Good day everyone,
I hope you are all having a good day, welcome to CryptoGod-1's blog on all things gaming and literature. Today I will be doing an analysis and review of the fifth book from The Witcher series, and the third of The Witcher Saga, by Andrzej Sapkowski, entitled Baptism of Fire. Within I will break down the chapters and give an overview of what happens within the story, with a conclusion on the overall book at the end. This will be done in a four part series for this book, so keep an eye out for the remaining parts to follow.
Previous Parts to this Book
The Witcher Saga - Baptism of Fire - Part I
The Witcher Saga - Baptism of Fire - Part II
Chapter 5
Milva had not managed to get to the horses in time, and could only watch as they were stolen. She didn’t think twice about it and followed in pursuit, determined to get her bow back. She crossed the river Chotla while avoiding the Nilfgaard, who were killing any survivors they found. She caught up with Dandelion's horse first, as it was always a slow one. The rider fled, and thanks to the unruly nature of Geralt's horse, she caught up with the rest. As she attacked they managed to knock her down and it was another rider who saved her. Cahir. He warned her they had to go, ride into the forest and hide quickly as the Nilfgaards were coming. They took shelter in an old fallen tree trunk, and discussed going back to find Geralt and co. Better to wait for nightfall informed Cahir, as Milva discussed the awful feeling she had. Better than being alone exclaimed Cahir, before he went on to explain his relationship with saving Ciri and how Geralt had spared his life three times. He told Milva that Geralt was going the wrong way, that Ciri was not in Nilfgaard.
A group of Scoia’tael were surrounding a captive, one sent by Nilfgaard. Their leader, Isengrim Faoiltiarna, had been requested to attend a meeting with an emissary, but instead had been set up. He had been wise to it, and managed to defeat his would be kidnappers and take their leader alive. The captive was called Jan Struychen, and had been sent to take Faoiltiarna to Nastrog Castle in Verden for questioning. Under threat of torture, Struychen revealed to the Scoia’tael that the Ciri in Nilfgaard was a fake, and that Cahir, Rience and Vilgefortz were to be captured for their treachery. It was unknown if Faoiltiarna was also involved, and therefore he was also ordered to be captured by Lord Vattier de Rideaux. Faoiltiarna released the spy and informed him that he is to deliver a message to Lord Vattier. On Thaneed Faoiltiarna served his duties as had been agreed. Vilgefortz and Rience had vanished and he was unaware of their location. Cahir had done his utmost to achieve his goal but many Scoia’tael had perished and they had found him unconscious. They took him with them so there would be no proof of the Nilfgaard involvement on Thaneed. When orders arrived for Cahir to be delivered back to Nilfgaard, Faoiltiarna had him bound and placed in a coffin for delivery. He did not know what happened to the knight or his convoy.
Sorceress Assire, the Nilfgaardian sorceress, who had been invited into the secret lodge by Phillipa, was with another Nilfgaard sorceress called Fringilla Vigo in the capital, the city of Golden Towers. They were discussing the fate of Cahir and it came to light that they knew the real Ciri was not the one with Emhyr. They discussed the levels of treachery Cahir was intertwined in, and by the end Assire indulged Fringilla to accompany her to the secret meeting of the women of magic, the lodge.
Milva and Cahir are at the river once again, looking out over the empty battlefield. There are no living souls, just corpses. Milva is uneasy about crossing the river at night, and Cahir suggest they wait until dawn. Suddenly Regis emerges from the darkness, and informs them they need to get to Armeria at once. The Witcher is in a bit of difficulty.
Geralt and Dandelion are tied up and waiting to be hung in the morning, in an event with is bound to be morale boosting for the thousands of troops in the camp. Dandelion is hopelessly thinking of a way out of their predicament, but Geralt is being pragmatic. The last of their luck was used up when the woman in Zoltan's group found her husband.
Regis, Milva, and Cahir arrived at fort Armeria. Regis informs Milva that he, and he alone, will take care of the fort and it’s guards, in doing so rescuing Geralt and Dandelion. Cahir finds this quite arrogant, but Milva believes in Regis after his stunt with the flaming horseshoe. They wait until midnight, where Cahir explains to Regis that Ciri is not in the South as Geralt believes.
To Gearalt and Dandelions amazement, Regis managed to put the guards watching them asleep before unbinding both of them. He informed Geralt where Milva was waiting with the horses, and said his goodbye. Geralt thanked Regis, and warned him they should not meet again. Geralt and Dandelion donned some solider cloaks and made their way through the camp. As they got to the perimeter they were ambushed by soliders looking for coin. They jumped Dandelion, and Geralt seized the moment to knock their leader out and the duo fled. They were chased by the Calvary, and Geralt screamed Nilfgaard were coming, in doing so managing to knock a rider off his horse for Geralt and Dandelion to escape on. With Nilfgaard approaching from one side and Vissegerds army galloping from the other, they were caught in the middle. Geralt spurred the horse on to try escape in the narrowing gap between the two armies but Dandelion got hit with an arrow in doing so. The arrows being volleyed between the opposing armies bought them enough time to ride out from between the two front lines, but riders chased them. Geralt and Dandelion fell from their horse, and Geralt managed to dispatch their pursuer to ensure they were safe. He quickly bandaged up the poet, and they made for the river Ina to meet with Milva.
The Redanian fortress Drakenborg had been converted into an internment camp for elves and other subversive creatures over the previous three years. Those condemned to death were held here, in a large cell where two or three were taken every morning. Of the current occupants, todays three selected for hanging were an elf of Iorweths commando named Echel Trolgelton, a halfling accused of sabotage and conspiracy with Nilfgaard named Cosmo Baldenvegg, and a half elf named Nazarian. Upon seeing the other two hung, suddenly Nazarian decided he wanted to live and decided he would talk. He would tell all. A letter was penned by the guards for Djikstra, informing him that he and his conspirators Schirru and Millet had killed Cordingher and Finn on the instructions of Rience. They did so because the men had been meeting with Geralt, and after the deed was done Rience ordered them to kidnap a girl. This girl was given to Nilfgaard and assured she was the princess Ciri.
Geralt and Dandelion made it to Milva, and Geralt was not too pleased to see Cahir with her. As Milva tended to Dandelions wound, suddenly Regis appeared. He began tending to Dandelion, and to Milvas shock Geralt drew a sword and told Regis to back off. The barber sturgeon ignored the Witcher and stitched up Dandelion. When he was done, he turned to Geralt, and the Witcher quickly put a sword to Regis’s throat. Explaining to the others, Regis accounted who he was and what he was. A monster. A vampire. Instead of killing him Geralt let him go, and Regis curiously questions what price on his head would it take for Geralt to kill him. More than anyone could afford due to how powerful Regis is, Geralt responded coldly. They parted, with Regis flashing his teeth and vanishing in a flourish. Geralt turned his attention to Cahir next. Before Geralt could do anything Milva roared at the Wicther, explaining the Cahir saved her and their horse. They needed to get out of there before anyone from the battle found them. The rode alongside the river Ina, eventually riding to sunny wetlands along the broad calm waters of the Great Yaruga. They chanced upon an island, with a boat and a perfect place to rest in the hidden bushes. Geralt decided it was time to talk alone with Cahir. Geralt concludes Cahir is following him to try get Ciri and bring her to Emhyr, sparing his own life in the process. For some reason Geralt cannot kill Cahir, and it is here Cahir reveals he wants to save Ciri. Geralt does not believe him, but Cahir can prove it. He has also dreamt the same dreams as Geralt had of Ciri, and shares one with Geralt that the Witcher never told anyone about.
Loredo, a village also known as the Bandits Lair, was where all the brigands and thieves met to sell their loot. Seravido, a snooper and a nark, knew the Rats were there. Ciri and Mistle were wandering through the stalls as their comrades were busy selling their ill-gotten goods. Seravido was hoping to gain information on the gang to sell to the Nilfgaards for a reward. He was following the girls when suddenly a member of another gang, known as Otterpelt, exclaimed that Ciri and Mistle just needed a man. Next thing Ciri, known as Falka, cut his throat in the blink of an eye for the insult. Giselher, the Rats leader, calmed the situation and paid off the leader of the other gang to ensure the feud was settled and over. Falka was more dangerous than the reward was worth, thought Seravido.
Cahir disappeared into the bushes while Dandelion and Milva tried to catch some fish. Geralt was busy thinking, and eventually called the pair over to him. He instructed them to go home, that he would continue alone and not put them in any further danger. They left him to sit and think when Regis appeared. Unimpressed at his sight, Regis informed Geralt he needed to change Dandelions dressing. Before heading to the poet, Regis informed Geralt that he does not need to think of life like banking. Not to be fearful of running up debts with others. Life differs from banking because it’s debts are paid off by running up debts with others. While Geralt sat and pondered, or sulked as the others would call it, Regis, Milva and Dandelion began to make food. They were to make a soup of the limited fish they caught, and suddenly Cahir appeared with a Pike he had captured. Geralt reluctantly lent a hand in peeling vegetables and eventually they were full from the broth. Geralt, still pondering, stood and turned his back as the others discussed their plans. The needed to locate Ciri but didn’t know where to start. Regis knew of a Druid’s circle nearby which could help, and the gang agreed it was the best place to go. Geralt interjected asking did he have a say in it? Dandelion responded how Geralt would still be hungry if it was not for them. They were a fellowship, a common group with the same goal. Brothers in arms. A half-dryad half woman, a vampire, a poet, a Nilfgaard who is not a Nilfgaard, and a Witcher.
Chapter 6
Ciri and Mistle were laying together, gazing at the sky, as Mistle tried to induce more fun between them. Ciri rebuffed her approach, no longer enjoying it. Mistle asked Ciri about her life before she joined the Rats. Ciri only mentioned that she knew a few people, a few people she hoped would try to find her. Mistle asked why she didn’t leave if she no longer enjoyed the fun. Ciri blankly answered she didn’t want to be alone. As Mistle was taking this information in, they heard a whistle. Their allies were being attacked and the two girls sprang to their feet to go help their comrades.
Vattier de Rideaux, spy for Emhyr of Nilfgaard, had just visited Francesca Findabair, also known as Enid an Gleanna, leader of the free elves. With him gone, she finally allowed Ida Emean aep Sinvey to discard her invisibility spell. She was a sorceress and one of the free Aen Seidhe from the Blue Mountains. Francesca was growing tired of the envoy of spies visiting her, Henselt of Kaedwen had sent a consul, Dijkstra a trade mission, and now Vattier. Even Stephan Skellen, also known as Tawny Owl, had been sent, but she ignored him and would not entertain a meeting. Ida revealed Skellen had also visited her, and had asked about the prophecy of Ithlinne Aegli aep Aevenien. The women want to be trusted by Phillipa and the lodge she has formed, and not suspected of playing a double game, even though they are. They agreed they had little choice by to trust the sorceress in the lodge, for now at least, and allow it to come into fruition. They knew little of the sorceresses from Nilfgaard but would judge them in Montecalvo when they all meet. For now, they needed to sort the issue before them, the Jade statuette. In the courtyard, under a protective magical spell, they performed the ritual. The statuette changed from Jade to gold and then Invisible, and finally a dark haired woman appeared. It was Yennifer. Her memory intact, Francesca explained how she had “packed her up” to save her life in Thaneed, and now, a month and a half later, had “unpacked her.” Yennifer exclaimed how she must have really wronged Francesca, but the beautiful elf explained she did it to save Yennifer, and informed her they were in Dol Blathanna.
The sorceresses explained to Yennifer all that had happened, how Tassiana killed herself, Nilfgaard had defeated Lyria and allied with Kaedwen to dismantle Aedirn, and were crushing Sodden and Brugge at this very moment. How Geralt had beheaded Terranova, broke Dijkstra's leg, and aroused Keira Metz. Yennifer, taking all this in, promised she cared once she learnt that Ciri was in Nilfgaard and Vilgefortz had nearly killed Geralt. Francesca proceeded to explain to Yennifer why she suddenly decided to free her from the statue. Francesca wants Ida Emean and Yennifer to be the two candidates she presents to join the lodge, which is happening that very evening in Montecalvo. She informs Yennifer how the lodge wants Ciri, and Yennifer would be of great assistance to them in achieving that. They want to save her, not harm the girl. Francesca warns Yennifer not to try and escape, that no portal will work in Montecalvo, and if she does try then Francesca will turn her into a statue again. Yennifer refuses to agree despite the warning.
Fringilla and Assire teleported through many portals and finally arrived at Montecalvo, greeted by Phillipa, Sheala, Sabrina, Triss, Keira, and Margarita. As they conversed and ate, finally the final three members arrived. The group was astonished to see Yennifer with Franceca and newcomer Ida. After quick introductions and a brief standoff between Yennifer and Fringilla, who had been at the battle of Sodden, Phillipa decided it was time to begin. As the session progressed Fringilla felt the need to speak up about the threat of Nilfgaard. She does not see it as a threat of course, but delicately chooses her words and implies that war is merely part of the here and now and they should focus on the future. Francesca disagrees, believing that the here and now impacts all, especially the elves. Margarita is not interested in politics either but does not wants her school mixed up in war. Sabrina meanwhile believes the status of the sorcerer is of utmost importance and their credibility is paramount to that. Phillipa interjects and makes it clear why she formed the order, for them to be active while discrete in all matters. Never has a person of magic sat on a throne, but Phillipa wants to change this. The twelfth member of their lodge will marry the Kovirian crown Prince if they can make it happen. An impossible task in the eyes of Sheala and Sabrina. The king would never allow it, let alone they do not have any suitable sorceresses, as kingdoms are about dynasty and producing an heir of royal blood on both sides. Who could they use as their twelfth member to satisfy their needs? Ciri of Cintra, the Queen of the North. From her blood will be born the Queen of the World.
The Rats dispatched and made light work of the envoy they were chasing. The carriage was carrying a Barons daughter, but the Rats did not harm women. Something stirred inside Ciri. She recalled her former life when she saw the broach on the girl, bearing a Unicorn. She had been unkind to Mistle, and needed to apologise. Ciri demanded the broach, and hissed the petty title of a Baron was nothing compared to hers.
Phillipa instructed Yennifer it was her time to speak in the matter of Ciri. Yennifer did so, starting back at the law of Surprise and all the way up to Thaneed. Triss listened intently, still remembering Ciri as a little sister to her. Heated arguments ensued, with Phillipa doing her best to calm the likes of Sabrina who cared little for prophecies and fairy tales as she called them. The Edler blood is extinct from what they have heard, finished with the life of Lara Dorren. Unfamiliar with this tale, Assire spoke up of her lack of understanding. Phillipa encouraged Francesca to share their knowledge of it amongst the group.
Lara Dorren and Cregennan of Lod is a true story. Cregennan was a sorcerer and Lara was an elven sage of Elder blood. They had a romance which caused stirring and discontent between races, and led to the assassination of Cregennan. Lara died of exhaustion in the wilderness after giving birth to a daughter. The baby was saved and taken in by the Queen of Redania. The child grew to be known as Riannon, with beauty beyond any. She had many suitors and ended up marrying the young King of Redania, Goidemar. Three years after their marriage the Falka Rebellion began. Falka was the daughter of Vridank, the King of Redania, although her and her mother had been banished and forgotten. Twenty five years later she started an uprising with her claim to the throne and murdered her own father and step brothers. Falka passed into legend as a bloodthirsty wench who wished death to anyone and everyone. Riannon was captured by the rebels and held prisoner in Houtborg castle, where she had twins, a daughter and son. Eventually Falka was killed and the castle besieged and surrendered to Goidemar , who rescued his wife and children. Riannon had been driven insane, and it was discovered Falka had fallen pregnant and gave birth to a daughter who was to be raised with Riannon's children. None could tell which was Falkas child out of the “triplets” and King Goidemar wanted to know so he could kill Falka's child. Sorcerers were summoned including Tissaia and Francesca and while they discovered which was Falka's child by identifying the Elder blood of Riannon's children, they never revealed it to the King as they demanded time. The children grew up together, Amavet, Fiona, and Adela. Adela was the child of Falka, and died of the plague at seventeen while helping in the infirmary against the Kings wishes. A year later Amavet was assassinated after becoming romantically involved with a married Countess. Riannon died soon after the death of two of her children, and Fiona, the only child left, married into Cintra to become the great-great-great-grandmother of Ciri. Fiona however did not carry the Elder blood gene. Amavet did, and before his death he had impregnated the Countess Anna Kameny. Anna bore his twins, and the girl, Muriel, carried the Elder blood. Muriel married Robert, the Count of Garramore, and they had a child who became Adalia the Seer. Adalia was Queen Calanthe’s mother and Ciri’s grandmother, and the carrier of the Source but not the Elder blood gene. As far as they understood it was through unknown incest that the gene appeared back in Ciri’s mother and also in Ciri. They have no idea of how many illegitimate children may have been spawned with the gene in the century or so since Riannon's triplets. Sheala claimed they made a mistake when they had the Elder blood gene so close at hand back then. Clearly they did not want to make this mistake again. Yennifer, saying nothing, was clenching her chairs carved armrest to withhold her fury.
As the talk returned to their plan of marrying Ciri off, they hit a snag. She was in Nilfgaard. At this moment Assire declared the girl Emhyr had was a fake, something Phillipa had already discovered. The lodge was functioning she thought. Yennifer had to control herself, as she knew Ciri was not doomed yet. The ladies discussed more, especially how they need to enact revenge on Vigelfortz, someone Djikstra was busy searching for.
While raiding a burnt out castle with his men, Djikstra and the spies came across some awful horrors. Women, young women, slashed open at their pregnant bellies and their foetus removed. Another cell held chairs with stirrups to hold their legs apart. Vilgefortz was impregnating young women and removing the unborn child, most likely when he knew the girl was not magical. When he knew the girl was not Ciri.
The ladies discussed the possibility that Vilgefortz has Ciri. Where else could she be? None of them teleported her out of Thaneed. None of the kings have her. Did she manage to somehow unlock the magical portal of Tor Lara? Could she have teleported out? Sabrina scoffed at the thought of a fifteen year old possessing such powers.
Stephan Skellen, also known as Tawny Owl, was in discussion with Bonhart, a bounty hunter. He wanted Falka, Ciri, dead. He would pay 100 florins for her death. The bounty hunter knew where the Rats were heading, the Bandits trail to winter in the mountains. He would catch them in less than twenty days.
The ladies paused from their conversations for a break, to dine some more and fill up on drinks. Yennifer was agitated, clearly pondering all that had been discussed. Triss briefly tried to console her, informing her that Geralt was being healed by the dryads in Brokilon. Eventually Fringilla and Yennifer spoke alone, with no love lost between them. Fringilla knew Yennifer wanted to escape, and while she would not go against the lodge, she did somewhat aid the sorceress. Suddenly Yennifer was gone. Teleported out. How? Nobody knew for sure, but they knew why. Not to betray the lodge, merely to try find and rescue Ciri.
To be continued.......
If you would like to check out my analysis on the World of the Witcher, please follow this link here: The Witcher
While if you wish to check out my review on the first book of short stories in the Witcher series, it is available here: The Witcher: The Last Wish
Finally if you want to see what I wrote about the second book of short stories from the Witcher, it is available here: The Witcher: The Sword of Destiny
The Witcher Saga
Book 1
The Witcher Saga - Blood of Elves - Part I
The Witcher Saga - Blood of Elves - Part II
The Witcher Saga - Blood of Elves - Part III
The Witcher Saga - Blood of Elves - Part IV
Book 2
The Witcher Saga - Time of Contempt - Part I
The Witcher Saga - Time of Contempt - Part II
The Witcher Saga - Time of Contempt - Part III
The Witcher Saga - Time of Contempt - Part IV
Have a great day.
Peace. CryptoGod-1.
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