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I fought boththe other in the face

Then a metal shackle was locked on to my ankle

I looked up, seeing Ian

Ian stepped back, his face pale as snow

“Take this off”

He remained still

“Ian”

He looked away

“Don’t you fucking listen to her”

“She’s our queen—”

“And she’s fucking batshit crazy right now Take this off Now”

He still wouldn’t aze

“Ian, look at me”

He wouldn’t

“You know this is wrong”

“Doesn’t matter—”

“Yes, it fucking o, I’ll never forgive you”

He finally looked at me

“Co his loyalty to ht now “I’ out of time…”

He closed his eyes briefly then pulled the key from his pocket

“Hurry”

He kneeled and turned the key until the metal clicked

I took off at a dead sprint, exiting the stone keep and sprinting down the snow-covered trail until I reached her cabin I made it just in time because they hadn’t reached the front door yet With both swords drawn, I barred the way

Geralt halted then looked at Queen Rolfe for further instruction

“Geralt has protected you for years, and I’rateful of his service tohead off his shoulders if he couard, you’ll order him to stand down Now”

She stared at me, her look almost bored

“Or if he kills me, you’ll lose your eldest son”

Geralt waited, prepared to fight me if he was ordered to

After a long shon of stares, she excused Geralt with a nod

He fell back and retreated

Both of my swords were sheathed in my belt

Her blue eyes tooktime, as if it were the first time she’d ever really looked at me, and then she ca prints in the powder She was in a thick white gown the sa feathers in her hair, and wore a cloak thicker than mine “Will you take your father’s place at the top of the cliffs? Will you take back what has been in our blood for generations?”

“Yes”

“Will you avenge me?”