After his trip to town, Fitz trains with his new sword, tries to get information about Dutiful from the servants, and checks in with Lord Golden. Meeting Chade quickly turns into an audience with Queen Kettricken and an agreement to Skill out to search for the missing Prince.

In Buckkeep Town, Fitz finds some weapons and Jinna's shop. The hedgewitch is very happy to see him and has a special charm she made especially for him. We meet Fennel the cat and Miskya, Jinna's niece, before he makes his way back to Buckkeep with a lot more smiles directed at him. 

After a long night of trying to decipher Skill scrolls, Fitz goes to bed only for a short time. He has to wake up early and start acting like Lord Golden's servant. He sees Queen Kettricken for the first time, comes up with his full backstory, and goes to Buckkeep town for clothes and a sword.  

Fitz finds himself back in Buckkeep town where everything looks like it has changed; new growth, new faces, and yet the nostalgia hits him hard. He becomes a servant to the recently arrived noble, Lord Golden, and finds his way to the hidden chamber where Chade taught him. He learns from Chade that Prince Dutiful has run away and that he is suspected of having the Wit. 

The Fool's last days with Fitz pass in thoughtful silence as Fitz reflects on his choices. The Fool departs for Buckkeep and Fitz is morose. Hap finds his way back home with hard news and Fitz thinks about borrowing money from Chade. When he is packed, a messenger comes with an urgent scroll. 

Perhaps the after effects of elfbark tea stayed with Fitz. He wakes up with a feeling of no direction or purpose in life. He and the Fool spend a day relaxing and partaking in their respective hobbies. Eventually, Fitz talks about the years he spent wandering the Six Duchies, his journey to Bingtown and back, and seeing Burrich and Molly. 

Nighteyes, Fitz, and the Fool stumble back to the cottage. Fitz and Beloved sip elfbark tea to relieve their headaches while Fitz starts to talk abou his time with the Old Blood. He and Nighteyes met up with Black Rolf and Holly to learn about their magic. 

The third day with the Fool starts with Fitz becoming claustrophobic in his small life, longing for more. Nighteyes speaks about getting older, and he runs off. Fitz is forced to rush to his side later, as the wolf starts choking. Not willing to stand by idle while his bond partner dies, Fitz attempts Skill healing for the first time. 

Fitz, Nighteyes, and Beloved fall into routine. Chores are done, stories exchanged, jokes made, and brandy fills their glasses at night. Fitz begins to tell the Fool of the year in the mountains after Verity-as-Dragon took flight against the Raiders. 

Fitz is restless. He and Nighteyes continue to do chores until someone rides down the lane towards his cabin. FitzChivalry meets the Tawny Man and his horse, Malta. The Fool has found his way back to Fitz and Nighteyes' life, and he settles in with them as if he never left. Reunited, and with some good apricot brandy, Fitz asks the Fool his real name.