Sword of Destiny

Although Sword of Destiny is the first novel in the series to be published, it is chronologically the second volume in the saga, for the events it describes follow those featured in the short story collection The Last Wish, and precede the rest of The Witcher series. Notably, the short story “A Question of Price” in The Last Wish significantly influences events in Sword of Destiny, and it also provides the basis for Geralt’s enigmatic connection to Princess Ciri. In this story, Queen Calanthe hires Geralt to help secure an alliance with Skellige through her daughter Pavetta’s coming-of-age ceremony. Geralt, disguised as a nobleman, engages in a revealing conversation with Calanthe about witchers.

An obscure knight named Urcheon of Erlenwald arrives, refusing to remove his helm and reminding Calanthe of the Law of Surprise owed to him for saving King Roegner’s life years ago. This law demands payment with what one finds unexpectedly at home; Roegner’s unexpected find was Calanthe’s pregnancy with Pavetta. Aware of the law, Calanthe refuses to give her daughter to a stranger. At midnight, she forces Urcheon to reveal his cursed, hedgehog-like face. She also exploits a loophole, which requires Pavetta’s consent before the Law of Surprise can be honored.