fool's errand

Image by John Howe (http://www.john-howe.com)

Fool's Errand is a book by Robin Hobb, the first in her Tawny Man Trilogy. It commences 15 years after the events in Assassin's Quest, a period covered by The Liveship Traders Trilogy (Ship of Magic, The Mad Ship, Ship of Destiny); it resumes the story of FitzChivalry Farseer after he has wandered the world and finally settled to a quiet, cottage-dwelling life with his adopted son Hap.

Plot summary

Fifteen years have passed since the end of the Red Ship War with the terrifying Outislanders. Since then, Fitz has wandered the world accompanied only by his wolf and Wit-partner, Nighteyes, finally settling in a tiny cottage as isolated from the Farseers and Buckkeep politics as possible.

Starling finds him soon after he settles down in the cottage and visits him often. On one of her visits she brings him a young orphaned boy, named Hap, that Fitz raises as well as he is able.

The Fool finds him and convinces him that he is needed. The young prince Dutiful has gone missing just before his crucial diplomatic wedding to an Outislander princess. Fitz's assignment to fetch Dutiful back in time for the ceremony seems very much like a fool's errand, but the dangers ahead could signal the end of the Farseer reign.

During the search and retrieval of Prince Dutiful, both Fitz and Nighteyes are put through grueling conditions that wear on the aging wolf. In a touching scene Fitz's Wit sense lets him see his friend leave his body and pad off for his last hunt, finally free of his old and aching shell.

Editions

• An American English paperback edition was issued in New York by Bantam Books in 2002 with ISBN 0-553-58244-5.
• A British English paperback edition was issued in London by Voyager/Harpercollins in 2002 with ISBN 0-00-648601-0. This edition's cover is illustrated by John Howe.

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