Here’s an excerpt from a Witcher fic I really love the premise of, and what I have so far, but which is stalled by lack of time and energy to write. Still, it deserves to be written, I think. It’s set post-game, in a world in which Ciri became a witcher and Geralt lied to shield her from Emhyr.
“All right,” Geralt said. “Back to the point. You want to justify yourself to me?”
Emhyr sneered slightly, as if the words pained him, which Geralt figured they must. “It is strategically important for me to do so. Want would be a strong word.”
Geralt snorted. “I guess you never shied away from huge jobs, but frankly I can’t imagine why you’d care for the opinion of a simple witcher.”
“Please keep in mind that I know your personal history likely as well as your closest friends, and avoid insulting my intelligence by pretending to be a simple anything.” Emhyr glared, and Geralt shrugged. “In this case, though, I would have use of your good opinion even were you truly the backwoods oaf you pretend to be.”
Emhyr looked directly into Geralt's disbelieving eyes and continued. “You should know, firstly, that I am aware that my daughter lives, and that you lied to me.”
Of course it was about Ciri. The most likely possibility, and the worst. Geralt winced internally, but said nothing.
“I have been aware since shortly after you departed. My agents were already seeking the answer. Naturally, I doubted you, but knew that forcing your honesty would only do what I least wanted to do.” Emhyr cleared his throat.
“That being further alienating Cirilla. Which brings me to my point, so you can leave off scowling. I do not have Cirilla’s good opinion. If she is to be my heir, which end I consider essential, I require her good opinion. Or, at least, a chance to gain it. You, on the other hand, have her good opinion, her love, and her trust.”
“Guess you might as well stop saving me for later, then, because I won’t abuse that trust. Not now, nor any time in future, no matter what you threaten me with.”
“I’m aware. Again, please, credit me with intelligence if nothing else. Which is why my expressed goal is to win your good opinion. You will, of course, follow your own inscrutable dictates should I succeed in that goal. I will not pretend that I have not done monstrous things--we both know that I have. All I ask is an opportunity to convince you that the things I have done, I have done with reason.”
