Chapter 623: Invitation to a Meeting

Chapter 623: Invitation to a Meeting

In the complex of Loxia on Thanedd, Tissaia was seated in the chair beside a round table, her eyes closed. The obsidian talisman before her chest was shooting colorful beams, and balls that gleamed white appeared from the colorful light, floating over the round table. As she panted and finished chanting the last part of the incantation, the balls of light flew to the empty seats around the table.

The balls of light turned into silhouettes. Eventually, the silhouettes turned into people. Zircon, obsidian, and silver talismans hung before their chests. They were all beautiful, in makeup, and wearing long dresses. The makeup, however, was drenched by the sorceresses' sweat. They'd spent too much mana projecting themselves to this meeting, and their cheeks were flushed red.

"Is everyone present and accounted for?" Tissaia asked.

"Only Demavend's consultant, Radcliffe, is missing." Redania's royal consultant, Philippa leaned forward, as if nonchalant. She showed off her expensive jewelry and new dress to her colleagues, and she looked around, satisfied.

Henselt's consultant, Sabrina, raised her head a little, her fiery hair tumbling down to her beautiful cleavage. Triss was solemnly looking at Keira Metz, who was also a consultant to Temeria's royalty, communicating silently.

Yennefer of Vengerberg was in a beautiful black-and-white dress. Her violet eyes and pale visage were gleaming, and she looked better than ever. Perhaps she'd had some happy occasion lately.

The good friend of the queen of Kovir and Poviss, Sheala de Tancarville, was in a black velvet dress with a silver scarf around her neck. She crossed her arms, musing over the point of this meeting. Not far beside her was a sorceress who'd resigned from her job as Kerack's royal consultant years ago and joined the brotherhood. Lytta's lips were gleaming under the magical light's illumination. She was staring at the elven queen, Francesca Findabair.

She was in a crimson dress, elven rouge covering the corners of her eyes, and she was as elegant as a daisy, but the most captivating woman among them would be the blond beauty, Margarita Laux-Antille. She had smooth, perfect skin, perfect curves, and the air of a mature lady.

"Radcliffe's refusal to join this meeting is answer enough about her employer's stance. We do not have to wait." Tissaia shook her head, sighing. "Back to the issue at hand. Welcome, sisters, to Aretuza. I invited you to this long-distance meeting to discuss a matter of great importance. I believe you have heard of the congregation at Hagge back in September of 1266. Demavend, Foltest, Vizimir II, Henselt, and Queen of Lyria and Rivia, Meve, joined that summit. They had decided to take stronger actions against the rise of Scoia'tael's terrorism. Their decision was to gather all the non-humans in one place and manage them there."

Tissaia paused for a moment, then she gave her colleagues a knowing look. "All non-humans in the Northern Realms will be in for harsher days, and I think the rulers' decision is far too extreme. Not all non-humans are persuaded by the South to sabotage the unity of the North. On the contrary, all the non-humans aside from the Blue Mountains faction are law-abiding citizens. They should not be roped into this."

"Are you showing them pity?" Sabrina's eyes flared. She screeched, "I say the non-humans deserve this! They did this to themselves. Look at what they did recently. Hiding in the woods and bushes and ambushing all the merchant caravans like madmen. They killed humans who were just passing by, even the young and the elderly. What they did is unforgivable."

Sabrina's voice echoed in the hall.

"Calm down, Sabrina." Tissaia clenched her fists. "Let me reiterate. Not all non-humans are Scoia'tael's butchers."

The silent Francesca frowned. She didn't like how Tissaia called them butchers. Sabrina flew into a bigger rage, and she disappeared from her projection for a moment. "I call bull! Even if the dwarves, elves, and gnomes didn't join Scoia'tael, they've been helping their kin escape arrest and providing them with supplies! Keeping them all locked up is the only way to get rid of our problems."

"Can we bring guests with us?" Lytta interrupted.

"Who?"

"Witchers." Lytta looked at Francesca. The elven queen was icy, obviously miffed by how the witchers massacred Scoia'tael members twice. But this time, she can't escape.

"Whoa, you've been living a secluded life all these years, and now you have a lover out of nowhere?" Keira rubbed her chin, her eyes flaring with passion. She was then reminded of the Wolf and Viper who were tasked to be Foltest's bodyguards. They did give me a good time. "How old is he? A lad or an older man?"

Coral smiled, staying silent. Triss turned away, sighing silently.

"Not the only witcher too," said Yennefer. "I would like to bring a guest as well."

"Geralt of Rivia, am I right? After years of separation, you two got back together?" Sheala scoffed. She couldn't understand how the squalid, rude, and boorish White Wolf managed to gain the love of an elegant sorceress.

Hesitant, Tissaisa said, "This is an internal meeting among spellcasters. I don't mind you bringing regular people whose interests are tied to the agenda, but mercenaries like witchers should not be here."

"Oh, what's the worry?" Sabrina licked her lips, putting on a passionate, beguiling smile. "You think mere witchers can influence the decisions of sorcerers? Let them come. They'll bring some interesting things to the conference."

Tissaia looked at Margarita. Margarita mused over it, and she nodded.

"Very well. Coral, Yennefer, bring your lovers, but teach them about gentleman's etiquette. Tell them to follow the rules of Thanedd.

"Of course. We promise."

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