FitzChivalry, still wounded, faces his past life while severely feverish. He laments the fact that once again decisions are taken out of his hands. Chade, Kettricken, Kettle, Starling, and the Fool all confront him before his big surgery and then help him through that trying time. Visions of Verity dance through Fitz's head and he spirals down a dark path while recovering, realizing the quest to seek his king is being taken over by others.