Contains spoilers for this episode and earlier episodes.
Yennefer discovers her magic while escaping an assault, opening a portal that brings her to Istredd. He helps her return home, but the journey draws Tissaia de Vries to her village. Tissaia buys her from her stepfather for four marks and takes her to Aretuza. Yennefer struggles with lessons that require both power and control, and her frustration erupts during an exercise with lightning. Tissaia's interest in her does not make the school a welcoming refuge.
Istredd becomes someone Yennefer can speak to outside those lessons. Their growing intimacy is complicated by the information each passes to a teacher. Yennefer also sees what happens to pupils who will not advance: Tissaia turns them into eels, and Yennefer helps put them into the pool that feeds the school's magic. Her own chance to remain human and become a sorceress comes with a much clearer view of the institution holding her.
Geralt meets Jaskier in Posada and reluctantly acquires a travelling companion. A supposed devil stealing grain turns out to be the sylvan Torque, helping displaced elves. Captured by Filavandrel's group, Geralt argues against killing them and leaves alive with the bard. Ciri meanwhile finds temporary shelter among Cintran refugees. An attack destroys that safety, and the elf Dara helps her escape into the woods again.