"Ye couldnae tell us where ye were?!" Zoltan huffed the moment Juray walked through the door.

"Missed you too, Zoltan."

"Donae change the subject."

"Junior had a trap set up for Ciri."

"What?" Geralt asked. "Why?"

"Fuck if I know. He apparently thought I was her mother and was there for revenge. He also knows where Jaskier is. Which I think he might have had a hand in his disappearance as when Witch Hunters and Temple guard showed up he told me to tell Dandelion hello."

"Jaskier's in the dungeons under Temple Isle."

"Well, fuck."

"And the only person who could get him released or transferred is dead."

"Fucking hell, Geralt!"

"What? I'm not the one who killed him."

"Is there a plan?"

"I gotta find Junior before Cleaver kills him to find out why he set a trap for Ciri. And Priscilla is trying to figure out how we can find Dudu."

"Why Dudu?" Juray paused. "Your plan is to send Dudu into the lion's den to order Jaskier freed?"

"Transferred to Oxenfurt. Menge wouldn't free him. He had an execution in Oxenfurt planned for him."

"You know, I've lost count on how many death sentences Jaskier has had."

Geralt shrugged.

"So how are we going to find Junior?"

"We?"

"I owe him a visit."

"I'm going to track him down. You're going to wait here until I find out where he's hiding."

"I'm not waiting here."

"Juray, you're on the Temple Guard and Witch Hunters' radars."

"Are there Wanted posters with my likeness?"

"No," Zoltan said.

"Then they don't give a shit about me."

"You're still waiting here."

"No, I'm not."

"Juray, Whoreson knows you escaped. His men are going to be on the lookout for you and I can't track him down if I'm fighting off his men because you have a wild hair up your ass."

Juray snorted. "Fine. But you come get me once you find out where he is. I promise I won't kill him until you find out what his dealings with Ciri were."

"You'll be the first to know. Now stay here and behave." Geralt left the tavern as Juray flopped down in a nearby chair with a huff.

"Come on, Juray," Zoltan said. "If anyone can find Whoreson, it's Geralt. And you know he always keeps his word."

Juray sighed. "I know."

"Let's play some Gwent while we wait and you tell me what you've been up to while you were in hiding."

Geralt checked out Junior's house and establishments. Cleaver's men had arrived there first so any clues as to where he went were lost, although he did find signs of Juray's escape in the form of a broken back upstairs window. In the casino, Junior's friends attacked him the moment he started to ask about the crime lord. Where he found one of Bedlam's moles, who informed him that Whoreson was working with the Rendanians but didn't know the details. Geralt made a mental note to see Djikstra about it, since he seemed to know all the going ons in Novigrad. At the arena, Geralt pretended to be looking for a non-Witcher job and the arena master wanted to test his skill before hiring him on as a guard. Fortunately, Junior was at his arena. Unfortunately, Cleaver's men broke in and started to attack, which prompted Junior to order Geralt and the dwarves killed and forced Geralt to fight his way out of the arena. But not before finding evidence of Junior's arrangement with Radovid.

Dijkstra was in his office when Geralt arrived.

"What do you want now?" he asked.

In answer, Geralt slammed the letter down on the desk. "Wily, Whoreson Junior," Geralt said. "He's working with Radovid."

"If this is reliable information, Whoreson's neck-deep in shit."

"Source seems reliable."

"Hm. It would certainly explain how he had the nerve to break with the Big Four."

"Need someone who can get me in to see Junior. You must still have some contacts among the Redanians."

"I don't... But you do."

Geralt gave him a questioning look. "Enlighten me."

"Temarian... Former commander of the Blue Stripes... Ring a bell?"

"Vernon Roche."

"He's holed up with his men in a camp near Oxenfurt. Pay him a visit. You're sure to cheer him up, at least."

"Thanks, Dijkstra."

Geralt stopped by the Rosemary to pick up Juray, only telling her he was heading to speak to a contact that could point them towards Junior.

"He's working with Radovid?" Juray asked when Geralt gave her the details of what he learned. "No wonder he tried to kill the other members of the Big Four."

"Yeah. But we still gotta find him before Cleaver. Hoping this contact will be able to point me in the right direction."

"This contact have a name?"

"Yeah. Pain in the ass. But he did help me clear my name after the whole Foltest assassination."

"Huh...," Juray said, knowing exactly who he was talking about. "Didn't know he was in the area."

"Me either until Dijkstra told me."

"Wait, Dijkstra? As in the Redanian spymaster? You're going to trust him?!"

"Former spymaster. Radovid kicked him to the curb after his father's death. He goes by Sigi Revuan these days"

"Wow from a spymaster to a crime lord. Not too far a fall."

Geralt just rolled his eyes as they arrived at their destination. They dismounted in front of a cave and both Witchers could hear men and women inside.

"This is where they decided to hide?" Juray asked.

A man wearing a heavy chest plate over a blue shirt and a crossbow on his back approached them.

"Lookin' for Roche," Geralt said.

"No one here by that name," the man replied. "Anythin' else?"

"Move."

"No, sorry. We talked, it was amusin', now about face and forward march."

"For fuck's sake," Juray muttered. "I hope you two aren't planning on getting into a pissing match now."

A new voice joined in. "You blind, Hortensio?" Roche approached them. "That's Geralt and Juray, old friends of mine. Come in, you two."

"Oh good. We've avoided the pissing match."

Roche chuckled at Juray's comment as the Witchers walked into the cave and the former Blue Stipes' commander motioned for them to join him at the fire he was next to.

"Geralt of Rivia. Safe and sound. And Juray of Riverdell, still holding her own."

"Vernon Roche," Geralt greeted. "Temeria's last hope."

"Laugh all you want. Temeria will rise again."

"Roche, I cannot abandon them. I--," Ves, a blond woman with blond hair cut short and a bow on her back, barged into their conversation.

"You can and must. Because those are your orders."

"They'll die. Please."

"We're done. Dismissed."

Roche's second in command looked towards Geralt and Juray as if she were hoping they would interject before looking back at Roche. She then sighed and walked off. Roche headed deeper into the cave, Geralt and Juray following him.

"How'd you wind up here?" Geralt asked.

"Came with the army, of course. Its remnants. When Nilfgaard crossed the Yaruga, I dropped everything, threw it all away to hell and rode for the front to fight the invader. Joined the 2nd Temerian Army under John Natalis. We were to stop the Black Ones' advance along the Dol Blathanna-Mount Carbon line." Roche crouched down in front of the fire, adding a little more kindling. "And we did. For three days. Then they smashed us into splinters. Soon after, I heard Radovid was assembling his forces near Novigrad. That he'd promised to fight for a free North. Broke through with the remnants of Natalis' army, but..."

"But Radovid proved no better," Juray finished.

Roche nodded as he stood. "So I decided I would mount my own fight."

"We should tell you this isn't just a social call to catch up. We're looking for Whoreson Junior."

"I've heard of him. Though I'm not sure why you think he might be in my camp."

"Heard some birds chirping," Geralt said. "You've got some of the same friends. Both seem to count Radovid among your allies."

"These birds, they're terribly talkative. I'll need to see them, you'll have to point them out—"

"Mhm. Meantime, Vernon, willing to help, or do I need to keep looking?"

Roche looked over at Juray. "He's not changed a bit."

"That surprise you?" Juray asked.

Roche chuckled before turning his attention back to Geralt. "As always, you've more luck than you deserve. I'm on my way to meet my Redanian contact. We're meeting near Oxenfurt, at a chess club."

"Thanks. Knew I could count on you."

They arrived at Oxenfurt and Roche led the way to the chess club. Upon arriving, they found several soldiers and Witch Hunters around the building. As they passed through, a Witch Hunter glared at Juray, looking her up and down.

"Something feels off," she said.

"I agree," Roche said.

"Let's go see what," Geralt said, returning the glare from another Witch Hunter, before walking into the building.

The club was empty with the exception of a single man playing chess with himself, making up his own rules and checkmating the king.

"You've gotta be shitting me," Juray muttered. The man at the table was King Radovid himself.

Radovid looked up. "They say it's the game of kings." He motioned to the board. "That chess teaches one to think strategically." He snorted. "What a load of rubbish!"

Roche and Juray glanced at one another, while Geralt crossed his arms and kept his full attention on Radovid.

"Both sides have identical pieces, the rules stay invariably the same. How does this mirror real life?" He focused on Geralt and Juray. "Witchers, do you know why I play chess?"

"For... practice?" Geralt answered. "To hone your thinking?"

"No." He looked at Juray for her answer.

"I'm actually surprised you have time to play games."

Radovid smirked. "You're blunt. I like it. It is true. I haven't much time for games." He motioned for her to join him at the table. Juray did so, picking up the knight that had fallen into the chair and setting it next to the board. "I play chess to reveal the game's secret. Blood thumps inside these chessmen. You need only listen and you will hear. Lub-dub, lub-dub, lub-dub..."

Geralt and Roche glanced at one another and Juray knew they were thinking about how insane Radovid was.

"A heart pumping with life. I take a pawn and I hear flesh being rent. I win a piece and hear screams from the depths of its bowels. I want to break the chessman open, squeeze the truth from them. Do you see what I mean?"

"Can't say that I do," Juray answered.

"You do not because you are not a queen. Pawns see only their comrades at their sides and their foes across the field." Radovid stood. "A king has a different view of the chessboard. His greatest foes surround him. His own chessmen might trap him. And that is check and death. You see, Witcher, chess is the art of sacrificing your own pieces." He leaned over the table, looking Juray in the eye. "Now do you see?"

"I think I do." Juray was not referring to chess as she said that.

Radovid straightened. "Unimportant... Let us speak." He turned towards Roche. "Why have you brought the Witchers here?"

"I think they'd best explain," Roche answered.

Juray stood as Geralt took a few steps forward.

"I'm looking for Cyprian Wily, Whoreson Junior," Geralt explained. "I know Redania supports him."

"Why do you seek him?"

"It's personal. For both of us."

"Fair enough. I'll not pry." Radovid turned away and poured himself a glass of wine. "I've placed Junior in a mansion in Oxenfurt. Very few know this. They'll not let you in unannounced. Thus, you must tell them you've come about the new whores. Junior constantly requires fresh women. I hear he doesn't treat them well. You may also be able to use your fellow Witcher to do this."

Geralt scowled at his back.

"You'd just give him to us?" Juray asked, choosing to ignore the comment. "After investing coin and time in him? Can't help but wonder why."

"Consider it a gesture of goodwill... almost. I'll expect you to return the favor." Radovid sat back down at the table and started to reset the board. "And also, Junior has lost his purpose. The Big Four is no more. I shall contact you to collect in due course. Now go. And you, Roche, we must speak another time."

Roche nodded and the three left Radovid to his own devices.

Outside of the soldiers' earshot, Roche stopped. "Radovid's sinking ever deeper into madness, as I see it."

"You're not the only one," Juray commented.

"I know where to find Junior," Geralt said. "Don't really care beyond that."

"Come to think of it, I too wanted to ask a favor of the two of you. I've a terrible problem with Ves. Need someone to talk some sense into her. Come see me at the camp. I'll tell you more."

The Witchers nodded before Roche mounted his horse and headed back to the guerilla hideout.

"Let's go pay Whoreson a visit," Juray said.

After fighting their way through the mansion's courtyard area when their ruse failed because of the guards recognizing Juray, they headed into the house. Where they discovered exactly how Junior earned his name. A dead woman was quite literally nailed to the wall.

"Fucking degenerate," Geralt growled. "He so much as touched Ciri, he'll pay."

"He's going to pay anyway," Juray said.

They found the bedroom, and more dead women. Junior was at the far end of the room in his boxers, washing blood off himself. The woman he'd just killed was laying on the bed, her face bloody and bruised and bruising on her neck from where Junior had strangled her.

"Fuck this," Juray growled.

Junior turned at that moment and was met with Juray's fist straight to the center of his face. Geralt just stood back with his arms crossed as the surprise punch sent Junior to the floor. He then sat up, holding his nose.

"Fuck me...," he said as he started to rise.

"Sorry, you're definitely not my type." Juray then drove her knee into his side and kicked him several more times before landing a couple more punches to his face.

"Help me, for fuck's sake! Get the bitch off me!"

"Oh, you think he's here to help you?"

"No one's coming," Geralt said.

Juray continued to beat him down.

"Stop...!"

Geralt finally put a hand on Juray's shoulder before she actually beat the man to death.

"What... What do you want? Is this about what happened in Novigrad?"

"Partly." Juray then roughly picked him up and slammed him into a chair. "But my friend wants to talk to you before I kill you."

Junior's face was now a bloody mess. "I'll do whatever you want."

Juray stepped back and motioned towards Junior before crossing her arms and Geralt stepped forward.

"Got a few questions to start with."

"I'll tell you everything..."

"I'm looking for a young woman and a minstrel. I know you've met them."

"A bird? What fucking b—?"

Geralt backhanded him and Junior nearly fell out of the chair. "Ashen hair with a sword on her back. Just like me."

Junior motioned towards Juray. "You found her."

"Don't play coy, Whoreson," Juray said. "You know exactly who we're talking about. I seem to recall you saying I would be the one paying in her stead. The only reason you're not dead right now is because my friend is looking for her." Juray bent down to his level. "Now listen very carefully. Pay attention now. You'll tell him the truth. Wanna know why?"

"I won't lie, honest!"

"Shut up. It took us a long time to find you. And a lot of people died along the way. You tried to sell me out to the Witch Hunters which neither one of us were very pleased about. One more fucking lie or game from you would be the last bitter drop in a chalice full of sorrow. And then I'd do something I'll regret. Now you know why you can't lie to him?"

Junior nodded his head vigorously.

"Good."

Geralt took over again. "I'd like to know how the ashen-haired woman ended up meeting you, and what happened to her."

"What happened to her? She attacked me!"

"Lie one more time, and I'll cut your balls off."

Juray narrowed her eyes at Junior when he started to laugh.

"We'd made a deal," the crime lord said. "I was to repair their magic phyla-whatsit. The girl and the songster were to bring me Sigi Reuven's treasure. They didn't, so I might've flown off the handle a bit, I admit..."

"What did you do?"

"I nabbed their flunky, Dodo, and waited for them to come for him. Look..." He pointed at the table behind Juray. "This."

Juray turned to see a phylactery on the table.

"Here's what they wanted fixed."

Juray picked it up. She could sense dormant magic within it. "You can fix something like this?" she asked.

"Not me. I know a guy..."

"Wasting my time, Junior," Geralt growled. "I need details."

Junior raised his hands. "I'll tell you, tell you all! Just the way it happened..."

Ciri and Jaskier walked through the streets of Novigrad, stopping at the backside of Junior's house.

"Got a bad feeling about this," Jaskier said as he turned to her.

"Calm down, Jaskier. We can't leave Dudu in Whoreson Junior's hands, you know that."

"I know, I know. But my gut can't be reasoned with, and no amount of sympathy I feel can silence it, blot it out."

"Cheer up. We'll manage this, I'm certain."

"Famous last words, right there."

"Have you learned where Whoreson is keeping Dudu?"

"Room on the top floor. One with the balcony."

Ciri looked up, calculating her route and reminding Jaskier of Geralt at that moment. "I'll need to cross onto the roof. Wait for me in front of Junior's house." She looked at Jaskier. "And I know it's difficult, but do try to look inconspicuous."

"If they... If they hurt you... Whoreson will pay." Jaskier went to wait for Ciri while she climbed onto the roof to find the room with the balcony.

She quickly found it and an unlocked window. Inside, Whoreson had Dudu, in his Halfling form, tied to a chair. He had a bloody gash on the right side of his face over his eye. Ciri would be surprised if the eye was still there.

"And now, my dear Dodo... I believe I'll try a different tool. Afraid I'm bored with this one."

"You're fucking barmy, Junior," Dudu said. "Anyone tell you that?"

"No, most say I'm nice... once they get to know me."

Dudu noticed Ciri slip into the room. "So you enjoy good company, like to make new acquaintances?"

Junior laughed. "Plan to introduce me to someone interesting?"

Dudu looked behind Junior and he spun around to find Ciri behind him.

"There you are. Good of you to come. I've been waiting for you."

He drew his sword and attacked, Ciri soundly defending herself until she slashed his face with her sword. Junior gave a cry as he stumbled, holding his face.

"An eye for an eye!" she said before kicking him hard enough his head hit the wall, knocking him unconscious. Ciri then darted over to Dudu and untied him. The doorknob started to shake and the men on the other side started trying to break down the door.

"Th-they're coming..."

"Dudu, listen. This is what we'll do..." She laid out her plan and Dudu agreed to it, quickly changing forms and darting out of the room.

Dudu stumbled against the wall, holding his hand over the gash on his face. "Get that fucking whore!"

Junior's men rushed in. Ciri looked past them and gave a nod. Dudu dropped his hand and gave a returning nod before fleeing.

"That's what happened. Told you true."

"What happened to Dudu?" Juray asked.

"I don't fucking know... Prick vanished! There one moment, gone the next..."

"What happened to the woman?" Geralt asked.

"Fuck if I know... One of the boys got her in the back... But she's alive, I swear it!"

"Got anything else to say?"

"I've told you all I know! Everything..."

"How about explaining to me why you sold out my friend."

"I saw her coming. Thought she might have been the ashen-haired girl. But when I saw the two swords, I knew it wasn't her. But I had to protect myself."

"You didn't even know me."

"Yeah, I didn't. But the white hair... thought you found out what happened and came for revenge on your girl. Thought maybe you knew where she was and I sent for the Witch Hunters to get it outta you."

"You tried to have me killed! Just because I looked like Ciri?"

"I know I overreacted."

"You called that overreacting?"

"You hurt the woman I'm looking for... You tortured her friend. Tried to have my friend tortured and killed."

"She attacked me! I've a right to defend myself! I beg you... Got what I deserved... Have mercy... Please..."

Juray snorted.

"Lemme tell you where things stand. I'm looking for this woman, 'cause she's like a daughter to me." Geralt looked over at Juray. "He's all yours, Demon."

"Noooo!"

Geralt turned and walked away.

"Please!" Junior screamed when Juray sunk a dagger into his crotch.

"Let me make this perfectly clear, Junior. What I'm going to do to you is a mercy compared to what your friends in the Big Four would do to you when they find out you sold them out to Radovid." She removed the dagger and he placed both his hands over the wound. "In fact, they probably already know. Sigi knew already and by now he's probably already told Bedlam and Cleaver."

Junior's eyes widened.

"That's right, Whoreson. You're fucked either way." She walked behind him and leaned down towards his ear. "Consider yourself lucky that they're only going to find your corpse among your victims."

"Please," Junior begged. "I'll --," he cut off when Juray dragged the dagger across his throat. He gurgled and Juray pushed him forward. He fell on his face, his blood pooling around him as she stepped over him.

Juray stepped out of the house to find Geralt leaned against the wall waiting on her.

"Done?"

"Yep."

"Feel better?"

"Actually yeah."

"Good." He pushed off the wall. "Let's go tell Priscilla what we found out about Dudu."

"I still think that's a horrible idea."

"No one has any better ideas on how to find him." He pushed open the gate of the mansion to find three of Radovid's soldiers waiting on them.

"Seems you've resolved your matters," one said. "It's time you returned the favor."

"That was quick," Juray commented.

"Radovid doesn't like to wait much, does he?" Geralt asked.

"No, he does not. You'll come with us."

They were escorted to a Redanian ship in the Oxenfurt docks. "The HMS Oxenfurt-Tretogor, once the crown jewel of the Redanian fleet. Decommissioned now, though."

"Nice boat," Geralt said, flatly.

"You'll need to leave your weapons if I'm to let you aboard."

The two removed their weapons, Juray grumbling as she did so.

"Follow me." The soldier led them onto deck. "Ship was funded with donations. From noblewomen. Ladies from the most prominent families gave up their jewelry."

"Spur-of-the-moment, patriotic impulse?" Juray asked.

"You're a homeless wanderer. Can't understand what it is to truly love one's country."

"You'd be surprised."

Radovid was waiting for them at the front of the ship on the upper deck. "There you are."

"Need something from us, Your Majesty?" Geralt asked as Radovid walked down the stairs to be level with them.

"You've never been one to mince words. Very well. Find Philippa Eilhart. That's my wish." He walked over to the edge of the ship. "I ordered her eyes gouged out once. But apparently, blindness troubles her not. My hunters have detected Lady Eilhart hiding east of Oxenfurt. They have further established that she has magically sealed the entrance to her shelter. Entering it will be difficult. I believe you might succeed in doing so." He walked back towards Geralt and Juray. "Bring her to me, alive."

"Phillipa's here?" Juray asked, surprised. She would have expected her to be hiding as far away from Radovid's reach as she could.

"Philippa's using magic? You'd be better off sending mages after her."

"I agreed to the Conclave's revival, but what has this brought me?" He walked over to the other side of the ship and looked over the water. "The mages at my side are mediocrities, cowards. They can't hold a candle to the likes of Eilhart, Laux-Antille, or Merigold."

"There's always your Witch Hunters."

"You are the best witch hunter. You've proven it clearly. Síle de Tansarville and Philippa Eilhart's plan? You were the one to foil it. I want you to finish what you started." He looked at Juray. "Besides, I've heard how strong Lady de Côte's abilities are."

Juray gave him a hard look while wondering how he found out about that name.

"Now go to the mountains and bring me Philippa Eilhart." Radovid turned and walked away and the Witchers were escorted off the ship.

"Your arms."

Juray nodded her thanks as she replaced her swords.

"Never seen better steel in my life. Blade must strike true, no?"

"It's a matter of the hand," Geralt said as he buckled his own swords into place. "Not the steel it's holding."

The soldier nodded and they walked away from the ship.

"Who's Lady de Côte?" Geralt asked.

Juray sighed, contemplating regicide at that moment. "Me. Although I have no fucking clue how Radovid found out since I rarely use the name."

"Where did you come up with that name?"

"It was James' surname. Angelo had me officially placed in the family records."

"Does Vesemir know that you're officially a Kaenwendi noble?"

"Not that I know of. I'd like to keep it that way. Don't feel like hearing a lecture. Let's go find Phillipa's hideout. There's some elven ruins east of the city. I have a feeling that's where she's hiding."

"And most have defenses perfect for a sorceress."

"If she's even still there." Juray headed to where they left their horses. "Come on. Radovid is not known for his patience."