The Kingkiller Chronicle, #2
The Wise Man’s Fear
by Patrick Rothfuss
Contents
Chapter 42: Penance
Overview
Kvothe, barred from study and trapped in winter weather, swallows his pride and visits Devi to make amends. He reveals Ambrose poisoned him with plum bob she supplied, prompting mutual contrition and a return to the loan’s original terms. Relieved, Kvothe readies for winter, aids Auri, and secures his garret.
Summary
Unable to study during his suspension and hemmed in by winter, Kvothe tries to visit Auri but is thwarted by ice and locked grates. He works extra shifts at the Medica and Fishery, then finally decides he must face Devi despite the sleet and bitter cold.
Arriving at Devi’s soaked and freezing, Kvothe offers a penance coin and an apology. They move from standoff to conversation, and Kvothe reveals Ambrose had him dosed with plum bob—the formula Devi supplied. Devi, shaken and guilty, admits she didn’t know it was for Ambrose or Kvothe and made the dose for a rich intermediary in exchange for rare books.
Framing their recent mistakes as offsetting, Kvothe proposes restoring the original loan terms, and Devi agrees. The tension breaks; they warm by the fire, discuss lingering effects of the poison, and even share a moment over the Vautium Tegnostae illustrations. When Kvothe offers to prepay interest as goodwill, Devi refuses, preferring to keep to their initial agreement.
Freed from immediate debt pressure, Kvothe keeps his coins as “seed grain,” then buys winter clothes and supplies. He also purchases food and warm slippers for Auri and installs a drop-bar on his garret window, modestly improving his security and stability.
Who Appears
- KvotheSuspended from the University, he braves a storm to reconcile with Devi and restores their loan terms; equips for winter and aids Auri.
- DeviMoneylender and arcanist; confronted about supplying the plum bob, expresses remorse, and agrees to revert Kvothe’s loan to original terms.