[ That wondering aloud that's not quite an existential crisis but close enough to it: Claude's not really expecting an answer. Or rather, the answer he expects to get is another variation of what he'd mentioned of why wonder at all? There's logic in that, he's sure, but he has always loved a puzzle more than anything else.

Luckily, that's just what Geralt presents him with. Another twig destined for the fire is in his hand but he rests it against the ground as the other man speaks. A frown flits over his face at yet another reminder of Thorne's wrongs. ]

I've heard about Thorne's questionable hospitality towards those they chose to bring here. [ It's slightly a politician's answer, some old habits called forth with that fleeting thought of titles, but. The level of disdain in his voice likely makes his actual (far more negative) thoughts on that clear enough. 'We' didn't escape his notice either. ] Not that I think the Free Cities are particularly benevolent. I also heard about how some who were in Thorne were able to flee to here or Solvunn before summoning began everywhere.

[ Which - wait a minute. Claude sits up straighter as what he sees as potential implications sink in. ]

Surely doing this over and over means they're fine-tuning the steps as they go. And that would mean based on there once being supposed 'mistakes' that they do know of some reason or reasons for why they want that particular person to begin with. And that they know of the worlds we're from, somehow.