Assassin's Quest

It is amazing how different a thing appears when you know it is the last one you will have. Every leaf on every limb stood out, in a multitude of greens. Birds sang challenges to one another, or winged by in flashes of color. The smells of the cooking meat, of the earth itself, even the sound of Nighteyes cracking a bone between his jaws were all suddenly unique and precious things. How many days like this had I walked through blindly, intent only on having a mug of ale when I got to town or what horse must be taken for shoeing today? Long ago, in Buckkeep, the Fool had warned me that I should live each day as if it were significant, as if every day the fate of the world depended on my actions. Now I suddenly grasped what he had been trying to tell me. Now, when the days left to me had dwindled to where I might count them.

Starling put her hands on my shoulders. She leaned down and put her cheek against mine. "Fitz, I am so sorry," she said quietly. I scarcely heard her words, only her belief in my death. I stared at the meat cooking over the flames. It had been a live kid.

Death is always at the edge of now. Nighteyes' thought was gentle. Death stalks us, and he is ever sure of his kill. It is not a thing to dwell on, but it is something we all know, in our guts and bones. All save humans.

With shock, I beheld what the Fool had been trying to teach me about time. I suddenly wished to go back, to have again each separate day to spend. Time. I was trapped in it, fenced into a tiny piece of now that was the only time I could influence. All the soons and tomorrows I might plan were ghost things that might be snatched from me at any moment. Intentions were nothing. Now was all I had. I suddenly stood up.

"I understand," I said aloud. "He had to tell me, to push me. I have to stop acting as if there is a tomorrow when I can put things right. It all has to be done now, right away, with no concern for tomorrow. No belief in tomorrow. No fears for tomorrow."

"Fitz?" Starling drew back from me a little way. "You sound as if you are going to do something foolish." Her dark eyes were full of worry.

"Foolish," I said to myself. "Foolish as the Fool is. Yes. Could you watch the meat, please?" I asked Starling humbly.

I did not wait for her reply. I stood as she stepped free of me and went into the yurt. Kettle sat by the Fool, simply watching him sleep. Kettricken was mending a seam in her boot. They both glanced up as I came in. "I need to talk to him," I said simply. "Alone, if you would not mind."

I ignored their puzzled glances. I already wished I had not told Starling what the Fool had told me. Doubtless she would tell the others, but just now I did not want to share it with them. I had something important to tell the Fool, and I would do it now. I did not wait to watch them leave the yurt. Instead I sat down beside the Fool. I touched his face gently, feeling the coolness of his cheek. "Fool," I said quietly. "I need to talk to you. I understand. I think I finally understand what you've been trying to teach me all along."

It took me several more efforts before he stirred to wakefulness. I finally shared some of Kettle's concern. This was not the simple sleep of a man at a day's end. But finally he opened his eyes and peered up at me through the gloom. "Fitz? Is it morning?" he asked.

"Evening. And there is fresh meat roasting, and soon it will be done. I think a good meal will help put you right." I started to hesitate, then recalled my new resolution. Now. "I was angry at you earlier, for what you told me. But now I think I understand why. You are right, I have been hiding in the future and wasting my days." I took a breath: "I want to give Burrich's earring over to you, into your keeping. Af … afterward, I'd like you to take it to him. And tell him I did not die outside some shepherd's hut, but keeping my oath to my king. That will mean something to him, it may pay him back a bit for all he has done for me. He taught me to be a man. I don't want that left unsaid."

I unfastened the catch of the earring and drew it from my ear.

I pressed it into the Fool's lax hand. He lay on his side, listening silently. His face was very grave. I shook my head at him.

"I have nothing to send Molly, nothing for our child. She'll have the pin Shrewd gave me so long ago, but little more than that." I was trying to keep my voice steady, but the importance of my words was choking me. "It may be wisest not to tell Molly that I lived past Regal's dungeons. If that can be managed. Burrich would understand the reason for such a secret. She has mourned me as dead once, there is no sense in telling her otherwise. I am glad you will seek her out. Make toys for Nettle." Against my will, tears stung my eyes.

The Fool sat up, his face full of concern. He gripped my shoulder gently. "If you want me to find Molly, you know I will, if it comes to that. But why must we think of such things now? What do you fear?"