Is Fitz Happy?

Ep. 139 - Ch. 25 Ship of Magic - Candletown

The Reaper has docked in Candletown and Althea is ready to head back to Bingtown with a ship's ticket to claim Vivacia as her own. However, the revelation of Althea's gender forces her off the ship without it and with a deeping sense of hopelessness. In the meantime, Brashen is looking forward to continuing his relationship with Althea and waits for her to show up at his inn. We're reading Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb, book 1 of the Liveship Traders in The Realm of the Elderlings.

Ep. 138 - Ch. 24 Ship of Magic - Rain Wild Traders

The Old Traders have been called by their kin, the Rain Wild Traders, to a meeting. Malta is excited to go to a party, while her mother, Keffria, and Ronica are worried about what this means. The political landscape is looking grim for Bingtown and for the Vestrits as Malta is getting them into even more trouble by introducing herself to the Khuprus family. We're reading Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb, book 1 of the Liveship Traders in The Realm of the Elderlings.

Ep. 137 - Ch. 23 Ship of Magic - Jamaillia Slavers

Wintow ventures into Jamaillia and encounters the horrors of slavery, Vivacia mourns the loss of her companion, and Kennit bites off more than he can chew with freeing a slave ship of his own. Or should we say a serpent bit off more than it could chew. We're reading Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb, book 1 of the Liveship Traders in The Realm of the Elderlings.

Ep. 136 - Ch. 22 Ship of Magic - Plots and Perils

Captain Kennit misses another opportunity to capture a liveship, but Etta suggests a plan that might work for the future. Meanwhile, both of our liveships, Paragon and Vivacia, are in turmoil; the former from being sold soon and the latter from Wintrow leaving in the harbor of Jamaillia amidst sleeping serpents.  Althea and Brashen have to contend with a live serpent, however, trying to get a meal and not caring whether it sinks their ship or not. They struggle to survive and to navigate their new relationship dynamics. We're reading Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb, book 1 of the Liveship Traders in The Realm of the Elderlings.

Ep. 135 - Ch. 21 Ship of Magic - Visitors

Ronica and Keffria have to deal with and confront Malta's conniving and manipulations when she invited Cerwin Trell to the Vestrit home. Ronica also has to come to grips with her lack of understanding of her own family. Keffria finally comes grasps for her place in the household and has a discussion with her mother about their future plans. Meanwhile, Vivacia and Wintrow have arrived in Jamaillia, finally. Wintrow has been effectively ostracized from the crew by his father despite proving that he isn't a coward, and he is at a breaking point. Vivacia is worried about what might come in the city. We're reading Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb, book 1 of the Liveship Traders in The Realm of the Elderlings.

Ep. 134 - Ch. 20 Ship of Magic - Crimpers

Content Warning: Talk of sexual assault, rape, and consent starts at 1:15:00 until 1:30:00 in regards to Althea's past.The port town Brashen and Althea have stopped in is more dangerous than it first appears. Brashen is drugged through his ale and led to the back room, while Althea is baited there as well, barely escaping a kidnapping. After getting back to the ship, Brashen stitches up Althea's wounds and the intimate quarters (and probably the cindin) begets the start of their relationship. They both know it's dangerous, but for now, it is simply nice to be wanted. We're reading Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb, book 1 of the Liveship Traders in The Realm of the Elderlings.

Ep. 133 - Ch. 19 Ship of Magic - Testimony

After Cress, Wintrow has been shunned by the Vivacia's crew for cowardice. He's lived in misery until the extent of his recent injury forces him to come to terms with losing a finger. He confronts Kyle to get it amputated, and he puts on a strong display for the crew, proving he is not a coward or afraid of pain. Meanwhile, in Bingtown, Paragon is getting introduced to our favorite woodworker, Amber. We're reading Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb, book 1 of the Liveship Traders in The Realm of the Elderlings.

Ep. 132 - Ch. 18 Ship of Magic - Malta

Luke and Emma dive into Malta Vestrit's character for the first time. We catch up with her in the midst of a plan to get to the Liveship Trader Harvest Ball all on her own, with her own gown. As a 12 year old, she definitely has everything figured out and doesn't lie, get caught, and understands what everything she's doing implies. Full of frustration, we talk about Bingtown society, the role of women, and parallels with Althea. We're reading Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb, book 1 of the Liveship Traders in The Realm of the Elderlings.

Ep. 131 - Ch. 17 Ship of Magic - Kennit’s Whore

Content Warning: We briefly discuss the implied SA of Etta that happens near the end of this chapter. Kennit arrives back at Divvytown to sell his goods and see how his reputation has spread. Sorcor and the crew show faith in their captain and a powerful merchant implies that Kennit's dream could be in reach. However, after a successful homecoming, he encounters some trouble at Bettel's Bagnio. We're reading Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb, book 1 of the Liveship Traders in The Realm of the Elderlings.

Ep. 130 - Ch. 16 Part 2 Ship of Magic - New Roles

In this episode, Althea finds out she is good at something, but is still in constant danger of being discovered. Vivacia and Wintrow's bond grows closer as each of them are learning from the other. Wintrow is also starting to become closer to the crew, until a fateful trip onshore with a bear tamer puts a damper on those relationships. We're reading Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb, book 1 of the Liveship Traders in The Realm of the Elderlings.