Chapter 21, Princes Summary

The morning after Fitz is almost poisoned Prince Rurisk rushes into Fitz's chamber. Rurisk tries to get Fitz to drink an anecdote to the poison but Fitz refuses saying that he has already purged the poison from his system. Rurisk then explains that Kettricken was the one who tried to poison Fitz because she feared for her brother's life. Rurisk asks Fitz to convey a message to King Shrewd. He wants Shrewd to know that he desires a fruitful union between the two kingdoms. Fitz silently agrees to carry the message to Shrewd.

Later in the day while Rurisk escorts Fitz around the keep, they come upon Nosy in the stables. Fitz is surprised to see the puppy he thought Burrich had killed long ago. Fitz approaches Burrich about the surviving animal and Burrich is surprised that Fitz thought the stable...