Is Fitz Happy?

Ep. 305 - Ch. 14 Part 2 Golden Fool - Scrolls

Chade shares Queen Kettricken's directive to form a coterie with Thick and Nettle. Fitz and Chade rehash the argument for Fitz to become Skillmaster. They discuss the piebalds and the issues they have been having with the Old Blood. Chade leaves Fitz to speak with Thick about the Skill, and Fitz instead gets to know the young man. We're reading Golden Fool by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Tawny Man Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings.

Ep. 304 - Ch. 14 Part 1 Golden Fool - Scrolls

The Out Island delegation, Elliania and Poettre, leave Buckkeep, but not without a planned visit from Dutiful to their lands. Fitz's mood grows ever darker, festering in frustration from the Amber reveal and Jek's insistence. He grows even moodier in his talks with Chade about various happenings around the castle and training with the Skill. We're reading Golden Fool by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Tawny Man Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings.

Ep. 303 - Ch. 13 Golden Fool - Challenges

Some time passes with Fitz and Lord Golden equally ignoring each other and with Hap on his own in Buckkeep Town. He talks with Chade about the various issues plaguing and puzzling the Farseers. Fitz then spies on the last feast with the OutIslanders. Narcheska Elliania challenges Prince Dutiful to bring her the head of the dragon Icefyre, and Dutiful challenges her back to go along with him. We're reading Golden Fool by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Tawny Man Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings.

Ep. 302 - Ch. 12 Part 2 Golden Fool - Jek

To distract himself, Fitz listens in on Narcheska Elliania's pain and leaves with more questions. He meets Selden in the hallways who implores him to help Tintaglia in her cause. Escaping that conversation, he encounters Starling on the road to Buckkeep Town and goes to get drunk after they argue. Eventually, he decides it's a good idea to go talk to Jinna and apologize. We're reading Golden Fool by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Tawny Man Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings.

Ep. 301 - Ch. 12 Part 1 Golden Fool - Jek

Sleep deprived and just wanting to rest, Fitz finds a strange woman named Jek in Lord Golden's room. She calls Lord Golden by a strange name and makes assumptions about their relationship with no response from the Fool. Fitz is ordered out, and he listens in on their conversation, stewing as he feels betrayed by his oldest friend. We're reading Golden Fool by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Tawny Man Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings.

Ep. 300 - Ch. 11 Part 2 Golden Fool - Tidings From Bingtown

The Bingtown delegation presents gifts to Queen Kettricken and her councilor, Chade to negotiate an alliance in their war against Chalced. Fitz and the Fool eavesdrop and are witness to the revelation that Tintaglia, a real dragon, could be their ally, as well. Fitz, once back in Chade's secret room, gets the truth out of the Fool about this information. We're reading Golden Fool by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Tawny Man Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings.

Ep. 299 - Ch. 11 Part 1 Golden Fool - Tidings From Bingtown

Fitz confronts Hap after failing to find his son and Svanja the previous night. Hap is completely unrepentant and Fitz, angry and morose. Back at the castle and informed by Lord Golden of a ship of Bingtown ambassadors, Fitz gets ready to spy. The Fool and Fitz traverse Chade's labrynth and see some familiar faces gathered before Queen Kettricken and Chade. We're reading Golden Fool by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Tawny Man Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings.

Ep. 298 - Ch. 10 Golden Fool - Resolutions

On the way back to his and Lord Golden's rooms, Fitz stops to spy a bit on the Narcheska Elliania and Poettre. After, he accepts Lord Golden's invite to go along on the ride with Dutiful and Lady Vance. Elliania announces her true age at the ride, claims equality with Queen Kettricken, and mostly ignores the prince, to his chagrin. After the ride in Buckkeep Town, Fitz is confronted by Svanja's father and they look for his daughter and Hap. We're reading Golden Fool by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Tawny Man Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings.

Ep. 297 - Ch. 9 Golden Fool - Stone Wager

Fitz meets Dutiful in Verity's Skill tower and listens to the Prince's story. A social gaffe creates a problem between Narcheska Elliania and Dutiful, so Fitz points him in the direction of Chade. The old assassin happens to confront Fitz with Thick and the knowledge that Nettle can skill, so Fitz is faced with a tough decision. We're reading Golden Fool by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Tawny Man Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings.

Ep. 296 - Ch. 8 Golden Fool - Ambitions

Time is passing in Buckkeep, and Fitz is busy. He is teaching Dutiful, trying to spend time with Hap and Jinna, avoiding Thick, trying to sleep despite Nettle's dream intrusions, and talking about all of that with Chade. We discuss the circle of magic, Chade's memory loss, and Fitz being infuriating as usual. We're reading Golden Fool by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Tawny Man Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings.

Ep. 295 - Ch. 7 Part 2 Golden Fool - Lessons

Fitz guides Prince Dutiful in a Skill exercise that almost goes terribly wrong. Dutiful confronts Fitz about rumors of the relationship between Tom Badgerlock and Lord Golden. Fitz and Chade have a conversation regarding Fitz's journey to his cabin, current events at Buckkeep, and Chade pursuing experiments with the Skill pillars. Fitz finishes the episode by speaking once more with Thick, trying to understand the servant's dislike of Fitz. We're reading Golden Fool by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Tawny Man Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings.

Ep. 294 - Ch. 7 Part 1 Golden Fool - Lessons

Fitz has returned from his sojourn back to Tom Badgerlock's cabin. He awaits Prince Dutiful in Verity's Tower for his Skill lesson. Fitz shares a sketch of his history with Dutiful and preps him for how they'll learn together. Our discussion centers around Skill scrolls, Fitz's lack of confidence in his abilities, and what Fitz did or did not say to Dutiful. We're reading Golden Fool by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Tawny Man Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings.

Ep. 293 - Ch. 6 Part 2 Golden Fool - Obliteration

Jinna greets Fitz and warmly welcomes him in to her home. Afterwards, he dwells on his longing for deep connection. He goes to see Hap, who is quite discontent with his role at Gindast's woodshop and Fitz leaves that discussion troubled. Back at Buckkeep, he finds a note from Chade, directing him to take the time to go back to his cabin to tie up the loose ends. We're reading Golden Fool by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Tawny Man Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings.

Ep. 292 - Ch. 6 Part 1 Golden Fool - Obliteration

Fitz overhears Laurel asking Lord Golden for a meeting and is stressed by how many people have claims on his time. We see some insight into Beloved's feelings, and Fitz goes on his way to see the huntswoman. The Piebalds are still active and ramping up their violence, so Tom Badgerlock better watch out. We're reading Golden Fool by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Tawny Man Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings.

Ep. 291 - Ch. 5 Golden Fool - Shared Sorrows

After fruitlessly waiting for Prince Dutiful in the tower for his Skill lesson, Fitz is called to Kettricken's room. Fitz is able to let go as they grieve over Nighteyes together. They catch up a bit, and we discuss Fitz and Kettricken's relationship. We're reading Golden Fool by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Tawny Man Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings.

Ep. 290 - Ch. 4 Golden Fool - The Betrothal

The Fool plays dress up with Fitz, getting ready for the betrothal ceremony between Narcheska Elliania and Prince Dutiful. There, as a the servant Tom Badgerlock, Fitz is able to observe the reactions of all the different groups and lend moral support for Dutiful. It's a long evening, ending with secondhand Smoke, which brings Fitz's guard down against Skill intrusions. We're reading Golden Fool by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Tawny Man Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings.

Ep. 289 - Ch. 3 Part 2 Golden Fool - Echoes

FitzChivalry speaks with Prince Dutiful on their afternoon ride in the countryside. The prince vents about his betrothal, commands Tom Badgerlock to attend the event, and speaks about being lonely. Fitz admonishes him to be wary of Civil Bresinga and agrees to start teaching him the Skill. We're reading Golden Fool by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Tawny Man Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings.

Ep. 288 - Ch. 3 Part 1 Golden Fool - Echoes

Fitz heads down to his rooms with Lord Golden, straightens up, and has to kill time before the afternoon ride with Prince Dutiful. He practices with his sword and heads to the steams at Buckkeep, where he runs into an old friend. We're reading Golden Fool by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Tawny Man Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings.

Ep. 287 - Ch. 2 Golden Fool - Chade's Servant

Fitz, on his way to Chade's workshop, stops to think and overhears Narcheska Elliania and her uncle Peottre. He walks in on Thick, Chade's servant, and tries to recover from his Skill headache afterward. He and Chade debrief and make plans for the future. We're reading Golden Fool by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Tawny Man Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings.

• Transcript

Ep. 286 - Ch. 1 Golden Fool - Piebalds

Fitz, as Tom Badgerlock, waits a long time with Jinna for his foster son, Hap, to get home. Companionable silence and small talk pass the time until Fitz has to leave. On the way to Lord Golden's rooms, Fitz is confronted by Piebalds and in turn, Fitz confronts that he needs to think like an assassin again. We're reading Golden Fool by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Tawny Man Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings.

• Transcript