Contents
Six: Forged Ones
Overview
A court chronicle recalls Shrewd’s heirs—Chivalry and Verity—before shifting to Fitz’s return. Fitz sees Kettricken riding amicably with Regal, unsettling him. Verity summons Fitz and assigns a covert investigation into clustered Forged attacks approaching Buckkeep, insisting on secrecy. In private, Verity reveals fatigue and marital strain; Fitz’s loyalty steadies him.
Summary
The chapter opens with a brief history: Chivalry and Verity, close in age and purpose, forged treaties and borders for Shrewd, while Regal, reared at court by Queen Desire, was groomed for ambition. This frames the present tensions at Buckkeep.
Fitz rides home after completing the Virago task, conflicted over his assassin’s work. At the gate he witnesses Kettricken and Regal riding together, laughing and conspicuous, which unsettles him. In the stables, Burrich explains Regal began teaching Kettricken lowland riding soon after Fitz left; bound by duty, Burrich complied despite misgivings.
Summoned by the Skill, Fitz goes to Verity, who outlines troubling reports: Forged ones are attacking not singly but in apparent groups, and their incidents creep closer to Buckkeep. Drawing on his past encounters, Fitz argues Forged cannot truly cooperate, lacking communal instinct. Verity counters with animal pack analogies yet agrees the pattern is anomalous; his map shows three moving clusters.
Verity orders Fitz to investigate quietly—gather tavern talk, read signs on the roads, and stop what he can without alarming Buckkeep. Talk turns to Kettricken riding with Regal; Verity admits loneliness, frustration with Kettricken’s youth and zeal, and crushing fatigue. Fitz expresses faith in Verity’s leadership. Buoyed by this, Verity regains composure and dismisses Fitz, who departs more accepting of his bastardy and duties.
Who Appears
- FitzChivalry FarseerNarrator-assassin; returns from Virago mission, observes Kettricken with Regal, and accepts Verity’s covert task to probe Forged activity.
- Prince VerityKing-in-Waiting; maps clustered Forged attacks, orders a quiet investigation, reveals exhaustion and marital strain, steadied by Fitz’s loyalty.
- Queen-in-Waiting KettrickenSeen riding amiably with Regal; her loneliness and zeal are discussed as sources of tension with Verity.
- Prince RegalPublicly escorts Kettricken and teaches her riding; his motives remain suspect amid court politics.
- BurrichStablemaster; explains Regal initiated Kettricken’s riding lessons and defends his compliance as sworn service.
- Prince ChivalryRecalled in the chronicle as diplomat-soldier; Verity longs for his guidance as former King-in-Waiting.
- King ShrewdBackground presence in the chronicle; father who set Chivalry and Verity to shape the realm.
- Queen DesireRegal’s mother; groomed him at court, implicated in past intrigues per the chronicle.
- Queen ConstanceMother of Chivalry and Verity; mentioned in the genealogical preface.