The Kingkiller Chronicle, #2
The Wise Man’s Fear
by Patrick Rothfuss
Contents
Chapter 107: Fire
Overview
Kvothe returns to the Pennysworth to find his companions recounting his pursuit of Felurian to a rapt, skeptical crowd. Facing the hostile fiddler’s doubt, Kvothe’s living shaed and changed presence sway the room. He tells an embellished, heroic version of his escape from Felurian, restoring his reputation, and spends the night with Losi.
Summary
Kvothe arrives at the Pennysworth after dark to an unusually silent taproom, where dozens listen to Marten recount how Kvothe chased Felurian. Tempi admits even he was nearly compelled; Hespe kept Dedan from following, breaking his arm in the struggle. The company found Kvothe’s torn cloak and lost sword, fearing him gone.
Kvothe enters, announces his return, and feels disoriented by mortal customs after so long in the Fae, his laughter unsettling the room. A hawk-faced fiddler challenges the story, calling them liars. Tensions rise toward a fight, but Kvothe restrains Dedan, preventing a brawl.
The crowd notices Kvothe’s shaed moving without wind. Penny, the innkeep, examines it, recognizing him when Losi, the red-haired serving girl who had earlier flustered Kvothe, arrives. Both women note Kvothe’s transformed, fae-touched presence; Penny sides against the fiddler, who storms out.
Losi, proud and curious, tests Kvothe’s confidence; Kvothe flatters her, preserving her pride. Encouraged by the room, Kvothe tells an artful, partly fabricated tale: he followed Felurian, mastered her with music and magic, fought fire and lightning, spared her, received a faerie cloak, secret magics, and a silver leaf. The story restores the crowd’s belief and elevates his legend.
Afterward, Losi claims Kvothe for the night. Kvothe reflects that mortal and fae loves differ like symphony and jig, asserting that each woman has her own true music.
Who Appears
- KvotheReturns from the Fae, displays his living shaed, spins an embellished tale of escaping Felurian, and spends the night with Losi.
- PennyInnkeep who examines Kvothe’s shaed, recognizes him, and quells the skeptic, siding with Kvothe.
- LosiRed-haired serving girl; notes Kvothe’s fae-changed allure, challenges him, then takes him to her room.
- Ben CraytonSkeptical fiddler who calls the company liars; leaves after the room turns against him.
- MartenRecounts Kvothe’s pursuit of Felurian to the gathered crowd at the hearth.
- TempiExplains Adem training and admits he might have followed Felurian if Kvothe had not.
- DedanHot-headed mercenary; arm broken during Hespe’s restraint; defends Kvothe’s deeds.
- HespeHolds Dedan back from chasing Felurian, breaking his arm; later sits possessively by him.