Disclaimer: I have no rights or ownership of Witcher. This is a fanfic, all rights belong to Andrzej Sapkowski and CD Projekt RED. I only claim ownership of my original characters and ideas.
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(Royal Bedchamber, Castle Cidaris, City of Cidaris, Duchy of Cidaris, Kingdom of Cidaris, The Dragon Coast, The Northern Kingdoms, The North, The Continent, Witcher World, The Witcher-Verse)
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(King Aethan I Jaenerys of Cidaris POV)
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King Aethan sat in the chair next to Adda's bedside. She was sleeping peacefully, which meant that the potions were doing the job they were supposed to do. Aethan held lionors a'baeth in front of him. Something about the blade was irritating him. He wasn't sure what, but when he sentenced that bastard to death and carried out the execution himself… he…
The blade felt…hungry, and it felt satisfied that it had ended that bastard's life.
He was deeply unsettled by it.
More so by the fact it was now - for lack of better words - calmer. He needed an expert opinion.
Or three.
He was trying to remember the name of that Demon expert from Hearts of Stone, but he couldn't place it. He was having difficulty remembering other things as well.
The face of his first love, her voice, the way she laughed. But the funny thing was, trying to remember what those things were… all they returned was Adda.
And honestly, Aethan was okay with that.
As much as he loved her, whoever she had been to him once. She now meant nothing to him. Adda, the little ones inside her. They were the only ones who truly mattered to him.
It crystallized for him, it all became clear. Let the past die, forge his future, but live in the present.
What he could remember he'd put into writing. But he would no longer be bound by his past life. He'd been so caught up in nostalgia, that he'd somewhat neglected the reality of it all.
When the war was over. Assuming he survived. He'd try to stay true to the state and family.
To start, he'd reorganize the Kingdom of Cidaris. With what he did remember of his past lifetime in what was previously the real world, he'd shape the future. Let his sons, grandsons, and great-grandsons build upon what he leaves behind. And if they squander what he's built, let them drown in their incompetence. Aethan could only stare down what was in front of him. Not that which lay upon the horizon.
Drawing lionors a'baeth, Aethan holds the beautiful Sabre in front of his eyes.
''Freya, mother of mothers, keeper of hearth and home, hear me now. I thank you for your gifts and your favor. But I must do what's best for my family, even if that is not what is best for my Kingdom and Dynasty. Protect my Adda, and those who follow us, and when at last my life in this world comes to an end…I vow to serve you in death until such a time as you release me from oath, or my services are no longer required. But until my death, my faith must be secondary to my state and my family. Adda and my children are what matters most.'' He says, opening his eyes and sheathing his blade.
''Aethan, your wards, Prince Anseis and Prince Stennis wish to speak with you. But you have a visitor from the brotherhood, and they bear a message from King's Vizimir and Foltest.'' Says Lucia, entering the room.
''I can guess what the message is about. I thought we'd have more time… but I knew this was coming.'' Aethan says with a long and drawn-out sigh. ''Send the call, summon the War Council, mobilize all of our troops and all our naval vessels. When she wakes, send her to Kaer Trolde. Jarl an Craite will see her taken to Hindarsfjall.'' Aethan instructs. ''As for the Special Forces, summon the principal commanders to the War Council as well, and also call upon the Trade League's senior council.'' Aethan adds.
''I'll see to it. Aethan, it's not my place, but without a clear heir, the Kingdom's future is in doubt. You must make a decision.'' Says Lucia.
''I know, but we can ill afford to announce it. The sad reality is that despite the information blockade we command, nothing stays a secret forever. And announcing Adda's pregnancy only serves to place her and the babies in danger. At least in Skellige, we can be assured of the validity of the oath sworn to me before I left. There's also the matter of wartime betrayal. Foltest is the only one outside Cidaris who knows, we know he's kept word of it quiet, as requested. When the war is over, we will no longer need to hide it.'' Aethan tells Lucia.
''As you say.'' She says in deference, though Aethan knows she has simply chosen to debate it further. Something He's grateful for.
Lucia was… unique in more ways than one.
Breathtakingly beautiful, deceptively and exceptionally intelligent, but paradoxically she was both fiercely stubborn and highly conscientious of her actions, etiquette, and relationships. He'd seen her go from quiet and meek to loudly stubborn in an instant.
Since appointing her as his Spymaster, she'd spent the last few years growing into her role, building relationships, and expanding her reach. Obviously, Aethan had assisted her in that regard, forming the Internal Security Bureau, expanding the National Cidaris Intelligence Service, and the introduction of new military forces had supported her as well. It wasn't easy keeping track of everything, he was better at organizing troops than he was at remembering things as shit piled on.
And if something big enough happened that called away his attention too long… Well trying to get back in the momentum he'd had going was like that split second when a race car driver knows he's fucked up and made the wrong decision, and a split second later he's crashed and dies in a burning wreck. But in Aethan's case, he always bounced back, but there was a habit there. Aethan tended to get hyper focused. He assumed it had followed him to this life.
As he was walking through the corridors a decision was at the forefront of his mind. Delay his meeting with Eilhart, or…
''Watch out!''
Some children barrel past Aethan, three girls and a boy of varying ages. He doesn't know why, but he follows them. His guards trail behind him.
''I'm Erland!''
''I'm Calanthe!''
''I'm Falka!''
''I'm…I'm…I…''
Tears well in Aethan's eyes.
''This was the day. The day everything changed. How ironic…'' It clicked now.
Today was the anniversary of the start of his training under the Cat of Poviss.
The day his nightmare began.
''My King?'' Bjorn asks.
''I'm fine. Today is the anniversary of my training under the Cat. I still remember playing in these halls with my sisters. Then my father called upon me. And my Nightmare of Fury and Grief began. Until I decided to Marry Adda, I'd not had a peaceful sleep for over a decade. Now she has been attacked and war is upon us. Mayhap I was too brutal in my vengeance.'' Aethan says, as he considers perhaps he shouldn't have executed Lucien Feld.
Nor should he have been as thorough in his execution of Ebland. Treason was treason, but death need not always be the answer.
He regretted executing Feld. It was a mistake.
Time to speak with Stennis and Ansei's.
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(POV Shift: Prince Stennis Vengerin)
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Together with Anséis, Stennis had been reading what King Aethan had titled the Arts of War. Slowly a picture began to form.
As he read the Laws of the Commander, he began to understand. When he observed the way Cidarian soldiers were drilled, he fully understood.
King Aethan wanted them to fight together in sync. He wanted them to overwhelm him through strategy and tactics rather than sheer force of will. But the question that Stennis had was what would have been the correct Strategy.
He and Anséis had neither time nor opportunity to formulate one. So how could they do it? He didn't know.
''It's not so difficult when you understand my brother.'' Turning his head, Stennis quickly bows his head to Princess Margaery.
''Princess Margaery.'' Stennis quickly swallows whatever he was going to say. His father sent him here, and it was crucial that he didn't dishonor the Vengerin Dynasty.
''My brother is a lover of great strategists. He dtudies the cultures, languages, and art of an opponent as well as their pasts to fully understand who he's facing. Thus far he's had a light hand in your instruction. It's only natural you've been unfamiliar with his ways. But things are changing. Watch and learn Princeling.'' As quickly as she appeared, the Princess left.
He was confused by her. Usually he could tell what someone wanted from him. But every encounter he'd had with the King's middle sister had been different.
In their first meeting she'd criticized Aedirn and his father. In hindsight he believed she'd done that to guage what his response would be and what level it would be on. He had reacted strongly and heatedly. His poor conduct and etiquette had earned him a month of cleaning the Royal Stables on his own. When he lost his first half-dozen bouts of training against Prince Anseis, he'd slapped her offered hand away, still bitter about her criticism. His conduct then had earned him a month of both cleaning out the Royal Stables, but also cleaning and polishing every scrap and inch of Armor, and sharpening every sword in the Armory.
Quickly he'd learned to be cordial and polite with Princess Margaery. But only in the last few months had he learned to heed her advice.
''Stennis! Come quickly. King Aethan is meeting with a representative of the Brotherhood.'' Anséis said, sprinting towards him, partially out of breath.
''Should we really do that?'' He asked. He had to be the voice of reason.
''The Brotherhood representative fought at Sodden Hill.'' Anséis says excitedly.
That changed things.
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(POV Shift: King Aethan I Jaenerys of Cidaris)
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Aethan had decided against speaking to Anséis and Stennis first. The reason being his guest from the brotherhood was not Philippa Eilhart as expected.
No it was a mage far more dangerous, and one that Aethan was actively plotting against. A man originally raised by druids before joining the brotherhood, and the one that would die at Stygga Castle.
Vilgefortz.
Aethan gave the order for the Kingsglaive to assemble. He'd ordered Keira Metz, Astrid Davaro, and Arianna Glevissig to his side. As for his Sword? lionors a'baeth was excited if such a thing were possible. As for Aethan? Aethan was nervous.
Vilgefortz was not the type of man that Aethan could take on easily. True, his Glaives were extremely skilled. And he did have three Sorceresses on his side. But Vilgefortz was a very well-rounded Sorcerer. Extremely intelligent and devious, and exceptionally evil. He had skills your average and even your above-average mages didn't. He was also skilled enough to fight the legendary Cahir evenly in a battle of weapons rather than magic during the Battle of Sodden Hill.
Aethan had flooded the halls to his chambers with guards, while Marshal Vissegard and twelve hand-picked Cidarian Special Forces soldiers guarded Adda inside.
Aethan was prepared for a fight, Vilgefortz was not someone he considered an ally. No Vilgefortz was an enemy.
Time to meet the man.
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(POV Shift: Vilgefortz)
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Amusement.
He was genuinely amused.
King Aethan didn't trust him, apparently didn't like him, and was prepared for a fight. The men escorting him to the Throne Room, were no ordinary soldiers. Not even special forces. They were true elites.
Extremely well-trained and ready for action at a moments notice.
It made him laugh internally. He'd become aware that Aethan was supporting Philippa Eilhart. Somehow, the Cidarian monarch had acquired information on his activities. Which meant that the King knew certain details, ones that Vilgefortz honestly couldn't begin to figure out how the boy King had known about.
But that would be found out later.
For the moment, let the King enjoy his false sense of security.
''All this just for me? It's honestly very flattering.'' He said as they entered the Throne Room.
King Aethan sat atop his Throne not in finery, but battle armor. His Sword Hilt in his hand. At his side was Keira Metz. Below them two Sorceresses he didn't recognize.
''Seemed prudent given what's happening.'' Aethan said coolly, and Vilgefortz had to give him credit, his face betrayed nothing.
Rignor had trained the boy a little too well.
''That's fair. I think you know why I am here. You gave Eilhart information that has the potential to cause catastrophic damage to me and my plans. I want you to stop.'' Says Vilgefortz.
''I don't answer to you. And as for Lady Eilhart? It was an alliance of mutual benefit. Unless you can offer me more than her, I have no desire to help you in any way, shape, or form.'' The king said.
Vilgefortz frowned thoughtfully. There was little he could offer right now. Emhyr was his champion in the coming melee so to speak. There was very little to gain changing Horses mid-race. But assuming Aethan survived the coming skirmishes, anitthe end results were favorable to him, and less so to Emhyr… it was entirely possible that they could revisit this. The problem was however that he needed to know how much Aethan had in him, and what he'd given to Eilhart.
Not knowing, nor having an idea about how much was uncovered was nevertheless too great a danger. He needed it to end first and foremost. But he also needed to know how deep his plans had been compromised. Not knowing that left him without even a remote clue how deeply he'd been compromised and what he needed to do to patch any holes in his group.
''I'm not in much of a position to do that I'm afraid.'' He tells the king.
''I don't blame you. I won't stop backing Eilhart. But I will stop supplying her with information until the mess we're involved in is sorted out. When that time comes, you and I can resist this topic. I gave Eilhart my word I'd support her in exchange for services rendered. I don't break my word. But support has many forms. Advice amongst them. Stay away from my family and we'll have no problems.'' The funny part is he believes the boy King.
Which Means he's either a very good liar… or he's being honest.
''We'll see what happens.'' Vilgefortz says, turning to leave.
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(POV Shift: Keira Metz)
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''Keira…'' Her King said in a bare whisper.
''My King?'' She turned to him, and she noticed how taut he was.
''Get a message to Philippa Eilhart. Tell her to execute the Nilf's, don't bother detaining them. She can spare Vigo. But no others. Slap them in Dimeritium, and cut Vilgefortz fucking head off.'' Says her King.
Keira absorbs what he's said. There's something going on. The fact she doesn't know what it is annoys her. But her King's sentence makes her realize all too well.
War has come again…
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(Author's Note:)
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2,545 words? Way over my limit. Not a bad thing though. Just more content than I expected. It's been a fairly slow month overall.
That's mostly due to family shit. Mum has a massive anxiety problem. I have four separate injuries right now, and the family going up north without me has thrown their housework on me When I got my own holiday coming.
Honestly it's enough to drive a man mad.
Anyway see you guys next chapter. With any luck ... .we'll close with the opening dances of the Thanedd Coup part of The Witcher Book: Time of Contempt.
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