The blade made a whistling sound as it passed near her head. "Please…..no more…." She stuttered out as the man laughed cruelly and took out his knife again.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA…"

Kote awoke in a sweat. He had been having that same dream over and over again. He got up and opened the window. By the sun, it was only four o'clock. He sighed, knowing he couldn't get back to sleep, and went downstairs to find Bast asleep in a chair, with the book Celum Tinture spread in front of him. "Smart Bast, very smart," He thought to himself, moving around getting his inn ready for work that morning. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

He instantly kicked Bast's chair, waking him up, and pointing to the door. Bast nodded and assumed a scholarly stance with his book. Kote walked to the door and opened it. "Can I help you-" he started, but then stopped and stared.

"Can you help me? Yes, of course you can help me!" yelled Elodin, and then ran into Kote's arms. Kote was about to return the hug, when Elodin pulled back. "What in the world is wrong with you?"

Kote cringed. "No-nothing," he said, and then moved to embrace Elodin. Elodin, however, pulled back.

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!" Elodin screamed, and then called on the name of fire, and held it in front of Kote. "BEGONE SKIN DANCER!"

Kote sighed and shook his head. To Elodin, he said, "There is not a skin dancer in me."

Elodin believed him, but there was something….off about Kvothe. "Has anything happened to you, dear Kvothe?"

"I am Kvothe no more. I am now Kote, innkeeper."

Elodin stared at him. "Why would you…why?"

Kote replied, "It was not my choice. The darkness came back into this world, and believing me to be a threat, attacked Bast and anyone I have come into contact with. Friends, family, everyone. I protected Bast, but he was all I could in time. I had to change my name, and lock the old one away. Forever. Do not challenge me on this, for I will not be moved."

Elodin replied, "But…you realize what you have done. You have lost all skills that were associated with your former name. Including…naming itself"

Kote nodded, and was about to explain more, when an arrow flew from a nearby tree and embedded itself deeply into Kote's shoulder.