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
The Witcher Saga - Baptism of Fire - Part III
Chapter 7
Yennifer had landed in the ocean, finding herself eventually In Skellige. Ciri was still amongst the Rats, unaware that Bonhart was hunting her. Within the girl there was a deep rage and anger, a taste for death. Geralt and his company set out towards the wilderness of the Black Forest.
They were aiming for the druids as Regis had advised, all riding their own steed. Dandelion and Milva decided to question Geralt about Regis when they got the chance, as Geralt was the expert on vampires after all. They felt a fear, but Geralt reassured them not to. Regis was one of their companions and had helped them more than once. The vampire could turn invisible, was immune to fire, could put someone asleep with his gaze, and could even turn into a bat when there was a full moon. He covered himself with herbs as not to betray his identify to horses or dogs, and even Geralt's medallion did not stir at Regis’ presence. Eventually Dandelion questioned Regis on his desire for blood, which the vampire admitted was a personal matter but they need not fear as he had given up drinking blood. If it came to it, Geralt honestly did not know if he could overpower Regis and kill him, nor did he want to find out.
Eventually Regis decided he must explain more to his companions, as he can sense their unease and unwillingness to sleep in his presence. He explains how in his youthfulness he overindulged in blood and it got the better of him. That Regis would drink with his friends and use blood to give him the courage to talk with female vampires. Eventually he flew after drinking, which one never should, and got caught in a village. After being stabbed repeatedly, head chopped off, and buried alive, Regis had the time to think and reaffirm his choices. Fifty years worth of time. He had not drank blood since. He dispelled the myths that a vampire bite caused a human to turn into one. The myth that vampires are merely the undead brought back to life. Vampires were merely another form of mutation, one which had to adapt to humans. One which is not damaged by the sun, even if it is inherently a nocturnal creature. Vampires as not the evil they are thought of, nor do virgins have any effect upon them. With plenty of myths debunked, the group could rest easy with their vampire companion among them.
As they progressed and found themselves so close to Nilfgaard, it was merely across the river Yaruga, a realisation dawned on them. They were in the thick of war again. Warriors in front of them and more behind. The belief amongst them was that Nilfgaard had crossed the river, but as Milva pointed out it mattered little. None were their ally now, all sides were their foe, Nilfgaard or Temeria. Any would try kill them.
They pondered another route to Caed Dhu and the druids, and Regis suggested, albeit reluctantly, a passage through Ysgith. Geralt knew it well. Stink hole is what he called it, for it was a dangerous mud filled route of bogs and murky forests. Poisonous plants and dangerous unknown animals inhabited the thirty square miles of Ysgith, but he felt they could make it through together. They journeyed onwards until Milva stopped, having heard something. Geralt investigated and to his amazement they found Zoltan, Percival, and the dwarves. All bar Caleb, who had fallen when they were ambushed. Zoltan had also found some children and women in the commotion after the refugee camp was ambushed, and taken them under his wing. Among them was the girl accused of witchcraft. She had been badly burnt but Regis did his utmost to heal her. As they were talking she suddenly went into a hypnotic trance, saying within three days he who has spilt blood and he who has drank blood, one shall die from the other. And something will die in each of them. That which never dies shall die. Bounded in fog. In pain.
After travelling a bit further finally Zoltan informed Geralt it was time to part ways. They were going to settle down in Mahakam after all. They had encountered enough adventures and would see out the war in the safety of Mount Carbon. Zoltan gave Geralt his sword as a token of appreciation, and admitted he was not the noble dwarf Geralt took him for. He was a swindler and a thief, possibly even a murderer, but Geralt still bid him well and hoped they may cross paths again one day.
The Witcher’s and his company encountered a group of peasants some time later, a group who had been Nilfgaard prisoners until recently before a brigade led but the White Queen had set them free. That brigade were mostly cavalry, carrying out guerrilla attacks upon the rear-guard of the Nilfgaardian warriors. They rode under the banner of a lozenge, the sign of Rivia. A unit formed from the remains of the Lyria and Rivia armies pondered Cahir.
Milva pulled Regis aside to talk in private, and later he approached the remainder of the group. Milva was pregnant, and wanted a remedy for an abortion. It would leave her bedridden for days, and quite weakened. Cahir agreed with Milva if she really wanted it, as in Nilfgaard it was always the woman’s choice. Regis the same. Dandelion seemed to have no issue but was confused as to why Geralt had such issues with the whole situation. Eventually Geralt knew what to do, and he went to talk to Milva. She knew she was pregnant when she followed him from Brokilon but she followed him anyway. She recalled how he said he owed her and would be there for a shoulder to lean on if she needed it down the line. She needed it now and when he hugged her she lost all the hardiness of a warrior and was like a little frightened girl. He comforted her as she explained how she fell pregnant when helping a group of Elves back to Brokilon. She did not know which one was the father. Geralt explained how he could not help her, how he could not repay her for helping him with Ciri. How he lost something he could not replace. Little did the Witcher know, he had just helped Milva decided to keep her child. They set out the following morning and Milva was in a very cheerful mood.
Geralt pulled Regis aside and informed him they would no longer risk going through Ysgith, not with a pregnant woman among them. They would cross the river and travel along the far bank, before crossing back near Caed Dhu. They found a ferry and a ferry man who reluctantly agreed to smuggle them across the Yaruga to the Nilfgaardian side. As they were crossing, suddenly a band of horsemen appeared at their destination. They were bearing the symbol of Lyria, but in panic the ferryman cut the ropes. The horsemen started shooting, and Geralt managed to save Dandelion by deflecting two arrows with his sword. They used the poles to push away from the horsemen but as they moved down the rapids they encountered a bigger problem. Nilfgaards on the other bank. They were shooting arrows at the ferry now, and Regis got hit. Milva released a flurry of arrows and even hit the Nilfgaardian officer, but it would take more than a bit of wood to kill a vampire. The ferry continued getting dragged along in the current and the Nilfgaardian's gave chase. They were caught in the middle of a battle, and seemingly had taken away the Lyrians means of escape for their Queen. It was good they had, as she would have sailed right into Nilfgaardian troops.
They continued down the river and eventually heard no sound of pursuing riders. Soon they happened upon a bridge at the Red Port, where thousands of logs being felled by Nilfgaardian slaves were stored. It was the Nordlings and not the Nilfgaardians who occupied the bridge as they approached. Dandelion tried to call out they were on the same side but to little effect, as the crossbow men atop the bridge opened fire. The ferryman was killed along with all the horses. As they jumped off the ferry the horror that Milva was miscarrying hit them. Regis tended to her, while Geralt and Cahir got to the bridge. They would help the Nordlings hold off the attacking Nilfgaardians as long as they could. Cahir mustered the men as well as he could, even though they were few left in number. The Nilfgaardians broke through and onto the bridge, with Geralt and Cahir leading the defence against them. They battled bravely and fiercely, Geralt having never taken part in such a cramped and close quarters battle. The great battle for the bridge on the Yaruga was won by Geralt and his warriors, but not without a heavy cost of battle.
The bridge had been felled to stop any further Nilfgaardian attacks or advancements. The Lyrian Army had arrived as they held the bridge, forcing the Nilfgaardian's to flee. Geralt had saved the Queen in their eyes. Geralt was approached by a woman in a suit of armour, with hair almost as pale as his own. It was Meve, Queen of Lyria and Rivia. She asked Geralt if he led the heroic defence of the bridge on the Yaruga. It just seemed to happened was Geralts response. The Queen decided to bestow upon Geralt a knighthood, claiming him as Geralt of Rivia, something which made the Witcher smile a devilish smile for he had only chosen Rivia as his place name by mere chance long ago in the company of Vesemir.
Final thoughts
Our heroes have all been split into their our bands, their own companies. Geralt, along with Dandelion, is travelling South to find Ciri, even if he must enter the deaths of Nilfgaard. They are lucky to be accompanied by an accomplished archer named Milva and a vampire named Regis, along with the Nilfgaard who is not a Nilfgaard named Cahir. Ciri is travelling with the Rats but missing her old companions, saddened that they have not tried to find her. Yennifer, having been imprisoned in a statue by Francesca, is back and ready to seek vengeance for Ciri. This book is full of action, adventure, and exciting new locations and characters. We get another glimpse of how Geralt interacts with non humans when he is faced with Zoltan or with Regis. We see how Ciri is a hardened warrior but still just a girl who missing those who once cared for her. The sorceresses show they have not changed since Thaneed, and still aim to manipulate and scheme, even trying to drag Yennifer on board. Geralt is weak and helpless without those he was once fondest of, but his new fellowship proves to be exactly what he need. He battles bravely and relies on his on skills along with that of those around him to traverse the difference terrain and encounters that befall them. War is harsh. War is unforgiving. War is not easy, but even Dandelion can be a brave warrior when needed. They are united in their goals of finding Ciri and will not stop in their pursuit to help the girl. With the world falling more and more under the demands of Nilfgaard, only a few can stand up against the might of the black warriors. In doing so, Geralt earns a knighthood and really becomes Geralt of Rivia, all by showing his strength, bravery, courage, and vulnerability in his quest. Ciri needs him more than ever but their paths are still far apart, and with Yennifer back on the playing field anything is possible. Hope is not lost for Ciri, even with Nilfgaard employing as many spies and assassins as possible to hunt her down and eliminate the girl.
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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