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.