At the Temple of Melitele, Ciri, Eurneid, and Iola the Second discuss rumors of another war with Nilfgaard. Ciri visits Jarre, a 16-year-old scribe and the only boy at the Temple. She asks Jarre about the war, and he tries to kiss her while they look at maps. Ciri scolds him harshly and tells him she and Yennefer are leaving soon. Ciri meets Yennefer in their chambers. Yennefer reminds Ciri to stay away from Jarre, as he is smart enough to figure out who she really is.

The narrative flashes back to when Yennefer first came to the Temple, some time after Ciri’s arrival. Ciri thinks Yennefer is very beautiful and is frustrated that she talks about her like she is not there. Mother Nenneke scolds Yennefer for being unkind to Ciri and says Ciri is not Yennefer’s rival for Geralt. Later, Ciri and Yennefer argue about whether Ciri is cut out to be a magician. Ciri eventually agrees to do Yennefer’s tests. They take a break outside one afternoon, and Yennefer tells Ciri she knew she could be a magician when Ciri recognized the faint magical activity in the necklace Yennefer wears.