Witcher: The Half Elf

Hearing Geralt's words, Wayne, who had been somewhat lazy, suddenly froze for a moment. It took him several seconds to recall who Princess Pavetta was. After more than ten seconds, it finally clicked—Geralt was referring to Ciri's mother, the somewhat naïve and impulsive princess of Cintra.

In recent years, Wayne had paid little attention to Ciri's lineage. The last he had heard was that after the mysterious disappearance of Duny, the hedgehog knight, Queen Calanthe had held the wedding as planned. However, instead of calling it off, Calanthe had orchestrated a substitution, having someone stand in for Duny to complete the ceremony.

Following this orchestrated wedding, Pavetta had been relegated to the background. Cintra, under Queen Calanthe's leadership and bolstered by Skellige's powerful alliance, continued to thrive. The northern nation had even grown stronger under the Queen's pragmatic rule.

What Wayne knew of Cintra's affairs largely came from intelligence gathered by his talented agent, Syanna. In the years since becoming Wayne's protégé, Syanna had distinguished herself as a sharp business operator. Dubbed the "Queen of Business" across the north, her reputation was marked by unmatched financial acumen and the ability to wield influence through wealth. Nobles tread carefully around her, mindful of the Wayne Chamber of Commerce's resources.

Though the world viewed Syanna as a formidable and independent force, Wayne alone knew her true nature. To him, she was a loyal and devoted companion—one who worked tirelessly to maintain her place in his favor. Syanna's ambition, loyalty, and cunning had helped consolidate Wayne's economic dominance, but her personal efforts to secure Wayne's legacy through an heir were equally persistent.

Wayne's musings ended as he returned to the matter at hand. He waved off the other council members to give them privacy and turned to Geralt.

"I remember your 'child of destiny,' the little lion cub," Wayne said thoughtfully. "She must be almost four years old now. Has something happened to her?"

Geralt shook his head, his expression serious. "No, Ciri is fine. Queen Calanthe is fiercely protective of her granddaughter. There are guards watching over her at all hours, and the court took your advice seriously—two sorcerers now serve as royal advisors, their primary duty being to ensure the safety of the royal family."

Geralt sighed, the lines on his face deepening. "But the situation with Pavetta is different. Cintra's stability is at stake, and Calanthe has been looking to strengthen alliances. She recently arranged for Pavetta to marry into the Kingdom of Verden. An envoy was preparing to escort her there when, just days before the departure, Pavetta vanished without a trace."

"At first, Calanthe assumed Pavetta had fled to avoid the marriage," Geralt continued. "She sent a warlock and professional investigators to track her down. But their conclusion was clear: Princess Pavetta was kidnapped."

Here, Geralt allowed himself a bitter smile. "Wayne, you know Calanthe's nature better than most. If she had any other choice, she would never have turned to me for help."

Wayne nodded in agreement. It was true. Since the prophecy linking Ciri and Geralt emerged, Cintra had become an unwelcome place for witchers—especially Geralt. Though the kingdom's official policies did not openly ban witchers, insiders knew the royal court avoided involving them in any way.

"So, Geralt," Wayne asked, his tone even, "what's your plan? 

For Wayne, who was well-versed in the plot of the original story, the disappearance of Princess Pavetta was not entirely unexpected.

At the infamous banquet where her powers were revealed, Pavetta inadvertently exposed her status as a bearer of the Elder Blood—a fact that was bound to attract the wrong kind of attention. Although Queen Calanthe had tried to suppress the news, those with a vested interest in such knowledge were bound to notice.

As Wayne had once warned Calanthe, the Elder Blood is a force of legend, an invaluable treasure coveted by countless mages. For them, a bearer of such power represented the ultimate test subject—whether for experiments, genetic continuance, or personal gain.

If Wayne were not the man he aspired to be, he might have considered abducting Pavetta himself. After all, possessing such a subject could yield numerous benefits—whether she was used as a vessel for research, a producer of heirs, or a tool for unlocking the secrets of her bloodline.

Fortunately, young Ciri had yet to display any signs of inheriting the Elder Blood. The likelihood of two successive generations awakening this ancient power was slim. Had that not been the case, Pavetta might not have been the only target of kidnappers.

Geralt scratched at his chin—a habit that exposed a large scar running from his jawline to his lips. The deep gash was one of many marks left by Margarita during the rescue three years ago. Additional scars covered his chest and back, remnants of his near-fatal encounter with the fallen warriors. It was a constant reminder of how close he had come to death.

"Honestly, I don't want to get involved in this, Wayne," Geralt admitted, his voice gruff. "But Yennefer… she's different. Since she started following the Lady of the Lake, her focus on having a child has become more intense—even more so than her concern for Ciri, the child of destiny."

"This time, Yennefer heard the news before I did and told me about it herself. She's already planning to leave today, which is why I came to inform you."

Wayne nodded, unsurprised.

Since the events of three years prior, Yennefer had joined the Witcher Order in a part-time capacity, primarily focusing on her role as vice-principal and instructor at the newly established Sorcerer Academy under Triss's leadership. While Triss was technically the principal, her responsibilities were vast, leaving much of the foundational work to Yennefer.

Wayne held a great deal of respect for Yennefer, whom he often considered akin to a sister-in-law. He granted her substantial freedom and resources for her work, rarely imposing restrictions. Under her efforts, the fledgling Sorcerer Academy had begun to take shape, now hosting a small but promising group of students.

The Witcher academies, meanwhile, had undergone a similar evolution. Three distinct schools had been established: the School of the Wolf, the School of the Viper, and the School of the Griffin.

All apprentices were required to complete foundational training before age ten, after which they were sorted into schools based on their abilities and inclinations. Those who did not meet the standards were dismissed and redirected toward other professions.

This new system elevated the status of witchers within society. Once seen as expendable tools, they were now a respected and prestigious order, attracting orphans and gifted children alike. With the war in Kaedwen leaving many children homeless, the academies now trained over fifty students—though it was expected that only about half would graduate.

For Vesemir of the Wolf School, Reiss of the Viper School, and George of the Griffin School, this growth was heartening. Even Geralt, who had been recuperating in Kaer Morhen, had taken up a leadership role in the Wolf School.

Geralt's visit to Wayne was not only to discuss Pavetta but also to formally request leave from Kaer Morhen.

After a few moments of consideration, Wayne touched his chin thoughtfully. "I'm interested in this matter as well. Let's do this: you and Yennefer head to Cintra first to gather information and assess the situation."

Pausing, he added, "In three days, after I've handled some pressing matters within the Order, I'll bring additional personnel and meet you in Cintra."

...

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