The Last Wish

Dandelion, Geralt’s poet friend, arrives at the temple. He has heard about Geralt’s business with the striga in Wyzim and has come to see if he can travel with Geralt for a while.

Geralt laments that the world is changing, and no one wants witchers anymore. Dandelion points out that Geralt’s own profession runs counter to its existence—the more successful witchers are, the less work there is for them; eventually, they will disappear. They reminisce about their first trip together.

Some years prior, Dandelion and Geralt are in a tavern, as Geralt explains to the alderman what a witcher is. The alderman and the other men in the tavern list all the monsters in the surrounding area: the Bane, imps, myriapodans, and so on.

Geralt listens politely, then wishes them well and departs. Dandelion is confused, but Geralt explains that though the people believe in them, none of these monsters exists—they are myths designed to excuse human faults.

After some time on the road, two men on a cart catch up to Geralt and Dandelion. One of them, Nettly, heard their conversation with the alderman and has work for them. He refuses to discuss it until they reach his village, Lower Posada.