“I’m going to see if I can turn the wind,” Dancer said. “No promises, but…”

“Turn the wind?” Han’s hopes shriveled and died. “I just don’t know if…” He bit his lip to keep the rest of his doubts from pouring out.

Dancer looked back at him, his blue eyes as serene as a deep forest lake. “Let me try anyway.”

He and Cat ran for the bridge.

C H A P T E R  T W E N T Y - O N E

EARTH MAGIC

Han wasn’t optimistic about Dancer’s chances. Wizards hadn’t succeeded in controlling the weather since the Breaking. Theoretically, it could be done, but it consumed tremendous power just to stir up a bit of fog. Amulets these days couldn’t handle the job.

“Where’s Dancer going?” Raisa’s voice startled Han, practically in his ear. Micah, of course, was right beside her.

“He and Cat are heading for the temple garden,” Han said.

“The temple?” Raisa drew her brows together. “He’s needed out here. If the fire crosses the river, Southbridge is done for.”

Han hesitated. He didn’t really want to get into it with Micah right there. “He’s going to try to stop the wind.”

“How?” Micah said derisively. “By praying?”

Han turned his back on Micah and looked across the river. Dancer and Cat were already scrambling down the slope to the water’s edge, where the gardens surrounded the temple docks. Choosing a spot nearly in the shadow of the bridge, Dancer sat cross-legged in the dirt. He took hold of his amulet with both hands and closed his eyes.

The stench of burning wool alerted Han that his coat was on fire again. Batting at his sleeve, he swung around. Sparks and cinders from flaming buildings in Ragmarket fountained down all around them. Citizens, soldiers, clan—the brigade clung to the edge of the river, fighting for every inch of ground. Han squinted against the scorching wind, trying to see where his flash would do the most good.

“Across the bridge!” Byrne roared. “Go! Go! Go! Everyone—right now!”

Han turned to see that the guard tower on the west end of the bridge had caught fire behind them, throwing embers down onto the bridge decking and the wooden timbers supporting it. If they didn’t go now they’d be trapped between the river and the flames. They’d have to leap into the Dyrnnewater to escape, and many city dwellers couldn’t swim.

Panicked firefighters poured across the bridge. Byrne scooped up Raisa and carried her to the other side to keep her from being trampled in the mob.