𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐄 𝐖𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐔𝐑𝐍

Corvus had already been on his way to his campsite, a basket of freshly picked herbs in hand, when he spotted her. Quill walked by his side, her maw still bloody from the rabbit she managed to hunt down and she eyed–well, eyed the best she could since she doesn’t have any–the horse with interest.

No, he sent to his companion before she could get any ideas.

“You’re too late.” He called out. “That place has already been picked clean, if you’re looking for old books that is.” He should know, he did some of the cleaning himself when he heard of the place. The rest were either pilfered by other mages or used as kindling by bandits when they temporarily occupied the ancient ruins.

“You’ll be lucky if you managed to find anything else in there.” 

     A few sparks shot from her fingertips when the voice called out -- though the embers that landed on the dried vegetation and moth-eaten fabrics were hardly warm enough to cause a fire. Call it a... ‘reaction’ for whenever Liliana was surprised or wanted to startle someone herself. 

     When the man declared that the ruin had effectively been picked clean, Liliana chewed on the inside of her cheek and huffed. She was feeling rather disappointed at that, to say the least. There was always the off-chance a hidden room may have been missed; some trap door that led to an underground surgery or... something. 

Yennefer snorts at the idea that she would do much of anything for Tissaia or the Brotherhood. “Oh, if I’m here to bring you trouble – which you are free to judge for yourself – it is at my own behest, and no one else’s. The Brotherhood won’t touch me with a ten foot pole, I doubt they would trust me with any important message.”

Her arms cross, though, her head tilting at a curious angle. “Though are you expecting trouble from them? Because if you are, I actually could be rather helpful. Know all the good towns to hide out in that want mages – so you avoid them calling in Witch Hunters – but nothing to do with the Brotherhood.”

     “Ah, I see,” Liliana replies with a brief nod of her head. She had heard through the grapevine of Yennefer’s troubles with the Brotherhood, but every rumor was taken with a grain of salt. Still, she figured there was no harm in asking. At Yennefer’s follow-up, Liliana simply shrugs.

     “I’m always expecting some form of trouble -- whether that’s the Brotherhood, kings, monsters, or some odd combination of the three.” Despite trying to keep a low-profile herself, Liliana seems to end up in some form of trouble with the Brotherhood, probably because she refuses to answer to them anymore.

“ is that what you think of me? “ a small mocking pout sits on her lips, before she gives a dry chuckle. of course it is. the other sorceress has voiced her – concerns about the lodge’s modus operandi quite vehemently, after all. still, there’s no harm in asking, which is why she’s her after all. she’s pretty sure the other sorceress won’t rat her out to the witch hunters. rebuilding the lodge is a process that will take a lot of time and effort, and she could use all the help she can get. besides, her plans about ciri have changed. 

“ you did make it clear. i’m not going to take up a lot of your time. “ she gives a small nod, features completely void of any sign of mockery now. “ i’m rebuilding the lodge, “ she’s never been one to beat around the bushes. “ and i’d like for you to join us – i remember how we parted last time. “ one hand rises instinctively to placate any sort of protest from the other sorceress. “ but things have changed. “

     There were many things Liliana thought of for Philippa, and none that should be spoken in front of the woman herself ( and there’s also a sneaking suspicion brewing in Liliana’s gut that Philippa couldn’t give a rat’s ass what she thinks of her ). Rather than answer the question, Liliana kept herself calm and composed - coupled with Philippa’s promise to not take too much of Liliana’s time. It was oddly reassuring.

     But all reassurance flew out the window at the former’s intention of rebuilding the Lodge of Sorceresses. Liliana felt her composure slipping as she took a deep breath and was immediately silenced when Philippa raised her hand. Now, that just made Liliana’s face twitch in annoyance if anything. 

     Her father did say she preferred the company of books than other people. More than 100 years later, that still rung true for Liliana. Especially when she came across a new... maybe not obsession, but passion or curiosity. The concept of necromancy had always held a certain fascination for Liliana. Now that she was no longer under the Brotherhood’s thumb, she saw this a perfect opportunity to expand her knowledge on the subject.

     Liliana’s pursuit of knowledge led her to some long-forgotten keep where, rumor had it, there was a library that had a few lost tomes on the subject. A small part of her hoped no bandits or brigands had claimed the ruins for themselves. She could handle herself in a fight, to be sure, it’s just Liliana was more of a lover than a fighter. 

     Leaving her horse a small ways away, Liliana walked towards the main door of the keep, gently knocking on the door jamb. “Anyone home?”

                                                                                      “ liliana. “ she gives a small nod in return, her lips narrowed in a thin line before curling up in a cruel smile. “ – why, can’t i just visit one of my fellow sorceresses? i’m merely here on a social visit, dear. “ they both know it’s not true, she’s not even putting in an effort to create a credible lie. unseeing features examine the other, looking for – what, exactly? she’s not sure. “ i’m just here to inquire about your well being. with witch hunters and everything that is happening. “

     That mockingly cruel smirk... It takes most of Liliana’s effort to not singe what’s left of Philippa’s eyes. Or the woman’s entire being. Still, Liliana maintains her composure, and keeps a clear head. “Normally, I don’t mind visits from a fellow Sorceress, but with you Philippa, nothing is ever that simple.” She tries to think of what dear old ‘Poppy’ could want -- protection? Help escaping the witch hunts? Like Liliana said, nothing was ever simple with Philippa.