," she replied.
"Well… if you can rectify your mistake… I'll be interested to see that," Vizimir concluded.
King Vizimir II trusted his mage to some extent but regarded her merely as a tool. Despite knowing Philippa's potential greed, he believed he could maintain balance and use her for his plans and ambitions.
These conversations were not limited to Temeria and Redania. Meanwhile, in Kaedwen, King Henselt demanded explanations from his mages after sending them to Cintra without success, much like Philippa. He ordered them to immediately search for the princess, in whom he also had an interest. The same could be said for King Demavend III of Aedirn.
By this time, everyone in the north knew about the war in Cintra. Even in Kovir and Poviss, discussions about the Black Army's invasion of the north were taking place. However, they seemed less interested in Cirilla, believing the girl would soon be dead, if she wasn't already.
Back on the coast of Temeria, on an island, numerous mages and sorcerers were gathering in Aretuza. Triss stepped through her portal as the sound of waves crashing against the rocks beside the school echoed around her. She looked at the place where she had spent the first decades of her life before leaving to serve courts and kings.
Triss gazed at the massive bridge that connected to Thanedd Island, where the school of magic for girls, Aretuza, stood. Nearly every mage on the continent was trained there. She sighed and began walking toward the location, while some guards in front of the gate stared at her in surprise before opening it.
"Lady Merigold," one of the guards said, recognizing her.
"Thank you," she replied politely, though she didn't know their names. After all, mages rarely concerned themselves with the names of those beneath them.
"There are already many mages inside. They must be waiting for you," another guard said as Triss crossed the bridge and finally entered the school after her walk.
It didn't take long before she walked in silence and began encountering her first colleagues in robes. They were in a corner, seemingly having a heated discussion. Her presence was quickly noticed as they turned to look at Triss. Though the red-haired mage was quite renowned, not everyone knew her personally.
They merely glanced at her and resumed their conversation, not paying much attention to Triss, who continued walking until she came across some people, one of whom stood out.
"Triss! It's good to see you," said Margarita Laux-Antille, recognizing her immediately.
"It's been a long time, Margarita," Triss murmured.
"Yes, I stayed at the school, and you never came back to visit us," her friend said with a smile. "It seems being at the Temerian court is keeping you so busy that you can't even come here." She spoke with a grin.
"Don't say that. I just haven't had the time," Triss replied amicably. "I'm here now only because of the situation in the north…" she commented, and her friend became serious at that moment.
"Yes… things aren't going well. All the northern kings are deeply concerned, knowing that Emhyr has deployed his Black Army and invaded the north, destroying Cintra in just a few battles. Not that I blame them—70,000 Black soldiers… who could handle that at their doorstep?" she murmured.
"I know," Triss said to her friend. "I'm here to meet Yen, so I'll be waiting for her to discuss some important matters," she added calmly.
"I see. In any case, let's see the others. I'm sure Director Tissaia wants to speak with you," Margarita said.
Triss nodded and accompanied Margarita through the corridors. At that moment, another familiar figure crossed paths with Triss.
"Triss! Good to see you, sister," Keira Metz exclaimed, looking surprised and smiling broadly. "It's been so long!" She embraced Triss after months without contact.
"It's good to see you too. How are things in Redania?" Triss asked.
"Not great. Philippa isn't even here. King Vizimir has kept her tied up with a task that seems to involve the princess of Cintra," Keira explained, causing Triss to frown, though not too surprised. After all, King Foltest wasn't the only one interested in Ciri.
"Anyway, come along. We're going to join the others," Margarita said, and the two mages followed her.
They walked through the school until they finally emerged into a large open space, like a debate hall, where dozens of mages were gathered at that moment, conversing and discussing everything happening in the north. Among them was Tissaia de Vries, the school's director and the woman who had trained Triss and many others present.
The woman noticed their presence, stepped away from the group of mages she was with, and approached. "How have you been? I'd like to hear what King Foltest has decided to do," she said, embracing Triss.
Triss greeted her and began exchanging words about what Foltest had said, as Tissaia created a private space where no one could hear them. Meanwhile, Keira and Margarita moved away; this was somewhat improper, but Tissaia wanted to know the kings' decisions before beginning the discussion.
"So, you're waiting for Yennefer…" In the end, the director canceled her spell and asked.
"Yes… she told me she'd arrive soon," Triss replied.
"Then we'll start soon, and Yennefer will also be here shortly," Tissaia said.
At that moment, the door opened. "Were you looking for me?" Yennefer said as she entered the room, making a small entrance with a smile.
"It's good to have you here," Tissaia de Vries replied, greeting her. "Come, let's begin," the director said in conclusion.
Yennefer nodded, though she cast a glance at Triss. "It seems we'll talk later…" Yennefer commented.
"Attention, everyone!" Director Tissaia de Vries exclaimed, drawing the room's attention. "We're about to start. Call everyone outside; it's time." She ordered, and some mages who were still outside quickly began entering the room.
Once everyone was ready, the director looked at them all. "Well, as you know, the north has just lost Cintra, and Calanthe is dead. Nilfgaard's armies are advancing through the fallen kingdom, heading toward Sodden," she began, as most of the audience wore grim expressions. "That is why we've gathered today to discuss the path Aretuza should take and which side we will choose." She surveyed the room.
"We cannot allow these barbarians to invade the North! We must drive them out. Aretuza belongs to the North, and it will remain so!" one of the mages muttered immediately.
"Yes, we must fight for the Northern Kingdoms!" another mage exclaimed, agreeing with the first as if it were too obvious to even debate.
"There are mages who studied here with the Nilfgaardians, now fighting among their ranks. They must be expelled from the order!" another mage suggested.
"Just because we work for Nilfgaard and have chosen their side doesn't mean you can simply ban us!" a voice rang out from the entrance of the hall.
A group of mages appeared at that moment, none other than those working for the Emperor, led by Fringilla.
"You dare set foot here?" someone shouted angrily.
"We are mages of Aretuza just like you. Don't be upset just because we've sided with the winning team," one of the female mages mocked.
"What did you say, you Nilfgaardian whore…?" someone exclaimed.
"The Emperor Emhyr will win this war. You should simply ally with him. After all, the North will soon belong to the Empire," another mage from the group said.
"To hell with you and your emperor who is massacring our lands..." The arguments quickly became heated, and someone intervened before the hall descended into chaos.
"Silence!" the director immediately demanded.
"When we formed this institution, we swore an oath. We are all part of Aretuza, no matter which side we serve," the director declared, while the Nilfgaardian mages seemed to smile smugly.
However, Tissaia de Vries continued before anyone could respond.
"But this does not change the fact that it was clearly Nilfgaard that initiated the aggression against the North. Today, we will debate the position Aretuza should take. Remember, the position with the most votes will be the one we decide upon," the director stated, glaring coldly at the Nilfgaardian mages, who now seemed somewhat uncertain.
"May I also participate in this?" a new voice asked, and everyone turned to see none other than...
"Vilgefortz of Roggeveen..." Tissaia murmured as the mage now appeared in the doorway.
"What's wrong, Tissaia? Am I not welcome here either?" he asked, smiling as he approached.
"Very well, just pick a place to stand and don't interrupt unless you have something meaningful to say," Tissaia replied, knowing this figure all too well.
"You wound me, Tissaia," he said, though he didn't press further and waited for the discussion to begin.
"That man is up to something..." Yennefer murmured to Triss beside her, knowing that Vilgefortz seemed to be playing a game here. The Nilfgaardian-aligned mages didn't appear particularly close to him, avoiding even looking at him. Yet, according to rumors Yennefer had heard, Vilgefortz had some strange connection with Emperor Emhyr.
In the end, Tissaia began speaking about everything happening in Cintra and the South, detailing Nilfgaard's relentless march in a neutral tone. Finally, she looked around at everyone present and sighed.
"Now, after explaining all of this, we must choose: to support the North or the Empire," she concluded, signaling the start of the vote.