Chapter 55: Chapter 3
200 gems = bonus chapter
20 comments per chapter = bonus chapter
10 reviews = bonus chapter
3 patreon subscriptions = 10 bonus chapters
Fully completed story at:
patreon.com/FanFictionPremium
***
Aedd Ginvael. Two weeks after rescuing Damian.
- Shut your fucking mouth! - shouted Jennyfair of Wengerberg, glaring at one of the magic masters from the men's magic academy in Ban Arda. - You've had enough with your feeble-minded pretensions. How dare you even dare, Denmart, suggest that I do joint research on MY son, after all that old madman has done!
The Magister and one of the teachers from Ban Arda that had come to settle the scandal that had formed after everything that had become known to the public of mages and even to the courts of the Kaedwen and Aedirn kings, blushed. But he remained silent. He knew that Jennyfair, though a little younger than he was, was far more skilled in sorcery, and that Istredd, her lover and old friend, was sitting next to her, who had also been a mage of some note, though in the last decade and a half he had gone entirely into science, and did not even appear at mage meetings. But besides that, Istredd has reliable people and honour among the local population that will stand up for the boy.
- You misunderstand, Mistress Jennyfair. - Denmart excused himself. - I am merely concerned about the boy's condition. As far as I know, no one has ever survived a month of Ortolan's research and experiments. And yet he has not only survived, but has retained his sanity, as I can tell from conversations with the honourable Tissaya de Vrieu. - The mage's throat was dry, but he did not dare to ask for water, looking into the eyes of the sorceress glowing with anger and magic, who was ready to wipe him into powder. - Though I said that my other colleagues want to see what Ortolan did to your son, but I personally consider it a gross violation and even a crime. And I assure you, my intentions only concern thoughts of Damian's well-being and health.
- We have already run a diagnostic on his body and mind. - Eastredd spoke calmly, but that calm tone did not deceive Denmart, for he knew that the wizard was entirely on his lover's side. - He is relatively well. I think there will be some mental trauma. But not enough to need your help.
- I'm very glad he's on the mend. I assure you, we want to make amends for this... incident. We admit our guilt for what happened. And so we will pay for all the costs of your son's treatment and recovery, Mrs Jennyfair, provide ingredients, extra hands and whatever else is needed.
- That, of course! - Yennyfair snorted and stepped back to the table. - I knew you would want to buy your safety. And so here! - she shoved a piece of paper under Denmart's nose. - I need all of this, for treatment and remedial action. For moral and physical harm, I'll charge you separately.
- Yes, yes, yes, yes. - nodded the mage, realising that they had got off lightly. - There's more.
- Also, as for everything that we took from the laboratory and the tower of Ortolan remains with me! - The enchantress raised her voice imperiously. - This is out of the question! I will not let these materials fall into the hands of slimeballs and imbeciles like you.
Denmart blushed with indignation, but was simply afraid to say anything against it.
Soon after listening to another tirade about his intelligence and the merits of Ban Arda, the warlock was relieved to be out of Eastredd's abode, and the warlock and Jennyfair continued their conversation among themselves.
- You were more restrained than yesterday. - Istredd remarked as he gently put his arm round Yenn.
- My boy can speak well now, and he has been saying all morning how much he loves me and how much he missed me. It must have had a calming effect on me. - The brunette smiled and kissed Eastredd. - Thank you for everything.
- Well, you know I could never say no to you. And Damian's no stranger to me. I was going to ask you to let him travel and train with me in due course, I could use a student like him. His hunger for knowledge is remarkable. And his persistence... probably even more than yours, haha.
Jennyfeather smiled. She knew everything about her son's character. He had never let her into his thoughts, even managing somehow at the age of six to prevent Tyssaia from entering his mind and reading his thoughts, to which the latter had been surprised and even a little delighted.
But at the same time she knew that Damian loved her, just as she loved him with all her heart and would do anything for him. That always warmed her heart and soul.
- He's on the mend. Whatever you say, that old lecher was a genius. My son survived by a miracle and that miracle allowed him not to lose himself and even gain something more.
- What was that? Have you and Tissaye sorted everything out without me?
- In principle, yes. - replied Jennyfair. - When he grows up, his body will not be inferior in physical characteristics to any witch, but the changes have not harmed his body, he has retained the ability to have children, and the magical potential has not been affected. Perhaps it will even increase. But it's not certain. It's not that important. The important thing is that he's alive.
- Did you find Ortolan's helpers?
- I found them. - Jennyfair replied, and Eastred understood. - I'm sorry, I have to go to my son. He likes me to read to him, his fingers aren't healed yet, and he doesn't like to sleep alone after that incident, and it's late.
- Good night, Yenn. - The wizard wished her good night and sat down at his desk.
Jennyfair had lied a little about her boy being afraid to sleep alone. The first night, it was nice to feel someone around him. And the following nights, Jennyfair wouldn't let herself be away from her son for long. She was still afraid of losing him.
The scars had not yet fully healed. Scars and stitches were visible on her arms and chest, on her face they had already disappeared, but her hair wouldn't grow as it should for another month or so. Only wisps of hair, very sparse and short could be seen on his head.
He smiled as she walked in. With bandaged fingers he set the book aside and pushed it to the edge of the bedside table.
- Are you going to sleep with me again? You're not little, are you? - and smiled.
- You're scared! - Yenn said affirmatively and started to change into her nightie behind the screen. - It's also time for you to go to bed. I'll guard your sleep.
- I can guard anyone I want to. In five more years, I'll be the strongest swordsman and mage in the world. You'll see!
She stepped out from behind the screen and shuddered. Something... frightening and threatening flashed in her sweet boy's eyes. But not to her, but to something else. His gaze was hard and determined, and there was a confidence in it as well.
The sorceress smiled, sat down at the mirror and began to carefully put on her make-up.
This habit had long since ceased to surprise Damian. She was surprised that he had once said that he understood his mother's reasons for looking beautiful even in bed.
When she was done with her daily treatments twenty minutes later, she immediately laid down on the soft featherbeds to her son, cuddled him, and began to sing the same lullabies and songs in Elder Speech that he had learnt with ease.
Yennifer marvelled at this, and did not know that to Damian, Elder Speech and High Valyrian were very similar and had much in common, though they were from different worlds and different peoples. But he had not told her about that side of his experience. So to his mother, he remained only a clever boy for having learnt an ancient language in four months in his seven years.
Damian didn't fall asleep, but was thinking about something with his arms around his mother.
The quiet family idyll was pleasant to them both. Jennyfair savoured it every time. Damian, on the other hand, was just... he just wasn't used to being in this position. And it wasn't about what he had experienced recently, it was about the fact that he was only in his third life in a row finally just seeing the face of the woman that had birthed him into the world. In the first, she died early and he was raised by his father and grandfather. In the second, in Martin's world, his mother had died in battle, leaving him in the care of Walder Frey, who was his own father but at least a great-grandfather. Now the situation is quite the opposite. He has a loving mother, but no father or grandfather. Eastredd was quite close to him, and Damian liked him and didn't even mind if Eastredd and his mother got along.
Damian realised that there were a lot of problems with his origins, and they had to do with the Lion of the Night, but sometimes he would ask Yennifer about his father. She would either change the subject or say he was gone. But would not explain the details. Blackheart understood that, but still, it would be strange if a child didn't ask about his father. And besides, he himself was curious about who or what had been the "donor" for his conception. After all, what do not say about magic, but it is not all so simple and it has its own laws, which it can not bypass.
- Mum, I have a question. - Damian spoke up.
- Yes, darling?
- Tell me, have you ever been asked to marry?
Jennyfair smiled and stroked Damian's cheek.
- 'I have been asked more than once. But I refused. I didn't want to do anything stupid.
- And now you don't?
- Who are you trying to marry me to? Am I boring you? - Ian asked in a slightly resentful tone.
- No. It's just that Eastred likes you and you like him. I noticed that a long time ago.
- Don't talk, go to sleep. Tomorrow I'll give you a lecture on Fire Magic. You need strength and concentration.
- Hmm. All right, then.
For a while, they lay in silence. Damian was even starting to fall asleep. He'd learnt to sleep under the light his mother loved so much. In spite of everything, it was a habit that sometimes annoyed him. The silence of the night was broken by Yennifair lying with both arms around him and holding him to her chest.
- I don't need men to spend my life with. I have you. The others...only needed for certain things my boy, or companionship, friendship. A friend, albeit a very close one. But you will always come first. You know that, for I promise you that. And Eastred understands that very well.
* * *
It's been six months since Damian's cure began.
To the surprise of many, even Yennifer and Damian. The latter had seen miracles in his two previous lives, and his body had healed much faster, with no trace of the terrible wounds and injuries. Moreover, already at the age of eleven, which was a couple of days ago, he had begun to learn healing skills himself under the watchful eye of his mother.
Jennyfair noticed the change in her son. He had become much more confident, more or less stronger than before. He had not become a mutant, but he had gained a strange stamina, strength, and agility. All the changes had gone in his favour. Though if it had been the will of the enchantress, he wouldn't be getting that. Certainly not at such a cost.
Moreover, she was sometimes frightened by the looks she caught from Damian. They were varied and strange. But what scared her the most were the looks filled with anger and rage when he thought she couldn't see him.
She hired the best fencing teachers and renowned warriors to teach him the art of fighting with different weapons.
The teachers praised him as much and admired such a student as her friends and Eastredd.
One day they bid farewell to the warlock Eastredd and travelled to Vengerberg. Their hometown. The remodelling of the old house was complete. Jennyfair had also finished updating her security system, realising that the previous one was outdated, which had cost her. But from now on she resolved herself to be more careful and attentive to such important matters.
Although Istredd almost begged Jennyfar not to go away, but to stay with him, she managed to bring their relationship back down to the level of "friends". Istredd only smiled bitterly and nostalgically, remembering how many times they had remained "friends" like that.
Suddenly, Damian asked her to take a ride to Wengerberg. He wanted to do some travelling.
She couldn't refuse him under the pressure of those violet eyes that looked at her with hope and love. Though she knew that he was using this "sneaky trick" on her.
The two of them set off from Aedd Ginvael riding two raven horses. Jennyfair was in her typical and old but beautiful "hiking" outfit, and Damian in his usual hiking outfit, which consisted of wide, like trousers, dark wheat-coloured trousers, brown boots to mid-ankle, a white shirt and a waistcoat of the same colour as the trousers, although when they were still in the kingdom of Covir and Powyss, Jennyfair had insisted that he wear a jacket.
After they had crossed the border of that kingdom rather quickly, the expanse of Kaedwen spread out before them. This kingdom was twice the size of Aedirn, but they were roughly equal in power and wealth.
His mother had told Damian many things, including the politics and pitfalls of these countries. He listened and memorised with pleasure. Other than that, Damian caught that she missed phrases a couple of times in the Elder Speech about Sabrina Glevissig, her "student friend" who disliked her or vice versa. The main point was that they were feuding with each other, not openly, but feuding nonetheless. That was why she rarely appeared in Ard Carraig, the capital of Kaedwen.
They would go there, but Damian had asked Yennifer to make a circuit of the city and visit Redania and its capital Tretogor, and Temeria and its capital Vyzima, in addition to Kaedwen, before heading home.
The enchantress took her son's wishes favourably. She enjoyed his company and the journey, which threatened to take a year, according to his plans to visit all the places of interest to him. Besides, she wanted to introduce him to many things and people, not to mention teach him much as well.
In the Kaedwen Lands, a light mist still lingered over the places they passed. They did not sleep under the vast night sky, either in taverns or in village huts.
Damian loved feeling the freshness of the mist, the forests, the plains, the fields, he caught the scent of herbs and flowers he had not yet seen. This journey was special and exciting for him. What not to say, but even in the third life on the account one can be surprised by something and enjoy childhood.
Day after day, night after night, they moved towards Kaedwen's capital city.
To the enchantress's surprise, her son had already learnt to play not only the lute, but also a new-fangled guitar that he had bought from a merchant from Tsidaris. He had taken the new guitar with him, not the lute he usually played, and she listened to the beautiful songs he composed.
Yen enjoyed his playing and his words. His voice was lovely, like hers, even a little prettier in her opinion.
But when he sang, for example, "Eternal Love," he was even more beautiful. None of her friends had heard his new talent yet, and she was eager to give them the chance.
At yet another tavern near Kaedwen's capital, Ard Carraig, they stopped again. They should have been there by the next morning, but Yennifair decided to give her son a little briefing. After all, they would be invited to court anyway and she didn't want her little one to sink below the level at which she held herself in the light.
In the short interval between the etiquette lessons that he disliked so much and the questions with which his mother pestered him, he took up the guitar again and played before:
When morning still wakes the light,
Silence at dawn and no people
All around is silent and there's no sound
And the world sits on a throne of peace.
When the clouds sit on the peak of the mountain
So that behind the white haze you can't see the edge.
And I take a deep breath and look out into the distance.
I realise that this is my paradise.
And at night I dream
All the beauty that is Aedirn.
I'll be proud of my homeland,
I'll never stop loving it.
And even abroad,
the people of Aedirn
There's love in their hearts
For your land, for your beauty.
When the sun is right overhead,
Filling the flowers and giving warmth.
There's a loud rumble behind the children,
The wind from the sea chases them back home.
And then the night will take its turn.
Two stars in the distance will dazzle your eyes.
And when the sleepy city falls asleep again,
I realise that this is my paradise.
And at night I dream
The beauty of Aedirn.
And forever I will pray
For your peace and prosperity
Ah to turn into a bird
And fly to you in the evening,
To get away from the hustle and bustle.
I know I'll feel better
- Do you miss where you grew up? - Wiping away a tear, his mother hugged him again. He snorted but didn't pull out of her embrace.
- I told you before, you hug me a lot. - he complained.
- 'Because I want to.
- You're a pest, Mum. If you hug me in front of everyone in high society, I promise that when I grow up, I will grab you and whip you.
- Look what a formidable man we have growing up. - Jennyfeather grinned and pulled his ear. - If I were you, I'd have had to pay for my insolence, but you're lucky you're my son and I love you very much.
- And I'm your mum, but... where are you going?
Jennyfair opened the window in their room and let in the bird that brought a message in its beak.
She printed it out and read it for a long time.
- Ha! I hate these things!
- What's wrong Mum?
- We're not going to Ard Carraig, we're going to Thanedd. I've got a few things to finish up and someone to help. - she said with an apologetic smile. - Sorry, kid.
- It's okay, Thanedd is Thanedd. - Damian nodded, and something strange flashed in his eyes.
Yennifer, thoughtful and hurt that her journey with her son had been interrupted by the Mage Chapter, did not notice the wild and merry light in his eyes.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone