The Kingkiller Chronicle, #2
The Wise Man’s Fear
by Patrick Rothfuss
Contents
Chapter 142: Home
Overview
Kvothe returns to the University, where friends believed him dead. He performs unevenly at admissions, insults Hemme, and is assigned a high tuition, which he turns to profit using the Maer’s letter of credit. Regrounded at Anker’s and the Eolian, he fails to find Denna but reunites tenderly with Auri.
Summary
Kvothe docks in Tarbean, secures passage upriver, and reaches Imre before dawn. Feeling the unfamiliar warmth of returning home, he heads to the University. Finding Anker’s locked, he wakes Simmon, who tearfully reveals everyone thought Kvothe dead after news of a lost ship spread—courtesy of Ambrose.
Simmon, newly a Re’lar, confesses he and Fela have grown close during Kvothe’s absence. Kvothe reassures him. Kvothe then visits the bursar Riem, presenting the Maer’s open letter of credit and negotiating a private arrangement to profit from any tuition above ten talents.
At admissions, the masters are surprised and mostly welcoming. Kvothe answers unevenly: he fumbles Brandeur’s cipher and Mandrag’s sublimation, but handles Dal, Kilvin, Lorren, and Arwyl decently. Hemme baits him, and Kvothe retorts with an insult, earning a fine and letter of apology. The weak performance and impropriety yield a steep tuition of twenty-four talents.
Kvothe returns to Riem, pays officially with Alveron’s credit, and privately takes his agreed cut from the excess, turning his missteps into coin. He reclaims his room at Anker’s, unpacks, and savors the comfort of familiar projects, including his half-dismantled harmony clock.
Crossing the river, Kvothe is warmly welcomed by Deoch and Stanchion at the Eolian. He searches familiar haunts for Denna without success, finding solace in the looking. Later, on the rooftops, he reunites with Auri, who excitedly shares news of hedgehogs and softly asks him not to leave again. Kvothe promises he plans to stay and visit her.
Who Appears
- KvotheProtagonist; returns to the University, mishandles admissions, insults Hemme, profits via the Maer’s credit, reunites with Auri.
- SimmonClose friend; feared Kvothe dead, made Re’lar, reveals his growing relationship with Fela.
- Riem (the bursar)Bursar who accepts Alveron’s credit; privately splits excess tuition with Kvothe.
- Master HemmeHostile master; baits Kvothe, is insulted, secures a fine and apology, influences high tuition.
- Master KilvinMaster Artificer; welcomes Kvothe back and demands he return to the workshop.
- Master LorrenMaster Archivist; asks an easy question on Mender heresies, receives a clever answer.
- Master DalMaster Physicking; questions Kvothe effectively during admissions.
- Master MandragMaster Alchemy; asks about sublimation, which Kvothe cannot answer.
- Master ArwylPhysicker; poses a question about lacillium that Kvothe answers after reflection.
- Master ElodinMaster Namer; disengaged, skips questioning with a yawn.
- The ChancellorMaintains order during admissions and conducts the interview process.
- AuriKvothe’s secretive friend; joyful rooftop reunion, asks him not to leave again.
- FelaStudent; had feelings for Kvothe, now romantically involved with Simmon.
- WilemFriend; took the news hard, left for a term, expected back soon.
- AmbroseRival; spread word of Kvothe’s supposed death and hassled Wilem in the Archives.
- DeochEolian’s doorman; greets Kvothe warmly upon his return.
- StanchionEolian’s proprietor; shares drinks and stories with Kvothe.
- ThrepePatron; kept tabs on Kvothe’s travels, fueling concerns after the ship was reported lost.
- AnkerInnkeeper; provides a spare key so Kvothe can reclaim his dusty room.