Contains spoilers for this episode and earlier episodes.
Geralt frees Jaskier and apologizes for driving him away, then asks for help finding Yennefer and Ciri. The bard's account of Yennefer's lost magic and strange escape leads Geralt to the Deathless Mother. He realizes that a bargain may have placed Ciri in danger. Yarpen Zigrin and his dwarves join the journey toward Cintra, providing the support Geralt needs to catch up. His search has become a rescue from someone he had trusted to protect the girl.
Yennefer leads Ciri toward the broken monolith, claiming that Geralt may be held in Cintra. Along the way she tries to teach the princess to control her magic. As the destination approaches, Yennefer regrets the bargain and confesses. Ciri's anger exposes them to Nilfgaardian guards, and Geralt's party arrives before they can be taken away. He sends Ciri back toward Kaer Morhen with the others while making Yennefer take him to the demon's hut. They find it empty.
Fringilla kills the officers threatening her position after paralyzing them during a meal, sparing Cahir so he can support her account to Emhyr. Francesca and Filavandrel's celebration ends when their newborn daughter is murdered. Their grief feeds the Deathless Mother's growing power. Released from the hut, Voleth Meir reaches Ciri on the road and possesses her before Geralt can return.