Contents
Chapter 24: Clinks
Overview
Kvothe reconciles with Auri, who leads him to Clinks, an underground pool where bottles bearing his blood and hair are set adrift to foil dowsing. The ritual provides immediate protection and restores trust between them, while Wilem and Simmon’s night watch underscores Kvothe’s reliance on his friends amid ongoing malfeasance.
Summary
Kvothe lingers on the rooftops in a lightning storm, heartsick over frightening Auri away yet pressed for time because someone may be trying to find him through his blood. He makes his way to their usual meeting place at Mains and discovers Auri hiding in the bushes, tearful but willing to talk.
Kvothe apologizes; Auri forgives him, calling him her Ciridae and saying "Ivare enim euge." When Kvothe explains his fear of being tracked, Auri leads him into the Underthing to a private place she calls Clinks.
They descend via unfamiliar tunnels and a spiral stair into a vast underground pool. Auri shows Kvothe how to set stoppered bottles adrift with his blood and hair inside so the flowing water constantly moves his "scent," frustrating any dowsing attempts. They set four bottles afloat until Auri declares them safe.
Afterward, Kvothe cleans up, dresses, and returns to the Mews. Wilem and Simmon take turns keeping vigil over him as he sleeps, maintaining protective Alar. Kvothe reflects that their steadfast watch is more than he deserves.
Who Appears
- KvotheNarrator; seeks to evade malfeasance tracking, reconciles with Auri, floats blood-and-hair bottles at Clinks, then rests under friends’ protection.
- AuriFragile friend; forgives Kvothe, calls him her Ciridae, and guides him to Clinks to hide his trail using drifting bottles.
- WilemFriend who stands night watch, sustaining protective Alar while Kvothe sleeps.
- SimmonFriend who alternates night watch with Wilem, maintaining Alar to keep Kvothe safe.