Sword of Destiny

Yurga and his servants tend to Geralt’s wounds, carefully dressing them before gently placing him into the cart. Despite the assistance, Geralt shivers uncontrollably, his weakened state causing him to call out for Yennefer.

Geralt regains consciousness, and Yurga explains that one of the monsters bit into Geralt’s leg, inflicting a bone-deep wound that is now festering. They are heading toward human towns in hopes of finding a healer for Geralt. Requesting a green flagon from his chest, Geralt takes a concoction that triggers a hallucinatory flashback of his last romantic encounter with Yennefer during Beltane.

In his hallucination, Geralt stumbles upon Yennefer with another man who eventually departs. Geralt and Yennefer engage in a conversation where she expresses her frustrations about her infertility. Geralt provides comfort, and they share a tender moment. Yennefer tearfully recounts their encounter with Three Jackdaws, where the dragon warned that nothing tangible would result from their destined connection to one another. Yennefer emphasizes the insufficiency of destiny and states the need for something more. She warns Geralt of impending troubles in Cintra and urges him to head there first thing in the morning.

Geralt regains consciousness and engages briefly with Yurga, expressing surprise at the merchant’s decision not to abandon him. Yurga insists that it would have been despicable to abandon the wounded witcher and reveals that the wagon has reached Sodden.

Taking another concoction, Geralt delves into a hallucination of a summer’s day in Cintra several years ago. In the vision, he observes a group of children playing and inquires about the child of destiny. Mousesack, under strict orders from Queen Calanthe, refrains from divulging the chosen child’s identity. Mousesack guides Geralt to meet with Calanthe, recounting the events that led Geralt to invoke the Law of Surprise after saving Duny, Calanthe’s son-in-law (See: Background). During that earlier time, when Duny’s wife, Pavetta (Calanthe’s daughter) was unexpectedly revealed to be pregnant, her child would belong to Geralt, according to the Law of Surprise. Now, Geralt’s visit to Calanthe marks the fulfillment of that pact. Calanthe, grieving the loss of both Pavetta and Duny in a tragic boating accident, confronts Geralt with her anguish over potentially losing her grandchild. The two engage in a heated debate about destiny, with Calanthe highlighting the harsh reality that only four of 10 children survive witcher training. In defiance of destiny, Geralt asserts that he will not take the child, emphasizing the need for something more than a predetermined fate. Despite initial disagreements over the Law of Surprise, a tentative understanding is reached, and Geralt departs.

Geralt awakens once more, surprised to find his injuries significantly healed. Assisted by a healer, he receives a potion to alleviate his bedsores. As Geralt gazes at the healer, he recognizes her as Visenna, his mother, who abandoned him to the witchers when he was a boy. Yurga and Visenna reposition Geralt, and he inundates the healer with questions.

Expressing gratitude to Visenna for her care, Geralt broaches the topic of destiny. When she affirms her belief in the concept, Geralt sits up and scrutinizes his mother, seeking any familial resemblance. Failing to perceive any similarity, he confronts Visenna about the process that led to his transformation into a witcher. Unperturbed, Visenna advises him to be silent, dismissing his inquiries. Despite Geralt’s insistence on asking a long-held question, Visenna deems it unwise and uses a spell to induce sleep, temporarily quelling his lingering curiosity.

Geralt engages in a conversation with Yurga about the recently ended war and the subsequent reconstruction efforts. Yurga attributes his own survival to destiny and highlights Geralt’s pivotal role in saving him. He shares details about the dedicated healer, Visenna, who tirelessly tended to Geralt, refusing any compensation. The conversation shifts to the sorcerers who ultimately sacrificed themselves in the Second Battle of Sodden to end the recent war. Yurga mentions a stone on a hill that bears the names of these fallen sorcerers, but Geralt intervenes, halting Yurga’s recitation of their names.

Geralt ascends the hill to read the fallen sorcerers’ names, which evokes cherished memories along with less favorable ones. As he reaches the final three names, a noise interrupts the solemn moment. Turning, he encounters a modestly attired female figure with blue eyes and blonde hair. Curious, he asks her identity, and she responds with a smile. It dawns on Geralt that she is Death itself.

Death, adopting an easy familiarity, reveals that she has been following Geralt for years, though he never glanced back to acknowledge her presence. Harboring a fear that the last name on the stone might be Yennefer’s, Geralt implores Death to take his hand, but she refuses, asserting that today is not the appointed time. Geralt expresses the sentiment that death has taken everything from him, but she counters that she takes nothing; she merely ensures that no one faces their end alone. With that, Death departs, leaving Geralt feeling lightheaded. Yurga aids him down the hill, and in an attempt to alleviate his anxiety, Geralt asks for the last name on the obelisk, only to discover that he is unfamiliar with the name.

Yurga cautiously broaches the subject of his promise to Geralt, revealing that his wife cannot bear more children. Despite this, he offers one of his sons to undergo witcher training. Geralt vehemently declines the proposition, stating that Yurga’s aid in Geralt’s healing is payment enough. As they traverse the river, Geralt reminisces about another crossing when the banks teemed with peasants who were fleeing from the invading Nilfgaardian soldiers. At the time, the retreating Sodden army callously repelled the desperate peasants, reserving the ferry solely for the use of soldiers. Amidst the turmoil, Geralt spotted Dandelion, who implored Geralt to aid his escape. Both men acknowledged the inevitable burning of the ferry and left the defenseless people stranded. Dandelion detailed the merciless tactics of the Nilfgaardians and begged Geralt not to abandon him.

Compelling Dandelion to forsake his pack of manuscripts, Geralt lifted him onto his horse, Roach, and began the journey toward Cintra. However, Dandelion revealed that the Nilfgaardians had already reduced Cintra to ashes. Halting their progress, Geralt learned of Cintra’s devastation and the tragic demise of Calanthe in battle. The entire royal family had perished, either in battle or at their own hands. Dandelion believed Ciri to be dead as well, leaving Geralt with nothing to find in Cintra.

The narrative returns to the present moment. Yurga and Geralt reach Yurga’s home, where the merchant’s wife, Goldencheeks, joyfully greets her husband. Yurga inquires about their sons, and Goldencheeks assures him that the three children will return soon. She has taken in a girl left orphaned by the war. Despite a fleeting premonition that crosses Yurga’s mind, he dismisses it, focusing on the imminent reunion with his sons. As the boys approach, a small girl walks alongside them. The girl suddenly breaks into a run, calling out to Geralt.

Geralt rushes toward the girl, recognizing her as Ciri, and they embrace. Overflowing with joy, Ciri expresses her certainty that Geralt would find her. Inquiring if they will be together forever, Ciri seeks confirmation from Geralt. He affirms this, and when Ciri questions if she is his destiny, Geralt responds that she is something more.