A fantasy mainly through flashbacks [s]

[Elijah]

I'm new here and i was wondering if someone or anyone could help me with finding this fantasy series I've forgotten the name of,

Plot Description: The entire story is in a setting similar to that that of medieval times with magic having advanced society somewhat. The whole telling of the story is being retold by the main character, a man with red hair frequently called metallic in color, as he tells a scribe who has tracked him down. The main character wishes to not claim his past fame wishing to instead manage the tavern/inn that he owns. His tale begins with him a child of a happy traveling circus family to losing that family and living in the slums of a port city. However through certain events both forced and otherwise, he manages to gain enough money and knowledge to leave his poor life behind him in order to go to a prestigious college for those of magical talents. He fakes and bluffs his way in and is able to steadily keep himself afloat intellectually and financially through various means. Every once in a while the speaker will stop and the brings the read back to the present with the main character taking a break from retelling his tale for a rest or something else. The scribe learns through minor things that this great hero has lost something and has been broken, not physically or mentally but at the core. the core of where his magically talents should reside. The main character goes through many challenges and test as he retells his story from a band of murderous performs to helping a king court a younger princess through letters and poetry to fighting a creature commonly refereed to as a dragon that isn't to even not having his mind broken by a powerful elf woman with a nearly insatiable sexual appetite. He's also a slut in one culture that he visits due to him being a performer with his lute. Music being a very, very private thing in the culture he visits in order to learn of their combat style and he earns a sacred sword from these people as he learns further. All of which he survives with lessons learned and scars bared. The last thing I recall from the book's ending was of the main character having finished retelling his story for the day and returning to his room and attempting to open a chest that has been mentioned before in the story. However is unable to open the chest and he appears defeated by the effort and his apparent failure at being unable to open the chest.

The cover from the first book I don't remember. I do remember much of the second books cover. On a path between two edges of a forest a lone figure stands further on the path with his back to you. His hair blows in the storm wind as he wields a katana like sword that glows with white energy. The words and borders of the title are in a leafy vine like font.

I don't remember much more other than minor things the character might have done or said.

So yeah, I was hoping someone would know the name of this book(s) and or the author of it as well.

Thank you in advance for any help you may give.

[Random]

The Name of the Wind

The second book is The Wise Man's Fear

[Elijah]

I can't thank you enough. Thanks again.