Chapter 17-20 Summary

~17~ Fitz doesn't go to the king's chambers unless he is called. When he is called he finds a letter to him from Celerity, Duke Brawndy's daughter at Bearns. Shrewd tells Fitz that he will write her a response back to be ready to go with the rider that evening. Fitz writes her a letter intended to make him sound like an oaf, dumb, and sickly and leaves it unsealed so that all can read it in the hopes her father will forbid her speaking of him.

Fitz goes to the market in Buckkeep and finds Molly shopping. They have lunch on the beach and he tells her of Celerity and the king's order that he and Molly may not wed. Molly leaves him in tears. Chade opens the secret passage to Fitz's chamber when Fitz returns home and they talk of...