Kvothe sends a letter to Alveron with the other mercenaries. Tempi shares that if Kvothe is found to be unworthy of teaching, Tempi will be exiled. He trains Kvothe with renewed vigor, trying to ensure he is ready to meet the Adem. Kvothe makes progress physically and intellectually.

They arrive at Haert, Tempi’s home. Tempi leaves Kvothe to talk to his mentor, Shehyn. An old woman approaches him and they talk of utility and beauty before she invites him to walk with her. She shows him features of the town and the sword tree from a distance, then asks his knowledge of the Ketan. He realizes this is Shehyn and the two spar. After, she shows him the sword tree up close. He sees that the leaves are heavy and sharp enough to cut flesh. She compares the tree to the Ketan.

They return to town. Shehyn gathers several mercenaries and Tempi, then leaves Kvothe outside while they talk. After three hours, Kvothe is brought inside and questioned on the Lethani. Carceret, one of the women who found them on the road, asserts that Tempi should be exiled. Shehyn decides that Kvothe will be taught by