In the complex of Loxia on Thanedd, Tissaia was seated in the chair beside a round table, her eyes closed. The obsidian talisman before her chest was shooting colorful beams, and balls that gleamed white appeared from the colorful light, floating over the round table. As she panted and finished chanting the last part of the incantation, the balls of light flew to the empty seats around the table.
The balls of light turned into silhouettes. Eventually, the silhouettes turned into people. Zircon, obsidian, and silver talismans hung before their chests. They were all beautiful, in makeup, and wearing long dresses. The makeup, however, was drenched by the sorceresses' sweat. They'd spent too much mana projecting themselves to this meeting, and their cheeks were flushed red.
"Is everyone present and accounted for?" Tissaia asked.
"Only Demavend's consultant, Radcliffe, is missing." Redania's royal consultant, Philippa leaned forward, as if nonchalant. She showed off her expensive jewelry and new dress to her colleagues, and she looked around, satisfied.
Henselt's consultant, Sabrina, raised her head a little, her fiery hair tumbling down to her beautiful cleavage. Triss was solemnly looking at Keira Metz, who was also a consultant to Temeria's royalty, communicating silently.
Yennefer of Vengerberg was in a beautiful black-and-white dress. Her violet eyes and pale visage were gleaming, and she looked better than ever. Perhaps she'd had some happy occasion lately.
The good friend of the queen of Kovir and Poviss, Sheala de Tancarville, was in a black velvet dress with a silver scarf around her neck. She crossed her arms, musing over the point of this meeting. Not far beside her was a sorceress who'd resigned from her job as Kerack's royal consultant years ago and joined the brotherhood. Lytta's lips were gleaming under the magical light's illumination. She was staring at the elven queen, Francesca Findabair.
She was in a crimson dress, elven rouge covering the corners of her eyes, and she was as elegant as a daisy, but the most captivating woman among them would be the blond beauty, Margarita Laux-Antille. She had smooth, perfect skin, perfect curves, and the air of a mature lady.
"Radcliffe's refusal to join this meeting is answer enough about her employer's stance. We do not have to wait." Tissaia shook her head, sighing. "Back to the issue at hand. Welcome, sisters, to Aretuza. I invited you to this long-distance meeting to discuss a matter of great importance. I believe you have heard of the congregation at Hagge back in September of 1266. Demavend, Foltest, Vizimir II, Henselt, and Queen of Lyria and Rivia, Meve, joined that summit. They had decided to take stronger actions against the rise of Scoia'tael's terrorism. Their decision was to gather all the non-humans in one place and manage them there."
Tissaia paused for a moment, then she gave her colleagues a knowing look. "All non-humans in the Northern Realms will be in for harsher days, and I think the rulers' decision is far too extreme. Not all non-humans are persuaded by the South to sabotage the unity of the North. On the contrary, all the non-humans aside from the Blue Mountains faction are law-abiding citizens. They should not be roped into this."
"Are you showing them pity?" Sabrina's eyes flared. She screeched, "I say the non-humans deserve this! They did this to themselves. Look at what they did recently. Hiding in the woods and bushes and ambushing all the merchant caravans like madmen. They killed humans who were just passing by, even the young and the elderly. What they did is unforgivable."
Sabrina's voice echoed in the hall.
"Calm down, Sabrina." Tissaia clenched her fists. "Let me reiterate. Not all non-humans are Scoia'tael's butchers."
The silent Francesca frowned. She didn't like how Tissaia called them butchers. Sabrina flew into a bigger rage, and she disappeared from her projection for a moment. "I call bull! Even if the dwarves, elves, and gnomes didn't join Scoia'tael, they've been helping their kin escape arrest and providing them with supplies! Keeping them all locked up is the only way to get rid of our problems."
"I agree, and as if their violence isn't enough," Philippa fanned the flames, joining in, "they tried to assassinate the kings of the Northern Realms. Foltest escaped with his life in Sodden through sheer luck. That reminded me to strengthen the defense around Vizimir II." And then inexplicable regret flickered in her voice. "Or Redania would've welcomed its new king, Radovid V."
"Your king was almost assassinated too?" Triss clapped her hand to her mouth in shock.
"The failed assassination attempts enraged the kings, and that led to the summit in Hagge." Philippa grabbed her big braids, nodding. She raised her voice, "Tissaia, I know you and the members of The Chapter of the Gift and the Art, Hen Gedymdeith, Artaud Terranova, and the missing Vilgefortz, share mutual affection for elves, but I'm sorry. We're just insignificant consultants for magic. We cannot change the minds of these rulers. No king can forgive the assassins who trampled on their dignity and tried to kill them."
Triss twirled her hair in frustration. After that assassination attempt at Sodden, she was hypnotized by a higher vampire during the search and fell asleep for a whole day. The brotherhood's members teased her about it for weeks.
"Just because they're kings doesn't mean they can drag innocents into this." Francesca's eyes were filled with mockery. "And have you forgotten about history? What Scoia'tael is doing is tame compared to what humans did to elves. A few hundred years ago, they massacred half of the ruling race, chased them into the barren Blue Mountains, and usurped the throne. This is nothing but an overdue revenge from the elves."
Francesca added, "I am not trying to scare you. If the kings can bring themselves to kill non-humans because they're different from humans, then they can and will come for you and me down the line. We must nip this in the bud."
"Shut it, Enid Findabair." Sabrina shot a scathing glare at Francesca. "Look in the mirror. Look at your ears. Look at your makeup. You look just like those mad elves. Of course you'd take their side, but don't forget that you're a sorceress too. Don't forget the oath you made to the brotherhood of the North." She glanced at Yennefer furtively. She's part-elf. It's possible she might betray us.
Francesca took a deep breath and clenched her fists before her belly. She fell silent. Yennefer exchanged a look with Triss and Coral. They were close to the witcher brotherhood, and Roy had told them about Francesca's plan to conquer Dol Blathanna and revive the elven kingdom. She was the ringleader of Scoia'tael and the one who left her race's fate in the hands of the Southern emperor, Emhyr.
The trio did not say that out loud. Most of the brotherhood of the North were still in the dark about Francesca being a traitor.
"Arguing won't solve anything." The other Aretuza dean, Margarita, raised her head. She smiled and calmed the tension down. "This meeting was called in a hurry. Since we are unable to settle our differences, then why not meet in person and deal with them? I now extend an invitation to all of you. On the first day of the next month, come to Thanedd and join us in a great conference. If I'm right, all our colleagues from all organizations will come. One important agenda for the conference will be to discuss if the actions taken by the Northern Realms' kings against the non-humans are appropriate."
Margarita looked at the ladies gently. "And things are getting worse. The second war is coming soon. We must prepare for it. Sisters, you must attend the conference."
A momentary silence fell. The sorceresses were getting ideas of their own. Francesca made a big decision. She'd decided to get rid of all obstacles during the meeting. Philippa gave her a glance. She had the same idea. Time to get rid of these traitors.
"I'm really fine in Kovir," said Sheala reluctantly. "I don't want to take part in politics. It's messy."
"No. Chaos is coming, and no one can stay out of it, especially not us ladies. We must shoulder the responsibility and show our strength. We cannot let those men have all the power," Philippa said, emphasizing on 'ladies.' As a female chauvinist, Sheala was convinced, and she nodded tensely.
"You're right. Women should be the one ruling the brotherhood. I'll be there on time."
"Can we bring guests with us?" Lytta interrupted.
"Who?"
"Witchers." Lytta looked at Francesca. The elven queen was icy, obviously miffed by how the witchers massacred Scoia'tael members twice. But this time, she can't escape.
"Whoa, you've been living a secluded life all these years, and now you have a lover out of nowhere?" Keira rubbed her chin, her eyes flaring with passion. She was then reminded of the Wolf and Viper who were tasked to be Foltest's bodyguards. They did give me a good time. "How old is he? A lad or an older man?"
Coral smiled, staying silent. Triss turned away, sighing silently.
"Not the only witcher too," said Yennefer. "I would like to bring a guest as well."
"Geralt of Rivia, am I right? After years of separation, you two got back together?" Sheala scoffed. She couldn't understand how the squalid, rude, and boorish White Wolf managed to gain the love of an elegant sorceress.
Hesitant, Tissaisa said, "This is an internal meeting among spellcasters. I don't mind you bringing regular people whose interests are tied to the agenda, but mercenaries like witchers should not be here."
"Oh, what's the worry?" Sabrina licked her lips, putting on a passionate, beguiling smile. "You think mere witchers can influence the decisions of sorcerers? Let them come. They'll bring some interesting things to the conference."
Tissaia looked at Margarita. Margarita mused over it, and she nodded.
"Very well. Coral, Yennefer, bring your lovers, but teach them about gentleman's etiquette. Tell them to follow the rules of Thanedd.
"Of course. We promise."
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