Blood of Elves

This chapter introduces the novel’s nonlinear structure, as the scene with Geralt and Ciri camping en route to Kaer Morhen takes place nearly one year before Dandelion’s concert at Bleobheris.

The imagery in Ciri’s dream suggests that she has some form of post-traumatic stress from her experiences. She focuses most intensely on a few images: the burning city, the sight of blood, and the black knight standing over her. These half-formed memories indicate that Ciri has repressed much of what she endured before meeting Geralt. He found her in a war-torn region and vowed to never leave her, so although they are “destined” for each other by his invocation of the “Law of Surprise,” it is clear they also chose one another. When Ciri first met Geralt (in Sword of Destiny) she was afraid of his “strange eyes,” but now she feels safe with him. He is her protector, and she also regards him as a father figure, establishing the theme of Parental and Familial Relationships. This chapter reestablishes Geralt and Ciri’s bond. Geralt also introduces Ciri at Kaer Morhen as the witchers’ “destiny,” extending the scope of their bond to include the other witchers; if Geralt is Ciri’s father figure, they will be her brothers. His statement is reminiscent of the adage, “It takes a village to raise a child,” and it invites the witchers to collectively take responsibility for Ciri.

Bleobheris, the “Seat of Friendship,” is a site protected by druids where all races gather. At first glance, the site appears to be neutral territory, and it is a nonviolent space. That said, the separation the races impose on themselves—only the children mingle—demonstrates that even in a “neutral” space, their biases still dictate their conduct. Events later in the novel will make the reasons for the Racial Tensions Between Humans and Nonhumans clearer, but much of it involves the colonization of the unnamed continent by humans, who killed, displaced, or subjugated the other sentient species. However, as the debate about Ithlinne’s Prophecy makes clear, the boundaries between these different races are not as clearly delineated as many would like to believe; a threat to the “blood of elves” may be a threat to everyone.

The debate following the concert also explores the relationship between storytelling, history, and the role of the truth in both. Sheldon Skaggs, a dwarf who fought at Sodden Hill (where the Northern Kingdoms defeated Nilfgaard after its invasion of Cintra, albeit with huge losses), argues that “fanciful tales” matter less than the bard’s depictions of wartime conditions. As a veteran, it is most important for him to see his experience accurately represented. For a priest in the audience, however, the most important aspect of the song is its thematic interpretation of destiny, which aligns with a priest’s spiritual views about fate. Two women in the crowd even claim to have met Geralt and Yennefer, while others argue that both are dead and that Ciri never existed. This conversation alerts the reader to the vast quantity of disinformation already circulating about the main characters. There are also rumors of Nilfgaard trying to push North again, which foreshadows events in the novel as well as overarching political plotlines that unfold later in the Witcher saga.

Dandelion and Yennefer’s conversation establishes Dandelion as an informant for King Vizimir of Redania’s intelligence network. Although the sorceress and the bard are not on entirely friendly terms (for example, Dandelion eats with his hands just to annoy Yennefer, who eats using silverware), they do seem to care for one another as friends would. Their conversation also reveals the current state of Geralt and Yennefer’s relationship: She knows where Geralt is hiding (Kaer Morhen), and she has been there before, but only when invited. Yennefer feels her presence now would be unwanted.

The distinction between “the conquest of Cintra” and “the massacre of Cintra,” which Dandelion interprets as a sign of whom Rience might work for, signifies how the Northern Kingdoms versus Nilfgaard interpret the events of the recent war. For Nilfgaardians, they conquered Cintra; for Cintrians, they were massacred. One side views the event through a militaristic lens, while the other regards it as murder. This differentiation highlights the theme of Neutrality, Justice, and War and hints at propaganda regarding the polarized relationship between the north and south, as well as within the Northern Kingdoms. The Northern Kingdoms view Nilfgaard as imperialistic invaders and themselves as comparative innocents who must defend their homes. By uniting against Nilfgaard and identifying the empire as a villain they must collectively defeat, the Northern Kingdoms sanitize their own misdeeds; it is in the north where elves and other nonhumans are discriminated against and persecuted. Instead of examining themselves for the harm they do to their neighbors, the Northern rulers paint their realms as the only true victims.