Is Fitz Happy?

Fitz finally wakes up from his Skill healing and speaks with Chade about the events that transpired. Severely weakened, he tries his best to dissuade Chade of pursuing Skill studies alone or dragging Thick unwittingly into the fray. Failing that, Fitz tries to recover some more before looking into a mirror and shaving. Unbroken, smooth, healed skin meets his gaze, and he heads to Chade's room to explain an unspoken misunderstanding they have.  We're reading Golden Fool by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Tawny Man Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings.

Fitz languishes in a prison, stitched up, uninformed, and abandoned. Days later, he is dragged up to Lord Golden's rooms where the people who love him most strive to heal him. Joining together, Chade, Dutiful, Beloved, and Thick form a coterie in their effort of Skill healing Fitz. With more 'platonic', healing kisses, Fitz recovers slowly from his fight against the Piebalds.  We're reading Golden Fool by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Tawny Man Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings.

Content Warning: We briefly discuss rape and suicide in the later parts of this episode. On his way to Buckkeep Town, Starling catches up with Fitz. She confronts him about their relationship, and they part friends again. He sees Civil Bresinga race toward town, as well, and eventually finds the young noble's horse outside a cottage. He overhears a scared Civil confront Laudwine about the treatment his mother is receiving. Prince Dutiful commands Fitz to save his friend, and Fitz rushes in to the rescue.  We're reading Golden Fool by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Tawny Man Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings.

Fitz goes to the Skill tower to pick up the trinkets and treats that Dutiful has gathered for Thick. In Chade's tower room, Fitz slowly coaxes Thick into a bath and into a sense of security. Fitz mends clothes and cuts hair while questioning Thick about who he spies for, when, and where. Unable to do anything about the information or vent to a friend, he spars for a bit and decides to head to Buckkeep Town to "run errands."  We're reading Golden Fool by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Tawny Man Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings.

Chade walks into his tower room after having an experiment blow up in his face. Fitz teaches another Skill lesson, Dutiful and Thick start to get along, and Thick reveals his secret. Chade then meets with Fitz in Lord Golden's chambers where they discuss their next steps.  We're reading Golden Fool by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Tawny Man Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings.

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.