The Kingkiller Chronicle, #2
The Wise Man’s Fear
by Patrick Rothfuss
Contents
Chapter 88: Listening
Overview
Hespe’s tale of Jax, the listening hermit, and the moon named Ludis reframes pursuit, consent, and power, revealing why the moon changes. The story briefly unites the group before frictions return: Dedan and Hespe quarrel, Tempi sparks embarrassment, and worsening weather bogs down the bandit hunt.
Summary
Kvothe and Tempi return to a cheerful camp; Dedan and Hespe are on good terms, and Marten has brought in a wild turkey. After dinner, Hespe retells the tale of Jax, a boy who grows into a man chasing the moon. Jax meets an old hermit-listener who urges him to learn to listen and to draw the moon to him rather than chase her.
Jax opens a long-locked pack to reveal a folding house, a beguiling stone flute, and an iron box made for emptiness. He unfolds a sprawling, skewed mansion high in the mountains and plays a heartbreakingly beautiful song to call the moon. The moon descends, and after talk and longing, Jax asks for three gifts: a touch, a kiss, and finally her name. When she whispers “Ludis,” Jax traps part of her name in the iron box, gaining partial mastery so she must return, explaining the moon’s changing phases.
The story ends quietly, impressing the group and revealing a tender side of Hespe. The next days undo the brief harmony: a remark sends Dedan storming off, he argues to become caravan guards and clashes with Marten, and an awkward incident with a naked Tempi at the stream inflames tempers. Fog and rain settle in, slowing their hunt and souring morale.
Who Appears
- HespeTells the Jax and the moon tale; shows vulnerability; later argues with Dedan.
- DedanDeeply affected by Hespe’s tale; later quarrels, proposes risky caravan-guard plan.
- JaxFolktale figure who lures the moon, traps part of her name, altering her phases.
- TempiReturns with Kvothe; later causes an embarrassing bathing incident that heightens tensions.
- MartenProvides food; rejects Dedan’s plan with sharp logic; finds Tempi incident amusing.
- The Moon (Ludis)In the tale, gives Jax touch, kiss, and her name; partially bound, she must return.
- Old hermit listenerAdvises Jax to listen and to draw the moon; identifies the treasures.
- KvotheNarrator; observes group dynamics improving briefly, then fraying amid quarrels and bad weather.