‘Nonsense,’ coughed Codringher, looking intently into his handkerchief. ‘A sorcerer spying for
Nilfgaard? Why? For money? Risible. Counting on serious power under the rule of the victorious
Emperor Emhyr? Even more ludicrous. It’s no secret that Emhyr var Emreis keeps his sorcerers on a
short leash. Sorcerers in Nilfgaard are treated about the same as, let’s say, stablemen. And they have
no more power than stablemen either. Would any of our headstrong mages choose to fight for an
emperor who would treat them as a stable boy? Philippa Eilhart, who dictates addresses and edicts to
Vizimir of Redania? Sabrina Glevissig, who interrupts the speeches of Henselt of Kaedwen, banging
her fist on the table and ordering the king to be silent and listen? Vilgefortz of Roggeveen, who
recently told Demavend of Aedirn that, for the moment, he has no time for him?’