Name of the Wind 52 - 54

Chapter 52

Kote has overloaded himself with work and is starting to fatigue. Simon and Wil at first think he must have a girlfriend but finally figure out he is overworked. Kote has a sympathy duel with another student as part of Elxa Dal's class. The both nearly kill themselves from hypothermia by trying to use their body heat to create fire. Later Kote learns than Wil and Simon have gone to Master Kilvin and told him Kote is taking on too much. He is banned from the fishery. He takes it in stride, calming himself down by playing music. He tells them he will forgive them if they tell him about the Elodian.

Slightly surprised Elxa Dal didn't have any sharp words for the students following their dueling shenanigans.  At least Kote turned a little profit by wagering on himself.  Kote's bank account has turned out to be a major source of the tension in this book, rather unusual for an epic fantasy.

Chapter 53

Kote plans to play his lute at a fancy tavern named the Elodian. Musicians who play there have a chance of winning a badge that will help them earns jobs at other bars. There are also potential patrons who frequent the place. Problem is, the owners charge a talent for musicians to play there. Later we find Kote has befriended a slight looney urchin who lives in the quad where he practices his lute. He calls her Auri. She tells him she saw master Elodin listening to the wind the other night.

Still not sure who the mystery woman is but we are getting closer. I don't think it's this Auri. Kote will be wagering again, this time a "talent" to see if his (musical) "talent" can get him a sponsor. Wondering what the significance of the rumors about Elodin will turn out to be.

Chapter 54

Kote heads to the Elodian  to earn his pipes, the badge of a skilled musician. He meets Deoch, the owner who works as bouncer, and Stanchion, the owner who manages the entertainment, and makes a good impression on both. He learns that Ambrose is in the audience. He elects to play "the Lay of Sir Savien", a particularly difficult song that requires a female part. He says he expects there to be a talented singer in the audience who will fill in the part. He performs the song well and is lucky enough to have a good singer join him. But halfway through, one of his strings breaks. Luckily, he practiced playing with broken strings when he lived in the woods is he is able to pull off the ending anyway.

Kote continues to figuratively and literally place risky wagers that pay off, and it appears to continue in this scene. I'm the guessing the singer that joined in will finally be the mystery female that was hinted at. I also suspect that Ambrose may have used a little sympathy to cause the broken string.

Name of the Wind 49 - 51

Chapter 49

The term ends and it's time for admission exams again. Kote can't cheat this time, and Hemme is out to get him. His tuition is set at a few jots more than he has available. He goes off looking for a loan shark across the river in Imre.

A bit of discussion at the beginning about the woman he has been referring to. Keeps up the suspense by not naming the mystery woman. 

Chapter 50

Kote gives in to temptation to buy a used lute at a pawnbroker. He drives a hard bargain and is able to get it for an affordable price. But now he has no choice but to borrow from Devi. She reassures him that she will seal the vial so he can be sure she doesn't hasn't tampered with the vial, but he still has misgivings.

So Kote now has a lute, hopefully he can earn some money playing to pay off Devi. Would hate to see him get into a bad spot with her now that he has given up his blood sample.

We're approximately at the halfway point here. A couple of halftime observations:

•   I'm still not 100% in Kote's corner at this point. Despite the fact he's had some major tragedies and setbacks in his life, and has shown grit in overcoming them, I'm still not completely sympathetic to him. I think the main reason is that he comes off a little arrogant (on top of just being too good at everything and having every skill come too easily to him) and an almost complete lack of humor. Seriously, for a trained performer his worldview strikes me as a bit ... humorless, even before his major tragedy

Other than the Chadrian attack on the troupe, very little dramatic action has happened in the first half. Still hoping for the action to kick up a few notches in the second half.

On another note, why are all female character names two-syllable, two consonant, two vowels?  Dena, Devi, Mola, etc?

Chapter 51

Kote goes to a secluded quad to practice his lite and discovers a mysterious grate guarded by runes. He later gets the idea to set the names and functions of the runes to music, which allows him to remember them easily and pass the test for the next level of his training. He continues his training under the tutelage of Manet.

A confusing chapter in one spot there, not sure what it was that the gate did, but it seems like it teleported him? I'm sure it will come into play later.

Name of the Wind 46 - 48

Chapter 46

Kote tracks down Master Elodin and tries to convince him to take him on as a student. Elodin allows Kote to ask 3 questions. With the first, Kote asks why Elodin doesn't want to teach him. Elodin gives him a few ersatz answers, then says he will show Kote why. He takes Kote to the rookery and introduces him to some of the mad inhabitants. He also shows Kote the room where Elodin was imprisoned. Kote ask how he escaped, and he quotes from the story of Taborlon the Great, who knew the name of stone and told the wall to break. He tries to give a practical demonstration, but the room has been reinforced with some possibly enchanted copper and is a little more sturdy. They do manage to get out side and climb up a 20 foot tower. Kote's final question is what does he have to do to get accepted as an apprentice and Elodin says "jump." Kote does but instead of saving him Eldoin lets him fall and he ends up with broken ribs and a concussion. Elodin says anyone who would do that is too reckless to teach. Kote decides to join Master Kilvin.

Elodin comes off as the most interesting if the Masters, hopefully he will change his mind about Kote. Interesting that his escape from the Rookery is so much like the story of Taborlin. Also found it unfair of him to test Kote by asking him to jump - but maybe he is right, Maybe Kote wants it TOO much.

Chapter 47

Kote finishes his first term, passing time between his studies playing card games and earning extra money from working for Kilvin. He cultivates rumors about himself to add to his reputation and continues to bicker with Ambrose.

One gets the feeling that Ambrose's power and connections are going to spell bad news for Kote sooner rather than later.

Chapter 48

Back in the tavern, Kote pauses his story. Bast has for some reason learned to fear when silence gathers around Kote. But finally Kote speaks, saying he will talk about a special woman, to whom he doesn't think he can do justice with words.

Does this silence that Bast fears have anything to do with the Chandrian? There's a sense that the story is about to turn and become darker here.