The Kingkiller Chronicle, #2
The Wise Man’s Fear
by Patrick Rothfuss
Contents
Chapter 99: Magic of a Different Kind
Overview
Kvothe reflects on his manufactured reputation, then recognizes his crossing into true legend after besting Felurian. Seeking instruction, he receives sexual tutelage instead of arcane training. Felurian dismisses human Amyr and forbids any mention of the Chandrian, but shares fragmented faen lore, teaching Kvothe that the Fae are fundamentally unlike humans.
Summary
Kvothe recalls deliberately crafting his University reputation from half-truths and rumor. Awakening in the Fae beside Felurian, he realizes his life has shifted from pretense to true story: he has followed and bested a faerie, proving the world’s deeper magic is real.
Hoping to learn powerful faen arts, Kvothe asks Felurian to teach him. Felurian begins lessons of a different kind, instructing him in the subtleties of lovemaking so he will not shame her among mortals. Between interludes they swim, eat, play music, and trade stories, revealing their different backgrounds.
Kvothe carefully probes for magical knowledge, but Felurian’s explanations are instinctive and cryptic. He asks about the Amyr; she scoffs at the notion of human Amyr, implying only ancient, nonhuman Amyr truly existed. Encouraged, Kvothe turns toward the Chandrian.
Felurian immediately forbids any mention of the Seven, swearing dire oaths to drive him from the Fae if he asks again. Chastened, Kvothe drops the subject. Felurian instead relates tales of faen courts and politics—names, factions, and ancient quarrels—too intricate for Kvothe to fully grasp.
From these fragments, Kvothe gathers scattered facts but no coherent map. His chief realization is stark: the Fae only seem like humans. Beneath similar appearances they are fundamentally different, and forgetting this truth is perilous.
Who Appears
- KvotheNarrator reflecting on his crafted reputation; seeks teaching from Felurian; rebuffed on Chandrian; learns faen lore and lover’s arts.
- FelurianFaerie lover who tutors Kvothe in sensual arts; dismisses human Amyr; forbids any mention of the Chandrian; shares fragmented faen court lore.