The Wise Man's Fear

Master Elxa Dal stops Kvothe in the courtyard and they share lunch in a tavern. After asking Kvothe what he thinks about his future, Dal makes vague suggestions about taking a break and shares a story in which academic knowledge loses out to practical knowledge. Later, Kvothe’s friends explain that Dal was suggesting he take a semester off classes entirely. Kvothe sees the wisdom after they explain that the University is outraged at the attention his trial brought.

While struggling to find direction for his semester off, Kvothe runs into Threpe, who shows him part of a letter from Maer Alveron. The man, essentially the king of Vintas in all but title, needs a performer with a gift with words. Kvothe decides to leave the next day, and Threpe composes his letter of introduction. Kvothe tends to some final business and bids his farewells, running into Elodin as he leaves town. Elodin advises him to seek the name of the wind as Kvothe departs. He stops at Devi’s, where he does not have enough money to pay for travel and cover his debt; they haggle until they reach an agreement for his loan.

Kvothe meets Threpe at the Eolian, where they rush to the docks as Threpe shares advice. He also warns Kvothe about the three things all wise men fear: “the sea in storm, a night with no moon, and the anger of a gentle man” (401).

Kvothe brushes over much of his journey, but notes that there was piracy and shipwreck. He arrives at Severen after 16 days of adventure.

Kvothe arrives at Severen with only his lute, his letter of introduction, Nina’s drawing, and stolen clothes. He pawns his lute and its case for enough money to get clean and outfitted. He eavesdrops on some nobles at a café and approaches, pretending to be royalty and demanding an escort to Alveron.

Kvothe bluffs his way into Alveron estate where he seeks out Stapes, Alveron’s manservant. He provides his letter of introduction and is taken to Alveron, showing appropriate deference. Alveron sets an appointment for them to talk the next day and gives Kvothe lodgings in his home. His rooms are opulent enough to make Kvothe uncomfortable; later, a tailor visits him to outfit him with new clothes. Kvothe waits for Alveron to summon him, aware that if too much time passes the pawnshop will sell his lute.

Kvothe meets Alveron in the gardens, where he notices the man’s apparent illness. They walk together, Kvothe offering his emotional and physical support. At the end of their walk, Alveron asks him to keep his identity a secret and to wait a little longer to learn the purpose of his visit. Back in his room, Kvothe resolves to be patient.

Alveron and Kvothe walk again in the gardens the next day, debating inherent and granted power. They have similar conversations over the next few days as Alveron tries to read Kvothe and his worthiness. Kvothe attracts visitors from court gossips.

On the fourth day, a man named Bredon appears at Kvothe’s room and teaches him the game of tak. Through Bredon, Kvothe explains the system of rings used to request an audience with someone: iron rings sent to those below the giver’s station, silver for those who meet, and gold for those above. After they play, Bredon gives Kvothe social advice before departing, as well as gifts Kvothe a set of rings so that he may request audiences himself. Over the next few days, Kvothe spends his time talking with Alveron and playing tak with Bredon.

After two days without contact, Stapes arrives and escorts Kvothe to Alveron’s private chambers. Kvothe finds Alveron recovering from illness, bemoaning his chronic condition. Alveron explains that he is old enough that he must start creating heirs, and there is only one woman who meets all the necessary criteria: Meluan Lackless. Kvothe agrees to help him woo her but is warned to engage this task in secret.

Kvothe visits Caudicus, Alveron’s arcanist, and pretends not to be trained in the arcane. He also claims to be writing a book on local families to get information about the Lacklesses. Caudicus tells him that the Lackless family has a door in their estate with no hinges or handles before giving him Alveron’s medicine to deliver. When Kvothe returns to Alveron, he says that Caudicus is poisoning him.

Kvothe convinces Alveron of the poisoning by reciting his symptoms based on the ingredients he watched Caudicus mix. He recognizes lead and denner resin, a highly addictive drug. Kvothe suggests bringing in birds and mixing it with their nectar to see how they are affected. He warns Alveron about withdrawal and offers to concoct a tea to draw the lead out of his body. He is given a purse and purchases the items, as well as his lute. On his way back to Alveron’s estate, he runs into Denna on the horse lifts. She leaves quickly after telling him where to find her.

Kvothe returns to Alveron, who is showing signs of withdrawal. He brews Alveron more tea and gives him cod liver oil. As he leaves, he worries that if Alveron dies due to his fragile state, he will be blamed.

Kvothe leaves for town, makes some purchases, and looks for Dena, He returns and hosts Bredon, where he learns more about the social structure of Severen. Kvothe is called again to Alveron, where Alveron admits he is feeling better but notes that the birds are still alive and well. Kvothe is then sent to fetch medicine from Caudicus, where he gets a history lesson on the Lackless family as he watches Caudicus work. Back in Alveron’s room, Kvothe fills the feeders with medicine.

Kvothe feels trapped but waits as nobles provide him with gossip. When he visits Alveron, the birds are alive and Kvothe sees that he is losing credibility. After he picks up the medicine and feeds it to the birds, he walks the castle halls, trying to get a better sense of an escape route. That night, Kvothe walks through the gardens and sees a conversation between Caudicus and Stapes.

Kvothe worries he has fallen out of favor with Alveron and sneaks out of the castle to visit Denna. She shares that she has a formal patronage. His identity remains a secret, much to Kvothe’s frustration after the man’s history of abuse. They walk and share gossip. When Kvothe returns to the castle, he is told he is confined to his rooms so seeks out Alveron. In private, Alveron exposes his rage and Kvothe realizes the danger he is in. Stapes steps into the room as the conflict is coming to a head, surprised by their presence. He is carrying a dead bird and, after questioning, reveals that he has been removing dead birds for several days because he didn’t want to worry Alveron. Stapes bursts into tears and Alveron embraces him. Later, the three men eat dinner and reconcile. Alveron sends guards after Caudicus but is quickly informed that he has escaped. Alveron privately expresses his gratitude to Kvothe; as Kvothe leaves, Stapes embraces him and gives him a ring made of bone.

Kvothe is moved into nicer rooms. Bredon visits and explains that the bone ring signifies a deep debt and should be kept private. After beating Kvothe at tak several times in a row, Bredon expresses that the point is to play a beautiful game.