Reunion

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my original characters and works, if you recognise it from somewhere else, surprise it isn't mine.

Betad by morde24, Atrius, Hermes, Priapus, Marethyu, Old man of the mountain, TheDonFluffles, Malcolm Tent and Mike, God of Lore, Beans

The Guild of Gamers: The Warlock

Chapter 05: Reunion

— Lucas Hall —

"I require your assistance," Philippa says, in lieu of a greeting, as I turn to look at her from my spot on the tallest balcony in the castle.

It's my new favourite spot for thinking, with a view over the entire valley that makes up my little slice of heaven.

"Good morning, Philippa," I reply, making her pause. "Did you sleep well?"

"I did, the rooms here are more than adequate, certainly better than what I've had recently," Philippa agrees. "But we have little time for pleasantries, I require your assistance in recovering my belongings from a hideout near Novigrad. The hunters haven't found it, yet, but I can't guarantee it will stay that way."

I hide my thoughts as I look at the blind sorceress, Bella's report in my mind. Philippa is responsible for this entire mess.

Philippa and the Lodge of Sorceresses started the witch hunts by having multiple kings assassinated, Nilfgaard took advantage of the chaos to invade the Northern Realms, and now everything has gone to shit because of it.

Margarita apparently argued against their plans, but she's still somewhat guilty because while she tried to convince them not to go through with this frankly dogshit plan, she didn't do anything to stop it, and now the world is burning because of it.

I like her, I genuinely think she wants what's best for her students and all magic users, but her little group are almost single-handedly responsible for the very situation I've been sent here to fix.

And the main culprit? The power hungry sorceress who murdered King Radovid's father and tried to take over his kingdom, the one who is standing right in front of me.

That said, the Lodge are also the strongest magic users in the world and I can't just ignore them. I trust Margarita, despite everything, but for the rest I will have to decide on a case-by-case basis.

"How much is there to collect? I plan to return to Novigrad to find Miss Merigold and the magic users she's gathered," I say.

"A fair amount of tomes on magic that I saved, along with many of my experiments, and more importantly my megascope. With it and my resources, I'll be able to alter it to be able to contact other mages from this place," Philippa says, reminding me that Margarita was struggling to get her own Megascope working. "The mages of Novigrad have survived this long, they can last another day."

I can't tell if she's confident in Triss keeping them safe, or simply thinks her needs are more important than their lives, especially given that I recently kicked the hornets' nest by saving Margarita.

"Besides, where are you planning on putting the saved magic users? Your castle is lovely, however, it will rapidly run out of room if you try to add all the mages of Novigrad, and your food supplies will not last long trying to feed such a large population," Philippa scolds, making me pause.

She's not wrong.

The whispers in the back of my mind, courtesy of Raven, tell me she'd be happy to make a deal for more land and buildings.

"True, but I need to talk to you in private before I help you do anything," I say, deciding to rip the bandaid off as her eyebrow rises above her blindfold.

— Philippa Eilhart —

"Very well, my room should suffice. I've already added a ward to prevent eavesdropping," Philippa agreed, curious what had Lucas' hackles raised.

He wasn't that good at hiding his emotions, even with the disadvantage of her blindness.

Turning and walking towards the suite she'd been given, she heard him following behind her, as she tried to work out why he was suddenly less friendly, before she immediately worked it out.

He'd spied on her and Margarita.

Despite her annoyance at how much this could overcomplicate things, she was mildly impressed by his initiative.

Entering the room, she took a seat as he followed her in and closed the door behind him.

She needed Lucas, for multiple reasons, if her new plans were to come to fruition, not to mention he was the only way out of this world which put her at an uncomfortable disadvantage.

"You spied on my conversation with Margarita," Philippa said immediately, making him pause before he chuckled darkly.

"That obvious? Yes, I did. So, why should I help the woman who started this entire mess?" Lucas asked, an undercurrent of anger clear in voice.

She scoffed at the massive simplification of matters, but she didn't bite back immediately.

"Our kind were always looked at with fear and suspicion, the church of the eternal fire was growing in strength, my plans would have seen a free country of magic users and non-humans, had Nilfgaard not-"

"You didn't see it coming that the Emperor who has made his desire to conquer the world would take advantage of the sudden weakness in the North that you caused?" Lucas asked, making her wince.

That damn Witcher was to blame, if Letho hadn't gone rogue and continued killing beyond her plans, the north wouldn't have been so badly weakened.

She'd been taken for a fool, but she didn't plan to admit that.

"Nilfgaard was in a state of unrest at the time, Emhyr's rule is far from popular, things were supposed to have stabilised before he could take advantage of-"

"'Supposed to'. Your intentions might have been good, by some generous description, but the results are all that matter, and the result is that magic users are being hunted across the Northern Realms while Nilfgaard slowly marches north, conquering as they go," Lucas said darkly. "So, why the fuck should I trust you when you apparently have a thing for backstabbing those you're advising? How long until you decide you want this little slice of sanctuary for yourself and decide you don't need me?"

"You are not a prejudiced and incompetent king, like Radovid's father was. I'll admit, I do hope to continue my earlier plans in this place, to turn Albion into the magical city-state that I had hoped the Pontar Valley would have been, but I certainly don't plan to gain the Raven Queen's wrath by backstabbing the man she gave this place to. I may be ambitious, but I am not suicidal," Philippa reasoned, but she could tell she wasn't really convincing Lucas.

She didn't need eyes to see the distrust Lucas had of her.

In a way, she was thankful that Margarita had such a soft heart, because it was likely his affection and trust of her that kept Lucas from kicking them all back out into Redenia.

"I led Redenia into a golden age, before I was forced to flee, with my talents I could help you make this place into more than just a sanctuary to hide away in, but a thriving magical kingdom, with you as the King," Philippa started.

"And you as my ever-loyal advisor, who definitely wasn't planning to stab me in the back when I was no longer needed?" Lucas asked, scoffing.

"Yes, because you would need an advisor and I'm the best one, I do believe we have the same goal, to save the mages of our world, I have no reason to betray you," Philippa tried, seeing that she wasn't getting through to the agitated man, who was pacing around her room.

But suddenly he was calm.

"So, you'd be willing to place yourself under me?" Lucas asked, the sudden change making her pause as she tried to work out what was happening.

Under him? Did he want her to prove her 'loyalty' in the most carnal way? She preferred women, but if it would soothe his ruffled feathers it wouldn't be the worst thing to lay with him.

"I am, your majesty, for the sake of our people," Philippa said, uncharacteristically demurely.

"Then you have a chance to put your money where your mouth is, follow me," he ordered, setting off as she followed behind him.

Was it not sex he desired? There was a bed right there, or was he a depraved one who wanted her submission to be public?

And yet, as they left the castle she hesitated, hating how out of her depths she was as Lucas headed into the forest, her magic sensing their surroundings as they headed into the mists.

"Lucas, where are we going?" Philippa finally asked, making him chuckle. She'd heard that he warned the others against entering the mists, and yet now he led her into them.

"To meet the Raven Queen."

Oh, that could be problematic.

Her magic failed her as they entered the thick fog, whispers and laughter coming from every direction as Lucas picked her up in a princess carry, making her scowl at being treated like a child or an invalid.

But she couldn't sense her surroundings as they moved, so she wouldn't be able to move on her own two feet.

— Lucas Hall —

Stepping out of the mists, I have to wonder if this is a good idea. Raven told me to bring Philippa to her, but this time I'll be with Raven in the flesh instead of in my dreams.

Don't be so paranoid, for once I genuinely have your best interests in mind.

Philippa is an eternal source of amusement, always so arrogant and always so satisfying to put in her place.

'For once', she says.

Well, I am a Fey~

Yeah, this is going to go great, but I will need Raven's help to expand my realm so I don't have much of a choice at this point in time.

Bella shivers in pleasure at being 'home', leading me towards our host.

— Philippa Eilhart —

As they left the mists, she felt her surroundings again, but she couldn't stop the gasp that left her as she felt the sheer intensity of the magic in the air around her.

Walking on her own feet once more, she followed behind Lucas as he headed into the massive castle she could sense, moving through the twisting corridors with practised ease which only added to her suspicions that he grew up here.

Entering a throne room, she couldn't stop the shiver she felt as her magical senses picked up the woman lounging on the throne.

Every member of the Lodge combined wouldn't come close to the Raven Queen in power, and any plan she had to try and kill the ruler of this realm was quickly abandoned at the sheer presence of the fey ruler.

"Lucas! You look as adorable as ever," the Raven Queen giggled, making Lucas shuffle awkwardly. "But first things first~ here I am looking so alluring and one of you can't see me."

Without any real action from the still lounging queen, Philippa's vision suddenly returned despite her lack of eyes, despite the blindfold, the sharp change making her flinch and then gasp as she looked upon the Raven Queen for the first time.

It wasn't her ethereal beauty that made Philippa look away, or the extremely revealing dress, but the knowing look in her eyes.

'Lucas is my toy, Eilhart, he isn't yours to play with.'

The voice in her mind made her flinch again, Raven cutting through her mental defences like a hot knife through butter

"You called for me, Raven?" Lucas asked as she gave him a look, taking in his handsome features.

"I decided to help settle your little argument, like the loving patron I am. Philippa, you wish to be Lucas' advisor, but Lucas can't trust you without some proof. Are you truly willing to submit to Lucas and serve under him?" Raven asked.

'I hope for your sake you are, it's the only way you're ever leaving this room.'

"I am, your majesty," Philippa said, showing no reaction to the voice in her head.

"Lucas, are you willing to take Philippa as your advisor if you have proof she won't betray you, that she truly wishes to help you achieve your destiny," Raven asked.

Destiny, did she mean Ithlinne's Prophecy?

"I am, Raven," Lucas finally said, not using her title? It spoke of familiarity between them.

"Excellent, Philippa. Kneel before Lucas, show your submission," Raven ordered, and she knew she didn't have any choice but to obey. "Good girl. Lucas, place your hand on her head."

Lucas obeyed, and the moment he did she felt something form between them, a bond connecting her to Lucas at the deepest level possible, her very soul bound to Lucas.

"Philippa cannot disobey or betray you, she is yours to use as you desire," Raven whispered, suddenly behind Lucas with her hands running across his chest.

Lucas moved his hand away, and she rose back to her feet, staring at her master with some anger hidden behind her blindfold.

But this wasn't the end of the world, even as his magic grasped her soul, in fact this could be useful since Lucas should have no reason to distrust her and would be more willing to accept her advice.

'I have plans for you, little Owl, you're going to help me get Lucas to loosen up and have some fun~'

— Lucas Hall —

I can feel Philippa, our bond being entirely one way, giving me access to her emotions. I can sense her rage, though it's swiftly suppressed by cool ambition.

"Now, about Albion," Raven starts, getting my attention. "Our mutual patron approves of the steps you've taken so far, but Philippa is right. The castle I gave you isn't big enough for a true kingdom, and even I don't want his disapproval by messing with you too much." Raven says with a tinkling laugh, hugging me from behind as she presses her breasts against my back before she moves away. "So I have another offer for you, my adorable little pet."

I notice Philippa snap to attention to the mention of a mutual patron, sensing her fear at the idea of someone even stronger than Raven.

"And what would that be?" I ask, once again sensing Phiilppa's shock at how casually I speak to Raven.

"I'll grant you all the land you could ever need, my realm is larger than your world ten times over, and I can make more with just a thought, it's no issue for me. I'll even throw in the buildings to start your city," Raven offers, making me raise an eyebrow.

"Uhuh, and this is where you tell me the price, I'm already indebted to you," I point out, making her giggle again.

"Always so serious, this will help you achieve your promise to me as well. But you're right, there is a price," Raven admits. "I want you to become a member of my winter court, a noble of the Feywilds. It won't change much, you'll still be free to do as you please, but I may occasionally have orders for you. Not often, I know you have too much to do for that, and the last thing I want is the old man coming down to spank me, even I don't enjoy being punished by him."

She's not wrong.

She's actually being mostly honest, for once.

"I notice you didn't put a time limit on how long I'd be your knight, and I don't plan to sell myself into eternal servitude for the sake of a bit of land," I point out, making her giggle.

"Just making sure you're paying attention," Raven admitted shamelessly. 'I'll be leaving this world eventually, this is a fun distraction but I'm only here on vacation. When you achieve your two long term quests, I will depart and you'll ascend to the throne of the Feywilds.'

Her words are spoken in my head, and Grayson confirms she's telling the truth. So, until I've stopped the persecution of magic users and elves, I'll be at her beck and call.

But Raven wouldn't do anything to stop my quest from Grayson, or interfere with my quest from her.

"It's worth mentioning, there are benefits to being a noble in my court, but those will be a surprise for later," Raven says enticingly.

"Very well, what do I have to do?" I ask, I'm not too prideful to take her offer.

"Kneel, my knight," Raven orders, watching me lower myself onto one knee. She's the source of many of my powers, I have no delusions about the power difference between us.

She produces a fancy rapier from somewhere, because it sure as fuck wasn't hidden down her dress, tapping it on each of my shoulders as she speaks in a tongue I don't know.

Placing a kiss on my forehead, I immediately feel the change as my ears sharpen and lengthen, taking an Elven appearance, my mark from her glowing beneath my clothes.

[Blessing of the Raven Queen]

You have been blessed by the Raven Queen, granting you Sylvan features, the ability to speak Sylvan and Elvish, and the agelessness of the Fey.

"And of course, a noble needs his knight. Fortunately, I've got just the person in mind, so eager to return to their original world," Raven says with a giggle as the door opens, and immediately I sense Philippa's dread.

"S-Saskia," Philippa stutters, uncharacteristically caught off guard as I turn to the beautiful blonde in armour as the newcomer walks towards her, a massive sword on her back.

Saskia simply punches Philippa in the face, sending the sorceress onto her ass, gasping in pain from a clearly broken nose.

"Philippa, weren't expecting to see me again?" Saskia asks darkly.

"I found this cutie dying after your little betrayal at Loc Muinne, and brought her here to recover. Lucas, this is Saskia (or Saesenthessis but that's a bit of a mouthful), she is to be your knight," Raven says, gesturing to the blonde who gives me a searching look before she nods.

"Who better to keep an eye on Philippa than one who has suffered a betrayal from her already," Saskia scoffs, giving the downed sorceress a glare. "Lady Raven saved my life after Philippa turned me into a puppet, and you're trying to fix my failure. Dragons don't usually serve, but I'll make an exception this time."

"I'm sorry, dragons?" I ask, making her laugh. "And what failure?"

"I'd transform to my true form, but I don't think I'd fit. But aye, I'm a golden dragon," Saskia agrees. "As for my failure? I tried to make the Pontar Valley into a place where all races were equal, until Philippa stabbed me in the back and stole my free will. The Pontar has been long since taken by Nilfgaard, my dream of an independent state crushed under Philippa's betrayal and Emhyr's ambition. Your Albion is a chance to reignite that dream, and I don't mind if I'm not the one in charge."

A victim of Philippa, this could be problematic, but I can't deny having a fucking dragon on my side would be useful.

"Then I'll be happy to have your aid, I don't intend to let Albion meet the same fate," I say, making her smile.

"Then my first piece of advice? Keep that one on a very tight leash, or just let me run her through here and now," Saskia suggests, making Philippa cower slightly at the dragon's rage.

"If she tries to betray us, I'll order her to bare her neck so you can take her head," I say, my sympathy for Philippa non-existent.

"I'll hold you to that, your majesty," Saskia says, giving me a slight bow.

"Ha, as it is now I have a small castle and a couple dozen teenage girls, that's not exactly a kingdom. Just call me Lucas," I laugh, making her nod with a smile of acknowledgement.

"Saskia-"

"Unless the next words out of your mouth are 'please set me on fire for being a traitorous whore', don't speak to me," Saskia warns, making Philippa's jaw clamp shut at the growl in Saskia's tone.

"Now, as fun as this is, I think you three should get back to Albion, have fun Lucas~ try not to get too distracted with the two sexy servants who can't say no to you," Raven giggles, the mists swirling around us before they vanish leaving us standing just outside the castle of Albion once more.

I can immediately sense just how much more land I have now. My castle is located in the middle of a forest with a large river flowing through it, but the forest used to be surrounded by the mists.

Now, the forest is much larger and there's a massive fertile grassland to the northern edge of the forest, with a small town in the centre.

It solves our space problem, and starts to solve our food problem because I can sense the animals in the forest and fields, along with the fruits and berries, I just hope I don't come to regret this.

"Saskia, why don't you settle in. I'm going to take Philippa to pick up her belongings, we shouldn't be long," I say, making Saskia pause before she nods in agreement.

"Of course, with that chain around her soul, Philippa shouldn't try anything just yet," Saskia agrees, the unspoken message that Philippa will try and betray us eventually clear to everyone involved.

— Philippa Eilhart —

Of all the things she thought she'd find in the Feywilds, Saskia was one of the last on the list.

But that was her mistake, making assumptions about a place she knew nothing about. She vastly underestimated how strong the Raven Queen was, and apparently there was someone out there even more powerful.

She hadn't missed that neither Lucas or Raven wanted to say his name.

Her vision had disappeared the moment they'd been kicked out, the brief reminder of what it was like to have working eyes making her blindness sting all the more.

Not as much as her slavery, but she could still work with this. Lucas seemed like he was a good person deep down, why would he decide to risk things and save a random mage who was transformed into an owl otherwise?

Raven's whispering into her mind told her that she could only be free of her bonds if Lucas willingly freed her, she simply needed to work through his mistrust of her (made harder by the presence of Saskia).

Arriving a short distance from her hideout, hidden in an old Elven ruin, Lucas had little to say as she gathered her belongings, lost in his own thoughts.

His powers were undeniably useful, making a portal to ferry her belongings through, things would be simpler with access to her equipment and a working megascope.

Working out how to worm her way into Lucas' trust was now her main goal, because he was the lynchpin for several of her new plans.

Albion would become the greatest magical kingdom, hidden away from the mundane kingdoms, safe from Emhyr's conquest and Radovid's madness, and from Albion she could plan Radovid's downfall and for Ciri to take Emhyr's place.

This was a chance to redeem her plans for Vergen, and expand them far beyond a simple city-state.

As they returned, Lucas gave her one look, though with her vision gone once more she couldn't work out exactly what he was thinking, before he simply scoffed and left her to her devices.

— Lucas Hall —

I trust Philippa about as far as I could throw my castle, but she was a successful royal advisor for a long time, and as ambitious as she is, I do think she wants what's best for mages.

Unfortunately, she thinks her rule is what is best for all mages, but for now, I can at least trust that she'll help solve our logistical problems, because she doesn't want to starve either.

I'm going to hold off making a permanent portal, for now I think it's for the best that I alone have the way out of this place.

Use Philippa, but don't trust her.

The idea of using Philippa makes my loins stir a little. I can't deny she's a very attractive woman if you ignore her personality, but I shake it off.

I'm not really surprised when Margarita shows up to my brooding balcony, no doubt already aware that I spied on them.

"Lucas?" Margarita asks, unusually hesitant as I turn to face her.

"Worried I'm going to kick you all out?" I ask immediately, making her sigh. I don't know what Philippa told her.

"Is it that obvious?" Margarita asks, making me smile softly.

"You look nervous, it really doesn't suit you. Don't worry, I'm pretty pissed off but I'm certainly not going to toss you all out where the hunters are waiting, your students are innocent in this mess," I say, making her sigh in relief as she walks closer, leaning against the balcony beside me.

From here, I can see just how large the forest has become with my own two eyes.

"And me? I understand if you don't want to track down Triss…" Margarita says, making me shake my head.

"This hasn't changed my plans, Triss is still the best way to get the mages out to Novigrad, but you'll excuse me if I don't particularly trust any of your Lodge sisters," I explain, making her nod solemnly. "You didn't agree with their plans, why didn't you try and stop them?"

"Because if I did, they'd just work around me, and I certainly am not strong enough to fight my Lodge sisters. Philippa is far more powerful than me, perhaps all Lodge members are, except for Yennefer, who was missing," Margarita admits. "I have a confession."

"You're hoping to turn my castle into the new Aretuza," I say, cutting her off as her eyes widen, she hadn't mentioned that to Philipa yet. "Come on, Rita, I'm not dumb. It's the perfect place to train your students, isolated and safe from the chaos of the world. It wasn't hard to work out."

She goes silent for a moment, but seeing that I don't seem particularly angry she looks back at me cautiously.

"I wasn't planning on doing it without your permission, I just didn't want to bring it up so soon after we arrived, it seemed ungrateful," Margarita admits, making me smile.

"I don't mind, the place is too big for me anyway, at least for now, given the possibility of making Albion a magical kingdom, and you're just looking out for your students," I say, my tone understanding.

She's just seen her last school destroyed, her students raped and killed, of course she's looking for a safe place for them.

"You're a good man, Lucas, maybe a little too good. Don't let Philippa take advantage of you," Margarita warns, as I nod.

"I don't intend to, but I believe the presence of Saskia has… delayed any attempts," I say with a laugh, making Margarita nod.

"Honestly, mind controlling a golden dragon? What on earth did she think was going to happen," Margarita says with a shake of her head.

"And Saskia will be a useful asset in taking down Deireadh, I've already discussed it with her and as my 'knight' she is more than happy to help provide some firepower," I explain, making her nod. "I don't intend to leave that place standing, or your friend within its walls, Sheala was it?"

"It was, and thank you. I don't want to think of what she's going through at the hands of those people," Margarita says, and I think we both know what an attractive sorceress is going through at the hands of a bunch of magic hating fanatics.

I know several of the students were raped before me and Morgana rescued them, they shy away from me even when I'm just walking through the corridors and happen to pass by them. I don't know how long they've had Sheala, but I can't imagine her treatment has been any more humane.

"First, I need to find Merigold. We'll need all the help we can get to crack Deireadh, which will truly awaken the hornets nest. It's all but a declaration of war on Radovid and his hunters, we need to be ready for that," I say, making her nod.

"Of course, I might have a few ideas on how to weaken things first, but let me do some more research and confer with Philippa. Untrustworthy or not, Philippa despises Radovid, on this we can trust her," Margarita swears.

"I'll head back to Novigrad tomorrow. I planned to do it today, but everything delayed me. Thankfully, Philippa actually knows where Triss is, so it shouldn't be hard to actually find her, and your letter should make convincing her easy enough," I say hopefully, no harm in being optimistic. "We'll have your friend free, and that shithole reduced to a pile of smoking rubble before long."

"You really are too nice, Lucas, it's no wonder all my students are obsessing over their hero," Margarita teases, making me grin.

"I'm not actually nice, I'm just trying to get into your panties," I reply as I give her a long look, her expansive cleavage on display thanks to her very revealing green dress. "Is it working?"

"My, is that so?" Margarita giggles, before smirking. "Given that I'm freeloading from you, perhaps we should find a way for this poor sorceress to pay her rent? I don't have much money but I'm sure we can come to an agreement that leaves us both… satisfied," Margarita whispers, pressing her large breasts against my chest, my hands going to her waist almost automatically.

Leaning forwards, she kisses me gently before pulling back with a small smile.

"You know I was joking right," I ask, making her giggle.

"I do, but I also know you aren't disinterested in getting me out of my dress, given what I can feel pressing against my stomach," Margarita says with a slight smirk. "You're not just the saviour of my students, if it wasn't for you I'd be in Deireadh being forced to watch as my students were tortured and raped to death, spending the rest of my days in pain and degradation. Is it any wonder I've gained the same affection for you my students have? That I want to reward my saviour~"

"Is that so?" I ask, my hands moving to her ass, groping the curvy backside over her silky dress, she just giggled playfully as she returns the favour.

"I do have to speak to Philippa, but tonight my bedroom door will be unlocked. If you want to find out just how grateful I am, come visit me," Margarita whispers into my ear, kissing my neck. "You'll find I can teach a young man like you so much more than mere magic."

Pulling back, she gives me a sultry smile as she starts to walk away, hips swaying.

It really is good to be the hero.

— Bonus Scene — Yennefer of Vengerberg

Stepping away from the Megascope, she sat down with her mind racing, her conversation with Philippa replaying in her head.

Margarita was alive and well, the students from Aretuza having escaped, that was good to hear.

However, another child of the elder blood? One that the fucking Raven Queen herself seemed to think was the child spoken of in the Prophecy of Ithlinne?

That changed a lot. If the prophecy wasn't talking about Ciri then her daughter could live a far freer life, and even better, she could think of a dozen ways to use the blood of this Lucas to find Ciri.

Which would help, given that her best hope to find Ciri before this was Geralt, and he'd outright vanished to the point where even the Emperor's spies couldn't find him.

After Loc Muinne, Geralt just seemingly vanished off the face of the planet, not a trace of where he had gone, not so much as a single contract fulfilled by a mysterious white haired witcher.

But Geralt was a big boy, he could take care of himself, Ciri was being hunted by the Wild Hunt, and that was her only priority right now. Once she knew Ciri was safe, maybe she'd track him down from whatever mess he'd landed himself in this time. Maybe.

Perhaps Ciri would even be able to hide in his realm, protected from the Wild Hunt by the power of the Raven Queen.

She needed to meet this Lucas, as soon as possible, which meant heading to the Northern Realms and gaining access to this Albion herself.

Now, just to tell the Emperor she'd found a lead without bringing up that it involved another child of the elder blood.

She didn't know how Emhyr would respond to that particular tidbit, given that his belief in that prophecy was what led him to attempt to impregnate his own daughter.