"Not that I'm complaining, but why'd you ask me to come along?" Liam leaned back against the side of the boat, and asked.
"Figured it was safer than leaving you alone with Avallac'h." Geralt said.
"Oh? You think he was gonna kidnap me? Sell me to the highest bidder? Maybe recruit me for some elven conspiracy?" Liam joked.
"Nothing that dramatic. Just... he was too interested in you." Geralt just rolled his eyes and replied.
"Yeah, I noticed that too. Thought maybe it was just my winning personality." Liam said as he played with his staff. "So... ever been to this Isle of Mists before?"
"Nope," Geralt replied. "But I've heard enough to know we should be careful. It's a place of illusions and old magic. People go in and don't always come out."
The two sat in silence for a moment before Liam added, "So, what's Ciri like? I mean, I've heard a lot about her, but you actually know her."
"She's... stubborn. Reckless. But she's got a good heart. Stronger than she knows." Geralt took a moment to describe her. Liam could nod inwardly. She was very stubborn and it was this personality of hers that got into so much of troubles.
"Sounds like someone I'd get along with." Liam replied.
"Or fight with," Geralt muttered.
"That too." Liam grinned.
It didn't take much time to reach the location and it didn't go smooth either. There were a few wraiths which Liam got rid of before Geralt could take out his sword. He was surprised that Liam was so efficient now, but was happy for him.
Liam and Geralt had to navigate and even help some dwarves at the end was finally able to meet Ciri who seemed to be dead. But it was only a spell on her making her seem lifeless until she wished herself to come back to life. And once Geralt hugged her in tears, she hugged her back making Geralt almost cry tears of joy.
Liam smiled looking at it as he already knew this part. He had expected all of this but what he didn't expect was how beautiful Ciri was in reality. He had seen Avallac'h, and expected all Aen Elle to be beyond gorgeous and mesmerizing. But seeing a human, who had the bloodline of the elves was something else entirely.
And when Ciri showed up alive, he also felt some vague connection with her. A connection which came from his soul itself. Liam knew what it was and thus was surprised that it had affected him. He was taken aback because, when he met Avallac'h, he didn't feel any sense of connection with him, while he did so. This was very intriguing for Liam.
Ciri was beyond what he had expected in face and the game actually didn't do any justice to show how beautiful she actually was. But at the end, we are talking about Liam. He was a mute when it came to emotions and though he felt a slight attraction towards her, he didn't show it in his face or in his introduction.
As the moment between Geralt and Ciri settled, she pulled away slightly, wiping at her eyes before turning her attention to Liam.
"And who's this?" she asked. "A new companion, Geralt? Or did you finally decide you needed a student?"
"Liam. And I think I'd make a terrible student—too stubborn, apparently." Liam introduced himself.
"A trait we might share." Ciri chuckled. "You don't look like a witcher, though."
"That's because I'm not." Liam shrugged. "Let's just say I have... other skills."
"Oh?" Ciri arched an eyebrow. "Mysterious. I like that."
"Ciri, please." Geralt sighed.
"What?" she asked innocently. Geralt had known her and practically brought her up, so he knew what she was doing here. "More importantly, are you alright? You had us worried for a second there."
"I'm fine," she assured them, rolling her shoulders. "It was just a spell—Avallac'h told me it was the safest way to hide until someone could find me. Seems he was right."
"Yeah, about that," Geralt said. "What exactly happened? You've been gone for so long, and we've been chasing shadows trying to find you."
"It's a long story. I was constantly on the run—from the Wild Hunt, from the White Frost. Avallac'h tried to help me, but even with his protection, it was only a matter of time before they caught up."
"Where were you all this time?" Liam asked.
"A bit of everywhere," she admitted. "Skellige, Velen, Novigrad. I tried to stay ahead of Eredin and his riders, but they always seemed to be just a step behind. The White Frost was worse. The Hunt is terrifying, but the Frost… it's like death itself coming for you, relentless and inevitable."
"And Avallac'h?" Geralt pressed and changed the subject. "You trusted him?"
"More than I wanted to. He had his own reasons, his own secrets, but he never tried to harm me. In the end, his magic kept me alive. So I trust him." Ciri said.
"I don't trust him." Geralt said.
"Why?" Ciri was confused as Avallac'c had genuinely helped her a lot of times.
"Let's just say I got the impression he was more interested in me than was normal. And not in a good way." It was Liam who replied.
"Oh? Maybe he saw something special in you." Ciri gave the justification.
"Maybe. But I don't like being anyone's experiment." Liam said. He didn't know much about him and since he didn't read the books, he wouldn't try to be friends with him either. Though he did save her life during the war against the Wild Hunt and even made sure that one part of the army of Aen Elle wouldn't arrive, that didn't take away the ambitions of a politician.
Ciri laughed, and the sound was warm, a stark contrast to the tension that had been weighing on them moments ago.
"I think I like you, Liam."
"I'll take that as a compliment." Liam replied.