The Witcher: Why Yennefer Saved Cahir & Betrayed The Brotherhood

Summary

• Yennefer saved Cahir in order to protect herself and avoid becoming a pawn to The Brotherhood, as both killing him and revealing her lost powers would have negative consequences for her.
• Yennefer has previously betrayed The Brotherhood and gone against their wishes, further highlighting her tendency to prioritize her own motives and desires.
• In The Witcher season 3, Cahir faces dire circumstances and is saved multiple times, forming complicated alliances and engaging in conflicts that involve Yennefer, Geralt, and Ciri.

WARNING: The following contains SPOILERS for The Witcher season 3

Netflix's The Witcher is known for tackling several subplots simultaneously, with one following Yennefer disobeying The Brotherhood and freeing the Niflgaardian commander, Cahir — but why did Yennefer save Cahir? Yennefer's decision comes as no surprise for readers of the books and players of the games but may have been confusing for viewers of the show. While Yennefer is known for her impulsive nature, most of her decision-making throughout The Witcher series serves a purpose. Cahir is introduced in The Witcher season 1 as a Nilfgaardian commander who is in charge of the invasion of Cintra and determined to capture Ciri, who she names the Black Knight.

The Witcher season 1 finale shows Cahir and Fringilla commanding the Niflgaardian Empire's army against the wizard's army, where Yennefer used fire magic to win the war. Upon their defeat, Cahir was taken as a prisoner by the wizards. At the start of The Witcher season 2, audiences learn that Yennefer is alive but powerless, with her return to the Brotherhood creating anxiety for Stregobor, who does not believe in her loyalty. Therefore, Stregobor accuses Yennefer of being a Niflgaardian spy, stating that she must kill Cahir or reveal to the Brotherhood that she had lost her magic. Instead, she surprisingly frees him, but why did Yennefer save Cahir?

The Reason Yennefer Saved Cahir

As Yennefer states at the end of The Witcher season 2, episode 3, she did not free Cahir to help him, but rather to help herself. Therefore, Yennefer saved Cahir for her own gain. Unfortunately, neither of the options presented to Yennefer of Vengerberg in The Witcher was perfect, with both resulting in far worse consequences. If Yennefer had killed Cahir, then that would have meant that she would become a pawn to The Brotherhood.

Furthermore, as he is in his jail cell, she also states to Cahir that she does not kill without purpose. On the other hand, admitting that she had lost her powers to The Brotherhood would result in the Brotherhood's elders gaining political influence, leaving her vulnerable. Therefore, Yennefer saved Cahir in front of the Northern kings and queens and escapes with him, hoping that returning Cahir to Cintra will restore her powers.

Yennefer Has Betrayed The Brotherhood Before

While Yennefer's betrayal of The Brotherhood may seem confusing, it's important to note that this wouldn't be the first time she has gone against them and add further insight to the answer to "why did Yennefer save Cahir?". In The Witcher season 1, after she discovers that she is being sent to Nilfgaard rather than Aedirn due to her Elven blood, she refuses to attend the mage initiation. However, she refuses to miss her opportunity for beauty and power and demands that the enchanter goes through with the initiation, leading her to win her spot as the wizard of Aedirn as she initially wished.

Furthermore, she also disobeyed The Brotherhood by coming to the aid of the wizard army during the Battle of Sodden Hill and defeating the Niflgaardians. Yennefer's character in The Witcher, despite her faults, has never been one for politicizing, which is why it has been so easy for her to betray The Brotherhood, particularly when it comes to the query "why did Yennefer save Cahir?". However, regardless of the option picked from what The Brotherhood provided, she knew neither was the right one. Continuously Yennefer has always placed herself and her own motives first, which is what makes her such an interesting character within The Witcher series.

What Happened With Yennefer & Cahir In The Witcher Season 3

Yennefer and Cahir part ways during The Witcher season 2 as she goes off to investigate Jaskier's screams while aboard a ship to Cintra, leaving Cahir to go to Cintra on his own. The rest of The Witcher season 2 sees Cahir being strongarmed into appealing to the Emporer on Fringilla's behalf and Yennefer seeking to regain her powers and free Ciri from Voleth Meir. Of course, events with the White Flame and a particular lie caused Emporer Emhyr (actually Ciri's father Duny) to imprison Cahir and Fringilla. At the start of The Witcher season 3, Cahir is in dire straits and may have been better off dead.

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Cahir is saved yet again in The Witcher, though this time by his elf friend Gallatin. This friendship is tragically lost, as Cahir is forced to kill Gallatin to prove his loyalty to Emporer Emhyr. Emporer Emhyr again tells Cahir that he must kill to prove his loyalty, though this time he wants Francesca dead. Instead, Cahir recruits Francesca to join in his search for Ciri. This leads to another fight, with Nilfgaardian and Scoia'tael forces led by Cahir and Francesca invading Aretuza and bringing Yennefer into the fray. Notably, Cahir saves Geralt and Ciri from the Scoia'tael. Loyalties clash and everything comes to a head in The Witcher season 3 ending.