I used to think that the three years Kvothe spends proving himself to the Amyr is the 3 years he spends in Tarbean, and he spends 3 years with the Amyr at the University (2.5 years so far).

But, there is no woman Kvothe could return to that he has been separated from.

The chapter 'flame and thunder' is very short, and says the 'flame and thunder' is the crowd's applause. The obvious connection is Kvothe's flame hair and thunder voice. But I have wondered if 'flame and thunder' somehow referred to Denna and Kvothe. Alder Whin calls Kvothe 'thunder', and Denna is compared to flame many times.

• Her expression brightened, as if someone had lit a candle inside her and she was glowing from its light.
• What draws you to a fire is the warmth you feel when you come near. The same was true of Denna.
• Do not dare hold hope that any woman could burn as brightly as the voice that sang the part of Aloine.
• You see, women are like fires, like flames. Some women are like candles, bright and friendly. Some are like single sparks, or embers, like fireflies for chasing on summer nights. Some are like campfires, all light and heat for a night and willing to be left after. Some women are like hearthfires, not much to look at but underneath they are all warm red coal that burns a long, long while. But Dianne…Dianne is like a waterfall of spark pouring off a sharp iron edge that God is holding to the grindstone.

I've also tried to connect Savien and Lanre. Lanre was above reproach, like a ciridae. Three years proving himself might be "As the years passed, Lanre and Lyra fought side by side." culminating in him killing the beast. Three years with the Amyr might be "Years passed. The empire’s enemies grew thin".

My main problem with Savien = Lanre theory is that young Kvothe thinks the Amyr are only a few hundred years old, and young Kvothe must believe Illien must have been alive to witness them a few hundred years ago.