Small, random questions about RotE that still bother you (spoilers all RotE books)

[Nuytsia]

Oooh don't worry, silly me, it's explained at the start of the next book, Royal Assassin.
That is kind of a weird thing though. There's that chapter I referred to above near the end of AA, but then there's another section in the next book written differently but basically covering the same action.... sort of a strange way of doing things. In the second book he didn't 'guess' what the earring signified, Burrich directly TOLD him. But I am pretty sure it was the same conversation .... unless I'm totally misguided.
Hey so what would have happened if Patience had decided to wear the earring herself because she thought it was pretty? HAH what then Burrich???? THAT would have been interesting.
(I'm presuming she didn't realise what it meant to Burrich or she wouldn't have given it to Fitz?? .... or did she? Darn you Robin Hobb I can never be sure what these characters are capable of!)