Contents
Twenty-Two: Departure
Overview
In Jhaampe, Fitz sinks into despair until a searing Skill-dream shows Verity alive at an ancient city and resisting annihilation in a river of raw magic, which silver-fuses his arms. Verity implores Fitz to come as his lone coterie. Later, Kettricken compels a full accounting and declares Fitz’s child the Farseer heir, to be claimed as hers. Shaken yet clarified, Fitz commits to find Verity regardless of personal loss.
Summary
In Jhaampe, Fitz drinks bitterly and spars with Chade over Molly and the child, while Kettle recites prophecies and the Fool admits crafting them in youth. Chade warns Fitz that Kettricken, grief-stricken and isolated, will judge him sternly. Fitz collapses into a violent Skill-dream.
Drawn by Verity’s residual Skill in him, Fitz witnesses an ancient, ruined city and a river of raw magic. Verity, gaunt and resolute, is lured toward self-annihilation in the flow. At the brink, he plunges his forearms into it; agony and rapture fuse power into his flesh, leaving his arms silvered. At Verity’s plea, Fitz helps pull him back. Verity shields Fitz from the river’s lure, declares he has no true coterie, and bids Fitz come to him. A brief, blazing touch grants Fitz piercing clarity before the vision ends.
Fitz convulses; Chade doses him with elfbark. At dawn, bathed and steadier, Fitz notes his softened anger and the Fool’s reminder to remain “Tom.” They enter Kettricken’s chamber, where quiet work and etiquette precede a cold summons to explain himself.
Under formal questioning, Fitz recounts everything: Shrewd’s death, killing Serene and Justin, torture and feigned death, Wit-revival, travels, the strike at Regal, continual brushes with Verity through the Skill, and his arrival in Jhaampe. When finished, Kettricken pivots to his daughter, declaring the child the Farseer heir to rally the Six Duchies, intending to present her as Kettricken’s own, with Starling’s sworn witness of paternity.
Fitz protests, yearning for a simple life with Molly and their child, but Kettricken insists on necessity and fate. Pressed, Fitz affirms he will seek Verity regardless of personal cost or promises withheld. His resolve rekindles Chade’s pride, stirs Kettricken’s emotion, and restores the Fool’s faith in the Catalyst, even as the Skill’s deeper call now tugs at Fitz.
Who Appears
- FitzChivalry Farseer (as Tom)Protagonist; despairs, then Skill-dreams Verity at the magic river; later confesses all to Kettricken; vows to find Verity.
- Queen KettrickenFormally interrogates Fitz; declares his infant the Farseer heir, intending to claim the child as hers for unity.
- Verity FarseerSeen via Skill at an ancient city; resists annihilation, silver-fusing his arms; implores Fitz to come as his coterie.
- Chade FallstarAdmonishes Fitz, explains Burrich’s choices; later oversees the audience; proud when Fitz resolves to seek Verity.
- The FoolQuietly supports Fitz; admits authoring prophecies in youth; urges discretion; renews faith in Fitz as Catalyst.
- KettleQuotes prophecy, disapproves of Fitz’s drinking; concerned during his seizure; enigmatic presence among the group.
- Starling BirdsongPlays harp; present as Fitz confesses; legal witness affirming Fitz’s paternity, enabling Kettricken’s claim.
- NighteyesWary, keeps distance during Fitz’s drinking; departs to hunt; cautions Fitz to avoid drink after the seizure.
- JofronThe Fool’s Mountain friend; embroiders with Kettricken; part of the quiet courtly setting.