Contents
Chapter 150: Folly
Overview
Denna leaves for Anilin, while Chancellor Herma’s sudden illness elevates Hemme to Chancellor. Hemme manipulates Kvothe’s tuition to an extreme fifty talents, but the move inadvertently grants Kvothe a bursary payout. Kvothe turns the attempted punishment into a lavish celebration, highlighting Hemme’s miscalculation and Kvothe’s resourcefulness.
Summary
Spring term continues as Denna departs Imre for Anilin, though she pointedly tells Kvothe before leaving, suggesting their relationship isn’t entirely broken.
Chancellor Herma falls dangerously ill, and the masters convene to appoint an interim leader. With others overburdened or unwilling, Hemme becomes Chancellor, a change that worries Kvothe due to Hemme’s animosity and increased influence over discipline and tuition.
During admissions, Kvothe deliberately underperforms to keep his tuition manageable, but Hemme smiles and announces an exorbitant fifty talents, revealing the Chancellor’s sway over final figures. Kvothe feigns dejection and visits the bursar, Riem, who eagerly issues an envelope.
Back at Anker’s, Kvothe opens it to find two gold marks. Realizing Hemme’s attempt to harm him has triggered a bursary payout, Kvothe laughs at the reversal. He dresses well, gathers Wilem, Simmon, Fela, Mola, and invites Devi and Threpe. They collect Deoch at the Eolian and head to the upscale King’s Arms.
The group indulges in an opulent evening of food and drink, and Kvothe pays for all of it, repeatedly toasting “Hemme’s folly,” celebrating how Hemme’s maneuver backfired into unexpected wealth and camaraderie.
Who Appears
- KvotheNarrator; faces Hemme as new Chancellor, receives a 50-talent tuition, secures a bursary payout, and celebrates extravagantly.
- HemmeAppointed Chancellor; smiles through admissions and sets Kvothe’s tuition to fifty talents, inadvertently enabling a bursary windfall.
- Chancellor Herma (Herma)Falls gravely ill with fever, leaving the Chancellor’s post vacant and prompting Hemme’s appointment.
- DennaLeaves for Anilin after informing Kvothe personally, signaling their relationship is strained but not broken.
- RiemBursar who, upon seeing the high tuition slip, provides Kvothe an envelope with two gold marks.
- WilemFriend who joins Kvothe’s celebratory night at the King’s Arms.
- SimmonFriend who attends the lavish celebration funded by the bursary payout.
- FelaFriend included in the celebratory outing after the admissions reversal.
- MolaFriend who joins the evening of indulgence at the King’s Arms.
- Count ThrepeArrives at Kvothe’s invitation and uses his status to usher the group into the upscale King’s Arms.
- DeochBarkeep from the Eolian who joins the celebration in Imre.
- DeviMoneylender invited by Kvothe to the celebratory feast, highlighting his confidence and good fortune.
- KilvinMaster artificer considered for Chancellor but too busy, contributing to Hemme’s appointment.
- ArwylHead of the Medica; cares for Herma and is too occupied to serve as Chancellor.
- LorrenArchivist master deemed too busy to assume the Chancellorship.
- MandragMaster noted as somewhat busy, reducing the pool for Chancellor.