Twenty-Eight: Treasons and Traitors

Before dawn, Fitz recruits Burrich to ready three horses, a mule, a litter, and supplies, to rendezvous at an alder copse outside Buckkeep without drawing notice. Fitz then asks Nighteyes to wait within the walls and guide the fugitives when summoned.

Late morning, Fitz visits Kettricken under the pretense of consulting herb scrolls, clears the room of attendants, and urgently instructs her to bar her door after the ceremony and await the Pocked Man; she is to depart that night with King Shrewd.

Seeking a way to isolate Shrewd, Fitz wanders to Verity’s study and, unassisted, opens Skill contact. Verity confirms he cannot return, tasks Fitz to proceed, and then forcibly expels an eavesdropper from Galen’s coterie. Fitz finds Justin stunned in the corridor; after a tense exchange, Serene removes Justin. Fitz restrains himself from killing Justin to avoid jeopardizing Chade’s plan.

Summoned by Duke Brawndy, Fitz hears the coastal dukes’ distrust of Regal and their proposal that Fitz oppose him. Fitz refuses a crown, pledges to hold Buck for Verity’s unborn heir, and declines marriage to Celerity, arguing the danger and impropriety. Brawndy accepts Fitz’s stance and promises discreet support after Regal departs.

Reporting to Chade, Fitz defends his commitment to the Farseer line while Chade warns of civil war if Shrewd and Kettricken fall. They finalize the escape details: Chade will bring Shrewd out through a grain shed; Nighteyes will guide them through a gap in the wall to Burrich’s waiting mounts. The Fool has secured clothing and coin for Shrewd, who has reluctantly agreed to flee. The plan’s last unsolved piece is how Fitz will briefly clear the King’s chamber on the night of Regal’s ceremony.