The Great Escape

Outskirts of Verden, 1263

The Lion Cubs had a better life than most, as heirs to one of if not the most powerful house in The Northern Kingdoms. This came with responsibility which ciri learned of as she was called by her grandmother Queen Calanthe and was notified that she would be married of to Prince Kristin of Verden which didn't sit well with the young girl but with a talk about responsibility from Calanthe and with her brother following her to the meeting she caved in on be rebellious .

Cirillia was a good princess, a good granddaughter and a good ambassador for her people. So she sat quietly when her maid bushed and twisted her hair into elaborate plaits, clenched her teeth as they pulled her tightly into her most resplendent gown, and graced the crowds with her gentlest of smiles when leaving Cintra.

She refused to watch or listen but she could imagine the whispers following behind her all day. Whispers perhaps of pity, maybe empathy, or more cruel whispers of comeuppance. But she held her head high and smiled to her peers, and allowed smooth conversation of politics and gossip of the people.

She was sitting with her twin as the continued the trek back towards Verden as they ventured closer and closer the willingness she had towards this decision dwindle more and more if not for the person next to her she'd be even worse off.

Her Brother. Ezera. Quite beautiful in his formal robes, The boy was also quite handsome, he had elegant ashen grey curs that fell to his shoulders, the most beautiful sparkling emerald green eyes, he had high cheekbones with a sharp nose and full lips.

he was said to be the most handsome bachelor in the seven kingdoms, their family could hardly look at him because he resembled his mother so much, overhearing their grandfather telling him once that "If pavetta was a boy, she would look exactly like you".

The pressure felt by not only her but her brother as well by there Warhawk grandmother was suffocating at times, their only source of peace was in the presence of each other ezera rubbing her head as they laid on the roof of the cintrian castle gazing at the stars, she felt truly happy in those moments forgetting the aching left by their parents demise if only for a second.

"Having second thoughts ciri, you haven't been this fidgety since the frog incident of Windhalm of Attre" the usually stoic boy cracking a smile.

Ciri glared venomously at her twin as she recalled that very day, him lacing a frog within her dress causing her to squirm at the table earning her a scolding from Calanthe thereafter.

"My lessons on proper etiquette and the inter working of be a proper LADY were increased and more strenuous to this day! You'll do well to not remind me as I can try again to tend flesh from your bones once more!"

"Your obsession with using those teeth of yours to try to commit acts of cannibalism will never be understood by me" said Ezera as inspected and polished the blade that was retrieved from his waistline.

The sword that's usually encased in a black and gold studded sheath had a leather black leather grip with a golden lion pommel and lion cross-guards with a blade of black steel a true work of art and extension of the boy itself.

"Ah yes cause who am I to bite the prince who was promised, the Sleight Sword of Cintra

Blah! I swear if the young maids of the castle could they'd polish every stone you'd walked on before allowing you to make a step" stating Ciri as she turned to stare out the carriage window.

Ezera gives the blade a quick flurry before returning it to it's a sheath after that process turned to his upset sister making her turn back towards him, his eyes meeting hers the same emerald green reflecting on each other.

"Do not be upset Ciri, as I'd do the same for you. I know I haven't been as present as of late with all the training and studying I've been subject to but know that I will always be here for you and id never abandon you as we are destined to be together one of the same blood".

"Destiny.... from what I've been told we were promised to a Witcher called Geralt, it was said that he saved father from being killed and father unknowingly promised us to him" said Ciri .

"Yes he invoked the Law of Surprise, what you find at home yet don't expect is the phrasing grandmother said that was used. From what she said Geralt originally turned down payment for saving father twice as it was purely coincidental as he was at the party for a reason not know to him. Father not wanting to own the man didn't talk no as an answer and so Geralt invoked the law" Ezera claimed as he recalled the retelling from Queen Calanthe .

He remembers passing by the garden inside the place where Calanthe said on a swing while in the presence of the Witcher laced in emeralds and a dress of the same shade as their eyes taking the time to hide he observed the conversation.

"Hmph I guess six years wasn't long enough to end your life Witcher, with your chosen profession it seemed only a matter of time, seems I guessed wrong. " Said Calanthe adjusting Herself on the swing

"Mmm... we I pride myself on completed my contracts with my life intact, your majesty also I'm sorry for the loss of..." before Geralt was through giving his sympathy Calanthe interrupted stating simply that she's done mourning.

Ezera knowing that couldn't be further from the truth but understands his grandmother when she became silent after. As he sat there observing his grandmother try to trick Geralt with a group of children he was meant to pick his destined child from he says without even looking at them that he'll leave as he came childless. Only infuriating Calanthe as none of the boys were meant to be witchers and he'd just wanted to look Destiny in the eye he said.

He didn't even know that Pavetta had twins both a boy and a girl and simply guessed that the children present weren't Pavetta's. After a talk of children and what could happen it was understood by Ezera that both feared what would happen to him and his sister if Geralt was to claim them.

Are you sure you don't want to take a look upon your destiny definitely? Ask Calanthe

Definitely Geralt simply states as he was acting against destiny himself and if the gods were to punish him he'd suffer alone after that he offer the Queen a rose and left.

Calanthe staying that if he'd ever changes his mind she and his destiny would be waiting for him in Cintra.

As Ciri was about to knock her brother out of his trancelike state he returned by himself as they felt the carriage slow and stop a knock followed soon after as the accompanying squire Marck from Verden notified the two of an issue involving the carriage as a small repair was needed before the journey could continue. The two decided to use the opportunity as a chance to stretch their legs and gain their bearings.

"Hpmh... seems like we're on the outskirts of the Brokilon Forest The kingdom of forest dryads ruled by Queen Eithné and bane to you soon to be father in law King Ervyll".

Ciri not allowing Ezera to get under her skin sought to use this chance decides to venture over to the grazing horses seemingly innocent but it couldn't be further from the truth as she had already set her mind on escaping once more.

"Yes the forest is desired by King Ervyll it holds a great deal of useful resources but beyond that my brother in law is offering rewards for dryad scalps as he despises them quite lucrative if I must say" stated Freixenet a governor of Verden sent in search of Ciri after her first escape from the engagement.

Just as Ezera was about to express his opinion on the matter he was interrupted as he notice his sister's movements however sneaky she hoped they'd be but before he was able to confront her she hoped on the nearest saddled horse and with a burst of sped headed towards the known forest of death.

"GODDAMIT CIRILLA GIVE ME A BREAK! " Ezera screamed as she footed towards another horse and started after his twin Marack hot on his trail

with another horse but little did they know of the meeting with destiny they would have soon enough