Read the previous entry in the series here.
Read the next entry in the series here.

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Unsigned comments seemingly from Fitz about Chade precede “Belief,” which begins with Brashen asking Fitz what Tintaglia wants from him amid a short break from the tasks setting out aboard the Paragon for Clerres demands of all who will sail thither. Those tasks are glossed, and the irritations felt at continued delays are rehearsed. Fitz loses his temper with the Fool.

After a couple of days, Sorcor, Wintrow, and Etta return to the Paragon, described in detail as they reluctantly allow Kennitsson to travel with the ship and Brashen and Althea’s crew. The matter is discussed, and permission for him to join the crew is given, with conditions applied. Work to ready the ship resumes in earnest, now aided by the vessel. Tintaglia arrives and summons Fitz to attend upon her. She rails against Icefyre, and she confirms that the Servants had done dragonkind some injury in the past for which vengeance must be taken–but she allows that Fitz may kill those in Clerres that he finds before hunger overtakes her and she gorges on Divvytown’s offerings.

Conversation ensues but is disrupted by the arrival of Heeby and Rapskal. Kennitsson falls under Heeby’s compulsion as Rapskal relays additional information to Fitz. Dragons’ eggs will soon hatch on Others Island and will need protecting; after that, the dragons will proceed to Clerres. The depredations of the Others and the Servants on prior generations of dragons are noted, and visits to that place recalled. Rapskal gifts Wintrow Elderling jewelry for his aid with She Who Remembers, and discussion of likely outcomes ensues.

Rapskal excuses himself, and Wintrow attends to him to defuse tempers. After their departure, Etta addresses Fitz with some concern.

The reminder in the prefatory materials that Chade was the brother of Shrewd, something noted early in the Realm of the Elderlings novels, is another one of the touches Hobb includes in the more recent works to remind readers of the narrative continuity at work. The reminder of Chade’s multiple magical talents is also a useful thing, reinforcing to readers the notion I explore in my old thesis that he is very much the Merlin to what Arthur Fitz can be considered to be. Too, I’m put just a bit in mind of Mary Stewart’s Arthurian Saga novels, which I still have on my shelf after having read them many years ago, now. I’ve not done the work to know if Hobb read Stewart (and I don’t think I’ll ever be in position to do so, things being as they are), but I’d not be surprised either way.

I suppose, in terms of narrative structures, that the present chapter is something of a climax. That is, it seems to be a turning point in the narrative, something like the first peak of a roller coaster before gravity takes over and sends the cars hurtling down the track. Matters have been set up, characters put into place, stakes established, tensions heightened, and the necessary course of events suggested sufficiently clearly that progress seems clear. (Too, it’s roughly halfway through the book; in the copy I’m rereading, the present chapter ends on page 399, while the whole novel runs to 846 pages. It’s the place to put such a thing, really.) An increase in pacing might well be expected to ensue in the next few chapters, as the narrative moves toward its resolution and denouement for the novel, its trilogy, and the main line of the Realm of the Elderlings corpus.

I look forward to rereading what’s coming. It’s been a while, certainly, and I have some need for the reminder. Too, it’s pleasant to be carried away by a story again; it used to happen for me a lot more than it does, and I miss it, anymore…

Fewer weeks remain, but there is still time to get your bespoke writing for the holidays!

Or you can send your support along directly!