Aiken

Biodata

Power Progression

Aiken’s development is documented through training milestones rather than numerical skill levels.

Appearance

• Hair: Short and blond, brushed back from his forehead during his apprenticeship 18.
• Eyes: Green, catlike pupils; later described as dark green 18 162.
• Apprentice clothing: A coarse linen shirt during his dormitory duel with Arwen 18.
• Field equipment: Black leather armor inlaid with silver ingots, with a snarling wolf-head medallion worn over it 160.

Personality

As an apprentice, Aiken is proud, outspoken, and intensely competitive. He wants to prove himself the best of his intake, boasts about Geralt’s praise, and openly resents Arwen’s achievements. Arwen nevertheless considers him conceited rather than malicious: his jealousy is obvious, and even his unkind wishes stop short of wanting a companion killed 4 13 18 19.

His impatience can undermine genuine talent. During his first duel with Arwen, frustration drives him into an exposed thrust that costs him the match. Months of subsequent defeats gradually make him accept Arwen’s superiority, though the widening gap still troubles him years later 18 27 28 163.

Beneath his cold manner, Aiken places enormous importance on his companions. Guilt over Blyde’s injury remains with him for two years, and grief over Blyde’s death briefly overwhelms his judgment. His later actions demonstrate the principle Vesemir tried to teach him: he risks himself to save Winston and offers his own life so Lambert can escape 33 36 161.

Background / History

Apprenticeship and rivalry with Arwen

Aiken grows up training alongside Arwen and the other Kaer Morhen apprentices; by their early training episodes, they have lived together for six years. During a live-monster exercise, Vesemir groups him with Paul and Blyde against a drowner. Aiken initially presses the monster back, but freezes when it wounds and pins Blyde, forcing Geralt to intervene 2 3 13.

Afterward, Aiken blames Blyde for disrupting his rhythm. Vesemir confiscates his training sword and forbids him from using one until he understands that swordsmanship exists to save lives—including those of companions 4.

Aiken subsequently excels at windmill training and quickly learns School of the Wolf swordsmanship. Confident in his ability, he challenges Arwen to a “knightly duel” in the apprentices’ room. Arwen withstands his attacks, exploits an overcommitted thrust, and forces him to concede. Aiken accepts Arwen’s helping hand but immediately promises to win their next encounter 11 18 19.

His rivalry continues through monster tests and repeated sparring matches. He proudly displays a string of eight or nine drowner ears, only to be silenced by Arwen’s Drowned Dead trophy. Over the following four months, every challenge he makes to Arwen ends in defeat. Eventually, he helps organize and announce Arwen’s duel with Geralt rather than trying to discredit him 24 27 28.

Trial of the Mountains

By the final trial, Aiken and his companions have become steadier and more coordinated. Vesemir considers him fully convinced of Arwen’s worth, and he follows Arwen’s instructions during their journey toward the Circle of Elements 31 32.

That discipline breaks when a Foglet imitates the dead Blyde. Desperate for revenge, Aiken strikes Horton and Winston aside and swings his silver sword at Arwen. Arwen disables him with a pommel strike. Once restrained, Aiken begs Arwen to kill the creature; later, worried by his prolonged absence, he volunteers to look for him 33 35.

Inside Old Spearhead’s cave, Aiken casts Quen and pushes Winston clear of falling rubble. His right arm is crushed beneath the collapse. Arwen gives him emergency healing and Swallow, then lures the cyclops away. Aiken urges the others to reach the summit and summon Vesemir rather than waste time trying to free him 36 37.

After killing Old Spearhead, Arwen returns, removes the rubble, treats Aiken’s arm, and carries him uphill. Vesemir treats his severe blood loss and multiple fractures, then declares that the apprentices have passed. Aiken looks at Arwen with gratitude after receiving treatment 41 42.

Service with the School of the Wolf

Aiken later joins Geralt, Eskel, Paul, Horton, and Winston as reinforcements against Atamont’s witcher golems, engaging one of the constructs himself. After Atamont’s death, he stands with the other witchers against Marquis Luitpold’s knights 98 101.

At a later Kaer Morhen banquet, Aiken recounts Arwen’s victory over Old Spearhead. Following Arwen’s disappearance, he participates in the prolonged search led by Geralt through the Lower March and Kestrel Mountains. The witchers also seek Sabrina Glevissig’s divination, but receive no answer; Aiken maintains his belief that Arwen survived 118 162.

Lambert’s field training and the basilisk hunt

After Old Spearhead’s death, the School changes its final trial: an experienced witcher accompanies apprentices through two years of trials outside Kaer Morhen, followed by a solo monster hunt. Aiken takes responsibility for Lambert and promises Vesemir to bring him home safely 161 162.

The pair kill a basilisk in a cave near Alder Town, but a much larger specimen forces them into retreat. Aiken suffers fractures in both arms and a broken rib while protecting Lambert. Trapped together in a fissure, he hands Lambert his medallion and offers to distract the monster so the apprentice can escape. Lambert refuses to abandon him 160 161.

Arwen arrives and rescues them. Initially mistaking the disguised witcher for a mage, Aiken embraces him once he reveals his identity. An improved Swallow potion heals Aiken’s injuries, and the three clear the remaining basilisks from the cave 162.

Their reunion also renews Aiken’s frustration at his inability to match Arwen’s strength. Arwen responds by promising him an improved second-mutation formula recovered from Morgraig. The formula greatly reduces the danger, but Aiken is not shown undergoing the procedure 163.

Abilities & Skills

Swordsmanship

Aiken is one of the most talented swordsmen in his apprentice intake 18 33.

• Learns School of the Wolf swordsmanship after seven run-throughs 18.
• Uses fast footwork, spinning attacks, and sustained offensive pressure; his movements briefly resemble Geralt’s 18.
• Can defeat Horton and Winston in a single exchange, but remains inferior to Arwen 33.
• Loses effectiveness when frustration makes him overcommit 18.

Witcher Signs

• Igni: Generates enough heat during training to make Horton sweat and nearly burn his hair; early accuracy is poor 27.
• Aard: Helps the apprentices blast a passage through collapsed rubble 36.
• Quen: Casts a protective shield while saving Winston and later while blocking the giant basilisk. The latter attack shatters the barrier 36 161.

Monster Hunting and Fieldcraft

• Knows drowner weaknesses and recognizes signs of Foglet activity 2 33 35.
• Directs Lambert to prepare potions and inspect his silver sword before entering the basilisk cave 160.
• Recognizes the giant basilisk’s call as a summons to smaller basilisks 161.
• Coordinates hunts with other witchers and with Viscount Lancaster’s supporting troops 160 163.

Craftsmanship and Etiquette

• Makes an ash wooden sword used by Arwen in their dormitory duel 18.
• Receives court-etiquette instruction arranged after Arwen becomes a baron, enabling him to address nobles formally 163.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Silver sword — His principal documented monster-hunting weapon 31 160.
• Training swords — Used for drills and apprentice duels 11 18.
• Wolf-head medallion — Symbol of his school; entrusted to Lambert when he expects to die 160 161.
• Leather armor and silver-studded gauntlets — Worn during the Trial of the Mountains 31 33 36.
• Cat, Swallow, and necrophage oil — Issued for his final trial; Cat and Swallow are also used before the basilisk hunt 31 160.
• Improved Swallow potion — Supplied by Arwen and rapidly heals his fractured arms and ribs 162 163.

Relationships

• Arwen — Childhood companion, former rival, and rescuer. Aiken comes to respect his leadership and later helps search for him during his disappearance 13 27 32 41 162.
• Vesemir — Teacher who reprimands his selfishness, treats his trial injuries, and entrusts Lambert’s safety to him 4 42 161.
• Geralt — Swordsmanship and Sign instructor. Praises Aiken’s talent but sharply corrects his technical mistakes 18 27.
• Blyde — Fellow apprentice whose injury leaves Aiken burdened with guilt. Blyde’s death drives his reckless pursuit of the Foglet 3 33.
• Paul, Horton, and Winston — Fellow apprentices and later comrades. Despite early quarrels, Aiken risks his life to push Winston clear of a collapse 27 36 98.
• Lambert — Apprentice under his supervision. Their mutual refusal to abandon one another earns Aiken’s wholehearted acknowledgment of Lambert’s character 161 162.

Notable Quotes

“Give me a few more days of practice. I won't lose to you next time.” 19

“I promised Vesemir I'd bring you back to Kaer Morhen in one piece. I can't break my word.” 161