Zireael and Rhena

When Ciri and Syanna were not fucking, eating, or sleeping (which would happen roughly once a week), they would stroll the palace grounds and venture out into Beauclair together, enjoying each other’s company outside the bedroom and visiting the local shops and markets. Syanna also had a surprising taste for art, as they always made a point to frequent the local paint and sculpture galleries.
This particular warm Saturday afternoon was abuzz with the start of summer harvest, countless vendors setting up their carts that were bursting with fresh fruits and vegetables, and similarly the exquisite weather also provided the inspiration to the local artists who were setting up their pieces just across the square from the food vendors. Syanna and Ciri were in heaven, seeing both food and art coming together on a beautiful sunny afternoon, strolling hand in hand, feeding each other and taking in their surroundings. Ciri had begun to truly enjoy Syanna’s company, but still she felt that they were keeping things from each other and not comfortable being entirely vulnerable with each other just yet.
As Ciri continued to pontificate, she released Syanna’s hand unconsciously as she saw the most gorgeous sword being put in the display window of Geralt’s favorite armory. She walked over and pressed her face against the glass, admiring the artistry and craftsmanship of the stunning steel sword lighting up the window. Ciri was just about to wander inside when she heard Syanna scream and collapse to the ground, surrounded by fog, bleeding out in the main square. People were screaming and running and panic ensued as people began frantically evacuating. Ciri pushed and shoved and teleported her way against the flow of people, throwing elbows and making her way as fast as she could to her lover who was bleeding and wounded on the ground. When she finally reached Syanna, Ciri had guessed she had lost several liters of blood as she began to press into Syanna’s huge wound, trying to hold constant pressure as blood leaked out of her entire front of her body while helping Syanna sit up to avoid choking on the blood coming from her mouth.
Gods, Ciri thought, she knew that any help from the palace would take too long, she would have to take Syanna to the best healers she knew: Triss, Yennefer, and Philippa. Even though this would be a strict violation of her curfew and freedoms, she knew she had to act quickly as she started to glow and exercise her powers to transport the two of them back to Corvo Bianco.
Ciri held Syanna tightly in her arms as they were transported into the Corvo Bianco courtyard, and as soon as Ciri felt her feet touch the ground, she took off towards the house, screaming for the sorceresses, who came running outside, messily trying to put their clothes on from fooling around, no doubt.
‘Gods, Ciri what happened? Is that Syanna?’ Yen said as she ushered Ciri into the house, preparing a cot for her new patient. Triss and Phil were close behind, communicating telepathically no doubt as Triss went into the cupboards to pull out herbs and botanicals while Philippa went to the kitchen to fetch dressings and bandages. Yen set to work immediately, as aided by Triss. Glowing lights were flowing out of Yennefer’s hands as she began to work on an unconscious Syanna, who was completely bloodied and pale on the table, most of her insides exposed from the gashes. Triss was removing Syanna’s clothing carefully, exposing the wounds for closer examination and to allow for Yen’s magic to penetrate and cover the whole area. Then Triss set to work to make a poultice as Yen began to interrogate Ciri.
‘You have to be as clear as possible when you answer these questions, because this will determine how we help Syanna. Do you know if these wounds are from a human? A steel blade? Silver? I am detecting poisons, a venom perhaps. What did you see around you when this happened? Did you detect any magical signatures?’
‘Okay slow down please I am still in shock. I saw nothing, I didn’t see anyone or anything! I don’t know if it came from the sky or someone threw daggers or just slashed through her I have no idea. I couldn’t protect her and now she is dying and it is my fault,’ Ciri began to sob.
Triss stopped her work to come next to Ciri and hold her and stroke her hair, ‘It isn’t your fault, Ciri, not at all, now try to remember because we still have a chance to help her, okay? Remember your training and tell us what you analyzed at the scene,’ Triss’s warm hands were running up and down Ciri’s back, comforting the shaking and crying witcher.
‘I… I think I saw smoke, or fog, or dust, or clouds, just something foggy in the air around Syanna, and no human could have moved so quickly so that I would not have been able to sense them. Definitely nonhuman. Based on the smell and how long it lingered in the air it could have been a bruxa or vampire, and given we are in Beauclair, I suppose that is the most likely, since we are not near any swamps or foglet or water hag territory. No detection of spirits or wraiths either. So it must have been some kind of vampire,’ Ciri said, slowly gaining her nerve back.
‘Yes this makes sense, especially with this one’s history…’ Yen started.
‘What does that mean?’
‘Geralt hasn’t told you?’
‘Told me what?’
‘Well I suppose technically he is bound by oath to the duchy to not reveal Syanna’s part in the Beast of Beauclair killings… Anna Henrietta was very specific about this to ensure Syanna’s protection that it never get released that she was to blame. But she was more concerned about angry mobs than vengeful bruxa.’
‘Wait— wait Syanna’s part? What is that supposed to mean? Geralt caught the vampire; Regis said so,’ Ciri pressed.
‘Yes… I am afraid it is a complicated little tale. I am surprised that neither Geralt nor your Syanna confessed this to you, dear Ciri. But we can discuss this later. For now, we are about to enter a crucial part in the healing, and I will need Triss and Philippa’s help, so please go back outside and don’t pay attention to any screams, okay? We have to reverse the venom’s effects and it may take a while and be painful, so be strong and don’t bother us for the next few hours.’
Philippa got next to Yen and began to start helping as Triss held Ciri’s hand and took her outside, giving her a quick hug and kiss on the forehead, ‘It will be okay soon, alright Ciri? All will be explained when she is feeling better. But for now try to get far away from here because it will be hard for you to listen.’
And with that, Triss gave her a quick shove out the door, and Ciri pressed her ear to the door, paying no mind to their warnings. She could hear Syanna starting to wake up, taking strained and scared and helpless breaths as she was undoubtedly shocked to wake up naked on a table with three sorceresses standing over her, her insides exposed, and then she started to scream as the treatment intensified. They were right, Ciri couldn’t handle it as she began pounding on the door, trying to get inside so she could comfort her Syanna, despite still feeling conflicted over what she was scared Syanna was hiding. But Ciri knew it was of no use, since the door was barricaded by magic that would ensure that no interruptions and thus no mistakes in treatment would be made. Hopefully with the work of the three most powerful sorceresses in all the land, Syanna would be back on her feet in no time. Ciri decided she needed to get away, far out of ear shot as she saddled up her mare and decided to go for a ride.
Ciri was just about to ride away when a group of 20 knights and a hooded woman pulled up into the courtyard of Corvo Bianco. Before she even ripped her hood off, Ciri knew it would be Annarietta, who saw Ciri and jumped off her horse.
‘WHERE IS MY SISTER? HOW DARE YOU LET HARM BEFALL HER? ARE YOU NOT GERALT OF RIVIA’S DAUGHTER? THE POWERFUL WITCHERESS WITH THE SPECIAL ABILITIES? AND YET YOU COULD NOT PROTECT SYANNA? WHAT HAPPENED AND WHERE IS SHE I DEMAND TO KNOW THIS INSTANT.’
‘She’s inside. We were walking in the main square and I looked away for one second and a vampire or bruxa slashed her from her shoulders to her stomach. I had to bring her here because I knew it would have taken you too long. She is being treated now and the sorceresses cannot be disturbed so you will have to wait.’ Ciri was upset and still in shock, but she never, under any circumstances, would allow herself to be talked to in this way. She gritted her teeth as the tears continued to fall from her face; she had been unable to stop crying since seeing Syanna on the table, all pale and lifeless.
‘Nonsense, this is my domain and I will see my sister and see to the treatment IMMEDIATELY.’
Ciri was growing angry, but waited to see how Annarietta would manage against the magically barricaded door before dismounting her horse and trying to speak to the duchess in a more calm manner. Watching her beat against the door, screaming at the sorceresses inside, Ciri laughed at her, but also understood how she was feeling. Feeling a small thorn of empathy in her side, Ciri dismounted and held Annarietta’s arm back from striking the poor door once more.
‘It is no use. We both failed her and now we have to rely on magic to help her,’ Ciri said, defeatedly.
‘But how could this happen?’ Annarietta asked, genuinely this time, with tears in her eyes.
‘I don’t know I don’t know. I don’t know what Syanna has to do with vampires or why they want vengeance on her, but all I know is that Syanna is in the hands of the most powerful healers in all the land and that will have to be enough. Let’s take a walk through the vineyard; we won’t have to listen from there.’
And with that, Ciri took the duchess’s arm and led her to the back of Corvo Bianco, past the lush greenhouse, down to the vast expanse of grapevines that stretched on until the end of the property. As they strolled, Annarietta kept her hand on Ciri’s, only lifting a hand to wipe her tears away as they walked together, both of them in despair over Syanna’s fate, trying not to get angry with the other for how they both failed to prevent the tragedy.
‘So… Ciri… are you and Syanna… together?’ Annarietta ventured cautiously, but curiously. Ciri guessed that still not much sharing took place between the sisters, and Ciri could see it weighing on Annarietta how much Syanna kept from her. Ciri could relate.
‘Um I am not entirely certain. It seems as though there are certain things that Syanna has kept from me that would make me believe that we are not as intimate or close with one another that would qualify us as being together…’ Ciri said, her sadness betraying her in her voice as it started to shake.
‘Hm, don’t be so hard on yourself. Syanna is… well she has reasons for being like that, let’s just say. I don’t want to share beyond what she would want me to, but I will just convey to you that if she has kept you around for this long, she likely cares about you quite a lot.’
‘Or she is just using me for something.’
‘Yes well she has been known for that I won’t deny that much. But I am assuming she does not even know about your special powers or understand what they mean if you have not explained them to her… I only know because Geralt invited Dandelion over one evening and you know how that goes… And she hasn’t asked me about you at all, so it has led me to think she feels somewhat… protective over you?’
‘Hm I would really rather not overthink things. I just care for her very deeply and for now that is enough. I care for her and I get to see her everyday so I can’t say I have any complaints.’
‘Well put, Ciri. And I apologize for being so accusatory earlier in the courtyard; I know that I too have failed Syanna many times previous and I get very emotional and defensive about her wellbeing.’
‘I understand, Your Grace, and I apologize too for being so cold to you as well.’
‘Now Ciri, no need for that. And call me Anna.’
For the remainder of their walk, they did not make much conversation, just occasionally remarking if they saw something cute or beautiful, like the butterflies making their way through the vines, or an occasional bunny hopping along to snatch up the fallen grapes. Eventually they reached the end of Corvo Bianco, overlooking a small ravine with a stream running by, demarcating the end of Geralt’s estate. They walked down to the water, Ciri first, helping Annarietta down to the water. They both took their shoes off and sat on the bank of the stream, soaking their feet and leaning back against the steep ravine walls, which made for a natural backrest as they decompressed. Night was beginning to fall, and fireflies slowly began to light up in the tress above them. Stars began to light up through the branches, matching with the little lightning bugs, and the crickets started to chirp while a pleasant breeze began to pick up.
They sat together for at least an hour, just calmly breathing and looking up at the sky, still remembering that even if during a time of such intense emotion they could be appreciative of the fact that they still had the privilege of being in Toussaint.
‘Wait how will we know when they are finished?’ Annarietta asked.
And just as she finished speaking, Ciri saw bright orange and green fireworks entering her field of view. She quickly stood and saw they were coming from the Corvo Bianco courtyard, clearly a signal from Triss that they had finished.
‘Quick, put your shoes on and I will transport us there. I shan’t waste any time.’
And with that, they both collected themselves and held onto each other as they transported back to Corvo Bianco. And for the second time that day, as soon as Ciri’s feet hit the ground she took off for the house to check on her Syanna.
Before she could enter the threshold, Triss caught her in her arms and said ‘Slow down, Ciri, she is still very delicate. She is alive and awake, but barely so you need to be careful, okay?’
Ciri couldn’t even respond and just nodded as she carefully stepped into the house, noticing that Yen and Phil were resting together in the master bedroom, no doubt exhausted from the miracle they had to orchestrate together. Ciri continued past them to the guest room, where she saw a small Syanna under the covers, still pale as ever, weakly opening her eyes and smiling when seeing Ciri. Ciri walked over slowly and began to climb into bed next to her, over the covers so as not to disrupt any bandaging that Yen and Phil had placed over Syanna’s now sensitive midsection.
Neither Ciri or Syanna spoke as they just looked at each other, confirming with their eyes that the other was alive and well and that it was in fact real. Ciri kissed her tenderly on the cheek, then on her lips, silencing her and preventing her from trying to speak. The tears began to well up in Ciri’s eyes again as she felt how weak and feebly Syanna was kissing her back, barely able to move her face, but still trying nonetheless.
They were quickly interrupted by Annarietta, who lacked Ciri’s blink teleportation abilities and was out of breath as she walked over to the two of them in bed. She pulled up a chair next to the bed and pushed Syanna’s baby hairs back behind her ear. Syanna smiled weakly and both Ciri and Annarietta exhaled a little and smiled back.
‘Ciri, do you mind if I sleep here tonight as well? You and Syanna can share the bed and I will prepare a bed next to you. But please I want to be here too.’
‘Of course, Anna, please stay. Let me get BB to set up your bed.’
‘No, no need, please let him tend to the powerful mages who healed my sister. Let me do this. Now if you could just tell me where to find the blankets and bedding, and I will give you and Syanna a moment.’
Ciri directed Annarietta to the linen room that was located at the back of the house, where servants would fold and store the bedding and laundry for the estate. After Anna had left, Ciri focused back on Syanna, who was now smiling a little and had a little bit more life back in her eyes since seeing Ciri and Anna. She puckered her lips for Ciri to kiss again, unable to lift her head, and Ciri obliged her by leaning down to kiss her softly, passionately, and intimately as the tears fell down her cheeks and onto Syanna’s. They kissed slowly and gently so as to let Syanna recover with every touch, Ciri careful not to engage or arouse her too much while she was in such a delicate state. Ciri kissed Syanna’s nose and pressed her forehead into Syanna’s surrendering to the tears that were now flowing steadily onto Syanna.
Laughing sadly while she wiped her own tears off Syanna’s face, she apologized and snuggled her face into Syanna’s neck, reaching her arm around her and stretching out to lie next to her mistress. The two finally exhaled and allowed themselves to feel a small amount of relief, and they ended up falling asleep before Anna returned with her bedding.