KKC Theory Wiki

Mola Turned on Kvothe After Spotting His Fae Heritage in the Medica

fringe identity · popularity 206 · 1 source thread

Mola recognised Kvothe was part Fae from his shifting eye colour and secretly launched the heat-based malfeasance attacks.

About: Mola, Kvothe

Also involves: The Fae, Ambrose Jakis, Master Kilvin, Wilem, Sympathy, The Fishery

The theory§

This theory holds that Mola, treating Kvothe after he collapses in Kilvin's workshop, recognises something Fae in him from his shifting eye colour and afterward begins the malfeasance attacks usually attributed to Ambrose. It rests on separating two kinds of heat: the natural, ambient swelter of Kilvin's furnace-lit office, where Kilvin himself sweats and Kvothe deliberately shuts the door for privacy, from the later targeted heat that wanders through Kvothe's body as though seeking a way out. Because the directed attacks begin only after Mola has had access to Kvothe's blood in the Medica, she is placed as the malefactor. The reasoning is widely rejected: Mola is a disciplined healer who later works in good faith to reconcile Kvothe and Devi, the early attacks are non-lethal in a way that suits Ambrose's sadism rather than a genuine threat-assessment, and the fire in Ambrose's rooms, which destroys a wax-or-clay mommet of Kvothe and ends the attacks, points firmly to Ambrose.

Evidence§

  • Mola recognized that Kvothe was part Fae when she examined him after the heat stroke because of his changing eye color and for some unknown reason in her backstory she decided she had to attack him.
    OP's core thesis stating the theory. — u/lihaoza
  • When Kvothe passed out in Kilvin's office it was from genuine heat stroke as a result of being weakened by his injuries and overworking himself. This assumption is crucial because it shows that the attacks started AFTER Mola had access to his blood in the medica.
    Key premise: real heat stroke means attacks began only after Mola got his blood. — u/lihaoza
  • the nature of the heat described in Kilvin's office was different than when Kvothe was near the river. The way it is described in Kilvin's office sounds like a natural building up of heat all around his as a result of the furnace and enclosed space.
    Separates ambient furnace heat from later targeted malfeasance. — u/lihaoza
  • The strange heat moved through my body, like there was a fire inside me trying to find a way out. It started along my left side, then wandered down to my legs, then back up to my left arm. When it moved to my head, I ducked underwater.
    Book quote showing the later directed attack, contrasted with ambient heat. — u/lihaoza
  • When Kvothe came here unconscious, what did you do first?” “I checked his pupils for signs of head trauma,” Mola said automatically. “What the hell does that have to do with anything?” Wilem gestured in my direction. “Look at his eyes now.” Mola looked at me. “They’re dark,” she said, sounding surprised. “Dark green. Like a pine bough.”
    Eye-color exchange OP says tipped Mola off to Fae heritage. — u/lihaoza
  • Right after pointing this out Mola immediately drops the subject and moves on pretending to forgive Kvothe. Everything we know about Mola’s personality would suggest she would not back down just because Kvothe was showing signs of anger and stubbornness.
    OP argues Mola's sudden backing down is suspiciously out of character. — u/lihaoza
  • Mola is a healer. She works at the Medica, and takes her studies there extremely seriously. The idea that she would just start attacking Kvothe immediately after learning of his Fae-ness just doesn't track, to me. She's stubborn, but not vicious.
    CounterCounter: a disciplined Medica healer wouldn't turn attacker. — u/ProfessorMoosePhD
  • The Malfeasance attacks weren't lethal initially, and Mola doesn't seem the type for half measures. If she thought he was dangerous, she would be competent enough to kill him on the first try. It's a much better fit for Ambrose's sadistic nature.
    CounterCounter: non-lethal attacks fit Ambrose's sadism, not a threat-assessing Mola. — u/2427543
  • The attacks stopped after the fire in Ambrose's rooms. During which Kvothe found a clay Monet and threw it out of the window with the burning furniture. Fairly conclusive...
    CounterCounter: burning of Ambrose's mommet ending the attacks points to Ambrose. — u/Jonnyshuffle

Book refs: NOTW, WMF

Tier reasoning§

fringe correct; widely countered, speculative identity leap

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