02x01 - A Grain of Truth

[bunniefuu]

Colin!

Colin, where is everybody?

Hello?

Hello?

I'm in need of lodgings
for the night!

I'm a merchant.

I can pay.

Hello?

-Hello!

-I'm in need of lodgings for--

Kira!

- Kira!

-Spare me!
-Not today.

Please have mercy--

Take him. Leave me be.

Please!

Yennefer?

4,000 dead Temerian soldiers,

5,000 dead Kaedwenians,

and at least 20,000 of theirs.

You won't find her
in your visions.

She's gone.

Yennefer?

Yennefer...

Yennefer!

Yennefer!

I've seen this.

Stay on the horse.

Where is she?

And who are you to her, exactly?

Is she alive?

We won. Because of her.

She bought us time
until the armies arrived.

Was it worth it?

Yennefer.

Can you please tell me
who she is?

Doesn't matter.

She's gone now.

Let me go.

Let me go!

I sleep like sh*t too.

You don't sleep at all.

Makes for fewer nightmares.

Except for the one
about the rock troll.

Overly friendly.

Tough image to shake.

What about yours?

The Black Knight has me
on his horse...

Cintra is burning.

I'm too helpless
to stop any of it.

You escaped.

I was lucky.

I... need
to understand some things.

You claimed the Law of Surprise
and got me.

Why?

It was payment for a debt.

I saved your father's life.

-From what?
-Your grandmother.

She didn't want
your mother marrying a...

an outsider.

Your father didn't know
what he was giving up.

So...

I'm your destiny.

-Whatever that means.
-You're much more
than that, Cirilla.

-I miss my home.
-Cintra isn't safe
for you any more.

Then what about Skellige?
I have people there too.

-I'd be safe there.
-If you want.

But you'd be married off
to the nearest
Lord of Bad Breath.

He'd be seeking
to claim your throne too.

The food is good there, though.

- Fire!

- Quickly!
- Over here!

I'm the only f*ck in here!

Triss!

- Stay with us!

-Stay with us!

-Triss!

She was stable.
I don't know what happened.

-We're losing her.

Mmm.

-What is it?
-There is no sign of Yennefer.

She's lost for good.

And what of my niece?

Fringilla was at the front.

Coordinating
the Nilfgaardian att*ck
with the prisoner we took.

She has abandoned
all rules of Chaos.

She is lost too, then.

Familial disgrace can wait.

We need intelligence
from that prisoner now.

The kings have their blood up.
They want to chase
Nilfgaard south.

Perhaps we should,
since you'd have us
be warriors in the field

-instead of advisers
in the palace.
-You weren't there, Artorius.

We won. But barely.

We do not know the troops
that Nilfgaard have in reserve,

where they are reassembling,
what they are planning next.

The prisoner.

What do we know?

Our spies don't have much.

Only that he orchestrated
the fall of Cintra.

And that he doesn't answer
to the generals,
only to the emperor himself.

No one's been able to break him.

He will give us
everything we need...

if I can have time with him.

We have rules.

She wasn't asking
your permission.

- She's awake.

- Welcome back.

Wasn't sure you'd make it.

f*ck.

So, what exactly
is Kaer Morhen?

It's where witchers go
during the winter.

There, we can rest up and heal.
Replace armor and elixirs.

It's my home.

How come I've never heard of it?

Because we like it that way.

Why?

There was an att*ck.

A long time ago,
when I was a boy.

Almost wiped us all out.

So now,
we like to keep a low profile.

Hmm.

In Cintra, I used to dress up
like a boy, just so I could play
knucklebones.

We both need
to keep a low profile, it seems.

Were you att*cked
because you're different?

Sure. We can't see the future
like you can.

Back on the b*ttlefield,
when you saw me and that woman
before it happened.

Yes, well, it was...
it was more like a dream.

Hazy. It was...

it was weird.

Easy.

How did you do that?

It's called axii.

It's a calming sign.

Magic. Like... like a druid?

Not really.

We should keep moving.

Oh, thank gods.

Think there's an inn?

Hmm.

-Come on, Roach.

What is it?

There are no guards.

- Maybe hiding--
- Quiet.

There are no
barking dogs, either.

This place never sleeps.

-So what now?
-I know somewhere nearby.
An old friend.

Stay on Roach.

Geralt!

Nivellen?

What the f*ck
are you doing here,
you old whoreson?

This is your friend?

Yeah...

-But he's changed.
- I know.

I look a tad different
since you saw me last.

But I could say the same of you.

Put away your Kn*fe and come in
out of the cold, Witcher.

I'll tell you everything.

Eh?

A fire for my guests.

And you, my dear...

Ciri.

Well, Ciri, what say you
to a hot bath

to warm your frozen bones?

Oh, I'd love one.

-We're only staying
until the storm dies.
-Please.

Splendid.

Bath!

You can bathe
in the next room.

I'm fine.

You, my friend,
are very far from fine.

You reek of old horse.

Part of my charm.

You always were
a horse's arse, anyway.

Doors!

How long's it been? 13 winters
since we last saw each other?

Nivellen, I'm not one to slight
the rite of hospitality,

but I do need to know
that she's safe here.

You see my tusks and think
I would... bite the throat?

Hmm. She is.

I'm still me.

Well... Lights!

-That's not a bad trick.

You gonna tell me
what happened to you?

That's a tale requiring wine.
What of you?

That's a tale
requiring a wine cellar.

Numbskull took
one look at the place,
tucked tail and ran so fast,

his feet
didn't touch the ground.

Brigands were tougher
in our days, eh?

Thank you
so much for this.

My other clothes were ready
to run away by themselves.

But of course. Uh...

You look lovely.

Roast venison, sage truffles,

sweet wine, and lots of it!

And for you,

only the best.

Witchers' quail.

That's a good one.

I jest, I jest!

Mountain pheasant for my friend!

Ah!

-Very good, eh?
-Mmm, very good indeed.

-Has he told you
how we first met?
-No.

He's not especially chatty.

- No.
- I'd like to hear,
though.

It's my favorite tale. You see,
this snow-capped sourpuss here

was hired by the most
horrible monster of all,

my father,

to clear our woods
of a wyvern infestation.

-I've seen those in books.
- Horrid creatures.

See that weak
young whelp of a lad?

That was me.

And I tried to prove myself
to my father

by k*lling one first.

But instead...

...I fell
into the damned beast's lair.

This one pulls me up
by the scruff of my neck

and slays the wyvern
snapping at my nethers.

What do you think he does next?

What?

Gives me a hiding for being
such a cretinous twit? No.

He hands me the wyvern's head

and tells my father
I was the one that k*lled it.

I had to clear the forest
of the entire pack.

-Got paid either way.
-Nonsense! He's a big softie.

I tell you no word of a lie,
young Ciri.

It was the first
and last time...

...I saw
my father proud of me.

After that,

Geralt and I became friends,
of a sort, over many a summer.

Since we're telling no lies,
tell us about your curse.

-In front of the girl?
-She's tougher than you think.

I was a gormless
young twat.

That's how.

Fell in with a bad lot.

I trashed the Temple
of the Lionheaded Spider.

High on godflesh mushrooms.

All the mushrooms in the world
wouldn't make anyone
that stupid.

If only it was so.

After the damage was done,

this priestess cursed me
to live like this.

Forever.

Alone.

Hmm.

All curses have cures.
What did she say?

She screamed something about

love and blood.

I don't remember.

I'll be honest.

I've tried to end it, Geralt.

More than once.

But I kept coming back.

That priestess
won't let me off so easy.

The village below was abandoned.

What happened there?

After the Battle of Sodden,
the...

countryside
is a dangerous place.

Hungry soldiers, deserters...

Not reason enough
for an entire village
to leave their homes.

It is...

when the Wild Hunt's
riding over the horizon.

I saw them myself.

Just last week.

Riding their skeletal horses
across the southern sky.

A portent of doom.

The Wraiths of Mörhogg?

My grandfather saw them
just before Cintra fell.

Her grandfather was a drunk.

He saw a lot of things.

I'm simply saying,
the North and South at w*r,

monsters roaming
when they should be hibernating,

pestilence sweeping the land...

Maybe it's the end of days.

I've lived through
a whole dark age and three
supposed end of days.

It's all horseshit.

No, something
has changed, Geralt.

The world's acting of its own
strange accord these days.

-Far outside the reach
of kings and men.

Nivellen,
do you have a cat?

The poor thing
might be stuck in the ceiling.

I do, in fact. She's fine.

Vereena, she's called.

I'm very glad of her company,

even if she's a shy wee thing.

Not fond of strangers.

Didn't you say
you were cursed to live alone?

Didn't you say
cats are afraid of witchers?

How about a show?

How about we scout the property?
Make sure
it's secure for the night.

-Ugh!
- Go on, Geralt.

We'll be all right.

What a welcome sight.

Are you my inquisitor
or executioner?

See where the night takes us.

Do what you will.

Make no difference in the end.

The White Flame
will cleanse us all.

I need to know
what Nilfgaard wants.

Resist or submit.

It makes no difference.

'Tis not in my nature...

to be cruel.

But you have taken
someone from me.

Someone I care about deeply.

So now I will take
your knowledge...

-...your memories,

your very being,

and leave you cold and helpless,

trapped in the eternal darkness
of your own mind.

I know.

I know you want to scream.

- But it's too soon.

It's too soon, because
I haven't even started yet.

If evolution has traced
any groove at all in your brain,

-I will plough it
somewhat deeper.

And then you will know
what a scream can really be!

This the best
you can conjure up?

The battle must have
really taken it out of you.

Unlike you, I'm not one to waste
Chaos on frivolous nonsense.

I wouldn't call burning
half your forces frivolous.

Pity you're in dimeritium chains
behind enemy lines, then.

Or else you could
conjure us up a boar to eat.

You're on the run.

-We won.
-A battle. The w*r's just begun.

The refrain of the defeated,
how sad.

Sodden was merely a raindrop
before the storm.

Look at you.

-Why are you doing this?
-Because I'm loyal
to my kingdom.

No, your precious leader's
after something.

You're a pawn to get to it.

I can't imagine...
What's his name, Emhyr?

My humble apologies,the mighty White Flame
himself...

Can't imagine he'll be too happy
to see you return,
tail between your legs.

You know I won't turn.

-That the Brotherhood
won't negotiate.
-They won't want you back.

You've broken their sacred law,
tapped into fire magic.

-At Tissaia's behest.
-Oh!

I'll be lauded for saving them.

I'm sure they'll be
most understanding.
All leaders are.

You're offering me up
as a sacrifice.

A bloody mea culpa
for f*cking up
Nilfgaard's great push north.

At least conjure me up
some decent food
before we get to Shitgaard.

This is what you do
to keep yourself entertained?

To keep myself sane, yes.

It's a famous piece

I first saw as a lad
whilst studying at Oxenfurt.

Aah!

It tells the tale
of a doomed young Elven warrior

and a human
she falls in love with.

What's it called?

The Fall of the Elders.

Elven warrior, human mage

Ordained by hate to k*ll

Instead found love and ran away

Against their people's will

It's beautiful.

Into bliss, the two did wed

A baby on the way

A child born to parents dead

That fateful winter's day

-It's as if she's determined

to do the opposite of the thing
that'll keep her safe.

Verbose when I need her
to be quiet.

Stubborn and sullen
when I need her to talk.

Looks like
you're in good company.

You remind me of an old friend.

Mousesack.

Sometimes it doesn't seem real.

That he's gone.

And I just--

I wish I could
go back in time and save him.

Save everyone.

Can I come with you?

I have a few things
I should like
to change myself.

What's it like?

Being alone
because of what you are?

It's what eats you alive.

Loneliness.

Have... have you ever tried
to cure yourself?

Oh, I've plied many a lass
with treasure to kiss me,

hoping there was a grain
of truth to those fairy tales.

Maybe you just haven't
found the right one yet.

Mousesack told me
of a hedgehog man
who was cured by true love.

Lucky chap.

He was probably worthy.

You saw my statue garden.

All my servants
are buried there.

I k*lled them the day I turned,

not knowing what I was,

not knowing my own strength.

I deserve my destiny.

Come.

I'm being a bore.

And you must be tired.

Here we are.

It's been a treat.

Those people you k*lled...

you didn't mean to.

Sometimes...

I think I'm still a man.

But mostly...

I know what I really am.

I watched my entire home

burn to the ground
at the hands of another.

My family trapped inside.

You don't seem
like a monster to me.

I appreciate that, my dear.

Monsters are more

than just horrid looks
and claws and teeth.

Monsters are born of deeds done.

Unforgivable ones.

Good night.

Good night, Nivellen.

Finest mead from the rarest
Korathian desert honey.

-Aah.
-Let's play a drinking game.

Oh, now we're talking!

What sort?

We throw daggers.

Whoever misses
your dear father's head

drinks...

and tells a truth.

Prepare to lose.

-You first.
-Hmm.

Let's start with the obvious.

How in the name
of all that's sacred...

how did you find yourself
looking after a young girl?

I promised her grandmother
before she d*ed.

What's your plan?

Keep her alive.

That's it?

I can protect her
from any mark of man or monster.

And you said so yourself.
The world is changing.

Perhaps that's why
the Law of Surprise
brought us together.

Oh, that devious old chestnut.

-Hmm.
-The plot thickens, huh?

-Your turn.
- Oh-ho-ho-ho.

Bull's-eye.

You've become a lightweight,
old friend.

So it seems.

You spend a lifetime alone,

then you claim a child
of an ancient promise
of destiny.

What changed you?

Who.

Yennefer of Vengerberg.

Ooh-hoo-hoo!

And where is this rarest
and fairest of all maidens?

The one who could cr*ck
an icy witcher's heart?

She's dead.

I'm sorry, my boy.

How long ago?

A few days.

How are you not heartbroken?

Who says I'm not?

-Your horse, it's lame.
- I know.

If I dismount,
my men will eat it.

Horses, whores, and mages.
All useful till we're not.

Do you really think
offering me as a sacrifice

-will be enough
to spare your failure?

You'll watch my head roll
right before your own.

-Look. The North has won.
-Hmm.

Join us. I'll tell them
you saved me.
You can redeem yourself.

Redeem myself
from what, exactly?

You think that we ventured north
to conquer? We came to liberate.

You were weak at Aretuza,
but you had your own mind.

That implies choice.

I was placed in a kingdom
at the whim of the Brotherhood's
wants. We all were.

Just gilded pawns to control
kingdoms, nothing more.

We weren't forced
to do anything.

Should I have left
my post as you did?

Shirked my duties,
wasted my talents?

-If I'd had Tissaia
to shield me--
-If you'd thought for yourself

instead of licking
others' boots.

Eager to please. Easy to wound.

You're blind, Yennefer.

- Anything else?

-I have nothing to hide.

From me, maybe.

But have you told the girl
the truth?

That witchers obtain children
so they can feed them
with magic herbs.

The few who survive
become witchers themselves.

All human feelings and reactions
are trained out of them.

They are turned into monsters

to k*ll other monsters.

That's not going
to happen to her.

But it happened to you.

For better or worse,

she's with you now.

How does she feel about it?

Ohh!

The look of a man who's worried
he's lost his touch.

-Hmm.

The look of a man
who's wondering why
his old friend is cheating.

You've got me there!

Magic knives.

But why?

I've seen you piss yourself
in a wyvern den.

I know who you truly are.
What are you hiding now?

I need to drain the snake
and hit the silk.

Go to sleep,
you sullen old codger.

See you in the morning.

It's all right, Vereena.

-We won't hurt you.

We're just here for the night.

Then you can have
your house back.

-Hmm.

-Hmm.

Who are you?

I'm Vereena.
A friend of Nivellen.

You were having a nightmare.
I came to check on you.

Did you like
the dress I left for you?

That was you?

Yes.

Thank you.

-Nivellen said you were a cat.
-Mmm.

What are you?

I am different.
I am not you.

-But I am like you.

How did you do that?

I've never met anyone...

alone in the heart, like you.

Different.

Not one of many.

-Oh...

Why do you travel with that man?

I know what he is.

He kills things.

Monsters, yes.

Kills them.

Hmm.

Are you a monster?

Are you a monster
because you are different?

Monsters do bad things
to people.

Humans do bad things
to everybody.

-Mmm.

Nivellen...

He hid you from the witcher.

He loves you.

-Mmm.

This must be our secret.

Until you leave.

Hmm.

It flies.

-Geralt?
-Roach is by the gate.

If anyone other than me
leaves this place,
ride for your life.

-What's happening?
-There's a bruxa in the house.

A what? What are you doing?

What's going on, Geralt?

Move.

Now.

Oh...

Vereena?

He hurt me.

- Cirilla.

-She's the bruxa.

-Get back to Roach.

Don't run.

Uh... I can't help myself
if you run.

He's wrong.

I don't want to hurt you.

Geralt!

Geralt!

Cirilla.

-Geralt, wait. Please.
-Get away from it.

I'll rip her throat out

unless you leave us alone!

I'm sorry.

I'm so sorry.

Mine...

...or nobody's.

I love you.

Love you.

Huh?

No!

No!

No!

He'll come for you too.

Why, Geralt?

It's wrong.

It's wrong.

It's all wrong!

The curse has lifted.

You are free now.

Free?

This is what you call...

free?

I found her in the woods.

Injured.

Starving.

She wasn't scared of me.

And when she healed...

she chose to stay.

She didn't care...

what I looked like.

And to ease her cravings,

I let her feed on me.

-But--
- She couldn't
control herself?

She was a monster.

No.

That's not true.

It doesn't matter
if she was or wasn't.

She loved you.

Love and blood.

They both possess
a mighty power.

Learned men and mages
have wracked
their brains over it for years.

-And they've arrived
at nothing except...
-...true love.

To lose...

true love.

That's what it is.

I knowingly...

turned my eyes away from
what she did to the villagers,

because she didn't care

that I was cursed
all those years ago.

Not for destroying the temple.

For raping the priestess.

Ciri...

Please stay. Don't go.

I beg you.

Use your sword.

End this.

For me.

You're mortal now.

Do it yourself.

When I say run,

you run.

When I say hide,

you hide.

-And when I say get to Roach--
-I know.

I think there's something
wrong with me.

Everywhere I go, people die.

Sometimes, I...

I feel like I could...

burn the whole world.

I wouldn't mean to.

Just...

It just makes me feel so afraid.

All the time.

Fear is an illness.

If you catch it
and you leave it untreated,

it can consume you.

How do you treat it?

You face it.

Facing your fear is not easy.

But I am here for you.

I won't let anything
happen to you.

All right.

Enough!
To your feet!

Cut what you need,
and get moving.
We need to reach Cintra by dawn.

Look at them.

You're leading them
to a salvation
that doesn't exist.

How long
before they turn on you?

-Archers!

Release me. You know
I'm more powerful.

-I can save us.
-I've got nothing!

-Where are they?
-I can't see 'em.