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.