The Kingkiller Chronicle, #1
The Name of the Wind
by Patrick Rothfuss
Contents
CHAPTER SIXTY Fortune
Overview
Kvothe navigates admissions without Archive access, publicly needles Ambrose, and sells his slot for cash and a future favor. He confirms a steep tuition, pays Devi’s interest, and gains access to her books. With Threpe’s guidance and Deoch’s hints about Denna, Kvothe keeps work under Kilvin and lands paid lodging at the Horse and Four, easing his financial peril.
Summary
Hungover, Kvothe draws an admissions slot five days out, then raises his hand to sell it, needing money more than time without Archive access. Ambrose approaches to bargain and mock him; Kvothe turns the haggling into a public embarrassment for Ambrose, then later sells the slot to Jaxim for six jots and a favor.
Admissions proceed: Hemme remains hostile, Lorren cool, and Elodin appears asleep; tuition lands at six talents. Kvothe crosses to Imre, retrieves his lute at the Eolian, and meets Count Threpe, who laments he cannot personally patron him but promises introductions. Asking after “Dianne,” Kvothe learns from Deoch that the woman travels often and breaks hearts—clearly Denna.
Kvothe visits Devi, pays interest, and, after playing her a song, hears how she once beat a constable’s inquiry. Discovering her personal library, Kvothe admits he is banned from the Archives; Devi invites him to read and borrow carefully, hinting at camaraderie between “exiles.”
Back at the Fishery, Kvothe repays Kilvin for materials and fears he’ll lose shop work to music, but Kilvin welcomes him to continue: “Music is a fine thing, but metal lasts.” Relieved, Kvothe keeps his position.
Finally, Kvothe negotiates with Caverin at the Horse and Four: room and board plus two talents a month for three evenings’ performance each span. The secure income, good meals, and a comfortable suite lift him from constant poverty, and he sleeps soundly for the first time in months.
Who Appears
- KvotheProtagonist; sells exam slot, taunts Ambrose, passes admissions, pays Devi interest, keeps Kilvin’s job, secures paid lodging and income.
- AmbroseRival; tries to bargain for Kvothe’s slot, is publicly needled and storms off.
- WilemFriend; observes the exchange with Ambrose and warns about escalating reprisals.
- SimmonFriend; spots Ambrose’s early slot, scores Kvothe’s banter as a narrow win.
- DeviMoneylender; accepts interest, shares a past brush with the law, offers library access for music.
- Count Threpe (Denn)Patronly noble; cannot take Kvothe on but promises introductions; discusses Denna.
- DeochEolian doorman; identifies Denna as a traveling heartbreaker, cautions Kvothe.
- KilvinMaster artificer; takes repayment for materials, keeps Kvothe employed in the Fishery.
- JaximDesperate Re’lar from the Fishery; buys Kvothe’s admissions slot for six jots and a favor.
- CaverinInnkeeper of the Horse and Four; hires Kvothe with pay, room, and board.