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. 

The start of this chapter has The Fool provoking Starling with little jabs in between his conversations with FitzChivalry. Fitz is trying to explain why plumbing matters and the Fool is challenging his perceptions of what love truly is. While they continue on the road, they stumble upon what Kettricken and Fitz determine is one of the marked spots on the map and find Dragon... statues? 

Part two of this chapter has us discussing relationships between party members, talking about frustrations with Fitz, Kettricken, and Starling, and has the Fool become very animated after a Skill scene. Join us in our trek to the next steps towards Verity and the dragons! 

The group continues travel along the road, with Fitz hounded and threatened by the Coterie and Regal. Kettle strives to keep his mind focused while Fitz and the Fool talk more about the Fool's past. We get a bit more of a dive into his past and discuss their similarities and differences.