Original release date: December 17, 2021
Geralt takes Ciri outside Kaer Morhen; they are attacked by the Chernobog Geralt encountered at Cintra. Geralt manages to kill the monster, but his horse Roach is mortally wounded in the fight. At Kaer Morhen, Vesemir and Triss are ambushed by Rience, who steals the mutagens and escapes. After Geralt gently puts Roach out of her misery, he and Ciri travel to the Temple of Melitele where Geralt hopes Ciri will learn to control her powers. They meet Yennefer when she arrives shortly after them and she realizes that Ciri is the key to restoring her own magic, but also knows that Geralt would never allow it. Francesca successfully gives birth to the first full elf born in years. Cahir reveals to Fringilla that Emhyr is visiting Cintra. Istredd uncovers a link between Ciri and Lara Dorren, a legendary elven warrior. Yennefer tells Geralt that Jaskier is in trouble, and being pursued by the fire mage, whom Geralt deduces is looking for Ciri. Rience appears at the temple with the Michelet Brothers. Geralt tells Yennefer to take Ciri while he holds Rience off. Yennefer and Ciri lock themselves in a room and Yennefer teaches Ciri to open a portal. Rience escapes and Yennefer and Ciri disappear through a portal. Triss tells Tissaia of Ciri’s Elder blood.
* * *
[birdsong]
[Roach whickering]
How much further is it?
Where are we even going?
At least at Kaer Morhen, we were safe.
The Trial of Grasses isn’t safe.
Not listening again.
Hmph.
You want to kill yourself trying to become a mutant so if you survive, you can kill yourself trying to get revenge.
Which part did I miss?
[Roach snorting]
You don’t really give a shit about what I want.
All you care about is your…
Damn duty.
[Roach snorts]
So long as I’m breathing, you’ve done your part.
I need more than that.
Ciri…
I do understand.
[Roach whickers]
[Ciri] What’s up there?
Do you-do you hear something?
Come on, Roach.
Let’s go.
This is the shallowest part of the river. I’ll check that it’s safe to cross.
[Ciri] What do you mean, safe?
I’ll try and draw it out first.
[Ciri] Draw what out?
[Geralt] It’s some kind of chernobog.
I don’t know what that is.
But let me help…
Stay here.
[Roach neighs]
[Roach snorting]
[whinnies]
[Ciri] Geralt!
Geralt, get back here!
[chernobog growling]
[screeches]
[shrieks]
[roaring]
[neighing frantically]
[crunching]
[screeching]
Ciri, down!
[whinnies]
[metallic slashing]
[power whooshing]
[neighs]
Run! Run! Run!
[gasps]
[sniffs]
[footsteps approaching]
[sighs and grumbles]
I’ve been a fucking fool.
Where are they?
They didn’t say.
If I had to guess, Nenneke’s.
We’ve both been fools.
Whatever’s running through that girl’s veins…
[sighs]
…whatever we made from it…
It’s more dangerous than we know.
[rattling]
What’s wrong?
Vesemir.
Someone is here.
What is it?
What’s happened?
Who’s here?
[groans]
[grunts]
Surprise.
[speaking in Elder]
How quaint.
[gasps]
[grunts]
[roars]
[yelling]
[both straining]
[both screaming]
[yells]
Vesemir!
[gasps]
Lambert!
[wheezing]
[Ciri] Shh.
[Geralt] Easy, girl.
Is there anything we can do?
[sighs]
[Roach snorts softly]
Enjoy your last walk across the meadow and through the mist.
[wheezing]
Be not afraid of her…
For she is your friend.
[whinnies]
[blood flows]
[sighs]
[distant roaring]
[rumbling]
It’s time.
Are you ready for this?
Yes.
Go up to the rock.
[sighs]
[creaking]
[distant wingbeat]
[wingbeat]
[chernobog shrieking]
[grinding cry]
[Geralt growls] Stand your ground, Ciri!
[roaring]
[screeches]
[Geralt] Hold!
[roaring]
[intense rumbling]
[crashing roar]
Hold!
[yells]
[chernobog shrieking]
[chernobog bellowing]
[gasps]
[panting]
[sighs]
Where the fuck are my swords?
[birdsong]
[laughter]
[Francesca whispers]
It’s beautiful.
Never seen a spell like it.
My favorite thing to do as a girl was flower picking with my mother.
After she died, I kept one to remember her by.
One day, it started to wilt.
When I held that flower, I don’t know why exactly, but I began to feel warm inside.
And the flower bloomed again.
I did that spell over and over for years, until my father caught me.
That’s when he tried to lead the village in a crusade against me.
But he failed.
Gage held him down while I slit his throat.
The village built a statue in my honor.
At Aretuza,
they taught us the art of politics.
The art of persuasion.
A quick tongue to bend others so they think that they’re in control.
Like with your friend Cahir?
You’re different with him around.
Not afraid, perhaps, but smaller.
He was my superior.
Was?
Because you bent him to believe so?
It’s time for him to stop thinking he’s in power.
To know you are.
The White Flame rules Nilfgaard.
[horse neighs]
[Francesca] Yes.
But my people, the face they see that feeds them every day, that welcomes them in from the cold, is yours.
That is worth something.
[whinnying]
In times of war, hard decisions must be made.
I don’t begrudge you yours.
The persecution of the elves is despicable.
I know you well enough to understand that you did not forsake the mission the White Flame gave us.
You just got a little…
Distracted.
It is time to return to the real reason that we took Cintra in the first place.
The girl was last seen in Sodden, I’m told.
[bird shrieking]
[flies buzzing]
[Ciri] I’m sorry. About Roach. About all of this…
[Geralt] Don’t be. I’m proud of you, Ciri.
What you did back there was courageous.
[Ciri] I had that feeling again
when the chernobog came for me.
The pull.
But I… I don’t think it wanted to hurt me.
It didn’t want to hurt you?
Hmm. [sighs]
[Ciri] If the monsters are coming through the monoliths, it’s my fault.
[Geralt] It’s not that simple.
Geralt?
When the Knight caught me,
all I could feel was fear.
I was… I was so scared.
But I also felt…
Anger.
Later, there were also some men from Cintra who found me.
They were going to take me to the Knight to collect a reward.
But I… I wasn’t scared that time.
I just… I knew what could happen.
You screamed.
I killed them, Geralt.
How many were there?
Four.
Only four?
You’ve got some catching up to do.
[Ciri] So, what now?
[Geralt] Good question.
I’m hoping we’ll find our answers there.
Melitele.
Goddess of fertility and harvest.
I’m impressed.
I do, in fact, read.
The graduates of the temple school are known to become midwives, historians, healers…
And witchers.
Vesemir sent me here when I was about your age.
It’s where witchers learn to do signs.
Yes. I, too, was once a child.
[woman] Blessings. Good morrow.
Where is she taking those?
Don’t worry. We’re safe.
There’s no fighting here. No politics.
The temple is known for its neutrality.
The temple is what you make of it.
But, yes, some find it more… giving than others.
I have missed you.
I have missed you too, Nenneke.
Now, who are you?
I think we can, at the very least, start to guide you in the art of controlling your Chaos.
What’s that?
It’s the feeling inside.
The feeling you can’t control.
Like…
The Daughter of Chaos?
Where did you hear that?
Ciri, the questions you are asking require knowledge that’s been lost to time.
And knowledge like that is usually lost for a reason.
Are you sure you’re ready?
Whatever… gave me this Chaos, hiding from it won’t fix it.
I’m ready for the truth, whatever it takes.
That spirit. [sighs]
You’re just like him.
[chuckles]
Geralt?
Ask him to tell you about the Aard incident.
It nearly destroyed the very office we are sitting in.
Ah! This is Jarre.
One of our best students.
Pleasure to meet you, milady.
Mi-magical lady.
[Ciri chuckles]
Whatever it takes.
Ah, Jarre, take Ciri to the library.
She’s in dire need of the orbuculum.
[chuckles]
[whispers] Help me.
Hmm.
Now that you’ve had a chance to speak with her, what do you think?
I don’t see any side upon which you are not entirely fucked.
[sighs]
She’s a princess.
Kingdoms will want her for her status.
Nilfgaard already does.
You know how many have been killed in pursuit of her?
Thousands, yes, I know.
And if she has Elder blood, she’s a fucking tinderbox.
By all means, go on.
You said she recited Ithlinne’s Prophecy during one of her episodes.
Yes, but I won’t let what may or may not be folklore dictate my path.
What does she know of the Wild Hunt?
She believes what most people believe. What are you driving at, Nenneke?
She’s a Child of Destiny.
[sighs]
There are forces at play larger than we know.
You are a part of her, she a part of you.
But it’s not enough.
I know.
[sighs]
What can I do?
I taught you in all things…
Balance.
[sighs]
Find what is missing in the girl.
Then, maybe, you stand a chance of helping her.
[sighs]
Hmm?
[sighs]
[sighs]
I hope training is going well.
Our people have lived in the mountains long enough.
They know how to kill.
They know how to defend.
Can they learn how to kill first?
[sighs]
Imagine a time when we can return to valuing… beauty.
The land, and life.
Death is a part of life.
Perhaps that is the cost of getting our land back.
Do you believe it will happen?
Something’s shifted in the air, Francesca.
Since that soldier arrived.
I know.
Everything feels more vulnerable.
Including Fringilla.
I’m taking care of it.
I was skeptical, I’ll be the first to admit, but…
I’m not here to tell you what to do.
I’m here to ask what you need of me.
I will greet the elves who arrive on boats.
I will train them in human warfare.
I’ll don Nilfgaardian armor if it’s what’s important.
Whatever you need.
I need you to stay by my side.
I will.
By our side.
Where you belong.
She is what’s most important now.
[sighs]
[gasps]
[wind howling]
[sighs]
How’s Vesemir?
Stable.
But shaken.
What I can’t figure is, what would a mage want with Vesemir?
Well, why don’t we ask the expert?
What business could one of your kind have here, Merigold?
That bastard is not one of my kind.
Oh, fuck me. I was only poking. I didn’t mean nothing by it.
Fire magic is off-limits for us.
Whoever he is, he’s not working for the Brotherhood.
If you say so.
And I don’t think Vesemir is what he was after.
Well, at least he left empty-handed. [grunts]
Fuck…
[Lydia] You’re sure it contains her blood?
[sighs]
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah.
This wasn’t part of our arrangement.
We arranged for you to bring me the girl.
You fucked that up.
Here we are, then.
Oh, dear. What…
Get out.
I was saying, it’s a work in progress.
But…
Perhaps the terms of our deal can be updated?
What do you want?
To meet your employer.
[scoffs]
My lord is a private man. Why should you give two shits about meeting him?
He seemed like a man with vision. I’d like to help him see it through.
What’s that old saying?
Better to be at the right hand of the devil than in his path.
I’ll see what I can do.
Now… [sighs]
…you expect to get out of that temple with the rest of your face intact?
You’ll need a crew.
Hmm.
I know some particularly savage brothers.
[dog barking]
[bell clanking]
[laughter and conversation]
Hello?
[meows]
[growling]
Hello?
Tss, tss, tss.
[yowls]
[growling]
You’re lucky the trap’s broken.
Usually, it shoots 20-inch metal spikes out the studs.
Got a hawker a few nights ago.
I can still hear his screams.
That’s, uh… that’s chilling.
Yeah.
I take it you are Ellis Codringher.
Mm, mm.
My name is Istredd.
Mmm?
So this is Hen Gedymdeith’s Elves and Humans?
All copies were thought lost.
Yeah, well, we have a great number of lost works of literature and texts here.
That’s one reason why our services come at a premium.
Now, you were saying you are in need of…
[inhales] Yes, um…
I need information.
Oh, right, oh. Information. Mmm.
[chuckles]
Uh, information is power.
And in the wrong hands, it can be a weapon.
Tell me, are you acting on behalf of Stregobor?
[cat hisses]
Don’t lie to me.
No, I’m not.
And…
How do you know who I am?
We know lots of things.
We?
[cat meows]
[purring]
This is Fenn?
[purring]
[woman chuckles]
[Codringher laughs]
[ruimbling]
I’m Fenn. The cat’s Esmeralda.
What kind of information are you looking for?
[Istredd] Well, uh…
I’ve heard a great many things about you both, namely…
You’re who to ask, uh…
Sensitive questions.
Sensitive questions are our favorite.
They come very expensive.
[whispers] Very expensive!
Well, I need to know what a witcher, a monolith, and a mysterious girl have to do with Nilfgaard.
[mumbles]
Will this do?
These are Nilfgaardian marks.
Do you work for them?
Does it matter?
Only that it makes you more… interesting.
The girl is Cirilla of Cintra.
And how do you know that?
Hmph.
Like I told you, we know lots of things.
[Ciri] So do you work here or something?
[Jarre] Me? Um…
[chuckles] I’m a historian. In training.
You’ll need this to begin your studies.
Is this the orbuculum?
What does it do, exactly?
Uh… I… I’m not sure.
Not much of a historian.
Uh… [chuckles]
Well… well, that’s a tool for mages.
Uh… I don’t want to brag, but my tool is… bigger.
And much more powerful.
Uh… Knowledge.
Like this book. It… It’s about all sorts of amazing things, like, um… did you know that some oneiromancers can relive past events just by looking at a painting?
Or, and… and this is my favorite, there’s a myth about a long-lost tower somewhere on the Continent that used to connect to the Isle…
[thump]
Sorry.
Uh…
Your big old tool almost broke my toe.
Thank you for walking me here.
I’m going to go and practice now.
Whatever this is.
[soft whooshing]
[Deathless Mother, echoing] Find me.
Steal me.
[voices whispering]
Oh. Uh, can I help you?
No. No, I was… I was just admiring the architecture.
Oh. It’s beautiful, isn’t it?
[Ciri’s voice, muffled]
Fuck.
[door opens]
Be with you in a minute, Ciri.
[gasps]
How is this possible?
I don’t care.
Geralt, do you know what to do with this?
Sorry.
Ciri.
[whispers] Sorry.
[Geralt] This is my…
Uh, dear friend.
Dear friend?
[Geralt sighs]
This is Yennefer.
You’re Yennefer?
And you must be his…
Child Surprise.
[Hake] Fucking pointies think they can join our ranks.
Fringilla’s lost her mind.
Thank the gods you came back when you did.
[Cahir] The elves have endured much, and Nilfgaard has given them a haven.
Loyalty seems an easy return on the investment.
Loyalty to whom?
This isn’t the White Flame’s doing, you know?
This is all Fringilla.
You hold your sword like this. Yes, like this.
That? Yes? Like this.
So when they come with an attack… Hah!
Ready to defend yourself, yes? Good!
Perhaps a proper demonstration would help your ward?
You don’t have to fight him, Dara.
[Cahir] Not fighting.
We’re all on the same side.
[grunts]
[sighs]
[Cahir] Don’t you remember?
Come!
Trust yourself.
Come.
[Cahir grunting]
You fight like fairies!
Impossible!
Your kind killed them all.
[Gage] Filavandrel!
The baby, it’s early!
You’re a lucky human.
[chuckles]
[Ciri] You really expect me to believe that unicorns exist?
[Yennefer] Of course they do.
[Ciri] I used to own a stuffed one.
Until it broke.
Under mysterious circumstances.
Well, I’d love to see one some day.
[Geralt] You’d be in rare company.
They only approach those who are pure of heart.
Which reminds me, how did you get your hands on one?
Good sir!
I’m a beacon of purity.
[chuckles]
How…
Did you survive in Sodden?
I almost didn’t. I’m one of the lucky ones.
Depending on your definition of luck.
Well, Geralt says you’re the most powerful mage he’s ever known.
Well, that’s nice of him.
You’re staying here to heal?
Have you been injured or something?
Of course not.
Monsters ceased biting and clawing ten years ago.
But what about you?
I crossed paths with another of your, uh…
Dear friends.
He told me what happened at Aretuza.
Is that why you’re here?
Hiding from the Brotherhood?
Yes.
It’s been a difficult few months.
But things finally seem to be turning a corner.
I… dreamed about you once.
Before I even knew you existed.
Dreams are powerful omens.
Perhaps we were meant to find each other.
Um… I’m going to go to bed.
Maybe I can…
Dream about how to work this thing.
This place is a maze. I’ll walk you.
No, it’s… it’s all right.
I can, uh…
Find my way.
[gasping]
[woman] Come on! Push!
[Filavandrel] Come on!
[groans]
[woman] Go on. Come on, push.
[moaning]
[Fringilla] Come on.
You can do this.
All I want is for this baby to live.
To have a life.
All you have to do is push.
Push!
Do it again.
Come on.
[screams]
[sighs]
[midwife] That’s it. It’s over.
She isn’t breathing.
Quick!
Come on, little one. Come on.
Come on.
What’s going on?
What is it?
Sh, sh, sh. It’s okay.
Come on. [gasping]
Oh!
[Francesca] Why isn’t she crying?
[whispers] Come on.
Come on.
What’s… what’s going on?
Shh, it’s okay.
[Fringilla] Breathe. Breathe.
Come on.
[baby splutters]
[whimpers
[crying]
[gasps]
Oh! Ohh!
[crying loudly]
[midwife laughs]
Oh!
How?
[Filavandrel laughing]
How? How, how, how? Was it dark magic? Necromancy? What?
No magic.
Just warmth.
[gasping]
Just warmth.
Oh!
[both laughing]
[sighs]
A new elf was born this night.
[loud cheering]
Geralt know you’re out roaming my halls unsupervised?
Does he need to know?
[chuckles]
What’s all this for?
To welcome late stragglers who seek refuge.
And sometimes, I…
I light them to remember those I’ve lost.
Can I help?
Of course.
To Myrrha.
For Roach.
For Mousesack.
Mousesack?
Who is that?
He, um…
He died trying to protect me.
Then he must have loved you very much.
Yes.
I just…
Wish he would have told me what I am.
Not one of them did.
Not until Geralt.
Sometimes, our elders set out to protect us, not knowing our strength.
My grandmother was strong.
Hmm!
Brave.
Never hid from anything.
She loved me more than anything.
But she hated elves.
Hatred is an endless circle of fear and desperation.
And who can tell which came first?
Perhaps your grandmother’s hypocrisy was rooted in something honest?
A desire to protect you.
[scoffs]
Well, she did a shit job of that.
[chuckles]
Your true power resides in more than your blood, Ciri.
With the right guidance, you may have the ability to break this cycle of hatred, once and for all.
Do you really believe that?
Remains to be seen.
[sighs] Only a hundred more candles to go.
In… [clicks tongue] that direction.
What am I supposed to do with this thing?
I can’t figure it out.
Geralt believes in you.
I do too.
[Filavandrel laughs]
[baby cooing]
[sighs]
Mmm.
[baby cries]
[laughs]
[chuckles]
[speaking in Elder]
Yes. Our little love.
Mmm.
[kisses]
[crowd cheering outside]
[laughing]
[girl] Come on!
[crowd cheering and laughing]
Have you ever seen anything like this before?
So joyous.
[raucous laughter]
Only once.
After the Usurper was overthrown and the people rose up.
[drumming and cheering]
It took me a while to be freed. And to feel anything at all, really.
And look at you now.
You gave them this.
Hope.
But I can’t help but wonder what this hope will do to your alliance.
What happens when the elves decide they can repopulate on their own, without Nilfgaard’s help?
I hope… I’m wrong.
Truly.
The White Flame wrote you.
How soon should we expect him?
Any day now.
[Deathless Mother] They will take it.
[echoing] Take it…
First your power.
[echoing] Power…
Then your freedom.
[whispering voices echoing] Freedom…
Did you think about me after Caingorn?
From time to time.
I fantasized about you quite a bit.
That a golem was ripping my insides out?
No, that your head was torn off by one.
[chuckles]
You hurt me.
I know.
You weren’t alone in your pain.
I know.
What changed your mind about claiming the girl?
You seemed so certain it was a mistake back then.
[sighs] Many things changed my mind.
You among them.
I ran into Jaskier.
In Oxenfurt.
He was in some trouble.
What kind of trouble?
This fire fucker was after him. A mage. I don’t know who he was.
He was looking for information. About you.
He’s looking for Ciri.
Why? What is she to him?
Yen, your heart has been beating fast this whole time.
You’re nervous.
So?
[sighs]
Why are you here?
I have some wounds that refuse to heal.
You still want to have a child?
No, it’s…
It’s different this time.
Well, let’s hope it’s different for the both of us.
I need to find Ciri.
Uh… [mutters and sighs]
Maybe there isn’t any riddle after all.
Some kings build statues to their vanity.
Maybe the Emperor Emhyr collects monoliths.
He could want Cirilla to have a legitimate claim to Cintra.
Unrelated facts.
Hmm. Yes.
God, it’s probably pure coincidence that Emhyr wants the princess with the secret power to shatter monoliths for her claim to a throne that he already took by force.
Hmm.
You know, Fenn, I… I’ve been thinking.
How could we get answers faster?
Hmm.
More sarcasm.
Hmm.
Ahem.
There’s a gene that keeps showing up in Cintran genealogy records, but I’ve never heard of it.
Uh… Spell it.
It’s, uh…
Leish… Ard…
Rath… Ard… Lara.
Cod, get the scroll.
Hmm?
[Fenn] Get the scroll.
Right. Uh…
So, um…
It was the…
This one… Hm?
It looks like mostly women have it.
Do you think it’s a… a misnomer, or…
Some kind of illness they’re trying to conceal?
[Fenn] Uh…
“And when the humans proved hostile, bringing death and destruction, multiplying and infesting their lands, the elves built a weapon… To destroy them.”
Paerhabyn means weapon.
Hmm.
But this is praethyn, which is more like draethyn.
It’s a mistranslation.
The elves didn’t build a weapon.
They built a warrior.
Lara Dorren.
That’s their mission.
Cahir’s, the emperor’s…
To find her.
She is the reason they came to Cintra.
The reason for all of this.
I know because I helped Ciri escape.
And then I lost her myself.
“Verily I say unto you… The era of the sword and the ax is nigh.”
[gasps]
[sighs]
[creaking]
Jarre?
Jarre, what happened? What happened?
[groans]
Are you all right? Who did this?
[groaning]
[marching]
[wheezes]
Get out. Find Geralt!
[Rience] Hello, Ciri.
It’s so nice to finally put a face to a name.
Have you met the Michelet brothers?
[chuckling]
I don’t know who you are, but come any closer and you’ll regret it.
[laughs]
I think we’ll take our chances.
[breathing heavily]
Ciri!
Well, if I’d known to follow you from Oxenfurt, it would’ve saved me a spy mission to Kaer Morhen.
Nice scar, shithead.
Fire fucker?
Unfortunately, yes.
Take Ciri.
I’ll find you afterwards.
Come on.
[retreating footsteps]
[Ciri gasping]
There’s no way out.
[growls]
[sighs]
What do we do?
I don’t know.
Most powerful mage Geralt’s ever known? Right.
It’s complicated.
[yells]
[yells]
[yells]
[rumbling]
[Yennefer] This thing senses magic.
And it isn’t mine.
[high-pitched ringing]
Which means you need to get us out of here.
How?
I’ll teach you the first thing I learned.
[screams]
[wails]
[Yennefer] Repeat after me.
[speaking in Elder]
I’m afraid.
[breathing shakily] Ciri, we have to try.
[speaking in Elder]
Lesson number one.
See the outcome, make it happen.
[speaking in Elder]
[roaring]
[repeats spell]
[voices gasping and whispering]
[man screams]
Ciri!
Yen!
Stop.
I wish I could.
[sighs]
[both retching]
Well, you did it.
[coughs]
Where the bloody hell are we?
I need to tell you something.
[Vesemir sighs]
You should know, the… the vial…
The mutagen…
It’s gone.
And there’s somewhere I need to go.
Goodbye, Vesemir.
[growls softly]
[Fenn] “And when the babe was born, a field of feainnewedd sprung up.”
“And Lara Dorren drew her last breath, crying, ‘Know this.'”
“‘My curse will hound your descendants unto the tenth generation.'”
“‘Until the columns of time and space tremble and open for my people.'”
“‘Then my vengeance will be born again.'”
What? Calanthe hid her elven bloodline because she knew what lurked in it?
A generational weapon.
[whooshing]
Triss.
What are you doing here?
I am loyal to you, Tissaia.
No matter what’s happening here at Aretuza, this is… [gasps]
It’s bigger than that.
What is wrong?
I know for a fact a drop of her blood could change the world.
In the wrong hands, she will destroy it.
