Contents
Chapter 34: Baubles
Overview
Kvothe retrieves and pays for Denna’s repaired ring, then discovers she previously pawned a costly emerald necklace, hinting at her financial strain. He seeks her at the Barrel and Boar, learns she waited for him, and searches Imre’s inns without success. The near-miss deepens his urgency and guilt.
Summary
Returning to Anker’s, Kvothe finds no note from Denna and worries his message never reached her. In a buoyant mood, he skips Elodin’s class and goes to retrieve Denna’s ring, eager to return it and repair their standing.
At the jeweler’s, after some confusion, Kvothe presents Ambrose’s claim slip and receives Denna’s repaired ring. He pays forty-five pennies out of pocket, realizing Ambrose hadn’t covered the cost. While paying, Kvothe notices a necklace in the display and asks about it.
The jeweler shows him a teardrop emerald, explaining a young woman pawned it for money. The price is enormous—enough to keep someone in Imre for years—driving home how much Denna sacrificed. This knowledge weighs on Kvothe as he carries his lute, hoping the ring’s return will help balance things between them.
Kvothe then visits the Barrel and Boar, where a host recalls Denna waited a long time the previous night, pointedly wondering who would keep such a woman waiting. Realizing he just missed her, Kvothe canvasses Imre’s many inns and boarding houses but finds no trace, ending the day frustrated and concerned.
Who Appears
- KvotheNarrator; redeems and pays for Denna’s repaired ring, learns she pawned an emerald, and searches unsuccessfully for her.
- DennaAbsent but central; previously pawned an expensive emerald, waited for Kvothe, now difficult to locate.
- JewelerRepairs Denna’s ring and reveals the pawned teardrop emerald’s origin and steep price.
- Barrel and Boar hostConfirms Denna waited there the previous night, prompting Kvothe’s search across Imre.