Verity-as-Dragon rises. The Six Duchies savior flies off with goodbyes and Regal's soldiers come to claim the quarry. Part one of the finale fight is full of melancholy, coteries, magic, and dragons. 

Verity offers FitzChivalry a way to help out and Fitz accepts with the caveat of seeing Molly, Nettle, and Burrich one more time. As all with all bargains Fitz makes, this turns out poorly and he sees the start of Molly and Burrich's relationship and tells Verity to get on with his plan. Fitz hobbles to Girl-on-a-Dragon to meet the Fool, give memories, and block out his pain. 

Fitz returns through the Skill pillar and warns the company of Regal's army. Meanwhile, Verity is feeling a renewed sense of hope for his dragon with Kettle's help. Fitz feels left out and eventually drifts to Verity's dragon, where Kettle confronts him with some harsh truths. The end of this chapter steals the early hope away and leaves the company with a lifeless, but complete, statue and the dread of Regal's soldiers. 

Rebuffed by Verity, FitzChivalry falls asleep after trying to offer help to fill the dragon. He Skill dreams to Burrich, Molly, and Nettle when Regal's soldiers try to kidnap the baby. He talks to the Fool, mopes about not being able to help, and tries to resist his Skill addiction. He is finally given a task by Verity to awaken the dragon statues. And so, Fitz walks once more through the pillar. 

Fitz and the Fool head to Girl-on-a-Dragon to investigate, Kettle rebukes them, and Fitz shames her for withholding knowledge. This leads to Kettle pledging her service to King Verity with FitzChivalry having to attempt to unblock Kettle. A revealed betrayal later, the Fool and Nighteyes give Fitz strength to set Gull and Kestrel free. 

Emma and Luke have made it to episode 100! Meanwhile Fitz and company are adjusting to seeing Verity, once again. The Fool gets Silver on his fingers, Kettle is grumpy about everything, and Kettricken needs comfort. Verity is as present as he can be, but it isn't what anyone needs. His dragon calls to him. Fitz provides what companionship he can to both Kettricken and the Fool, who has a fascination with a certain half-finished statue. 

We're reading Assassin's Quest by Robin Hobb, book 3 of the Farseer Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings.

Together, FitzChivalry, The Fool, Kettricken, Kettle, Starling, and of course, Nighteyes all make it to the last stop on their map. Fighting despondency, they discover a body and Fitz detects life further in the quarry where they stop. Verity is alive and carving a dragon, but at what cost? 

The company travels down from the colder weather, encounter impossible architecture, and relax at hot springs. Excepting the Fool and Nighteyes, they all take the time to bathe. Fitz is by himself, with only his wolf, until the Fool approaches him and talks about subjects he was warned against. A secret is spoken, and Fitz makes a dangerous assumption. 

FitzChivalry and company leave the Stone Dragon garden and head back to the Skill Road to try and find Verity. After camping for the night near the previous Skill Pillar, Regal's coterie stalks and attacks who they think is Fitz, but is actually the Fool. They douse the Fool with elfbark and Kettle lectures the group on how it affects skill users. We discuss magic and a lot of listener contributions! 

Content Warning: Until minute 28:30, we discuss Starling's history, trauma, and coping mechanisms dealing with sexual assault. Please be kind to yourselves and listen accordingly.