Sword of Destiny

Back on land, Geralt tells Dandelion that Agloval has withheld payment for the translation services because Sh’eenaz refuses to marry him. Geralt and Dandelion struggle with financial woes after Dandelion’s clash with the Rangers, a militant group with a grim agenda against non-humans; he is now burdened by substantial fines for the ensuing damages.

Their economic situation takes an unexpected upturn when a stranger extends a job offer to Dandelion for a performance at his daughter’s betrothal banquet. Dandelion, initially hesitates, displeased to be sharing the stage with another bard, but Geralt persuades him to embrace the opportunity as “a little sacrifice” (190). The two friends follow the stranger, enticed by the promise of food and lodging for the night.

Geralt cautions Dandelion to behave, and the bard draws the witcher’s attention to the other bard—an enchanting, blue-eyed blonde woman known as Essi Daven and affectionately nicknamed “Little Eye.” Dandelion compliments Essi’s poetic prowess but notes her impertinence as she plays one of his ballads. After the ballad, Essi greets Dandelion. A brief exchange of teasing remarks ensues before the two bards enthusiastically embrace. Dandelion introduces Geralt to Essi and tricks the witcher into kissing her hand. Agloval enters the scene. Curious about the incident with Sh’eenaz, Essi questions Geralt, who refuses to divulge the details to prevent her from transforming it into a ballad. Sensing a possible insult, Essi walks away. Dandelion reprimands Geralt, and the witcher admits his error.

Later, the duke seeks Geralt’s help in investigating a pearl boat that was recently attacked near a formation called Dragons Fangs. The vessel was found deserted, with blood and gore coating the deck. Agloval insists that the culprit was a sea monster, and Geralt agrees to investigate. While Dandelion graces the stage, Geralt follows Essi outside to apologize for his earlier lapse in manners. Essi accepts and reciprocates the apology. Their conversation becomes more intimate, leading to an unexpected kiss. Afterward, Essi asks about Geralt’s motive for the kiss, and he remains silent. She asserts she is not seeking a man for the night but offers to sing for him instead.

As Geralt prepares for bed, Dandelion enters their shared lodging. Geralt is surprised that the bard has not found alternate entertainment for the night. Instead, Dandelion playfully teases Geralt about his attraction to Essi and clarifies that his and Essi’s relationship is platonic and almost familial, devoid of any romantic or physical involvement.

Dandelion asserts that, beneath Geralt’s witcher mutations, he is essentially a mundane and unremarkable human. He criticizes Geralt’s antagonistic behavior toward Essi, claiming that the witcher mistakenly assumed her interest to be based on a fascination with pursuing a witcher rather than an interest in Geralt himself. Dandelion points out the irony of Geralt’s confusion after discovering the opposite to be true. He extends his critique to Yennefer, blaming her for influencing Geralt’s ability to connect with others. Fatigued and frustrated, Geralt labels Dandelion a cynic, a womanizer, and a liar and grumpily bids his friend good night.

In the early morning, Essi awaits Geralt on the shore, and they discuss the pearl divers and Geralt’s limited knowledge of sea monsters. Agloval arrives, frustrated after waiting three hours for Sh’eenaz, who never shows up. Agloval criticizes Geralt, suggesting that he and Sh’eenaz had a better understanding without Geralt’s translations. Additionally, the townspeople suspect Sh’eenaz of orchestrating the attack on the pearl divers as revenge. Geralt confesses his inability to complete the investigation due to the lack of a boat and a willing captain. Agloval threatens Geralt, but Essi intervenes, issuing a threat of her own. Agloval continues to reprimand Geralt, emphasizing the potential harm that the monster presents for women and children. Geralt eventually yields, and Agloval departs.

Essi observes Geralt’s sensitivity, leading to a disagreement between them. Essi offers to pilot a boat, but Geralt declines. They argue about Geralt’s feelings or lack thereof, and Sh’eenaz interrupts. The mermaid is furious at Agloval for leaving and is surprised when Essi greets her in her native tongue. Geralt inquires about the deaths at Dragons Teeth, and Sh’eenaz goes to investigate. Upon her return, she appears distraught and warns Geralt to stay away from the area.Geralt expresses astonishment that Essi speaks the Elder Speech, and she replies that he barely knows her.

Geralt and Dandelion wait for low tide and go to Dragons Teeth. Dandelion searches the shore for a birthday gift for Essi, collecting what he believes are pearl oyster shells. They soon stumble upon white marble steps descending into the ocean. Intrigued, Dandelion begins to descend, believing the stairs to lead to the legendary city of Ys, but Geralt intervenes. Their exploration halts at the sound of a bell.

Suddenly, fish-eyed creatures emerge from the water, launching an attack. Geralt instructs Dandelion to flee while he engages in combat, but the overwhelming number of adversaries forces him to acknowledge the futility of the fight. Sh’eenaz comes to his rescue, swimming him farther down the shore and advising him to escape. She warns him against returning.

Essi tends to Geralt’s wounds, bombarding him with questions that he deflects. He tells Essi to advise Agloval that he should prohibit people from approaching Dragons Teeth. While assessing the damage to Geralt’s belongings, Essi discovers a blue shell that Geralt picked for her. Despite his insistence that she discard it, she cleans it and unveils a pea-sized blue pearl. Essi tries to give Geralt the pearl, but he refuses, happy to give her a birthday gift. Essi embraces him and confesses her love, but Geralt cannot reciprocate due to his devotion to Yennefer. Their conversation becomes awkward and tense, with Essi expressing various emotions and Geralt offering little explanation. They sit in silence for an extended period until Dandelion returns.

Agloval is livid that Geralt failed to eliminate the intelligent sea creatures from Dragons Teeth. Once again, he withholds payment for Geralt’s services, citing the need for results. Agloval attempts to persuade Geralt to take on the role of protecting the pearl divers, but Geralt refuses. The duke resorts to insulting Geralt, and Essi defends the witcher. Agloval and the bard engage in a heated argument until Sh’eenaz appears, now with legs and a newfound proficiency in Common Speech. Agloval’s anger dissipates instantly as he warmly greets Sh’eenaz. She professes her love for him, asserting that love is worth “a little sacrifice” (241).

Dandelion, Essi, and Geralt depart from Bremervoord together, but an awkward silence envelops Geralt and Essi for several days. Sensing the tension, Essi finally addresses the situation with Geralt, seeking a resolution. While Geralt remains silent, Dandelion urges them to communicate before storming off in frustration. Geralt and Essi engage in a lengthy discussion, and eventually, as the narrative puts it, “by the Gods, they did it, she and he. And everything was all right” (244).

Essi, Dandelion, and Geralt collaborate to prepare a ceremonial dinner before parting ways in the morning. As they work together, Essi and Dandelion showcase their musical talents, enchanting Geralt with the beauty of their voices and songs. Despite the harmonious atmosphere, Geralt cannot shake an eerie sense of foreboding. Essi eventually drifts off to sleep beside Geralt, while Dandelion crafts a ballad commemorating a witcher and a bard and the strength of their love. Tragically, Essi succumbs to smallpox four years later. In accordance with her wishes, Dandelion lays her to rest with her lute and the pearl that Geralt gave her. Despite his talent for crafting ballads, Dandelion never sings the tale of the poet and the witcher.