Twenty-Five: Strategy

Fitz wakes dazed in the storm, his thoughts drifting under the Skill Road’s influence. Pressed by Kettricken, he admits a Skill-dream: Verity is alive but hides his location and warns Fitz to stop Skilling, fearing Regal’s coterie could follow Fitz’s trail to loved ones. Kettle insists the Road is the cause of Fitz’s stupor and orders the group to keep him engaged until they can travel.

Nighteyes returns triumphantly with a boar, lifting spirits as Kettricken and Fitz butcher it in the cold. Inside, the Fool offers to improve Starling’s rough harp; the group shares tea, meat, and songs, including Kettle’s pointed “Six Wisemen” rhyme. As the wind drops, Kettricken confides guilt and jealousy over Fitz’s Skill-bond with Verity; Fitz nearly slips into Skilling toward Molly but restrains himself.

Kettle introduces an old Buck stone strategy game to occupy Fitz’s mind. Overnight, with Nighteyes’ hunt-pack perspective, Fitz solves a difficult position, astonishing Kettle. In explaining the solution, Fitz openly confirms his Wit-bond: he and the wolf share awareness and reasoning beyond words, unsettling Kettle but clarifying their link.

When travel resumes, Kettle decrees Fitz must avoid the Road’s surface and always have a companion. The Fool escorts him and urges Fitz to probe Kettle’s mysterious past. Later, Starling accompanies Fitz and pointedly questions him about the Fool’s identity and history, while Fitz deflects. That night Kettle pushes deeper strategies; Fitz internalizes Nighteyes’ “noose” tactic and faces a new, harder puzzle. Before dawn he runs with the wolf in shared dreams, returning to camp with renewed spirit.