Is Fitz Happy?

FitzChivalry speaks with Prince Dutiful on their afternoon ride in the countryside. The prince vents about his betrothal, commands Tom Badgerlock to attend the event, and speaks about being lonely. Fitz admonishes him to be wary of Civil Bresinga and agrees to start teaching him the Skill. 

Fitz heads down to his rooms with Lord Golden, straightens up, and has to kill time before the afternoon ride with Prince Dutiful. He practices with his sword and heads to the steams at Buckkeep, where he runs into an old friend. 

We're reading Golden Fool by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Tawny Man Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings. 

Fitz, on his way to Chade's workshop, stops to think and overhears Narcheska Elliania and her uncle Peottre. He walks in on Thick, Chade's servant, and tries to recover from his Skill headache afterward. He and Chade debrief and make plans for the future. 

Fitz, as Tom Badgerlock, waits a long time with Jinna for his foster son, Hap, to get home. Companionable silence and small talk pass the time until Fitz has to leave. On the way to Lord Golden's rooms, Fitz is confronted by Piebalds and in turn, Fitz confronts that he needs to think like an assassin again. 

We begin book 8 of the Realm of the Elderlings, Golden Fool. Fitz reminisces on the loss of Nighteyes and what it means to be lonely. He thinks about advice from the Fool, and we talk about where Fitz is starting the story. 

This is another special episode where Luke and Emma finish the novella with part two, The Piebald Prince. Prince Charger grows up in Buckkeep alongside his friend Redbird, soon to be minstrel. He becomes King-In-Wating and raises up the Wit to higher heights. However, his seeming favoritism and the whispers of Canny's court sway public opinion away from the Piebald Prince. Canny Farseer and Charger Farseer vie for a woman, the throne, and their ego; their struggle brings down the Wit in the process. 

This special episode covers the first half of The Wilful Princess and the Piebald Prince. Felicity narrates the birth and her relationship with Princess Caution, who doesn't live up to her name. We discuss how close they are, scheming mothers, and secret trysts. 

Fitz reflects on the meaning of trying to fix history onto paper, and we reflect on the book as a whole. Wrapping up Fool's Errand, we discuss our favorite characters, chapters, and look forward to Golden Fool! 

Fitz wakes up in his own bed late in the day and into the evening. Lord Golden is quite upset with Tom Badgerlock for how he packed his silks, and the conversation between them is laden with words unspoken. Fitz heads to town to check on Hap and finds only Jinna, who welcomes him in gladly. 

Lord Golden, Laurel, Fitz, and Prince Dutiful arrive back in Buckkeep Town just in time for the delegation from the OutIslands to arrive. Everyone else heads up to the castle and Fitz follows slowly. He falls asleep in the secret room until Chade comes back. They report to one another and Fitz comes to a decision regarding the Prince.