It was noon, when the sorceresses arrived in Rivia, within sight of the shiny surface
of Loc Eskalott, the towers of the castle and the red roofs of the city.
“We’re here,” said Yennefer. “Rivia. What a curious and entangled destiny.”
Ciri was excited and Kelpie kept dancing and shuffling on the edge of the road. Triss
Merigold sighed unnoticed. Rather, she believed it had been unnoticed.
“Please,” Yennefer looked at her. “What strange sounds float from your beauteous
breast, Triss. Ciri, go out and see what lies ahead.”
Triss averted her face, determined not to give Yennefer any excuse. She did not expect
it to work. For a long time she had been sensing Yennefer’s anger and aggression growing
stronger as they approached Rivia.
“You, Triss,” Yennefer mischievously insisted, “do not blush, do not sigh, do not drool
or wiggle around in your saddle. Or is it that you think because I agreed to your request
that I want to have you with us? That I was interested in seeing you spend a meeting with
an old love? Ciri, I asked you to go on ahead. The two of us need to talk!”
“It is not a discussion, it is a lecture.” Ciri dared to argue, but under the threatening
glare from violet eyes, she immediately recoiled, clucked and galloped off on Kelpie on
the road ahead.
“You’re not going to meet a loved one, Triss,” Yennefer continued. “I am not so
noble or stupid enough to give you the opportunity, or him the temptation. But just for
today. I could not deny myself the sweet satisfaction. He will know what role you play
as a member of the Lodge. He will thank you for that with his famous look. And I’ll be
looking at your quivering lips and trembling hands, I will listen to your lame apologies
and excuses. And you know what, Triss? I will faint with delight.”
“I knew,” Triss grunted. “That you would not forget, that you would take your
revenge. I agreed to this, because I was actually at fault. But one thing I must tell you,
Yennefer. Do not count too much on fainting. He knows how to forgive.”
“He knows what was done to him, of course,” Yennefer narrowed her eyes. “But he
will never forgive you for what was done to Ciri. And me.”
“It is possible,” Triss swallowed. “He may not forgive. Especially if you insist. But he
won’t fly into a rage. He won’t lower himself like that.”
Yennefer flicked her horse with her whip in anger. The animal whinnied and leapt and
the sorceress swayed in her saddle.
“Enough talk,” she snapped. “More humility, you smug viper! He is my man, mine
and only mine! Do you understand? You have to stop talking about him, to stop thinking
about him, you have to stop admiring his noble character… As of right now, right now!
Oh I want to grab you by your matted red hair…”
“Try it!” Screamed Triss. “Just try it, you vindictive bitch and I’ll scratch out your
eyes! I…”
The both fell silent when they saw the cloud of dust as Ciri galloped back towards
them.
They immediately understood that something was happening. Even before Ciri had
reached them.