Chapter 46: Interlude—A Bit of Fiddle

Kvothe halts his tale to prepare for the lunch rush at the Waystone, prompting Chronicler to complain that Kvothe’s Imre trial account was too brief. Chronicler cites grand rumors—verses in Tema and applause—while Kvothe dismisses them as embellishments and notes that official court and church records already exist.

Chronicler briefly suspects Kvothe wrote a memoir; Kvothe admits he tried but abandoned it, saying writing twisted the story wrong. Bast reveals the pages are upstairs, but Kvothe refuses to share them. He emphasizes the tedium of the real trial and hints the story should move beyond the University to things unknown.

A light kitchen squabble breaks out as Bast forbids beets in the soup and takes over cooking. Guests arrive in steady numbers; Chronicler earns coin taking down their letters and business, while Kvothe and Bast serve food and drink with practiced ease.

Beneath the cheerful bustle lies unspoken strain: no one mentions rising taxes, armies, newly locked doors, or last night’s blood now scrubbed from the floor. Jokes and neighborly teasing try to paper over the unease as families eat, talk, and watch children play.

Old Cob, Graham, and Jake arrive. After a comic exchange about “Damfine” apple pie, Old Cob praises the inn and suggests bringing in a musician—perhaps the Orrison boy—to add music. Kote answers calmly, almost blankly, and Bast swiftly redirects the conversation by pouring drinks, while Kote retreats to fetch more food.