The Witcher (2019–…): Season 3, Episode 4 - The Invitation - full transcript

Ciri!

I'm not afraid of him anymore.

The only human
who's gained my loyalty so far is you.

You'll pay for this.

Nilfgaardian scum.

Oh...

I've known you since your voice cracked.
Never seen you sleep past dawn.

My lord.

I wanted to welcome you back myself.

I have a mission for you.

I... I, um...



I didn't expect an assignment so soon.

No? Well, you did what I asked you to do
without hesitation, and then...

Then you cleaned up your mess.

That is all the proof I need
to know that you are ready.

All necessary supplies are
at your disposal. Weapons, transport, men...

But we must move quickly.

This...

This is ambitious.

Francesca will not be an easy target.

Perhaps we should enlist Frin...

Fringilla?

What became of her?

Hmm?

She is dead.



And you are here.

You said you knew a good leader
when you saw them.

How?

How do you know
you're doing the right thing?

When you have finished this mission,
we shall have everything that we want.

We'll be able to knock the North over
with a feather,

and I'll have my daughter by my side,
where she belongs.

Let go of the questions.

Embrace what we have done together.

You leave today.

My plan is to open
with a traditional ball.

- Is it me, or is she like a bad fungus?
- Then spend the next two days

strategizing a Northern alliance
against Nilfgaard.

An alliance led by a traitor will only
serve to fan the flames of division.

- Aye.
- Aye.

Let her speak.

She says she's here to help.
I believe her.

We must set our differences aside

to create a stronghold
between Verden, Kaedwen,

- Temeria, Aedirn, Lyria...
- Oh, come on!

And Redania!

Redania acts in their own interest
with complete disregard for anyone else.

A posture Yennefer understands intimately!

Redania has
the most powerful army in the North.

Foltest's soldiers, Henselt's,

their combined forces are still shy
of what Vizimir could provide us.

We believe Philippa Eilhart
can deliver her king.

- "We"?
- And who is "we"?

Yennefer has my full support.

Of course she has your support!

If I may...

I would like to thank all of you.

Not only for your cooperation now...

but for your forgiveness of the past.

This conclave is my first step
on the path of regaining your trust.

If we are to unite the Continent,

and let me be clear, we have to,

we must first agree.

No more division.

No more secrets.

We can all be our best selves.

For the Brotherhood.

Like a fungus.

I felt his hand grab my shoulder.

Specters aren't supposed
to do that, right?

There's a theory that the monoliths
are conduits to other spheres,

and your power is the key
to opening those conduits.

In Kaer Morhen, you portaled us
to the same sphere the Wild Hunt inhabit.

And left the door open on my way out.

Mm-hmm.

Great.

- So now we have to go Aretuza?
- Mm-hmm.

I thought you said it wasn't safe
because of what you saw in the castle.

It's the best option for all of us.

Fine.

What happened?

Why don't you wanna go there?

Because it's filled
with catty women who...

who gossip, and get sloppy drunk, and...

And I said some things to Yennefer
that I regret.

She'll forgive you.

What if I'm just not good enough?

Your power is beyond measure.

- It's your job to say that.
- Ciri.

This isn't my area of expertise.

Perhaps you're struggling
because you're scared of your abilities?

Maybe,

if you truly embrace
who you are and your power...

...you'll be able to access it
whenever you wish.

Hmm.

And close all doors behind you.

Invitations are going out
across the Continent.

We expect responses within the day.

You know, for someone
who disdains politics, you do excel at it.

It's just personal agenda
wrapped up in a different package.

If this is what it takes
to keep us all safe, it's worth it.

The Council already agreed
to the conclave.

You can drop the groveling now.

- This is new.
- Mmm. It's a gift from Vilgefortz.

He says it's for protection.
I say it's for love.

I can feel it.

Somewhere, Philippa is rolling her eyes.

You know, I never understood what happened
with you two. You were so close.

There's nothing to understand.

The friendship just ran its course.

Then I think I'll deliver
my invitation to her in person.

Groveling is the sincerest form
of manipulation.

Tissaia.

Another novice has gone.

Elizabet. Her room is empty.

All the rooms are empty.

I told the novices to relocate to Loxia
for the conclave. I'm sure she is fine.

But there was blood. What if she's hurt?

Well, then,
we need to get less clumsy novices.

Um, Yennefer, I hope
your ward can carry herself.

Geralt is bringing Ciri.

He told me everything
that happened at Kaer Morhen.

Thank you.

She's the reason I'm doing all of this.

Hey!

- Hi.
- Hey.

Uh...

- I haven't seen you since, uh...
- Since...

- Too long.
- Yeah.

You here for the conclave?

Uh, officially, yes.

Unofficially, you're here
for the great reading material.

Oh, so are your clandestine library
excursions far more exciting than this?

Exciting isn't the word.

I've been tracking the novices
who've gone missing this year.

Yeah, three or four in my year got scared
they couldn't hack it.

I know these girls.
This feels like something else.

All of them are half elven.
This can't be a coincidence.

What are you thinking?

- I think they've been taken by force.
- Something's been bothering me.

I traveled with the Scoia'tael
for a while, trying to help the elves.

Instead, I watched them instigate the same
cycle of violence that victimized them.

Now, the book I'm looking for,
the Book of Monoliths,

it holds the key
to traveling between spheres.

I thought if I had it,
I could break that cycle,

offer the elves safety
away from the Continent.

But someone at Aretuza beat me to it.

What if the person
who's kidnapping those girls

is planning to use the book
to banish them

for good?

- Got some more boxes...
- Chain ferries are slow.

Riding back to Gors Velen
would take longer.

Besides, the passage has
already been arranged.

Gonna take my head off!

Well, if it isn't my favorite
pocket-sized princess. How are you?

How are the lessons going?

Tread lightly around the magic lessons.

He's not actually talking
about my lessons.

He's talking about
your lessons in smiling.

- Work in progress.
- Yeah.

- Why are you not on board yet?
- The ferryman won't cross.

He's convinced
there's a monster in the water.

Can we go around the gulf?

- Adds two days to our journey.
- Besides, we're witchers.

Is that so?

Judging by the time of year and the depth
of water in this part of the North Sea,

I doubt it's anything that dangerous.

- Maybe a kelpie...
- Ciri...

We've been focusing so much on my magic.
What about my hunting skills?

My ability to protect myself.

I wouldn't want that to rust. Would you?

If we kill your monster,

will you accept that
as payment for the passage?

Ah... You've got yourself a deal.

Yes!

Lessons paying off!

Kinda.

Glad I came upon you, witcher.

That beast's been a right pain in my arse.

Put me out of commission.

Between that
and the Wild Hunt ridin' again...

You're far too old
to believe in fairy tales, Obin.

You sound like my wife.

I saw it with my own eyes.

Right up in the sky
above that tower on Thanedd.

Came down on the ground. They were here.

Real. Powerful.

What do they want here?
What do you think it means?

The Wild Hunt is an omen for war, missy.

No one's ever seen them ride amongst us.

This is different.

Humans against halflings.
Dwarves against elves.

A full-on bloody massacre. No survivors.

But perhaps best to leave fortune telling
to the soothsayers, hmm?

No more on the ship!

Looks like a peaceful day to me.

Oh, you are fucking kidding me.

Who is that, Jaskier?

Wow. That was...

nice.

- Good to see you again, Valdo Marx.
- Well, hello, Johan.

Jaskier.

- Lovely to see you.
- Good.

Mr. Marx, a pleasure to meet you!

Me... me and the wife are big fans!

- Oh, the pleasure is all mine, good sir.
- Ah!

My troupe is in a bit of a rush.
How much for us all to cross?

For you... oh! Half price!

Half fucking pri... Are you kidding me?

Ooh... ooh...

Aaah!

The day just got better.

Oi.

That G was sharp.

Sorry.

We appreciate
the urgency of the conclave,

and the stakes for everyone involved.

The Council will create a secure portal
to get you safely to Redania and back.

If the rogue mage is somehow tracking you,
you'll be well camouflaged.

What makes you so sure they're a "he"?
Women can be arseholes too.

What is your agenda here, Yennefer?

Aside from helping
your crumbling organization

regain some semblance of control
before Nilfgaard destroys the Continent?

Tissaia will always protect you.

But every time you leave a mess behind,
she's the one who cleans it up.

I won't let her get hurt again.

So if you have some hidden cause,

if you're here to use her
and abandon her again,

tell me now.

I've hidden nothing.

I couldn't if I tried.

She knows me at my core.

And I know her too.

She's softer now.

More trusting.

Open.

For what it's worth, I'm happy to see
the person she's become around you.

Your kindness is

unsettling.

The procession has started,
and your portal awaits.

Let's go.

I'll get to the Navy's
Commander in three days.

Make it two. The fate
of the Continent is resting on it.

- Do you have it memorized?
- A head of gold and an arse of iron.

Get on your horse and prove it.

I've consulted our networks.

Rience is a mystery in Nilfgaard too.

All communication goes
through the woman without a voice.

- Ironic.
- Hmm.

You seem nervous. Worried we're wrong?

Oh, our intelligence is sound.

So it's personal?

Hmm.

I simply want definitive answers

before we crash the Brotherhood's party
and start pointing fingers.

What's the word here?

Well, our position has been strengthened
by the influx of sympathy for our queen.

Even King Demavend
is proposing an alliance.

Soon, all the Northern Kingdoms
will be fighting at our behest.

Well done.

There.

Judging by the size
and frequency of the ripples,

I suspect it's an aeschna.

An aeschna's skin is rough
and covered in spikes,

and difficult to penetrate except for
a tender patch on the top of its skull.

If we lure it into proximity,
we can strike from above

without any harm or damage
to the ferry or anyone on board.

Right?

Right.

Bet you wonder what I'm doing
in this part of the Continent.

You would lose that bet, Valdo.

Me and the troupe are playing
an exclusive gig.

Party of the century.

Upper echelon only.

I was personally requested
by the witch Sabrina Glevissig.

She admires both... my instruments.
If you catch my drift.

That's not the only thing she'd catch.

If only you had one of these...
you could join me.

Pity.

The pity is entirely yours, Valdo.

I... have... been... asked
to do a very important job,

very important...
very important, uh, uh... stakes,

personally requested
by the witch Yennefer of Vengerberg.

Heard of her? Much more important
than your witch. She blew up Sodden.

Have no fear!
We've a witcher on board.

Fear? A churlish cad
whose name I do not know.

You all right there, Jorma?
Need a new pair of breeches?

Let's talk about why you're struggling
with your magical abilities.

Your pride in my witchering skills really
would have been a better conversation.

Tough.

I thought if I learned magic...

it would make me a better leader.

Maybe my grandmother was right.

Maybe it's better
to govern with steel and steel alone.

Hmm.

As a witcher,

I will accept coin from someone,
no matter where they're from.

Nations are invisible lines
that people assign meaning to.

A life, however...

A life has real meaning.

It's warm skin and a beating heart.

It should only be taken as a last resort.

Righteousness can easily become rage.

Justice can easily become scorn.

If you want to be a queen,

be a queen.

I think you'll make an excellent one.

We are gathered here today

to honor the memory

of my beloved Queen Hedwig.

To many, Queen Hedwig
was a stern and distant figure.

But to me, she was as large in stature
as she was of heart.

I'd like a word.

- Is this really the time?
- Though you were barren...

You'd have made it harder for me
if it wasn't.

...in many ways,
you were a mother to me.

I was expecting Tissaia
to send a liaison for your little party.

If I'd known it was you,
I would have fire-proofed this place.

- ...and indeed...
- So you're aware of the conclave.

We're Redanian Intelligence. We're aware
of what you ate for bloody breakfast.

Look, I know you haven't been
on good terms with the Brotherhood lately.

But Redania, of all kingdoms, can
appreciate the gravity of the situation.

Dear brother...

- The need for us to unite against Emhyr.
- ...know you will be there...

- How is your hunt for Rience going? Hmm?
- ...join us in a bedchamber...

- Nice speech.
- ...quite close to our own.

- Show me yours, I'll show you mine.
- But let us think of him no more.

For now, I cry vengeance
on those Nilfgaardian scoundrels!

- We will march into battle...
- ...I understand that...

- Sometimes we are blind to...
- ...led by the memory...

- of my queen's steely countenance...
- We both...

And we start today!

Right now! Go. Prepare.

In your homes!

- Traitorous elven mage.
- She was just leaving, Your Highness.

I came here to offer
my deepest condolences, my king.

And to assure you that the incident
at the abbey was misguided.

Serving nobility is
a mage's greatest purpose.

I also wanted to invite Philippa

as an honored guest
at the Conclave of Mages.

Which she has no inclination to accept.

In times like these,
monarchs need more reliable protection.

Like the Brotherhood offers.

Completely unnecessary, my lord.

Just look
at your darling wife's fate.

I insist she attend.

And Dijkstra.

And Radovid.
I won't take no for an answer.

How is this...

This is not to insinuate in any way that
I'm in acceptance of this particular path,

but what will you do if I go to Aretuza?

Go after Rience again?

This is bigger than Rience.

Because of what you saw in that castle?

Again. Be better!

You know you can trust me, right?

I'm still piecing it together myself.

One, two, three!

♪ A jinx upon that minx ♪

♪ Her rough hijinks ♪

- ♪ That did perplex me... ♪
- For fuck's sake.

Really?

♪ A hex upon my ex ♪

♪ The lad did vex ♪

♪ And so distress me ♪

♪ A pox upon that ox ♪

♪ Who did accost ♪

♪ And so depressed me ♪

♪ All I'm dreaming of ♪

♪ Is a spell of love ♪

♪ From the Gods above ♪

- ♪ To heal my heart... ♪
- Would you mind being quiet?

- You're gonna disturb the aeschna.
- ♪ A witch's brew to bring back... ♪

Shut up!

You're going to disturb the aeschna.

That's the point, my dear.
And are you quite sure it's an aeschna?

I heard a song about one,
and they definitely can't swim.

We'll know when we find it.

Best keep our enemies close.

I couldn't say.

I am beloved by all and have no enemies.

- Boris!
- Swords!

Ciri! Sword!

I thought
it would have gills like a zeugl.

Now you know.

I prefer the balance of your sword,
by the way.

It is a finer sword.

Slowly.

Monster hunts are never easy.

And you adapted at every turn.

I'm proud of you, Ciri.

Now let's find Yennefer.

Yennefer.

Geralt?

Where are we?

Where's Ciri?

- We don't have much time.
- I thought she was with you.

What happened?

What's wrong?

What do you think...

Yen.

- Are you all right?
- The portal, it was... it was corrupted.

Like... like it... it was intercepted.

Don't be dramatic.

Tor Lara's been emitting
strange frequencies lately.

Retrograde nonsense.

No, I was... I was attacked.

An illusion.

It was stellacite ruins and...

a black sea, I...

- I need to talk to Tissaia.
- No.

Something is going on here.
Something sinister.

I know you want this conclave
to bring us together, but...

you need to be careful
who you can trust.

Don't we all?

Let me.

Yen.

Bringing Ciri here,

it's a bad idea.

But Ciri's power is neither good or bad.

- Her choices will shape her destiny.
- That's not what I meant.

It's her blood.

Yes, she's elven.

So am I.
And do you know when I was most dangerous?

When I was desperate.
And powerless. And alone.

And that will not happen to her.
Not as long as I'm around.

Stellacite...

It's not too late.

We could go somewhere remote.
Live off the land, slay beasts.

Look, Ciri...

In that castle, I found young women
who were part of some horrific experiment.

Their bodies melted into a mound
of flesh, and veins, and blood.

Only one of them survived.

Her name is Teryn.

And she believes that she is you.

What do you mean?

They've implanted your memories

into her head.

Whoever Rience is working for,
their ultimate plan is to manipulate you.

And those women,
they're using them as test subjects.

There's nothing I want more
than to return to our normal life, but...

We have to protect more of these women
from getting hurt.

And find the mage who's behind this.

That's why we have to go to Aretuza.

I'm not dead!

- Ooh, surely we are needed elsewhere.
- Mmm...

No.

I'm okay, actually.

Gregor, I'm empty.

What? You can't get more ale
for a fortnight?

I just said I'm parched.

This is a bloody tavern.
What the fuck do we do without ale?

Aretuza has drained us dry. Every
bloody mage in the world will be there.

- You know how that lot fucking drink.
- Boy, don't I.

Well...

at least I'm not a mage.

That's just the start of our problems.
The roads aren't safe for the caravans.

I'm hearing boats are goin' missin'
up and down the western coast.

- War is in the air, Gregor.
- You say "boats"?

Who keeps
filling these with flowers?

Will this shut you up?

We'll have to see.

Whilst he tells me about the boats.

- ...head injury!
- I forgot. Across the hair, it...

Boris! You're on pitch!

So, the intrepid explorers
have arrived.

You look like you had quite the adventure.

You stink. Vile.

What happened to you, Yen?

Are you all right?

I'm fine. I'll tell you later.

Yes, we have
a few things to discuss.

Hello again, witch.
I know you were too embarrassed

to invite a big name like me
to headline at the, uh, conclave thingy,

but I just wanted to let you know I'm...

I'm happy to do the other,
very important job that you requested.

Excellent.
You'll be looking after Ciri tonight.

- What?
- I mean, I was vamping, come on.

I shouldn't have left.

I'm sorry.

I shouldn't have given you
a reason to leave. I'm sorry.

Let's never do that again.

Jaskier, if you would.

Hmm?

Ooh, yes. Uh, yeah, absolutely.
Come on, kiddo.

Why don't you tell me all about
how you slayed the sea monster

all on your own whilst Geralt sat around
on his arse all afternoon, eh?

"Oh! What the hell
were you thinking, fighting monsters?"

- That's not what she's saying.
- Now, that is the role of poetry, Ciri.

To say what others cannot utter.

"Oh, you fed her
to the magical lion's den. I trusted you."

You're just making this all up.

Meh. That's also the role of poetry.

"At least
she was in disguise there."

"Not clanging stupid swords

when I told her
not to draw attention to herself."

"Funny,
I wonder how she learned

such complete
and utter disregard for authority."

That was a good one.

- "You're unbelievable!"
- "You're delusional!"

"I forgive you
for your various foolish words and deeds."

"Your lack of faith and hope."

"For your obstinacy. Doggedness."

"For your sulking and posing,
which are unworthy of a man."

"I forgive you for being a wily witch

who rarely listens

and even more rarely
admits to being wrong."

"Who is stubborn,
and stuck-up, and self-righteous."

"Let's never do that again."

"Mmm. Oh. Oh! Oh yes, take me."

"Do that thing
with the tongue that I like."

"Oh, you mean this? Bleugh, bleugh!"

"Oh yeah, that's the stuff.
Is there a unicorn nearby, by any chance?"

"Oh!"

Come on, you deviant.

Give me all your money.

Oh, come on! Every time!

- Wh... Ah... Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
- Ha-ha!

I thought we were playing for fun.

I assure you, it truly is a delight
taking your coin.

Yeah, I'm sure you do.

Um... I'm sorry you're here with me.
Instead of at the party.

Oh, I'm not.

Valdo's off-key warbling
would make my ears bleed.

Besides, I'm better off here.

Playing nanny.

Hey.

You don't have to do that.

You don't have to prove
what you're going to be in the future.

My two orens?

I think you're pretty all right right now.

That's the nicest thing
you've ever said to me.

Ah, it's all part of my hustle.

Just wait until this next hand.

I'm going to mop the floor
with your royal arse, milady.

Now I'm tired.

All right.

♪ For if your goal be paradise ♪

♪ A life with your true love ♪

♪ Ponder all your wants in life ♪

♪ And make a little sacrifice ♪

Ow!

Uh... Uh, if... if anyone is out here,
I need you to know that I am... armed.

I tried to knock.
It, uh... it didn't go well.

What are you doing here?

My brother asked me to accompany Philippa
and Dijkstra to the conclave.

Why is everyone invited
to that fucking event but me?

Dijkstra wants me out of his way.
Philippa wishes me to draw you out.

- Get information.
- And what do you want?

The only good part of this mess
was meeting you.

I've slipped away from my security detail.
You're in no danger, I promise.

Yeah, well,
that force field that blew you back,

it, uh... lasts till dawn.

- Let them try it.
- I'm scared, Jaskier.

Just saying that
makes you braver than you know.

That's it.
That's what makes you so special.

You don't just see people.

You see the best in them.

May I?

Uh...

Yeah. Yeah, all right.

♪ Keep your words on ice ♪

♪ Your gaze lights the fire ♪

♪ They say, "Keep on playing nice," but... ♪

♪ I have no desire ♪

You learned my song.

Huh.

My... my playing's shit,
and I did have a...

Maybe that's something we can work on.

I can't take you inside. I'm sorry.

Then take me here.

- Incoming!
- Archers!

- On my right!
- Yah!

Through there! Move up!

Is this the price for my life?

No.

The contrary.
This is an offering for your compliance.

- Provisions and weapons.
- What of Gallatin?

He attempted a coup.

And abandoned his post
when the White Flame chose to back you.

Liar. Gallatin would never do that.

Emhyr asked you
to join his search for Cirilla of Cintra.

- What is she to you?
- She is the one who was prophesied.

Hen Ichaer.

A savior of the elves
who will lead them to their rightful home.

What is she to you?

She is a princess
who deserves to be in her rightful home.

There is a way to both get what we want.

But it will require cooperation.

He's using you.

It's what they do. He can't be trusted.

What of Fringilla?

Did she abandon her post as well?

There seems to be a theme
among your allies, Cahir.

Why should I trust you?

Because it's the only choice you've got.

Your people have lost enough.

Don't let them lose you too.

This is our first mission as allies.

Together.

For the White Flame.

For the White Flame.

I hereby bring official word
to the King's Navy of Redania.

By order of Sigismund Dijkstra,

reinforcements are required
at Aretuza at first dawn.

Reinforcements are required
at Aretuza at first dawn.

Reinforcements are required...

I never knew
these tunnels were under Aretuza.

The elves created
secret passages everywhere,

and clearly... you didn't sneak out enough.

No. I stayed above ground
like normal people.

- Well, you said we needed privacy.
- It's Yennefer.

- She was attacked in the portal.
- Attacked? What happened? Is she okay?

Yes. But those novices aren't.

We keep talking about a rogue mage,
but the enemy is here, Istredd. Among us.

Yeah, the person who took
the Book of Monoliths.

We can test that theory.
Yen had stellacite dust on her.

What are the chances your book does too?
A locator spell could show us.

Take my hand.

Repeat with me.

- Holy shit.
- Oh shit.

- You saw that?
- Yeah.

It was you. The illusion.

But it was dead inside.
It was trying to kill me.

Sounds like it almost did.

It didn't have a chance. I obliterated it.

It's all connected, isn't it?
Everything that's happening.

Whoever's backing Rience is here.

And they know
we're close to sniffing them out.

- Who uses illusions...
- Hates me...

And has a history
of experimenting on young women?

Stregobor.

We have to be smart.
It'll be our word against his.

He won't have any words,
because I'm going to kill him.

Geralt, if we strike first
without solid proof,

we'll only throw the mages and Northern
Kingdoms into further suspicion.

And division.

And hand Nilfgaard the Continent
in the process.

If Stregobor is behind this,
he's a traitor to the Brotherhood.

They'll do far worse to him
than even you could.

You're asking me to play at politics.

I'm asking you to play along.
Let this unfold at the conclave.

We will not let him hurt Ciri.

I promise.

No one will get to her
with the spell I put on the cabin.

She'll be safe until the morning.

And I have you.

The real you.

In the flesh.

He can't hurt us.

Are you sure about this?

Mmm.

We get our answers. Then we act.

Are you sure about this?

We do this together.

- Are you sure about this?
- Not in the slightest.

No one told me
I'd have to dress up.

I'm sorry.
Can you not tolerate a little discomfort?

Lilac and gooseberries.

Now that, I can tolerate.

Are you sure about this?

Are you?

♪ Keep your words on ice ♪

♪ Your gaze lights the fire ♪

♪ They say, "Keep on playing nice" ♪

♪ But I have no desire ♪

♪ Why waste our words ♪

♪ When lips were made
For extraordinary things? ♪

♪ It's not a want, it's a need ♪

♪ It is paying no heed ♪

♪ To what others say to sing ♪

♪ The greatest songs are made up ♪

♪ Of unspoken words of love ♪

♪ Of them, I've had enough ♪

♪ With you, I have enough ♪

♪ With you, I am enough ♪

♪ I am ♪

♪ Enough ♪