Contents
Chapter 2: Holly
Overview
Kote, Bast, and Chronicler prepare holly protections and debate the nature of last night’s creature, revealing gaps and old fears. Bast binds Chronicler to help rouse Kote’s true self. Kote fails to keep Aaron from enlisting despite hinting he is Kvothe, then pivots to resume his story at the University.
Summary
Chronicler finds Kote baking apple pies and asking about apple pomace, signaling Kote’s careful performance as an unassuming innkeeper. Bast arrives with holly, and they discuss skin dancers, iron, and holly’s uses. Bast startles Chronicler with a cruel prank, then Kote pointedly reins the moment back to work.
Once Kote leaves the room, Bast gifts Chronicler a holly crown, deliberately wrought and freely given, and bluntly asserts control: Chronicler must “wake” Kote from his innkeeper shell and make him remember who he is. Chronicler reluctantly agrees.
After breakfast, Aaron, the smith’s prentice, arrives for provisions before traveling to Treya. He considers enlisting for the king’s coin. Kote tries to dissuade him by implying he is Kvothe, offering truths about the war and promises of unheard stories. Aaron laughs it off, mixing legends and rejecting the claim.
Bast derides Aaron’s obliviousness; Kote laments his failed persuasion and burdens himself with responsibility for the war’s deaths. Chronicler notes Kote’s convincing disguise. Kote then resets the storytelling, recalling his drive to reach the University and his talent for trouble, and prepares to resume his life’s tale.
Who Appears
- Kote (Kvothe)Red-haired innkeeper baking pies; debates holly protections; tries and fails to dissuade Aaron by hinting he’s Kvothe; prepares to resume his life story.
- BastBrings holly, teases Chronicler with a frightening prank, then gifts a wrought holly crown; commands Chronicler to draw Kote out of his shell.
- ChroniclerScribe observing, frightened by Bast’s prank; accepts Bast’s charge to wake Kote; prepares to continue recording Kvothe’s story.
- Aaron (the smith’s prentice)Seeks provisions; considers enlisting; rejects Kote’s claimed identity by mixing legends; leaves for Treya with Carter.