Two knights in the service of Duke Hereward, who controls the region, arrive at the Cult of Melitele. The knights demand Geralt’s immediate departure from the temple. Nenneke refuses—she governs the temple grounds. Geralt tries to reason with the knights, but recognizes his mistake when he sees their hatred of him—it is the knights, not Duke Hereward, who want him gone. They depart, but not before nearly coming to blows. 

Geralt arrives in the town of Blaviken looking for a reward for a kikimora he has slain from an old friend, the alderman Caldemeyn. Unfortunately, there is no reward because no one knew there was a kikimora. They are about to throw the kikimora into the cesspool when one of the town guards suggests bringing it to Master Irion, a wizard living outside of town.

When Geralt enters the wizard’s tower, he recognizes Stregobor, whom Geralt has known for years. Stregobor fled to Blaviken under an assumed name in order to escape someone who wants to murder him. However, he believes she has found him, and asks Geralt for help.

After an eclipse many years ago, a number of girls were born monstrous in appearance and in nature because of the Curse of the Black Sun, also known as the Mania of Mad Eltibald.