Reid Demonai presented Bird with a bow, a quiver of arrows, and a knife with the Demonai emblem engraved into the hilt. She slid the knife into a sheath at her belt and stood, cradling the other weapons in her arms, then raised her head and looked around the circle. She allowed herself a brilliant smile, that familiar curl falling down over her forehead.

She’s happy, Han told himself. It’s what she wants.

Which made him think of Dancer. All of the other summer borns had come forward. Willo was conversing with Averill and Elena, their heads close together. Everyone looked solemn and grave.

“There is one final summer born to name,” Averill said. “I call forward Fire Dancer, also known as Hayden, son of Willo, Matriarch of Marisa Pines.”

After a moment’s breathless pause, Dancer emerged from the woods and walked forward, all alone, his beautiful jacket reflecting the light of the torches. His face bore the stony expression that was becoming familiar.

Where is his sponsor? Han wondered, peering into the surrounding forest and seeing no one. Then Willo stepped forward and stood beside her son. Dancer glared at her but did not move away.

Now Cennestre Elena Demonai stepped forward, mother of them all. The firelight deepened the lines on her face, the map of her long life. Her eyes were like woodland pools, reflecting the common memory.

Her voice assumed the cadence of the storyteller. “I will tell you a story about a girl born and raised at Marisa Pines.”

Typical clan, Han thought. The relevance of a story wasn’t always clear until the end. And sometimes it was just a story that needed telling, and had nothing to do with the situation at hand. For Dancer’s sake, he hoped that wasn’t the case this time.

“This girl’s name was Watersong, and the magic was strong in her,” Elena went on.

Some of the elders in attendance exchanged significant glances. This story was known to some, at least.

“She was so beautiful that young men came from all over the Seven Realms to see her, hoping to catch her eye. And when the time grew close for her to choose her vocation, everyone paid attention, because she was good at everything. She had no lack of possible sponsors.”

What’s this all about? Han wondered. Isn’t it bad enough that Dancer has no sponsors? Why bring this up now?

“Not long before Watersong’s naming ceremony, she was out walking in the woods one morning when she encountered a young man, a handsome stranger, someone who was not clan, someone who should not have been there.” She paused for effect, then went on.

“The young man wore an elaborate ring on his finger, studded with emeralds. He asked Watersong if she would like to try it on.”