Contents
Three: Renewing Ties
Overview
Fitz, summoned by Verity’s subtle Skill, finds Verity revitalized and planning warships while deciding to keep Regal close by giving him internal governance. Fitz’s lingering illness is laid bare. Later, Patience confronts Fitz, and Molly—now Patience’s maid after Siltbay’s devastation—reveals her hardships. Misunderstandings erupt, and Molly rejects Fitz, straining their bond.
Summary
A preface recalls fragmentary records of King Wisdom’s pact with the Elderlings, emphasizing lost knowledge of how aid was won against raiders.
At dawn in Buckkeep, Fitz wakes weak and ill-fitted to his old clothes, noting Kettricken’s subtle changes in the keep. Drawn by a soft Skill summons, he ascends Verity’s tower. Verity, visibly restored by marriage and purpose, shows the bustling shipyards and vows to meet and later raid the Red Ships. Over food, Fitz delivers a full report from Jhaampe.
Pressed on politics, Fitz accuses Regal of treason. Verity agrees but refuses punitive spectacle that could fracture the Six Duchies, deciding instead to keep Regal close with responsibility for revenues and internal crises under a council, while Verity focuses on naval defense. Fitz asks for a day to seek news of Molly; Verity consents and, seeing Fitz’s tremors, admits guilt for the toll Fitz paid.
That evening, Lacey hauls Fitz to Lady Patience. In her cluttered rooms, Fitz offers careful half-truths about his illness and promises a Chyurda herbal as a gift. Patience perceives the necessary lie and postpones serious talk when Fitz’s shaking worsens, sending him to bed.
On the stairs, a maid aids the staggering Fitz and then recognizes him as “Newboy.” She is Molly. Relieved, Fitz embraces her, but she rebuffs him, believing him drunk and deceitful. Molly recounts losing her shop to her father’s debts, seeking help in Siltbay, surviving a raid while guarding her nieces, and returning destitute; Patience employed her after learning of Fitz. She rejects Fitz’s explanations, including his “dream” of Siltbay, and castigates him for lies and abandonment before leaving.
Alone, Fitz collapses into bed, realizing he courted a woman while behaving like a boy, and fears he has lost Molly for good.
Who Appears
- FitzChivalry FarseerProtagonist; weakened by past poisoning, reports to Verity, secures leave to seek Molly, and suffers a painful confrontation with her.
- Prince VerityRevitalized; Skill-summons Fitz, plans warships, and assigns Regal internal governance to preserve unity.
- Molly (the candle-maker)Now Patience’s maid; recounts debts and Siltbay raid, confronts Fitz over perceived lies, and rejects him.
- Lady PatienceFitz’s father’s widow; flustered and caring, perceives Fitz’s concealed troubles, employs Molly, postpones serious talk.
- LaceyPatience’s maid; chatters, fetches Fitz to Patience, tends him, and shows concern for his health.
- CharimVerity’s serving-man; brings food and quietly manages the study during Fitz’s debriefing.
- Prince RegalOffstage antagonist; accused of treason, yet kept close by Verity with administrative duties to avoid civil strife.