Meanwhile, in Hagge Castle in the Pontar Valley, Vizimir II, Demavend, Henselt, Foltest, and Meve meet in secret to discuss the Nilfgaard army who are camped on the bank of the Yaruga river. The caravan is attacked by the Scoia'tael, and it is revealed that the escort mission was a trap set by the kings who doubted Yarpen's loyalty.

Geralt tells Ciri about the roses of Aelirenn, an elf who died leading the elven youths to fight the humans. On the way, Triss falls ill, and they join Yarpen Zigrin's dwarven company who is guarding a caravan for King Henselt. In the spring, Geralt leaves Kaer Morhen with Triss and Ciri, intending to deliver Ciri to the Temple School in Ellander where she would receive a 'normal' education from Nenneke. Rience manages to escape through a portal opened by his master, but left with a prominent facial scar from Yennefer's spell. Dandelion is saved by the timely arrival of Yennefer, who engages in a short magic combat with Rience. He captures Geralt's friend, Dandelion the bard, and tortures him for information about Ciri. He is a servant of a more powerful mage, who remains unknown. She acknowledges that she does not have the power to control Ciri's talent, and advises Geralt to swallow his pride and seek help with Yennefer, a more experienced sorceress and his former lover.Īt the same time, a mysterious wizard called Rience is looking for the girl. She is called by Geralt to help with occasional strange and abnormal behavior he has seen in Ciri. But during her 'education', the sorceress Triss Merigold comes to Kaer Morhen. She is taught to fight with a sword in the witcher style. She learns about monsters and how to fight them. There, Ciri is being taught by the other witchers, including old Vesemir, Coën, Eskel and Lambert. The girl is being protected by Geralt of Rivia, a witcher - a magically and genetically mutated monster slayer for hire, who takes her to the witchers' keep - Kaer Morhen. He knows that this young girl has great importance, not only because of her royal blood, but also because of her magical potential and elven blood in her veins. Emhyr var Emreis, Emperor of Nilfgaard, sends his spies to find her.

Queen Calanthe commits suicide and her granddaughter, Cirilla, called Ciri and nicknamed the 'Lion Cub of Cintra' manages to flee from the burning capital city.

The Empire of Nilfgaard attacks the Kingdom of Cintra.

The witcher time of contempt