Fantasy as it ought to be written' George RR Martin The kingdom of the Six Duchies is on the brink of civil war when news breaks that the crown prince has fathered a bastard son & is shamed into abdication The child's name is Fitz & his is despised Raised in the castle stables only the company of the king's fool the ragged children of the lower city & his unusual affinity with animals provide Fitz with any comfort To be useful to the crown Fitz is trained as an assassin; & to use the traditional magic of the Farseer family But his tutor allied to another political faction is determined to discredit even kill him Fitz must survive for he may be destined to save the kingdom