The Witcher, the Mage, and the Lion Cub of Cintra

Serena reappeared in Vengerberg. She had already tried Kaer Morhen, so now, she would hope that the trio was in Yennefer's hometown. Her eyes flicked to the shard in her hands. It was quite dim. Serena walked around the town, but the brightness barely ever changed.

Disappointed, she left Vengerberg and headed to Cintra. As she was walking the streets, Serena looked up and saw the burnt palace. Sadness filled her.

The poor Princess, she thought. To have lost everything so young...

"Are you lost?"

Serena was startled and turned around to see a Nilfgaardian soldier. She actually recognized him as a friend of her father's. Even though he would not recognize her, she turned away a bit.

"No, sir. I was just leaving."

"No Cintrans are allowed to leave."

"I'm not Cintran."

He peered at her. Serena felt uncomfortable.

"Who are you?"

She didn't want to hurt him because of her father. But she knew that she might have to.

"Serena."

The soldier looked a little startled.

"I knew someone named Serena once. She was the daughter of a friend of mine."

She decided to take one, massive risk.

"Serena Aep Nyr, right?"

He looked shocked and asked, "How do you know her name?"

Magic swirled around Serena and she illusioned herself back to her original look. His eyes widened.

"Serena?"

"Hello, Sir Gaellin."

"How are you here? Why are you here? Your mother must be so worried."

"I became a mage. My mother agreed to it. Granted, I'm not that strong, but I passed initiation at Aretuza and Ascended recently."

"Oh, I'm sure your mother is very proud of you."

"She is. I visited her yesterday."

"That's good. If you see her again soon, please tell her that I hope she is well."

"Thank you, I will."

Then, before Sir Gaellin could stop her, she teleported out of Cintra.

Serena looked everywhere, but still had no luck in finding Geralt, Yennefer, or Ciri. As she went from place to place, she heard tales of Nilfgaard marching north once more. She knew that if Tissaia was right, the army would make for Aretuza and Ban Ard to eliminate the mages, since they had won at the Battle of Sodden Hill.

Many weeks went by, but still nothing. Serena had decided not to return to Aretuza unless it was with the trio in tow.

"Where could they be?!" she screamed one night.

Serena had searched and searched to no avail. Her resolve was quickly fading and she wanted to give up. But Tissaia's words kept her going.

"Should Nilfgaard descend on Aretuza, we need Yennefer, Geralt, and Ciri."

So, Serena sighed and kept looking. Eventually, she returned to Kaer Morhen and met with Vesemir once again.

"Sorry, Serena, but we don't know where Geralt is."

Her lips drew into a thin line as she nodded and thanked him. Then, she left the Witcher's keep.

Needing a reprieve, she returned to her mother's bakery in the City of Golden Towers. There, she told Nele about Sir Gaellin and baked to get her mind off of her task. When Serena decided it was time to leave again, she bid her mother goodbye and portaled herself to Kaedwen. In Ard Carraigh, the capital, she wandered before being approached by Verdenian soldiers.

"State your business in Ard Carraigh, ma'am."

"I'm here on private business."

The soldiers moved to arrest her, and Serena muttered an incantation in Elder. The soldiers turned to stone, and she quickly apologized. Then, a hole opened up beneath her and she fell.

"Ahh!"

When her feet touched ground again, she was standing in the palace. Serena knew who had brought her there.

"Hello, Nera."

Serena turned around and greeted her peer. Nera smiled sweetly, but Serena could see the distrust underneath. She put her guard up.

"Hello, Serena. What are you doing here?"

"It's private, I'm afraid."

"Hmm, pity. What kingdom were you assigned to, again?"

Serena guessed that Nera knew she had no kingdom. So, she told part of the truth.

"Rectoress de Vries didn't assign me to one."

"Huh, guess you aren't even powerful enough to advise on a royal court. I wonder, how did you manage to pass initiation?"

"I don't know, Nera, but I did."

Serena suddenly felt something hot in her pocket. Her hand discreetly slipped into her dress pocket and felt for the shard. It was burning hot.

They're here, she thought. Are they captives?

"Why don't you give me a tour, Nera? I'd love to see what you do here. Perhaps, I can even learn from you."

Serena knew to play on Nera's pride and ego. Nera grinned and agreed.

She led Serena around the palace and even took her down to the dungeons. Serena felt the shard grow hotter and hotter, and she feared that it would shine right through her dark grey dress.

As they passed a cell, the shard burned Serena's hand. She bit her lip to keep from crying out.

"I'm sorry, Nera, but I'm afraid I'm going to have to cut this tour short."

Serena muttered in Elder and soon, Nera and two guards fell through portals which sent them to the city of Ban Ard. She turned to the cell and saw a torch. Calling upon the energy of the flames, the torch went out, and Serena changed the heat to electricity that shocked the lock into opening. She pulled the door open and ran into the cell. It was dark, but she used some more energy to create a light in her hand. Her eyes scanned the room.

Inside sat Geralt, Ciri, and Yennefer. And all three stared at her.