Firelight from the oven shone on a pair of silhouettes on the windowsill. Roy could taste the scent of roses and the warmth coming from Lytta. "This might sound rude, but if you want to escape this battle, you need to give up on your job and leave Kerack. When you're no longer a royal consultant, Viraxas will have no reason to force a lady to fight while the men stay behind."

Lytta massaged her eyebrows. "I've been working in Kerack for more than a decade. Mostly I was coming up with plans for the late king, and thanks to that, I'm living in luxury. This is kind of like my home now." She shook her head, her red hair smacking Roy's cheeks. "And you want me to throw all my work behind and leave? It's a bit hard to say goodbye."

Coral had a weird look on her face. It sounded like she was sighing over something she couldn't change. As if she had made a decision. "Will things change if I convince the king to stay out of this battle?" she asked. "There's a great distance between Kerack and Sodden. If Nilfgaard wants to take over Kerack, they'll first have to go through Brokilon on the east and south. Brokilon is the dryads' turf. Eithn will have her archers teach the invaders a painful lesson if they try to tread the woods. Kerack is just a small kingdom, and it's not situated in a militarily advantageous position. I don't think Nilfgaard would sacrifice their troops just to get a piece of inconsequential land."

Roy had to say that her analysis was correct. The invasion didn't affect Kerack that much. They only sent out their troops because all the other bigger kingdoms forced them into it. If Kerack's king was shrewd enough, he could have gained a lot from the war between Nilfgaard and Temeria. But if you don't leave Kerack, the brotherhood's going to find you.

"But even if you manage to keep Kerack out of this, as long as you're a kingdom's consultant, the Brotherhood of Sorcerers can contact you easily. Can you really refuse their conscription? You're one of the top members, aren't you?"

Vilgefortz of Roggeveen, leader of the brotherhood, would lead twenty-two mages, including the royal consultants, to face the invaders on Sodden Hill. Even if Coral could convince the king of Kerack to stay out of the battle, she still couldn't refuse the brotherhood's orders.

And she quickly realized what Roy was trying to say. "You want me to leave Kerack and hide until the war is over?"

"Conducting a closed experiment for a year or two is nothing for mages. You guys can live really long anyway." Roy stared into her eyes and suggested, "And you can't receive any messages during the experiment. That doesn't count as a betrayal in the brotherhood's eyes."

"If I do that, I'll lose my reputation among the brotherhood. By a lot. All just to escape an uncertain war?"

She took a deep breath and looked at Roy closely in an attempt to see through him, but as usual, she failed. Roy was immune to mind-reading, and his eyes were filled with genuine concern.

"Are you reading my mind?" She went into the laboratory and circled the tables. She asked, "How many mages are involved in the war?"

"Twenty-two."

"How many died?"

"Including you? Fourtee Thirteen," Roy corrected himself. "One of them was heavily injured, but the official number included her in it."

Coral pouted. He didn't even think. It's like he's telling me something written in the history books, except what he said hasn't even happened yet. And he's immune to mind-reading. I can't tell if he's telling the truth. If this is all made up, then Roy is a lot scarier than I thought.

Her dilemma did not escape Roy, and he laughed at himself. "I know telling everyone to make a run for it is cowardly. I thought I should try and change the outcome. Contact the rulers, like Calanthe of Cintra for example, and tell them about the coming war. Maybe they can change their fates, but then I'm just a lowly witcher. Even if I can meet the rulers, they're going to think I'm a mad peddler and theyd kick me out of their castles. Some of them might think my prophecy a curse and burn me at the stake."

Coral stared at the ground again. Even though she was the royal consultant, telling the king about something so uncertain would make her look mad in his eyes, let alone the witcher.

"The brotherhood of witchers has just been established. We're not powerful enough to influence a war." Roy approached Coral and held her hands tightly. "All I can do is change the minds of the people around me. The people I care about. Those are the only ones I can save. Leave Kerack, Coral. Come with me."

Their gazes met. For a moment, Coral had conflicting emotions about the suggestion. She stared at him, as if trying to pierce through Roy again, but all she could see was the young witcher in front of her. A while later, she turned her face away and chuckled. "Was that a confession?"

Roy was going to say something, but Coral changed the subject. "It's not hard leaving Kerack, but where should I hide? How can I evade the brotherhood?"

She circled the witcher like a little cat, and her paws were clawing at his chest and back. Roy shivered from how ticklish it felt, and she continued. "I'm not going to be a herbalist in some backwater village and live with pests. But where else can I get an easy job that pays as much as the royal family does? It doesn't have to be an increase, but at least they can't pay me too little. How else am I supposed to maintain this lifestyle otherwise? If I can't buy the latest clothes I want, it'd be a nightmare."

You have enough clothes, but you barely wear any, Ro thought to himself. He held her arm and stopped her from circling him. "If you ask me, you should come to Novigrad. The brotherhood of witchers is established, and we're expanding. We're always recruiting, especially mages. You can work with us. Research and improve the recipe for our Trial. Become our resident mage. You like looking into witcher stuff, don't you?"

Coral mused. "A brotherhood of witchers. Did you get that idea from the brotherhood of sorcerers? You're trying to unite all witchers and expand your organization?"

"Yes." Roy held her hand tightly. With resolve, he said, "You know the predicament we're in. I don't want the people to look at me and think I'm a kidnapper, a mutant, an abomination. I don't want to die knowing the people will hate my guts because of some unfounded rumors. That's why we went to Kaer Morhen and convinced the Wolves to join us. And then we persuaded the Cats into this, so now we have a brotherhood. It's an organization made by witchers, for witchers. One day, we'll tell those bastards to shut up and stop the lies they spread about us. And we also want to keep the line of witchers going on for generations. You've looked into the Trial recipe. You know the death rate is absurdly high." Roy peered into her eyes. "We need a mage's help. A mage whom we can trust."

The fact that Roy trusted her made Lytta feel warm inside, and a happy smile curled her lips.

"And we won't make you work for nothing." Roy knew bringing up compensation right now was a bad look, but he had to. Or else he would have no chips to convince her. "I'm sure you won't be disappointed. How does a thousand crowns a month sound?"

We can afford that with how much we make right now.

She huddled closer again. "Are you sure about that? Women are greedy creatures, you know. We want everything and more."

The voluptuous Coral was slightly taller than Roy. All the young witcher could see were her pointy chin and soft, luscious lips. "I swear in the name of Roy! Do you trust me?"

Lytta was starting to see Roy in a new light. "You're different from all the stubborn witchers I've met so far. You're full of life, and I bet that was why you came to me tonight. You want me to work with the brotherhood."

"If you agree, then it's all fine and dandy. It's alright if you don't." Roy shook his head. Slowly, he said, "But never, ever go to Sodden Hill. I won't let you die for nothing."

***

The look in his eyes tugged on her heartstrings. She took a deep breath and turned around. "I need to think this through."

A barrage of thoughts overwhelmed her. She was already planning on leaving Kerack, but if she cut off contact with the brotherhood of sorcerers, she would have no choice but to side with the brotherhood of witchers. Does he know about my predicament? "Tell me, what did you hear?"

"What do you mean?"

"About the policies Viraxas passed once he ascended the throne."

Roy shook his head. "I don't know much about this king."

"But your suggestion works so well with one of his policies, I thought you two were in cahoots."

"Can you elaborate on that?"

She said derisively, "There's one policy that affects me heavily. Kerack now outlaws any magic within its borders. Mages are not allowed to own any property or treasure. They either spend all their coins to get a permit, or they have to leave this kingdom. This policy is made specifically for me. No other mages live here, and Viraxas insists on executing the policy. All he gave me was some time to think about it. I was already planning to search for opportunities in the wider world, though it'll be a reluctant goodbye to Kerack. And now you came to me with the proposal of joining your brotherhood."

Roy cheered for Viraxas in silence. You're a real G, Viraxas. Thanks for the assist, though you don't know it. "You worked with them for decades, and yet they are ungrateful to you." Roy said solemnly, "Kerack has no place in this world. It's not worth your time. Sell this villa off and get a new one in Novigrad. There's a sea nearby. We can row to Ofir like last time when you're not researching stuff."

***

Coral was tempted. "But it'd leave a bad taste in my mouth if I just leave like this." She shook her head and stared at Roy. "I need to teach them a lesson before I leave. Will you help me?"

"Who are you going after?"

"The royal family who passed this policy to chase me away."

Roy considered it for a moment and decided to refuse if Coral wanted him to commit regicide. I will not let history repeat itself. He held her hands tightly. "I'll try my best. What should I do?"

She huddled closer and gave him a kiss. Roy thought her lips were really soft.

"We're not in a hurry. Let me explain. Do you know how Viraxas ascended to the throne?"

Roy leaned in to listen closely.

"He used to be a prince. His father, Belohun, exiled him to the sands. A decade or so went by, and everything changed when Belohun crowned a new queen about a year ago."

She paused for a moment. "I know the bride. Her name is Ildiko. She used to be a student at Aretuza, but they expelled her during her third year because of larceny. Belohun and Ildiko stayed in the castle and waited for the people to bless their wedding, but then tragedy struck. Belohun suffered a sudden death."

Roy cocked his eyebrow. "From over excitement or a heart attack? Or was there something more?"

"Anyone could see there was something more." Coral shook her head scornfully. "But the doctor claimed the king died from a stroke caused by asphyxiation."

She strained her throat and imitated the voice of a man. "His body was tainted by polluted air. It destroyed his organs. The cause of it? The recent storms. Storms heat blood up. This is beyond us, and we can't save him. Our king is dead."

Coral shook her head. There was a hint of regret on her face. Belohun was the king who would let her do anything she wanted. "I think the doctor must be blind. I can't believe he didn't see the marks on Belohun's neck. They were red as an apple."

"Who would kill the king on the day of his wedding?" Roy asked curiously.

"You're about to find out." What Coral saw that day left a lasting impression on her. "The moment Belohun died, his son, the exiled prince and current king, Viraxas, came running back and took his late father's place as king. He made up an 'ancient' tradition on the spot too. Said it's been recorded in the books for generations. If the groom dies before his wedding, the bride marries his next of kin who's single. So Viraxas married Ildiko, who was supposed to be Belohun's queen."

"They're acquainted, aren't they? Viraxas and Ildiko," Roy asked.

"Yes, this is a conspiracy. The prince and the new queen worked together to claim the throne. I've done my investigations," she said confidently. "Ildiko gave Belohun a magic necklace as a token of their love, and then she cast a spell during their wedding day and killed him. This is a scam. A conspiracy."

Roy was petrified. The exiled prince made a majestic return, took the throne, and married his father's wife. What is this, Hamlet? He was impressed by Viraxas' actions. He let his woman marry his father just to take the throne. Man, this is impressive in a sense. Even if the wedding was fake, Ildiko must have fucked Belohun anyway.

"Ildiko's the reason Viraxas wants me gone. I saw what she did back in Aretuza, and she holds it against me. Now she's making me pay for it." Coral looked angry, and her chest heaved.

"Over the last six months, she's been scrutinizing my every move. Anything that slightly displeases her can be reason for her to tell on me. It's happened a lot of times, and it got worse. Viraxas is already forcing me to leave. And I've had enough. I'm leaving this place, but not before I get back at that bitch."

She pushed a lock of her hair away and stared into Roy's eyes. "Can you get some dirt on her for me and make her pay for what she did?"

Roy sighed silently. She wants me to sabotage a queen? I have to go so far to get a mage on our side?

***

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