"Sword of Destiny" by Andrzej Sapkowski, summary

This collection of short stories by Polish writer Andrzej Sapkowski was published as a standalone book in 1992. In this book, readers are introduced to the concept of Destiny, a key concept in the entire series, and meet Princess Cirilla, whose fate shapes the rest of the narrative. The stories in this collection brought the author universal acclaim and the Janusz Seidel Award. The stories formed the basis for a 2002 Polish television adaptation and a 2019 television series. It ranks second in the Witcher Saga series, following The Last Wish and preceding the novels Blood of Elves, Hour of Contempt, Baptism of Fire, The Tower of the Swallow, The Lady of the Lake, and Season of Storms.

Quest for the Golden Dragon

Hunters have gathered near the ruins of Holopolye. Witcher Geralt of Rivia meets the noble knight Borkh Threejackdaws and his two Zerrikanian companions, Thea and Vea. The companions head to the mountains, where King Niedamir has declared a hunt for a wounded green dragon. The royal retinue is joined by the sorcerer Dorregaray, the black-haired sorceress Yennefer, the bard Dandelion, the pious knight Eyk of Denesle, a trio of Crinfried slayers, and six dwarves led by Yarpen Zigrin.

At a mountain pass, the intelligent golden lizard Villentretenmerth blocks the travelers’ path. Knight Eyck accepts a challenge to a conventional duel and immediately falls with broken legs. Nedamir decides to retreat. The sorceress Yennefer and the witcher refuse to kill the rare creature. Embittered slashers tie up the witcher, the sorcerers, and the bard near a cart. Shoemaker Kozoed’s enraged militia descends upon the lizard from the hill with nets. Freed by the witcher’s Sign, Yennefer uses spells to transform her attackers into frogs and piglets, while the Zerrikan warriors cut through the enemy line. The lizard was defending its young. In the guise of the knight Borkh, the monster thanks the defenders, and as they part, the Zerrikan woman tells the witcher about the appearance of her master: “He is the most beautiful.”

The City Cold of Aedd Gynvael

The town was greeted by the stench of garbage dumps. The witcher destroyed a rigger in the junkyard, delivered the order to the mayor, Herbolt, and returned to the inn to see Yennefer. A local sorcerer, Istredd, lived in the town. He and the sorceress had known each other for many years.

Istredd offers Geralt a peaceful exit. The laboratory rooms smell of old bones and the dust of tomes. The witcher learns of his friend’s nocturnal visits to her rival. In the inn’s pavilions, Yennefer conjures a second black kestrel out of thin air. Magic is powerless to restore true warmth. The kestrel whispers a single, bitter definition: "Truth is a shard of ice."

In the morning, the sorcerer enters the duel at the Green Key well with his sword. During the night, kestrels deliver farewell notes to both opponents. The witcher turns and silently leaves the city.

Market bustle in Novigrad

The wealthy trading port is bustling with activity. Geralt encounters the bard Dandelion, fleeing the dishes of his enraged lover, Vespuli. At the inn, the friends encounter the halfling Dainty Biberveldt, whose exact double suddenly appears behind him. The creature turns out to be the doppler Dudu. The newcomer confesses: "I’m not a mimic, but a doppler, and my name is Tellico Lungrevink Letort."

The fake Biberveldt managed to sell a herd of horses at a profit. The money was invested in cochineal, mimosa bark, and a mountain of clay bowls. Neighboring kingdoms are experiencing coups and bans on oak felling, causing the price of the purchased goods to skyrocket. The head of the secret guard, Lacharelle, demands payment of taxes.

At the city market, Vespuli’s cast-iron frying pan falls on the fugitive. In the confusion, it is revealed that the real Lacharel has long since died of a stroke, and another doppelganger has taken his place. The fake merchant receives the status of a full partner in the trading house.

The sea depths and a song on the cliff

Prince Agloval hires a witcher as a translator for conversations with the siren Sh’eenaz. The ruler demands that he trade his fish tail for human legs. The siren is outraged by her lover’s stubbornness: "He who loves sacrifices!"

In the city, the bard Dandelion introduces Geralt to the young poetess Essie Daven, nicknamed Little Eye. A team of pearl divers perishes at the Dragon’s Fangs. At low tide, the witcher descends to the flooded steps of the ancient city. Aggressive fishmen with copper sabers emerge from the depths to the sound of underwater bells.

Seriously wounded by a sea warrior’s sword, Geralt is saved by Sh’eenaz’s unexpected help. On shore, the poetess tends to the wounded man and confesses her unrequited love. At the betrothal celebration, Sh’eenaz appears on two legs to the prince. Before parting, at the edge of the forest, the poetess and the bard sing a duet of ballads, preserving the blue pearl given to them by the witcher.

Dryads in sacred Brokilon

Human troops are perishing in the forbidden thicket. The witcher follows the wounded Baron Freixenet and is targeted by dryads. Border guard Braenn leads the stranger to the forest’s mistress, Eithné.

Deep in the forest, travelers rescue a little girl from a giant centipede. The rescued girl turns out to be Queen Calanthe’s granddaughter, Princess Cirilla, who fled an unwanted engagement to Prince Kistrin. In the heart of the forest, the girl is offered the transformative Water of Brokilon to drink. The potion does not alter the child’s memory. Old Eithné releases the child, reminding her of an ancient truth: "The Sword of Destiny has two edges… One of them is you."

On the highway, the witcher rescues Ciri from King Ervyll’s disguised mercenaries. The druid Mousesack takes the princess back to Cintra. The witcher leaves alone.

The Ashes of Cintra and Memory on the Hill

At the crossing, Geralt saves the merchant Yurga from underground creatures. The seriously wounded soldier is weakened by blood loss. His delirium brings to mind the spring bonfires of the feast of Belletain, his encounters with the sorceress Yennefer, and his previous visit to Cintra, where Queen Calanthe unsuccessfully tried to force a guest to take Pavetta’s child.

That night, the witcher’s wound is treated by the healer Visenna. Geralt recognizes the healer as the mother who abandoned him as a child. The next morning, the sorceress disappears.

At Sodden Hill, Yurga recounts the terrible battle between fourteen mages and the Nilfgaardian forces. The names of the fallen heroes are carved on a stone obelisk. Geralt sees the apparition of Death, assuring him of the inevitable end.

The merchant brings the savior to his family estate beyond the Yaruga River. In the courtyard, an orphan rescued from the burning city of Cintra, who had been sheltering with the woman, runs out to greet him. The girl throws herself into the witcher’s arms. Realizing the unbreakable bond they have formed, Geralt hugs Ciri tightly: "You are more than that, Ciri."