Hmm.
- You're not gonna eat that, are you? - I'm starving.
But not that starving.
Good, because that is disgusting.
I'm tracking the monster's scent.
I've only seen an Allamorax in books.
And those shoes weren't made for climbing rocks.
Wait on shore.
Uh, I need to be amongst the action to compose a proper ballad.
Besides, I'm more nimble than you'd think.
- Go! - I told you. I...
Oh my God. What the fuck is that?
Nothing personal, big fella.
Show yourself!
Have mercy.
That creature means you no harm.
Not say the pearl divers who hired me to kill it.
This isn't the first attack in the area.
It can barely open its mouth.
It isn't eating humans.
It's eating oysters and the divers' precious trinkets inside.
Its only crime is being hungry.
Have mercy.
But I could use a ride.
My children cannot eat because of those humans!
There are no oysters to be found!
I know you're upset, but this is not the answer.
Silence!
We've had peace for too many tides to have it end now.
Let the dark hatreds stay in the past.
This council is doing everything it can to prevent a war with Bremervoord.
You're not acting because your daughter is in love with the prince.
The humans know it and are taking advantage of it.
The humans have moved beyond pillaging pearls.
They hired a Witcher to murder the Allamorax.
Witcher?
If one sea creature is in danger, we all are.
- She's right. - We have to stop them!
Yes, we must fight!
What kind of king are you?
We shall take your proposal into consideration.
Mother, you cannot be serious.
Sh'eenaz, you are young and naive.
If a human's mouth opens,
a lie is bound to come forth.
Perhaps it is time for more drastic measures.
My union with Agloval could bring peace, not conflict.
I agree with my niece.
Perhaps war is not the answer. But a wedding...
Be gone from this place, Melusina.
Our daughter could never marry a human.
Not that you could ever understand
the depth of a mother's love for her child.
Did she just call her barren?
You speak of the past, sister,
but this is about the future of our people.
Yes, our people.
I am still a member of this family and the royal court, Dahut.
Your disdain does not negate that fact.
The only reason you're permitted to live
is because I am keenly aware of that fact, sister.
Leave. Now.
I will go. Willingly.
Do not fret.
But we both know who he loved first.
So let me get this straight. You had the monster right there,
and you just let it go.
The Allamorax didn't kill anyone.
So the humans are lying?
- Could be. - Are the merpeople the victims?
- Not necessarily. - Oh.
- So they're hiding something too? - Maybe.
No, no, no. No maybes. No maybes. There is good and there is bad.
It's that simple.
Just make up your mind and kill something.
Here's our finest spread.
Mm.
Ah...
Too bad you can't afford it.
This is just like when we were with that horny bugger
back at the edge of the world.
You're a monster hunter, but only sometimes, apparently.
And with conditions.
A moral code.
We'll get coin another way. Somewhere other than Bremervoord.
Salve to my heart, if not my stomach.
We only came to this latrine of a town to avoid running into you-know-who again.
I don't wanna talk about her.
That violet-eyed witch dictates where we can or can't go
and how foul a mood you're in.
No more Yennefer.
What's the matter. Water not suit?
It's hot, Yennefer, but murky.
Wouldn't be right to send you out on a night like this.
You cover the booze. I'll cover the bed.
All I said was Tretogor's black markets
are for idiots looking to buy miracle cures,
neither of which I thought applied to you.
A fine reminder that you have no idea what you're talking about
or who you're dealing with.
I was hoping to remedy that tonight.
Then another thing you're wrong about.
- Goodnight. - Goodnight.
Have at it.
Look, I'm just saying, your moral code is getting in the way of my eating.
This bread is inedible!
Halfsies?
Hand over the coin you've been earning, then.
Harsh. Harsh, but fair.
So I will make you a deal.
I'll take the first job that comes my way if you agree to do the same.
Codes for none. Coin for all. What do you think?
Oi.
You the Witcher they talking about?
What let the monster go?
You are mistaken...
- Yes, that's me. - Son of a bitch.
A Witcher what won't kill monsters? Whoever heard of such a thing?
Oy! Welcome to me tavern!
But I don't serve ale!
Get out, you lazy louts!
Out!
Forgive me, but are you Jaskier the Bard?
The Song Don of Oxenfurt? The Crooner of the Continent?
Ooh, never heard those before, but yes, 'tis I!
Looks like there are green shoots of culture among the fertilizer.
What would you like? A signature? A bespoke composition?
A personalized ballad for your lover? Lovers? Lover's lover?
I'm in charge of tomorrow's Imbaelk festival.
Getting a fancy bard like yourself would do wonders.
The king will be there, so we need to put on a good show.
And I pay well.
Now, can I trust you to be sensible during my performance?
The last time I left you alone at a banquet, you ended up with a child.
A Child Surprise, and it's a mistake I won't soon make again.
Ah.
I'll be a tough act to follow. Good thing this lot is going first.
Mm-hmm.
Well, wait. If you like that,
wait till you see my solo on the psaltery.
The psaltery is like a harp, but it's, like, really small.
It's much more practical if you ask me.
Shut your trap! I'm trying to watch the show!
Uh, that is no way to speak to your headliner.
Headliner?
- That's rich. - Does that mean what I think it means?
Because I'm afraid I can only accept top billing.
A deal's a deal.
I know what our deal was, Geralt, but it's not good for my brand.
Come, now. Have a little humility.
I practically begged Drouhard to give you the gig.
Little Eye!
It's good to see you, Julian.
Julian?
Oh, excuse my slack-jawed companion.
Essi Daven, meet Geralt of Rivia.
You two know one another?
We grew up together. Right here in Bremervoord.
You said you were from Oxenfurt.
Don't let the fancy trousers fool you.
This one's a backwater bumpkin, just like the rest of us.
So I took some poetic license with my personal history. Big deal.
Who could blame me?
Growing up in a place like this.
Jump!
- Oy, come on! Jump! - Come on, hurry up!
Or are you too scared?
Like I said. If you jump, I'll give you back your toy.
- He's gonna pee himself. - He's never gonna jump.
Pankratz!
Let me go first, Pankratz.
I'll show you how it's done.
Whoa, did you hear that?
Ooh!
He didn't jump. He fell!
Get him, Zelest.
Stop! He can't breathe! Let him up!
Come on, Essi. You're his mom now, huh?
- Someone should do that to you, Zelest. - We're just having some fun!
- Are you all right? - It's just a game.
I'd call you a bastard, but everyone here already knows you're one.
- Came out of nowhere. - She showed him!
Did you see that?
Huh. What happened to the little shit?
What, Zelest?
He was the king's bastard kid and a real prick to boot.
He probably died of syphilis in a debtor's prison.
Half-blind, crazed, and salivating.
I've not spent much time thinking about it.
Ooh.
King Usveldt. Prince Agloval.
- The king! - The king!
Oh, you've got to be kidding me.
And Commander Zelest.
Always was a real sucker-upper-kicker-downer, wasn't he?
Prince Agloval appointed him as military advisor.
- The nerve of the man. - This is bad.
- Risky talk for royal subjects. - They've had enough.
Five attacks on divers in the last few months,
and no one's held to account.
Except the Allamorax.
Most folks know that poor creature was just a scapegoat.
The merpeople are notoriously territorial, and our royals won't retaliate
because Prince Agloval's in love with a mermaid.
Wow. That is messy.
This is the same as every feud since the Conjunction.
Tradition awaits! If you don't join, Mom will find some way to blame me.
- You don't want my death upon your hands. - Oh. Um, my nephew.
Would you excuse me?
Look at this haul.
We'll be rolling in coin in no time.
And by coin, you mean food.
Every kid in my village is starving.
People in your parts should stop breeding like bunnies.
Now, less lip flapping, more shell cracking.
Ah! I found one!
Gimme that.
What we do with the rest?
Toss that worthless shit back in...
Who's there?
Show yourself!
I thought you wanted to be with your family.
I love 'em dearly, but we all need a breather sometimes.
- Clearly, you can relate. - Clearly.
Anyway, I wanted to spend time with the mysterious man
who inspired so many of Jaskier's ballads.
More like bollocks.
I'm sure you know Jaskier is prone to dramatics.
Come, now. Are you being modest?
What of the song where you wrestled a werewolf, barefisted in Moulderwood
under the glowing full moon?
I cured that werewolf with enchanted wolfsbane.
And the one where you defeated a horde of vampires
with three stakes in each hand and one in the mouth?
One vampire. One stake.
And the one where you found a djinn,
saved the life of a beautiful witch and became bound to her through magic?
I'm simply saying, most would lean into the embellishments.
Delight in the grand persona.
Like Jaskier, or should I say, Julian?
I understand why he left.
Outside the palace,
men in Bremervoord are expected to take up a trade on the seas.
But Julian was always creative.
Different.
And treated horribly for it.
By everyone except you. It takes bravery to stand against a crowd.
You never thought to set your sights beyond Bremervoord?
Things were different for me. I was never unhappy.
Though I sometimes wonder what life would be like if I left.
But I love the sea, my family, and friends.
What more could this Continent offer me?
So, why do they call you Little Eye
when you have two huge eyes?
N-Not huge. I mean...
Normal-sized. Perfectly ordinary and unremarkable human eyes.
Flirting is not your strong suit, is it, Witcher?
My set was unparalleled.
Even these uncultured yokels gave me a standing ovation.
Ha. I pity the local hack who has to follow me.
Wish me luck.
Y-You... You're the local bard everyone's been raving about?
Well, that's wonderful, Essi!
Oh, I'm... I am sure that you will do splendidly.
Good luck. All right!
People used to mistake her singing for mating cats,
so whatever happens, just smile and clap.
♪ The first draft of my story Was not the best edition ♪
♪ I added a bit of glory and... ♪
My musical ear's not very good, but...
She is. She is very good.
Wait, she's singing my song.
She's making it her own! Oh, this will not do.
♪ The doubters and the haters Tried to make my tale about them ♪
♪ I invested in erasers And took care of the problem ♪
- ♪ A sword ♪ - ♪ A sword ♪
- ♪ A bow ♪ - ♪ A bow ♪
- ♪ A mighty axe ♪ - ♪ A mighty axe ♪
- ♪ Impossible to defend ♪ - ♪ Impossible to defend ♪
- ♪ No one can survive my attacks ♪ - ♪ No one can survive my attacks ♪
- ♪ For alone ♪ - ♪ For alone ♪
- ♪ I write the end ♪ - ♪ I write the end ♪
- ♪ Yes, alone I write ♪ - ♪ Yes, alone I write ♪
- ♪ The end ♪ - ♪ The end ♪
Pearl prices being what they are,
we should send every last one of those meddling merpeople
to their briny graves.
My hands are tied as long as the prince is chasing that shimmery tail.
The mermaid's no doubt bewitched him. They're known to be magical tricksters.
No more deceitful than humans.
I don't recall asking for your opinion, Witcher.
That's right. I know who you are.
White Wolf.
If you know my name,
it's because you know his songs.
Hey? What's going on?
She's beautiful! It's the princess!
Holy hirikkas. Who is she?
Princess Nispen of Maribor.
A late invitation, but a wise one by the king.
A good reminder there are plenty of human princesses to marry.
She even brought delicacies from home, and fruit!
My kind of princess.
Let's hope Agloval's too.
What happened?
- Fetch a barber! - Clear a path.
Who did this?
I was speared by those fish fucks.
The vodnik.
They got me.
For good.
If it were Kovir, Cintra, a human navy attacking us,
we'd be at war by now.
Are we a kingdom, or are we cowards?
Sorry, son, but the time has come.
We've run out of options.
Sire, if I may.
Not all options.
We have a monster problem off our shore,
and a monster hunter in our midst.
Witcher, your services are required.
Find the vodnik who did this and kill it.
Good luck. Ask anyone in town.
He already failed at killing the Allamorax.
Because it was not the beast you were looking for.
But clearly the vodnik are. They work for the merpeople.
If the Witcher confirms that they're the ones attacking divers,
you'll have no choice but to declare war.
- Find them all! - Kill them!
Kill the slimy bastards!
A deal's a deal.
This isn't what we agreed to.
Well, neither was second billing.
We all must make sacrifices.
- I'm not helping justify a war. - But maybe you can help prevent one.
What say you, Witcher?
Fuck.
Why didn't you tell me you're from Bremervoord?
You know I'm not actually from Rivia.
Well, it's not just that. It...
I had to leave this place completely behind
so I could become who I wanted to be.
In case you didn't notice, this town is filled with small-minded fools.
Your friend Essi doesn't fit that description.
Yeah.
Yeah, she's like a sister to me.
Aha! I knew it! I knew it. I could sense there was something between you two.
If by "something" you mean air and space.
She is a good woman.
Unlike that raven-haired, sunken-eyed, serpent-tongued she-demon.
You need someone like Essi.
I need coin, peace, and quiet.
Look, you may appear to be as tough
as this dreadfully overcooked meat you've prepared, but I know the truth.
That underneath the armor and the weapons
and the hair, the ridiculous, ridiculous hair,
you are nothing but a softie.
A softie, soft, softie, soft, soft, softie, soft...
- Ow. - How's that for soft?
I suggest you get a good night's sleep. We have a long journey ahead of us.
And I suggest you open your heart.
Connecting with another human isn't as awful as you make it seem.
- Uh, I... I'm sorry. - Don't be sorry.
Do something about it.
- I couldn't tell if you felt the same way. - I do.
It's just... It's all a little too simple.
- The best things in life often are. - That hasn't been my experience.
It's as if you delight in tragedy. In selecting the most difficult path.
But you could choose serenity. You could choose me.
You really should be more inventive with your fantasies.
It's downright cliché.
Even in your dreams, you can't keep up with me.
It doesn't have to be this way.
We could start again. Fresh.
You sound like your singsongy lady friend,
and that is not a compliment.
Why do you push me away when I try to come closer?
Please, Geralt. Wake up.
- Yen, I... - Wake up!
What did I miss?
I know you don't like killing creatures for no reason,
but that one almost killed you,
and you still let it go.
I let it go because it's more help to me alive than dead.
It's a vodnik. Like the one that killed the pearl diver.
And vodnik blood's iridescent.
If I can track it to the den, we'll find the others.
I'm so sorry. The others?
That vodnik can fight, but it couldn't take out a whole boatload alone.
They travel in schools, but how did a sea creature know where to find us?
Now that you're with a famous bard, everyone knows our whereabouts!
Fans can be really obsessive.
Or the Allamorax and merpeople I spared put the word out.
Nah, it's me. It's definitely me.
Essi?
Why are you following us?
You heard the king. We're on the verge of war!
I need to know what's happening in my town. I want to help.
I appreciate your willingness.
What I need right now is a boat to follow that vodnik.
No, you don't. The tide shifts over ten cubits,
and we're almost at low ebb.
Look.
At low tide, you can walk to Dragons Fangs.
I remember being your age. Being fascinated with all types.
Mistaking infatuation with romance.
Until... I found your mother.
She was radiant.
Gracious.
She had a knack for seeing only the best in people.
Gods know that must be why she said yes to me.
I miss her too.
And I shall honor her memory by marrying for love, as you did.
I want to marry Sh'eenaz.
I know how you claim to feel about the mergirl, son,
but for those at our station, marriage isn't only about love.
It's about duty.
Your life doesn't just belong to you.
It belongs to your kingdom.
I'm thinking about the kingdom.
Our union has the potential to bring peace to land and sea.
How so, Agloval? Where would you live?
What offspring could you produce? It's impossible.
- Apologies for the interruption. - No bother. I was just leaving.
For what it's worth, I've tried to tell him to end it with that fish girl.
I appreciate that. He values your advice.
Whatever you need. I'm here to serve the kingdom.
And you, Father.
Thank you, Zelest.
Some days, I wish you were my full-blooded son.
I'd love to see the type of leader you'd be.
Everything looks so peaceful from afar.
Who'd ever know the turmoil that brews below?
I wish my parents, all of my people,
could see that you are just like us.
Even if your language is horrendously ear-piercing.
Hmm. Across the heavens, land, and sea,
I've never seen a creature more beautiful than you.
This is love.
Finally together.
Wishing I could spend the rest of my days right here by your side.
Where is the Witcher taking those humans?
My love, what is it?
I have to warn the others.
Dragons Fangs. They gave me nightmares when I was young.
They're just a couple of rocks, Julian. Nothing to be scared of.
Except for that vodnik den.
What'd you...
Who sent you after me?
If I told you, she'd kill me.
And if you don't, I will.
Is she the one who ordered you to kill the pearl divers?
I've never killed any divers,
but I'm glad someone did.
You think you're protecting your betters. You're not.
Because whoever she is, she's willing to let you die for her fights.
People think I've gone soft on killing monsters.
I'll prove them wrong unless you give me a name.
It was...
What did you do?
Your job, Witcher!
You're as bad at saying thank you as you are at killing monsters.
I see you're still getting others to fight your battles, Julian.
I'm trying to stop a war. Why is it you seem to be pushing for one?
Nonsense! I simply understand what it means to lead.
Julian!
Essi!
Leave, or I'll kill the only real monster I see.
My father will hear about this!
The water's rising too fast!
Essi, if you know the ocean, now's the time to prove it.
Follow me.
Jump!
This seems like an awful...
What has happened?
It was the prince's bastard brother!
He must be acting on his own. Agloval would never allow such a thing.
Or he's simply slick enough to hide his plans from you.
That human has distracted you from your duty to protect the seas.
I warned you when I saw the Witcher.
Presently, your hysterics are the only thing distracting me.
I am a healer, not a fighter.
So let me help our cousin.
In the eyes of our kind,
war has already begun.
Hold on, Deroua. Deep breaths.
Thanks for your help today, Essi.
And what of my help?
Got any more ale?
Everyone keeps blaming the prince and the mermaid girl.
Those are the two we need to speak to. Get the truth straight from the source.
They meet at dawn on Founder's Rock each day. I see 'em from my window.
We can go in the morning.
I worry the humans aren't looking for truth.
They're simply looking for a reason to exterminate the sea creatures.
We survive off sea life. Why kill 'em off?
Humans have a knack for seeking short-term profits
and retelling the story so it wasn't their fault.
I've seen it happen with sylvan horns, basilisk scales, and now pearls.
It's no longer about sustenance. It's about greed.
The vodnik said it was hired by a "she."
Is this the queen's doing?
You seem certain about the mermaid queen, but what's the motive?
A parent would do anything to protect her child.
She believes Prince Agloval to be a threat.
The way we've treated mermaids in the past, can't say I blame her.
What passed for love in my childhood was a cold patch of hay on a dirt floor
and enough meager rations to survive another day.
Your kind has never inspired that much trust.
Sounds like you're trapped in your past.
Perhaps when solving life's big mysteries,
start by looking right in front of you.
Hmm.
Jaskier, tell me more of the time you sang for the Countess de Stael.
I've already told you that story three times.
I don't mean to be a pest. Your tales give me a vicarious thrill, but I'll stop.
Thank gods. Agloval and the princess better turn up soon.
I cannot deny a dear friend's humble request.
It was a warm summer night in Maribor when I was reunited with my countess.
Alas, there'd been a blight for two-times-ten years!
- Twenty years. - Twenty years!
So instead of making love under the stars in her peach orchard
as the fragrant floral scent wafted from the trees,
it was the smell of acrid fungi underneath shriveled branches
that filled our nostrils and our...
We don't wanna know what it filled.
Fair enough, but alas, nothing could stop our sweet, sweet passion.
Not even a fiefdom's economic free fall as the fruit capital of the Continent.
- And they've never recovered since. - Is that true, Jaskier?
Uh, you of all people doubt my love for the Countess de Stael?
There they are.
Did your kind send a vodnik to kill me last night?
I would have started with a "good morning" first. Oof.
Please excuse him. He may have the manners of a boar,
but he has the heart of a lion.
Or sea lion, in your case.
You speak beautifully. I'm impressed.
Your lover talks like a cawing crow. You may want to give him a lesson.
Lover? I barely know her.
Lady bard... Uh, Essi.
Come translate for me.
Tell Sh'eenaz that I would like us to be married,
though it may take some time to convince my father.
He wants to marry you. Now he must convince his father.
I have a tail, and you have legs. How can we turn this fantasy into reality?
She asks how to turn this fantasy into reality.
- She has a tail, and you have legs. - That is nothing in the face of love.
But love means being together.
And she cannot live among the hideous dirt-walkers.
Her words. Not mine.
Perhaps I can build her a tank.
She's a princess, not a pet. To suggest such a thing is beyond offensive.
I'm trying to think of solutions.
And all your solutions require loss on her part and nothing from you.
Not even a little sacrifice.
Her words,
or yours?
We can get back to this lover's spat later.
Right now, I need to stop a war.
Ask her about the vodnik.
The Witcher asked you again about yesterday's attack.
You can tell your Witcher I heard him the first time.
I know nothing of a vodnik attack,
except by the king's men.
- You say you were attacked. - Shortly after your father hired me.
As if someone didn't want me to discover who killed those pearl divers.
We saw you near Dragons Fangs that morning.
I could tell Sh'eenaz was angry.
You swam off without so much as a goodbye kiss. Why?
Were you angry when you left him yesterday?
Of course I was angry. I went to save my people from your brother's blade!
I am sure Zelest and his men
fought admirably to help find the culprits who killed the pearl diver.
Perhaps my parents were right about you humans,
if you would defend the murderer who killed my cousin!
Perhaps Zelest was right about you bewitching me.
I cannot believe I fell for this! For you!
I liked you better when we only fucked instead of talked.
So now what?
Now it all falls apart.
Lachlan Daven.
By decree of the Honorable King Usveldt,
you are hereby conscripted to the armed forces of Bremervoord.
What is the meaning of this? He's a child!
He's 15. Under the law, he's eligible to fight.
Fuck your law!
When... If war is declared,
your nephew will either be on a ship
or a gibbet.
Humans. I can't stand the sight of them.
There, there, poppet.
A relationship is bound to hit choppy waters occasionally.
My mother is preparing for war.
My feelings towards Agloval may have changed,
but I don't want any more lives to be lost.
Sea creature or human.
Yes, I know.
I also know what it's like to love a man you cannot be with.
I've been working on something since the last council meeting.
You seemed so distraught over Agloval.
A potion.
This will allow you to take your lover's form.
You mean I'd... become human?
If you did something to prove your loyalty,
he'd see reason.
That's not a reason I want!
I'd have to give up everything.
♪ A little bit of sacrifice ♪
♪ A whole new world of paradise ♪
♪ Such a little price So just play nice ♪
♪ And go along ♪
♪ A little bit of give and take ♪
♪ You'll have to give it all away ♪
♪ A worthy fee to pay ♪
♪ No other way I can't be wrong... ♪
- Does it hurt? - Tremendously.
- Will it leave scars? - Indubitably.
♪ But it's a moment of pain For a prince to say ♪
♪ He loves you... ♪
But all my friends...
- A pittance! - And my mother?
Good riddance.
♪ You'll be a blushing bride... ♪
If I were with the humans, I could convince them to stop the warmongering.
♪ You'll need him by your side ♪
But I don't know if I can take this, Auntie.
You keep that. You never know what will happen, poppet.
A girl always needs options.
I don't even know why I'm out here with you two. You don't need me.
That's not true.
Geralt is the brawn. You're the brains.
Obviously, I'm the beauty.
But in this situation, that's not entirely useful.
You're here for moral support.
Something severely lacking at the moment.
Thank you for all your help so far.
I didn't know you were fluent in Merspeak.
How could you?
After all, you barely know me.
- Essi, th-that's not... - I'm here for my nephew.
He's been sent to war because of the attacks on pearl divers.
If you're right and it's not the mermaids,
if the humans are at fault,
maybe he can be saved.
So this solves it. The vodnik did it.
Wonderful. Can we leave now?
I'm not so sure. All the vodnik spears are lodged at the same angle. From below.
Uh, so?
Vodnik have legs, and yet none of them climbed aboard the ship?
Whoever killed the divers attacked only from the water.
That necklace is only worn by the mermaid royal family.
Your theory is right. Queen Dahut is behind this.
I told you. A parent will do anything for their child.
The king will never back down now.
We must go to the castle at once.
Didn't take you long to move on from Sh'eenaz.
- It seems my love for her was misguided. - What do you have for us, Witcher?
Empty hands and a mouthful of excuses, no doubt.
Arrest him.
I know who killed your pearl divers.
- I want to hear this. - We already know it was the vodnik.
Doing the mermaids' dirty work.
It wasn't the vodnik, but the creature wanted you to think it was.
Creature?
It took the shape of a kraken so it could do the work of ten vodnik.
Kraken are terrifying, I'll give you that,
but everyone and their brother knows they're pea-brained.
- A kraken couldn't pull off an attack... - I didn't say a kraken.
I said the shape of a kraken. It was a mermaid.
I knew it.
Aye, and a royal one to boot.
I found this necklace on the rudder of the pearl diver boat.
Only the royal mermaids are allowed to wear the peridot.
I told you that scaly girl wasn't to be trusted.
Except it wasn't Sh'eenaz. I doubt she knew anything about this.
You said mermaids are deceivers and tricksters.
Only one of the royals can make potions and shape-shift.
The sea witch.
Melusina? I know she can do magic, but how do you know she's a shape-shifter?
Because I've seen her do it before. We all have.
I didn't kill the monster that attacked your boats, because she's here right now.
Aren't you, sea witch?
Run, Melusina!
Useless pegs!
Wow, Geralt. You really know how to spot those raven-haired witches.
- How'd you know she wasn't real? - Because of something you said.
Maribor had a blight on their orchards for 20 years.
Uh, two-times-ten years.
So she's not from Maribor. She magicked that fruit into existence!
Ha! I solved the case!
You were in league with that sea witch all along!
- Son. - All these attacks.
All the pearl divers and fishermen who died.
That was you and Melusina!
One attack should have caused the dominoes to fall,
but you were so stubborn, I had to keep going.
If you hadn't insisted on hiring this sewer cleaner,
this problem would be gone by now.
You killed our people!
And I would do it again to get you to come to your senses.
Our family has sat on that throne for 11 generations,
and there will be 11 more generations once you find the right princess.
Mother would be disgusted with you.
Don't you dare speak of your mother to me.
I'm doing this for her, you fucking child!
Her legacy will die because of your stubborn arrogance.
Those divers. What about their legacies?
None of them would have had to die if you weren't so selfish.
You made me do this. Their blood is on your hands, not mine.
If this is how I'd have to rule, I want no part of it.
We'll just, uh, follow the prince out.
Don't worry about us.
We attack now!
Round up the conscripts. Zelest!
Dump their bodies out past Dragons Fangs.
You love those sea monsters so much, you can be with them forever.
No.
I pushed for war because I thought we'd been attacked.
Bought into the old prejudices.
- But it was you. - Watch yourself, son.
Don't call me that!
A lifetime of not being enough,
and now you want to claim me.
No! I'm not going to add to the bloodshed to prop up a deceitful king!
I have to protect Agloval, as much as he's disappointed me,
but you've never been anything but a mistake I wanted to erase.
And now, I'll do just that.
Dump his body too.
Your highness, no one will give me a straight answer.
What's going on at the docks?
The royal fleet is sailing to Dragons Fangs.
I fear we're going to war.
Where are Geralt and Jaskier?
They confronted my father. He's...
You won't see them again, Essi. I'm sorry.
And you're going to let that happen? Then you're no better than he is!
Watch your tongue, bard!
Remember to whom you are speaking.
Oh, I know. I'm talking to a man who lucked into a throne.
Jaskier was right to leave this shithole of a kingdom. I defended this place.
Thought anything that went wrong could be fixed,
but that's not up to me or my family.
We're just the poor people outside the palace walls.
It's up to yours.
Too bad none of you give a sod about the rest of us.
- That's not true. - Then prove it!
You could stop this if you had a fraction of the courage that Witcher does!
He was trying to stop this war.
Keep our people alive.
It takes bravery to stand against a crowd.
That Witcher's as honorable as anyone in this kingdom.
If that was Sh'eenaz out there,
what would you do?
- Are you all right, Auntie? - I'll be fine soon enough.
Boats are above. They're coming for us!
What's happening?
Your parents' reign is over.
This'll do.
I should kill you first, Witcher,
but I sense you don't fear pain or even death.
And yet, for all the talk of Witchers lacking emotions,
I know how to hurt you.
Make him watch his friends die.
And make it quick.
I have a war to win.
Two useless subjects no one will miss.
Geralt.
I'm sorry. I'm sorry I made you make that deal.
I fucking knew I never should have come back here to Bremervoord.
You were right to leave, Jaskier.
Let me go first.
What's a bard to do?
Follow my lead, and stay alive.
Oh, we are so fucked.
Maybe not.
Sh'eenaz.
The king's in league with your aunt. The sea witch.
But my prince. Where is he?
He didn't come.
Not even to stop a war? Not even a little sacrifice...
He didn't know. And he does love you.
Love shows up.
Look out!
Attack!
Sir!
I still like our odds.
Scratch that.
No!
You handle the Witcher.
Leave my niece to me.
Why are you doing this?
I stood up for you!
Basim was mine.
He and I had a real love.
But my sister gave him the only thing I couldn't.
A fry. You.
I should have been on the throne with my Basim, but Dahut took it.
Took him!
The pain I went through,
losing the one I loved the most.
It's her turn now.
They deserve to lose everything,
and they will.
Should have chosen those grotesque legs when you had the chance.
Then again,
your human didn't even care enough to come.
Sh'eenaz!
Agloval.
I've got this. Go!
Hmm.
Whoa!
Your aunt and I agree on many things.
Biggest, all our problems started with you.
Essi!
See how you swim now.
Geralt!
Geralt.
Sh'eenaz! Sh'eenaz!
Sh'eenaz!
- I thought you'd become a snack. - Wouldn't be the first time.
You should have smelled him after the selkiemaw.
- At least this time he got a bath. - Where's Sh'eenaz?
No one's going to blame you if you leave him here.
He's still my blood.
What did you do to her?
- Thank you, Mother. - You're not the only healer in the family.
These creatures are not our enemy!
And we are not yours.
We have been tricked!
Misled by those we trusted.
But the fighting stops now!
We will find a way to live in peace again.
I promise you.
Now, let's go home!
I apologize, son.
For everything.
The sea witch proved useful in one way.
There's a potion that allows its user to take their lover's true form.
I'm going to marry Sh'eenaz,
and I'd like you to be there.
There's a way for her to become human?
Hmm. Perhaps there's a way to open my heart.
Of course, we'll put all the unpleasantness behind us.
She'll take on a new identity,
and none in Bremervoord will be the wiser.
Don't fret. I'll take care of it, son.
I'm sure you will,
Father.
Checkmate.
This is the smallest royal wedding I've ever attended.
Princes aren't typically known for their restraint.
The fewer witnesses to this spectacle, the better.
I suppose in some ways, you did your job, Witcher.
Once the fish is human, my line will continue.
Regardless of your misguided sense of morality.
From the moment we locked eyes, my heart belonged to you, Sh'eenaz.
You unlocked a version of myself I didn't know existed.
What are you doing? Stop!
It's too later, Father!
You wanted me to hide my beloved, lie to my kingdom and myself.
All to feed your own ego.
It has become clear to me. There is nothing left for me here.
This is your fault, Witcher!
My kingdom. My legacy.
It will die with me.
If you saw beyond your pride,
lives could have been saved.
You had two sons. Now you have none.
That is the legacy you deserve.
Agloval's prepared to give up his entire life and everything he knows.
- I hope he's made the right decision. - You did the same thing, Julian.
I'm sure the prince will be fine.
So Agloval got his princess in the end.
Hopefully, this marriage brings peace, as they hoped.
I couldn't have figured out the truth without you.
It's not something I'm used to saying.
You are stubborn and set in your ways,
but there's nothing wrong with being part of a team.
Relying on another person.
- Sharing a life. - I told you.
I've found it wise not to trust others.
Who said love should be wise?
I know.
You don't have to say anything.
Essi, I'm sorry.
You don't have to be.
I've had enough adventure these past few days to last a lifetime,
but someone else's lifetime.
I always wondered what life would be like if I left Bremervoord.
But the reasons I find you fascinating
are the reasons we cannot be together.
I could never tame your Witcher heart. Nor do I want to.
I want a family.
Stability. Peace.
That dream seems more farfetched than a man marrying a mermaid.
You have a larger destiny.
You care about others, no matter how hard you try and hide it.
I track monsters and collect coin.
That's what Witchers were bred for.
Humans believe in destiny.
But when you've lived as long as I,
you know there's no rhyme or reason to this song.
You simply dance along to get by.
I'm not like you, Essi.
You're so much more like me than you imagine.
I wish you could see that. Maybe some day you will.
But for now, looks like Jaskier will have to do.
♪ The prince Did sit aside the sea ♪
♪ Blushing with his siren ♪
♪ At length did they try to agree Who'd forfeit their environ ♪
♪ A trade for surf A swap for turf ♪
♪ Who'd cave first and when ♪
♪ For if your goal be paradise A life with your true love ♪
♪ Ponder all your wants in life ♪
♪ And make a little sacrifice ♪
Aw, would you look at those two?
Can't tell if they're frolicking or fighting.
Just because you and your accursed lover only have two modes
doesn't mean everyone else does.
I have great hopes for them. It's young love, but it's still love.
I don't doubt that,
but there are still pearls and greed and bruised egos.
Kings and queens may claim they're looking out for their heirs,
but I've yet to meet a royal who doesn't care more about their vanity
than their child.
I wish I weren't right.
No wonder you're such a hopeless unromantic.
Not true.
It's just that normal humans have short lives,
and even shorter memories.
Essi's wonderful,
but she doesn't understand me like someone who's lived as long as I have.
- Someone like... - Do not say Yennefer.
Wherever we go next, can we just make sure we don't run into that she-demon?
Ooh.
- I've got it! - Where to?
The farthest corner of the Continent. No culture. No comforts.
No reason for that spoiled witch to be there.
A place called Caingorn.
In the Dragon Mountains.
Where adventure awaits! And Yennefer, notably, does not.