Ep. 77 — Chapter 1 from "Time of Contempt"
John aka Softie from the UK joins Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Time of Contempt, Chapter 1. Very important bits include: the life and times of a royal messenger, sly historical references, and the correct way to wear a squirrel’s tail.
This episode is available at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Stitcher.
In this Episode
[00:00] Cold Open
[01:23] Introduction
[03:20] Guest Introduction
[08:47] Chapter 1 Recap
[11:53] Overall Thoughts
[23:13] Transitioning between Books
[28:26] On Aplegatt’s Role
[41:39] On “Modern Witchers”
[45:18] Codringer’s False Ciri
[49:59] The Scoia’tael Fight for Freedom
[1:01:14] Wrap-up
[1:14:30] Outro
[1:19:04] End Credits
Relevant Links
Transcript
Cold Open
Transcript to come.
[Breakfast in Beauclair theme music by Alex Berner]
Introduction
ALYSSA: Welcome to Breakfast in Beauclair, a global Witcher Podcast. My name is Alyssa from GoodMorhen, and I’ll be your host as you, I, and our international hanza accompany Geralt of Rivia and his destiny, Cirilla of Cintra, across the Continent.
[Announcements]
Welcome to Season 5 of Breakfast in Beauclair, in which we’ll be covering Netflix’s ‘The Witcher’ Season 3. We’ll circle back around to Andrzej Sapkowski’s Time of Contempt for Season 6. If you’re new to the podcast, hello! I’m Alyssa, I’ve been hosting and producing this podcast about The Witcher books and show for the last four years. Breakfast in Beauclair provides a uniquely international lens on the series by hosting discussions with guests from all around the world.
Season 3, Part 2 Discussion Party: Saturday, July 29, 11AM PST / 2PM EST / 7PM GMT / 8PM CET in the Hanza Discord at bit.ly/thehanzadiscord.
Vienna Hanza Meetup: Our next stop on the Hanza Meetup tour after Belfast, Boston, and Melbourne is Vienna! Join us in Austria from October 20-23, 2023 and check the Hanza Discord for travel details.
[Patron Announcements]
This episode we’re welcoming Overbeck from New Zealand to the hanza on Patreon! Thanks as always to our podcast patrons over on Patreon and our producer-level patrons: Katie (The Redhead of Toussaint), Jacob B., Bee Haven of the Edge of the World, Charlotte from Vengerberg Glamarye, The Original Roach, Codringher’s Cat, Libby, John of Ryblia, Tom from Australia, Jill Cate, The Tabby Witch, James Carson III, Miriam of Temeria, and Softie.
If you’ve enjoyed the last seasons of Breakfast in Beauclair, consider supporting the show on Patreon! Monetary support for the show goes toward hosting and website services, episode transcriptions for Deaf and hard-of-hearing members of our community, original music for the podcast, original artwork, recording equipment, and more. Learn more about donating to the show at patreon.com/breakfastinbeauclair.
[Episode Details]
John aka Softie from the UK calls in for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Time of Contempt, Chapter 1. Very important bits include: the life and times of a royal messenger, sly historical references, and the correct way to wear a squirrel’s tail.
Without further ado, let’s get to our discussion of Time of Contempt, Chapter 1.
Discussion
[Breakfast in Beauclair stinger by Alex Berner]
Transcript to come.
ALYSSA: Today, we’ll begin our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Time of Contempt with Chapter 1, in which we follow Aplegatt, a royal messenger, on his travels across the Northern Kingdoms as Geralt of Rivia learns more about the looming threats to his ward, Cirilla of Cintra. Here’s a quick synopsis of the chapter from future Alyssa:
ALYSSA (VOICEOVER): In Chapter 1, Aplegatt, a royal messenger, dutifully delivers important messages between kingdoms. Through his travels, it’s clear the political landscape on the Continent has become more unstable since Blood of Elves: kings openly distrust mages, war hangs in the air, the Lion Cub of Cintra is presumed dead, and the Northern Realms are preparing to provoke Nilfgaard under a false flag campaign. Along the way, Aplegatt encounters Yennefer and Ciri, who have left the Temple of Melitele in Ellander, and Geralt, who has returned to the Path, hunting monsters for coin. In a bizarre encounter, Ciri prophesies the messenger’s death.
Meanwhile, Geralt pays a visit to Codringer, a “lawyer” in Dorian whose true specialty is information and “problem solving”. In exchange for payment, Codringer presents findings about Rience, the mysterious sorcerer who has been hunting for Ciri. Rience was kicked out of Ban Ard before being recruited into the Kaedweni secret service. He served time in Cintra for debts under Calanthe’s rule, but was released when an anonymous benefactor paid off his debts with interest. Codringer hypothesizes that Rience must be in the service of another sorcerer and that the Nilfgaardian secret service may be attempting to turn this Northern mage by recruiting Rience as well. However, the threats to Ciri don’t end there. Codringer informs Geralt that Foltest of Temeria’s secret service tried contracting him to find Ciri and Geralt, but he fed them false information that Ciri died three years ago in a refugee camp after the first Nilfgaardian war.
Codringer introduces his business partner, Fenn, to Geralt and they discuss Ciri’s importance on the Continent and Calanthe’s legacy/influence on Ciri’s future. (Also a short story recap for readers.) Codringer and Fenn want to spread the rumor that Ciri may not be used to seize Cintra, thus making her useless to both the Northern Kingdoms and Nilfgaard.
Geralt challenges Codringer to research “Child of the Elder Blood”, but can’t afford the high price for the information. Codringer advises Geralt to cut ties with Ciri and hide away in Kaer Morhen, but the witcher refuses to abandon his ward… instead Codringer proposes leaving another Cintran war orphan to pose as Cirilla for the kingdoms and empire to hunt. Geralt also refuses.
Geralt learns from Codringher that three hired sellswords are after Yennefer and Ciri, trailing them on their way to the Conclave of Mages in Thanedd: Ralf Blunden (“The Professor”), Heimo Cantor, and Little Yaxa.
Geralt bets Codringher for the translations of the elven manuscripts and the information on the Child of the Elder Blood on credit.
While dining in a tavern, Aplegatt finally meets Geralt as the witcher stakes out the trio hunting Yennefer and Ciri… the messenger overhears the men questioning the innkeeper before they’re called out to the yard by Geralt… and to their deaths.
Aplegatt gives Dijkstra of Redania a message from Demavend of Aedirn that the disguised troops are ready and the Lion Cub is dead. Dijkstra replies back that Demavend must hold back the disguised troops for fear of a true provocation with Nilfgaard in Dol Angra. Aplegatt mentions Geralt’s slaughter at the inn on the road to Thanedd. However, before he can deliver the critical message to Aedirn to stop the campaign, Aplegatt is killed on the road by a Scoia’tael commando, just as Ciri prophesied.
Transcript to come.
Outro & Credits
[Breakfast in Beauclair theme music by Alex Berner]
ALYSSA: Thanks for joining us at the breakfast table! For show notes, transcripts of each episode, and a complete list of our social platforms and listening services, head over to breakfastinbeauclair.com.
Breakfast in Beauclair is created by Alyssa from GoodMorhen. It’s hosted by Alyssa with the “Tidings from Toussaint” News Segment by Lars from WitcherFlix. The show is edited by Alyssa with music by Alex Berner.
Breakfast in Beauclair is produced by Alyssa in New York City with Katie (The Redhead of Toussaint), Jacob B., Bee Haven of the Edge of the World, Charlotte from Vengerberg Glamarye, The Original Roach, Codringher’s Cat, Libby, John of Ryblia, Tom from Australia, Jill Cate, The Tabby Witch, James Carson III, Miriam of Temeria, and Softie.
Special thanks to Softie for joining us for this episode and our international hanza for their support.
Transcriptionist: Charlie Lim
Editor: John Matthew Sarong, Krizia Marrie Casil