The Kingkiller Chronicle, #1
The Name of the Wind
by Patrick Rothfuss
Contents
CHAPTER EIGHTY-FOUR A Sudden Storm
Overview
Kvothe unexpectedly finds Denna, but she is accompanied by Lentaren, leaving Kvothe uncertain about her feelings. Later, Ambrose steals and breaks Kvothe’s lute in public. In fury and grief, Kvothe speaks a Name and summons a sudden wind that knocks Ambrose down. Wilem and Simmon rush Kvothe to Kilvin, where Elodin quiets his mind.
Summary
Hurrying through Imre, Kvothe literally runs into Denna and is stunned by the intensity of seeing her again. She greets him warmly but introduces Lentaren, her current, polished companion. Kvothe probes—subtly asking if Lentaren is her elusive patron—but Denna signals no. Pressed for time, Denna and Lentaren depart for a riding appointment, leaving Kvothe watching them walk away together.
Kvothe joins Wilem and Simmon by the Eolian fountain, brooding. They discuss Denna’s conflicting Trebon story; Simmon argues Denna seeks Kvothe, while Wilem notes logical gaps. Kvothe wavers between hope and resignation, then deflects, insisting on simple friendship.
The mood shatters when Ambrose appears holding Kvothe’s lute. Ambrose mocks with a crude song and, after Kvothe’s cold warning, tosses the instrument. It lands bowl-first and splinters, echoing Kvothe’s past loss. Overwhelmed by grief and rage, Kvothe utters an unknown word.
A violent wind explodes through the square, scattering papers, skidding a carriage, and knocking Ambrose to the cobbles bleeding, while others only stagger. As onlookers panic, Wilem and Simmon pull the dazed, voiceless Kvothe away and bring him to Kilvin’s office to explain.
Elodin arrives, focuses solely on Kvothe, and coaxes him to repeat “Aerlevsedi.” Locking eyes, Elodin somehow looks into Kvothe, then murmurs something that stills the storm in Kvothe’s mind, leaving him dizzy but recovering. By the time Kvothe steadies, Elodin is gone.
Who Appears
- KvotheProtagonist; meets Denna, loses hope seeing Lentaren; Ambrose breaks his lute; he Names the wind and is later steadied by Elodin.
- AmbroseAntagonist; steals and mocks with Kvothe’s lute, tosses it and breaks it, then is knocked down and injured by the summoned wind.
- DennaWarmly greets Kvothe but departs with Lentaren for a riding appointment, complicating Kvothe’s feelings and hopes.
- WilemAnalyzes contradictions in Denna’s story; helps extract Kvothe from the scene and explains events to Kilvin.
- SimmonInsists Denna is interested in Kvothe; supports and escorts Kvothe to Kilvin; worries over his shock.
- ElodinMaster Namer; engages Kvothe directly, has him say “Aerlevsedi,” stills the storm inside him, and departs.
- KilvinMaster Artificer; receives Wilem and Simmon’s account in his office while Kvothe sits in shock.
- LentarenDenna’s well-bred companion; appears confident and wealthy, attends a riding appointment with her.