Fifteen: Kettle

Before dawn, Fitz awakens in Nik Holdfast’s crowded house as the smuggling caravan readies to leave in a worsening snowstorm. Starling secures a better deal for Fitz to drive when Nik’s driver falls ill. Outside, Fitz is assigned to a small cart with a stern, elderly woman who later names herself Kettle. The caravan travels cross-country in silence, avoiding roads and leaving little trace, with Starling riding ahead.

Fitz and Kettle talk sparingly. Kettle, dismissive of chatter, says she seeks a prophet while the other pilgrims go to Eda’s shrine. She needles Fitz about why he risks the Mountains, and he replies he goes to see his uncle. As night falls they shelter in an old riverside sheep camp repurposed by smugglers. Starling entertains with songs, while Fitz notes Nik’s disciplined crew and the pilgrims’ nervous cohesion.

Drawn outside by a familiar touch of mind, Fitz reunites with Nighteyes. The wolf explains he left a wild pack and has returned because Verity’s Skill-summons—“Come to me”—binds them both through Fitz. Fitz feels guilty that Verity’s call has ensnared the wolf, but Nighteyes declares they are one. Fitz insists he must keep to the caravan for shelter and passage; to cover the wolf’s presence, he presents Nighteyes as his “dog,” and Nik reluctantly accepts it.

Returning to the shelter, Fitz senses Starling’s unease at the wolf and sees her talking closely with Nik. As he drifts toward sleep, a faint Skill-touch rouses him. Listening without reaching, he overhears Regal communicating through Will’s strength with Burl and Carrod. Regal, parasitic on Will’s Skill, savagely hurts Carrod to enforce obedience, then orders them to stop Fitz and ensure Verity is eliminated. The exchange confirms Regal knows Verity lives and that roadblocks and searches will intensify.

Shaken but steadied by Nighteyes’ presence, Fitz understands the growing peril and the urgency to reach Verity despite Regal’s tightening net.