Is Fitz Happy?

Ep. 040 - Ch. 13 Royal Assassin - Hunting

Ringing in the New Year, we discuss the eventful day after Fitz's eventful night with Molly. Our intrepid assassin is determined to hunt Forged Ones, convince Verity to let him quit his night job, and ask the King to be able to marry Molly. However, this plan is delayed by a terrible encounter in the woods. This week we talk more about the Skill, the Farseers desire to help their people, and the horrors of the Forged Ones.

Ep. 041 - Ch. 14 Royal Assassin - Winterfest

Fitz has a list of tasks to accomplish this episode but he is interrupted in the night by Molly, in the morning by Burrich, and finally by the Fool. The last visitor uses all of his wiles to convince Fitz to help him out and let him read Verity's scrolls about the Elderlings and the missing Skill users. After Fitz leaves him, he completes his first axe lesson with Verity riding in his head. Fitz and Verity-as-Ridealong Creeper head to wait on King Shrewd. Finding it a mess and Shrewd in a bad state, Fitz decides to clean up a bit. We discuss how Robin Hobb lays out a framework for the rest of the trilogy and the unfortunate situations arising.

Ep. 042 - Ch. 15 Royal Assassin - Secrets

This episode is our first insight into the Fool's origins, even if they're a watered-down version of events. Fitz, of course, is confused and doesn't believe him even when spoken to plainly. He succumbs to his rash decisions from last chapter, and we also see the consequences of messing with drugs. Exhausted, Fitz finally clicks with Verity and gets the war put into a different perspective. 

Ep. 043 - Ch. 16 Part 1 Royal Assassin - Verity's Ships

This is part one of our discussion of this chapter. By taking on a lot of new responsibilities, FitzChivalry has to deal with a very busy schedule. He tries to balance all of his tasks and obligations to his loved ones while learning more of the Skill, the ax, his bond with Nighteyes, and eventually how to row. At Verity's behest, Fitz joins the crew of one of the warships and gets even busier, but eventually has the opportunity to ask King Shrewd about a certain marriage proposal.

Ep. 044 - Ch. 16 Part 2 Royal Assassin - Verity’s Ships

We pick up with the crew of the Rurisk sailing to Antler Island. After a bloody victory, Fitz has to deal with the reality of war and his future on the seas. The summer is ultimately fruitless for the Six Duchies and their warships. They have a few more encounters with the Red Ship Raiders, and Fitz comes face to face with Kebel Rawbread and the White Ship. A summer apart also leads to some friction with Molly.

We're reading Royal Assassin by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Farseer Trilogy.

Ep. 045 - Ch. 17 Royal Assassin - Interludes

This week we talk about how the choices FitzChivalry makes has impact on the world and his refusal to acknowledge it. He writes a vulnerable letter to someone he doesn't love, surprises Molly with a picnic (and finally talks to her), internalizes anger at the King for his marriage situation, and mopes about the consequences of his own procrastination. After a few important conversations, Fitz is left with another harsh reality check of who his life belongs to and how his birth affects his future.

 We're reading Royal Assassin by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Farseer Trilogy.

Ep. 046 - Ch. 18 Royal Assassin - Elderlings

Kettricken's interests have been directed towards the Elderlings by the Fool. She compares knowledge with Fitz and, with prompting from Verity, approach the King-in-Waiting with the plan to go beseach them for help. Verity learns the depth of Kettricken's feelings for him, Fitz learns more about sacrifices Molly makes for their relationship, and both Regal and the Fool end up very happy.
 
We're reading Royal Assassin by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Farseer Trilogy.

Ep. 047 - Ch. 19 Royal Assassin - Messages

Verity prepares for and undertakes a quest to beseech the Elderlings for aid giving Fitz a mental break from a renewed ardor between the King-in-Waiting and Queen-in-Waiting Kettricken. All the while, Regal seems to be gathering power. FitzChivalry passively observes a worsening situation at Buckkeep with an increase in rumors badmouthing Verity, parties wasting money, and a breakdown of the coast defenses. A large raid is heard of days late with no warning from any of their failsafes and it's all being blamed on Verity. With minimal contact through the Skill with Verity, Fitz and Kettricken have to navigate this by themselves.

 We're reading Royal Assassin by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Farseer Trilogy.

Ep. 048 - Ch. 20 Royal Assassin - Mishaps

Suffering letdown after letdown, Fitz learns of the King slowly losing his faculties to drugs, that the kingdom is being slowly taken over by Regal, and that no one can do anything to fix it. We discuss Fitz's failing relationships, his lack of communication, and finally dig into his and Molly's fling. They look to the future and don't like what's in store.

We're reading Royal Assassin by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Farseer Trilogy.

Ep. 049 - Ch. 21 Royal Assassin - Dark Days

Duke Brawndy arrives looking for answers that the King cannot provide. Queen-in-Waiting Kettricken seeks to assuage his anger and worry and tries her best to make Brawndy feel heard. She seems to gain an ally, but Brawndy still leaves angry at the crown. When Fitz visits King Shrewd, we learn how bad his disease and awareness really is. Through a haze of pain, and with a Skill connection, Shrewd connects with Verity briefly. However, the effort leaves both Shrewd and Fitz exhausted. While in bed recovering from the pain, FitzChivalry is barged in on and assaulted by the Coterie and protected by his pack.

 We're reading Royal Assassin by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Farseer Trilogy.