Contents
Fourteen: Winterfest
Overview
As Winterfest begins, Fitz secretly reunites with Molly and asserts boundaries with Nighteyes. Burrich starts training Fitz with axes, while the Fool seeks access to Verity’s scrolls, offering his own secret in trade. Fitz forces his way to King Shrewd, exposes Wallace’s neglect, and faces Regal; Shrewd publicly reaffirms Fitz’s right of access.
Summary
Winterfest’s customs frame Fitz’s day. After failing to see King Shrewd, Fitz studies Skill lore and considers recruiting surviving trainees for Verity’s coterie. He dozes and Molly quietly visits; they reaffirm their bond and spend the night together. Fitz mentally separates this intimacy from Nighteyes, insisting on privacy with his mate.
At dawn Burrich summons Fitz to Verity’s tower, where Burrich begins axe training with padded heads, stressing whole-weapon use. Verity rides quietly in Fitz’s mind, and Fitz finishes sore but steadier. In the bustling kitchens, Cook Sara defends Fitz from rumors about the Forged killings and sends pastries and tea for the King.
The Fool slips into Fitz’s room, teasing but earnest; he warns of danger, asks to consult Verity’s scrolls, and offers his own origin as barter. Fitz refuses for now and rushes to Shrewd with the tray, keeping Verity linked to test controlled shared awareness.
Wallace tries to bar entry to Shrewd, whose rooms reek of Smoke and are filthy. Fitz bars Wallace out, airs the chamber, discards censers and stale food, washes the King, and coaxes him to eat. Regal arrives with guards, accuses Fitz, and tries to reassert control; Wallace claims disorder preserves the King’s rest.
Shrewd, briefly lucid, recognizes Fitz’s token and the oath behind it. Despite Regal’s pressure, the King reaffirms Fitz’s right to see him and asks that visits be in the afternoon. Fitz withdraws, realizing he neglected Shrewd and that Regal and Wallace will now guard afternoons closely, complicating Fitz’s personal petition to marry Molly.
Who Appears
- FitzChivalry FarseerProtagonist; reunites with Molly, trains with axes, bargains with the Fool, confronts Wallace, refreshes King Shrewd, withstands Regal.
- King ShrewdAiling king; kept in foul conditions by Wallace, briefly lucid to reaffirm Fitz’s access token and set afternoon visits.
- Prince RegalChallenges Fitz in Shrewd’s chambers, backs Wallace, seeks to control the King’s access and environment.
- BurrichStablemaster and mentor; begins Fitz’s axe training, notes Fitz’s improved condition.
- The FoolWarns Fitz, seeks Verity’s scrolls, offers his own secret as barter, urges Fitz to attend Shrewd.
- MollySecretly visits Fitz; they consummate their bond and agree on honesty and discretion.
- Prince VerityRides in Fitz’s mind to practice controlled Skilling; advises and observes events with Shrewd.
- WallaceShrewd’s healer; bars entry, keeps the King drugged with Smoke and poorly tended; confronted by Fitz.
- Cook SaraDefends Fitz against rumors and sends Shrewd his favorite pastries to encourage eating.
- NighteyesWolf partner; senses Molly’s arrival; Fitz sets boundaries around private human intimacy.