“Well. I think we’ve resolved this as much as we can just now. Extend my regrets to your master, Tom Badgerlock. Let him know that a headache prevents me from enjoying the pleasures of his company this afternoon, but that my prince has been most happy to accept his invitation. That will give Dutiful the time with you that he has been pestering me for. I don’t need to remind you to be discreet in your contact with the boy. We don’t want to rouse any speculation. And I suggest that you keep your ride either to areas where your privacy is assured, or to very public areas where the Piebalds would have to be bold to seek a contact. In truth, I do not know which to offer as the wiser selection.” He took a breath and his tone changed. “Fitz. Do not underestimate your influence on the Prince. In our private conversations, he speaks freely of you, with admiration. I am not sure you were wise to reveal your connection to me, but there, it is done. It is not just Skill instruction he seeks from you, but a man’s advice on all aspects of his life. Be careful. An incautious word from you could set our willful prince’s feet on a path where none of us could safely follow him. Please speak positively of his betrothal and encourage him to undertake his royal duties with a willing heart. And in the matter of the Piebalds threatening you . . . well, today might not be the best day to burden him with concerns for you. As it is, some may look askance that our prince chooses to go riding with a foreign noble and his bodyguard on such an important day in his life.” He paused suddenly. “Not that I’m trying to dictate how you behave with our prince. I know that you have formed a relationship of your own.”

“That’s correct,” I said, and tried to keep from sounding brusque. In truth, I had known a moment of anger as he started his long list of directives. Now I took a deep breath. “Chade. As you have said, the boy is looking to me for a man’s advice. I am not a courtier, nor an advisor. If I endeavored to steer Dutiful merely to suit the goals of the Six Duchies . . .” I let my words drain away before I told him that such a course would be false to all of us. I cleared my throat. “I wish to always be honest with Dutiful. If he asks for advice, I will tell him what I truly think. But I don’t think you need to fear that much. Kettricken has shaped her son. I think he will be true to that training. As for me, well, I suspect the boy does not want to have someone talk to him so much as he wants someone to listen to him. Today I will listen. And regarding my encounter with the Piebalds this morning, I see little need for Dutiful to know about that right now. I may warn him that they are not to be entirely dismissed from his thoughts. They are definitely a force to be reckoned with. Which brings me to a question of my own. Will the Bresingas be present for the Prince’s betrothal ceremony?”

“I assume so. They have been invited, and are expected to arrive sometime today.”

I scratched the back of my neck. My headache was not fading, but it seemed to be changing to an ordinary one rather than the Skill variety. “If you would share such information with me, I would like to know who accompanies them, as well as what horses they rode, the coursing beasts that journeyed with them, hawks, even pets. All in as much detail as can be discovered. Oh, and one other thing. I think we should acquire a ferret or rat dog for these chambers; something small and light-footed to patrol for rats and other vermin. One of the Wit-beasts I encountered this morning was a rat, or perhaps a weasel or squirrel. Such a creature could be a versatile spy in the castle.”

Chade looked dismayed. “I’ll request a ferret, I think. They are more quiet than rat dogs, and it could accompany you through the corridors.” He cocked his head. “Are you thinking of taking it as a bond-beast?”

I winced at the question. “Chade. It doesn’t work that way.” I tried to remind myself that he had asked the question out of ignorance, not callously. “I feel like a newly widowed man. I’ve no wish to bond with any creature just now.”

“I’m sorry, Fitz. It’s a difficult thing for me to understand. The words may sound odd, but I meant no disrespect to his memory.”

I changed the subject. “Well. I’d best tidy myself if I’m to ride with the Prince this afternoon. And we should both ponder what to do about this servant of yours.”

“I think I shall arrange a meeting for all three of us. But not today, nor tonight. Nor even tomorrow, perhaps. The betrothal is what must be managed right now. Nothing must go wrong with that. Do you think that the situation with Thick can wait?”

I shrugged. “It will have to, I suppose. Good luck with the rest of it.” I rose to go, picking up the basin and wet cloth to tidy up in passage.