Part VIII : Of Old Love and New Hope

On the road back to Botwulf's Stone, Syntharia produced a potion with effects not unlike a calm emotion spell for Kvothe; Botwulf's Stone was a much larger city than he was used to, she was worried that he may become anxious and frightened. Zael thanked her, telling her that she is much kinder than she lets on. Soon after arriving, she led Zael and Kvothe to her clinic so they could rest while the group dealt with the obelisk. They made their way to the cave quickly, sparing no time. Isadorra met them there, crying, demanding that Trovik stop. She had given up her husband, home, and humanity in service to Valravn for one reason: the promise of seeing her son again. After two hundred years of waiting, things were finally in motion, and if Trovik would not do as Valravn demanded, she would in his place. 

The fight was brutal, Isadorra was far more powerful than she looked but she was distraught, desperate, without a plan. Syntharia begged here to stop, realizing that Isadorra was Kvothe's mother, she told her that he was nearby, it wasn't too late to change. Isadorra did not listen, she could not simply walk away from Valravn, not now. In desperation, Syntharia asked Zael what to do, contacting him with her stone of sending. She placed the stone in Isadorra's hand, hoping his answer would convince her, but it only furthered her despair.

As Isadorra lay bleeding on the ground, Syntharia attempted to save her, pleading with Trovik to allow Isadorra one last look at her family. He did not oblige her. As Isadorra took her last breath Trovik heard a low, booming bell. He saw Isadorra as she once was, a beautiful woman with strawberry-blonde hair, a fearful look on her face. He watched as Hell took her by the hand and led her into the afterlife.

While Trovik and Flint destroyed the obelisk Syntharia rushed back to Zael. She told him what happened, asking if she could not be forgiven for the horrible decisions she made. Zael told her that Isadorra was no longer the woman he once loved, regardless of her reasons, she had caused so much needless suffering. However, he felt that she deserved a proper burial, and he, Kvothe, and Syntharia headed back to the cave. Zael took Syntharia by the hand and led her to Isadorra's body, asking Trovik what he saw when she died. He told Syntharia that she had freed her from her grief and pain, and that he was thankful for that. Trovik gave Zael a locket he found around Isadorra's neck, held inside was a portrait of a young Kvothe. Zael thanked Trovik, apologizing to him, as he had harshly misjudged him.

Syntharia led the group to her mother's grave, and Isadorra was buried next to her, forever looking out to sea.

Played on 04/03/2021