A Surprise

"So we protect Aretuza," Yennefer decided.

Tissaia nodded. "Yes. At all costs."

"But what if there aren't enough mages?" Geralt asked.

"Then we will find a way," Ciri said. "I've been working with Yennefer, perhaps I could be of some help."

"No," Tissaia said. "Emperor Emhyr is after you specifically, Princess Cirilla. We don't want him to know you're here. Should Nilfgaard turn its sights on Aretuza, I will have Triss take you back to Kaer Morhen."

Ciri nodded in acceptance.

"Then what do we do, Tissaia?" Yennefer asked.

"The same as Sodden Hill. Defend Aretuza until we can no longer."

"Then we must start preparing now," Geralt said.

"Preparations have already begun."

"Will we really lose this time?" Ciri asked quietly. "Yennefer was telling me about Sodden Hill. Thirteen mages lost their lives that day. How many will this time?"

"That, Princess, is a good question."

"We will not lose. Not if we can do something about it," Geralt growled.

Serena stood in the office and listened, never once uttering a word. She knew that Nilfgaard was in the wrong, but still saw it as her home country. So unless she had to, she would not say a word.

For my mother, and my father, and Sir Gaellin, I will not go against Nilfgaard, she thought.

"What do you think, Serena?" Yennefer asked, pulling her out of her reverie.

"Hmm? Oh, I don't know. Aretuza is a fortress. Because of that, I think if we station some mages up on the battlements for an aerial view, and some on the ground to stop the incoming soldiers, we can cover or mostly cover the academy. Maybe even the most powerful in Tor Lara if need be."

The others nodded, seeming to like her idea. Serena looked down at the ground, feeling unfaithful to her blood.

"Vilgefortz betrayed us whilst battling Cahir, and if what you say is correct, Tissaia, then Cahir is out of the picture."

The Rectoress nodded.

Yennefer continued, "Good, so we don't have to worry about Cahir. Then what about Emperor Emhyr? Who will take care of him?"

"I've been doing some thinking about that," Tissaia said. "And I believe I have come to a solution on what to do about him."

"What do you mean?" Geralt asked.

"If you don't want me to fight, then who's going to kill the Emperor of Nilfgaard?" Ciri added.

"Yes," Yennefer added. "Ciri is the most powerful of us. So if not she, then who else?"

Tissaia looked at Yennefer.

"You will not, Yennefer. I will have you coordinating the mages and their locations. Geralt will protect Ciri and get her to Triss if need be."

Geralt nodded.

"Then who?" he asked. "Since we're all otherwise occupied."

Tissaia chuckled and smiled, which, being a rare thing, caused everyone present to get nervous.

"Well, let's just say that Emperor Emhyr will be in for a surprise."

What Serena didn't know was that Tissaia had also chosen her for another reason. She had once met Emperor Emhyr when her mother had catered a royal ball. Seventeen at the time, the Emperor had taken notice of her, but her mother had stepped in before anything happened. Since that ball, she hadn't seen Emperor Emhyr and hence had forgotten about it, until now.

"No," Serena breathed in realization. "This is exactly what my mother didn't want!"

Her amber eyes flared with anger, and her fists clenched tight. The flames on the candles began to flicker. Tissaia watched her closely.

Serena couldn't believe she had let the Rectoress manipulate her this whole time.

Tissaia held up her hands slowly.

"Serena, think about it. It's our best chance."

"No, I won't do it. I won't."

"Serena, you may not have a choice."

"Well, I didn't have a choice in coming to Aretuza either."

Tissaia scoffed. "Don't be a child. Emperor Emhyr will never suspect. He'll be shocked."

"You knew about that ball, didn't you?" Serena asked, hurt. "Were you there that night?"

"No, I wasn't."

"Then how? How?"

"You're getting emotional, Serena. Don't lose control."

"How?"

Tissaia sighed and said, "Fringilla."

Serena's brows furrowed in confusion.

"Fringilla came to me, whining about how Emhyr was wanting to expand his empire further, but then had stopped short at the sight of a pretty, young maiden."

Serena shook her head in disbelief.

Tissaia continued, "She described you to me, and when you had your conduit moment five years later, I realized you were the same girl. So, I went to find you. I knew that if you were on our side, we could stop Emhyr in his tracks."

Serena scoffed. "You manipulated my mother into handing me over. Just so I could be raised like an animal for slaughter."

Silence.

"Because no matter how much Emperor Emhyr flattered me that night, if I go against him, he will kill me."

Tissaia shook her head, disappointed. Then, she looked right at Serena.

"Oh, no, Serena. You're going to kill him first."