I remember losing hope

The prospects of getting to see Rene again, alone, made her heart soar beyond measure. It was risky of course, anything they did was, but with the right words, perhaps they could just pull it off. Regardless of the risk, she wanted it, no, needed it. She was tired of being miserable, tired of playing it safe. She’d rather die than be without Rene, though the problem was less her own death and more what Geralt would do to her loved ones and friends. Because he knew it would be more unbearable for her to see them to be punished for her deeds than punish her directly.

What trouble indeed. With the right coin we may be able to pay off one of his sparrows. They’ve proven to be more trustworthy to me than to him, but only when there’s something in it for them. Sparrows, what Geralt called his little spies. Claude was his prize sparrow, a title she did not cherish. The thought of passing messages in the crosswords also peaked her interest. Any contact she could have with Rene would be a ray of sunshine to her bleak winter days.

Baroness Arlange will support us, since her husband died she’s proven to be an ally to us and has broken ties with Geralt and the LaRues. Her tone at the mention of Baron Arlange’s death was clear, the death wasn’t natural but orchestrated by the Baroness herself because of the abusive tyrant that he was. They needed every ally they could get if they were going to outplay him at the game.