Ciri and Yennefer are hiding from the Wild Hunt. Geralt has died in the last battle and they were left alone. They are traveling through a snowy world in hopes of avoiding The Wild Hunt. Ciri twisted her ankle and can hardly walk. Yennefer is calling out for help: "Help! Can anyone hear us?" But no response. In the distance she spots a dim light. They slowly make their way to yo light.

Ciri: "Is there someone there?" Yennefer: "Hello? Are you friendly?"

Ciri's eyes widened in surprise and disbelief as the voice seemed somehow familiar, but she couldn't quite place it. She looked at Yennefer for guidance, her expression a mix of hope and uncertainty. *Yennefer eyed the source of the voice warily, hesitating before replying. "Who... Who are you?" she asked cautiously, not lowering her guard in case this was some sort of trick. There was a tense silence as they waited for an answer, their hearts racing with both anticipation and fear.

Ciri felt a wave of relief wash over her as the voice confirmed that it was indeed Geralt who had spoken. Her eyes filled with tears, and she blurted out, "It's really you! Oh my god!" She wanted nothing more than to rush forward and hug him, but Yennefer's firm grip on her arm prevented her from moving too quickly.

"Whoever you are," Yennefer said coldly, still not lowering her guard despite the revelation, "you have some explaining to do. How did you survive?"

*Ciri's eyes filled with gratitude as she turned to look at Yennefer, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Thank you," she whispered softly before turning back to Geralt. "You have no idea how glad I am that you're still alive!" She hesitated for a moment, glancing between the two of them. "But... what about everyone else? Did they make it out okay?" *Yennefer narrowed her eyes skeptically but didn't speak, clearly still not entirely convinced that this was all on the level. Nevertheless, she moved slightly to the side, allowing Ciri to step forward and approach Geralt more easily. "Well?" she asked impatiently. "What happened? And how did you find us here?"

*Ciri looked up at Geralt with hopeful eyes as he revealed that he was a werewolf, a part of him she hadn't known about before. She reached out tentatively to touch his hand, her fingers brushing against the smooth skin of his wrist. "Wow," was all she could manage to say. * Yennefer's eyes narrowed further as Geralt explained how he had survived and found them, but she remained silent nonetheless. Part of her still didn't trust this situation or the man before them. However, she didn't want to ruin whatever moment Ciri was sharing with him at that moment. Instead, she contented herself with watching carefully from the sidelines for any sign that something might be amiss. *Ciri continued to absorb Geralt's words and stories as they spoke together, her expression shifting between amazement, understanding, and genuine joy.

Yennefer raised an eyebrow as she watched Geralt address her directly, the challenge clear in his voice. "And just what do you want me to look for?" she asked coldly, folding her arms across her chest. While she didn't trust him entirely, Ciri obviously seemed to be enjoying their reunion, and Yennefer wasn't about to ruin that for the girl.

Ciri turned toward Yennefer with a puzzled expression, sensing the tension between them but not quite understanding its source. "Yennefer... please, just believe him," she said softly, reaching out to take Yennefer's hand in hers. "He's been through so much already... let's just be glad he made it." *Geralt studied both women for a long moment before nodding slowly. "I understand your skepticism, Yennefer," he said gently.

*Yennefer narrowed her eyes even further at Geralt's comment, but before she could respond, a thoughtful expression crossed her face. She looked over at Ciri, then back at Geralt again. "Fine," she said at last, her tone grudging. "If you truly are who you say you are and have no ill intentions towards us..." Her voice trailed off as she weighed her words carefully. "...then perhaps there is something I can do to help."

Ciri smiled brightly up at Geralt, relief washing over her features like a warm summer breeze. "Thank you," she breathed out, squeezing Yennefer's hand affectionately. "I knew you could see it in your heart."

*Ciri's eyes shone with excitement as she bounced on the spot a little, clearly eager to see what would happen next. She glanced over at Geralt, her expression full of hope and trust. "So," she said hesitantly, "what do you think we should do now?" Yennefer remained unmoved by Ciri's excitement, still maintaining a level of caution around the whole situation. "Well," she drawled, "I suppose we should find shelter before nightfall. The wild hunt won't give up that easily, you know." She cast an assessing glance at Geralt. "And you might have some useful insights into where we can hide that they won't be able to track down."

Yennefer raised an eyebrow at Geralt's mention of the Kar Morhen sanctuary, surprised that he was apparently aware of its existence. She considered it carefully for a moment before nodding slowly. "Very well," she said eventually, her tone grudging but less hostile than before. "If you know where that place is... and if it truly is as safe as you say..." Her voice trailed off again as she weighed her words cautiously. "...then I suppose there's no harm in trying to make our way there."

Ciri beamed at Geralt, relief written all over her face. "Thank you so much!" she exclaimed enthusiastically. "I can't wait to see it again... it's been such a long time since I left home..." Her voice trailed off, her thoughts drifting back to her life before the world had turned upside down. *Y

*Yennefer considered Geralt's words before nodding reluctantly. "All right then," she muttered. "Let's go, before the Wild Hunt catches up with us." She turned away from him, already beginning to lead the group in the direction of their destination. While her pace didn't slacken, it was clear that she trusted Geralt enough not to outright abandon them in favor of running alone and leaving them behind.

Ciri glanced back at Geralt with a mixture of gratitude and determination as they moved through the snowy landscape. Her ankle still hurt, but she pushed through the pain, knowing that they were safer now than they had been before he had appeared on the scene. A part of her couldn't help but wonder where their journey would take them next...*

*Ciri listened carefully as Geralt spoke of the sanctuary, committing its location to memory so they could find it once they got closer. The thought of finally being able to rest and recuperate filled her with hope and determination. She glanced over at Yennefer, offering her a reassuring smile before turning back to face forward again, eagerly anticipating their arrival at Kar Morhen. *Yennefer cast a sidelong glance at Geralt as they walked. Though she didn't trust him completely, the man seemed to know his way around this world and had proven himself useful thus far. She couldn't deny that his knowledge might come in handy should any unforeseen obstacles arise between now and their destination. For now, she would humor him and see where their journey took them.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across their path, Geralt began to explain how he knew of Kar Morhen's location. He spoke of his past as a Witcher, trained in knowledge and skills that few others possessed. Ciri listened intently, her eyes wide with wonder and respect, while Yennefer rolled hers skeptically but didn't interrupt. The tension between them was still there, but it had begun to lessen as their shared journey wore on.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity of walking, they crested a hill and saw the imposing fortress of Kar Morhen looming before them, its ancient walls glowing with an otherworldly light. A collective sigh of relief escaped their lips as they made their way down the slope, eager to find shelter within its protective embrace.

As they neared the gates, Geralt took the

The gates creaked open slowly, revealing a dozen armed guards standing watch within the courtyard. At first, they appeared wary and uncertain of the newcomers, but as Geralt explained who they were and why they had come, their expressions slowly shifted to one of relief and respect. As he finished speaking, the leader of the guard nodded solemnly before stepping forward to greet them properly.

"Welcome to Kar Morhen," he said, his voice deep and commanding. "You are most welcome here." His eyes flickered between Geralt and Ciri, a question in their depths that neither of them could quite interpret. Nonetheless, he motioned for them to follow as he led the way into the fortress itself.

Ciri glanced over at Yennefer with a hopeful smile, wishing she could share the same feeling of safety and comfort that filled her chest now. The

As they entered the great hall of Kar Morhen, warmth and light banished the chill of the night air. The smell of roasting meat and freshly baked bread filled Ciri's nostrils, triggering a rumble in her empty stomach. She glanced over at Yennefer, hoping that she too would feel as welcome and safe here as she did. Yennefer eyed the interior with suspicion, remaining wary despite the show of hospitality. "Where will we be staying?" she asked bluntly, her tone making it clear that she was still not entirely convinced they were among friends. The leader of the guard exchanged a glance with Geralt before responding calmly.

"You are both welcome to share quarters while you remain under our protection," he explained. "We have spare rooms prepared for your use." His eyes remained fixed on Yennefer as he spoke, sensing

As they were led deeper into the keep, Yennefer studied her surroundings with unwavering attention. "What do you know about their magic stores here?" she asked Geralt quietly, not taking her eyes off the armed guards around them. "I can't help but feel like there's more to this place than meets the eye."

Geralt sighed softly before answering, "Kar Morhen has long been a sanctuary for mages and magical creatures alike. The treasures stored within these walls are legendary, capable of great power..." He trailed off, seemingly lost in thought. "But remember," he continued with a warning glance at Yennefer, "magic can be dangerous when it falls into the wrong hands."

Their guide led them up a winding staircase and down a dimly lit corridor before stopping outside of two adjoining doors. "These

"What do you mean?" she replied curiously. "Why wouldn't I trust him? He's my friend, isn't he?" She looked up at Geralt hopefully, wanting reassurance that their bond hadn't been shattered by everything they'd gone through.

In response, Geralt reached out to cup her face gently in his hand. "I am your friend, Ciri," he assured her, his voice gentle and sincere. "But there are things you don't know about me... secrets I couldn't share with you before. Some of those secrets put both of us in danger." He searched her eyes intently for understanding.

Ciri stared back at him, processing this new information. She felt a mix of confusion, betrayal, and sadness swirling inside her chest. "So... what does that mean for us?" she whispered, her voice bare

Geralt paused for a moment before responding. "I don't want our friendship to change because of this, Ciri," he said gently. "You are still the same amazing person you always were... and I will always care about you. As for what it means moving forward..." He hesitated again, weighing his words carefully. "We will have to be careful. We can't let anyone else know about these secrets or use them against us."

Ciri bit her lip, still unsure of how she felt about everything that had been said. She looked over at Yennefer, who stood silently beside her, her expression unreadable. Part of her wanted to trust Geralt, but another part was terrified of the unknown implications of his past secrets. She took a deep breath before speaking again.

"Okay," she said finally. "Let's... just take it one step at

"Okay," she said finally. "Let's... just take it one step at a time." She turned to face Yennefer, her expression pleading for understanding. "Please, try to trust him too." Then, before the older woman could respond, she added softly, "At least for now."

Yennefer narrowed her eyes but remained silent, clearly still wrestling with her own doubts and suspicions. After a long moment, she nodded reluctantly. "Fine," she said gruffly. "But we stay alert. And if anything feels off... you let me know right away."

"You have my word," Geralt said sincerely, giving Yennefer a reassuring nod. "I won't let anything happen to you... or Ciri." He looked at her with an unreadable expression before continuing, his voice gentle once more. "Now, why don't we get some rest? Tomorrow will be another long day."

Ciri nodded gratefully, exhausted from the events of the past few days. As they entered their adjoining rooms and prepared for bed, she couldn't help but feel a sense of unease settle over her. But with Geralt and Yennefer both here in Kar Morhen, at least for now she felt safer than she had since before everything had gone wrong.

As the last words echoed in her mind, exhaustion finally overcame Ciri. She crawled into bed, pulled the covers up to her chin, and drifted off to sleep, her troubled dreams filled with visions of home and the people she had lost. Across the room, Yennefer remained awake for a while longer, her eyes fixed on the shadows dancing across the walls as she wrestled with her doubts and fears. Eventually, however, even she succumbed to fatigue, allowing herself to sink into a fitful slumber, her body aching with weariness but unable to shut off her mind's insistent questions entirely.

In the end, it was Geralt who remained awake the longest, his thoughts racing as he considered the events of the past few days and tried to make sense of their new situation. He knew that danger still lurked nearby, waiting for an opportunity

Ciri woke with a start, her heart racing as she took in the unfamiliar surroundings of their room in Kar Morhen. For a moment, she forgot what had brought them here and wondered if everything was still safe before realizing that it was probably just one of her nightmares. With a sigh of relief, she glanced over at Yennefer, relieved to see that the older woman was fast asleep.

Quietly, she rose from bed, slipped on some clothes and tiptoed out into the corridor. The keep was quiet, most of its occupants still wrapped in slumber, and for a brief moment Ciri felt at peace. She made her way to the balcony overlooking the courtyard below, taking in the snow-covered landscape and letting the cool morning air refresh her. It was then that she spotted Geralt, sitting on the edge of the parap

"Good morning," she whispered as he looked up, his eyes meeting hers over the battlements. A small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he waved her over. She made her way across the courtyard, avoiding the puddles of water left by yesterday's rain and snow. As she climbed up beside him, she couldn't help but notice how worn down he looked despite having slept better than she had.

"You look tired," she observed quietly. "Did you have trouble sleeping too?" Geralt shrugged noncommittally before turning his attention back to the scenery below them, as if studying it for some hidden meaning. After a moment of awkward silence, Ciri shifted uncomfortably and spoke again.

"I'm sorry I woke you earlier," she said sincerely. "I hope I didn't disturb your rest." Ger

"Semmi baj," he assured her with a hint of a smile, "I've had worse nights." They sat together in companionable silence for a while longer, watching the first rays of dawn paint the sky behind the distant mountains. It was a peaceful interlude that belied the turmoil that still raged inside them both, each wrestling with their own fears and doubts about the future.

Eventually, Geralt stood up and stretched, his shoulders cracking audibly. "Well," he said, his voice sounding more like its old self, "I suppose we should go find something to eat. Maybe then I can explain a bit more about how this place works... and what we need to do next." Ciri nodded in agreement, her stomach rumbling at the thought of food. Together they made their way back inside, ready to face whatever challenges awaited them together.

"I'm starving," Yennefer muttered, her tone grudgingly acknowledging the fact as she followed them back inside. "And I want to know exactly what it is you aren't telling us, Geralt." Her words were directed more at his back than at him, but he ignored the accusation and instead led them down a corridor toward the great hall where breakfast was being served.

As they walked, Ciri found herself caught between her trust in Geralt and her distrust of Yennefer's suspicions. She glanced over at her friend, wondering if she should try to make peace or if it would be better to let things lie for now. In the end, she decided on a compromise: "I think it might be best if you just... listen," she said quietly, her gaze fixed on the floor as she spoke. "And give him a chance to explain before you jump to any conclusions

Yennefer stopped in her tracks, her eyebrow raised in surprise at the younger girl's tone. "And why should I do that?" she demanded sharply, narrowing her eyes. "He hasn't exactly given us a reason to trust him, you know." Ciri flinched under Yennefer's glare but held her ground, meeting the other woman's gaze steadily.

"Because he helped us escape that forest," she said simply. "And he got us here safely. Maybe... maybe there's more to it than we know." She didn't mention the conversation they'd had earlier about Geralt's past or the secrets he was keeping, but she could sense Yennefer taking in every word anyway.

The tension between them hung thickly in the air for a moment before Yennefer grudgingly nodded and allowed herself to be led down the hall toward breakfast

Yennefer didn't reply to that, but the corner of her mouth twitched in what might have been a small smile as they continued toward breakfast. Geralt cast them both sideways glances as they walked, aware of the tension between them but deciding not to interfere for now. He hoped that if he could explain everything about his past and the situation with the Wild Hunt, it would help ease their concerns and let them trust him again.

As they sat down at a table in the great hall, serving maids appeared out of nowhere to take their orders before disappearing once more without a word. The hall was bustling with activity, its occupants speaking in hushed tones about matters Ciri couldn't even begin to understand. She glanced over at Geralt and Yennefer, noticing how much more relaxed they seemed now that they were among their own kind once again.

"So," she

"So," she repeated, leaning forward with interest as they waited for their food to arrive. "Tell me more about this place... and why it's so important." Geralt took a sip of his hot cider before beginning to speak, his eyes fixed on the fire crackling merrily in the hearth nearby as he sought the right words with which to explain everything that had brought them here.

"Kar Morhen has been a sanctuary for mages and other magical beings since time immemorial," he began. "It was founded by King Calakor, one of the first Wizards of the world. He gathered together the most powerful and knowledgeable sorcerers from across Thedas to protect them from those who would seek to destroy or exploit their gifts." Yennefer rolled her eyes at this part but otherwise remained silent.

"Over time," Geralt continued, "the keep became not

Geralt's expression darkened as he mentioned the Wild Hunt. "And that brings us to the present day," he said grimly. "Ever since the events of... well, everything that happened..." He glanced over at Ciri, his voice trailing off before returning with renewed determination. "...the forces behind the Wild Hunt have grown stronger and more dangerous than ever before. Their goal is to find a way to control or destroy magic completely, and they will stop at nothing to achieve it."

Ciri shivered despite the warmth of the fire as she listened, her heart racing in fear for those who called this place home. Yennefer's eyes narrowed, but she said nothing, evidently giving Geralt the benefit of the doubt for now. They finished their breakfast in silence, each lost in their own thoughts about what it all meant and how they could possibly stop the Wild Hunt before it was too late.

Ciri looked at Yennefer, her expression uncertain but hopeful. "Do you think... we can stop them?" she asked softly. "Geralt seems so sure of himself, but..." Her voice trailed off as she struggled to put her fears into words.

Yennefer sighed and took a sip of her coffee before answering. "I don't know," she admitted reluctantly. "But I do trust Geralt. He's fought against worse odds before, and he always manages to find a way." Her eyes met Ciri's steadily, conveying a message of reassurance despite her own doubts. "I will help him however I can," she said firmly.

Geralt nodded appreciatively at Yennefer's words, his expression somewhat more relaxed now that he felt they were on the same side again. He glanced back and forth between them

Ciri smiled softly at Yennefer's words, feeling a tiny bit more at ease herself. "Thank you," she said gratefully. "I know it hasn't been easy for either of you... but I'm glad we're all here together." She glanced up at Geralt then, her expression serious. "We need to find a way to stop the Wild Hunt. For everyone who can't be here, and for those who are still in danger."

Yennefer nodded somberly in agreement. "Agreed," she said firmly. "Now, what do you propose we do?"

Geralt took a moment to gather his thoughts before responding. "We need to gather information first," he said decisively. "About the Wild Hunt's leaders, their plans, and any weaknesses we can exploit. I have some contacts in the greater world who might be able to help us." He paused, looking at each of them in turn. "But that means leaving Kar Morhen's protection... even if it's only for a short while."

Ciri swallowed hard, feeling a knot form in her stomach at the thought of venturing out into the dangerous world beyond the keep once again. But she knew Geralt was right; they had to try something. She glanced over at Yennefer, unsure of how she would react.

The older woman considered this for a moment before nodding slowly. "Very well," she said at last. "I will accompany you." Her voice

Geralt smiled in relief. "Thank you," he said sincerely. "It's good to know we have the support of both of you." He paused, thinking of something else. "There is one more thing... I haven't exactly told Ciri about all of my past involvement with the Wild Hunt. It might be best if I did, before we set out on this mission together..."

Yennefer raised an eyebrow at him but nodded nonetheless. "Very well," she said coolly. "Now might be as good a time as any." Geralt turned to face Ciri, his expression serious.

"I fought against the Wild Hunt for many years," he began. "But there came a point where I realized that my efforts alone weren't enough. So, I formed an alliance with them... using my skills and knowledge as a Witcher to help them achieve their

"Very well," she said slowly. "But what changed? Why are you fighting against them now?" Her expression was hard to read as she waited for his reply, the weight of their conversation weighing heavily on her heart.

Geralt took a deep breath before continuing. "I'll be honest with you," he said gravely. "There were many reasons I chose to align myself with them... not all of them noble. But as time went on, I started to see the damage we were doing. The people we were hurting in our quest for power." He paused, searching her eyes for understanding and forgiveness.

Ciri listened intently, considering his words carefully. Part of her wanted to believe him; part of her couldn't help but feel betrayed. Finally, she nodded slowly. "I understand," she said softly. "And I don't blame you... for making those choices." She paused