Chapter 7, An Assignment Summary

Burrich takes the news of Chivlary's death extremely hard. He cuts his own and Fitz's hair short as a sign of mourning. Regal rebukes Burrich for such an action. Fitz has trouble understanding why Burrich has trimmed his hair after the fashion of a boy mourning his father. Chade counsels Fitz that Chivalry has acted very much like a father who cares for his own son. Chivalry's abdication cost him his pride but saved Fitz's life. If Chivalry had openly claimed Fitz, then both of their lives would have been in danger.

As Chade continues to talk about Chivalry, Fitz comes to realize that he is being trained as an assassin in order to sway people to the king's point of view. Chade also reveals that he thinks someone within the keep murdered Chivalry. Fitz listens as Chade talks...