Blood of Elves

Ciri’s letter is the first impression the reader gets of her education at the Temple school, where Mother Nenneke teaches Ciri history, literature, and Elder Speech (specifically, reading and writing Elder runes). It is worth noting that Ciri refers to Elder vocabulary as the "correct” names for things. To Ciri’s understanding, the elven names came first and are more correct than the human variations. For example, Kaer Morhen was Caer a’Muirehen (Keeper of the Elder Sea). Though the fortress is surrounded by mountains, the name was likely bestowed at an early point in history when the region’s topography was different; Ciri’s letter indicates she saw fossilized shells and fish bones at the keep (214). Ciri also learns that Cintra, a human city built on the foundations of elven ruins, was once called Xin’trea. Her own name, Cirilla, comes from “Zireael,” the Elder word for the swallow bird. Over time, these Elder words were mispronounced or had their pronunciations changed as humans adapted pieces of the language into their own. This linguistic shift is another example of how, as humans conquered elven territory, they absorbed aspects of elven culture into their own despite their purported disdain for anything elven; this cultural appropriation complicates the Racial Tensions Between Humans and Nonhumans, illustrating that the relationship is not merely one of outright hostility. Ciri writes that she has an elven name but is not an elf, which echoes the audience’s debate in Chapter 1, where an elf says nearly every human has a little elven blood. Ciri’s letter also shows the cultural differences between Kaer Morhen and the Temple—specifically, that Nenneke does not allow her to practice combat. In Nenneke’s view, anyone can learn how to fight, but Ciri must learn to be wise.

Yennefer scolds Geralt for letting her believe the rumors he died, and she also is displeased that Geralt contacted Triss before her (Geralt was afraid to reach out to Yennefer, but he did not check on her after she was blinded during the Battle of Sodden Hill). Despite this, Yennefer dropped her personal business to help Geralt as soon as he asked. Underneath the fear and frustration, there is still devotion, though Yennefer is annoyed with Geralt’s tactlessness; calling her a “friend” strikes her as dismissive of their relationship and the feelings neither of them can admit. Yennefer is also unhappy that Geralt only contacted her when he wanted her help. The tone of her letter indicates Yennefer feels hurt, but Geralt largely interprets her words as annoyance.

Linus Pitt is purportedly a master in his field, natural history, and as such knows much about the different creatures inhabiting the series’ world. Linus positions himself against witchers’ work, stating that many people (especially witchers) willingly and eagerly “kill anything that does not instantly look right, without forethought, tests, observation or considering its ecological niche” (223). Linus’s opinion is a point of contention between the professor and the witcher, mostly because Linus misunderstands what a witcher actually does. Geralt does not hunt the aeschna because he wants to kill it; he hunts it to prevent it killing more people. Furthermore, human developments altered the aeschna’s habitat, so the problem is in part one of humanity’s own making. However, Linus’s expertise, unlike Geralt’s, does not seem to include conclusions drawn from observing recent events. Their argument, while brief, represents humans’ fundamental misconception of witchers and lack of awareness about their own ecological niche: how humanity’s rapid expansion changed the world in ways they are not equipped to understand. This in turn raises questions about The Nature of Monstrosity and the extent to which it is something humans create.

Dandelion returns to the story in this chapter and once again proves himself to be much more than his Casanova-esque persona. Dandelion is adept at identifying intelligence operatives—as is Shani—and he is just as tight-lipped with Dijkstra as he was before with Rience. Although Dijkstra is highly perceptive and can see through Dandelion’s feigned ignorance, the bard still only relays outdated or mostly incorrect information. In fact, by feeding the spymaster inaccurate information, Dandelion learns more from Dijkstra than Dijkstra learns from him: Dijkstra unconsciously feels compelled to correct Dandelion with the truth. Philippa Eilhart, however, does not give as much away. Her concern for Ciri’s safety seems legitimate during the meeting, but her interest in Triss’s whereabouts is worrisome. Triss likely went into hiding after leaving Ciri at Melitele’s, and now the Brotherhood suspects her of being involved in Ciri’s concealment. The revelation of Philippa’s ability to polymorph (transform into an owl) is a surprise, but what is more surprising is Shani’s admission that she knows Rience.

Earlier, Shani recognized Dijkstra’s spies easily, but recognizing Rience indicates Shani is more than just a “clean-cut” medical student. She is in some way involved in or at least aware of underground activities in the city. Geralt’s brief intimacy with Shani seems to have more to do with her fascination with the famous witcher than with any romantic interest on his part. As Shani is close friends with Dandelion, not only has she heard his songs, but she has also likely heard the true stories that inspired them. Geralt also seems, at times, a little oblivious to the reality of his bond with Yennefer. He interprets her subtly scathing letter at face value: He thinks her calling him a friend is reflective of her true feelings for him rather than a coy joke about his ignorance. The tone of her letter may make Geralt worry Yennefer does not reciprocate his feelings, so he seeks comfort with Shani as he once did with Triss.