Is Fitz Happy?

Fitz is torn while listening to Swift and Burrich. After the conversation, he decides to go to Buckkeep Town to look in on Hap and find some sort of comfort. He ends up in a tavern where Svanja's father encounters him. After they fight, Hap is frustrated with his father Tom Badgerlock. Fitz struggles with his relationships and comes to some hard realizations in this chapter. We're reading Golden Fool by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Tawny Man Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings.

Fitz and Lord Golden are still not getting along. It's been a few days and he's feeling morose and decides to gather his students. Fitz Skills out to call Dutiful and Thick to the tower where they meet for the first time. After the first lesson, Fitz is called away to eavesdrop on a meeting between Chade, Queen Kettricken, and Swift. We're reading Golden Fool by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Tawny Man Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings.

Fitz ruminates on his conversation with Thick and wants to have a breakfast alone in his and Lord Golden's chambers. However, Beloved is there and Fitz takes the opportunity to hash out his grievances. They split, having argued, and Fitz speaks with Chade days later, restraining his temper, about happenings in the castle and the Skillmaster position. Chade arranges a sit down with Kettricken for Fitz, and the two old friends discuss Nettle. We're reading Golden Fool by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Tawny Man Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings.

Chade shares Queen Kettricken's directive to form a coterie with Thick and Nettle. Fitz and Chade rehash the argument for Fitz to become Skillmaster. They discuss the piebalds and the issues they have been having with the Old Blood. Chade leaves Fitz to speak with Thick about the Skill, and Fitz instead gets to know the young man. We're reading Golden Fool by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Tawny Man Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings.

The Out Island delegation, Elliania and Poettre, leave Buckkeep, but not without a planned visit from Dutiful to their lands. Fitz's mood grows ever darker, festering in frustration from the Amber reveal and Jek's insistence. He grows even moodier in his talks with Chade about various happenings around the castle and training with the Skill. We're reading Golden Fool by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Tawny Man Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings.

Some time passes with Fitz and Lord Golden equally ignoring each other and with Hap on his own in Buckkeep Town. He talks with Chade about the various issues plaguing and puzzling the Farseers. Fitz then spies on the last feast with the OutIslanders. Narcheska Elliania challenges Prince Dutiful to bring her the head of the dragon Icefyre, and Dutiful challenges her back to go along with him. We're reading Golden Fool by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Tawny Man Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings.

To distract himself, Fitz listens in on Narcheska Elliania's pain and leaves with more questions. He meets Selden in the hallways who implores him to help Tintaglia in her cause. Escaping that conversation, he encounters Starling on the road to Buckkeep Town and goes to get drunk after they argue. Eventually, he decides it's a good idea to go talk to Jinna and apologize. We're reading Golden Fool by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Tawny Man Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings.

Sleep deprived and just wanting to rest, Fitz finds a strange woman named Jek in Lord Golden's room. She calls Lord Golden by a strange name and makes assumptions about their relationship with no response from the Fool. Fitz is ordered out, and he listens in on their conversation, stewing as he feels betrayed by his oldest friend. We're reading Golden Fool by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Tawny Man Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings.

The Bingtown delegation presents gifts to Queen Kettricken and her councilor, Chade to negotiate an alliance in their war against Chalced. Fitz and the Fool eavesdrop and are witness to the revelation that Tintaglia, a real dragon, could be their ally, as well. Fitz, once back in Chade's secret room, gets the truth out of the Fool about this information. We're reading Golden Fool by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Tawny Man Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings.

Fitz confronts Hap after failing to find his son and Svanja the previous night. Hap is completely unrepentant and Fitz, angry and morose. Back at the castle and informed by Lord Golden of a ship of Bingtown ambassadors, Fitz gets ready to spy. The Fool and Fitz traverse Chade's labrynth and see some familiar faces gathered before Queen Kettricken and Chade. We're reading Golden Fool by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Tawny Man Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings.

On the way back to his and Lord Golden's rooms, Fitz stops to spy a bit on the Narcheska Elliania and Poettre. After, he accepts Lord Golden's invite to go along on the ride with Dutiful and Lady Vance. Elliania announces her true age at the ride, claims equality with Queen Kettricken, and mostly ignores the prince, to his chagrin. After the ride in Buckkeep Town, Fitz is confronted by Svanja's father and they look for his daughter and Hap. We're reading Golden Fool by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Tawny Man Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings.

Fitz meets Dutiful in Verity's Skill tower and listens to the Prince's story. A social gaffe creates a problem between Narcheska Elliania and Dutiful, so Fitz points him in the direction of Chade. The old assassin happens to confront Fitz with Thick and the knowledge that Nettle can skill, so Fitz is faced with a tough decision. We're reading Golden Fool by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Tawny Man Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings.

Time is passing in Buckkeep, and Fitz is busy. He is teaching Dutiful, trying to spend time with Hap and Jinna, avoiding Thick, trying to sleep despite Nettle's dream intrusions, and talking about all of that with Chade. We discuss the circle of magic, Chade's memory loss, and Fitz being infuriating as usual. We're reading Golden Fool by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Tawny Man Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings.

Fitz guides Prince Dutiful in a Skill exercise that almost goes terribly wrong. Dutiful confronts Fitz about rumors of the relationship between Tom Badgerlock and Lord Golden. Fitz and Chade have a conversation regarding Fitz's journey to his cabin, current events at Buckkeep, and Chade pursuing experiments with the Skill pillars. Fitz finishes the episode by speaking once more with Thick, trying to understand the servant's dislike of Fitz. We're reading Golden Fool by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Tawny Man Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings.

Fitz has returned from his sojourn back to Tom Badgerlock's cabin. He awaits Prince Dutiful in Verity's Tower for his Skill lesson. Fitz shares a sketch of his history with Dutiful and preps him for how they'll learn together. Our discussion centers around Skill scrolls, Fitz's lack of confidence in his abilities, and what Fitz did or did not say to Dutiful. We're reading Golden Fool by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Tawny Man Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings.

Jinna greets Fitz and warmly welcomes him in to her home. Afterwards, he dwells on his longing for deep connection. He goes to see Hap, who is quite discontent with his role at Gindast's woodshop and Fitz leaves that discussion troubled. Back at Buckkeep, he finds a note from Chade, directing him to take the time to go back to his cabin to tie up the loose ends. We're reading Golden Fool by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Tawny Man Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings.

Fitz overhears Laurel asking Lord Golden for a meeting and is stressed by how many people have claims on his time. We see some insight into Beloved's feelings, and Fitz goes on his way to see the huntswoman. The Piebalds are still active and ramping up their violence, so Tom Badgerlock better watch out. We're reading Golden Fool by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Tawny Man Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings.

After fruitlessly waiting for Prince Dutiful in the tower for his Skill lesson, Fitz is called to Kettricken's room. Fitz is able to let go as they grieve over Nighteyes together. They catch up a bit, and we discuss Fitz and Kettricken's relationship. We're reading Golden Fool by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Tawny Man Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings.

The Fool plays dress up with Fitz, getting ready for the betrothal ceremony between Narcheska Elliania and Prince Dutiful. There, as a the servant Tom Badgerlock, Fitz is able to observe the reactions of all the different groups and lend moral support for Dutiful. It's a long evening, ending with secondhand Smoke, which brings Fitz's guard down against Skill intrusions. We're reading Golden Fool by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Tawny Man Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings.

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