Contents
Chapter 90: To Sing a Song About
Overview
Kvothe confronts Dedan and Hespe for disobeying orders, then asserts clear leadership and compels Dedan’s oath. Forced by circumstance, the group decides to attack the bandit camp that night. Their coordinated approach succeeds initially as Marten silently kills a sentry, putting them on the brink of the main assault.
Summary
Tempi prevents Kvothe from disturbing the two dead bandits until Kvothe formally asks permission. Marten quickly finds an obvious trail despite the storm, and the trio realizes they are being followed. They lay an ambush, only to catch Dedan and Hespe shadowing them against orders.
Confronted, Dedan argues for an immediate assault. Kvothe warns of risks but, weighing Marten’s worsening condition and the foul weather, consents to strike that night. Kvothe reasserts command, compelling Dedan to swear obedience on his name, and unnerves him with a subtle display implying arcane mastery.
Kvothe sets a staggered approach: Marten scouts first, Kvothe and Tempi follow, Dedan and Hespe trail after. Near the bandit camp, Marten reports fire and many tracks. With no time for sympathetic preparations, they creep forward through rain and thunder.
At the ridge above the camp, lightning reveals a sentry aiming a bow. Marten looses an arrow and kills the man with a heart shot, silently masked by thunder. As Tempi tends to the body with private respect, the group turns their focus to the bandit camp ahead.
Who Appears
- KvotheLeader; respects Adem customs, confronts Dedan and Hespe, compels Dedan’s oath, sets a cautious night assault plan.
- MartenTracker and archer; finds the trail, urges prudence, coughs from illness, kills a sentry with a heart shot.
- TempiAdem fighter; enforces respect for the dead, confirms pursuers, aids scouting, tends the slain sentry with quiet ritual.
- DedanImpulsive mercenary; disobeys orders to follow, pushes for immediate attack, swears obedience on his name.
- HespePragmatic warrior; follows Dedan to keep the group together, supports finishing the job tonight.
- Unnamed bandit sentrySentry above the camp; silently killed by Marten’s arrow during the storm.