Contents
Chapter 77: Pennysworth
Overview
The company reaches the bustling Pennysworth Inn, where Kvothe enforces frugal spending and diffuses Dedan’s resentment. Marten reveals Dedan secretly esteems Hespe but feels unworthy. When Dedan drunkenly mentions their bandit hunt, Kvothe distracts him and redirects caution to Hespe, preserving their mission’s secrecy amid revelry.
Summary
At dusk the group arrives at the large Pennysworth Inn, its music and revelry lifting spirits after a long march. Dedan pushes for indulgence, but Kvothe asserts frugal terms: bunks, simple supper, and one round on the Maer’s purse. Dedan bristles, yet Kvothe promises they will split any leftover funds after the job, easing tensions. A deal is struck for modest accommodations and drinks.
A bold red-haired serving girl openly flirts with Kvothe, catching him off guard and embarrassing him before the room. Marten later commends Kvothe’s handling of Dedan, noting persuasion works better than bullying. Marten then reveals that Hespe offered to share a room, but Dedan refused on principle and because he secretly reveres her; Dedan fears rejection and believes she’s beyond him. They decide not to meddle further.
As the inn quiets between tunes, Dedan’s drunken boasting about hunting bandits alarms Kvothe and Marten. Kvothe has Marten retrieve Dedan discreetly. Noticing Tempi flirting smoothly with a serving girl while the fiddler resumes a jig, Kvothe distracts Dedan by asking about the alluring redhead, deflating the danger and engaging his curiosity.
Once Dedan is calmer, Kvothe subtly plants concern about loose talk by suggesting Hespe might inadvertently mention their mission. Dedan, chastened, vows to caution her, effectively turning the warning back on himself and helping close the breach he had opened. The scene ends with applause for the fiddler and a quiet acknowledgment between Kvothe and Marten that the situation has been contained.
Who Appears
- KvotheLeader and narrator; enforces frugal spending, diffuses Dedan’s temper, averts mission exposure with a clever distraction.
- DedanBlunt mercenary; pushes for luxuries, drinks heavily, nearly reveals their mission, secretly pines for Hespe.
- MartenPragmatic tracker; supports Kvothe, reveals Dedan’s feelings for Hespe, helps rein in Dedan.
- HespeStoic fighter; offers to share a room with Dedan, remains guarded, the focus of Dedan’s hidden affection.
- TempiAdem mercenary; quiet and observant, flirts smoothly with a serving girl, drinks while watching the fiddler.
- Red-haired serving girlFlirts with Kvothe, unintentionally embarrasses him; widely admired by patrons but not purchasable.