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Abenthy Is Master Ash: Kvothe's Tutor Became Denna's Violent Patron

fringe identity · popularity 621 · 1 source thread

Ben the arcanist secretly became Denna's patron Master Ash, trading Kvothe's tutelage for hers to chase Chandrian lore.

About: Abenthy, Master Ash, Denna

Also involves: The Chandrian, Kvothe, Arliden, Laurian

The theory§

This theory identifies Abenthy, the arcanist who first tutored Kvothe with the Edema Ruh troupe, as Master Ash, the concealed patron who later employs and beats Denna. Its central plank is the moment after Kvothe binds the wind to his lungs, when Ben's whole body draws up in fury and he raises his arm to strike the boy before stopping himself, read as a glimpse of latent violence consistent with Ash's abuse of Denna. The theory further notes that Ben remained with the troupe just long enough to absorb Arliden's evolving song about Lanre and the Chandrian before departing, and casts his later patronage of Denna as a way to keep gathering Chandrian lore through a proxy. Against this, the text frames Ben's near-strike as a parent's terror after a child nearly kills himself, notable precisely because he lowered his hand; Ben had already resolved to leave the troupe before Arliden finished the song; and Ben is a sympathist, whereas the Chandrian wield their own distinct magic. Kvothe also names Ben as well-meaning and asks that nothing be held against him, which sits awkwardly with Ben being Denna's violent patron.

Evidence§

  • He drew back his arm to strike me…then stopped. After a moment his hand fell to his side.
    OP's central plank: Ben's near-strike read as latent violence consistent with Ash's abuse. — u/cyndle77
  • I feel like after Kvothe binds the Wind to his lungs the only thing saving him from a beating is his parents being around.
    OP interprets the moment: only parental presence prevented violence, as with Ash and Denna. — u/cyndle77
  • Ben seems to be around just long enough to collect the story of the Chandrian that Arliden tells … before conveniently leaving in time to miss what happens because of it.
    OP: Ben absorbs Chandrian lore then conveniently departs before the massacre. — u/cyndle77
  • Master Ash is now tutoring Denna instead of Kvothe. No pesky parents so he can beat her. … Later Denna is singing her own song about Lanre. The Song of Seven Sorrows.
    OP's payoff: Ben becomes Denna's patron to keep chasing Chandrian lore via a proxy. — u/cyndle77
  • if Abenthy is actively hiding who he really is and has ulterior motives we wouldn't know his true character.
    Refines theory: Ben's gentle image is just Kvothe's perception of a concealed man. — u/nvaughan81
  • Ben simply isn't a violent man. He would have had *plenty* of opportunities to beat Kvothe if he had been so inclined. … What I find significant wasn't that he raised his hand, it is that he lowered it.
    CounterCounter: the near-strike shows restraint, not violence; Ben had many chances and never struck. — u/Bovey
  • I'll also point out that Ben had *already* decided to leave the troupe before Kvothe's father sang his song. … Ben is obviously a sympathist, but the Chandrion don't use sympathy … they have their own magic. It just doesn't fit.
    CounterCounter: Ben resolved to leave before the song finished, and his magic differs from the Chandrian's. — u/Bovey
  • I ask that you not hold it against him. He meant well. … this line implies that Kvothe sees Abenthy's intentions as ultimately more altruistic than Kvothe's own future deeds.
    CounterCounter: Kvothe's framing of Ben as well-meaning sits awkwardly with Ben being a violent patron. — u/Sandal-Hat

Book refs: NOTW, WMF

Tier reasoning§

tier confirmed fringe: speculative identity leap

Contributors§

Source threads§