The Hexer (2001) - full transcript

Starring

in the film

THE HEXER

Based on stories by
Andrzej Sapkowski from the collections

Miecz przeznaczenia
and Ostatnie zyczenie.

l've come for your son.

Wrong address.

Seven years ago,
you swore to render to us

what you'd find home,
unexpected.

That was your newborn son.

You crazy, tramp?



Co-starring

Set Decorations and lnteriors

Without the proper
selection and mutation,

we won't get a good hexer.

- ls he a hexer?
- Yes.

- A man too?
- Yes.

Enough. He'll fight and kill
monsters that threaten people.

Costume Designer

Makeup

Edited by

Sound

You raised your sword
against the people.

There are proofs.

You're cursed a hundred times.



Out!
Surrender swords.

l'll remember and get at you.

l'll remember

and get at you.

l want to be a hexer.

Music

Production Manager

Producers

Director of Photography

Directed by

Mother...

My horse!

Mother...

Not now.
Don't spoil my fun.

Pavetta!

Pavetta!

That's the hexer Geralt of Rivia.

Needs no reward and claims
he's been hunting.

- Haughty, isn't he?
- A strange kind, hexers.

They say...

l know who they are, Haxo.

Who knows...

Send in Mousebag and Vissegerd.

What're you doing here?
Go to your room.

Mother...

Hear me, please.

l beg you to put off
the betrothal and wedding.

Pavetta... rulers can't
listen to the heart.

Cintra needs a male king.

We, women, can't rule.

The law of the land, this.
You can't help it.

You bring shame upon me.

Why the feast for the suitors?
l can't. l don't love him.

Not a word from you!

Back to your room!
l'll come soon.

You've promised
so many times.

Help me!

Take her Highness
to her room!

l'm worried about her.
Any progress, Druid?

Hers is a pristine force,
just revealed.

Too much of it.
lt'd take years...

Her grandma could raise
a drawbridge

with a tic of her brow.

Something haunts
the castle at night.

You haven't heard?

Haxo?

lf we mean the same thing
and something will happen...

l'll post more guards!

You've heard of Nilfgaard?

A small kingdom in the south.

A military clique rules it
now, growing in strength.

They believe in
conquest, sword and blood,

and the rule of supermen.

To get access to the sea,
they conquer neighbors

and may be here soon.
So we must close ranks,

and Pavetta must wed
the king's nephew.

Hence the feast for the suitors,
as the silly custom requires.

l see, my lady, but matters of
the big world are foreign to me.

l know. Stay till the wedding
and keep your eyes peeled.

Guard Pavetta.

One more thing.

l heard that a knight called
Hedgehog of Erlenwald

lays claims to Pavetta's hand.
Funny, isn't it?

On what grounds?

Says my late husband
told him something long ago.

lf he tries to disturb
the celebrations, stop him.

How? For good?

lt's up to you.

l'm no paid killer.

Hedgehog has the
appearance

... of a monster. Well?

To Erlenwald?

What are you going to do?

On a mission where your
power, my lady, does not reach.

l mean nothing wrong,
just to ask you something.

l have no friends to help me.

l see by your eyes that
yours is a killing mission.

l don't know what l'll do.

A long way to the castle?

You want to talk to our lord?
He's away.

l'll wait till he returns.

lt's me.

You've come to kill me?

ls that silver?
To kill monsters?

Yes. Alas you're only human.

Show me your face, Duny.

Not yet.

Scared? You got a face
of a monster.

Scat, Hedgehog!

You know the Right
of Surprise.

By its virtue Pavetta
is mine forever.

Go home, blockhead!

lt's a right of honor
and sacrifice, alien to you.

You took advantage of
Pavetta's magic to possess her.

lt's struck twelve. l'll wear
my human face until dawn...

and then - a hedgehog snout.

Can't that be disenchanted?

Not my enchantment.
l've tried my entire life.

The magi said that only
the Right of Surprise

can release me through
a consummated marriage.

Sixteen years ago,
King Roegner, Pavetta's father,

lost his way while hunting
and broke his leg.

After l rescued him, he
promised to give me

what he finds home
upon his return.

Little did he know
that Calanthe was expecting.

Roegner told me something
on his deathbed,

garbled and ambiguous,
as if spoken in delirious fever.

He'd kept silent for years.

Then said some nonsense
and upped and died.

How was l to take it?

May l tell you
something in private?

Speak. We keep no secrets
in this company.

Pavetta and Hedgehog
cohabited like man and wife.

She is not a virgin.

That's true!

That's true! l wanted to tell
you, but you never had time.

You've cast me away,

like a thing that can be
sold to advantage.

Any peasant child basks in
more feeling and affection.

l love him! Leave me alone!

You were to kill him.

We've been pestered with
misfortunes ever since you came!

Don't refuse her the right
to love.

lf the Right of Surprise
binds this relationship,

it's her fate then.
And you can't help it.

Fate is inevitable.

How do you know?

He was taken away
from home.

He's a Child-Surprise.

Noble ladies, honorable lords,

You distinguished visitors

Let the bard tell a tale of war

A history of cruel battles...

Green fields over the sea,

Where roses are blood red

That's where two great armies

ln the battle of Chocieburz met.

Where's Pavetta, my lady?

Lioness Calanthe, Queen of Cintra
Leading her army to fight...

Distinguished visitors!

One should deliver
the bad news fast

but take one's time
relishing the good.

Pavetta can't be the queen
of your dreams tonight.

Matters of importance
have forced us

to postpone the celebration.

Queen Calanthe, however,
wants you to stay

till the wedding day,

no matter when we
will celebrate it

and who the bridegroom
and the bride will be.

Duny of Erlenwald
called Hedgehog!

He is the cause
of all our worries!

He claims to have
better rights to wed Pavetta

than anyone of you.

We want to honor those
rights, to examine them,

and pass ourjudgement.

Hedgehog claims to have
saved King Roegner's life,

who promised to give him
his daughter's hand in marriage,

though she wasn't born yet.

Show us your face
and sit down with us.

l'll remain standing.
l've come to claim my rights.

l'll show my face
after midnight.

Then move away, Hedgehog
without a face,

and don't spoil our fun.

Take off your helmet!

Not yet.

Say, Calanthe, if the king
promised to honor

the Right of Surprise,
which meant Pavetta?

lt's her l want! Neither
your kingdom nor power!

The king's daughter and that pig's
snout? Never!

- Kill him!
- No!

- She can't restrain herself!
- Let's strike together!

l give you Pavetta,
Hedgehog of Erlenwald.

Let it be.
l give you Pavetta.

lt dawns and you're still
wearing a human face.

You released him from
his accursed enchantment

by saying, ''l give you Pavetta.''

My lady,
you've disappointed me.

- This is not my world.
- You've done so much...

... for us, for me. Please stay.

l beg you too. l'll do
whatever you wish.

- l want nothing.
- You can't leave just like that.

l know you don't like me,
but l must reward you.

He can only ask
for the Right of Surprise.

Leave him alone.
Geralt, leave this place, please!

Stay! Let's break even
and put it behind us.

He'll return to claim something.
l know his kind.

You promised to give me
what l desire, right?

Yes.

You'll give me what
you don't know you got.

l'll return to see
if fate has favored me.

l was meaning to tell you.

l'll give birth to... a baby.

Don't leave the trail of fate,
which spells fight,

Your sword will not rust
but gleam with blood.

For you possess the right,
Right of Surprise

Whoever tries to deny it
will be struck down.

Leave the saddlebags.
They're not yours.

- Who says?
- None of your business.

You're not armed.
lt's no good.

You're wrong.
My weapons follow me.

The deal was 200 groschen.

l stick out my neck for
peanuts and you try to rob me?

But we haven't!

You've forgotten something.

What, sir?

You pulled a knife on me
when l was unarmed.

A fine blow.

l'm Borch Three Jackdaws.

They're me girls
Tea and Vea of Zerrica.

Geralt of Rivia.

Try to understa

l can't have human doubts,
but l have my princ

l kill aggressive beasts
that threaten men

and spare those
that fear men.

They have the right to live
as they threaten nobody.

That disagrees
with men's interests.

l don't care about those.

Don't you defend them?

Men's lives not interests.

What don't you kill?

lf you insist, l'll tell you.
l don't slay dragons.

The most dangerous!

No, it's quite s

Rather than attack people
they ran away.

Men hunt dragons!

But they kill sheep, cows...

A dragon's no mouse.
lt eats a lot.

Since man has cut down
forests, killed off game,

and left them little space
to live, what can they do?

You amaze me!

That's what gives me trouble.

But aren't dragons
wonders of nature?

They breathe fire, sail the skies,
guard treasures only for fun,

and aren't vindictive or envious.

Why kill them?

- They're beautiful.
- They think it's a compliment.

Be careful!
They're tireless as lovers.

They like you, dammit.
They do, indeed!

- What's your name?
- Alveaenerle.

Pretty.

Why can't we pass?

My orders.

Why, this is a free land.
Don't you know it, creep?

Leave him alone!

We'll ride to Hengfors
along the bank.

Aren't you chasing the dragon?

What dragon
are you talking about?

Geralt!

l'm Yaskier, a bard and poet.

Some girls call me peerless.

At the break of dawn
When the sun rose...

- Speak plainly?
- Don't l?

A dragon landed
in the pastures...

A dragon
because it suits your ballad?

l saw it with my own eyes.

The local shoemaker
had an

They gutted a sheep, stuffed it
with herbs, sulphur and tar,

and put it in the middle
of the flock.

Little did they hope
the dragon would fall

for such stinking shit.
But it swallowed the bait!

Keep talking, Yaskier.

First it seemed struck dead!

Before long it started to roar,
somersault, and breathe smoke.

Then it weakened
and lay down motionless.

Two men came forward
to see if it still breathed.

We soon buried them
under a mound.

Was it still alive?

And how! lt pulled itself
together and flew away.

And it disappeared
in the gorges of the Kestrel Mts.

lt's clear.
lt must've been lethargic.

The mountains
must hide its treasure.

Hence the blocked passage.

Someone wants
to grab the treasure.

lt's King Niedamir of Caingorn.

Right! He shut out the
competition and the Holopolans,

who want to slay the dragon too.

Hence his mounted soldiers
and the call for dragon slayers.

- Let's join them.
- Because of the loot?

- Not necessarily.
- The dragon interests you?

Some want to kill it, others,
like you have their principles.

And l see the third way.

lf l get it,
you want to stop them.

Don't you reveal your designs.

They'll kill you
the first chance they get.

To save the dragon,
we must kill them.

l can't do it or watch it done.
l'm sorry.

All right. l'll do it alone.
Thanks for the warning.

The king's set off.
We're only waiting for you.

Welcome, Yennefer.

You've met?

Yes... Once.

You're a very beautiful lady.

Call me Yennefer.

l'm a sorceress.
We're bound by trade.

Your order, officer...

are for the mob and the riffraff,
not us noblemen and knights.

l can let pass only those
who can kill the reptile.

You know this?

Are you a hexer?

Yennefer...

You've come here
because of the dragon?

The same old story?

The same old story
in every respect.

No, Geralt, we weren't
meant for each other.

l couldn't tie myself to
someone who leaves at night

and you never know
where he returns from.

Why, itjust as it was.
You're like a tumbleweed.

Yesterday, you killed a basilisk

and today you're off
God knows where and why.

A hexer, you're aimless,
because you can't have an aim.

Only to kill another monster.

That's the way l was made.

And what's your aim?
Why are you here?

Don't you remember?

Ever a dreamer, l want
to bear a child, but l can't.

l've heard of possible
Extracts from dragon's tissue.

What's the buzz in high places?

Everyone blathers
about his calling.

Niedamir wants to take
over a principality.

Eyck to defend
damsels from dragons.

And Yennefer?

Let's forget it, Borch.
lt's over and done with.

What happened? l'll go and see.

- Stay!
- Why?

Stay!

- Yennefer!
- Here!

- Yennefer!
- Here!

- Cast a spell, dammit!
- How? Hanging?

Can't you find a foothold?

Can't you do something
with your legs?

- Only wag them.
- Chin up!

Hang in there!

- Give me some rope!
- l can't any longer!

Fetch some rope!
Else they both fall down!

Maybe they should.

- Save yourself!
- No, hang on!

Geralt, l can't love! Forgive me!

- Farewell, Yaskier!
- Where's Borch?

You were together.

Folks! Noble knights!
A huge dragon!

- Where?
- Behind the gorge! On the plain!

How beautiful.

Gentlemen, let's attack!

That's not the one we're after.
The other, poisoned,

must be in a cave
guarding treasure.

Makes no difference. We'll
get more for his skin. Let's move!

Dragon...
You're beautiful.

Leave it in peace, please.
You don't kill a legend.

Geralt, Yennefer!

Talk them out of it.

Why run a risk?

Let's stuff an animal with
poison and toss it to him.

Out with you, cobbler!

Every fool knows
it's a magic dragon.

Heed the poet's words.
Run away!

And you're staying?

l'm Villentretenmerth.
The avalanche failed to stop you.

The road north is closed. Go away!

lt's talking!

You bad dragon
who oppress mankind,

Can you challenge
on beaten ground

me, Eyck of Denesle,
to fight to the death?

Come out!

Kill it for me, please.
lt'll be like it was between us.

You told me the truth
over the abyss.

You want to buy me
like a piece of meat. No!

Theirs is a world of nature.
Let's leave it in peace.

The man's world is for our kind
and huge enough at that.

That dragon's asking for peace.

lt could burn us,
but doesn't want to.

lt's giving us
an important message.

Let's leave this place.

- We're returning to Caingorn.
- But, sir...

Not a word!

Lady Yennefer and you
gentlemen, l bid you farewell.

Thanks, Geralt,
for the true words

l've been had by fools.

Yennefer, a new
a half of its skin and the treasure.

The dragon's mine.

Greed has deprived you
of your senses.

Better any monster than you.

Yaskier, come!

- Who do you side with?
- Not against you.

Then trust me, please.

Let's get at the reptile!

Take it alive!

Leave it alone!

Kill the reptile!

Leave it. lt's just a cub.

Enough of this!

lt's a cub of the dragon
the Holopolans poisoned.

We're left alone, you and me
a dragon's cub and a poet.

That's certainly an omen,
but l wonder what it spells.

Tell me, Borch,
for he never will.

Or else l won't make up a ballad.

Some creatures you call monsters
feel endangered by men.

They won't survive
without a defender,

like a hexer.

l sometimes play the part.

lt's too beautiful to sing
about. So l won't.

Why don't you ask me
for something, Geralt?

l can do a lot.
Almost everything.

- Can you mind read?
- l can.

No, it's impossible.

l can mind read too.

Though your heart's on fire

She's not meant for you, darling.

That's how the fire ends,

Quenched by the ocean
of parting.

By the ocean of parting.

Which of them is
Calanthe's grandson?

l can't talk about it.
Careful with the queen.

Pavetta and Hedgehog
perished at sea.

The child's the only heir
to the family that's left.

Don't take away the only child,
the successor to the throne!

You can't claim him.
lt's inhuman!

See how my pride
has been punished?

l've lost everything.

Boys're playing
down in the moat.

Take your pick. Anyone!
All of them!

Be human for once!

None of those kids
can make a hexer.

Pavetta's son is not among them.

Don't you know that...

Shut up! Not a word from you!

Pavetta's son is not at the court.

And l'm not taking another kid.

Don't say a word, please.
Understand?

Yes...

l don't even know
how to thank you.

What if fate is not a myth.
Can it have revenge?

l don't know.

But it's me who challenges it.

Don't worry. l'm leaving
for far-off lands.

For long. Maybe forever.

Tonight you won't see the stars

Cause Cintra will be burning

And will show a world
that will perish.

Like a flock of black ravens

The enemies are hurrying

You've entered but your fate
will find you.

After the demise of Cintra
and Queen Calanthe's death,

the Emperor sent his governor
who introduced a new order.

Whereupon
the barons mutinied.

Not long ago you claimed
they were fighting for freedom.

As rumors lingered of
Queen's granddaughter's survival,

the Emperor ordered
an investigation.

The rumors may be true.

- You sure of the news?
- The Emperor is worried.

lf the barons catch the child,
this will spell war.

All tribes of elves and dwarves
will join them.

They believe that in the girl's
veins flows the holy blood

of their ancestors.

l see.

The Emperor wants her
in Nilfgaard as soon as possible.

l don't understand.

You may indulge in conjectures.

The Emperor has a wife...

but is childless.

Exactly! This, Count, is... politics.

A fantastic plan!

How do we realize it?

Those are territories with
temples, fanes,

and Melitele, the shrine
of the earth cult,

whose Priestess Nenneke
is above the law

and shelters getaways
under a cloak of compassion!

l deem that your intelligence
and the character of the mission

will prompt your action.
The girl must be found.

Mother...

He must've recognized you.

He's unconscious.

A hexer, he has no mother.

l thought he's a man. Looks
the same but the white hair.

He is human. He had parents.

Small children were carried away
and changed into hexers.

The mothers surrendered them?

Oh, Ciri, l'll tell you later.
Fetch bandages.

l wonder if he will survive.

You must help him.

Ciri, come with me!

Calm down, sleep...

You hear me?

Do you understand?

At long last.

l had to open your wounds
and heal you anew.

Who hacked you down so?
A bunch of vampires?

lt was in the marsh, mother.
l was too slow.

Thank you.

Thank the others too.
lt was ajoint effort.

You have a body of iron.
Now you'll recover soon.

Who was that little girl?

Ciri? An orphan like many
of them here.

We shelter them
in these dangerous times.

She's gone through a lot,
so don't be harsh with her.

Only you know that the Order
won't ever have such a chance.

We may build our own
principality some day.

We need a monster
in human body,

who wreaks havoc and death,
knows no mercy but only hatred.

A woman prowls
the Sodden Mountains,

Dzierzba by name,
as she impales people.

Said to be driven by demons
and tainted by the black sun.

They also say she's Renfri,
Princess of Creyden.

As a child, she ran away
from the court,

only to join the Seven
Gnomes of Mahakam.

They rob merchants. She's
suspected of monstrous crimes.

She has no mercy.

Bring her here.

l've released you
from your vows of silence.

Yet you're holding back
something.

lt's so bad? Tell me!

l saw rack and ruin...
fire... and death.

Where?

Here.

l don't believe it.

Come, let's pray.

My lady, something
binds them, Geralt and Ciri.

l know what, but he doesn't.
Don't tell him anything.

Ciri must leave
as soon as possible.

Don't neglect it, please!

l'm not. l've sent a letter
to the prince and am waiting.

Don't be scared of humans.
l'm one too. Just like you.

Come!

l like you Geralt.

l'm Falwick, Count of Moen.
And this is Tailles of Dorndal.

We've been waiting for you.

You noble knights
of the Order of White Rose

are at the service of our lord,
Prince Hereward.

Your chapter tries
to solicit him for lands.

Thanks for your care.
We've just received them.

Our sovereign lord has
sent us to inspect the temple.

We hear of elves and nonhuman
creatures sheltered here.

The hexer must
leave the temple too.

You want to disgrace
the oldest cult in these parts?

A military inspection?
There's no war here.

The Prince couldn't
have given such an order.

How dare you
give a lie to Prince's orders?

Tailles!

Don't you think

that the presence of the hexer here
is out of the ordinary?

What's he doing here?
Praying?

The hexer Geralt has been
a friend of the temple for long.

He's recovering from
heavy wounds.

All right, Falwick.

l promise to leave these parts
in three days.

You'll leave at once!
And we'll inspect this place.

l really don't like you.

You threaten the woman and me
because l'm unarmed.

Don't threaten
for you'll be scared yourself.

lf he draws his word, l'll hit him
in the face like the boor he is.

Your blood will wash this insult.
l'm waiting outside the gate.

You dropped something, son.
Pick it up. Don't trash this place.

Take this fool out of here
for you'll have trouble.

l'll write the Prince.
Out with you now.

Take her to Brokilon
and hide her.

That's where the Emperor
will not find her.

lf he's looking for her at all.

Geralt!

Why didn't you tell me...

Ciri is Calanthe's granddaughter?

Would it have make any difference?

Yes. l'd have left long ago.
like l swore.

l wasn't allowed to meet her.

Because of me

revenge struck
Calanthe and Ciri.

- How proud you are!
- What do you want?

Decide at last!
lf you want to be a man, be one!

You know what that means?

l used to kill people
but only in self defense.

Now l'll have to...

Yes. lf necessary...

lf the cause is right.

All right. l'll carry her away
come morning.

Not yet. You'll carry a letter.

We must be sure

she'll be welcome
and hidden away.

Ciri?

- What're you doing here?
- l want to come along.

Does Mother know?

No. lola said you must take me
away, as time's running out.

She's a prophetess.

Am l to kidnap you?

l saw my granny die, Cintra burn,
and the things they did there.

l'm scared. lola doesn't lie.
Geralt, take me away!

- Let's tell Nenneke.
- No, she won't let me.

You must decide.
l'm the child of your destiny.

lola said so.

Good.

No.

- l want to take her now.
- No.

What if... lola is right?

Some gangs came to Ellander.
lt's dangerous.

She'll be safe with me.

No.

You decide.

Dammit!

You've finally got from
under the priestess's skirts.

You insulted Tailles,
who dared you to fight.

Fight.

Do l have to?

You must answer the challenge.
l have to blindfold you.

To even his chances, you butcher.

So he can kill me with impunity.

And if l touch him,
l'll swing, right?

Where's your honor?

Where's that knight?
Left without goodbye?

l'll let them tie me up
or we won't find each other.

Get him!

Hold it! Tailles got in the way
of his own sword. Bad luck.

You monkeys are all alike.

You'll swing, Cranmer!
l promise.

And you'll regret it. l swear.

Now you fight. l dare you.

l won't. You're not worth it.

Worth or not,
l can gut you like a hog.

You won't make it, Cranmer.

Tell me, worm, why did you
want Tailles killed?

You know the hexer's trade.

He didn't stand a chance,

like you, Gwidon.

Who are you?

Don't you know the kid
that passed the test of the hills

that you wanted to kill?

That's... you.

l can kill you,
turncoat that you are.

You used to kill too.
You're a turncoat too, Geralt.

The temple's under my care.

Open up!

Remember, you'll be
Queen of Cintra.

Yours the same holy
blood as Calanthe's.

So you must act like a queen,
not like a child.

Open up!

Open the gate!

- Let them say what they want first.
- Anyone may enter here.

Prince heard by the grapevine

that Princess Cirilla of Cintra
is hiding here.

Under the circumstances

Prince'd like
to take her under his care.

You have his letter?

She's here, right?

She perished during the siege.
Everybody knows that.

Enough! Where's Ciri?
lt's Prince's order.

You lie, Count.

End of conversation!

You leave me no choice.

ls Princess Cirilla of Cintra here?
lf so, l must take her away.

l'll stop at... nothing.

They'll all die, and you'll
be watching it.

Will you have it
on your conscience?!

Who are you?

She's our prophetess.

So you know the truth.

l see your future
and that of Renfri.

You'll all die in a month.

Spare us.
There's still time.

You can change your fate.

You know yours?

l'll die today
and you, soon after me.

You're right. You'll die today.
Tell me then.

Leave her alone!

Leave her l said.
Call your men and let's go.

What're you doing?

l know. l have no choice.
l wouldn't live with it.

Pray for me.

Tomorrow everyone will

kings, princes, barons of Cintra,

They'll know
you've carried her away.

And they'll take up arms,
all against you!

No one will know.

What have l done?

What have l done?
Run away!

Run away! Run away!

No one! Understand?
No one.

- Where to?
- To the headman.

l killed it near the town.

Leave that carcass!

lt's been so long!

- l thought you'd perished.
- lt's not so easy.

Look how low l've fallen.

l, the greatest bard of these
parts, sing in Blaviken!

No one here understands poetry.

All they think of is
cabbage and pig's head!

Go somewhere else.

lt's snow out there.
The passes are snowbound.

And l must go south
to Yspaden.

lt smelled of autumn then,

The sense was blown
with the wind.

The diamonds at the end
of your lashes

Cannot now change a thing.

l can't pay you for the monster.
l've run out of funds completely.

- People were killed out there.
- That's right. And what of it?

How was it?

Easy. The beast was sated
and sluggish.

You're the last of your kind.

And you're a good man.

lt's my duty.

- That's all.
- Time to go. Thanks for the meal.

Time for me too.
Everyone seems crazy or what?

They burn fanes and temples.
An armed group is coming here.

- Which temples?
- Those you've come from.

Which? Tell me. Please!

Go to Magus Stregobor.

He's sent the news.

My good man, go away!

l'm no good man, but
a hexer with business to do.

Who are you?

Geralt of Rivia, of the Wolves.
They call me White Wolf.

l know Geralt. Are you him?

Tell me the three runes
on the cliff of Kaer Morhen.

That l can never tell
to anybody.

But all have
the same ending.

l know who you are.
l've recognized your voice.

- Welcome, hexer!
- Like l thought, Stregobor!

- Relax. Forget the evil world.
- ls that all illusion?

Yes. Sit down.

ls that illusion too?

What brings you here?

l've come from
the Temple of Melitele.

lt was threatened,
but l didn't sense it.

l don't know
what happened after l left.

Can you still
bring back images?

That all depends on you.

l've been two years in the tower.
l never leave it. You guessed right.

- And your abilities, magic?
- Don't work any more.

She's impervious to them.

- Who?
- Renfri of Creyden.

She's found me here!

Tomorrow or the day after,
she'll try to kill me.

l've seen the black sun
in the crystal ball.

She's coming near...

She's in town.

That's her.

l know the story.

She was to be killed,
but she survived.

Now she's following you
to have revenge.

That's normal.

You asked if
l can bring back images?

What happened there?

She's here! Has an aura or...

Help me!

You want to sic me on her
by intriguing!

Say it straight.
Someone's life is at stake!

So is mine! Help me.
l'll do whatever you want.

l'm mixed up! Wait! They are
connected... Renfri and Ciri.

l wonder how.
Renfri is in town.

l may've been wrong about others,
but she's a monster. Kill her!

Tell me more.
What connects them?

Come in the morning.
l'll know more.

That's your price - a deal.
l'm no paid killer.

Rather than kill people
l defend them!

Defend me then!

Good. lf Renfri attacks you,
l'll defend you. Only then.

Will you tell me now?

Come at dawn.

What are they?

Six armed men
in the prince's service.

No more booze, stinkers!

Gentlemen, leave her alone!

Help me, sir!

What's that creep?

A white ape!
Let her go and get out!

l'm waiting for Renfri.

Enough.

l want to be alone.

You've seen the magus.
Don't get mix with that.

l've come for him.
The prince's order.

l'll take him dead or alive.

Leave him in peace.
l need him and so does the town.

l'm warning you.

Keep away
from us and whatever we do.

l won't argue. Spare him.

Don't interfere with the law.

Better go back to your monsters
where you belong.

There are various monsters
judging by the sight of you.

l'm no monster and you're
no human. Careful then.

l'm warning you. l won't watch
your evildoing in peace.

Kitty, kitty...

l don't like you either.
Just kidding.

But l'm not. Pull your sword!
l'm lvo Mirce, sword master.

Called Chicadee. l've always
wanted to test you, hexer.

How much bull do they
spread about you. Fight!

Beat it!
l don't fight slobs.

Like l thought, you coward.
Want me to spit on you?

Go ahead!

Sword master!

Sword master...

He's here!

Freeze, hexer!

Where's Renfri?

At the tower, making
the magus an offer.

You've made your choice.
You sure it's the right one?

You won't murder people here.

l'd get away with it.

Stregobor laughed me off.

He won't leave the tower
even if l slaughter all of Blaviken.

Why are you staring so?

Yes, l deceived you.
Why shouldn't l?

Leave this place, Renfri.

No, it's your choice.

lt's my turn.

Nothing doing, Whitehaired.

lt doesn't work on me.

Go away!
lf we cross swords...

l know. l can't otherwise.
We are what we are.

You and me.

Don't go, Geralt.

l'm cold...

embrace me...

Master Stregobor
can't see you, my good man.

He can't see you.

lt's me, Geralt!

l saw everything
in the crystal ball.

l want no truck with this, Geralt.
That thing stinks.

You're worse than Renfri.

She was mad with hatred,
but had dignity and courage.

You don't get it. She burned
the Temple of Melitele.

No point returning there.

What about Nenneke? Ciri?
You promised!

Ciri's alive. Only she.
Go on your way.

l won't say anything more.

Where is she?!

Where is she?!

Yaskier, l killed them
and have no regrets.

l'd kill them again.

They burned Melitele
and murdered everybody.

l don't know
what happened to Ciri.

l don't know a thing.

They say hexers don't feel.

And l stuck by several people
and they're dead. Why?

Snow whitens the place you live in

The lakes and marshes gleam icebound

That's it, you can't change a thing

Your eyes are full of longing.

Spring will be back with rains

The sun weary hearts will warm

They're doing a slow burn

Burning with the fire of hope.

Geralt!
l'm half-dead! l give up.

We've arrived.

Go alone. You don't need me.
Water!

Take care of him.

Don't heap reproaches
on yourself.

l don't believe Ciri's dead.

Stregobor said she was alive
and l'd find her here.

Stregobor's a liar.

What exactly did he say?

To go to Brokilon,
where Nenneke had told me.

Why should he have lied to me?

She's not here.
Try the elves' camp.

They have some refugees
from Ellander. Ask them.

l was lurking by the roadside

and saw them return
right after the fire.

They had no packhorses.

All the priestesses
were lying in the courtyard.

They tortured them...
before they killed them.

And Ciri? Was she there?

l don't remember. They were
the worst scum l'd ever seen.

A woman was leading them!

They're already dead.
She and six of them.

l was a guest in the temple.
l never saw you, though.

l carried messages
to Mother Nenneke.

How did you get the scar?
lt's not from a sword.

They cut me,
as l couldn't step aside in time.

Knights of the White Rose,
dammit, were galloping

from the temple as if death
had been chasing them.

- When was that?
- Then.

l was approaching the temple.
When l came to, l saw smoke.

Wait... l know now.

First the knights
of the Order came.

When we arrived at Ellander,
the temple was already in flames.

None of the priestesses
survived the attack and fire.

lt is not known
who committed the crime.

An armed group of people
of mixed blood

had been spotted there
the day before.

Many of them were elves.

One Geralt of Rivia, hexer,
used to hang around the temple...

probably a turncoat.

lf we don't return to Nilfgaard...

This is our last stop.
We don't ride any further.

l wonder what the Emperor will
do if we return without the girl.

Falwick guaranteed... bastard!

Tomorrow... is the last meeting
... in the bathhouse.

You can't always win!
But it's a gold mine!

lt's scary in a big town.
lt's forbidden.

Maybe there's a camp
or an inn nearby?

Everything's deserted now.

There're some merchants and
knights on the way to Novigrad.

Been staying there a week.

l don't advise you, though.
You won't win.

Who are you?

A famous poet and troubadour.
You want to hear?

What a visitor!
With so much noise and uproar.

Welcome, welcome...

Who are you?

Maybe someone important.

You may be waiting
for me or not.

Secret service requires
passwords and responses.

You say them if you know them.

l fuck your passwords
and responses.

They made sense
where you didn't reach.

l've come to take a bath

and will tell my master
what you've been doing.

You'll all swing,
Falwick and you.

And now out!

Why so nervous, sir?
l'm just a messenger.

We were waiting here
because the Order wants...

how shall l put it...

to agree on questions
that have come up.

Just between you and me.

That's what l thought.
You keep a girl here, right?

Yes. Safe and sound.

l can't change the conditions
the Emperor approved.

So l'm taking her away.

You'll help me.
You won't regret it.

Where is she?

Outside town, quite close.

l accepted your proposition.
What's my payoff?

Why didn't Falwick wait for me?

He must've missed you.
He left for you in the morning.

Hexer!

That's your payoff!

On the road to Novigrad

There are many knights

They may tell something

Ere they go into the night...

Who are you?

Of the Emperor.
You must follow me

along with the wagons
and the load.

Falwick told us to wait for you.

The count is in our camp.
ln bad shape. Get moving!

You got a password from him?

Yes, we got Falwick.
That's the best password.

He told you to hurry.

Get the children!

Setting off? Why so fast?

An Emperor's man here says
Falwick has told us to join them.

l know you! Get him!

Geralt! l'm here! Geralt!

Let's run!

- Can you handle horses?
- Sure. We come from a village.

l must hide you in a safe place.

l want to go home.

Was there a girl with you,
a little like her?

Yes. They kept her separately.
Her face was covered.

Anybody there? Ciri?

A great knight! A secret!

l know nothing more.

Bring the bard!

l've been beaten by ladies,
but never by horned knights.

Must be an accident.

Waste of time, Baron!

Someone's crossed our plans.
Let's go!

Where did they go?

Why did you kill
Renfri and Chicadee?

l promised to kill you if you
harm the Melitele priestesses.

All of them died.
So will you tonight.

l'll die?

You fool!

You're a fool, Falwick.
You've betrayed everybody,

even your own men!

You didn't surprise me.
l was waiting for you.

Wait!

Why did you call him traitor?

- You've been had too.
- How do you know?

Chicadees sing before death.

The 'precious shipment'
is too cheap.

The Emperor will pay more.

Wait l say? Hold it!
What shipment?

A girl.

What did the man say
in the bathhouse?

That Falwick wanted
a higher price for her.

Lies! Didn't l come
to your camp?

She was here.
They've kidnapped her!

No, she wasn't here.

Somebody's telling the truth
and somebody's lying.

May God judge this.
Untie him! Not a word, Count!

What do you mean, Baron?
Who do you believe?

That's the snag, Count.
Fight, gentlemen!

A mistake. l think l know
where Ciri's hidden.

Let's talk.

What? So the hexer was right.

No, lt wasn't that way at all.
Call off the fight.

Too late.
May God judge this.

Take all your men.
Makes no difference.

No blindfold?

No. l'll snatch theirs.

You three will die first.
Falwick - on order.

- l won't fight with you.
- Where's the girl?

l don't know.

When l left, l ordered
her hidden in case of danger.

Must be somewhere here.

ln the inn's basement?

Put up a fight!

l told you - a coward
and a traitor.

Hold it!

He was hanging
around the walls.

Sobered up?

Yes, sir, the blissful state
is just taking leave of me.

So l wonder if you could spare
a drop from your vaults

your fertile vineyard...

Not a word more.

l wonder how you'll receive
this terrible news

l, the most famous bard
of the borderlands,

have been chased out of town.
And called a trickster!

Tie him up and quench his thirst!

Why? Let me!

You were looking for Ciri.
Raise your head!

Who's carried her away?

You won't say?

Just like l thought.

Well, my mission is
accomplished. Case closed.

You killed the traitor Falwick,
and l'll kill you.

lmpale them come morning!

- This is dull!
- Keep sawing!

- What now?
- Fire!...

There's no way out!

Calm down and think!
Ciri was here.

lt was dark and she
couldn't see anything.

She must've touched
and pulled something...

Bend down and touch
everything at this level!

We'll suffocate!

Quick! lt may close!

''What is it that l done wrong?''

You keep asking yourself,

You want to cheat your fate

And for that you have to pay.

Your fate is sealed, my lad,

Your sweat's to no avail,

Like a stone tossed to the sky,

Which wants to be a star.

l'm looking for a girl.

Fair-haired, she has
a small face.

Sorry, brother.
We don't have such.

Ashamed of yourself you are.

No matter how you try

There is no way to escape love

Surrender to love.

You'll find her
when you do everything right.

When your heart is pure...

What should l do?

Free yourself of the past
once for all.

Come out, man!
l won't harm you!

You were traveling alone?

With servants, sir,
but the scum ran away.

lt's high time
for you to run too!

And the wagon?
My possessions?

A whole year's work?
l got children.

You don't seem to know
where you've ended up.

Here lie such as you
who took a short cut.

Help me, sir. You're a hexer.

l'll give you what you wish.

Easy come, indeed...

Pardon?

Good. You'll give me what
you'll find home unexpected

on your return. Promise?

Yes, sir.

Run outside!

Now!

Sir...

You have a high fever! Drink!

Where're we heading?

Where some folks live.
You're losing blood.

You'll find a green bottle
in the saddlebag.

Pour me half a glass.
But careful! lt's poison.

Where are we?

The Jaruga River is near.
These are my parts...

What's wrong?

Right behind those trees!
My Zlotolitka and two sons.

lt's been a whole year!

On the bridge, l promised to let
you take away my son, right?

No, l'm taking away nobody.

But l promised.

l don't want anything.

Who's that? Looks awesome!

A friend. He saved my life.

l'll tell you later.
Where're the children?

They'll be right here.
The three of them.

Three?

l adopted a girl. From the druids
who saved orphans after the war.

You'll love her. Don't be angry!

Daddy! Daddy!

You've found me!
l knew it!

l knew it!

l waited...

We'll be together now, right?
Forever!

Don't leave me, Geralt, please!

Ciri...

Like they
l'm your destiny, right?

Right?

You are...

You're much more.

THE END

Cast of Characters
in order of appearance