Tom Badgerlock, FitzChivalry Farseer

Tom Badgerlock is a servant to Lord Golden in Buckkeep Castle. He poses as Tom, an ordinary servant, but in reality, he is FitzChivalry Farseer, who is the heir to the Farseer throne. Everyone thinks he is dead. A few insiders know Tom's true identity. Tom has two magical powers called Skill and Wit. Skill is the ability to speak telepathically to other Skilled Ones and go out of oneself. Wit is the ability to sense animals and bond with a beast. Tom's beloved wolf, Nighteyes, is dead. Tom mourns his loss. As he grieves, he becomes emotionally unavailable to others. He does not discipline his foster son Hap as needed. He sleeps with Jinna, a friend, but he will not give himself to her emotionally.

Tom has the task of teaching Prince Dutiful about the boy's Skill power. Tom is reluctant to teach Dutiful...