The Kingkiller Chronicle, #2
The Wise Man’s Fear
by Patrick Rothfuss
Contents
Chapter 89: Losing the Light
Overview
In worsening rain, tempers fray and Kvothe reasserts leadership after a near-fight with Dedan. Tempi returns, shaken from killing two ambushers nearby, confirming proximity to the bandits. With light failing and Marten ill, Kvothe leads Tempi and Marten to scout while Dedan and Hespe secure camp.
Summary
Relentless rain and cold sap the group’s morale. Marten falls ill, bread spoils, and campfire routines fail. Dedan grows insubordinate and drunk, prompting Kvothe to confront him sharply, using the threat of sympathy to halt a looming fight. Kvothe regrets the outburst but reasserts order amid worsening conditions.
Tempi returns and quietly reveals he has killed two armed men who ambushed him less than a mile away within the last hour. The news shocks the group; Tempi emphasizes the gravity of killing rather than the difficulty of the fight. The attackers wore hardened leather with some metal, carried broad double-edged swords, and were of differing builds.
With daylight fading and Marten’s cough worsening, Kvothe pushes for immediate reconnaissance to locate the bandits’ camp. Despite Dedan’s push to take everyone, Kvothe orders Dedan and Hespe to guard the camp while he, Tempi, and Marten follow the trail. Tension lingers, thunder rolls in, and the rain intensifies as the three set out, racing the dying light.
Who Appears
- KvotheNarrator; confronts Dedan, restores order, and leads a scouting party as light fails.
- TempiAdem mercenary; kills two ambushers, reflects on the weight of killing, guides the pursuit.
- DedanUnmanageable and drunk; argues, nearly fights Kvothe, then ordered to guard camp.
- MartenTracker with worsening cough; advises on daylight and joins the scouting despite illness.
- HespeAt odds with Dedan; maintains camp and is assigned to guard it during the scout.