After his rocky start, the rest of the term goes more smoothly for Kvothe. He learns Artificery and makes a little money at Kilvin’s workshop. He and Wil and Sim become better friends. Kvothe nurtures his reputation for dramatic recklessness by letting the truth out about his admission and spreading some nonsensical rumors—with a little help from his friend Basil.

Kvothe and Ambrose continue their hostilities, and Kvothe seizes every opportunity to use his wit and intelligence against his enemy. The book’s protagonist is fearless because, as he puts it, he learned real fear in Tarbean and couldn’t muster that feeling for such a “puffed-up clown” (318). However, this short chapter ends with Kvothe confessing that Ambrose was more dangerous than he thought: “I was a fool” (318).

Kote becomes silent for a bit, then says he is not sure how to tell the next part of the story. Bast suggests that he start with what’s most important and then touch on other things. Kote responds sharply that it’s not so simple.

Kote asks Bast and Chronicler what the story is lacking, and Bast replies, “Women” (321). Not just any woman, Kote chides—the woman.