The third episode of The Witcher Season 4 commences with Yen discovering Francesca, the elven queen, indulging in aimless days of drinking and slumber. Unwilling to engage in combat anymore, Francesca is nonetheless kidnapped by Yen. Her fury is quelled by the soothing presence of Philippa. Meanwhile, Yen hosts a mages' conclave, inviting all remaining witches, including Ciri, who embarks on her first heist: a swift and deft highway robbery targeting Gilda Casadei, a haughty Nilfgaardian noblewoman. Despite the Rats' involvement, Gilda remains mired in her delusional arrogance, fueling Ciri's desire to shatter her illusions. Ciri plays with Gilda's emotions, disregarding Mistle's warnings, leading them to the brink of capture by the soldiers.
As Geralt's group stumbles upon a refugee camp, they reunite with Yarpen while Beata finds her family. However, she and her sister, Talver, are falsely accused and put on trial as witches. Geralt's rage boils over at the thought of violence against the innocent, but Regis reasons that not all solutions lie in bloodshed. Vilgefortz utilizes a Monolith portal to recruit other mages, requiring their Chaos for power. Many mages do not survive the process. Fringilla, a master strategist, is relieved of her portal duties.
The Rats decide to indulge in merrymaking at a fair. Kayleigh tries to caution Mistle about Ciri's mischief, but she is unfazed. Ciri attempts to enjoy herself but realizes she is being watched. She also notices the Rats' leader, Gis, and Kayleigh engaged in an argument with someone. Mistle dismisses it as trivial.
Back at Yen's meeting, things do not progress smoothly as the mages show little concern for Ciri's safety from Vilgefortz. It is Francesca who finally speaks up, revealing Ciri's lineage: the descendant of Lara Dorren, a powerful elf capable of forging alliances between humans and elves. Ciri's powers hold the potential to rule over both races and the entire continent. Francesca agrees to help, refusing to let anyone else be used as a pawn. We also see that Fringilla is a spy, updating Yen on the portal's activities in secret.
The witch trial scene unfolds with Geralt demanding a trial by combat but his smile fades when the priest reveals that there is already a trial of ordeal: if anyone can pick up a burning horseshoe without getting burned, the girls will be deemed innocent. While the group looks worried, Regis effortlessly lifts the horseshoe. Geralt doesn't have time to process this as Nilfgaardian soldiers attack the refugee camp. Beata is killed, and Geralt is knocked unconscious in the chaos.
Mistle and Ciri are about to get their matching tattoos when suddenly, Casadei's hired goons make their move, closing in on them. Despite knowing who Ciri is, the goons are cut down before they can even utter a word, Ciri proving her prowess in combat.
Meanwhile, Emhyr confronts Vilgefortz over the latter's betrayal, revealing the truth about the impostor. The two former friends argue over the ownership of Ciri, with Vilgefortz disdainfully strolling away, convinced that Emhyr is no match for him.
Xarthisius delves into the prophecy, one that foretells of a ruler who will emerge from the union of Emhyr and Ciri. Skellen, eager to undermine the Cintran forces, suggests announcing their engagement. Emhyr agrees, but with a stern warning: find Ciri before the wedding or face the consequences.
However, Skellen's loyalty is not to be trusted. In secret meetings with the Nilfgaardian ministers, he reveals his true intentions—to overthrow Emhyr. And when he meets with Leo, a witcher hunter with a penchant for the dark arts, it becomes clear that Gilda's attacker was indeed no coincidence. Skellen believes it to be Ciri, and he orders Leo to track down the Rats and eliminate them all, Ciri included.
The episode ends with a sense of foreboding, as Skellen's machinations threaten to upend the delicate balance of power in this world of magic and intrigue.
