Breakfast consisted of fresh hot milk, boiled eggs, and soft croissants spread with raspberry jam. Simple, yet incredibly satisfying.
Alright, maybe this breakfast wasn't that simple after all.
At least in this world, where resources were scarce, most people didn't even have three meals a day.
Allen, Vesemir, Vera, Mary, Yennefer, Ianna, and Lysa gathered around a long table, eating contentedly. What made them even more content was the news that Allen had successfully lifted the curse.
"Next, aren't you planning to visit the capital of Temeria? Vizima is only a day's journey from Ellander," Ianna said, setting down her plate and wiping her mouth with a cloth.
Vesemir glanced at Vera, and seeing she had no intention of responding, he took the initiative, "No, we still have quite a few matters waiting for us back at Kaer Morhen."
After a pause, he sincerely expressed his gratitude, "We're truly thankful for the Archpriestess and the Temple of Melitele for their help during these days."
"The Wolf School will remember this kindness."
Despite all that happened, whether it was Allen's curse from the evil god or the documents on the Wild Hunt, the Temple of Melitele had opened many doors for them. Even though Vera's relationship with the temple played a part, it was still a rare privilege.
In a time when the world grew increasingly hostile toward witchers, even a little goodwill shone like a candle in the darkness, guiding witchers on their honorable paths through indifference, prejudice, and betrayal.
Especially since the Temple of Melitele had offered such considerable help.
"No need to be so formal…" Ianna said with a smile, looking at Allen. "If not for 'Sir' Allen, Ellander would have suffered greater losses this time, and the temple would've paid a high price."
"It is we who should be grateful to the Wolf School."
"Archpriestess Ianna, just call me Allen," Allen corrected her helplessly.
Ianna still enjoyed teasing him, pausing on "Sir" with a playful emphasis, as though he were a child.
"Alright, alright~" Ianna laughed brightly. "Then you'll have to call me Ianna as well, so we're even."
But her tone was still playfully teasing…
Allen shook his head, saying nothing in reply.
Ianna didn't mind and turned her gaze back to Vesemir: "Please consider Mason's proposal. With the support of both the Temple of Melitele and the Temerian royal family, the Wolf School could avoid many troubles if you relocated."
The witcher master paused for two seconds, then responded gravely, "I will convey the goodwill of the Temple of Melitele and Duke Mason to Grandmaster Sol. However…"
"Relocating the school is a big decision and may take some time to finalize."
"I understand…" Ianna nodded slightly. "But do decide quickly. From what I know, Kaedwen has recently become very chaotic, and there are signs of hostility toward witchers."
At her words, Vesemir sat up straight, his face serious. "Could you elaborate?"
Since coming to Ellander, he'd spent all his time at the temple searching for information on the Wild Hunt, cut off from the outside world. He knew nothing of the events on the Northern Continent.
Ianna took a moment to gather her thoughts, then spoke, "This came up recently in a casual conversation with Mason."
"After Kaedwen's previous king died tragically, there have been two theories about his death…"
"One claims Ban Ard plotted to assassinate their king. But since the motive is unclear, and with the influence of sorcerers in Kaedwen, even the new king, who seems dissatisfied, has been subdued by the noble council."
"After news of Aedirn's attack on Ban Glean surfaced recently, this theory almost disappeared."
"The other theory is that a Cat School witcher was hired to assassinate Henselt."
"What does that have to do with the Wolf School?" Vesemir asked, confused.
Ianna looked at him sympathetically and shook her head.
"It didn't originally. But certain slanderous rumors about witchers have been spread widely in Kaedwen."
"The Kaedwen populace's hatred for the Cat School is beginning to spread to the entire witcher community."
At these words, Vesemir and Allen exchanged glances, both frowning.
"This is not a good sign. So, make sure Grandmaster Sol understands this and decides quickly," Ianna reminded them sternly.
"Living near the Temple of Melitele wouldn't be a bad thing, right?"
"Plus, Duke Mason could really use your help right now. The sooner you arrive, the stronger the support you'll receive."
"If you delay too long, not only will favorable conditions diminish, but unforeseen issues may arise."
"Our years are not endless."
Vesemir's face grew solemn.
He could tell there was more to Ianna's words.
Duke Mason was spearheading the relocation of the Wolf School, but from Ianna's tone, it seemed Mason's heir might not share his view on relocating the school.
After a long silence, Vesemir stood and thanked her sincerely, "I'll make sure Grandmaster Sol understands. Thank you, Archpriestess Ianna."
Whether the Wolf School would move to Ellander and reside near the Temple of Melitele was more a matter of courtesy for Ianna, and even the temple itself.
In fact, it could do them more harm than good.
Of course, the temple and Ellander would benefit from the witchers' protection, but if danger arose, it wouldn't be the Temple of Melitele that would be expected to fight. Ellander's castle already protected them. But the risks were obvious.
If the Wolf School relocated nearby, they'd inevitably provoke enemies of the Wolf School. It could even bring them into conflict with the future Duke of Ellander.
The Wolf School would be greatly indebted.
"I'm not doing this just for the Wolf School," Ianna waved her hand, looking at Allen. "I really like Allen. If you move nearby, I'd be able to visit him often."
"But Kaer Morhen is just so far…"
Vesemir froze, looking at Ianna. Seeing she was entirely serious, he instinctively turned his gaze to Allen.
Is Allen always this popular?
At Kaer Morhen, the famous Vera took him on as an apprentice…
And now in Ellander, he was loved by the Archpriestess of the Temple of Melitele?
Could Allen have some night creature's charm that attracts these powerful, wealthy… well, mature women?
"What's wrong?" Allen, noticing Vesemir staring, touched his mouth, thinking he hadn't cleaned off some milk.
"Nothing." Vesemir looked away.
Puzzled, Allen wiped his mouth again, then looked to Ianna.
"Mother Ianna, even if the Wolf School doesn't relocate to Ellander, I'll come visit you every year when I descend from the mountains."
Hearing this, Ianna's eyes narrowed into a happy smile. Every wrinkle on her face seemed etched by time into a picture of kindness. But the next moment...
She suddenly put on a serious face and said sternly: "What did you just call me?"
Allen was taken aback. Although he didn't understand why the Archpriestess was so particular about a title, he reluctantly corrected himself: "I got it, Ianna."
"Good, good child."
At the long table, everyone chatted a bit longer, cleaned up their plates, and left the grand dining hall of the temple.
When Allen, Vera, Vesemir, and Mary led their horses out of the stables, it was time to leave. With a snap, an orange teleportation portal appeared in the open field.
Just as they were about to step into it, Lysa, who had come to see them off, paused and suddenly ran to block their way.
"Wait!" she shouted.
Everyone stopped, looking at her in confusion.
"What's wrong?" Allen asked.
Under the gaze of everyone, especially Vera's cool stare, Lysa nervously fiddled with her dress.
"Yesterday afternoon, while changing the dressing for an injured knight, I overheard him telling a colleague who came to visit that they'd be giving you… all of you… a surprise today…"
"So, would you wait to teleport until you leave Ellander?"
A surprise?
Allen was a bit taken aback. He could tell that Lysa was talking to him directly. So, Allen turned to glance at Vera.
Another snap.
"Then we'll teleport after leaving Ellander," Vera said.
"Thank you, Lady Vera!" Lysa thanked her repeatedly.
After leaving the temple, everyone mounted their horses.
Yennefer was naturally helped into her saddle by Mary, while Lysa's gaze darted between Vera and Allen. After hesitating for a second, she walked to stand by the mare Carrot.
"Allen, can you take me with you?"
The moment she said it, everyone on horseback, and even Ianna standing at the temple entrance, turned their gaze to Allen.
Under all those eyes, the witcher glanced carefully at Mary, yet couldn't bring himself to refuse the young priestess in such a setting.
"Of course!"
Allen grasped her soft hand and gently helped her up, and soon she was seated lightly in front of him.
Unlike the scent of blood lingering in the carriage yesterday, now there was only a faint hint of daisy fragrance drifting toward the witcher's face, prompting him to shift back a little, slightly uneasy.
"Thank you," she whispered as she settled in.
The bright sunlight streamed through the gaps in the dense leaves, casting spots of light on her fair neck, which was now flushed. Her earlobes were red, too.
It was obvious that she wasn't the only one feeling a little awkward on this horse.
The enormous statue of Melitele watched the scene quietly but with a touch of warmth.
There was a slightly strange atmosphere at the temple gate.
"Ahem," Vesemir coughed twice, glancing cautiously at Mary, who kept her head down, her expression unreadable. "Let's go. The sooner we leave Ellander, the sooner we'll be back in Kaer Morhen."
"There's still a lot of work waiting for us."
"Aren't you coming, Ianna?" Vera looked over at the Archpriestess, who was waving goodbye.
"No…" The Archpriestess shook her head. "I'm too old to endure the jolts of riding, and besides…"
She gazed at Allen with a gentle smile. "Didn't Allen say he'd visit me often? Isn't that right, Allen?"
Allen nodded vigorously. "I'll come see you often."
"What a good child!"
Vera, whose youthful appearance betrayed no trace of her true age, was taken aback by their exchange and stared at the wrinkled face she had known since raising her. She seemed to be searching for that playful, tearful, or tender-hearted little figure who once followed her closely…
But it was nowhere to be found.
Given a normal human lifespan, this elderly woman, her face lined with wrinkles, was nearing the end. And she, Vera, hadn't visited her in nearly a decade, all because of a small disagreement.
Would she even have another ten years?
With that thought, the sorceress suddenly felt an aching emptiness in her chest, a burst of panic.
"I'll come see you often, too," Vera said, taking a deep breath.
Ianna froze, staring blankly at the sorceress, whose face hadn't changed at all in centuries, then burst into laughter.
"I'll be waiting right here."
"Always."
----------------------
The sound of hooves echoed on the cobblestone path.
With his arms around a soft figure, Allen held the reins. The closer he got to Ellander's gates, the more his heart pounded. He finally understood why, in so many historical dramas, sharing a horse was often used to suggest romance between a man and a woman.
It looked like he was holding the young priestess, but in reality…
The soft, daisy-like fragrance wafting around him, combined with the horse's gentle sway, made him feel as though he was being held by this enchanting woman's scent.
"I should say something," Allen thought to himself.
"Lysa…"
As soon as the witcher spoke her name, he felt her tremble slightly, her silky hair brushing against his nose.
The daisy fragrance grew stronger.
Allen quickly searched for something to say, "Do you know what kind of surprise the knights have prepared?"
"N-no…" the girl replied, her voice trembling softly. "They didn't say yesterday, but we should be able to see it soon, right?"
Clearly, she was stating the obvious. But Allen's question was equally trivial, so he simply replied with an "Oh" to end the conversation.
Silence threatened to return.
But the next moment, as if suddenly remembering something, she pulled a letter from her chest and handed it to him.
"This is a list my aunt found, of other nobles who might be hostile toward the Wolf School."
Under the witcher's sharp senses, the letter's fragrance was unmistakable.
Allen's fingers paused briefly before taking the carefully folded parchment. When he unfolded it, he saw a list of names, and unlike the previous one, this one had neat, small notes beside each entry.
A closer look revealed that these notes contained descriptions of past conflicts between these nobles and witchers, as well as details of their territories.
"Thank you," Allen said softly.
"Glad I could help you," Lysa murmured, her voice small and delicate. Her neck turned even rosier after just those two words.
"You've been a great help." Allen smiled, about to offer more thanks.
But just then, Vera and Vesemir, riding ahead, suddenly halted their horses.
"What is it?" Allen looked up in curiosity.
As Vera and Vesemir moved aside: "The road ahead… it might be one you'll have to walk alone."
........
📢20 advanced chapters on p@treaon📢
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297. The Cambridge Ceremony.
298. Kaer Morhen Is Missing?
299. The Heavily Guarded Kaer Morhen.
300. The Evolution of the Mirage Pearl.
301. Do You Want to Be the Chief?