Is Fitz Happy?

Ep. 070 - Ch. 7 Assassin's Quest - Farrow

Our protagonist and his sidekick, Fitz, deepen their friendship and bond during their journey. Along the way, they encounter a wild pack of wolves which prompts Nighteyes to run off at the chance to see what he was missing. A return to the melancholic dramatics, FitzChivalry faces a journey alone, upriver. He has determined to kill Regal with or without Nighteyes’ help. This episode we talk about loneliness and over dramatics. 

We're reading Assassin's Quest by Robin Hobb, book 3 of the Farseer Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings

Ep. 071 - Ch. 8 Assassin's Quest - Tradeford

Coping with his loneliness without Nighteyes, Fitz Skills to the downfall of Duke Bearns. He determinedly walks through Tradeford and contemplates how Regal grew up. Learning more about Regal's depravity, Fitz steels his mind and starts planning. 

We're reading Assassin's Quest by Robin Hobb, book 3 of the Farseer Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings

Ep. 072 - Ch. 9 Assassin's Quest - Assassin

Content warning for talk of suicide and suicidal thoughts. 
The culmination of Fitz's planned revenge comes to fruition with his infiltration of Tradeford Hall. He stalks around the inside contemplating his fear and is confronted by living memories from his past. FitzChivalry starts to get some revenge but realizes he feels no relief. He is assaulted on all sides by Regal's Coterie and barely manages to get away. 

We're reading Assassin's Quest by Robin Hobb, book 3 of the Farseer Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings

Ep. 073 - Ch. 10 Assassin‘s Quest - Hiring Fair

Fitz flees further north to find new supplies and a way to the mountains. With Verity always in the back of his mind urging him forward, and without Nighteyes, Fitz must lay low as someone looking for work. He learns the true value of Burrich’s earring and the value of having support around you. 

We're reading Assassin's Quest by Robin Hobb, book 3 of the Farseer Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings

Ep. 074 - Ch. 11 Assassin‘s Quest - Shepherd

While Fitz watches the sheep flock, the rest of the caravan members gather. We meet Starling the minstrel for the first time as they travel towards Blue Lake and the Mountain Kingdom. We also feel the echoes of FitzChivalry's intense loneliness and feel the surge of hope for the future when he learns of Molly giving birth to their daughter. 

We're reading Assassin's Quest by Robin Hobb, book 3 of the Farseer Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings

Ep. 075 - Ch. 12 Assassin‘s Quest - Suspicions

King Regal's guards are constantly on the hunt for the Pocked Man and for Fitz. Starling warns Fitz that they're looking for him but also sings about his exploits to the caravan members, which prompts Tassin to suspect who he is. When they meet some of the King's guards along the way, it only takes a midnight conversation for Tassin to tell the guards her suspicions. Fitz is captured by them, but not before he can poison them. 

We're reading Assassin's Quest by Robin Hobb, book 3 of the Farseer Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings

Ep. 076 - Ch. 13 Assassin‘s Quest - Blue Lake

FitzChivalry finds his way into Blue Lake to discover that the way across is virtually impossible with the funds he has and the winter storms approaching. He learns that Burrich truly believes that Fitz is dead now and the coterie is hot on his trail. Two unlooked for allies find him to offer advice, warnings, and a way forward. Loneliness abounds in this chapter as we discuss Fitz's prospects on his way to the Mountain Kingdom and Verity. 

We're reading Assassin's Quest by Robin Hobb, book 3 of the Farseer Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings

Ep. 077 - Ch. 14 Assassin‘s Quest - Smugglers

FitzChivalry takes time in Blue Lake to wash up and come to a decision about his travel options to the Mountain Kingdom and Verity. He decides to trust Starling, so they both head towards the smugglers and talk their way in. Fitz grows more comfortable with Starling and yet his eternal loneliness brings another Skill dream of Burrich, Molly, and Nettle. 

We're reading Assassin's Quest by Robin Hobb, book 3 of the Farseer Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings.

Ep. 078 - Ch. 15 Assassin‘s Quest - Kettle

Woken up by Nik, the smuggler, Fitz and Starling prepare for a trek into a winter storm. We get to meet Kettle for the first time as FitzChivalry drives her cart. Stopping to rest at a hideout, Fitz is reunited with his "dog", Nighteyes. Once again, the two are together and looking towards the future in the mountains. However, Fitz does happen to listen in on a Skill conversation between Regal and his coterie that reminds us they're still out there searching for Fitz. 

We're reading Assassin's Quest by Robin Hobb, book 3 of the Farseer Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings.

Ep. 079 - Ch. 16 Assassin‘s Quest - Bolthole

Nighteyes and FitzChivalry have both grown up, and yet, Fitz is still unrealistic about his relationship with Molly. He has a frank talk with Starling, gets to know Kettle slightly more, and also passes off Nighteyes as his dog not so convincingly. They continue heading to the the river crossing in the blistering cold while Fitz is forced to confront his relationships. 

We're reading Assassin's Quest by Robin Hobb, book 3 of the Farseer Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings.