Ep. 108 — Chapter 3 from "Tower of Swallows"
Content warning: This episode discusses miscarriage and loss of pregnancy. Listener discretion is advised.
Kitty from the US and Kyle R. from the US join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Tower of Swallows, Chapter 3. Very important bits include: Sirens of the Deep/raunchy Little Mermaid retellings, the framing narrative and Half a Century of Poetry, Milva’s grief following her miscarriage, Cahir’s trustworthiness (and positive reinforcement over survival), “the waist is as low as we go,” Gwent and the sprawling Nilfgaardian spy network, and Hannibal Lector, gynocologist.
This episode is available at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Stitcher.
In this Episode
[0:00] Cold Open
[1:16] Introduction
[3:11] Guest Introductions
[16:46] Chapter Recap
[18:39] Overall Thoughts
[24:22] Memoir Framing Narrative
[32:44] Milva’s Miscarriage and Grief
[42:06] Geralt’s Doubt and Cahir’s Loyalty
[48::20] Yennefer’s Fate
[53:24] Nilfgaardian Intelligence
[1:01:13] The Beekeepers and the Hanza
[1:06:23] Closing Thoughts
[1:10:58] Outro
[1:12:09] End Credits
Relevant Links
Transcript
Cold Open
ALYSSA: This episode discusses miscarriage and loss of pregnancy. Listener discretion is advised.
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]
Andrzej Sapkowski’s Crossroads of Ravens: Discuss the book in the Hanza Discord and find questions our members asked Sapkowski on the BIB social media channels.
Lengthy Tangent is Crowdfunding! Outside of ‘Breakfast in Beauclair’, I also work on a number of audio fiction series as an actor, producer, and story developer. Support the campaign at igg.me/at/lengthytangent2025
[Patron Announcements]
This episode we welcome Sydna to our hanza on Patreon. Thank you to our patrons and our producer-level patrons: Katie (The Redhead of Toussaint), Jacob B., Charlotte from Vengerberg Glamarye, The Original Roach, Libby, John of Ryblia, Tom from Australia, Jill Cate, The Tabby Witch, Olle from Sweden, James Carson III, Miriam of Temeria, Softie, Lisa C.
If you’d like to learn more about supporting Breakfast in Beauclair, visit patreon.com/breakfastinbeauclair.
[Episode Details]
As for this episode, Kitty from the US and Kyle R. from the US call in for Andrzej Sapkowski’s Tower of Swallows, Chapter 3. Join us as we discuss Sirens of the Deep/raunchy Little Mermaid retellings, the framing narrative and Half a Century of Poetry, Milva’s grief following her miscarriage, Cahir’s trustworthiness (and positive reinforcement over survival), “the waist is as low as we go,” Gwent and the sprawling Nilfgaardian spy network, and Hannibal Lector, gynocologist.
Without further ado, let’s get to our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Tower of Swallows, Chapter 1.
Discussion
[Breakfast in Beauclair stinger by Alex Berner]
Transcript to come.
ALYSSA (VOICEOVER):
Chapter 3 frames its tale through Dandelion’s future memoir, Half a Century of Poetry, recalling the company’s flight from Queen Meve’s army after the Battle of the Bridge. Though the Northerners were victorious, the cost was heavy: Milva suffered a miscarriage, and Geralt was both knighted and conscripted for his valor. Each member of the company is wanted for one reason or another: Geralt by intelligence services on both sides following Thanedd, Dandelion for espionage, Milva for aiding Scoia’tael, and Cahir as a wanted Nilfgaardian agent. And then there’s Regis, the vampire.
Unwilling to follow Meve’s army further, the group deserts, raiding supplies, and stealing fresh horses and a mule named Draakul. Dandelion dreams of Yennefer. While in Skellige, Triss tries to track Yennefer only to be told that she had taken her own life.
Meanwhile, in Nilfgaard, Emperor Emhyr var Emhris berates the head of his intelligence services, Viscount Vattier de Rideaux for failures to locate Ciri, Vilgefortz, or Cahir. In secret dealings, Rience offers Vattier Cahir’s head in exchange for information on Tawny Owl, while Vattier’s mistress, Cantarella, secretly passes his state secrets to the sorceress Assire var Anahid.
Geralt’s meandering company later accepts hospitality from a beekeeper. The beekeeper’s fellow villagers beg them for armed escort to the Slopes, claiming that the displaced druids may be found there. Without a better direction, the company reluctantly joins them. All the while, Dandelion continues drafting his memoir.
The chapter closes with a far-future epilogue: archaeologists in Beauclair discover medieval relics, including a scroll case bearing the emblem of Rivia. Disappointed to discover that the case only holds paper and not valuable treasure, thieves burn its contents.
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. The show is edited by Alyssa and Caleb Buys with music by Alex Berner.
Breakfast in Beauclair is produced by Alyssa in New York City with Katie (The Redhead of Toussaint), Jacob B., Charlotte from Vengerberg Glamarye, The Original Roach, Libby, John of Ryblia, Tom from Australia, Jill Cate, The Tabby Witch, Olle from Sweden, James Carson III, Miriam of Temeria, Softie, Lisa C., and Sydna.
Special thanks to Kitty and Kyle for joining us for this episode and our international hanza for their support.
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