The Last Wish
A bond forged by magic, tested by war, and sealed by a wish that defies choice.
The Last Wish is a seminal short story collection by Andrzej Sapkowski that serves as a foundational pillar of The Witcher saga. Although published after the first novel in the series, its narrative chronologically precedes the main events, functioning as an essential origin story for the relationship between Geralt of Rivia and Yennefer of Vengerberg. It recontextualizes the entire franchise by revealing how these two legendary figures first met, fell under a complex spell of destiny, and forged a bond that would endure through decades of war and tragedy.
- Author
- Andrzej Sapkowski
- First Published
- 1993 (Poland)
- Genre
- Dark Fantasy / Short Story Collection
- Key Characters
- Geralt, Yennefer, Dandelion, Ciri (in framing narrative)
- Narrative Structure
- Non-linear short stories framed by a present-day timeline
- Significance
- Establishes the Geralt-Yennefer relationship and Ciri's destiny
Lore & Background
Set against the Continent's backdrop of political intrigue and supernatural dread, this collection dissects the nature of fate through the mechanics of the Law of Surprise. Rather than isolated adventures, the tales are tethered by a framing narrative where Geralt, facing imminent death, recounts his history to Dandelion to buy time or redemption. This structure mirrors the stories' core theme: that monsters often possess more humanity than the men hunting them. The text scrutinizes the brutal economy of magic—where power exacts a physical toll—and the precarious existence of a Witcher, hunted by those he protects.
In Their Own Story
Amidst the choking haze of a tavern, Geralt sat in shadow, his body failing as poison coursed through his veins. Beside him lay the executioner's block, a silent promise of the end, while the chair opposite remained empty where Yennefer should have been. His mind drifted from the blade to a windswept cliff over Stygga, haunted by a memory of violet eyes—piercing yet tender—that anchored him against oblivion. In that final clarity, he whispered into the void: 'I wish I could see her one last time.'
Reader's Guide
The collection is anchored by a prologue where Geralt recounts his past to Dandelion while awaiting execution, using these memories as both distraction and defense.
In 'The Witcher,' we witness Yennefer's brutal initiation at Aretuza, learning that her power demands the sacrifice of her fertility and humanity. Their paths converge in 'A Question of Price,' where a near-fatal encounter forces them to acknowledge a connection neither can explain before destiny intervenes.
The narrative peaks in the title story, 'The Last Wish.' Trapped by a djinn on Thanedd Island, Geralt makes an ambiguous wish that irrevocably binds his existence to Yennefer's. The magic does not force love, but it ensures they cannot truly part, cementing their relationship as a collision of will and fate.
The framing story resolves when Yennefer arrives to halt the execution, validating the djinn's binding power. This revelation sets the emotional architecture for the saga, explaining why two individuals who claim to reject destiny remain inextricably linked.
Did You Know?
- The book was originally published in Poland before 'Sword of Destiny' but is set earlier chronologically, serving as a prequel to the main saga.
- The framing device involves Geralt telling his story to Dandelion while waiting for execution by King Foltest's men, though this specific execution context varies slightly in adaptations.
- The djinn's wish that binds Geralt and Yennefer is never explicitly stated as a romantic declaration, leaving the nature of their bond open to interpretation as either magic or destiny.
- Many readers initially confused the publication order with chronological order, leading to confusion about when Geralt and Yennefer first met until this collection clarified the timeline.