Radskier

Radskier is the slash ship between Jaskier and Radovid from The Witcher fandom.

Shaerrawedd
Frustrated with Dijkstra's failure to bring Princess Cirilla of Cintra to Redania for him to marry (a strategy that would have provided him with a rightful claim to Cintra, and made Redania the most powerful kingdom on the Continent) King Vizimir declares that he has decided to put his best and most trusted man on the job - his younger brother: Prince Radovid.

A displeased - yet resigned - Philippa thus reluctantly agrees to assist the Prince in his search for Ciri - as she feels that no one else but she and Dijkstra can be trusted with "babysitting" the King's "baby brother".

On her way to meeting with The Sandpiper, she stops by a tavern, and asks the Prince to wait for her there.

She then finds Jaskier in the middle of a heated argument with one of his lovers, Vespula, who has been throwing various objects down at him from the balcony of her apartment in the Town-square.

While Jaskier is attempting to argue with her that “it was just one time – admittedly with many different people – and it meant nothing!”, she throws down a pair of pants that the bard remarks aren’t even his, to which she responds “Do you think you were the only one having some fun on the side, you lying, wretched son of a devil?”, and gets even more irritated when he answers “Well…  yeah, kinda?”

Jaskier then attempts to pacify her saying ''“This is what we do, my sweet. We are creatives. Freethinkers. All is fair!”''

At that moment, Philippa chooses to make her presence known and, as she is attempting to intimidate the bard into handing them over Ciri, the argument with Vespula culminates with her throwing Jaskier’s beloved lute from her balcony as far as she can (much to Jaskier’s horror) …  with Radovid unexpectedly showing up and catching it before it shatters on the ground.

While Radovid tells Philippa that he left the tavern because he was "getting bored", the Prince quickly reveals himself to be a fan of Jaskier's work, confesses to having "long wanted to see [him] in person", and says that "Song of the Seven" is his favorite.

While quick to remark on the slight irony of Radovid's song choice, Jaskier nevertheless appears pleased by the compliment, and extends his hand towards the Prince while inviting him to introduce himself.

Upon realizing that he's standing in front of the Prince of Redania, Jaskier becomes immediately flustered - forgetting all proper knowledge of Royal etiquette while babbling and attempting to approximate a weird curtsy - under the very amused and charmed gaze of the Prince.

After apologizing for how long he's been holding onto Radovid's hand, Jaskier once again attempts to argue with Philippa that there's not much he can do to bring Ciri to them.

As she's about to issue yet more threats, Radovid interrupts her, and attempts to argue that having Ciri come to Redania - though a far from perfect solution - would be the "least bad option" to ensure the Princess' safety.

The moment he suggests that Jaskier could be their "royal bard", however, said bard is quick to dismiss the idea, arguing that "a staid life at court" isn't meant for him; thus prompting Radovid to answer "If your time at court's been staid, you've been doing it wrong."

The flirtatious nature of the exchange is not lost on Philippa, and, before they leave, she gives Jaskier a five days ultimatum to get results; threatening to "undo all the good" he's ever done as "The Sandpiper" if he doesn't get results (meaning they will massacre every single elf he's ever helped ferry to safety).

A few days later, a violent encounter with Rience and the Scoia'tael - where Jaskier has a bit of a near death experience (his lute, that Radovid had prevented from shattering earlier in the episode, ends up stopping an arrow from reaching him), a few of Yarpen Zigrin's men are either injured or killed, and Ciri is almost captured - Jaskier starts reconsidering the Prince's offer.

He thus secretly meets with Philippa and Radovid, and tells them that he now realizes how much danger the people he loves are in, and that Redania might stand the best chance at offering them protection. As Radovid suggests that they could escort Ciri back to Redania that very night, Jaskier answers "No, not yet", then tells them about Rience, and says that if they can get rid of him, they will have gained Geralt, Ciri, and his own trust. As Jaskier says that last part, he specifically looks at Radovid, apparently hoping to use the Prince's interest in him as a source of motivation.

After Jaskier leaves, Philippa notices Radovid's sigh of longing, and seemingly begins perceiving him as a potentially useful political tool.

Unbound
While Geralt is off to go investigate and kill Rience on his own, Jaskier decides to do what he can to help Geralt discover who is the more powerful mage that Rience has been working for, and goes to see Radovid at court.

When he gets there, Radovid is seen lounging around in his quarters, entertaining a small group of guests while seducing a male courtesan (Radovid having an exclusive interest in men was already heavily hinted at in Shaerrawedd). As soon as Jaskier gets his attention, however, he walks over to see him with two glasses of mead, expressing that the bard's visit is a nice surprise, and asking him if he is there to sing them "pretty songs".

Jaskier scoffs at the suggestion, arguing that he doesn't "do pretty", but came to see him, instead, with valuable information.

At first, Radovid pretends to be a bit tipsy and dimwitted, feigning ignorance regarding who Codringher and Fenn are. After Jaskier explains that the two detectives know who Rience is working for, but that Geralt didn't have enough money to pry their lips apart (something he's assuming wouldn't be a problem for a Prince), Radovid says that - while he does appreciate the information - what he really wants is a song.

Frustrated over Radovid obviously attempting to play him, Jaskier attempts to argue that he's not really in the mood for singing, but the Prince takes his lute and hands it back to him while saying "Pick your favorite. Please.  They'd love a song about your white-haired witcher."

Jaskier finally relents, and starts playing a melody while making his way into the Prince's quarters, Radovid in tow.

Some time later, after his audience applauds his latest performance, Radovid asks Jaskier for one more song.

Jaskier sends him a seductive, challenging look, then starts singing a new song specifically for him.

While the song starts innocently enough, the more it progresses, the more Jaskier maintains eye contact with Radovid, creating a sense of profound intimacy between the two of them despite the presence of other people in the audience. Through the lyrics, Jaskier expresses a need for them to stop playing games with each other; either by staying quiet when they are stuck in a situation where they can't be truthful with one another (Keep your words on ice) and letting the sincerity reflected in their eyes do the talking instead (Your gaze lights the fire), or even opting for other more physical forms of communication (Why waste our words, When lips were made for extraordinary things); being brave enough to disobey what Dijkstra and Philippa's intend for them (They say, "Keep on playing nice", But I have no desire); and/or downright ignoring them (It is paying no heed to what others say to sing). He concludes with the belief that, with him, he would have enough, and be enough.

For his part, Radovid listens attentively, drinking in (and we discover, later on, memorizing) every word, seemingly deeply affected by them.

When the song ends, no one in attendance makes a sound - apparently having no clue how they are supposed to respond to what they've just witnessed happening between the two men - until Jaskier quietly says "You can all applaud me now if you like."

As Jaskier stands up to leave under Radovid's guests praises and thanks, he wordlessly gives the Prince a smug look as he walks him by. Radovid follows him until they've reached a more secluded area where they can privately talk.

As the Prince struggles with finding the right words to express himself, saying "Forgive me, I'm speechless. Blame the mead", Jaskier responds, "I would except you're not drunk," making Radovid immediately "sober up" and stare at him. "It's all in the eyes. They're not glassy," he explains, looking more fondly amused by Radovid's attempt at deception, than upset, adding that "busking in seedy taverns teaches great lessons in the art of pretending to be pissed when you have to keep your wits about you.  And... in a viper's den such as this, well..."

Realizing that Jaskier never bought any part of the act he'd been putting on since he showed up, and even seems to understand why he feels a need to put on these masks, Radovid chooses to stop pretending. He tells him that he finally understands what it is that made his songs song so irresistible: he "see[s] people for what they are, not what they pretend to be." At least, he believes that's part of it.

When Jaskier quietly asks him "And the rest?", Radovid answers "I don't know yet, but I'm determined to figure it out,"; then adds "And in the meantime, I will dig around about this Rience character and his cohorts," thus letting Jaskier know that he had been listening to him earlier, knew who he was talking about, did care about his plight, and was willing to do what he could to help him.

Looking pleased by both Radovid's interest in him, as well as having successfully gotten what he wanted from his visit, Jaskier whispers a heartfelt "Thank you", before taking his leave.

For a moment, Radovid appears to be internally struggling with something he wants to say, until he finds the courage to blurt out "Does the witcher know how lucky he is to have you?", making Jaskier stop and turn around before reaching the door to look back at him.

The two of them share a quiet moment, just looking at each other, before Jaskier smiles, seemingly pleased with what he saw there, and walks out.

After Jaskier has left, Radovid makes good on his word by going to inform Dijkstra and Philippa that he came to see him believing that Codringher and Fenn might have some information about Rience. He also tries to argue with them that, perhaps, they'd get better results making it seem like it would be more advantageous for Ciri to come to them, rather than using threats and intimidation.

While Philippa appears to be pleased with both the intel and the suggestion, and leaves to investigate, Radovid sits closer to Dijkstra and asks him if he realizes that everyone in the room is hiding something, including his brother, who appears to be witless. When Dijkstra smugly remarks that the King has "no secrets for [him]", the Prince answers "Then you do know about his meeting last night? With Nilfgaard," shaking the spymaster's usual self-confidence.

Reunion
As Jaskier dreamily reflects on his and Radovid's last encounter, swooning over how intelligent, insightful, and different he is – visibly affected and intrigued by the feelings the Prince is inspiring him (while trying to explain them by comparing Geralt to a hammer, and Radovid to a spoon) – Vespula eventually tells Jaskier “you like him”, looking fondly amused by the whole situation.

When Jaskier answers ''“Who, Geralt? Yeah, I guess. Platonically, and occasionally with great effort, as one would a family goat,”; Vespula rolls her eyes at him, looking even more amused, before clarifying “I mean the spoon guy.”''

When Jaskier attempts to deny it, she insists, telling him ''“I’ve cursed you for chasing tails of every kind. Men, women, dwarves, elves, polymorphous…  […] But never have I ever seen you have a crush ”;'' thus narratively establishing him as pansexual, and implying that Jaskier, as a sapioromantic , could be finding himself experiencing genuine romantic attraction towards another person for the (or one of the) first time(s); and that, despite what their very first scene together would suggest, Vespula has not only been very much aware of Jaskier’s rather diverse and frequent sexual encounters for quite some time now, but also seems to be generally okay with them.

At least, the good-natured, affectionate, and supportive way she teases him about his feelings for Radovid suggests as much.

The fact that she says she's never ever seen him have a crush before also implies that Vespula and Jaskier aren't romantically involved - despite being emotionally and sexually intimate with each other - since one would assume that, should Jaskier have had romantic feelings for her, she would have seen him have a crush on someone (herself) before at some point, at the very least.

In the meantime, Dijkstra inquires with the King, in front of Radovid, about a meeting with an emissary from Nilfgaard he's heard some "whispers about". He thus learns that - should Nilfgaard successfully push North - Emperor Emyr var Emreis has apparently agreed to leave Redania alone and allow them to keep half of Temeria as a vassal state, in exchange for turning over the Princess of Cintra to them should they find her first.

Since such a deal would have put Prince Radovid himself in a rather delicate position - as he'd all but given Jaskier his word that Redania would be willing to use its resources to keep Ciri safe from her enemies, should she come to live with them at the Castle - him being the source of those "whispers" Dijkstra is referring to is not exactly surprising.

While Dijkstra attempts to explain to the King that Nilfgaard is playing him for a fool, King Vizimir adamantly states that his adviser worries too much. He also takes the opportunity to remind Dijkstra that, while he provides the intelligence, he remains the one making the decisions, and the only reason he has any power - at all - is because he gave it to him. The King then reveals that he's on his way to yet another meeting with a Nilfgaardian envoy - that he's also failed to inform Dijkstra and Philippa about - seemingly organized by his wife, Queen Hedwig.

Dijkstra and Philippa then discuss their next move, while Radovid listens in on their conversation, quietly sitting in a window nook nearby. Dijkstra makes no effort to hide his bruised ego and outrage over the situation, claiming that the King "doesn't take a shit without [him] knowing about it". Meanwhile, Philippa notes that Radovid warned them of Vizimir and Queen Hedwig's schemes, and that he was right. She also states "Queen Hedwig has been in such a useful mood of late. Perhaps it's time to make her useful to us," and Dijkstra agrees to take care of it.

Sadly, her own investigation of Rience turned out to be a dead end. When she got there, the mage had just brutally murdered Codringher and Fenn and burned down their place to ensure their silence; and her attempt to follow Rience through the portal he'd used - in owl form - lead her to some "artsy-fartsy crafting studio". They also both appear to agree that getting to Rience before Geralt does is their best chance of getting Cirilla on their side.

Before leaving, Philippa suggests that Dijkstra should "use Radovid", believing that it is "time for him to cut his teeth." The Prince, however, appears to have gotten quite a bit cocky over having brought Dijkstra down a peg with his brother earlier, and gleefully mocks how ineffective the King advisor's methods of trying to find Cirilla have been so far. When Dijkstra says "I don't need your help," Radovid answers "Well, tell that to you King. And your boss."

Meanwhile, Jaskier has been helping Geralt investigate the strange case of a young girl who appears to have been implanted Ciri's memories. While taking a moment together to chat, Geralt mentions that Yarpen Zigrin has told him he'd seen Jaskier talking to Philippa Eilhart in Ban Gleàn. As he senses his friend's hesitation, Geralt immediately reassures him that it's okay, and he's just wondering what Dijkstra wanted him to do.

Jaskier thus admits that he wanted him to convince Geralt to take Ciri to Redania. While Geralt immediately scoffs at the idea, Jaskier, however, says that he agrees with it, surprising him. From Jaskier's perspective, he believes that Ciri would be much safer with an entire army at her back, and takes the opportunity to remind Geralt that she's not just his daughter, but a princess too. And "that's what princesses do. They sit on little royal thrones and have little royal babies.  And they rule kingdoms."  He also reminds him that "This is what Ciri wants", as she's already expressed a desire to make a difference by becoming a Queen that might unite the human and elven worlds, as she is both.

However, they both agree that Ciri wouldn't "want to be a political pawn for Vizimir and Dijkstra". Despite that risk, Jaskier still believes that she's not a witcher, nor an Aratuzan witch, but a princess; and that Geralt should trust her in her ability to be one.

Later, while Dijkstra is privately dining with King Vizimir - with the King expressing that he understands his concerns, but that "This Cirilla nonsense is just too much of a headache" to him by this point - Radovid shows up carrying a box that was left with his manservant. The note on the box says it's for King Vizimir - a gift, "Courtesy of Nilfgaard".

The king happily starts opening the box, only to discover that it contains the severed head of his beloved Queen Hedwig. As both he and Radovid recoil in horror - the Prince gagging at the sight - Dijkstra stars issuing orders, effectivley taking charge of the situation. He quietly comfort a distraught, heartbroken King, while swearing to him that he won't let Nilfgaard get away with it, then asks that he be taken to his chambers.

The moment he's alone with Radovid and the doors are closed, however, he immediately drops the façade, admires the content of the box, and goes back to eating as if nothing had happened. The Prince thus correctly deduces that this was what Philippa and Dijkstra had meant when they'd spoken about "making the Queen more useful", and that they are both behind the Queen's murder.

As Radovid threatens to tell his brother that the two of them committed an act of treason - and reminds Dijkstra that Vizimir trusted him - Dijkstra corrects him by saying "Trusts. He trusts me.  Now more than ever.  I am his most important advisor.  Whereas you are a weak, silly, ineffectual little shit who just delivered his wife's head to him in a box.  Well, now I come to think of it, how do we know you weren't involved in her treachery?  You want to help?  Go back to sucking on the royal teat until you're just drunk enough to forget this tragedy.  And keep your mouth shut.  Because next time it could be your head in a box."

Out of the Fire, Into the Frying Pan
When Jaskier arrives at Aretuza, looking for Geralt, Yennefer and Ciri, he witnesses the aftermath of Vilgefortz, the Scoia'tael, and Nilfgaard's attack. While investigating, he comes across the scene of a massacre - a room filled with dead guards and one or two civilians. As he enters to check for survivors, he hears the sound of someone softly crying, and finds Prince Radovid sitting on the floor alone, having huddled himself in a small darkly lit alcove. When Jaskier asks "What are you doing here?", he gives a brief glance around at the dead bodies, and answers "I came looking for my guards" (thus revealing he'd told Jaskier the truth earlier about having given his security detail the slip before coming to find him).

When he comments "I thought I'd seen the last of you," Jaskier admits "that was the plan", but then quietly sighs and goes to sit closer to him, wondering what happened. Radovid explains that Vilgerfortz had apparently been conspiring with Nilfgaard, thus allowing Emperor Emyr var Emreis to take the whole Continent by surprise, and start the second war.

As Jaskier is reeling from the news, finally realizing the direness of the situation - and in how much danger the crown Prince of Redania would be if there left alone, without any protection in the middle of a war between the Northern Kingdoms and Nilfgaard - Radovid tells him that he should go, as there's no need for him to continue to sit there listening to him.

Instead, Jaskier says "We have to get you out of here", and reveals the location of an old trappers' route that should allow Radovid to reach Oxenfurt, where some friends of his have a safe house. He scribbles something on a piece of paper while claiming that if Radovid gives it to his friends, they should be able to help him reach the capital.

When Radovid says "I don't get it", looking confused as to why Jaskier would go through so much trouble to help him, the bard simply shrugs and answers "plans change", thus revealing that he still has feelings for him, and hopes they haven't seen the last of each other.

The Prince then asks Jaskier to go with him. After a brief moment of hesitation, Jaskier refuses while explaining that he has to find his family, and turns to leave.

Radovid thus immediately offers to join him instead; suggesting he goes to talk to his brother, and uses his annuity to bring back as much financial resources as he can to help on their journey.

Jaskier, however, interrupts him - believing that Radovid simply doesn't understand the dangers he'd have to face if he was to accompany him. He explains "The war brewing outside is nothing compared to what Geralt will unleash on this Continent to find his daughter. I don't know what happens next,"  thus revealing Jaskier doesn't even know if he'll survive and make it back.

Radovid, however, remains undeterred, slowly walks up to him, gently grabs his hand, looks him in the eyes and tells him "Just let me be there with you. Prove that I'm more than a mask."

After a long moment of silence - where Jaskier appears to be wrestling with his feelings - he answers "Maybe. After I find Ciri," apparently remaining open to a future for them, while making it clear that, for now, what matters most to him is making sure that Ciri is safe.

He then turns to leave again, but Radovid stops him to let him know that he should go looking for Geralt first, as he was there when the Tower of the Gull (Tor Lara) exploded. Since he felt it from such great distance, Radovid has no idea how someone that would have been at the tower itself could have survived the explosion.

When Jaskier finds Yennefer, they share a heartfelt embrace, and the sorceress confirms that Tor Lara is indeed where Ciri has last been seen. Yennefer also says that she tried looking for her in the rubble, but couldn't find anything; and that Triss brought Geralt to Brokilon to heal, as he might be dying.

The Cost of Chaos
At some point on his way back to Tretogor, Prince Radovid was found by Philippa, and brought back safely to the castle.

He is given a joyous welcome and a hug by his brother - that quickly gets distracted by the sight of his new portrait, commenting on how much of a fine work it is - before bringing his attention back to the Prince while claiming to have been worried sick and promising that there would be consequences for what happened to him.

When he starts saying that he plans to have Philippa take the fall for what happened at Thanedd, Radovid interrupts him to reveal that she was the one that found him, and helped get him back home.

He also asks his brother to let him go, arguing that he'd be no help to anyone in this war, and that even his brother has never been able to find him a purpose in the kingdom, constantly "plugging [him] into these straw-man jobs". But Radovid is "not a spymaster, not even a good prince." However, he's discovered that there's something out there - someone - that suits him, and who needs his help.

When King Vizimir agrees, Radovid is then seen asking his manservant to find anything of his with fur, sell it to the haberdasher for as high a price as he can, and bring the coin straight back to him.

Sadly, before he has a chance to leave his life at the Redanian court behind to go help Jaskier find and rescue his family, King Vizimir is violently murdered by Philippa's own lover, Eva.

Once the dead body of Vizimir is discovered, Philippa shows up, removes the fallen King's crown from the pool of blood it was lying in, summarily wipes some blood off it, and claims that they must act quickly before rumors of Redania being leaderless and vulnerable to an attack start spreading. She thus crowns Radovid King on the spot, right in front of his brother's dead body. While Philippa leads the chants of "Long live King Radovid" in the palace, the shell-shocked new King just stands there, utterly terrified and gutted by this turn of events.

Quotes
"Does the witcher know how lucky he is to have you?"

- Radovid, Unbound

Songs

 * Extraordinary Things | Jaskier/Joey Batey & Radovid/Hugh Skinner
 * Jaskier's first song to Radovid.


 * A Little Sacrifice | Jaskier/Joey Batey ( on the show )
 * & Ciri/Freya Allan ( on the show and the soundtrack )
 * A song that Jaskier sings to Ciri as a lullaby to help her fall asleep moments before Radovid attempts to knock on their cabin's door, with the following events leading to their very first kiss and night spent together.

Fandom

 * FAN FICTION


 * TUMBLR

Trivia

 * Joey Batey has been deeply involved in the creation and the portrayal of the Radskier ship. "My number-one priority, which I said to her, was just to make sure that we were doing it right and that we did it sensitively with a care and a kinship, and I wanted to avoid all kinds of stereotyping, really.  So there was an awful lot of script rewrites and things like that. We deleted whole scenes in favour of songs. So I brought in a new song, and I said: 'Can we just cut all this dialogue, and I can just sing something?'"
 * When asked if the two characters might be singing together, Joey answered "I don't think [I could]. I think I would be too nervous to sing anywhere near Hugh. I think his talent would outshine mine and poor Jaskier, you know, poor Jaskier's ego would be burned if I ever tried to do that." However, according to Hugh, he did offer him a crash course on how to play the "mandolin" [note: he might have meant "lute"].