Contains spoilers for this episode and earlier episodes.
Geralt reaches Temeria to investigate a creature that has killed miners and another witcher. Triss Merigold asks him to lift its curse rather than kill it. Their search leads into King Foltest's family: the striga is the daughter born from his relationship with his sister Adda. Letters and Geralt's observations expose Ostrit's jealousy. He cursed Foltest, but the consequences fell on the child growing inside Adda, leaving the princess trapped in a monstrous form.
Geralt takes Ostrit to the abandoned castle and uses him as bait. After the striga kills him, the witcher must survive until morning while keeping her out of her crypt. Chains fail to hold her, and the fight leaves Geralt battered. He finally occupies the tomb himself and seals its lid. Dawn restores the princess's human body, although she still attacks and wounds him before Triss tends to his injuries. His payment follows a rescue rather than an execution.
At Aretuza, Yennefer learns that Istredd disclosed her elven ancestry, damaging her planned appointment to Aedirn. She rejects his offer of a quieter life and demands a painful transformation, accepting the loss of her ability to bear children. She then enters the initiation ball and wins King Virfuril's attention. Ciri, still travelling with Dara, hears voices calling from a forest and follows them despite the danger.