The Kingkiller Chronicle, #1
The Name of the Wind
by Patrick Rothfuss
Contents
CHAPTER SEVENTY-FIVE Interlude—Obedience
Overview
Back at the Waystone, Kvothe prods Chronicler to react to his claim of seeing a dragon. Bound by his agreement, Chronicler refuses to comment, while Bast offers to oblige. Kvothe condemns blind obedience and resumes the tale, explicitly confirming the creature was a dragon, setting stakes for the coming events.
Summary
In the Waystone Inn, Kvothe pauses in his story, waiting for Chronicler to challenge his claim about a dragon. When Chronicler remains silent, Kvothe expresses disappointment, invoking Chronicler’s skeptical reputation and past debunking work.
Chronicler explains he promised not to interrupt or alter a single word to secure the tale. Bast cheerfully offers to make the expected objection since he made no such promise, revealing the tension between curiosity and the agreed constraints.
Kvothe criticizes the nausea of pure obedience and instructs Chronicler to continue recording. He then resolves the moment’s doubt by stating plainly that the creature was a dragon, and the narrative moves forward under that assertion.
Who Appears
- KvotheStoryteller; prompts for skepticism, decries blind obedience, and confirms the creature was a dragon.
- Chronicler (Devan Lochees)Scribe bound by noninterference; refuses to comment despite skepticism, maintaining the terms of his agreement.
- BastKvothe’s student; offers to object in place of Chronicler, highlighting the constraint of obedience.