[ Ciri knows what it's like to have someone torn away from you, to feel lost and alone, abandoned by the constant you'd always relied on. She knows the feeling, many times over, and she wishes Alina didn't have to feel this way. ]

I know. Geralt told me-- [ Geralt had gone out to search for Mal, and she'd brought him back, taken him away from important work. Even if Ciri knows it's... extremely unlikely at this point they'll find Mal alive. She still feels guilty.

Her fingers squeeze Alina's, and she leans closer, shoulder to shoulder. She's still dusty from riding out in the desert, wearing clothes that don't fit after she'd torn up her shirt to frantically bandage Jaskier, emotionally drained even though her body has infuriatingly healed completely thanks to the unintentional spell. Ciri sighs, shoulders drooping. ]

We'll be back out there as soon as possible. And I plan to go with him this time. We'll do everything we can to get you answers.

[ Alina's question has no easy answer. No, of course not, she wants to say, but what is the point in that? ]

I'll be all right.

But I...

[ She hesitates, not looking up at Alina. Swallows, a little awkwardly. ]

I'm glad you're here.