Chapter 25: Wrongful Apprehension

Kvothe rejects Wilem and Simmon’s suspicion of Devi and concludes a defensive gram is the only lasting protection against the malfeasance besetting him. He asks Kilvin for a gram schema, but Kilvin refuses, citing restricted sygaldry, cost, and Kvothe’s lack of rank, though he grants Kvothe a private workroom and materials access.

Needing forbidden knowledge, Kvothe seeks Sleat at the Bale and Barley. They trade reputations and rumors, and Sleat warns of penalties for Wrongful Apprehension. Sleat quotes thirty talents or a large future favor for the restricted schema, but balks entirely upon learning Kvothe owes Devi, refusing to poach her investment. Kvothe instead barters gold wire and silver for a contraband crossbow, which Sleat delivers quickly.

Later in the Archives, Fela finds Kvothe at the Four-Plate Door. In a private reading hole, Kvothe confides the malfeasance and his need for a gram. Fela explains masters’ private libraries and that some dangerous sygaldry has been sequestered, but there may still be uncataloged traces in the Stacks.

They methodically search dozens of sygaldry books, hoping for a schema, a description, or even a single rune related to a gram, but find nothing. Accepting that a slow, exhaustive trawl is needed, Fela proposes deeper searching. Kvothe considers involving Wilem and defends Simmon’s often-overlooked competence, while resolving to continue despite mounting risk and time pressure.