MANY MONTHS HAD GONE BY SINCE THE DRAGON LEFT GERALT ON THE MOUNTAIN,

She had learned so much about her people, but her heart was somewhere else. It had distracted her. She would go to villages, hoping to hear his name.

The only thing she heard was of war brewing. Nilfgaardians moving north, overtaking any kingdom they came across.

They were heading towards Cintra next.

Cintra. A kingdom that held bad memories for Faina.

But she knew it was important for Geralt. His Child Surprise, they were the child of the princess of Cintra.

So she left Borch and his family, heading south towards the kingdom. If she couldn't be with Geralt, than she could protect his Child Surprise.

And perhaps it would bring them together once more.

Faina snuck through the castle gates, and despite the war looming above them, the streets were full of glee. No one was hiding away, preparing for what was to come.

Either they were cocky, or oblivious. Or just completely idiotic.

After meeting the Queen twelve years ago, Faina believed it was all three.

The dragon was able to enter the castle swiftly, leaving Nix outside, and she cursed them out even more. Their security was just downright dreadful. 

Inside the castle, the Queen was holding a banquet. A dozen men and women were dancing, while others were sitting at tables feasting on fruit and meat. Not to mention wine.

There was a sense of deja vu. It took her back almost thirteen years ago, when Jaskier dragged her and Geralt to this very castle.

The night where everything changed for them all.

She spotted the princess in the front row of the dancers. The young woman looked just like her mother.

The dragon spotted the Queen and her husband sitting at the royal table in the front of the room. A man stood behind her royal highness, whispering something in her ear which caused a scowl to appear on her un-aging face.

Nilfgaard was coming... fast.

Faina kept her hood over her head, walking around the room slowly. She grabbed some grapes, and an apple from the table, snacking on it slowly as she observed the Queen and her granddaughter.

Then she felt the eyes of the Queen on her. Faina knew she was caught, but she wasn't afraid.

How could she refuse the help of a dragon?

Faina spotted the guards walking towards her, and she moved to slip out of the room. She wasn't far down the corridor before someone told her to stop.

"The Queen wishes to speak to you."

Faina was dragged into a room, her hood ripped off her head. The dragon stood by the window as she was left alone, waiting for the Queen to join her.

She used her heightened sight to stare out amongst the land past the castle. How long did they have before the kingdom was attacked?

"Why won't you leave? You escape from prison, yet you stay. Is this child that important to you?" The Queen questioned, stepping into the room with guards behind her,

"I'm clearly not who you think I am." Faina turned around, "But that must mean Geralt is close."

"Ah... his guardian angel. Come to rescue him once again?" Queen Calanthe asked,

Her eyes narrowed, "He's here? In this kingdom?"

"In this castle." The Queen stated.

Faina's heart began to beat faster. Geralt was so close. She had to get to him and the Child Surprise before Niflgaard attacked.

"Where?" Queen Calanthe didn't respond and Faina headed towards the doors, "That's fine. I'll just find him myself."

The guards raised their swords and Faina paused, glaring at them before turning back to the Queen, "We do not have time for this! Nilfgaard are on their way-"

"The only way I will let near the Witcher, is only if you leave with him and only him. You leave Cirilla alone. And you never come back."

Faina scoffed, "The law of Child Surprise won't allow that and you know it."

Queen Calanthe glanced over at the guards, "Keep her away from the Witcher." She stated before leaving the room.

Faina knew she had to play the long game. Rushing to find Geralt and the princess, it wouldn't benefit her.

No, she had to wait.

She wanted to find Geralt, no, needed to find him. It had been a long time since she's seen him. But she needed to have self control.

When the sun rose, she could see the soldiers of Cintra marching away, no doubt going to battle with Nilfgaard.

And by nightfall, not many remained.

Nilfgaard had breached the kingdom gates, and Faina knew it was time. She quickly turned to the guards, who glanced at each other nervously.

"Now... fall to me... or go and help your Queen."

The guards opened the door and left the room. Faina glanced outside once more to see fires ignited amongst the kingdom and Nilfgaard cheered as they made it through the castle gates.

Faina followed after the guards, leading her towards the Queen's room.

She stared down the other guards outside the doors, and they quickly opened it for her. Inside, Cirilla sat next to her grandmother, gripping her hand. Another soldier stood off to the side, holding a blue cloak.

Queen Calanthe made eye contact with the dragon,

"Who are you?" Cirilla questioned,

"He's in the gatekeep." The Queen stated.

Faina nodded, grabbing the cloak from the knight's hands and handing it to the young girl,

"Continue to be brave. Promise me." Calanthe told her granddaughter, "You are the Lion Cub of Cintra. You are destined for great things."

"I can't do this without you." Cirilla exclaimed over the Queen, 

"We need to go." Faina stated,

The princess stood and screamed, her voice going to a supernatural pitch. Glasses of water shook, but didn't shatter.

Calanthe turned her gaze to Faina, "Go. The world depends on it."

 Tears fell down her face as Cirilla kneeled next to her grandmother. Faina's mind went back centuries, when her mother left her in the vault. Before her people were vanquished.

"I love you."

"They are your destiny." The Queen whispered,

Faina laid the cloak over the princess' shoulders, "I'm sorry, Your Highness."

They slowly left the room. Faina knew they needed to hurry, but the girl was in no state. The knight followed behind them, and they reached the tunnels.

"Wait, the gatekeep? I need to find the Witcher." Faina told the solider,

"He's not there." A familiar man appeared, Moussesack, the mage she met thirteen years ago, at the opening to the tunnel,

"Where is he?!" Their torches lit up even higher at Faina's words, causing panic in their eyes,

"We don't know, and we don't have time to find him." The mage stepped closer to her, "You came for the Child Surprise, did you not? We need to get her out."

Faina stared at the mage. He was right. Walking into the kingdom of Cintra, her goal was to get the Princess.

But she couldn't leave Geralt. Not again.

She owed him that much.

She'd get the child out, then she would go back for the Witcher.

Faina nodded at the mage before they headed into the dark tunnel. Moussesack led them, while the knight kept up the back. The dragon held the young girl's hand, trying to give her some comfort.

The men ditched the torches at the end of the tunnel, and waited for the gang of Nilfgaard soldiers rode down the alleyway.

"Horses." The knight hissed, and Faina turned to see Nix and another horse,

Faina kept ahold of Cirilla's hand as they ran towards the horses, 

"Hey!"

They paused when they saw the Nilfgaardians behind them. Moussesack quickly made a decision, "Keep going."

Cirilla reached for him, "No!"

"Princess, I gave your grandmother my word. Allow me to keep it. Go." Moussesack begged before turning back to the enemy,

The two adults led the girl to the white horse, "My grandmother said I had to leave. Why? Why is Nilfgaard here? Why does the world depend on it?"

Faina didn't have the answer to the girl's questions. And neither did the knight as he helped her onto the horse.

Another horse's neigh sounded from yards away. A Nilgaardian archer appeared, and Faina quickly hopped onto Nix, behind Cirilla, and the knight unsheathed his sword, "Go."

Faina nodded, whipping the reigns, and Nix took off. She knew the young soldier wouldn't last long, but it might give them enough time to get to the gates.

Enough time to get them out of there.

Faina could only hope that Geralt could keep himself alive until she got to him.