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 sixth book from The Witcher series, and the fourth of The Witcher Saga, by Andrzej Sapkowski, entitled The Tower of the Swallow. 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 six part series for this book, so keep an eye out for the remaining parts to follow.
Previous Parts to this Book
The Witcher Saga - The Tower of the Swallow - Part I
The Witcher Saga - The Tower of the Swallow - Part II
The Witcher Saga - The Tower of the Swallow - Part III
Chapter 7
Regis explained all to Cahir and Geralt. How Angoulême had reached them and informed them of the fighting, and immediately they made for Toussaint. There Regis encountered his old friend, a woman, who was now one of the highest ranking members of the druids. The Flaminika. She knew of everything and had been expecting them, and Dandelion, Milva, and Angoulême were safely staying with the druids at Myrkvid in Toussaint. Regis was to instruct Geralt to enter a cave beneath the mountains. He would enter without weapons, as a humble man looking for answers. If he truly abandoned his Witcher ways in aim of rescuing that which was taken from him, he would endure the sacrifice. The humility. Even in the perilous depths beneath Gorgon.
Geralt entered the cave, full of stalagmites and stalactites. It was also occupied by barbegazis and numerous other creatures. They goaded and attacked him with insults, one even punched Geralt in the face after he had gentle kicked away a creature which shat on his boot. Eventually a voice boomed through the cavern and called Geralt to go to him. The voice belonged to an elf, named Crevan Espane aep Caomhan Macha, or Avallac’h for short. He was a sage, a knowing one. He was painting a Bison being hunted by man, giving lay to the idea of old cave painting. Through use of elven magic he brought Geralt beyond the wall and into a cave full of paintings, the history of the elves.
Avallac’h explains to Geralt his belief in the prophecy of Ithlinne. The prophecy which foretold the war of the South rising against the North. That the lands will be covered in ice and snow, and only the elves who follow the swallow, child of Elder Blood, will survive. He explains how Ciri is a mutant, possessing the power of her ancestor Lara Dorren. Avallac’h explains how it is too late for Geralt to save Ciri, for she is powerful enough to save herself, and will find the help she needs from someone else. He also explains how Geralt will only make things worse if he pursues her. Avallac’h explained to Geralt how he will lose on of his companions in his need to find Ciri. Even when he does find her, it will be but for a moment, before she is lost to him forever. Thousands will die from these actions. Geralt does not care. He is show a vision by Avallac’h of his friends in danger at Caed Myrkvid. He needs to return to save them before it’s too late.
Avallac’h arranged for the Knocker, the creature which punched Geralt, to speedily and hastily take him to Caed Myrkvid, faster than any mount could. After a breadth taking journey through the mountains, they arrived at the forest to encounter an unnatural fog. As Geralt entered the forest he encountered corpses, those of pilgrims. Nightingale and Schirrú had sent their men here to kill, and even some druids lay amongst the dead. Geralt happened upon a Chequered Knight, who would not reveal his name or arms, but was also fighting the bandits in the forest.
Together they reached the clearing where the bandits and Nilfgaardians were attacking the pilgrims. To their luck, the comrades of the Chequered Knight arrived on their Calvary and fought the attackers. Nightingale and Schirrú managed to escape with other bandits across a stream and into more of the forest, but Geralt, now reunited with Milva, Angoulême, and Dandelion, would not let them escape. The knights could not follow into that sacred land, but were determined to bring Dandelion to Beauclair Castle. The Duchess of Tameria, Lady Henarietta, would welcome them. She would be especially pleased to see Dandelion, known as Viscount Julian to the knights in Termeria. Geralt informed the knights they would go there only after finding Schirrú, but once Dandelion learnt that Duke Raymund had died he was happy to leave his comrades to their pursuit as he made haste to Beauclair Castle.
As Geralt, Angoulême and Milva trekked further into the forest, suddenly they encountered a living tree heading towards them. It caught them in its twisted branches, along with its other prisoners. Guided by a druidess, they were brought by the tree to a clearing. Geralt called to Flaminka that he was an ally of Regis and the tree released him and his comrades. In the centre of the clearing was the famed box where the druids apparently burnt alive those they caught. Lies and horror tales, but having caught these criminals on their land, the druids decided to make the tales come true. Geralt pleaded for Schirrú and Nightingale to be freed as he needed information from them, but it was not to be. The pyres were lit and Geralt could only watch on as the information he was chasing died along with the criminals who were burnt alive. In the midst of it all was his Witcher Medallion, lost to the flames. He was no longer a Witcher, had not been since Thanedd, Brokilon, the bridge on the Yaruga, and in the cave beneath Gorgon. Here in Myrkvid Forest he finally accepted it.
Chapter 8
Djikstra is in Kovir, the sovereign nation to the North. Once considered a wasteland, hidden beneath its soil were riches aplenty, especially gold. The Koviran's built up their city and fortress wall beyond anything the other kingdoms had expected, and were determined to become their own state. They never considered themselves a vassal of Redania, and only once King Radovid had tried to impose his state on Kovir did the outside world learn the power it had become. Long since then had Kovir been it’s own state, with a huge city and a powerful army paid wealthy sums, the city Lan Exeter was built on canals and its street fronts full of narrow houses. It lived by the motto of open seas and free trade. Djikstra was there to pay visit to the mister of foreign affairs in the Palace Ensenada.
After being led through the winding corridors by a major domo, Djikstra was astonished to enter a room to be greeted by King Esterad Thyssen of Kovir, and his wife Queen Zuleyka. Straight to business, the King asks how much Dijkstra had planned to bribe the minister with, and was impressed with his honest answer. As the conversation moves along, eventually they get down to business. Djikstra is looking for a million bizants to help fund Redania against Nilfgaard. Esterad scrutinises the spy, but compliments him for the journey Djikstra has undertaken in his aim to defend Redania. They go over to a tapestry, which Esterad magically transforms into a map and zooms into the Yaruga Valley and the Four Kingdoms. The King explains how precarious the situation is, and as it is now the 26th of October, Nilfgaard has already occupied Sodden and Brugge. They have taken Razvan and Mayena. Temeria’s army defeated and the pact with Foltest broken after only sixteen days. Maribor besieged, but it will hold out for winter. Esterad reveals to Djikstra what he believes Emhyr will do come the springtime.
Cantarella is informing Assire of all she learnt from Vattier. The Emhyr had plans to attack Temeria. They would strike, while flanking Kaedwen from Aedirn. The aim is to bind King Henselts army and ensure no help can reach Temeria. Similarly Tawny Owl is missing. No word has been heard from him, or from Vattiers informant within his group, Neratin Ceka. Canteralla informs Assire of everything and pleads to give up her role as Vattiers lover so she can return to her studies. Not yet, soon she will be finished her task. Fringilla is in Toussaint, and later that evening Assire contacts Philippa in Montecalvo to inform her of all she has learnt.
Esterad reminded Djikstra of the treaty of peace his grandfather signed with Nilfgaard long ago. Within the treaty it stipulates that Kovir would not aid Nilfgaardian enemies with money. The troops of Redania and Temeria would probably last about as long as Demawend and Meve did. They would crumble. Djikstra and Phillipa had a plan to get more well drilled cavalry but it would be costly. Kovir did not plan on breaking its treaty, even knowing that Nilfgaard would break theirs and turn their attention to the North after defeating the other states. Esterad would not loan Redania the money, there were too many agents from Nilfgaard within his court. They would find another way.
When Esterad and Zuleyka were in bed discussing what to do regarding Djikstra, Zuleyka read passages to her husband from the “Good Book.” Within were sage old wisdom and advice from prophets such as Lebioda. Esterad needed a solution to ensure Redania could withstand Nilfgaard with being the one to give the solution. He had been dreaming of late, strange dreams, where his witch mother was informing him that his son, Tankred, should marry Ciri. The girl Emhyr was to marry. Complicating times. He needed to ponder it all over.
Esterad came up with a great plan thanks to the "Good Book" his wife Queen Zuleyka read. The hierarch of Novigrad had gotten the million for his shares in the maritime trade company, the ones set up with active cooperation from Nilfgaard. Basically Nilfgaard were helping to reinforce the condottieri who Redania. The money allowed then to create a huge army, including some prisoners released and pardoned by Esterad for them to join in the cause. Kovir remained neutral and never broke their treaty. He gave Djikstra a toy solider from his grandson, informing him anybody who shows him the same down the line will be Esterad's emissary.
Sheala de Tancarville and Queen Zuleyka were deep in conversation. All had gone to plan. It was Sheala who was making King Esterad dream of Ciri. Having ensured the King got Redania the money, Sheala would ensure Prince Tankred would return to his studies and stop chasing skirts. Queen Zuleyka wanted her boy to stop spending time around the undesirables and did whatever it took to make sure he had a good life. Sheala made sure to inform Philippa of their success.
Esterad and Djikstra conversed more before the spy was to return to Redania. The King warned the spy that his reputation would be his undoing. That he was seen as a werewolf drinking blood. The one day it would come back to get him, like the King of Redania before him. Dijkstra smiled and noted it’s easier to stab a king than a spy. Esterad agreed, and claimed there ought to be some justice in this world. In time, both men would recall that conversation at the moments of their death. Esterad, as three assassins stabbed him twenty times while he protected his wife from them. Djikstra, as he listened to the steps of approaching assassins from all sides within his castle approaching him.
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
Book 3
The Witcher Saga - Baptism of Fire - Part I
The Witcher Saga - Baptism of Fire - Part II
The Witcher Saga - Baptism of Fire - Part III
The Witcher Saga - Baptism of Fire - Part IV
Have a great day.
Peace. CryptoGod-1.
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