Royal Assassin
Chapters - Robin Hobb
Prologue
FitzChivalry Farseer reflects on the Wit and the Skill while recovering in the Mountain Kingdom, where his seizures continue to plague him. Burrich urges him to return to Buckkeep, but Fitz, despairing of his broken body and fearing Regal Farseer's triumph, resolves to stay behind and renounce his oaths. He recalls Molly Chandler and his longing for her, but convinces himself he has nothing left to offer anyone. A final violent seizure nearly breaks him, yet when Burrich comes at dawn to depart, Fitz finds he is ready to ride home after all.
POV: FitzChivalry Farseer·On page: Burrich·Mentioned: Verity Farseer, Regal Farseer, Shrewd Farseer, Molly Chandler, Patience, Lacey, Kettricken, Chade Fallstar, Galen, The Fool, Hands, Hod, Eyod
Chapter 1: Siltbay
FitzChivalry Farseer experiences a Skill-dream in which he inhabits King Shrewd Farseer's body and witnesses the Fool tending the ailing king. Through Shrewd's Skill-sight, Fitz watches the Red Ship raid on Siltbay, where villagers choose death over Forging, and glimpses a woman who resembles Molly Chandler fleeing with children. The Fool attempts to read the futures of the Siltbay woman but can only offer a cascade of possible fates. Fitz wakes in the Mountain Kingdom with burned fingers and a Skill headache, but the vision renews his determination, and he decides to ride home with Burrich.
POV: FitzChivalry Farseer·On page: The Fool, Shrewd Farseer, Burrich·Mentioned: Verity Farseer, Regal Farseer, Molly Chandler, Kettricken, Wallace
Chapter 2: The Homecoming
FitzChivalry Farseer, Burrich, and Hands make the difficult winter journey back to Buckkeep, travelling overland through deep snow to avoid Regal Farseer's potential ambush. At the gate, Fitz unconsciously assumes a commanding manner that startles both Burrich and the guards with its resemblance to his father Chivalry. Burrich warns Fitz to keep his head down and resume his lower station to avoid provoking Regal. Fitz reports his return to King Shrewd Farseer's door and discovers that Verity Farseer is spending the night with his new queen Kettricken, then retires to his cold, dusty chamber.
POV: FitzChivalry Farseer·On page: Burrich, Hands, Blade, Sooty·Mentioned: Verity Farseer, Regal Farseer, Shrewd Farseer, Kettricken, Molly Chandler, Cob
Chapter 3: Renewing Ties
FitzChivalry Farseer reconnects with those he left behind at Buckkeep: he reports to Verity Farseer and senses his exhaustion from constant Skilling against the Red Ships, finds Patience and Lacey have settled into the keep, and receives a frosty reception from Regal Farseer. He seeks out Molly Chandler in Buckkeep Town only to discover her chandlery has closed and she has vanished. Patience reveals she knows Fitz's feelings for Molly and tries to counsel him, while Lacey brings him to Patience's chambers. Fitz eventually finds Molly working as a serving woman in the keep itself, but she rebuffs him bitterly for his long silence.
POV: FitzChivalry Farseer·On page: Verity Farseer, Patience, Lacey, Molly Chandler, Regal Farseer, Mistress Hasty·Mentioned: Kettricken, Burrich, Shrewd Farseer, Chade Fallstar, Galen, Cook Sara, Charim
Chapter 4: Dilemmas
Chade Fallstar summons FitzChivalry Farseer and reveals his scarred face for the first time, explaining his own history of vanity and disguise. Fitz encounters a wild wolf cub near the keep who communicates with him through the Wit, creating an immediate and dangerously strong bond. Patience and Lacey attempt to mother Fitz while he struggles with his growing Wit connection and his longing for Molly Chandler. Fitz begins attending to King Shrewd Farseer, where he discovers the king's health is declining under the care of the dubious new servant Wallace, who doses the king with opiates.
POV: FitzChivalry Farseer·On page: Chade Fallstar, Patience, Lacey, The Fool, Molly Chandler, Shrewd Farseer, Wallace, Slink·Mentioned: Verity Farseer, Regal Farseer, Burrich, Fedwren, Leon
Chapter 5: Gambit
FitzChivalry Farseer travels to Bearns on diplomatic business with Verity Farseer's coterie member Serene and encounters Lady Virago, an outspoken warrior demanding stronger action against the Raiders. He meets Duke Brawndy and his daughter Celerity, who takes a liking to Fitz. King Shrewd Farseer's deteriorating health becomes more apparent as Wallace increasingly controls access to the king. Fitz observes Kettricken struggling to adapt to Buckkeep's ways and befriends young Rosemary, the queen's page. The chapter ends with Brawndy noting Fitz's disturbing resemblance to his father Chivalry.
POV: FitzChivalry Farseer·On page: Shrewd Farseer, Kettricken, Serene, Virago, Duke Brawndy, Celerity, Wallace, Sooty, Faith·Mentioned: Verity Farseer, Regal Farseer, Patience, Burrich, Galen, Molly Chandler, August
Chapter 6: Forged Ones
Verity Farseer confides in FitzChivalry Farseer about the overwhelming burden of Skilling against the Red Ships and the political pressure from both Regal Farseer and the coastal duchies. They discuss the puzzle of the Forged ones appearing in organised bands far from raid sites, and Fitz reports his observations from Bearns. Verity reveals his loneliness and frustration with his new marriage, as the constant Skill-work leaves him too drained for his wife. The chapter ends with Fitz glimpsing the personal cost of kingship as Verity dismisses him.
POV: FitzChivalry Farseer·On page: Verity Farseer·Mentioned: Regal Farseer, Shrewd Farseer, Kettricken, Burrich, Patience, Virago, Smithy
Chapter 7: Encounters
FitzChivalry Farseer begins his secret work killing Forged ones with poisoned food on Chade Fallstar's orders while also serving as Verity Farseer's companion. Wallace's control over King Shrewd Farseer tightens as the man keeps the king drugged and dependent. The Fool warns Fitz about Wallace and Verity begins teaching Fitz the Skill more carefully than Galen ever did. Fitz secretly rides Sooty on night missions while Verity discovers that Fitz's Skill-dreams of Molly Chandler are broadcasting to anyone with Skill sensitivity, cautioning him to guard his thoughts.
POV: FitzChivalry Farseer·On page: Verity Farseer, The Fool, Shrewd Farseer, Regal Farseer, Patience, Burrich, Molly Chandler, Lacey, Wallace, Hands·Mentioned: Kettricken, Chade Fallstar, Galen, Will, Duke Brawndy, Virago
Chapter 8: The Queen Awakes
Kettricken leads a hunt against Forged ones attacking near Buckkeep, riding out with Verity Farseer's guard in a dramatic display that wins the hearts of the coastal folk. The hunt turns deadly when they encounter a large band of Forged ones, and several of Verity's guards are killed in the fighting. FitzChivalry Farseer fights alongside the queen and is impressed by her fierce courage. After the battle, Verity and Kettricken preside over a funeral pyre, and Kettricken vows the Raiders will be stopped. That night Fitz finally finds Molly Chandler and they reconcile, sharing their first kiss as a wolf howls in the distance.
POV: FitzChivalry Farseer·On page: Verity Farseer, Kettricken, Chade Fallstar, Burrich, Molly Chandler·Mentioned: Regal Farseer, Shrewd Farseer, Patience, Blade
Chapter 9: Guards and Bonds
FitzChivalry Farseer resumes weapons training under Hod and begins dividing his time between duties to the king, Verity Farseer's Skill lessons, Patience's demands, and his secret relationship with Molly Chandler. He discovers Kettricken wandering alone in Buckkeep Town in the rain, desperately lonely and trying to understand her new people. Fitz returns the queen safely to the keep, deepening their bond. Hands proves himself an increasingly capable stable hand under Burrich. Fitz visits the wolf cub, now calling himself Nighteyes, at the abandoned pig shed outside the keep walls.
POV: FitzChivalry Farseer·On page: Patience, Lacey, Kettricken, Nighteyes, Burrich, Hands, Hod, Sooty·Mentioned: Verity Farseer, Shrewd Farseer, Regal Farseer, Chade Fallstar, Molly Chandler
Chapter 10: Fool's Errand
The Fool takes FitzChivalry Farseer on a bewildering excursion through Buckkeep's secret passages, speaking in riddles about the future and the Elderlings. Fitz encounters former coterie members August and Whistle, seeing how Galen's training damaged them. Verity Farseer begins intensive Skill sessions with Fitz, trying to develop his abilities despite Galen's earlier sabotage. Rosemary continues to serve Kettricken, and Fitz grows uneasy about the coterie members Will, Justin, Serene, Carrod, and Burl, suspecting their loyalty lies with Regal Farseer rather than the crown.
POV: FitzChivalry Farseer·On page: The Fool, Verity Farseer, Kettricken, Molly Chandler, Burrich, Rosemary, August·Mentioned: Shrewd Farseer, Regal Farseer, Galen, Will, Justin, Serene, Chade Fallstar, Patience
Chapter 11: Lone Wolves
FitzChivalry Farseer and Nighteyes begin hunting Forged ones together at night, with the wolf proving a devastatingly effective partner. During one encounter, a Forged one bites a chunk from Fitz's shoulder before Nighteyes kills it. Verity Farseer works Fitz hard in Skill training, trying to rebuild what Galen destroyed, and teaches him about the Elderlings from ancient texts. The Fool speaks cryptically about the future, hinting at great changes coming. Fitz struggles to keep his Wit-bond with Nighteyes secret from Burrich, who would view it as a perversion.
POV: FitzChivalry Farseer·On page: Nighteyes, Verity Farseer, The Fool·Mentioned: Burrich, Galen, Kettricken, Chade Fallstar, Patience, Hod, Virago, Will, Carrod
Chapter 12: Tasks
FitzChivalry Farseer juggles his growing relationship with Molly Chandler, his duties to Patience and Kettricken, and his nightly hunts with Nighteyes. Patience assigns him tasks that bring him into contact with Kettricken, and the two queens form an unlikely friendship. Molly confronts Fitz about his mysterious absences and the impossibility of their situation as a bastard and a serving woman. Fitz and Nighteyes continue culling Forged ones from the countryside around Buckkeep, while Fitz trains with Hod and serves Verity Farseer in his Skill tower.
POV: FitzChivalry Farseer·On page: Patience, Lacey, Molly Chandler, Kettricken, Nighteyes, Hands·Mentioned: Verity Farseer, Burrich, Shrewd Farseer, Regal Farseer, The Fool, Rosemary, Hod, Will
Chapter 13: Hunting
Verity Farseer takes FitzChivalry Farseer hunting in the forest, combining physical exercise with intensive Skill training as they track Forged ones together. Nighteyes joins them, and Verity senses the wolf's presence through the Skill, forcing Fitz to partially reveal his Wit-bond. Burrich accompanies them and demonstrates his fierce loyalty when they encounter a Forged one who fights back. The chapter culminates in Verity witnessing Fitz fight alongside Nighteyes and recognising the depth of their bond, while Burrich tends to an injured smith they discover on the road.
POV: FitzChivalry Farseer·On page: Verity Farseer, Burrich, Nighteyes, Blade, Hod, Sooty·Mentioned: Molly Chandler, Shrewd Farseer, Chade Fallstar, Galen, Will, Hands
Chapter 14: Winterfest
Winterfest arrives and FitzChivalry Farseer spends a passionate night with Molly Chandler before the celebrations begin. King Shrewd Farseer appears at the feast but is visibly frail and confused under Wallace's drugging. The Fool performs brilliantly at the festival, using his wit to mock Regal Farseer's pretensions while entertaining the court. Fitz discovers that Wallace is deliberately keeping the king sedated and dependent, reporting this to Verity Farseer. Verity begins secretly Skilling to Fitz during the day, and Fitz realises the coterie is spying on their communications.
POV: FitzChivalry Farseer·On page: Molly Chandler, Burrich, The Fool, Verity Farseer, Shrewd Farseer, Regal Farseer, Chade Fallstar, Nighteyes, Wallace, August·Mentioned: Serene, Will, Justin, Patience, Kettricken, Galen, Mistress Hasty
Chapter 15: Secrets
Verity Farseer unveils his four warships at the mid-day of Winterfest, launching them before the assembled court and people of Buckkeep. FitzChivalry Farseer and Nighteyes hunt together while the Fool reveals more cryptic knowledge about the Elderlings and the future. Burrich begins training Fitz with the battle-axe, recognising it as his natural weapon, and Verity watches approvingly. Chade Fallstar coaches Fitz in subtlety and patience as political tensions between the Coastal and Inland duchies intensify around the court.
POV: FitzChivalry Farseer·On page: Verity Farseer, Burrich, The Fool, Chade Fallstar, Nighteyes, Molly Chandler, Patience, Lacey·Mentioned: Shrewd Farseer, Regal Farseer, Wallace, Will
Chapter 16: Verity's Ships
Verity Farseer's warships sail in the third summer of the Red Ship War, with FitzChivalry Farseer occasionally joining the crews through the Skill-bond. The ships win early victories but cannot achieve total command of the coast. Fitz serves as Verity's Skill-link to the ships while Justin nearly kills Fitz during a Skill encounter on the water. The chapter covers months of warfare and its toll on Verity, who pours all his strength into directing the fleet. Kettricken tends Rurisk's memorial garden and speaks of finding a permanent solution to the Red Ships, her words carrying the weight of a vow.
POV: FitzChivalry Farseer·On page: Verity Farseer, Kettricken, Nighteyes, The Fool, Burrich, Molly Chandler, Shrewd Farseer, Justin, Serene, Wallace, Celerity, Carrod·Mentioned: Regal Farseer, Galen, Chade Fallstar, Virago, August, Burl
Chapter 17: Interludes
Chade Fallstar tasks FitzChivalry Farseer with courting Celerity, Duke Brawndy's daughter, to secure the loyalty of Bearns, a duty Fitz finds repugnant given his secret love for Molly Chandler. Fitz spends time with Molly in the forest, treasuring stolen moments together. King Shrewd Farseer continues to decline under Wallace's care while Regal Farseer builds his power base among the Inland duchies. Chade reveals that Verity Farseer is considering a quest to seek the Elderlings, ancient allies who might turn the tide against the Red Ships. The chapter ends with Chade and Fitz preparing poisons as Fitz resumes his role as royal assassin.
POV: FitzChivalry Farseer·On page: Chade Fallstar, Molly Chandler, The Fool, Shrewd Farseer, Celerity, Nighteyes, Faith·Mentioned: Verity Farseer, Regal Farseer, Burrich, Kettricken, Duke Brawndy, Wallace, Hands, Patience
Chapter 18: Elderlings
Verity Farseer announces his decision to leave Buckkeep and seek the Elderlings, a quest based on ancient legends and King Wisdom's precedent. The Fool and Kettricken react with shock and grief, while Regal Farseer sees an opportunity to seize power. Verity Skills into FitzChivalry Farseer during an intimate moment with Molly Chandler, accidentally experiencing the encounter through Fitz's senses, a violation that leaves both men shaken. Wallace and Rosemary continue their attendance on King Shrewd Farseer and Kettricken respectively, while political tensions mount as Verity prepares to depart.
POV: FitzChivalry Farseer·On page: Verity Farseer, The Fool, Kettricken, Regal Farseer, Shrewd Farseer, Molly Chandler, Patience, Wallace, Rosemary, Celerity·Mentioned: Chade Fallstar, Nighteyes, Burrich, Fedwren
Chapter 19: Messages
Verity Farseer departs Buckkeep with a small band of followers on his quest to find the Elderlings, leaving Kettricken as effective ruler. Regal Farseer immediately begins consolidating power, controlling access to King Shrewd Farseer and undermining the queen. FitzChivalry Farseer discovers that Skill messages from Bearns are being intercepted or blocked, meaning Duke Brawndy's calls for help against Raiders go unanswered. Kettricken receives word that Ferry has been attacked and suspects treachery within Buckkeep. Hands proves his worth managing the stables while Fedwren and Cook remain loyal allies within the keep.
POV: FitzChivalry Farseer·On page: Verity Farseer, Kettricken, Regal Farseer, Burrich, Nighteyes, Chade Fallstar, Serene, Rosemary, Hands, Sooty, Truth·Mentioned: Shrewd Farseer, Will, Justin, Hod, Duke Brawndy, Molly Chandler, Galen