Chapter 23: Principles

Kvothe, playing cards with Simmon and Wilem before his Felling set at Anker’s, worries his recent symptoms might be from Fishery exposure or lingering plum-bob effects. Performing lightens his mood until a sudden, bone-deep chill strikes. He cuts the night short, and with Wilem’s help reaches his room where Sim brings a hearth-lit candle.

Using a blooded splinter, Kvothe binds the candle flame to the common-room fire and to his own blood, warming himself, then overheats and breaks the bindings. As he recovers, a spontaneous wound opens on his arm and deep bruising blooms on his chest. Realizing it is malfeasance, he enters Heart of Stone, hardens his Alar, and splits his mind to blunt further attacks.

They debate suspects. Kvothe leaps to Ambrose, but Wilem argues Ambrose avoids direct, traceable acts and would have boasted by now. Sim notes Ambrose could have used Jamison to dowse, so direct malfeasance is unlikely for him. Pressed, Kvothe admits he borrowed from the gaelet Devi, who holds his blood; he also refused her request for information and ignored a sexual overture. Sim and Wilem, alarmed by Devi’s reputation, concede she is a plausible threat.

To avoid expulsion over undisclosed injuries, they delay reporting and arrange for Kvothe to sleep under Wilem and Sim’s watch. Beforehand, Kvothe tries to foil dowsing by scattering blood-marked leaves at the House of the Wind, but an approaching storm will wash them clean.

On the rooftops, Auri appears. Lightning reveals Kvothe streaked with blood like Amyr tattoos; Auri delightedly calls him one of the Ciridae. Kvothe incautiously asks how she knows of them, and Auri vanishes into the night.