POV Aiden I sighed, looking over the shopping list Ciri had handed me she absolutely needed her favorite sweets from a shop she thought she was hiding from her grandmother, even though I was pretty sure the queen already knew.
It had been a few months since the harvest festival.
We were already in 1263, and it was becoming more and more obvious that something was wrong.
Walking through the streets, I’d see soldiers knocking on doors, unrolling a scroll, and announcing out loud that, by order of Queen Calanthe, everyone between the ages of 16 and 50 had to join the army to defend the territory refusal would be treated as treason against one’s own country.
You could see families in tears, especially over their sons and husbands, since the vast majority of Cintra’s population fell right into that age range.
Why the rush?
Mousesack had eventually filled me in on the whole situation.
— Flashback POV Aiden Arms crossed, leaning against a pillar, I listened closely as Mousesack explained.
Once he’d finished, I summed it up: “So, if I’ve got this right: Nilfgaard’s about to attack Cintra, and these damn northern kings are refusing to help Her Majesty out of pure pride even though Cintra is literally the gateway to the North, the border between North and South.
Strategically, it makes more sense to defend Cintra than to open up a whole new front up north, right?” Mousesack sighed.
“Unfortunately, yes.
In exchange for their support, they’re demanding, at the very least, that Ciri be betrothed to one of their sons.
They don’t care whether Cintra gets destroyed or not what they really want is to secure a shot at ruling over it someday.
Queen Calanthe carries enormous prestige, both on the isles and up north, and for a lot of them, that’s exactly the problem.
After all, she once repelled a Nilfgaardian attack, at the cost of her late husband’s life which only boosted her reputation further.” He finished coating my sword with oil and added: “There.
I’ve finished treating your blade this oil’s effective against humans, nothing miraculous, but it improves the edge and durability.” I thanked him as I sheathed the sword, then asked, a bit irritated: “Am I still being too naive, Mousesack?
I figured at least the people of the North would matter to the North.” He sighed again.
“Unfortunately, some couldn’t care less take Kaedwen, for instance, where oppression against non-humans is already strong, with a cult called the Eternal Fire slowly spreading, calling non-humans abominations of nature.
It’s still small, but it’s starting to make noise.
And unfortunately, Queen Calanthe is one of the few rulers who fully accepts every race without distinction which doesn’t sit well with everyone.” He pointed to a map of the northern kingdoms and continued: “Even without direct reinforcements, the Queen of Rivia is lending us some resources, and Temeria’s sending men but they’re just farmers who’ve never seen a war.
As for Redania… don’t even get me started: their king wants Ciri married off to his son, Radovid, a boy who’s, frankly, said to be more than a little unstable.
Anyway, let’s just say Queen Calanthe reminded everyone exactly why they call her the Lioness of Cintra but yeah, we’re in quite the ghoul’s mess.” I looked at Mousesack, amused.
“Since when does the great Mousesack use such colorful language?” He smiled, exhausted.
“Since politics started wearing me down.
Anyway, Ciri’s waiting for you, you should go find her.” End of flashback — POV Aiden The scenery around me had changed dramatically since the festival.
Where food stalls once stood, makeshift war tents now filled the space; the smell of forge smoke hung in the air, and every so often a thick black plume rose into the sky.
The walls were slowly bristling with ballistas and heavy crossbows.
Arriving at the shop, I saw the shopkeeper, surprised to see me, offer a faint smile tinged with worry over the state of things and say: “I take it the little princess wants her candy.” I nodded and handed her the list.
“Yes, same as always.” She laughed softly and put a bit more than needed into the bag.
Before I could say anything, she added: “Don’t worry about it honestly, I’m closing up shop.” Surprised, I asked: “Can I ask why?” She sighed softly, gazing toward the window.
“My son and my husband have both been drafted, and my daughter’s far from here, studying in Redania.
I’ve decided to enlist too, alongside my son and my husband.
I love my country, and if I have to die, I’d rather it be next to the people I love.” I asked, uncertain: “And your daughter?” She smiled softly.
“I know she’ll be sad.
But she takes after me she’s strong, stubborn.
She’ll pick herself back up, even stronger than before.” A few minutes later, walking through the castle halls, I kept turning it all over in my head, and I was starting to understand why the queen had asked that promise of me.
Was I really going to lose, once again, everything I’d come to know these past few years?
My thoughts were cut off by Ciri’s furious shout: “NO!
Don’t send him!
If you send him, I have to go with him!” As I got closer, I found Ciri furious, facing off against the queen, the commander, and Mousesack, all gathered around a table covered with a map of the plains.
Calanthe answered in a cold tone though anyone who knew her well might have caught a trace of pain underneath it: “Young lady, don’t forget you weren’t invited to this war council.
Go back to your studies.” Once Ciri got going, there was little that could stop her especially when she was angry.
Just as she was about to keep arguing, I held the bag of candy up in front of her face.
She spun around sharply, and I smiled softly.
“Ciri, Her Majesty’s right.
Go back to your studies, it’s important.
I’ll be right there after, I promise.” She hesitated, grabbed the candy, and said: “You promised, you can’t take it back now.” Then she stormed out of the room, not without shooting one last dark look at her grandmother.
Calanthe sighed, and a soft laugh slipped out of Mousesack, quickly stifled the moment she glanced at him.
She turned to me, calmly.
“Thank you for that, Aiden.
Since you’re here, I’d like to let you know something.
Commander Albert, go ahead.” The commander nodded and looked at me with that trademark grin of his.
“Right.
At the queen’s request, you’ll be joining my unit for observation and training.
You’ll be taking part in the war alongside the commanders.” I froze for a second, caught somewhere between a flicker of fear and excitement but remembering the horrors of war we’d been taught about, that excitement faded fast.
I answered, hesitant: “Very well, Commander.” He laughed and patted my shoulder.
“Don’t worry, nothing’s going to happen to you with me around, I promise.
Now go find her highness before she thinks we’re keeping you all to ourselves.” I nodded and went to find Ciri.
— General POV in the war room, after Aiden’s departure The commander sighed and turned to his queen.
“Your Majesty, are you certain about this?” Calanthe nodded, a faint sadness in her voice.
“Yes.
I’ve entrusted my granddaughter’s life to Aiden, and to that witcher but I trust Aiden far more than I trust him.
And even if it means putting him through the trauma of war to remind him of the horrors of this world, I’m resigned to it as her queen, and as Ciri’s grandmother.” Mousesack, who had stayed quiet until then, spoke up.
“Your Majesty, I’ll keep saying it: you don’t have to die.” Calanthe was silent for a moment, then answered: “I know.
I know it perfectly well.
But… I can’t do otherwise.
My husband died defending this kingdom.
My daughter was born here.
My granddaughter was born here.
I’m not just fighting for my kingdom I’m fighting so that I can die for it, because it’s all that’s left of the memories of everything I’ve loved.” She stroked her wedding ring again, without quite meaning to.
“All the more reason I trust Aiden.
I can see it in my granddaughter’s eyes the only people who’ve ever truly been able to calm her down have always been her mother, and now Aiden.
He matters enormously to her.
And if I have one last act left to give as a grandmother, it will be to save them both.” She turned to the commander.
“The moment defeat looks certain, bring Aiden back here.
That’s your queen’s final order.” The commander nodded solemnly.
“As you command, Your Majesty.
I will defend your granddaughter’s future, and my disciple’s, with my life if it comes to that.” She allowed herself a small smile.
“At least that means Cintra won’t be entirely lost.
I trust Aiden with Ciri by his side, I’m certain they’ll be able to rebuild Cintra and rally our cause.” Mousesack smiled slightly.
“I can tell you think very highly of Aiden.” Calanthe asked: “Mousesack, do you know the game of royal chess?” He nodded.
“Yes, it’s quite popular in Temeria and Redania.
Why do you ask?” She crossed her arms.
“It’s a game created by the first king of the northern realm.
It’s meant to reveal who has the makings of a king, or a leader.
You, for instance how would you win a game of chess?” Mousesack frowned.
“By building a strategy, and carefully guarding the king to avoid losing him.
After all, isn’t the whole point of the game to act as the true ruler would?” Calanthe smiled.
“True, anyone would say that.
But do you know what Aiden and Ciri did?” She let out a small laugh.
“Aiden pushed his king forward alongside his own troops, so that he himself would become the target, while the rest of his pieces handled neutralizing the attacks.
Ciri, on the other hand, left her king behind and advanced her pieces together with her queen.
Both of them share the same mindset: a leader should fight alongside their troops.” She fell silent for a moment, then concluded: “Those are two personalities that complement each other perfectly.
I don’t know what the future holds for Aiden and Ciri, but I know one thing for certain: I will fight to the death for Cintra and my people.
And Cintra, my people, will become the sword and shield of Ciri and Aiden, so that they may live, and let their talents shine before the whole world.” — POV Aiden I knocked on Ciri’s bedroom door, and a faint voice answered: “Come in.” Walking in, I couldn’t help but smile: a princess’s room was supposed to look like a world of dolls and delicate perfume.
Here, there was literally a training dummy, a wooden sword, and several stable clothes scattered across the floor it looked more like a soldier’s quarters.
I walked over to Ciri, sitting by the window, and leaned against the wall beside her, arms crossed, looking out at the view in silence, waiting for her to speak first.
She finally said softly: “Do you really have to go?” I kept my eyes on the view, just like her, and answered softly: “Yes.” She looked at me, sad.
“Why?
You know very well that if you said no, Grandma would let it go.” I sighed softly, looking straight into her eyes.
“That’s true, Ciri.
But how much longer am I supposed to run from reality?” I glanced at the training dummy and went on: “Ciri, I know why the queen wants me to go.
She wants to confront me with reality show me that, no matter how much I’ve improved with a sword, no matter everything I’ve learned in this world, none of it means anything against war.
She wants to mark me, maybe even traumatize me.
And honestly… I want that too.” Ciri jumped up from the windowsill and planted herself right in front of me.
“Why?
Why would you want to be traumatized?!” I smiled softly and rested my hand on her hair.
“Because I need to learn, Ciri.
I need to see those horrors so I can protect you you, and your future.” She shook her head, without pulling away from my hand, and said sadly: “But I want to be by your side, not be protected.” I smiled softly.
“I know.
But for now, let me go first.
You’ll catch up soon, I know it.” The commander appeared in the doorway.
“Aiden, it’s time.
Go get ready.” I nodded and stepped out.
Just as I was about to tell her I’d be back soon, she shouted: “Aidy!
I’ll catch up with you!
This is the last time you leave me behind next time, I’ll be right there with you, you hear me?!” I turned back for a moment, meeting her gaze burning with determination despite her tears, then walked away, my back to her, saying: “Then I can’t wait to fight by your side, my princess.” I walked off, leaving her crying behind me as the only sound echoing through the silent hallway.