Twenty-Three: The Mountains

The chapter opens with Mountain Kingdom lore and rumors of lands beyond. In Jhaampe, Kettricken prepares an expedition to seek Verity using charity from friends rather than royal coffers. Fitz bristles at her plans, the jeppas, and Starling’s bargain to record his paternity. Chade departs for Buckkeep; his parting gifts spark Fitz’s jealousy and the Fool reframes Chade’s motives as protective.

The Fool declares he will accompany Fitz as White Prophet to the Catalyst; Kettle insists she will go as well. Before the planned departure, Regal sends a truce-flag ultimatum demanding Fitz or threatening invasion. Reading Eyod’s silence as cover to help Fitz escape, Kettricken orders an immediate, secret leave with only Fitz and Starling. The Fool joins despite the cold; Nighteyes frolics with village children and scouts ahead.

The small party—Kettricken, Fitz, the Fool, Starling, and a train of jeppas—slips into the forest and pushes hard. Kettle tracks them angrily and, with Nighteyes’ help, reaches their camp; Kettricken refuses to slow but accepts her presence. Kettricken runs an efficient camp, revealing soldierly competence that reminds Fitz of Verity.

After several days’ forced marching, Kettricken consults Verity’s old map. She chooses to follow an ancient trade road into the higher Mountains rather than revisit the battle-site where she once found bones and Verity’s cloak. She asks Fitz to Skill to Verity; he refuses, fearing Regal’s coterie could eavesdrop or trace them.

Pressed, Fitz details Galen’s coterie’s long treachery—spying, pain and illusion by Skill, and delaying or suppressing Verity’s commands—undermining the Six Duchies’ defense. Outraged, Kettricken concludes Regal’s crimes cannot be forgiven and commands Fitz to kill Regal for the realm’s sake. As the camp sleeps, Fitz wrestles with the growing compulsion of the Skill and steels his walls against both Regal’s coterie and his own temptation to the silver river.