Kvothe drinks and plays his lute in his new rooms until Alveron appears behind him through a secret passage. Kvothe plays for him and discusses his skill with words. Alveron has arranged a celebration in honor of his recovered health as a guise for Kvothe to meet Meluan. Kvothe gets approval to wander town and goes to find Denna.

Stapes helps Kvothe learn local etiquette to prepare for the banquet. At the dinner, he is seated next to Meluan and is struck with a sense of familiarity. They banter and Kvothe discovers she hates the Edema Ruh, but despite that they have a good time. After dinner, Kvothe drafts letters and songs, giving Alveron wooing instructions.

Kvothe spends his days with Denna, using his affection for her as inspiration to write for Meluan. Denna vanishes after two weeks and Kvothe experiences writer’s block. To clear his head and lose dependency on Denna, he pretends that Caudicus still poses a threat to Alveron and offers to make him a gram.