Sword of Destiny

“‘But I think that every myth, every fable must have some roots.’

[…]

‘It does […] Most often a dream, a wish, a desire, a yearning. Faith that there are no limits to possibility. And occasionally chance […] Only in fables survives what cannot survive in nature. Only myths and fables do not know the limits of possibility.’”

“Bounds of Reason” is ironically titled, given the pervasive phrasal motif of the “limits of possibility” that recur throughout the story. In this quote, Three Jackdaws, concealing his true identity as a golden dragon, foreshadows the existence and appearance of legendary creatures, including himself. However, Geralt dismisses these possibilities, emphasizing the thematic exploration of the constraints on what is possible within the narrative.

“‘Why do you ride with Borch?’

[…]

‘He is […] the most […] beautiful.’”

Véa’s hesitant explanation serves as foreshadowing for Three Jackdaws’ concealed identity. Additionally, it highlights Geralt’s literal-mindedness, for he initially dismisses Véa’s words as an example of the perceived ineffability of women, failing to consider the possibility that hidden beauty does indeed lie hidden within Three Jackdaws himself.

“‘I’m riding with them for the same reason I rode with you […] Because it’s all the same to me. I don’t have a goal to head towards. I don’t have a destination at the end of the road.’

[…]

‘There’s a destination at the end of every road. Everybody has one. Even you, although you like to think you’re somehow different.’

[…]

‘Do you have a destination at the end of the road?’

‘I do.’

‘Lucky for you.’

‘It is not a matter of luck, Geralt. It is a matter of what you believe in and what you serve.’”

In an unusual departure from his usual pragmatic and stoic demeanor, Geralt reveals a rare moment of frustration. He candidly expresses his sense of ostracism and a perceived lack of purpose. However, Three Jackdaws intervenes, dispelling the untruths in Geralt’s beliefs and offering support to prevent him from succumbing to despondency, though this exchange only frustrates Geralt further.

“Chaos and Order […] Do you remember, Geralt? Chaos is aggression, Order is protection against it. It’s worth rushing to the ends of the world, to oppose aggression and evil, isn’t it, Witcher? […] For some time, creatures, which you usually call monsters, have been feeling more and more under threat from people. They can no longer cope by themselves. They need a Defender. Some kind of…witcher.”

The dichotomy between chaos and order is inherently subjective. Dragons, which humans often perceive as embodiments of chaos, hold a contrasting viewpoint in which humans are considered to be the chaotic elements. Villentretenmerth positions himself akin to a witcher and takes on the role of safeguarding innocent monsters from the humans who would prey on them, underscoring the thematic exploration of The True Nature of Monstrosity. This narrative suggests that humans pose a more significant threat than those creatures who are most often labeled “monsters.”

“[W]hat you feel is a projection of her emotions, the interest she shows in you. […] [Y]ou know what you are. […] You’re a mutant, and one of the basic traits of your mutation is utter insensitivity to emotions. […] [W]hat you take for emotion is cellular, somatic memory. […] You try to substitute normal, human feelings, which you do not have. Your words don’t express feelings, they are only sounds, like that a skull emits when you tap it. For you are just as empty as this skull.”

Istredd articulates society’s prevalent yet incomplete views on witchers, further emphasizing Geralt’s own misconceptions about his identity. Geralt’s own confusion about his true nature is demonstrated when he internalizes Istredd’s words and echoes them to Yennefer when she questions him about his feelings. This encounter imprints on Geralt’s psyche, solidifying his misguided conviction that love is beyond his capacity.

“For there are some…things…which there is no way of obtaining, even by magic. And there are gifts which may not be accepted, if one is unable to…reciprocate them…with something equally precious. Otherwise such a gift will slip through the fingers, melt like a shard of ice gripped in the hand. Then only regret, the sense of loss and hurt will remain…”

“A Shard of Ice” is often interpreted as evidence of Yennefer’s capriciousness and faithlessness. However, this quote unveils her vulnerability and the nuanced complexity of her emotions. Her love for Geralt is genuine, yet she fears that expressing it could be detrimental to both, given Geralt’s assertion that he cannot reciprocate.

“‘Emotions, whims and lies, fascinations and games. Feelings and their absence. Gifts, which may not be accepted. Lies and truth. What is truth? The negation of lies? Or the statement of a fact? And if the fact is a lie, what then is the truth? Who is full of feelings which torment him, and who is the empty carapace of a cold skull? […] What is truth, Geralt? What is the essence of truth?’

[…]

‘Truth […] is a shard of ice.’”

Yennefer explores the complexities and contradictions inherent in human emotions and their relationship to truth. The kestrel’s metaphor suggests that truth, like a shard of ice, is sharp, clear, and potentially cold. Truth, while revealing, can also be chilling and difficult to grasp, echoing the theme of ambiguity and uncertainty in the characters’ lives. At the same time, it implies that truth can undergo changes or transformations, just as ice melts under the influence of heat. This notion aligns with the idea that truth is not absolute and can be subject to interpretation or the influence of external factors. The metaphor captures the fluid and dynamic nature of truth, reflecting the nuanced and ever-changing understanding of reality.

“‘You cannot defeat me,’ the doppler snarled. ‘Because I am you, Geralt.’

‘You are mistaken, Tellico […] You cannot have any idea what it means to be me, mimic. […] [Y]ou’re a poor, little, good-natured doppler […] [a]nd whoever you might change into you’ll always be the same. You only know how to copy what is good in us, because you don’t understand the bad in us.’”

This quote explores the depth of individuality and suggests that rather than being a surface-level imitation, identity involves a profound understanding of both positive and negative aspects that make someone unique. By stating that the doppler can only copy the good because it does not comprehend the bad, Geralt touches upon the multifaceted nature of his experiences and the choices that shape his identity. This quote also illustrates Geralt’s tendency to believe the worst about himself.

“You gave dwarves, halflings, gnomes, and even elves […] the modest possibility of assimilation. Why should I be any worse off? Why am I denied that right? What do I have to do to be able to live in this city?”

Tellico’s quote explores the pervasive theme of discrimination in the series. Although society entirely ostracizes the doppler, he lacks the understanding that other marginalized groups also face severe discrimination. Notably, these groups are still afforded the right to live within the city—a privilege currently denied to the doppler.

“‘We also deserve something from life, Geralt. We aren’t inferior to you.’

‘Very true […] You aren’t. Perhaps it even happens that you’re better.’”

Sapkowski asserts that every creature deserves something from life, and this idea challenges the notion that certain beings are inferior to others. Geralt’s attempt to comfort the doppler thus carries a dual purpose—it is not only a message for the doppler but also a reminder that Geralt, too, deserves fulfillment from life and stands on equal ground with anyone.

“‘I am an unfeeling witcher and heartless professional.’

 […]

‘You’re sensitive […] [d]eep in your angst-filled soul. Your stony face and cold voice don’t deceive me. You are sensitive and your sensitivity makes you fear whatever you are going to face with sword in hand may have its own arguments, may have the moral advantage over you […] [but] you aren’t a cold and unthinking killer either.’

[…]

‘[I]t isn’t my sensitivity and personal qualities that place me higher but the vain and arrogant pride of a professional convinced of his value. A specialist, in whom it was instilled that the code of his profession and cold routine is more legitimate than emotion, that they protect him against making a mistake […] [b]ut the Witcher, Essi, is free of such dilemmas. And of emotion. […] The code solves the dilemma for the Witcher.’

[…]

‘All dilemmas?’ she asked quickly. […] ‘I apologise […] the question was foolish. And naïve. It hinted that I believed what you were saying.”

Geralt’s clash with Essi unveils his fundamental beliefs about his own nature. The witcher, constrained by his code, staunchly maintains his emotional detachment. However, Essi challenges this self-perception, exposing the incongruence between Geralt’s verbalized incapacity for emotion and the emotional depth reflected in his actions.

“[P]erhaps Yennefer feels what I’m feeling now, feels a profound certainty that I ought to fulfil what is impossible to fulfil […] a little sacrifice isn’t enough here; you’d have to sacrifice everything, and there’d be no way of knowing if that would be enough.

[…]

A little sacrifice, he thought […] For this will calm her, a hug, a kiss, calm caresses. […] For a little sacrifice, a very little sacrifice, is beautiful and worth…

[…]

Essi is not Yennefer.

And that is why I cannot. I cannot find that little sacrifice inside myself.”

This quote delves into the true nature of Geralt’s internal turmoil regarding his feelings for Essi. While he harbors genuine affection for the bard, his love for Yennefer takes precedence over these feelings. Additionally, Geralt develops new levels of empathy as he comprehends both Yennefer’s motivations and Essi’s emotional needs, even though he cannot reciprocate Essi’s desire for emotional intimacy. Geralt exhibits remarkable self-reflection in this quote even his inner realizations further develop his character.

“Life is a battle. And we were taught that struggle by these witchers […] It was they who showed us the way, who paved the way for us. They strewed the path with the corpses of those who stood in the way of humans and defended that world from us. We, Essi, are only continuing that battle. It is we, not your ballads, who create the chronicles of humanity. And we no longer need witchers, and now nothing will stop us.”

Agloval articulates Geralt’s most significant fear: that witchers inadvertently nurture humanity’s darker aspects in their pursuit to safeguard humanity. Individuals like Agloval perceive themselves as the central figures in the universe, disregarding the needs and sentiments of other beings. Driven by self-interest, humans like Agloval rationalize the elimination of others in their pursuit of power. Agloval’s self-centeredness stands in stark contrast to Geralt’s persistent selflessness.

“And what kind of love would it be if the one who loves were not capable of a little sacrifice?”

This quote explores the essence of love, proposing that authentic love requires the willingness to make sacrifices. The emphasis on “a little sacrifice” underscores the notion that even small, meaningful gestures can enhance the depth and authenticity of love. Additionally, there is an element of understatement in the passage, for Sh’eenaz’s sacrifice is far from insignificant. Instead, her willingness to transform herself demonstrates the expansive landscape of her profound love.

“‘A good story has a moral and a bad one doesn’t,’ Ciri sniffed with conviction.

‘That was a good one,’ the dryad yawned. ‘So it has what it ought to have. You, moppet, should have scurried up that tree from that yghren […] [n]ot pondered, but scurried up the tree without a thought. And that is the wisdom in it. To survive. Not to be caught.’”

Ciri and Braenn debate the merits of Geralt’s story, revealing stark differences in their upbringing. Braenn contends that Ciri should have acted instinctively against the giant centipede, inadvertently pointing out the impact of her own specialized training on her quick responses. This foreshadows Ciri’s future training and abilities in the series. Simultaneously, Braenn articulates her primary goals—survival and evasion of capture—underscoring life’s challenges as a dryad. The quote also encapsulates the recurring motif of Stories and Ballads, emphasizing the inherent truth found within fiction.

“‘You will give me what you do not expect to find at home.’ ‘You will give me what you already have, but about which you do not know.’”

When Geralt requests Ciri from Eithné, she adamantly refuses, stating that Geralt, of all people, should comprehend her decision. Eithné then quotes the Law of Surprise, highlighting the fact that witchers employ this law to obtain new recruits and influence fate; by her logic, she is simply following the same principle. The Law of Surprise symbolizes destiny throughout the narrative, yet it also signifies society’s yearning for a semblance of control over fate.

“It is easy to kill with a bow, girl. How easy it is to release the bowstring and think, it is not I, it is the arrow. The blood of that boy is not on my hands. The arrow killed him, not I. But the arrow does not dream anything in the night.”

In his gentle admonition to Braenn, Geralt imparts practical advice and shares a glimpse into his own burdens and the lingering guilt of his experiences. He cautions the dryad against embracing a casual approach to killing, suggesting that the weight of such deaths can be haunting—an acknowledgment that implies a personal resonance with his own actions.

“The nothingness and void in you, conqueror of the world, who is unable to win the woman he loves. Who walks away and flees, when his destiny is in reach. The sword of destiny has two blades. You are one of them. But what is the other, White Wolf?”

While Eithné professes respect for Geralt, her rebuke in this quote is sharp. She observes the perceived emptiness within Geralt, a void that he likely attributes to his supposed emotional detachment. However, a more plausible explanation is that this void is caused by Geralt’s resistance to embracing his destiny, which prevents him from finding a higher purpose. Eithné’s words spur Geralt to articulate his understanding of destiny—an idea he claims to reject utterly. Paradoxically, this refusal contributes to the void within Geralt and causes him to lose what he holds most dear.

“Listen, any fool, including you, may demand a vow, may extract a promise, and will not become remarkable because of it. It is the child who is extraordinary. And the bond which comes into being when the child is born extraordinary. […] From the moment Ciri was born, what you wanted and what you planned to do ceased to matter, and what you don’t want and what you mean to give up doesn’t make any difference either.”

Mousesack delivers a scathing critique of Geralt’s understanding of destiny, and the exchange foreshadows the series’ subsequent fate-driven events. Despite being the protagonist of the series, Geralt’s role shifts to a supportive one as the narrative increasingly centers on his mission to safeguard Ciri. This pivotal moment marks a transition in which Ciri becomes the central figure in the plot. Fate now intricately weaves around Ciri, reshaping Geralt’s role in light of the unfolding events that surround her.

“There is no destiny, he thought. It does not exist. The only thing that everyone is destined for is death. Death is the other blade of the two-edged sword. I am the first blade. And the second is death, which dogs my footsteps. I cannot, I may not expose you to that, Ciri.”

This quote underscores Geralt’s internal struggle and the complexities that consume him as he modifies his understanding of destiny in the face of his responsibilities to Ciri. While Geralt believes that all destiny ends in death, he wants to shield Ciri from this reality. At the same time, Geralt repeats his belief that there is no destiny, and this constant repetition exposes his doubts.

“We’re made for each other […] Perhaps we’re destined for each other? But nothing will come of it […] We have to part so as not to hurt one another. We two, destined for each other. […] Pity. The one or ones who created us ought to have made more of an effort. Destiny alone is insufficient, it’s too little. Something more is needed.”

The recurring motif of “something more” resonates with the novel’s complex relationships and focus on personal growth. Yennefer’s explanation of her rejection of Geralt adds depth to this motif. Her sadness also hints at a profound understanding that their connection lacks a crucial element, a missing piece that transcends their immediate circumstances. The phrase “something more” thus becomes a harbinger for both characters’ transformative journey, individually and together. It also foreshadows the possibility of a deeper, more meaningful connection once Geralt discovers and embraces this elusive element in his quest for self-realization.

“It’s not worth worrying about storytellers. If they don’t have enough material, they’ll make things up anyway. And if they do have authentic material at their disposal, they’ll distort it. As you correctly observed, this isn’t a fairy tale, it’s life. Lousy and evil, And so, damn it all, let’s live it decently and well. Let’s keep the amount of harm done to others to the absolute minimum.”

In this quote, Geralt’s rare willingness to articulate his emotions unveils the essence of his internalized moral code, emphasizing his desire to minimize harm to others. This insight into Geralt’s principles adds depth to his character, showcasing a commitment to decency and ethical conduct in a world he acknowledges as “lousy and evil.” The humor injected into the quote also gains a touch of metafictional irony as Geralt explicitly declares that the narrative is not a fairy tale. His statement thus highlights the discrepancy between life’s harsh realities and the storytelling elements that often embellish or distort those realities.

“I do not take anything. I just take people by the hand. So that no one will be alone at that moment. Alone in the fog.”

This quote explains the common misconceptions that surround death. Faced with the avatar of Death itself, Geralt professes his fear of death when the narrative makes it plain that throughout his life, he never looks back to behold her presence. He accuses Death of taking everything from him, but she clarifies that her job is simply to be a guide. This revelation causes Geralt to reevaluate his own past actions and beliefs, for if Death is compassionate, then he, as a self-proclaimed agent of Death, cannot be as monstrous as he believes.