Contains spoilers for this episode and earlier episodes.
Yennefer persuades the Brotherhood to hold a conclave, hoping the mages and Northern rulers can cooperate against Nilfgaard. She carries the invitation to Redania during Queen Hedwig's funeral. Vizimir orders Philippa, Dijkstra and Radovid to attend. On the return journey, Yennefer's portal is diverted and she is attacked by an image of Geralt. She escapes, but the interference makes it clear that someone with access to the mages' routes is working against her before the gathering even begins.
Triss and Istredd investigate the missing novices and discover that they are half-elves. Their inquiry connects the disappearances to the stolen Book of Monoliths, which could explain travel between worlds. Geralt and Ciri meanwhile negotiate passage to Aretuza with a ferryman troubled by a sea creature. They fight it during the crossing, alongside passengers who include Jaskier's musical rival Valdo Marx. Geralt explains what happened to Teryn, giving Ciri a concrete reason to take the experiments and their destination seriously.
The family reunites as the preparations turn toward a lavish ball. Ciri stays behind with Jaskier, protected by Yennefer's magic, while Geralt and Yennefer pursue the person behind Rience and the altered portal. Their evidence points toward Stregobor. Elsewhere, Cahir approaches Francesca on Emhyr's behalf, bringing the elves into plans whose purpose is still hidden from the people gathering at Aretuza.