Duke Brawndy arrives looking for answers that the King cannot provide. Queen-in-Waiting Kettricken seeks to assuage his anger and worry and tries her best to make Brawndy feel heard. She seems to gain an ally, but Brawndy still leaves angry at the crown. When Fitz visits King Shrewd, we learn how bad his disease and awareness really is. Through a haze of pain, and with a Skill connection, Shrewd connects with Verity briefly. However, the effort leaves both Shrewd and Fitz exhausted. While in bed recovering from the pain, FitzChivalry is barged in on and assaulted by the Coterie and protected by his pack.