remember. And there will be no more sleep that night. There will be fear. Until dawn.'
The girl shuddered, lowered her head.
'Surprise.' Yennefer's voice changed imperceptibly. 'Trust me.'
The enchantress's shoulder was warm. The black velvet of her dress asked to be touched, The scent of lilac and gooseberries
intoxicated delightfully. Her embrace calmed and soothed, relaxed, tempered excitement, stilled anger and rebellion.
'You'll submit to the tests, Surprise.'
'I will,' she answered, understanding that she did not really have to reply. Because it was not a question.
'I don't understand anything any more,' said Ciri. 'First you say I've got abilities because I've got those dreams. But you want to do tests and check… So how is it? Do I have abilities or don't I?'
'That question will be answered by the tests.'
'Tests, tests.' She pulled a face. 'I haven't got any abilities, I tell you. I'd know if I had them, wouldn't I? Well, but… If, by some sheer chance, I had abilities, what then?'
'There are two possibilities,' the magician informed her with indifference as she opened the window. 'Your abilities will either have to be extinguished or you will have to learn how to control them. If you are gifted and want to, I can try to instil in you some elementary knowledge of magic.'
'What does 'elementary' mean?'
'Basic'
They were alone in the large chamber next to the library in an unoccupied side wing of the building, which Nenneke had allocated to the lady magician. Ciri knew that this chamber was used by guests. She knew that Geralt, whenever he visited the Temple, stayed right here.
'Are you going to want to teach me?' She sat on the bed and skimmed her hand over the damask eiderdown. 'Are you going to want to take me away from here? I'm never going to leave with you!'
'So I'll leave alone,' said Yennefer coldly, untying the straps of her saddle-bags. 'And I assure you, I'm not going to miss you. I did tell you that I'll educate you only if you decide you want to. And I can do so here, on the spot.'
'How long are you going to edu- Teach me for?'
'As long as you want.' The magician leaned over, opened the
chest of drawers, pulled out an old leather bag, a belt, two boots trimmed with fur and a clay demi-john in a wicker basket. Ciri heard her curse under her breath while smiling, and saw her hide the finds back in the drawers. She guessed whose they were. Who had left them there.
'What does that mean, as long as I want?' she asked. 'If I get bored or don't like the work-'
'We'll put an end to it. It's enough that you tell me. Or show me.'
'Show you? How?'
'Should we decide on educating you, I will demand absolute obedience. I repeat: absolute. If, on the other hand, you get tired of it, it will suffice for you to disobey. Then the lessons will instantly cease. Is that clear?'
Ciri nodded and cast a fleeting glance of her green eyes at the magician.
'Secondly,' continued Yennefer, unpacking her saddle-bags, '1 will demand absolute sincerity. You will not be allowed to hide anything from me. Anything. So if you feel you have had enough, it will suffice for you to lie, pretend, feign or close in on yourself. If I ask you something and you do not answer sincerely, that will also indicate an instant end to our lessons. Have you understood?'
'Yes,' muttered Ciri. 'And that… sincerity… Does that work both ways? Will I be able to… ask you questions?'
Yennefer looked at her and her lips twisted strangely.
'Of course,' she answered after a while. 'That goes without saying. That will be the basis of the learning and protection I aim to give you. Sincerity works both ways. You are to ask me questions. At any time. And I will answer. Sincerely.'
'Any question?'
'Any question.'
'As of now?'
'Yes. As of now.'
'What is there between you and Geralt, Lady Yennefer?'
Ciri almost fainted, horrified at her own impertinence, chilled by the silence which followed the question.
The enchantress slowly approached her, placed her hands on her shoulders, looked her in the eyes from up close – and deeply.
'Longing,' she answered gravely. 'Regret. Hope. And fear. Yes, I don't think I have omitted anything. Well, now we can get on with the tests, you little green-eyed viper. We will see if you're cut out for this. Although after your question I would be very surprised if it turned out you aren't. Let's go, my ugly one.'
Ciri bridled.
'Why do you call me that?'
Yennefer smiled with the corners of her lips.
'I promised to be sincere.'
Ciri, annoyed, pulled herself up straight and wriggled in her hard chair which, after many hours of sitting, hurt her backside.
'Nothing's going to come of it!' she snarled, wiping her charcoal-smeared fingers on the table. 'After all this, nothing… Nothing works out for me! I'm not cut out to be a magician! I knew that right from the start but you didn't want to listen to me! You didn't pay any attention!'
Yennefer raised her eyebrows.
'I didn't want to listen to you, you say? That's interesting. I usually devote my attention to every sentence uttered in my presence and note it in my memory. The one condition being that there be at least a little sense in the sentence.'
'You're always mocking me.' Ciri grated her teeth. 'And I just wanted to tell you… Well, about these abilities. You see in Kaer Morhen, in the mountains… I couldn't form a single witcher Sign. Not one!'
'I know.'
You know?'
'I know. But that doesn't mean anything.'
'How's that? Well… But that's not all!'
'I'm listening in suspense.'
'I'm not cut out for it. Can't you understand that? I'm… I'm too young.'
'I was younger than you when I started.'
'But I'm sure you weren't…'
'What do you mean, girl? Stop stuttering! At least one full sentence, please.'
'Because…' Ciri lowered her head and blushed. 'Because Iola, Myrrha, Eurneid and Katye – when we were having dinner – laughed at me and said that witchcraft doesn't have access to me and that I'm not going to perform any magic because… Because I'm… a virgin, that means-'
'I know what it means, believe it or not,' interrupted the magician. 'No doubt you'll see this as another spiteful piece of mockery but I hate to tell you that you are talking a lot of rubbish. Let us get back to the test.'
'I'm a virgin!' repeated Ciri aggressively. 'Why the tests? Virgins can't do magic!'
'I can't see a solution,' Yennefer leaned back in her chair. 'So go out and lose your virginity if it gets in your way so much, But be quick about it if you please.'
'Are you making fun of me?'
'You've noticed?' The magician smiled faintly. 'Congratulations. You've passed the preliminary test in perspicacity. And now for the real test. Concentrate, please. Look: there are four pine trees in this picture. Each one has a different number of branches. Draw a fifth to fit in with the other four and to fit in this space here.'
'Pine trees are silly,' decreed Ciri, sticking out her tongue and drawing a slightly crooked tree with her charcoal. And boring! I can't understand what pine trees have to do with magic? What? Lady Yennefer! You promised to answer my questions!'
'Unfortunately,' sighed the magician, picking up the sheet of paper and critically appraising the drawing, 'I
