The Robin Hobb Collection discussion
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Royal Assassin
Book 2 - Royal Assassin
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Royal Assassin Part 3 - chapter 11 to 15
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Hanne
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Jan 20, 2013 12:19PM
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i like the tactician in Fitz. the winter graden was a really nice idea. i do feel for Kettricken being stuck in that palace. and i also wouldn't be surprised to find Patience and Kettricken bonding.
so thanks fitz, for giving Patience a small metaphorical slap in the face.
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how can they sit back and wait, doesn't he have advisors?
the younger brother seems to sure run that household right now. which is weird, to say the least. i wish Verity had a bit more guts to take some action at least.
I think there are a few complex factors at work when it comes to Regal and I think Hobb handles these brilliantly.Firstly, Shrewd isn't getting any younger and Verity is pretty much consumed with other things - so that leaves Regal, the third most powerful/important man in the kingdom a lot of room to move.
Secondly Regal is still Shrewd's son and an heir to the throne. As such accusing a direct member of the king's family is considered treason and punishable by death. That would pretty much keep most people quiet from airing any suspicions.
Thirdly, when Shrewd dies there will be a power shift. So, anyone who is ambitious and wants to work their way to the top of the political ladder has to get into the good graces of the sons - as they will be the ones in charge. Accusing one of the sons shortly before the father is likely to die probably isn't politically smart either. Especially so if you can see or suspect that there may be a power struggle between the sons and you don't know yet who will come out on top.
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your thoughts make total sense, but i still wonder how this happens. the king isn't taken care off and no-one intervenes? i get the ones on Regal's side indeed. but there have to be others loyal to the current king or Verity?
it doesn't necessarily mean a flat-out accusation, but someone who checks in?
I was very proud of Burrich when he stood up in Fitz's defense and asked Verity if there was anyone else they could send to the slaughter. These Forged ones have a high tolerance for pain or either don't feel the pain, they are not easily distracted, and they usually are in numbers of 3 or more. And Verity is just sending Fitz alone. Burrich now is in a bind because he does not want Fitz to use his Wit but he also knows he cannot survive without it.
So Shrewd has taken away Fitz's choice of life's work(his distaste for being an assassin were ignored, along with other gifts he has, diplomacy, writing) and now he will attempt to tell him who to court and marry. I hope very much that Fitz is as much like his dad as everyone says, because if he is, he will marry Molly.And if things keep going as they are, he won't have to wait long for Regal to smother Shrewd with those herbs and receive Verity's blessing.
Isn't Nighteyes hilarious? He approves of Fitz's mate and the pack takes care of the children so why shouldn't he be there present during the mating process? Besides, this is good, brotherHe's keeping too many secrets from Molly. Not that I would tell her that one!
He understands so much, like calling the Forged ones the Senseless ones and knowing ahead of time that Fitz wanted to keep them out of their territory. And he knows the latter part because of the closeness of the bond. When I read that I thought , how could a human friend/ companion compete with that? In book one, I did not understand the problem with the Wit magic. But Hobb does a great job of showing it's dangers in this book.
@Hanne - I think Regal has taken it upon himself to care for his father's health. This gives him an excuse to isolate Shrewd for his "health's sake." It also makes Shrewd dependent on Regal, he probably thinks the sun shines out his bum - so unless Shrewd raises an alarm or complains himself there is very little anyone can do even if they suspect or even know something is wrong.It's very delicate. Also, we only know how bad Regal is through Fitz' POV. Most other people probably like Regal - he's very snakelike that way.
@Candace - I love Night Eyes. Very matter of fact.And I think all Shrewd's decisions he makes for Fitz are about paranoia that Fits being a bastard is a loose end that could cause trouble for the rightful heirs. So he is trying to make sure Fitz is kept under the thumb and eye of the king.
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love nighteyes too! fabulous wolf!
makes a chuckle and makes me proud, if that continues he might be my favorite wolf of all time.
Hanne wrote: "which important high standing family would want their daughter married off to a bastard?"Well, I don't think marrying a bastard is nearly as prestigious as marrying say a King's daughter. A king's daughter could be used to secure alliances with powerful kingdoms. But I think a Royal bastard still gives a little bit of political connection - so maybe a real important house may not want to marry a bastard but perhaps a lesser house would. Or maybe an important house might marry off a second or third daughter as a favor to the king in return for some benefit. I think one of the goals however would be to make sure the bastard is not in a position to make trouble - so a marriage to a loyal house who could keep an eye on him would benefit the king.
Hanne wrote: "love nighteyes too! fabulous wolf!makes a chuckle and makes me proud, if that continues he might be my favorite wolf of all time. "
What other wolves are in the running? Night Eyes is awesome.
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let's start with the conversation between Fitz and the Fool where the latter answers the question: "Whence comes the Fool and why?"
the problem with the Fool is that you never really know how serious to take his answers, but let's assume that this conversation for one he was totally honest.
the future is just another kind of history, that can be surpringly foretelling if for generations people have put their knowledge and visions together. the fool carries that knowledge.
but more surprisingly is how convinced the Fool is that Fitz is the catalyst and that through Fitz the Fool can put his mark on the future and history.
"The name Farseer is the future reaching back in time to you, and naming you by the name that someday your house will deserve."
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Burrich to Verity "You've made a wise choice for him. The axe is his weapon."
Verity nodded slowly "And he is mine."
Is it really fair, at any possible time, to consider another human being your weapon? (whether you make them into a white chair or not)
Hanne wrote: "i did find the end of the chapter a bit gloomy:Burrich to Verity "You've made a wise choice for him. The axe is his weapon."
Verity nodded slowly "And he is mine."
Is it really fair, at any possi..."
You know Ive always said I think Burrich is the one that truly cares for him though its hard for him to express. He shows it in his actions such as I wrote above- speaking against the King--in-waiting's choice. Patience seems to care also but she has an agenda, whether you think its a good one or not, Fitz needs people who just love him for who he isbastard or not. All I see is Molly and Burrich. The Fool wishes to uses him for his place in history as a catalyst.
Hanne wrote: "Is it really fair, at any possible time, to consider another human being your weapon? (whether you make them into a white chair or not) "Still smarting from Ian Banks?
David Sven wrote: "Hanne wrote: "which important high standing family would want their daughter married off to a bastard?"Well, I don't think marrying a bastard is nearly as prestigious as marrying say a King's dau..."
Also besides just apart from being a part of the royal family, in book one it states that Fitz is now behind Regal in what is already a rocky chain of seccessesion. That would put him 3rd from the throne until one of the two brothers had kids in wedlock.
Candace wrote: "Patience seems to care also but she has an agenda, whether you think its a good one or not"Keep in mind that your seeing everything through Fitz's eyes. I think her agenda is to do what she deems best for him, because she cares.
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that chair will haunt for a while...
candace, i think Patience really does mean well. she doesn't come across like having that much of an agenda to me.
but yes, i think Burrich definitely cares the most. despite all the tough parenting from book 1
Rob wrote: "Candace wrote: "Patience seems to care also but she has an agenda, whether you think its a good oe or not"Keep in mind that your seeing everything through Fitz's eyes. I think her agenda is to d..."
I agree, but I have added whether you think its good. However I now that you've made me think about it, her agenda is FOR Fitz. Whereas Verity's is for himself, despite rationalizing its for the people.
Candace wrote: "Rob wrote: "Candace wrote: "Patience seems to care also but she has an agenda, whether you think its a good oe or not"Keep in mind that your seeing everything through Fitz's eyes. I think her age..."
I disagree. Verity does nothing for himself. He'll use Fitz if he feels it's for the good of the six duchies, so that makes him seem uncaring, but he's not.
Why Rob, if he cares for FITZ and not just protecting his secret weapon does he send Fitz out Alone against GROUPS of forged ones who dont feel pain or dont let it affect their fighting? If not like Burrich said, send someone else, why not at least even out the odds. Without Nighteyes, he would be dead.
Ultimately I think we are both a little right, but Verity has become or ia becoming addicted to skilling and its affecting his ability to see how dangerous Regal really is, how sick the King is, and how much danger he put Fitz in.
In Verity's eyes the problem must be handled by the farseers. Fitz is a farseer. And an assassin. This is "quiet work". So it falls to him.I agree he should have had help. But I think Verity feels he can handle it.
I'm not saying Verity isn't without flaws. I think he's overwhelmed and focused on saving the Kingdom, that he comes off uncaring.
Mod
would you believe that the book you reviewed with the Dutch title(I think Dutch ) is a book that greatly changed my life several years ago. At least I think its the same o..."
Yes they do confuse shy and introvert. I'm not shy, but i'm very introvert. Sometimes i think it would be easier to be both at the same time.
I found this one by accident in the library here (hence in dutch), i took the other one you mentioned with me today so will be reading that one too. i hope that because here she is focused on one topic, and not so hard trying to cover everything it will be better.
Mod
i'm with candace on this one.
verity is not acting for the greater good of the duchies by sending fitz off on his own and keeping their skill-bond such a secret.
you really care about the dishes? give fitz a guard and send him off like that. he's protected and he can do what he has to do.
Verity is being selfish. he can't be there, so he's using Fitz. yes, using Fitz.
he tells himself it's for the good of the duchies, but it's not. if you only have one weapon, you protect it, and only use it when you have too.
Maybe you will change your opinions by the end. I can see where you are coming from, but I just don't agree.
Mod
the dishes???
boy, i really have been working too hard this week!
obviously, meant the duchies
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I agree he should have had help. But I think Verity fee..."
that would be true, if that's how he is using Fitz. like with chade. but he's not. he's putting fitz in as a soldier, to wield his axe and kill people.
you can't do that quietly. but verity could put some quiet protection in there.
no, sorry, on this one, i'm not verity's side.
Mod
that's possible of course.
i'm known to change my mind
but until the moment i do, i tend to be very stubborn :)
I'm not saying I agree with Verity's actions. His actions are questionable, but not his motives.He's not putting Fitz in danger out of malice, but out of Duty. He is nothing if not honest. That's his name after all.
@ROB , you've read the rest of the book. You obviously feel strongly about this. If things happen that improve Verity's standing- we dont know about them yet...
It could be. But I don't ever remember feeling that Verity didn't care about Fitz. I do remember being angry he sent Fitz alone though.
Mod
that makes sense. i don't think verity is doing it consciously. maybe it's like both of you mentioned before, he's just completely out of touch. he spent so much time on his own in his tower and his room, that he forgot the world is a dangerous place.
he does care about fitz, but technically his actions are selfish and they put fitz in danger.
but he does not realize it, and i do indeed believe he does not do it on purpose.
His constant skilling is certainly affecting his actions.I don't see how they are selfish though. He's doing it for the 6 duchies, not himself.
David Sven wrote: "Hanne wrote: "which important high standing family would want their daughter married off to a bastard?"Well, I don't think marrying a bastard is nearly as prestigious as marrying say a King's dau..."
whenever I think of bastards I always think of black walder, may be martin has influenced me too much regarding bastards.
David Sven wrote: "@Hanne - I think Regal has taken it upon himself to care for his father's health. This gives him an excuse to isolate Shrewd for his "health's sake." It also makes Shrewd dependent on Regal, he pro..."
I here definitely Verity should have stepped in, but as we all know he is a reactive person and proactive as chivalry is described.
Candace wrote: "Isn't Nighteyes hilarious? He approves of Fitz's mate and the pack takes care of the children so why shouldn't he be there present during the mating process? Besides, this is good, brother
He's ..."
I think Night eyes part are one of the best parts of the book.
David Sven wrote: "I think there are a few complex factors at work when it comes to Regal and I think Hobb handles these brilliantly.
Firstly, Shrewd isn't getting any younger and Verity is pretty much consumed with..."
As always awesome explanation david.
Hanne wrote: "(ch14) i'm not sure i understand the power in that royal house. if there are any doubts the younger brother is treating the king not well - how can that happen?
how can they sit back and wait, does..."
Ya I agree on this with you because Regal seems to have a free hand with whatever he is doing.
I wonder if Regal has something to do with the Red Ship Raiders?
I enjoyed all your comments. I really don't have anything to add that hasn't been said. Except that I hope Nighteyes stays safe.
