shit's going down in thorne (what else is new)

[funbreaker]

[ It's early evening when Thancred's message arrives, sent specifically to Istredd, Kyle, Stephen, and Yennefer. These are the people he's identified as the most at risk based on the note he received. To narrow it down to a number that could safely travel without attracting attention in the night had been its own monumental task, and he can only hope he's gotten it right.

Assuming all of them even agree to Jolene's offer. ]

Meet me in the secure wing of Istredd's domain in half an hour.
It's urgent.

[ Did he ask Istredd about this? No. Yet it's where they've had private meetings in the past, such as the one with their allies in the Free Cities, and so it seems the best option. Istredd will understand that if Thancred is invoking this, it's because it's serious. ]

Comments

[magicalarchaeologist]

[ A part of him does think he's unimportant. Mostly it's in comparison to others. Less important than her. Less important than Geralt, than Ciri, and also to the others here. Istredd never had any connections before. He had Triss and Yennefer, and the latter was taken from him in one way or another in their life, but he and Triss only saw one another occasionally. He was very alone, for a long time. And then he came here and he got Yenna back, but he also found friends. Family. A purpose and a place for himself.

That is why he understands her situation right now. She already lost at Thanedd and now it's being stripped away from her again. Not a home, Thorne isn't really that, but people can be a home. He isn't going to argue his lack of importance with her now. She understands courts better than him. If Istredd has made himself a presence here, it is because he wanted to stand next to her, her equal and support system. Apparently it worked too well. ]

I wish you could run to the Cities. I wish you could run right to Cirilla and never see this damned place again. You'd be where you belong, with them.

[ With Jaskier and Geralt and Ciri. Her true family, the people she loves above all others. She would be happy with them, that he knows. In a way she's not entirely used to, and Istredd would love that for her. She could be the mother and partner she's craved for decades. That's what she deserves. Istredd would toss her into a portal there if he could, without any regrets, because he loves her.

Unfortunately that is not likely to be an option right now. But he hopes that if she ever gets the chance, she'll take it. Free herself from this trap that she's been in. He can get locked behind and he's chosen it now, just as she did before. If he can carry her burden for her, he will. ]

There's no stand to make here, Yenna. We're not going to fight off a dictator. The best you can do for our people is go and regroup somewhere safe. You won't be leaving them for good. You'll see them all again.

[ If not in the Horizon, hopefully in Nocwich when she lands on her feet. Istredd assumes Nott is the obvious answer, although it could be Hayle, although that's a long trip. If she's moved to another territory, fine, but the point is, it's not here. And she will see all of them again. ]

You can. You know what you would say if our positions were reversed. You would have already kicked my ass and put me on a horse yourself. [ Istredd smiles, shaking his head, amused. ] Because you know it's what has to happen.

[ Istredd leans in and kisses her. With infinite gentleness and tenderness. If it's too passionate, it'll be like a kiss goodbye, and that will only upset them both more. Instead it's an expression of love and nothing more. No desperation that this is their last one because there will be others. A hundred years from now he will still kiss her like this, and that's his promise. Eight hundred years, even. ]

You have to trust me.