Contents
Eighteen: Elderlings
Overview
Verity’s naval strategy falters further when the refitted Revenge turns pirate, crushing morale. Guided by the Fool’s influence, Kettricken revives Shrewd and proposes seeking the Elderlings, producing a Mountain map. Verity claims the quest despite winter risks; Shrewd consents after Regal’s interference, leaving Kettricken to rule in his stead. Fitz, shaken, seeks Molly, while an unshielded Skill link entangles him in Verity and Kettricken’s intimacy.
Summary
Autumn brings setbacks for Verity’s war effort: his reduced fleet fails to secure the coast, and the refitted captured Red Ship, now the Revenge, deserts to piracy in southern waters, humiliating Verity and eroding confidence.
Meanwhile, the Fool has nudged Kettricken toward Shrewd’s care and toward the old solution of the Elderlings. On the tower garden, Kettricken presses Fitz about Elderling lore and reveals Mountain scrolls and a faded map with ancient paths into the Rain Wilds. At Fitz’s urging—and Verity’s eager prompting through their Skill link—they bring the idea to Verity. Verity, galvanized, resolves that he himself must undertake the quest. Kettricken offers to go, even together; Verity asks her to sacrifice by remaining to represent him.
Summoned before King Shrewd, Kettricken and Verity present the scrolls and map. Shrewd, clearer-minded under Kettricken’s attention, initially refuses Verity’s personal venture, favoring an emissary. Regal bursts in, then opportunistically argues that Verity should go. When Shrewd places the choice on Verity, Verity affirms he will depart within days; Shrewd consents, and Regal is visibly pleased. Kettricken is confirmed to stand for Verity during his absence.
Aside from the council, Fitz wrestles with Molly’s precarious devotion and, after a talk with Patience hinting at Molly’s quiet use of bitter herbs, resolves to value what they have. That night, he goes to Molly and they make love.
In the aftermath, Fitz realizes Verity has not fully shielded their Skill bond; Fitz unwillingly senses Verity and Kettricken’s intimacy, leaving him shaken by the involuntary sharing and its implications.
Who Appears
- FitzChivalry FarseerNarrator; escorts Kettricken’s Elderling plan to Verity, witnesses the royal council, visits Molly, and suffers an unshielded Skill entanglement.
- Verity FarseerKing-in-Waiting; disheartened by naval failures, embraces the Elderling quest, wins Shrewd’s leave, leaves Kettricken to represent him.
- KettrickenQueen-in-Waiting; nurses Shrewd, gathers Mountain lore and a map, proposes seeking Elderlings, agrees to remain as Verity’s representative.
- King ShrewdAiling but lucid; hears the case, first refuses then permits Verity’s quest, revealing dependence on and interference by Wallace.
- Prince RegalIntrudes on the council, maneuvers to support Verity’s departure, clearly pleased to see his brother leave.
- The FoolEncourages Kettricken’s initiative, tends Shrewd, celebrates Verity’s decision, and lightens the tense council with antics.
- MollyFitz’s lover; quietly steadfast, likely using bitter herbs, shares an intense night that is shadowed by the Skill link.
- PatienceAdvises Kettricken on gardens; obliquely alerts Fitz to bitter herbs, stirring his awareness of Molly’s sacrifices.
- WallaceShrewd’s officious attendant; excluded by Verity, suspected influence over the King; later confers with Regal.
- BurrichOffers Fitz blunt counsel in the hall, marking their relationship’s maturation.
- RosemaryKettricken’s little maid; carries scrolls and attends the King’s chamber during the council.