KKC Theory Wiki

Ben Abenthy Knew More About the Chandrian Than He Let On

plausible motive · popularity 175 · 1 source thread

Abenthy secretly grasped the Chandrian threat and left the troupe to protect Kvothe, foreshadowing a Book 3 return.

About: Abenthy, The Chandrian

Also involves: Kvothe, Arliden, Cinder, Folly, The University, The Doors of Stone, The Amyr

The theory§

Abenthy, the arcanist who tutors a young Kvothe while travelling with the Edema Ruh troupe, treats the Chandrian as a genuine and present danger rather than the folktale figures the wider world takes them for. When he speaks with Laurian and Arliden, he avoids saying the Chandrian's names aloud, and he is visibly disturbed that Arliden is composing a song about them. This theory reads his departure from the troupe not as a simple parting but as a deliberate withdrawal: sensing that Arliden's song would draw the Seven's attention, Abenthy bows out and steers Kvothe toward the University, where wiser minds can assess and shelter him, much as Tempi later sends Kvothe to the Adem for judgment. His parting gift, a copy of Rhetoric and Logic inscribed with 'beware of folly,' is taken as a coded reference to Cinder's sword Folly, implying he understood the Chandrian threat more deeply than he ever admitted. Because Kvothe states he knew it would be long before he saw Abenthy again, many expect him to resurface in The Doors of Stone.

Evidence§

  • I always felt like he had some in site to the Chandrian
    OP's core claim: Ben held special knowledge of the Chandrian. — u/Knack-Jack
  • Ben, however, when he is talking to Lurian and arliden, is reluctant to say any of their names, because it seems he thinks they are real and is afraid of them
    Ben treats the Chandrian as real and dangerous, unlike skeptical arcanists. — u/Ozymandius_XF814
  • he was kind of horrified that Arliden was writing...and would sing...a song about the Chandrian. He knew the song was close to be finished and thought "this is not going to end well" and exited.
    Ben's departure read as fleeing the danger Arliden's song would invite. — u/WatchForFallenRock
  • He realized just how dangerous Kvothe would become...and, like the Adem, became concerned about the rightness of teaching him. So he bowed out. But directed him to the university...just like Tempi directed Kvothe to the School for wiser minds to assess him
    Ben steers Kvothe to the University, paralleling Tempi sending him to the Adem. — u/WatchForFallenRock
  • when be inscribed Kvothe book and says beware of folly he actually means cinders sword … Because of this maybe Ben had more insight then he let on about the chandrian
    Inscription 'beware of folly' read as coded reference to Cinder's sword Folly. — u/Abject-Treat-8632
  • Kvothe says that he knew it would be a long time before he saw him again so he will probably come back in the third book
    Kvothe's own line points to Ben resurfacing in Book 3. — u/Abject-Treat-8632
  • He may have given him that specifically because Hemme is such a pain in the ass, and knew Kvothe would have a hard time with him
    CounterCounter: the book's purpose may be mundane (helping with Master Hemme), not Chandrian. — u/Space_SkaBoom
  • I think that not every character has some hidden truth behind them. I doubt he'll even appear in the 3rd book.
    CounterCounter: Ben may simply be a minor character with no hidden agenda. — u/xKelborn

Book refs: NOTW

Tier reasoning§

tier verified: plausible fits the textual signposts

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