An Overdue Visit

Serena reappeared outside her mother's bakery. She figured that Tissaia would guess she'd go there first, but she didn't care.

Looking at her gown, she sighed. Then, Serena turned the door handle and walked in. The bell overhead tinkled and a woman came out into the store front.

Sadness filled Serena's eyes as she looked at her mother. Her mother had aged a lot in the two and a half years she had been away.

The older woman looked up.

"Hello. Can I help you?"

"Are you Nele Aep Nyr?"

"Yes. Who wants to know?"

Serena stepped forward.

"I know you don't recognize me," she gave a light chuckle. "How could you, I've changed so much."

"Who are you?"

"Serena, your daughter."

Her mother looked at her and shook her head.

"You're not my daughter."

"Let me prove it to you."

She felt scrutinized, but waited for her mother to answer.

"Fine."

"Two and a half years ago, Rectoress Tissaia de Vries came into this bakery asking about me. She said I had had a conduit moment and offered to pay florens for me. You refused, but then she said that being a sorceress would be the best life for me. In the end, I left with her, and Rectoress de Vries gave you 300 floren."

Nele's eyes widened.

"Serena? Is it really you?"

"Yes, Mother. I just couldn't be realized as Nilfgaardian, so I had to change how I look."

"Oh, yes, of course. I understand."

"Sending me to Aretuza really was the best for me. Look at what I've become, Mother. A strong woman ready to face the world. Yes, I loved baking, but now I have a chance to help restore peace to the Continent."

"I can see that you have flourished."

"Yes, Rectoress de Vries helped me so much. She saw my potential and now, I'm on par with Yennefer of Vengerberg."

"You seem to like the Rectoress."

"She's strict, but I think that's what helped me to grow."

Serena saw a hint of sadness in her mother's eyes. She walked forward and gently rested her hand on her arm.

"Rectoress de Vries helped me, yes. I do like her, yes. But she's not my mother. You are. You're the one who raised me."

Nele smiled and said, "You're just flattering me."

"No, I'm not. I mean what I say. You are and always will be my mother."

Serena smiled and hugged her mother. Nele hugged her daughter back.

The two spent some time baking and catching up. One a tray of cookies were set out, Serena looked at her mother sadly.

"I'm afraid I have to leave again so soon. I have an impossible task ahead of me, and I should probably get to work on it."

"Of course. I understand."

"Goodbye, Mother."

Serena hugged her mother one last time. Then, she turned and walked out of the bakery. Once outside, Serena teleported herself out of Nilfgaard and into Kaedwen.

As much as she didn't want to be in Nera's country, Tissaia had recommended that she start at the Witcher fort of Kaer Morhen.

Serena shivered and looked up at the imposing fortress. She walked forward and knocked on the door. After a few minutes, the heavy wooden doors opened to reveal a Witcher.

"Oh, a mage. What are you doing here at Kaer Morhen?"

"My name is Serena Aep Nyr. I've come looking for Geralt of Rivia. Is he here?"

The Witcher shook his head.

"I have not heard from Geralt in a while. Last I knew, mages were looking for him. Seems they still are."

"Please, sir. I'm not with the Brotherhood or the Chapter. I'm rogue, if you will."

He looked at her doubtfully.

"I swear it."

"Hmm, why do you need Geralt?"

"I just need to find him, Yennefer, and Princess Cirilla. I have a message for them from Rectoress Tissaia de Vries of Aretuza."

"The Rectoress is part of the Chapter of the Gift and the Art."

"Yes, I know. But she sent me here incognito. No one knows I'm here other than her."

"How do I know I can trust you?"

"So you do know where they are!" Serena said excitedly.

The Witcher's face darkened. She immediately composed herself.

"I'm sorry, but the Rectoress believes that we need Yennefer. Nilfgaard is growing it's army again, and she is worried that this time, they'll go after Aretuza and Ban Ard. I'm well aware that this isn't your problem, but it is mine. And Yennefer is still a mage, therefore, I need to find her. Since she's with Geralt, I need to find him."

The Witcher sighed.

"I don't know where they are. But should you need any help, I'm Vesemir."

"Thank you, Vesemir."

Serena bowed slightly to him and teleported away from Kaer Morhen. With nowhere else to go, she reappeared just outside Tissaia's office. Serena heard arguing coming from inside. She knocked on the door.

There was silence, and then, "Enter."

Serena entered the room to find Tissaia and an older man. She cleared her throat.

"Sorry to interrupt."

"Stovren, do you mind give me and Serena a moment?"

"Not at all."

He left the room and Tissaia put up a sound barrier.

"I met with Vesemir at Kaer Morhen. He doesn't know where they are. How am I supposed to find people who don't want to be found?"

"Use your instincts, Serena. Where could they all be safe?"

"I don't know, Rectoress! I don't know."

Tissaia sighed.

"We need them, Serena. And I need you to find them."

Serena nodded and said, "Yes, Rectoress. Do you have anything of Yennefer's that I might be able to track them with?"

"Ahh, a locator spell. Let me see."

Tissaia sifted through her desk before finding what she wanted. She stood up and brought it over to Serena.

"A shard of glass?"

"Yes, on her first night here, Yennefer cut her wrists with this shard. Her blood is still on it, so maybe you can track the Elven Blood."

"Okay."

Serena took the shard from Tissaia and concentrated on it. She muttered something in Elder and soon, the shard began to light up.

"I've got it. The shard will glow should I get closer to them. The more brightly it glows, the closer I am."

"Good, Serena. Now, go."

Serena smiled and teleported away.