Uprooted

Content Warning: This section includes discussion of graphic violence and death.

The wizards run to the ballroom where the king is hosting a party to celebrate the return of Crown Prince Sigmund. In the center of the room, Marek stands with the queen and Kasia and demands that Solya perform the tests of corruption before the entire audience. The king watches, clearly angry. Agnieszka knows that he cannot refuse without revealing his secret plan to execute them. The trial begins. Solya, the Willow, and the archbishop perform tests and testify to the king. They state that they can find no signs of corruption. Solya, who supports Marek, is firm in his defense of the queen. The Willow and archbishop are equivocal, refusing to swear conclusively that she is clean.

Then Marek calls for Agnieszka. She can see that the king has already decided to declare both the queen and Kasia corrupted. She also knows that Alosha and Ballo will use the bestiary book as proof against her. Hoping to bring the audience to her side and make them feel part of the story, she weaves an illusion spell that recreates the moments in the Wood when they rescued the queen.