Andrzej Sapkowski

"The Sword of Destiny. Summary"



Chapter 1: "Bleached Gold"

Geralt, a Witcher with silver hair and yellow eyes, finds himself in a tavern in the city of Blenheim, where he is recovering from a night spent with a woman named Coral. He wakes up and discovers that his money has been stolen, and he begins to ponder how it could have happened.

A caravan master named Yaruga Mundi, looking for a guard for his caravan transporting precious goods, including gleaming gold, enters the tavern. He approaches Geralt and offers him the job.

Geralt, intrigued by the offer and the promise of pay, agrees to join Yaruga Mundi's caravan as a guard. This decision marks the beginning of a new adventure for the Witcher.

Chapter 2: "A Grain of Truth"

Geralt, the Witcher, is riding through the forest when he stumbles upon a peculiar house deep in the woods. He decides to enter, finding it inhabited by a reclusive and enigmatic figure named Nivellen. To Geralt's surprise, Nivellen appears to be a man, albeit cursed with a monstrous form.

As Geralt and Nivellen converse, the truth of Nivellen's curse is revealed. He was once a human who was cursed to become a beast-like creature after a series of fateful events. Despite his monstrous appearance, Nivellen has managed to create a comfortable life for himself in the forest, even forming a bond with a group of local wolves.

Geralt offers his services to help Nivellen break the curse. They discuss

the specifics of the curse and the possible solutions. Geralt plans to use a specific ritual during the upcoming full moon to potentially lift the curse. Nivellen agrees to undergo the ritual in the hopes of returning to his human form.

Geralt preparing for the ritual, and Nivellen cautiously optimistic about the possibility of breaking the curse.

Chapter 3: "Eternal Flame"

Geralt arrives at the city of Novigrad, a bustling and lively place. He's seeking to earn some money by taking on a contract. The city is known for its strict policies against magic users, and Geralt is cautious about revealing his identity as a Witcher.

While in Novigrad, Geralt learns of a strange creature haunting the city's cemetery. It is said to be an angry and vengeful spirit that appears at night. The townsfolk are terrified, and several individuals have disappeared without a trace.

Geralt decides to investigate the matter and accepts the contract to deal with this supernatural threat. He also meets with a local clergyman, apriest named Dandelion, who offers to assist him in this endeavor.

As Geralt investigates further, he discovers that the mysterious spirit is, in fact, a creature known as a noonwraith. These spirits are typically bound to a specific location due to tragic events from their past lives. Geralt begins his preparations to confront the noonwraith and put it to rest.

The chapter delves into Geralt's mindset and his views on monsters, emphasizing his belief that not all creatures should be automatically considered evil and that understanding their origins is crucial.

With his preparations complete, Geralt faces the noonwraith in a dramatic battle in the cemetery. He uses his knowledge and skills to outwit and defeat the spirit, finally allowing it to find peace.

Geralt's professional dedication as a Witcher and his unique approach to dealing with supernatural creatures. It also introduces Dandelion, who will become a recurring character in Geralt's adventures.

Chapter 4: "A Little Sacrifice"

Geralt is in the coastal town of Kerack, a picturesque place known for its beautiful landscapes and abundant fishing. He's been staying there for a while, and the locals have grown to appreciate his presence.

While enjoying his time in Kerack, Geralt becomes acquainted with a beautiful and mysterious mermaid named Sh'eenaz. She is unlike any mermaid he has encountered before, possessing an otherworldly charm and a haunting singing voice.

Sh'eenaz is drawn to Geralt, and they develop a connection despite the language barrier between them. The townsfolk are intrigued by their relationship, as mermaids are traditionally considered dangerous creatures.

Meanwhile, a prince named Agloval has arrived in Kerack. He is seeking a bride and has arranged a grand banquet to choose from the local noblewomen. However, none of the eligible women catch his eye, and he becomes increasingly despondent.

The local ruler, King Belohun, realizing the situation, seeks Geralt's help. He wants the Witcher to find a way to lift Agloval's spirits and help him choose a bride. Geralt agrees to take on the task, and the king offers him a substantial reward.

Geralt decides to use his newfound connection with Sh'eenaz to make the prince laugh and lift his spirits. At the grand banquet, Geralt presents a humorous and entertaining performance, utilizing Sh'eenaz's singing talent and creating a joyful atmosphere.

Prince Agloval is delighted, and for a moment, he genuinely laughs and enjoys himself. Encouraged by Geralt's efforts, he finally chooses a bride and celebrates with the townsfolk.

However, Geralt's time with Sh'eenaz comes toan end, as she returns to the sea, leaving him with a sense of longing and melancholy.

Chapter 5: "Eternal Flame"

Geralt finds himself in the bustling city of Novigrad. Novigrad is a place of great diversity, home to various races, religions, and beliefs. It's also known for its religious fervor, with the dominant faith being the worship of the Eternal Fire, a fire cult that has gained considerable power and influence.

Geralt is approached by a merchant named Elihal, who requests his

help in solving a unique problem. Elihal is not an ordinary merchant; he's a doppler, a shape-shifting creature who can take on the appearance of anyone he wishes. Despite his abilities, Elihal has been living a peaceful life as a merchant in Novigrad.

The problem Elihal faces is related to another doppler, a less experienced one who has been causing trouble by impersonating various influential figures in the city. This has led to confusion, anger, and fear among the city's inhabitants. Elihal asks Geralt to help him deal with this rogue doppler and put an end to the impersonations.

Geralt agrees to help, and they set a trap for the rogue doppler. During the confrontation, Geralt realizes that the rogue doppler is impersonating a priest of the Eternal Fire. This complicates matters because the fire cult is powerful and unforgiving.

After a tense encounter, the rogue doppler reveals that he's been impersonating the priest to uncover the truth about a recent murder involving some members of the Eternal Fire. He wanted to expose corruption and wrongdoing within the cult.

Geralt decides to help the rogue doppler instead of turning him over to the authorities. Together, they gather evidence of the cult's misdeeds, including involvement in illegal activities and the murder of innocents. They also discover a hidden treasure that could help them expose the cult's corruption.

In the end, they decide to reveal the evidence to the public and let justice prevail. The revelation shakes the city, and the Eternal Fire's power is significantly weakened.

Chapter 6: "A Little Sacrifice"

Geralt attends a royal banquet in the coastal city of Kerack, held by the ruler, King Esterad Thyssen. The gathering is a grand affair, attended by nobles, dignitaries, and rulers from neighboring lands. The primary purpose of the event is to discuss a potential alliance and marriage between King Esterad's daughter, Cirilla(Ciri), and the prince of Kovir.

During the banquet, Geralt is introduced to the local customs andtraditions of the region. He also observes the complex politics and alliances at play. While Geralt is not interested in politics, he is curious about the reason he was invited to the banquet. It becomes clear that he

is expected to offer his services as a witcher to solve a monstrous problem that plagues the region.

The problem involves a sea monster known as a manticore that terrorizes the coastal waters and attacks ships. The manticore has caused significant economic damage to the kingdom, as it disrupts trade routes and fishing. The king's daughter, Ciri, expresses her interest in accompanying Geralt on the hunt, which surprises and intrigues the witcher.

As Geralt and Ciri prepare for the mission, they spend time together, and Geralt is impressed by Ciri's courage, intelligence, and her innate talent for sword fighting. Their bond deepens during their training sessions.

The hunt for the manticore is a challenging and dangerous one. Geralt and Ciri, along with a group of experienced hunters, set sail to confront the creature. The battle with the manticore is intense, and Geralt and Ciri display their formidable combat skills.

Ultimately, they succeed in defeating the manticore, and Ciri's bravery and abilities during the fight become evident to all. The victory not only secures Geralt's payment but also earns Ciri recognition and respect.