Chapter 62: Philippa Eilhart
POV: Adam
The sorceress's tower ascended toward Tretogor's sky like ambition made manifest in stone and enchantment, its circular stairs creating psychological pressure that intensified with each step while magical wards hummed with energies that made reality feel malleable around their passage. Adam's breath came shorter as they climbed, not from physical exertion but from atmospheric density that spoke of power concentrated beyond normal human comprehension.
Most politically powerful mage on the Continent. We're ascending to meet someone who shapes kingdoms.
The appointment that awaited carried weight that transcended simple educational opportunity—meeting with individual whose decisions influenced the fate of nations while her personal agenda remained opaque to outside observation.
Her owl familiar watches. Even the wildlife serves intelligence purposes.
The bird perched beside Philippa's desk studied their approach with attention that felt too focused for normal animal behavior, golden eyes reflecting intelligence that suggested supernatural awareness rather than simple trained observation.
Blind sorceress whose magical sight surpasses normal vision. Sees more than people with working eyes.
Philippa Eilhart commanded the tower's apex chamber from behind desk that might have served royal functions, her sightless eyes directed toward visitors with precision that made visual impairment seem like tactical advantage rather than limitation.
Sees through deceptions immediately. She knows exactly who we are.
The sorceress's first words shattered their carefully maintained cover with casual authority that spoke of someone whose intelligence network had been tracking their movements for extended periods.
"Princess of Cintra, her guardian, and the White Wolf walk into my tower," Philippa said, her voice carrying amusement that made their elaborate disguises feel like children's games. "This isn't social call."
Tracked our movements for weeks. Been monitoring us since before we arrived.
The revelation that their activities had been under observation despite careful precautions created retroactive paranoia about decisions they'd made while believing themselves undetected.
Demands real explanation. Truth or dismissal.
"Real explanation for your visit," she continued, fingers steepled in gesture that made authority visible through body language, "or kindly waste someone else's time."
No choice. Must reveal actual purpose.
The negotiation that followed revealed political complexity that extended far beyond simple educational transaction, Geralt's explanation of their circumstances intersecting with agendas that operated on scales they'd never previously considered.
Wild Hunt hunting Ciri. Dimensional threats require specialized training.
"Interdimensional elves," Philippa repeated, her voice carrying fascination that spoke of academic interest rather than simple concern about threats. "Hunting her for Elder Blood capabilities. Fascinating."
Lodge already debating Ciri's fate. Our situation already under political consideration.
The disclosure that powerful sorceresses had been discussing Ciri's future without their knowledge or consent sent cold calculation racing through Adam's mind as he processed implications of being regarded as resource rather than person.
Some want to use her, others eliminate the threat. Ciri viewed as tool or danger.
The political divisions within magical community created situation where their request for assistance intersected with existing conflicts about how Elder Blood power should be managed.
Philippa personally curious. Academic interest in magical potential.
Her offer carried complexities that made simple acceptance dangerous—education in exchange for political obligation that could bind Ciri to causes she'd never chosen to support.
Political favor owed to Lodge. Faustian bargain proposed.
"Future consideration," Philippa said when outlining terms, "when Lodge requires assistance that your unique capabilities could provide."
Won't sell Ciri's agency. Some prices too high regardless of benefits.
"No," Adam said, his voice carrying finality that surprised him with its certainty. "We won't mortgage her future for present assistance."
Amused by protectiveness. She finds my concern entertaining.
Philippa's smile suggested someone encountering refreshing deviation from normal political calculations, understanding that emotional attachment created predictable leverage in most negotiations.
The compromise that emerged reflected pragmatic assessment rather than emotional manipulation, sorceress recognizing mutual benefit while avoiding complications that obligation would create.
Intelligence about Wild Hunt. Knowledge exchange rather than political debt.
"Hunt's dimensional mechanics fascinate me," Philippa said as negotiation reached productive territory. "Information about their capabilities serves Lodge's interests while avoiding entangling alliances."
Training with no strings attached. Education without political obligation.
The modified arrangement provided instruction they required while preserving Ciri's autonomy, understanding that knowledge transfer benefited both parties without creating future complications.
Two months training. Time-limited commitment.
The schedule balanced comprehensive education against dangers that extended exposure to political environment might create, understanding that Philippa's protection couldn't eliminate all risks that royal court contained.
Complete honesty about instruction. No hidden agendas in educational process.
The commitment to transparent teaching methods addressed concerns raised by Yennefer's harsh training, ensuring that capability development wouldn't come at cost of psychological trauma.
Free to leave anytime. Ciri retains agency throughout process.
The escape clause preserved their ability to terminate arrangement if circumstances became threatening, understanding that sorceress's goodwill might not extend beyond her immediate interests.
Pragmatic assessment. Benefits everyone if properly controlled, threatens everyone if not.
"Ciri's power," Philippa concluded, "serves everyone's interests when properly directed, endangers everyone when it remains chaotic."
[Experience Gained: 150 XP]
[Level Progress: 28 (85% toward 29)]
[Relationship Established: Philippa Eilhart 15/100 - Mutual respect]
[Training Arrangement: Secured for two months]
Their departure from the tower carried weight of agreement that balanced opportunity against uncertainty, understanding that Philippa's assistance came with complexities that couldn't be eliminated through careful negotiation.
Training schedule established. Formal education begins tomorrow.
The program that awaited promised instruction in magical disciplines that informal learning couldn't provide, systematic development of capabilities that trial-and-error experimentation couldn't achieve safely.
Final words linger. Everyone wants Ciri for something except you.
Philippa's parting observation carried truth that made their situation feel simultaneously precious and precarious—understanding that genuine care had become rare enough to seem remarkable rather than expected.
Wants her for herself. Refreshing and foolish in equal measure.
The assessment revealed perspective that viewed emotional attachment as both admirable deviation from political norm and dangerous vulnerability that sophisticated operators could exploit.
Tomorrow begins training. Two months of magical education.
Looking at Ciri's profile as afternoon light painted her disguised features with relief that their negotiation had secured assistance without compromising her freedom, Adam understood that some victories came through preserving what mattered most rather than gaining everything desired.
Everyone wants something. But we want her happiness above all else.
The road ahead stretched through two months of intensive education while political forces continued maneuvering around them, leading toward capabilities that might provide solutions to problems that individual determination couldn't solve.
Together. Whatever challenges magical training brings, we face them together.
MORE POWER STONES == MORE CHAPTERS
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